Page 12 of Touch the Stars
“Pffft.”She pushed herself to sit upright, then leaned her back against the wall.“Easy to say went you weren’t the one getting bounced around like a marble in a paint can.Jesus, I’m gonna have more bruises than a bar fight.”
The voice didn’t respond, which was a good thing.The conversation was getting on her last nerve anyway.She clambered to her feet, took in a deep breath through her mouth, puffed her cheeks, then blew it out the same way.
“Prepare for an audience,” the voice announced.
What did that even mean?Oh.“You mean someone’s coming here?To this room?”
“Yes.”
Please let it be the emperor-dude, because she had a few things to say to him.
On second thoughts, if she was a sex slave, then the emperor must be in on her abduction.She needed a Plan B, fast.
Chapter 4
Bataar.
Hestrodealongthenarrow corridor toward his future empress’s room.If the grand emperor and the Ancient Ones knew about all the primitive mechanical devices orbiting her planet, they might reconsider their generous offer to these humans.What could the people of this world possibly contribute to the empire?
Besides the future grand empress, that was.Her worth was immeasurable, even though she lacked constitution.Maybe he should have prioritized feeding her before departure.His step stuttered.That decision could prove to be an error in judgement on his part.One that he must rectify shortly.By the time they reached Ghara, she would be hale, healthy, and ready to assume her imperial duties.
The memory of her clothed in the unfamiliar garments of her planet rose in his mind.The swatch of form-fitting black cloth around her full hips and thighs, and the loose, bright purple shirt with finger-thin straps draped over her ample breasts could not hide her noble calling.Imagine how regal she would be in white!
He quickened his gait.The sooner he reached the stateroom, the sooner he could ascertain she was safe after his attempts to dodge the planetary debris field.
A snort escaped him.That was not therealreason he desired to see her.Of course she was safe; he had strapped her in himself.The real reason for his rush was purely selfish, and a true warrior did not yield to such indiscretions.
He paused by the cabin’s wall, gave the command, then stepped into the grand emperor’s private room.His gaze was immediately drawn to the bed.
The empty bed.
With no bed cover.
He drew his eyebrows together and frowned.How odd.Had the imperial heir somehow escaped?No, not possible.She did not have the word to command the door to open.Besides, neither her nor the bed cover had been in evidence along the corridor outside.So she must be here.
A blur of blue and white flew toward him from his right, and he ducked.
Thud.
A covering for a foot much smaller than his own rebounded off the wall and landed a hand span away.Ah, yes.She was still in the room and notably disgruntled.At least he would not have to search the ship for her.
She rose from the floor on the far side of the bed, jaw set, fury burning in her eyes, and the second foot covering in her hand.
“Who.In thehell.Do you think you are?”The cadence of her words was odd, but their meaning was clear.
It was admirable, in an adorable way, that she faced him armed with only her tiny shoe.Fierce, and so cunning to assess her available resources to protect herself.What courage for her to stand up to a warrior nearly twice her size.She must also be a warrior for her own people.Her skills would help her grow into a great empress.
Good thing he had fitted her with a translator before their departure from her planet.This time, when he explained the honor bestowed upon her, she would not become upset and accusatory.The device’s sounding stone glinted a dark pink in her earlobe, ready to receive and transmit his words along the thin chain to the translator cuff attached to the shell of her ear.Once she understood, she would be fine.
“Let me tell you something, buddy.”She jabbed her shoe in his direction.“I amnotyour sex slave.”
He jerked his head back.Is that what she thought of him?“I am not a flesh pirate.I am a warrior—”
“I.Don’t.Care.”She ground out the words with a tight jaw.“Here’s what’s going to happen.You’re going to give me my sister, then take us back to Earth.”
And fail in his duty?Fail the emperor, the Ancient Ones, and the entire Gharan Empire?No.The only thing he was taking was control of this situation.This washismission, and she was not empress yet.
“Earth is your planet’s name?”He took a step toward her.
