Page 65 of Wayfinder
I took her hand in mine, pulling open the door. We’d kept our mating secret for the most part, knowing the Baron would not react kindly to the news. Now, I wanted him and everyone else to know Pearl was mine and that I would do anything...anythingto protect her.
The Baron was livid, webbed hands flailing about as broad, slimy lips smacked, issuing grunts of displeasure. Four large Kwado guards flanked him, trying to appear imposing.
“Hello Baron. What can I do for you?”
Pearl covered her unease, acting completely unfettered. I took the distraction to tap my comm bracelet—a signal to Jala I’dput into play—just in case. I’d hoped to have Pearl off the space station before the Baron realized we’d thwarted his plans. Now, my only goal was to keep her safe.
“What did you do to Duke Ako’s dinner?” The Baron hissed. Globules of spit flowed from his lips giving faint smacking sounds as they hit the floor.
“I’m sorry.” Pearl appeared legitimately confused, although I knew that wasn’t the case. “The Duke said he loved the chili.”
The Baron stepped forward, pointing a bulbous finger in Pearl’s face. I steeled myself against reaction. While I knew I could best the four Kwado guards easily, attacking a royal—even one as slimy as the Baron—carried dire consequences. But if he or any of his guards touched Pearl, I’d rip out his throat and deal with the outcome happily.
“I know you didn’t serve the stroaig to the Duke,” he hissed, beady-eyed.
I saw the expression in Pearl’s eyes flicker as she glanced at me. It was as good a confession as any. The Baron had no way of knowing that Pearl didn’t use the stroaig, except for the Duke not dying at dinner.
Pearl met the Baron’s gaze head-on. “No. I didn’t. I began preparing the meat, and it smelled spoiled, so I improvised. You didn’t want me to serve the Duke spoiled meat, did you?”
“You should have done what you were told,” the Baron spat... literally.
“I’m sorry?” Pearl crossed her arms over her chest, adopting a defensive stance. “The Duke raved about the chili, so obviously, he didn’t realize it wasn’t stroaig. What’s the problem?”
The way my mate stood up to the Baron was glorious and pride erupted in my chest. Why did I ever consider wanting amate that was quiet, demur, and meek? Pearl was fierce, brazen, and determined. Utterly, utterly perfect.
“Seriously?” she pressed. “What’s the big deal about not serving the stroaig if the Duke loved the chili?”
“The problem is that you belong to me and need to do as I command. No matter what!” The Baron seethed, gesturing to one of the guards. “Bring her. Whip her until she understands how to obey.”
Deema and Aqsa whimpered, obviously having experience with whippings at the Baron’s hand.
The guard shifted his stance, hand outstretched to grab Pearl. Before he could make contact, I insinuated myself between them.
“I don’t think so.”
“How dare you defy me!” The Baron’s high-pitched screech echoed off the walls. “The Vaktaire needs a lesson in manners as well. Bring them both.”
Putting a hand on her hip, I pushed Pearl a few steps behind me, at the same time drawing my scimitar. The Baron had just signed his death warrant. His Kwado guards all laid hands on their weapons, but I noticed a tremble to their webbed fingers. Kwado, like Aljani were not known for their battle prowess. Most knew facing off against a Vaktaire, even with the four to one odds in their favor, would mean death.
“What is all this?”
The voice’s inherent authority stilled my hand. Duke Ako swept into the kitchen, followed by his personal guard, my sister, and Praxxan.
The swoony sounds issued by Aqsa and Deema nearly made me smile.
The Baron stiffened, trying to hide the ferocity that recently consumed him. I re-sheathed my scimitar but did not move from the protective stance in front of my mate. Pearlclutched at my bicep, fingers trembling. I wanted to kill the Baron for making her feel the slightest amount of fear.
“I’m sorry, your grace.” The Baron wore his deference like a layer of slime. “I am having difficulties with my human chef. As you well know, humans can be difficult at times and must be punished.”
What is her offense?” Ako came to a stop beside my mate, followed by his entourage. It felt like a battle line was drawn down the center of the kitchen, with the Baron and his guard on one side... and everyone else on the other.
“She did not prepare your dinner as instructed.” Baron Oappo adopted his most haughty demeanor. I wanted to gut him.
“My dinner?” The Duke started, then chuckled. “My dinner was the most wonderful concoction that has ever passed my tongue. She needs lauding, not punishing.”
“I’m sorry, your grace, but I must insist. I require all my slaves to be obedient, even in the smallest issue.”
A dollop of anxiety laced Baron Oappo’s aggression. He needed to get me and Pearl away before we could mention to the Duke that the stroaig seemed spoiled.
