Page 47 of Kazzon's Human Bride
Dark fury coursed through Kazzon.
These Xollnaxians had thrown spears at Caylee. Thank the Gods she’d avoided their aim. But the aliens would pay for trying to hurt her. No one touched or threatened what belonged to him. His sweet Caylee would come to no harm.
He would die protecting her, if that was what it took.
Before the Xollnaxians could take one step closer to Caylee, Kazzon drew in a deep breath and let out a menacing growl that rattled the walls of the corridor. The green aliens froze for a moment, then slowly turned and settled their attention on him. Good. That was exactly what he wanted. For these fools to attack him instead of his beloved.
A quick glance at Caylee and he noticed she wore a look of relief that was still tinged with fear. She shot him a smile, then lifted the arm that held the knife and threw it at the back of one alien’s head. It collided with the Xollnaxian’s skull with a harsh thud, though the knife didn’t pierce the alien.
Caylee didn’t know it, but neither the blaster nor the knife would function properly in her hands, as she wasn’t a Tarrkuan. But he admired her for trying. She was beautiful and strong and brave, and he couldn’t restrain a grin when she gave up trying to pull the trigger on the blaster and hurled it at the other alien’s head.
Both Xollnaxians stumbled and rubbed the backs of their heads, then started to turn toward Caylee again. But Kazzon stopped them with another fierce growl, once more drawing their attention. Then he advanced on them, blind rage fueling his movements.
He killed both aliens in the space of a moment, shooting one in the head, the other in the chest. The creatures collapsed in a pile together and ceased moving. Few beings could survive a single shot from a Tarrkuan blaster and these Xollnaxians were no exception.
“Caylee!” Kazzon’s voice boomed down the corridor.
He rushed to his bride and took her in his arms, holding her out slightly as he looked her up and down, searching for any injuries. It reminded him briefly of the time he’d caught her sneaking about the dome-city of New Leesburg late in the night, when he’d checked her for injuries just after discovering her hiding in the shadows. Gods, that seemed like ages ago, though he knew only a full Tarrkuan moon cycle had passed since then.
Relief spread through him when he determined that Caylee was uninjured. He clutched her to his chest, breathing in the floral scent of her hair and soaking up her very essence, thankful to have her safe and back in his arms.
“Are you all right, little human?” he asked, just to be sure. He had to shout to be heard above the sound of the alarm.
“Yes,Xerr,” she shouted back. “I’m fine. Thanks to you. But, had I known how to work those weapons, I would’ve been able to take care of myself.” Humor laced her voice and when he pulled back to gaze upon her, she wore a smirk that lit up her blue eyes.
He pressed a firm kiss to her lips, savoring the taste of her.
Tarrkuan voices drifted behind them, though the sound of blaster fire had died out. The screeching war cries of the Xollnaxians had quieted too. Just before Kazzon withdrew from the kiss, the red lights ceased blinking and the alarm stopped. The voices of the guards became louder and they soon appeared at the end of the corridor, a group of ten males.
The captain of the guard unit, a tall male named Govvis, approached and gave Kazzon a deep nod. “All the Xollnaxians are dead, Ambassador. Five guards sustained wounds and are being treated in the medical bay, and we had two casualties. Though the ship has been damaged, we can still depart Xollnax immediately, and that is what the pilots recommend. Our engineers must finish repairs before we can jump to hyperspace, but it would be wise to leave this planet as soon as possible.”
Kazzon nodded. “Thank you for the report, Govvis. Please tell the pilots to depart Xollnax at once. I agree, it would be wise to leave this planet, even before our repairs are completed.”
Govvis and the other guards disappeared into another corridor.
Kazzon released Caylee and eyed the wreckage. He inhaled deeply, placed his hands upon it, and gave a great heaving push. The top layer of debris shifted onto the floor on the other side of the pile, creating an area safe enough for him to carry Caylee through. And that was exactly what he did. He scooped his bride up, held her tightly to his chest, and jumped up onto the pile to carry her through the wreckage.
Even though the fighting was over, and they would leave this planet soon, he still wanted her safe in his quarters. She laced her arms around his neck and breathed softly against his chest.
Gods but it felt wonderful to hold her close, this sweet little human whom he was now certain he loved.
Chapter 35
Caylee stifled a yawn.Fatigue pulled at her whole body, but she fought sleep as she sat up against the pillows in bed, waiting for Kazzon to return.
After he’d saved her from the two Xollnaxians in the corridor, he’d carried her to his quarters, kissed her quickly, then regretfully explained that he must leave her to see to the damages on the ship, as well as to contact Tarrkuan officials and inform them of all that had happened. He’d ordered her to rest and recover from the day’s events, promising he would return as soon as he completed his duties.
Oh how she hoped he returned soon.
Her heart warmed whenever she thought about him, and her pulse raced with excitement too.
He’d looked so brave and fierce standing at the end of the corridor, aiming a deadly glare at the Xollnaxians who’d meant to kill her. And there was that roar he’d directed at the aliens too. Well, two roars, to be precise. He’d released two deep rumbling growls that had caused the Xollnaxians to tremble in their boots. A few seconds later, he’d shot them both dead.
Perhaps she ought to fear Kazzon, since he was such a formidable soldier, in addition to being a powerful ambassador, but all the fear she’d once felt for him had melted away long ago.
She felt safe with him and knew she could always depend on him. He’d saved her. He’d realized theCorranneliawas under attack and he’d rushed back to the ship.
And instead of battling the Xollnaxians who were still fighting his men outside, he’d stormed onto the ship and gone straight for her. She’d overheard two of the servants whispering about it when they entered her room to clean earlier. Likely, the servants had believed her to be asleep underneath the covers, but she hadn’t been able to find rest, so she’d strained to overhear every word they exchanged about the attack and Kazzon’s efforts to ensure she remained safe and unharmed.
