Page 19 of Radakk's Mate
I steal a glance at Ellie and notice her lowering her head. She’s shaking harder than me, whether from fear or the chill in the air, I’m not sure. Probably both. The admiral doesn’t offer a reply to the captain, he just keeps staring at Ellie, his nostrils flaring as he takes deep breaths.
“All the females have promised to be cooperative,” the captain continues, “however, if any of them prove disobedient, you may return them for—”
“An alternate?” Admiral Tornn asks in a mocking tone.
“Yes.” Captain Warren nods. “An alternate.”
“Alternates won’t be necessary.” The admiral straightens. “If any of the human females are disobedient or prove uncooperative, they will be swiftly punished and forced to conform to the Darrvason way of life.”
I grimace. Based upon my interaction with Emperor Radakk and my recent conversation with the captain, I already know the Darrvasons are backward as fuck and treat their females like property.
I find myself moving closer to Ellie, wishing I could comfort her. We never interacted much on the ship, but we’d had a few classes together as children, and she was always nice to me.
When the captain’s gaze collides with mine, I resist the urge to smirk just to rub in the fact that even if I displease Emperor Radakk, I won’t be returned to theJansonna. Doesn’t matter. If the emperor claims me, I still intend to be a good, obedient mate. I’ll do whatever it takes to learn what happened to my mother.
“Well, I hope you will be pleased with the selection of females we’re offering you.” The captain clears his throat. “These thirty women are beautiful, fertile, and very well-mannered. They will be the submissive mates you want, ready and eager to fulfill your every desire. Might I add, Admiral, that humankind is honored that you have selected us for such an important alliance.”
I zone out as the captain continues kissing the admiral’s ass. Somewhere down the line, a woman snorts with amusement, and he shoots her a murderous glance.
“You and your men may leave the docking bay,” Admiral Tornn interrupts. “Once the thirty females are secure in our custody aboard theHaxxal, I will send over a team to start making repairs on your ship.”
Captain Warren appears momentarily taken aback. “Very well. TheJansonnawill remain docked to theHaxxalas we await the arrival of your people.” He gestures to his guards and the command team, and they all depart.
The admiral’s voice soon reverberates in the docking bay. “I am Admiral Tornn, and on behalf of Emperor Radakk, I would like to welcome you to the Darrvason Empire. You’ll be selected by your new mate immediately upon boarding theHaxxal.” He stares directly at Ellie, and I shuffle even closer to her. “Let us depart.”
As we’re led toward the airlock, I keep glancing at the four Darrvasons who accompanied the admiral, and I notice all of them seem to have already set their sights on a particular woman in the crowd.
Again, I wonder about the whereabouts of Emperor Radakk. I’d assumed he would board theJansonnatoday, but perhaps personally retrieving me is beneath him. A job for his subordinates. That’s what I tell myself in an effort to hold back my rising panic.
I clutch my suitcase and walk down the docking tunnel. It’s illuminated with glowing symbols in a multitude of colors. I stay close to Ellie, trying to think of something I might say to comfort her. But the admiral stays so close that I know he would overhear, so I keep quiet. I’m not proud to admit it, but he terrifies me.
Eventually, the corridor opens into a massive docking bay that shows a breathtaking view of open space. One entire wall of the docking bay is absent, likely a force field. My suspicions are confirmed when a small vessel zips through the clear barrier with a brief shimmer. The ship lands with a tiny thump.
There are dozens of similar vessels in the docking bay and hope suddenly brims in my chest. I’m good at sneaking around. I’ll probably never have the opportunity to learn how to pilot a Darrvason vessel, but maybe I could eventually stow away on a ship that’s headed to a trading outpost—after I get the information I need from the captain, that is. I tuck this possibility into the back of my mind as I watch the hatch of the newly arrived vessel open.
My heart thuds rapidly against my ribcage when the first Darrvason steps out.
Emperor Radakk.
His gaze immediately lands on me, and all the air whooshes from my lungs.
He’s here. He hasn’t changed his mind.
The huge alien royal hastens in my direction, flanked by several other males. His textured skin glimmers under the overhead lights and his eyes gleam dark purple.
He’s just as handsome and tall and forbidding as I remember. Muscular, too. The black ensemble he’s wearing clings to his sculpted body like a second skin.
He steps around Ellie and grabs my upper arm. His nostrils flare and he takes a long breath. Victory gleams in his eyes.
“This one’s mine,” he says.
Admiral Tornn, who is still standing close and keeping a watch on Ellie, nods and says, “She is yours, Emperor Radakk.”
Ellie gasps and we exchange a worried look. I try to give her an encouraging smile, but I’m forced to keep my lips pressed tightly together so I don’t break down in tears. Why I feel so emotional all of a sudden, I’m not sure.
Emperor Radakk takes my suitcase and ushers me out of the docking bay, past the other Darrvason males who are presumably waiting to select females of their own. Once we’re in a wide corridor outside the docking bay, the emperor releases his grip on my arm, only to place his hand at the small of my back.
“Did any harm come to you during the last twenty-one days?” he asks, his muscles tensing as he gazes down at me. I struggle to maintain his rapid pace, but he soon slows his steps.
