Page 6 of Radakk's Mate
Not just my need to claim her body and plant my seed in her womb, but the need to keep her safe and make sure she’s provided for. To make sure she doesn’t freeze in the unfavorable conditions on theJansonnaor go hungry any longer.
Perhaps once she enjoys the comforts that come with being an empress firsthand, she will eventually soften to me. I still can’t shake the feeling that the Star Gods led me directly to her. The certainty that she’s meant to be mine.
“I won’t reconsider, little spy. I must have you as my mate. Now, I regret that I must return to the meeting.” I cast a brief glance over my shoulder. “But I promise we’ll be reunited. Very soon.”
Chapter4
THALIA
I’m shockedwhen Emperor Radakk leans forward and presses his lips to my forehead. But there’s nothing sweet about the kiss. It feels like a mark of his ownership, a reminder that I belong to him.
He plans toreserveme.
After he withdraws from the kiss, he peers into my eyes with an intensity that steals my breath. “Your people will not hurt you. They won’t dare. Do not be afraid.” He strokes my hair for a few seconds, then stands up and towers over me.
My neck aches as I stare up at him. Disbelief sweeps through me, as well as another wave of dizziness.
Is this really happening?
I still can’t wrap my mind around it. Maybe once I get a decent meal in my system, I’ll be able to think more clearly. A full daily ration of food and a good night’s sleep. Yes, that’s what I need.
Then I’ll try to figure a way out of this mess. A way to avoid becoming this terrifying alien’s mate while simultaneously escaping charges of espionage. Maybe I can claim I was trying to steal something from the boxes. Thieves on theJansonnadon’t usually face execution. Not unless they’re repeat offenders. At worst, they get a few months in the brig and perhaps the loss of a finger.
The emperor grasps my hand and pulls me upward. He guides me closer to the others, keeping a hand on my lower back. He utters something in his native language, and his comrades finally turn and move away from Captain Warren and the other human males.
I gulp as the worldship captain’s dark, steely gaze lands on me in a promise of retribution, followed by a look of recognition that fills me with dread. “I know you.” He shifts on his feet, suddenly appearing uncomfortable. “You’re Doris Slater’s daughter. Thalia.”
My blood goes cold. I shouldn’t be surprised that he remembers my mother’s name. She’s the only person to ever disappear from the worldship without a trace—presumed missing rather than dead since her remains have never been found despite an extensive search.
I clasp my hands so no one will notice them trembling.
“Yes,” I finally say. “I’m Thalia Slater.” There’s no point in denying it. Not when a quick scan of my palm could easily verify my identity. Never mind that I’m the spitting image of my mother, and clearly that’s how the captain put a name to my face.
“Yes, yes, I knew your mother,” Captain Warren replies. “A long time ago.” His features abruptly harden, and he levels a stern glare at me.
Emperor Radakk pulls me closer and snarls, and most of the color drains from the captain’s face, as well as all traces of his anger. The captain’s hands tremble at his sides and I won’t lie—there’s a part of me that likes seeing him so afraid.
“Captain Warren, if you ever look at this female again with such malice, I will carve your eyes out of your head. Slowly, with a dull knife.”
I’m stunned by the venom in Emperor Radakk’s tone. I’m also more than a little unnerved when several Darrvasons look between us with an air of curiosity.
Maybe I should say something. Maybe I should speak up and tell the emperor—in full view of his advisors—that I have no intention of becoming his mate.
But if I publicly refuse him, will he relinquish his offer of protection?
I consider my options.
Without my new alien admirer’s help, I’m fucked.
Best case scenario, I’ll be sentenced to life in the brig. Not a likely option, but it’s a possibility.
Worst case scenario—and the most likely—I’ll be sentenced to death. I’ll have to stand in a depressurization chamber while my demise is broadcast to the entire worldship. All executions on theJansonnaare public. All the sanctioned ones, anyway.
Shit shit shit. As much as I hate to admit it, I need Emperor Radakk’s help. Badly. I need him toreserveme and make Captain Warren too fearful of harming a hair on my head. I don’t want to become an alien royal’s mate, but I very much don’t want to die.
“Emperor Radakk,” the captain says in a hesitant tone, his hands still shaking, “I would again like to apologize for this breach in security. But this female was caught spying and we must deal with her appropriately. Espionage is considered a serious crime on theJansonna. For the safety of the worldship, we must interrogate her immediately, then we must keep her incarcerated until the date of her trial.”
The emperor draws me flush to his side. My heart accelerates at the closeness, and a weird sense of safety surges through me.
