Page 16 of The Marriage Bargain

“Your name and business?” he asked in clipped tones, half leaning into my window to scrutinize my truck. I saw his eyebrows, a darker, greyish color than his hair, lift slightly when he saw me inside. Probably because I was a human female, and there weren’t many of them inside the Citadel. Not unless they were coupled up with somebody who lived and worked there, which did happen. Some women weren’t opposed to sharing an alien’s bed in exchange for food and shelter and security in a rugged post-war world. I wasn’t one of them, but I understood the concept.

For some reason, the face of Zyn’s boss popped into my mind, and I shifted restlessly on the seat.

“My name is Delle Gibron. My brother-in-law, Zyn Aishled, works here under Overlord Caide,” I said, hoping that by dropping the Overlord’s name this process might go smoother. “Zyn left some papers here in his office that he needed tonight, and I volunteered to pick them up for him.”

“His office?” I hadn’t even noticed his approach, but another alien male, clearly not Asterion, had appeared behind the guard’s shoulder at my pickup window. His skin was a very dark grey, and his eyes the same color. There were lighter, silvery markings on his flesh—I couldn’t tell if they were tattoos or natural patterns. He was tall and wore authority like he wore his black military uniform. His white hair was drawn in a sleek topknot. He looked like a combination of martial and savage. Instinctively, I wanted to shrink into my seat.

“Humans rarely have offices at places of authority,” the alien went on, tone crisp and cool. “Unless it is different here at the Citadel.”

Yeah, thanks for reminding me that we’re nothing but second-class citizens to you guys, I thought spitefully. Through gritted teeth, I said, “I apologize. I’m sure he meant Overlord Caide’s office.”

The alien kept silent, staring at me. In fact, he was more than staring at me. His gaze was…enveloping me. Gulping me. Taking me in from head to toe in a way that came off as creepy. Almost…hungry. Instead of commenting on anything I’d said to this point, the unknown alien changed tactics entirely.

“Is this Zyn the human I have heard of whose wife is preparing to bear their fourth daughter?”

“Uhhhh…” I was caught off guard by the question. “I’m not sure what that has to do with anything, but, yes.”

The alien’s gaze flickered. “And you are his wife’s sister.”

Again, I was caught off guard, and growing increasingly uncomfortable. I shifted my gaze helplessly to the guard who was still at my window. His face reflected a measure of—something. Sympathy, perhaps? Even if he felt sympathy, he couldn’t intervene with a visiting Overlord, and he didn’t.

“Yes, I am,” I finally answered stiffly.

The alien’s grey eyes turned silver, changing with his emotions. Brightening. Gleaming.

“And you are unmarried. Unentangled?”

Unentangled? I almost laughed out loud. Most human men didn’t seem to find me all that special, so, except for my value as a woman because grown women were relatively scarce these days, no, I wasn’t overrun with men beating down my door. I was definitely single. Unentangled.

“I’m not married,” I said. “And, no offense, Overlord, but I’m not sure what that has to do with my errand. I only need to fetch the papers for my brother-in-law. If you wouldn’t mind letting me through, I can get it done and get out of here. Let you get back to your business.”

I was hoping that might have an effect on him. Subtle resistance without being too hateful, right? Reminding him that he was overstepping his boundaries, never mind that he was an Overlord and I a mere human.

The Overlord’s face tightened. I saw him register the slight. He didn’t like it. He opened his mouth to reply, but the Asterion guard broke in.

“If it’s alright with you, Flight Commander, I’ll phone Overlord Caide and clarify that she is who she says and that she’s permitted inside.”

The alien’s mouth closed, firmed. He frowned, but finally relented with a nod. “Do that,” he said, stepping away from my vehicle and heading towards his.

The guard pulled a phone from his pocket and turned away while I slumped into my seat with a sigh.

Saved by the bell, I thought, releasing a breath of tension. The relief was quickly followed by, What the hell was that? That guy knew who Zyn was and who I was? Saying he’d heard of us, and asking me if I was single? What the hell? How would he know anything about me? Or Zyn, for that matter? Who’s been talking about our family?

I hadn’t begun to figure it out, when the guard returned to my window.

“You’re cleared to enter,” he said with a nod. “Overlord Caide vouched for you. Do you know where his office is?”

“Thank you, and no, I don’t,” I answered, sitting forward, preparing to drive.

I struggled to focus while the guard gave directions, advising me which wing of the Castle held Caide’s office and which side streets to take to get there, but it was difficult, considering the fact that a few feet away the alien Flight Commander stood staring at me. He would not look away. I felt his burning gaze the entire time I was driving through the gate. In my rearview mirror, I saw it latched onto me until I turned right and buildings of the Citadel blocked him from view.

Well, that’s got to be the weirdest encounter ever.

I couldn’t help the ominous shiver that rolled down my spine.

CHAPTER 12

CAIDE

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