Page 9 of Royal Alien Mate

Guards, palace officials, and servants paused to stare as he led Esmay up the steps and into the vestibule. She peered upward at the high arching ceiling and her eyes widened. She gulped hard and her steps slowed. He paused to give her a moment to look around, and he took the opportunity to admire the handiwork of the artists who had carved images of ancient Marttiaxoxalian beasts into the ceilings, as well as the walls. There were also several massive statues in the vestibule, all of which depicted the deadliest animals once found on Vaath’s home planet,vipasandthormisand all manner ofyepkins.

A Marttiaxoxalian male could not join the Brotherhood of Warriors without slaying at least one of the three beasts by hand and living to tell the story. Vaath had battled a rare ten-hornedvipasand eventually strangled the beast with one of its tails. As the memory flitted through his mind, he recalled the thrill of the battle and the satisfaction of victory.

A growl left his throat as the echoes of battle-induced rage washed through him, heating his blood and making him hunger for another fight, or perhaps another war.

He would be lying if he claimed he hadn’t enjoying conquering the humans, and sometimes he lamented that the war had been too short and not challenging enough. In his mind, the humans had deserved their defeat and all the suffering that had come with it, as they had attacked his people first—destroying their first settlement on Mars, before the entirety of the Marttiaxoxalian race had arrived on the planet.

Five thousand souls vanquished in one brutal, unprovoked attack. His people had sent an ambassador to Earth to inform the humans of their arrival in the solar system, as well as their intention to settle upon Mars and terraform the planet to make it habitable for their needs, yet the humans hadn’t been happy to share a planet so close to theirs, viewing Mars as their property despite not having a settlement upon it. The Marttiaxoxalians had found evidence of several failed human colonies on Mars, but at the time of his people’s arrival, no humans had currently been living here.

Esmay tried to pull her hand from his, but he tightened his hold and yanked her closer, frustrated that she would show defiance toward him in public. “Our mating union is very important. You will abstain from any displays of rebellion while we are around others. Do you understand?”

Her face paled as she stared up at him. “Important?” she asked. “Why is our union very important? Surely you must realize I’mno one. I’m not the daughter of a former human politician or general.”

He leaned down, placed his lips to her ear, and whispered, “Our union is important because rather than mate with a female of my own kind, I have decided to set an example for my people by willingly taking a human. There are some males who are resistant to the idea of mating with a non-Marttiaxoxalian, even if it means our numbers will dwindle because we no longer have enough females of our own kind left to even sustain our current population level.”

“So, you expect me to be obedient and pretend I’m happy because you want more Martian males signing up to receive brides from Earth?” Though her words were infused with bitterness, he was at least pleased that she had whispered her terse reply.

“Yes,” he said. “And might I remind you thatyousigned up to become aMartian’sbride,” he said, putting an emphasis on the shortened version of his race’s name. “You were not forced.”

“You probably have no idea what it’s like on Earth. When was the last time you visited? Did you know people are jailed if they can’t afford their taxes or fail to pay their rent? Did you know the Martian governors keep raising taxes, which forces rent up, which creates a cycle of debt from which few can escape? Did you know families are being torn apart when parents are sent to debtors’ prison and their children end up in orphanages?” Anger glimmered in her eyes and he felt quite taken aback by her fiery response.

“Taxes are raised whenever there are too many acts of civil disobedience in a particular zone. This is common knowledge among your people, yet that does not always stop those who are intent to plot against Marttiaxoxalian rule. We will do whatever it takes to prevent a human uprising.”

“I find it difficult to believe that is the only reason taxes are being constantly increased. My parents have never plotted against your people, yet they would have been sent to debtors’ prison had I not signed up to become a Martian’s bride, thus forgiving their debt. I’ve spoken to other human women who were in the very same predicament as me. In fact, almost all the women on the ship that arrived today only signed up to become a Martian’s bride because they wanted to ease the financial burdens on their families, or keep their parents out of debtors’ prison.”

“I have never met a female who speaks as boldly as you,” he remarked. “You know who I am, you know what I’ve done to your people, yet you are standing here, in my own palace, lecturing me as if I am your subordinate.” He had the sudden urge to grab her and kiss her, but he refrained from the action, for he feared once he kissed her he wouldn’t be able to stop. Despite himself, he was drawn to her like no other female. He hadn’t expected to experience such a strong attraction to his human female, yet he found himself pulling her closer and enjoying the pressure of her body against his. He also found himself craving her beyond all reason, nearly to the point of madness. It became difficult to form a coherent thought as he peered into her angry gaze.

“I do not usually speak so boldly,” she said, the fire in her eyes diming slightly, “but now that I realize who you are, I feel compelled to make sure you understand what my people are going through. There aren’t many humans left who fought you in the war, and the commanders and leaders who led those soldiers are all dead. It’s wrong to keep punishing us when those who opposed you most fiercely are long gone, especially when the vast majority of your population doesn’t even live on Earth.”

“I would be delighted to speak more about politics with you later, my sunshine,” he said, trying to lighten the mood, “however now is not the time. We must secure a blessing for our mating union and then consummate our marriage.”

“Do you really mean it?”

“Yes, I do. I intend for us to consummate our union as soon as possible.”

A flush overcame her and she appeared somewhat scandalized as she looked around, as if checking to ensure no one had heard what he’d just said. “Not that,” she said. “I mean… do you truly mean you will speak with me about Marttiaxoxalian rule over Earth at a later time?”

Holding her gaze, he pulled her hand to his lips and pressed a kiss upon her delicate knuckles. “I give you my word. Now, let us find the Wise One. I am growing most impatient to make you mine, sunshine.”

Chapter 7

Sunshine. Why did he keep calling her that?

Esmay cast a sidelong glance at Prince Vaath as they moved down a wide, opulent corridor lined with statues of huge Martian males.

Did he truly meansunshineas an endearment?

Her heart leapt at the thought. He had complimented her hair earlier, as well as her eyes.

Your hair is like spun sunshine and your eyes are like blue bottomless lakes.

Of course, he had uttered those flowery words before their little argument. She still couldn’t believe she’d spoken so boldly to the Prince of Mars and wondered what had come over her.

A combination of anger and fear and frustration, she supposed.

Like most human women who signed up to become a Martian’s bride, she’d done so out of desperation. She couldn’t just sit by and watch while her father went to prison, possibly never to be released, or, the worst-case scenario—both of her parents. Her heart broke at the thought.

She eyed the large door they were approaching, which rested at the end of this long hallway that was filled with the ancient-looking statues. Had the statues been transported here from their old home planet, or had they been recently constructed, along with the rest of the palace? She had noticed the detailed carvings upon the ceiling and the walls in the entryway and couldn’t help the sense of awe that swept through her, just from standing in the presence of such impressive art. It reminded her of photos she’d seen of ancient human castles and structures in old library books, those which had been bound in a clear protective material and weren’t allowed to be checked out.

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