Page 30 of Grumpy Alien Bodyguard

"Politics," Var spits the word like it's poison.

"Exactly. The Centuries War might be officially over, but the wounds are still fresh." I gaze back out at the city. "It's going to be a long time before the anger fades."

Var nods, his massive head bobbing in agreement. "The battlefield has changed, but the war continues in other forms."

His insight surprises me. For someone called "the Annihilator," Var understands the subtleties of post-war politics better than most career diplomats I've met.

"What will you do?" he asks.

I shrug, feeling the weight of responsibility press down on my shoulders. "Keep trying. Find some compromise that lets both sides save face. Though right now, I have no idea what that might look like."

Var shifts closer, and his arm—warm, solid, strong—settles around my shoulders. The gesture is so natural, so comforting, that I find myself leaning into him, resting my head against his chest.

I breathe in his scent—earthy and alien yet somehow familiar now. There's something calming about his presence, something that goes beyond his role as my protector. In these quiet moments, I glimpse the Varnok beneath the warrior facade—thoughtful, perceptive, even gentle in his own way.

"You'll find a solution," he says with such certainty that I almost believe him.

"How can you be so sure?"

"Because I've seen you in action now. On the dance floor, in negotiations—" his voice drops lower, "—in bed. You're formidable, Quinn Gellar."

I feel my face flush but don't pull away. "I'm glad you think so."

"I know so."

I sigh, letting myself enjoy this moment of connection. Varnok is more than just alpha male impulses and destruction. He sees the complexities of this situation as clearly as I do. That makes me glad, because I feel justified in being attracted to him—not just to his physical strength or prowess, but to his mind as well.

The city continues to sparkle below us, oblivious to our momentary peace on this rooftop. Tomorrow, we'll go back into that negotiation room and face Kallus's manipulations and Zantress's righteous inflexibility. But for now, with Var's arm around me and the cool night air on my face, I allow myself to simply breathe.

I'm about to respond to Varnok when the glass doors behind us slide open. Prime Minister Serenity Garsdotter steps onto the terrace, her tall, elegant frame silhouetted against the light from inside. Even in the dim evening light, her lavender eyes seem to glow with an inner intensity.

"Ambassador Gellar," she says, her voice carrying a note of urgency. "I apologize for interrupting your moment of respite."

I straighten immediately, moving slightly away from Var's embrace. "Prime Minister. Is everything alright?"

Serenity's expression is grave as she approaches us. "I've just received troubling news. Kallus is petitioning the Alliance for a Writ of Industrial Conscription."

My stomach drops. "He wouldn't dare."

Var looks between us, his brow furrowed. "What the hell is that?"

I turn to him, unable to keep the bitterness from my voice. "It's a legal maneuver that would essentially place Kallus above laws and regulations as they pertain to his mining operation on Jwoon X." I pause, my face twisting with distaste. "The Writ of Industrial Conscription is a holdover from the Centuries War. It was designed to allow rapid resource extraction for military purposes during times of crisis."

"But we're not at war anymore," Var growls, his scales darkening with anger.

"Technically, we're in a ceasefire, not peace," I explain. "The distinction matters legally. As long as the final peace treaty hasn't been ratified, these emergency powers can still be invoked."

Serenity nods. "Kallus is arguing that the minerals on Jwoon X are vital to Alliance security interests. If the Alliance Council grants his petition..."

"They wouldn't," I say, but even I don't believe my words.

Var slams his fist against the railing, making the metal vibrate. "This is outrageous! If this Writ is granted, it will destroy Jwoon X completely. The Solari will have no choice but to relocate." His voice drops to a dangerous rumble. "This isn't business anymore. This is an act of aggression against a peaceful people."

I've never seen him this angry outside of combat. His rage isn't the berserker fury I witnessed when he fought Reku, but something colder and more focused.

"I need to contact Dowron," Var says suddenly. "The Supreme General might be able to block this Writ before it's granted. He has enough influence with the Alliance Council to at least delay the decision."

I nod, grateful for his quick thinking. "That's a good idea. If we can buy some time, I might be able to find another solution."

---