Page 11 of Bound to the Alien King
“Do you want us here or there?”Philip asked softly, still staring at the lush view.
“Here,” I decided, “but there later so you can see it for yourselves in person, if that’s allowed.I’ll check back with you on that.”
Security was tight on the planet for obvious reasons, and it was better to play by the Xenoxx rules since all I wanted to do was help.
“We’ll look after her for you,” Darc assured me, her blue eyes filled with compassion.
I nodded, once again so grateful for her.“If she tries anything, or mentions how many days it’s been since I called my parents, you have my permission to kill her.”
“Will do, Captain,” Philip said, with no further questions or comments about why I’d brought a known murderer on board.
It had caused some tension for sure, mostly for me, but also for them, stretching and straining the air more than it already was.My crew didn’t outwardly doubt my motives, but they definitely wondered why I would bring Rain.
Me too.I didn’t have an answer for them, other than I wanted to keep my enemies close.For now, that would have to do until I learned more.
After stopping by my quarters for a duffel bag I’d already packed full of interrogation supplies, I hurried toward the brig where we kept Axxel—and apparently, Major, who was curled up again in his lap.Traitors are gonna traitor, I guess.
Axxel pointed at him.“Am I allowed to get up or…?”
“Absolutely not.”I hefted the orange ball of fluff from the Xenoxx and settled him back into the chair once Axxel got up.“Anything he sleeps on is fair game for unexpected eye removal if you dare move.”
“Good to know.”A wide grin spread across his purple-scaled face.“Ready?The entire planet is buzzing to meet you.The one human who bested their king.”
My cheeks flushed at the unexpected…compliment, if that was what it was.“I didn’t best anyone.I’m here for diplomacy and info.That’s all.”
His wide shoulders bounced in a quick shrug.“The fact that you’re here speaks volumes, whether you like it or not.The Xenoxx respect the hell out of you, and now that you’re here after what’s happened to Roxxanne—after what nearly happened, I mean—to help us sort it out and ease some of our frayed nerves… Well, you have your own planet-wide fan club, Captain Nera Cotrobin.”
“I— That’s not—“ I twisted my lips into a scowl.“What else was I supposed to do?Just ignore that a young, innocent girl was almost assassinated because her dad is a lying liar who lies?”
Axxel smiled, but it held little humor in it.“You care about the Xenoxx as a whole, never mind your current feelings about their king.Your caring matters to us a lot since so few people do these days.We don’t trust hardly anyone.”
“Yeah, well, me neither.”
“See?Yet another thing you and the Xenoxx have in common.”He waved toward the brig door.“Should I keep going or are you finished stalling?”
“I—“ I heaved an annoyed breath.
Was I stalling?Maybe a little bit since I had no doubt seeing Maxx’s castle, his daughter, everything he held the closest to his hearts other than me, would rip mine out and squeeze until it popped.But I had to do this, not for my or Maxx’s sake, but for Roxxanne’s.
“You remind me of Miek—“ I broke off before I mentioned the Killian, the Xenoxx mortal enemies, by his first name.That comparison likely wouldn’t go over well.“My cat.You remind me of my cat.He reads me too well, just like you.Welp, I’m ready to go.How about you?”
Subtlety.I didn’t have it today.
“Sure…”
I led the way out with Axxel on my heels.He was practically vibrating with impatience to step back onto his home planet.I guess I couldn’t blame him.
Mosely fell into step on my other side, also vibrating with the possibility of violence, and cracked his knuckles loudly.
Axxel jerked his thumb toward Mosely.“You’re not bringing the pink one?”
“Who, Darc?”I asked.“No.”
Mosely cut him to the marrow with the power of his glare.“I’m not pink enough for you?”
“Hey, you’re plenty pink.”I patted his muscled arm.“Don’t let anyone tell you different.”
“What’s it to you whether Darc stays or goes?”Mosely demanded.
