Page 17 of Radakk's Mate
“What do you want?” I ask.
“I just want to have a little chat.” He releases a dark chuckle.
“Might I remind you that I’m still wearing these?” I tap the bio monitors on my wrists. “You can’t interrogate me. Not without my mate, Emperor Radakk, finding out. What did he say he’d do if you looked at me the wrong way? Oh, that’s right. Something about carving your eyeballs out. With a dull knife.” I’m playing with fire, but I don’t have anything left to lose. My freedom is already being taken away.
My mate. I almost reel back in shock. I just referred to the emperor as my mate. I fight the rising flush and try to block out thoughts of the handsome alien royal I barely know. In the docking bay three weeks ago, we only spent a few minutes together, yet he’s consumed my thoughts ever since. The dreams certainly haven’t helped matters.
Captain Warren’s eyes flash with violence, but he doesn’t make a move in my direction. Instead, he sits on the edge of the desk and folds his arms over his chest. He cocks his head at me. “I just wanted to offer you some friendly advice, Thalia, that’s all.”
“Then hurry up and spit it out,” I say. “I have somewhere to be.”
He snorts. “You’re about to mate with the leader of the Darrvasons. I’ve spent more time around the aliens than you have. During that time, I’ve come to understand something about them—they expect their females to be sweet, obedient, and submissive. This alliance is important, Thalia. You would be wise to make an effort to please Emperor Radakk.” He rises and walks closer to me.
I can’t back away or I’ll slam into the guards that are hovering behind me, so I’m forced to stand still while the captain’s foul breath wafts over my face. Three words keep ringing in my ears.Sweet,obedient, andsubmissive. What will the emperor do if I displease him?
My stomach flips when I recall his statement that he would take a strap to meifI were his mate and he caught me engaging in espionage. Well, I’m about to become his mate. I swallow hard and my hands commence trembling.
I was so close to freedom… another moon cycle or two and I would’ve been confident enough in my abilities to pilot a transport vessel. I’ve been practicing in a virtual reality booth in one of the recreation rooms, using an old VR setup that theJansonna’stransport pilots once used for training.
My heart breaks. I was so close to freedom and possibly finding out what happened to my mother, only to be unlucky enough to catch Emperor Radakk’s interest. Now I’ll be trapped forever. Forced to share his bed and bear his heirs. I almost laugh when I think about his promise that I’ll never want for anything, not even jewels.
A gilded cage. I’m about to be locked in a gilded cage.
“If the emperor isn’t happy with you,” the captain finally continues, “there’s a chance he might send you back. Return you for another female. One who is more obedient. Tell me, what do you think will happen if you’re returned to theJansonna?” He laughs.
I blink and try to fight my rising alarm. I’ve never considered that Emperor Radakk might return me. If I’m returned to theJansonna, I’ll no doubt be tortured, put on trial, then swiftly executed. My shaking increases and I struggle to hold the captain’s hateful gaze.
Suffocating. There’s not enough air in this room. I need to get out. I take a step back and slam right into the guards.
The captain smirks darkly. “For the sake of this alliance and your own life,keep the emperor happy. Treat him with kindness and respect, even if he treats you with cruelty. Spread your legs for him. Let him fuck you whenever he wants, however he wants. Have his heirs. Learn how to please him. Because if you fail and he returns you, I’ll let Commander Hampton be the one to interrogate you. Since it seems you’ve been a spy for a great many years, I’m sure you’ve heard about his… dark tendencies.”
For a moment, I freeze up. I go cold all over, and I can’t find my voice. Yes, I’ve heard about the first mate’s appetite for violence. I’ve even glimpsed the aftermath when I saw a brutalized man being carried to the medical bay after hours. Commander Hampton is known for his ruthless methods of interrogation. If one of his captives keeps silent, they usually end up dead at his hands.
Finally, I snap out of my fear-induced trance, and I once again become the brave woman who slips through shadows, crawls through ventilation tunnels, and risks her life daily because there’s no other choice.
“Maybe I’ll tell Emperor Radakk all your secrets,” I blurt. “Maybe I’ll let him know how corrupt you are. How you’re holding on to your captaincy by a mere thread. Who knows? Maybe he’ll wield his power and have you replaced with someone who’s more level-headed and easier to work with. And if your dirty little secrets, including your body count, are revealed to the occupants of theJansonna, your own people would rejoice over the new leadership. They’d also call for justice. They’d demand your execution. Hello, depressurization chamber.”
If I’ve learned anything from my years of spying, it’s how to issue a meaningful threat.
Captain Warren’s face turns red. He makes as if to grab my neck but just as quickly retracts his hand. Spinning on his heel, he walks around the table, as though he needs to put space between us before he loses control.
My heart is racing, and I glance at the bio monitors on my wrists, wondering if the emperor has noticed I’m not quite myself. That I’m frightened and angry. I take a few deep breaths and try to calm myself, not wanting him to barge onto theJansonnaand take me into his custody any sooner than necessary.
I need more time. More time to mentally prepare for the first day of my new life. A life I don’t want.
“I know the truth about what happened to your mother.” Evil emanates from him as he chuckles. “Do anything to threaten my captaincy, and that information will die with me.”
“Is she alive? Where is she?” I step closer to him. “Tell me.” According to everyone who knew my mother—including my father, uncles, and cousins—my mother simply vanished from the ship one day. Her body was never found, and no signs of foul play were discovered either. No missing transport vessels. No sign of any airlocks being opened during the prior twenty-four hours. Just… gone. But seven days before her disappearance, theJansonnahad been docked at a bustling outpost. Somehow, the outpost is connected. I don’t have any proof. Just a feeling. A hunch that’s stayed with me all these years.
The captain shrugs. “She’s probably alive, but I’m not going to say anything further. At least not yet. Keep the Emperor happy, spread your legs for him and be a sweet, obedient bride, and perhaps one day I’ll divulge what I know. I’ll be meeting with the emperor frequently during the next few weeks, and I fully intend to inquire about your behavior and ask how pleased he is with you. Every single time I speak with him, I will ask.”
My stomach bottoms out, and it suddenly occurs to me that the captain truly is desperate for me to please the emperor.
Why else would he be threatening me?
Maybe theJansonnais in worse shape than I thought. Maybe he’s worried the Darrvasons might back out of the deal once they get their hands on the first wave or two of human females.
“I-I’ll keep Emperor Radakk happy. I promise. Just please tell me now. Tell me how my mother disappeared from theJansonna. What happened to her?”
