Page 59 of Radakk's Mate
Weeks passand Emperor Radakk still refuses to allow me any freedoms. He continually refuses to escort me on a walk throughout theHaxxal, and he also stops inviting advisors and other males to his quarters for meetings. The only person I’m able to interact with aside from him is Closta. Yes, sometimes I’m so lonely, I find myself talking to a servant android.
Perhaps lonely isn’t the right word. The emperor spends long periods of time with me, and he’s kept up his insane schedule of spilling his seed inside me multiple times a day. He’s kept me perpetually sore.
Solitude. Yes, that’s a better word. The emperor has refused to allow me to interact with anyone other than him, aside from the three friends I speak with via video comm once a week. The young women from theJansonnawho were once little more than acquaintances, but for whatever reason, have taken a liking to me and keep showing up for our scheduled calls.
I sigh and peer toward the entryway, anxious for the emperor’s return. But I also glance at the video comm as temptation creeps through me. I haven’t attempted contacting Captain Warren since the attack on theHaxxal, but lately, it’s all I can think about.
As of yesterday, three moon cycles have passed since Emperor Radakk claimed me as his mate. Three moon cycles that I’ve spent in these quarters, not once stepping foot into the corridors of the main Darrvason ship. Though I initially resisted the emperor, I haven’t spurned his advances or even argued with him in a while. Surely if the captain asks about me, my mate will give him a positive report.
My mother. I’m still desperate to learn what happened to her. Desperate to learn her last known whereabouts. She’s the one happy memory from my childhood. What if, wherever she is, she needs help?
What kind of daughter would I be if I didn’t search for her? If I didn’t ensure she was okay?
Fuck. I need to try again. Even though I’m riddled with guilt for lying about my reasons for wanting a video comm in the first place, I need to attempt to contact the worldship captain again.
I’ll never be able to rest until he reveals what he knows about my mother, the sweet woman who used to sing me to sleep and tuck me into a warm, soft bed. The same bed my cousins appropriated for their own use after her disappearance. Fuckers.
I sit in front of the video comm and enter Captain Warren’s personal comm number. I wait as the screen flashes blue, impatience gnawing at me, as well as worry. My mate might return at any moment.
To my deep shock, the worldship captain appears on the screen. He smirks at me and dips his head, performing a mocking bow.
“Empress Thalia,” he says in English. “So nice of you to call me.”
“I’ve been calling you for weeks,” I reply, also in English. “Why haven’t you answered until now?” I glare at the captain and take satisfaction in the bruise on his jaw. Someone must’ve punched him recently. Good. I’m sure he deserved it, though I hope whoever attacked him lived to tell the tale.
“I’ve been busy,” he says with a snarl. “Besides, I wanted to wait and make sure the emperor wouldn’t attempt to return you. Yes, yes, I know Admiral Tornn claimed females wouldn’t be sent back, but I must confess, I had my doubts. Especially when it came to you.”
“And why is that? You don’t know me.”
“I knew your mother, and I doubt the fruit falls far from the tree.” He flashes his yellow teeth at me. “She was an outspoken woman who caused headaches for me on more than one occasion.”
“What happened to her?” I lean closer to the screen. “Where is she?”
He picks at an invisible piece of lint on his shirt and shrugs one shoulder. “Have you been a good girl?” he asks. “Have you been keeping the emperor happy? The male refuses to answer my questions about you, so I must confess, I’ll have to take your word for it.”
“Yes, I’ve been keeping him happy.” I flush at the implications of my statement. “Now, please tell me about my mother.” I’m tempted to threaten him, tempted to announce I’ll simply ask my mate to question him.
He rolls his eyes. “Very well. She’s being held at…” The captain’s voice trails off. He pales and his eyes go wide. “Emperor,” he utters in a respectful but shocked tone, suddenly switching to Galactic Common.
Emperor.
Oh God. Oh no.
The air leaves my lungs, and I spin around in the chair and nearly faint at the sight before me. My mate. He’s standing in the middle of the sitting room, staring aghast at the viewscreen. His expression turns livid, and he soon settles that dark look on me.
Shivers rush through me, and I can’t find my voice.
Fear clutches me, a chill unlike any other penetrating to my bones. My heart also plummets to the floor. The captain was about to announce what happened to my mother, but now I worry I’ll never find out.
Emperor Radakk glares daggers at me. His body tenses, his nostrils flare, and a low menacing growl rumbles from his broad, muscular chest. My guts turn to water when he settles an accusatory look on me.
One moment he’s standing on the other side of the room staring at me, and a second later he’s at my side, having moved faster than I realized he could. He yanks the power source from the video comm, and the screen goes blank.
I cower before him, uncertain what to say. How to defend myself.
He hauls me to my feet, his face a mask of rage.
He whispers one word. “Spy.”
