Alan
The cabin was well crafted, with deep-colored wood and designs woven along the top of the walls. Someone had spent a long time on this.
A simple couch and chair, a room with a large bed, another with a tiny shower. Perfect. It reminded me of the family cabin in Tennessee.
“What do you think?” Kattlyn asked with a semi-worried voice as she turned circles in the main room, taking it all in.
“I think it’s perfect. You?”
“I suppose.”
I laughed, grabbed Kattlyn by the wrist, and tugged her into my arms. “You’re not one of those girls, are you?”
“One of those girls? What do you mean?”
The innocence on her face, in her voice, only endeared her more to me. Without a thought, I gently pressed my lips to hers, letting them move tenderly over hers at first, then leaning her backward in a dip. Her leg flew up in the air as I ravished her moist lips that tasted of tea. She was breathing heavily when I broke the kiss, gazed into her blue eyes, and said, “You are amazing.”
“So are you.”
Standing her back up, I said, “Why don’t we go explore a little. You up for it?”
“Absolutely.”
Out back, we found a trail to hike that led away from the houses. Perfect. This part of the planet looked different. The trees didn’t grow as tall and there were more rocks to trip over if we weren’t careful. Beautiful flowers with oversized red petals with a white powdery center lined the hillside.
“I’ve never really seen this part of Azziar,” Kattlyn admitted as we walked hand in hand.
“Really?”
“Yes. I have never been allowed very far from home. Only when I visit Risshi.”
“He doesn’t live near the castle?”
“No, he prefers the beach.”
“That sounds . . . nice.”
“Would you like to live there?”
I gave her a playful wink. “I’d be happy living anywhere with you.” But living on the beach away from her family sounded ideal. Perfect even.
“Alan, I do believe you have a silver tongue.” She laughed. “You would like it. Risshi lives there with his mate and Human daughter.
“Wait, human daughter?”
“Mara, his mate, was with young when she was rescued.”
“Huh.”
Walking the trail with Kattlyn was relaxing. I could picture living with her at the beach, surrounded by her loving family and a little girl running around.
“Does Risshi earn credits?”
“Yes, some, even though he doesn’t need them. He makes crafts with the wood and he sells fish at the market.”
That sounded like something I could easily do. Maybe I could make a life for myself, find a way to support Kattlyn. I had always enjoyed working with my hands in my off time, and fishing was something Dad and I loved to do together. It was something to think about.
We walked and talked about anything and everything. Kattlyn was kind-hearted and wonderful and I enjoyed her company immensely.
When we finally returned to the cabin, I was surprised to see Kepa waiting for us on the porch. He looked a little nervous, which set off all my spidey senses. His hands twitched and he plastered on a fake smile. Out of instinct, I grabbed Kattlyn’s hand, not wanting her to get too close.
“I thought you would like to join us for third meal.”
Obviously, Kattlyn couldn’t tell anything was wrong. She looked very relaxed, very trusting when she replied, “We would be honored. Thank you.”
Instead of heading into our cabin, we followed Kepa to his. Seeing three other males also there to eat with us only confirmed that something wasn’t right. We all took seats, and as Ettha placed food on the table, Kepa started.
“I hope you don’t mind, but I wanted the others to meet you.”
I could see through the lie. If I were using my professional judgment, I’d say that Kepa had no choice but to invite them to this meal.
“Not at all.” Kattlyn sounded a little more cautious. Perhaps she also felt uneasy.
Although I was polite, I remained slightly aloof and didn’t let my guard slip. In my heart I had known this utopian atmosphere where everyone lived in harmony away from the reigning king was a charade. Everyone had a leader, and by the glances everyone shot at the one large male, one that hadn’t been introduced, he was it. Not Kepa.
We ate in silence. The fact that no one talked, no one bothered to introduce themselves, set off more alarm bells.
“So, Kattlyn,” one of the newcomers finally said. “How is everything at the castle? Is the king well?”
I saw the hesitant way she looked up, the tremor in Kepa’s hand as he shoved a bite of food into his mouth. Ettha stared at her plate. Now I knew for sure that Kepa wasn’t in charge. Maybe high up, but this man sitting in front of us was calculating, and it was easy to see that Kepa feared him, at least a little.
“He is fine, thank you.”
The male swallowed a bite of food before he casually said, “You might be surprised to know this, but I was good friends with your uncle.”
“Lottia, can this wait until after third meal?” Ettha asked without looking in his direction. Maybe it was safer for females to ask.
His eyes slid her way, a condescending smile plastered on his face. “Of course.”
Stealing glances at everyone, I assumed that this Lottia was the one in charge. The other two were younger. Maybe his sons. All I knew was that they didn’t resonate the same arrogant confidence as Lottia.
I noted the entrances in case we needed to escape. One door in the back, the front door, and two windows on either side. I didn’t kid myself. There was a good chance we would have to fight our way out.
A loud knock sounded at the door, and without waiting for someone to answer, another female strolled in like she owned the joint.
“Sorry I’m late, Father.”
From the corner of my eye, I saw Kattlyn’s shoulders stiffen when she heard her voice.
“It’s okay, Cassia, we were just getting started.”
She slid into the last remaining empty chair and grinned. Straight away, I could tell she was a cold-hearted bitch. I’d seen that look too many times to think differently. My suspicions were confirmed when I heard Kattlyn’s barely audible gasp.
“Well hello, Kattlyn”—her eyes snapped to me— “who do we have here?”
“Cassia, I thought you were—”
“Dead? In hiding?” She quirked an eyebrow.
“Yes.”
Cassia sneered. “No, I’ve been right here living with my family. So tell me, how’s Jakke?”
Kattlyn grabbed my hand under the table and squeezed so hard I thought she’d break bones. And then she lifted her chin. “Very happy.”
Oh shit! If I hadn’t already thought we’d have to fight our way out, there was no doubt now. Aggression radiated between the two of them. The air tensed, making me squirm in my chair just a little. No matter, I’d defend Kattlyn or die trying.
We managed to gulp down our meal, and when the napkins were laid on the table, I smiled at our host. “Ettha, that was great. Thank you.”
I could tell that she wanted to smile, but she only spared me a quick glance. Time to end this charade. I scooted my chair back and slowly stood, bringing Kattlyn to her feet beside me. “Kepa, thank you for your offer but I think we should head back to the castle.”
Everyone else stood. Kepa took Ettha’s hand and moved her to the far wall, maybe so she wouldn’t get hurt? I quickly sized the other three up. Lottia was the strongest, that was easy to see. The other two looked like pawns to do Lottia’s bidding, but Cassia, she had her father’s mean streak.
Lottia sneered. “I don’t think so.”
Kepa looked remorseful as he said, “I’m sorry, Kattlyn.”
“What . . .” She shook her head, her forehead creased in confusion. But I knew. They didn’t like King Mallik and planned to somehow use Kattlyn against him. Not happening. Not today. Not as long as I still drew breath into my body.
Lottia and his maybe sons took a menacing step forward. I tugged Kattlyn behind me and dropped her hand. One of the younger ones attacked first and I snagged up the empty chair and smashed it over his head, knocking him to the floor.
All hell broke loose. Cassia attacked Kattlyn at the same time Lottia and the other one barreled toward me. The younger one grabbed my arms, twisting them behind my back. Quickly, and with all the momentum I could muster, I whipped my head back and head butted the one behind me. My arms fell to my sides as he cupped his bleeding nose.
I shifted my weight and kicked Lottia in the groin, sending him to his knees. “Never said I played fair,” I said, then I kicked him in the face with the bottom of my boot, knocking him out.
Spinning around, I saw Kattlyn straddling Cassia, choking her while Cassia clawed at her arms. A few seconds later, Cassia passed out.
“Kattlyn, let’s go.” I pulled her off the motionless Cassia. With her heaving chest, angry eyes, and elongated teeth, she looked feral. Beautiful. My heart slammed into my chest. The adrenaline was flowing, my eyes flared, and I grinned at her wild beauty.
Kepa stood against the back wall holding Ettha, who had her face buried in his chest. He never said anything but I knew this was not his doing. Giving him a quick nod, I ushered Kattlyn out the door.
“Come on.”
Outside, Kattlyn turned circles before she raced back inside, anger flaring in her eyes. “Where’s my hover vehicle?” She yelled at nobody and everyone.
Kepa vigorously shook his head. “I don’t know. They took it when you went for a walk.”
“Low down . . .” I couldn’t understand the rest of what she said, but I had an idea.
With my hands braced on each side of the doorframe, I leaned inside. “Kattlyn, we have to get out of here.”
The one son cupping his bleeding nose dropped his hand, his fangs grew to a scary size, and an animal-like growl tore from his throat. Shit!
Not giving him a chance to attack, I flew through the air and tackled him to the floor and punched him two maybe three times before knocking him out.
When I jumped to my feet, I grabbed Kattlyn’s hand and pulled her out the front door. We ran for what felt like an hour, until I couldn’t see any more for the darkness. We needed to stop, catch our breath, and find a place to bed for the night.