PRIYA

My life was over.

The man staring at me with cold eyes could have been my father-in-law in another life. I tried not to flinch. I didn’t want to show him how scared I was. I warranted the attention of his majesty, the king. When they found me, they thought I was a pirate until they got a good look at me.

“Your claim is that you’re here by accident.” The king’s voice and face conveyed how incredulous he was of my explanation. “There’s no way you have survived on your own all this time. Who’s been helping you?”

“I found a storeroom, and I’ve been subsisting these months on dried rations.” It was technically correct. I was intentionally leaving Allex out of my past. I wasn’t going to feed him to the wolves. “I went exploring and found the greenhouse, so I helped myself to some vegetables out of necessity.”

“You’re not a pirate. You don’t have any scars on your face.”

“No, I’m not. I’m just a human from Earth who got into a little trouble. I never meant to be here.” I looked steadily into his eyes. “I was going to leave as soon as I could.” I wondered if he would believe me.

Allex was supposed to be setting up something with Anders, but they were going to be too late. Maybe telling him about Allex would have changed things. But it was bad enough we were going to be separated. He didn’t need to have the pain of my betrayal as well.

“I understand, but I’m afraid I cannot be lenient and encourage these things.”

I had just finished telling him I made a mistake. No wonder Allex didn’t want to tell his father about us. He was an asshole. Still, I couldn’t blame him. All I had was my word.

“Our society depends on using large spacecraft to transport our population. We cannot have extra weight on the ship.” He paused. “Since you are not a pirate, you will only be charged with stowing away on a starship.”

“Oh, that’s all, huh?” I couldn’t hold back my anger, which came in the form of biting sarcasm. He might as well have said he was going to execute me. He certainly had other choices. He could have been lenient and dumped me off on the next planet or space station.

But he wasn’t going to be.

Rage and intense frustration filled me. I wanted to cry, but I held it inside. I wasn’t going to give this jerk the satisfaction of seeing he had upset me.

He gave me one last look before leaving. It reminded me of a person staring at a piece of garbage stuck to their shoe.

I was left alone to consider my mistakes. All I could think about was how much I missed Allex already.

* * *

The prison guards were the first things I saw in the morning. They forced me into a bright yellow jumpsuit indicating I was an inmate. The cheerfulness of the clothing color didn’t match my mood, nor did the handcuffs.

They didn’t even let me walk around without an escort. When I had to walk down a long corridor, there was a guard on either side of me. I didn’t know I was such a dangerous person. At the end of the hall, a prison ship had docked directly with the security wing of the mothership.

I looked around the ship that had inadvertently become my home one last time before I stepped through the airlock. Two men appeared at the end of the hall. One was the king, and the other looked so much like the king he must have been one of Allex’s brothers. Allex came running behind them and stopped dead when he saw me in the distance. I stopped walking, wondering if something was going to happen.

The prison guard prodded me, and I started moving again, afraid of his stun gun. Allex was out of sight in a few seconds. I held my breath. Would he convince his father to free me? Would Allex charge in and rescue me?

When the cell door hissed closed and a klaxon sounded to indicate it was locked, I plopped down on the hard metal bench and put my head in my hands. There wasn’t going to be a last-minute rescue.

I wished I hadn’t seen Allex at all. It made me feel worse than before. I had already felt his rejection, but now the muscles in my abdomen were clenched so tightly that I thought I might throw up. How could he have let this happen? He didn’t want me. He had lied before when he said he loved me. I wasn’t good enough for him, just like I hadn’t been good enough for Jerry.

Who was I kidding, anyway? Someone like him couldn’t love me. He was a hot guy, a doctor, and a prince, for fuck’s sake.

I knew there were some legal formalities in my future, but I wasn’t stupid enough to think they would acquit me. I would rot in jail without any money to pay my fines. It was all my fault.

I should have left as soon as I could, but not only had I been too afraid, I had accidentally fallen in love. At some point, I had decided to stay in the bowels of the ship, thinking I would be safe forever. I shook my head. If I had left, I might still be with Allex.

I started to cry thinking about all the years ahead of me without Allex. I would miss his sexy body and the way he looked at me. I would miss everything. How had I come to love him like this so quickly?

When my tears ran out, the anger came back. Allex could have done something to stop them from taking me away, but all he did was watch. He had promised he wouldn’t let anything come between us. But when the time came for him to honor his words, he hadn’t lifted a finger to help me.

I would have to make a life for myself in jail, but for the moment, I needed to wallow in misery. I sat and stared at the wall and felt my heart gradually turn into a hard chunk of ice.

* * *

ALLEX

I banged on Anders’ door. I didn’t stop when he didn’t answer immediately. He was going to open the door.

Maybe he couldn’t hear me. “Anders!”

The door opened a second later, revealing my brother’s shocked face. “What the hell, Allex?” I pushed past him. Avren and Gwen were in the living area with drinks in their hands.

“They found Priya.”

He shut the door and came and joined the three of us, dropping to the couch beside Gwen. I started pacing around the room.

“This is bad.” He leaned forward, putting his elbows on his knees.

“Allex, what are you going to do?” Gwen’s eyes looked worried.

“Who’s Priya?” Avren looked at me with a piercing, intelligent gaze. He was dressed casually, and his dark brown hair was falling into his eyes. He always looked like he needed a haircut.

I had forgotten he was in the room. I was going to have to explain why I had been keeping things from him. I dropped my gaze. “She’s a human.”

“You don’t have time to beat around the bush.” Anders looked at Avren. “He bonded with her.”

A look of betrayal crossed Avren’s face. “Why didn’t you tell me?” He looked at Anders and Gwen. “And why did you tell these guys? Am I the only one who doesn’t know?”

I shook my head, unwilling to meet his eyes. “Anders is the only one. And Gwen too, I suppose. It’s complicated. I didn’t intend to keep it from you.”

“Forgive me if I don’t believe you.”

Gwen shook her head. “Allex, you’re not explaining yourself well at all.”

I rubbed my hands over my face. “I’m sorry, I’m having a bit of a breakdown right now. The worst thing imaginable just happened, and I’m not thinking clearly.”

She gave me a dirty look, mixed with a hint of compassion. “You don’t need to know every detail, Avren. Priya was on our ship, and no one knew about her. Allex found her. They fell in love.”

Avren’s eyebrows shot up. “That’s quite a bit of detail already.”

“They formed a bond...” I had thought Gwen was finished speaking, but it seemed like she wasn’t going to stop.

“But you’re not married, right? Don’t tell me I missed my brother’s wedding, too.” Avren looked flabbergasted.

“Of course not.” I couldn’t stop the words from coming out of my mouth. “Do you know anyone who would perform a secret marriage ceremony in the bowels of the ship?”

“Do you have to do this right now?” Gwen stepped between us. “Apparently, she’s been discovered. We were trying to figure out the best way to help her off the ship, but I guess that’s out of the question.”

“You picked the wrong brother.” Avren gave Anders a dark look. “I would have told you to move her immediately.”

“That’s the same thing I said.” Anders leaned forward. “It’s not my fault he doesn’t listen.”

Gwen jumped to defend me again. “Allex was doing what he thought was necessary to protect his bond mate. It was nothing personal. He didn’t want to tell us, either.”

“You’ll understand better when you find your bond mate, Avren.” Anders’ comment must have infuriated Avren, who was usually the calmest person in the room.

“You think I don’t understand because I’m single?”

“No, that’s not what he’s saying at all.” I wanted Avren to keep his cool. When Avren lost control, it was a sight to behold. I didn’t need either of my brothers to be angry today. I needed their help. “The bond is intense. You’ll see.”

“I never could have imagined it before I experienced it.” Anders must have realized the extent of Avren’s anger and was trying to calm him down. “It has nothing to do with being single. No one knows until they bond with someone.”

Avren seemed to accept the explanation. “Let’s put aside the fact that you didn’t feel I was trustworthy enough to share your secret.” Avren looked at me viciously. “What’s Father going to do with her?”

I shrugged. “I don’t know. I went down to see her. The lights were on, and a lot of people were looking around. When I reached the holding cells, they said the king had given them explicit orders. No one is allowed to approach the prisoner.”

“I don’t think she’s dangerous.” Gwen was still in her blue pilot’s uniform and wore her red hair in a braid behind her back. Anders wasn’t wearing his flight gear and must have changed already.

“I thought I could explain things to Father when they were transporting her.” I paused before telling a half-truth. “I was too late. She was already on the prison ship.”

I was too ashamed to say I might have had a chance to stop them if I had thrown myself on my father’s mercy and begged for her release. Maybe things would have turned out differently if I had the courage to tell him she was my bond mate.

But I hadn’t, and I knew Priya had seen me.

I was going to make it right. I would save Priya and atone for my past mistakes.

“I’m going to take her, and I need your help.”

Astonishment was the only expression on the faces in front of me. “That wouldn’t be my first choice.” Anders looked me in the eye. “How about hiring a lawyer or asking Father for leniency? You’re going to try and break her out of jail?”

“You’ll make her break another law, and we’ll be complicit.” Avren looked at the ceiling, contemplating my idea.

“I’m not leaving her.” I jumped up and turned toward to the door. “If you won’t help me, I’ll do it myself.”

I felt their stares. “Allex,” Anders called out behind me. “Allex!” He suddenly appeared between me and the door. “Wait.”

“Get out of my way, Anders.”

He rolled his eyes. “I’m not trying to stop you, asshole. I’m going to help you.”

“Me too,” Gwen piped up. “You’re not leaving me behind.”

I felt my shoulders drop. “Really? You’ll help me?”

Anders reached out and clapped a hand on my shoulder. “Anything for my baby brother. I won’t let you do this alone. I know how important Priya is to you.”

I didn’t think I had a shot before, but now I might have a chance.

“I’m coming too.” Avren sounded quiet but determined.

“What?” I raised an eyebrow. “Why do you want to join the party?”

“You don’t pay them any mind, but you decide to ask me questions?” He was getting upset again. I wondered if things were happening which he hadn’t shared with me. Maybe I should have been paying closer attention to him. Avren and I had always been close. We were the youngest brothers. After the others grew up, we only had each other.

I had been so preoccupied with Priya lately that I had hardly seen him. No wonder he was angry. I had been ignoring him, and there might be something wrong. The world didn’t revolve around me. My brothers were the most important thing to me after Priya, and I should act like it.

“It’s an unexpected offer, that’s all.” Avren was a bookworm, always reading, studying, or learning. Arnon liked to tell a story about young Avren. He wanted to dress nicely, and when he would fall and get his clothes dirty, he cried until someone brushed them off and cleaned him up again.

When Anders and I would go planet-side to hike, Avren always turned down the offer to come with us. He worked out, but in a gym and on a precise training schedule. Avren was strong and had studied martial arts. He had defended me plenty of times when I was little.

But he didn’t usually seek out trouble.

“Well, I’m offering.”

“You never wanted to come with us on adventures before.”

“Did he actually say the word adventure?” Gwen muttered under her breath. Anders shushed her. I never took my eyes off Avren.

“Things are going to be messy and out of our control, Avren.”

“I can handle messy.” Avren glowered at me. “What you’re saying is that you don’t want me to help you.” A look of realization dawning on his face. “You don’t have to try and protect my feelings.”

The room went silent. I hesitated before I spoke. “It’s not that at all.”

My hesitation had been too long. Avren strode to the door and let himself out.

“Allex, that was the opposite of smooth. I’m surprised you were able to win Priya. You screwed up.” Anders shook his head.

Avren vanished into one of the transporters before I could stop him. Did I want him to help me or not?

I didn’t want two older brothers bossing me around instead of one.

Anders had started treating me as an equal recently, and he already knew about Priya, which is why I had asked for his help. He still told me what to do too often for my liking, but I didn’t have a choice. I needed a pilot.

But I had always sensed an air of superiority from Avren as if our slight difference in age meant he was somehow better than me. I loved him, but I didn’t need any extra stress.

I knew I was going to bring him along. I wouldn’t let him think I didn’t want him to come. It wasn’t right. I caught up with him as he was going into his apartment. I stuck my arm into the door before it closed. If I let his anger fester, he might hold a grudge for days.

“Avren, please. I didn’t mean it. I just didn’t think this was something you would approve of.”

“How do you remember what I like or don’t like? I haven’t seen you in ages.”

There it was. Avren was a bit of a loner and was always thinking. We saw each other on a regular basis until Priya came along. He must have noticed my absence. I hadn’t given any reason for it since I’d become slightly obsessed with my new mate.

“I’m here now.”

He relented and let me into the room. The door silently closed behind me as I stepped through. “Look, we need a brain with us.”

His gray eyes were angry and hurt.

“I’m sorry. I want your help. Anders and Gwen are great pilots and can think on their feet, but if we need someone to figure out a technical problem, you’re the guy. Come back with me. We’ll learn what to do as we go along.”