Holy, moly. I’m raw and tingling, but in a good way. Tarak is navigating the flyer now, preferring to fly manually as we near our destination. He looks awfully pleased with himself.

And so he should be.

What the hell just happened? He did it again, that’s what happened.

This is starting to become a pattern. That’s the problem when you’re stuck in a confined space with a big, sexy, silver alien. You get cosy, really quickly. Too quickly.

Not that I’m complaining.

Far from it.

As far as I’m concerned, the General can carry on with his distractions, but he needs to be a bit more forthcoming with information, especially since I’ve gone to the trouble to accompany him to seek out some crazy Prince who lives in an icy wasteland. Not that I had much of a choice.

Now seems like as good a time as ever to ask the important questions.

“Ta-rak,” I say slowly, watching him through my dark-vision goggles. Questions; I have so many questions. Where to start? Take a pick, Abbey. “What’s with the suit?”

“Hm?” He’s staring at me again, even though I’m now bundled up in the Skaz-coat.

“You have these freaky black nano-things that live inside you and come out of your skin. What’s up with that?” Now I’ve been around space a little bit. I know there are things out there that are beyond the capability of Human science to explain, but this seems a little far-fetched.

I wouldn’t believe it if I hadn’t seen it with my own eyes.

“Virulent nanites.” He shrugs as if it’s no big deal. “They are made from Callidum and infected with a virus that has integrated them into my bloodstream. The armor is a prototype that was programmed into them. They are keyed to my neural signature."

That didn’t make a whole lot of sense, but my semi-scientific brain is able to understand at least a fragment of his explanation. My major was plant biotech, not advanced alien nano-bio-engineering, or whatever it’s called.

“Not all Kordolians have these, er, nanites, do they?”

“No. Only myself and the soldiers of the First Division survived the trials. The project was abandoned soon afterwards. I was the sole product of the first generation experimental phase.”

“Oh.” I hesitate, unsure of what to say. His expression is frosty cold right now, desolate and bleak like the frozen sea we’re traveling over. I’m treading on sensitive ground.

“You don’t have to feel sympathy for me, Abbey. I survived, others did not. I’m an aberration.”

“No you’re not,” I blurt, without even thinking. “Which stupid idiot coined that term? That so does not apply to you. You’re a decent ma… uh, Kordolian.”

Tarak blinks, and gives me a long, scrutinizing look. Then, the corner of his mouth quirks upwards. “It takes a Human to tell me such things.”

“I speak my mind. You should know that by now.”

“Hm.” His attention is diverted for a moment as he banks the flyer. A large, hulking shape comes into view. As we near, I realize it’s a landmass; a mountain with a crater at the top. It rises out of the frozen sea, black and forbidding.

Tarak narrows his eyes as he glances back at me, his fangs peeking out just below his upper lip. Some might find that expression rather menacing. I think it’s adorable. That’s just how he looks when he’s thinking.

“Prince Xalikian will like you,” he says eventually, as we descend, heading towards the large crater. It looks like an extinct volcano.

Tarak’s little statement doesn’t exactly inspire confidence. “This Prince of yours; he’s not crazy like almost every other Kordolian I’ve met, is he? Present company excepted, of course.” The thought of meeting some strange Kordolian out in the dark, icy wilderness makes me uneasy. I’m rather sick and tired of various Kordolians trying to hunt me for my Human flesh and organs.

At least I’ve got Big Bad here on my side. That’s the main reason I’m not terrified out of my wits right now.

Tarak’s face is annoyingly blank. “Kordolians think he’s crazy.”

I don’t know if that’s a good thing, or a bad thing. Is he crazy as in relatively sane, or crazy as in too crazy for even Kordolians?

“So you and this Xalikian guy are in cahoots together, and he’s in exile. Are you planning a coup?”

Tarak stiffens. “I have vowed not to start war on Kythia. The future of our species is already tenuous. We would not survive a civil war. However, other options have presented themselves.”

“And what might these ‘other options’ be?”

“Nothing is certain yet, Abbey. Once Xalikian and I have decided on a course of action, you will be made aware.”

I sigh. He’s as cryptic as always, keeping his cards close to his chest. “So when you’re done with your secret fate-of-the-Empire business, we can go back to Fortuna Tau, right?” I say it half-jokingly and half-hopefully, taking advantage of Tarak’s rare chatty mood.

“Perhaps,” he says nonchalantly.

My jaw drops. What did he just say? Did he just hint at taking me back home?

And Tarak’s not the sort to joke around.

I try to conceal my surprise. “You know you’re coming with me, right? You’ll love Earth. We have sunshine there, it’s warm, and there’s chocolate. It’s even better than Veronian food. I swear, you’ll love it.”

Tarak frowns. “I dislike ultraviolet light. The light from your star is particularly irritating. It hurts my eyes. And I hate sweet things.” Party pooper. He hasn’t even been to Earth and he’s grumbling already. Tarak pushes the flyer into a steep descent, and we swoop down into the crater of the mountain. “But your planet may be of interest to us in other ways.”

“What other ways?” I ask suspiciously. “And what do you mean by ‘us’? What are you planning? Don’t you dare think about colonizing us, Tarak. We are not going to end up becoming a giant pineapple farm for Kythia. I forbid you from colonizing Earth.”

Tarak inclines his head. “You forbid me, Human?” He raises an eyebrow, his voice low and dangerous. His lips are curved, ever so slightly. Is he amused? I find his expression devastatingly sexy. It’s that magnificent mixture of menace and irony that only he can pull off.

Damn this male. I can’t tell if he’s being serious or if he’s messing with me.

“You know I can’t stop you from doing anything, General. But you know what they say. Happy wife, happy life. And trust me. If you guys come and take over Earth, I am not going to be happy.”

“Noted.” He pulls the flyer into a sharp curve, once again focusing on the descent. “I do not understand the relevance of this ‘pineapple’ you speak of, but if the idea of Kordolians ruling Earth displeases you, then I will consider alternatives.” He looks ahead, concentrating as he circles the giant crater, reducing our speed. “But only because it’s you who’s asking, Abbey of Earth. I will do it for you, but not for anyone else. The welfare of other Humans doesn’t concern me.”

Urgh. He’s gone all Kordolian on me again. If we do end up going to Earth, we’re going to have a little chat first, because I don’t want him just barging in and messing everything up. Badass General or not, on my home turf, he’ll play by my rules.

* * *

As we land, a group of Kordolian males emerges from behind a cluster of large boulders. They’re mostly young, their appearance typical of the Aikun. Unlike the Kordolians who dwell in the civilized zones, these males are fit and lean-bodied, their expressions hard and suspicious.

The Aikun are one of the Lost Tribes that exist in the Vaal, and they possess an innate mistrust of everything that comes from the Empire. Over hundreds of cycles, the Empire has stolen so many of their children that they’ve become secretive and withdrawn.

It’s no wonder the Wild Prince has adopted them as his people. Xalikian’s rejection of the Empire comes from the fact that he was raised in the belly of corruption.

With a mother like Vionn, it’s no wonder he’s left Kythian society to live in the Vaal.

Apparently, the Lost Tribes are my people too, but I have no recollection of such things. My memories of childhood were taken from me, as part of my conditioning. I have flashbacks now and then, but I have never been one to dwell on the past.

Beside me, Abbey has dressed and concealed her face with the scarf, in anticipation of the outside temperature. She is staring intently at the Aikun. “They live here?”

“Yes.”

“They have horns,” she gasps.

“All Kordolian males have horns,” I inform her. “The Aikun refuse to file them off.”

Their twin black horns rise from their temples, curving slightly. All of the Aikun males have grown their hair long, and they wear it in a range of styles. Some have fashioned their hair into intricate braids, while others leave it loose and untamed.

They wear nothing save for simple loincloths, and their bodies bear scars that they display proudly; hard-fought reminders of their battles with the dangerous creatures of the Vaal.

They are both savage and dignified in appearance.

As we exit the flyer, Abbey nudges me in my side. “You should grow your horns,” she whispers suggestively.

“They are impractical,” I growl, wondering how she can be thinking of such things at a time like this.

“But they’re very sensitive, aren’t they?” She pauses. “Erotic, even.”

Mischievous female.

“Abbey,” I snap, although I’m far from annoyed. What she suggests is interesting. “We will discuss this another time.”

She walks by my side, staying close to me as we cross the clearing. For her, this is the safest place in the universe. I will let no harm come to her. The Aikun can be vicious fighters, but they are no match for me. In order to appear less threatening, I have worn my robes and left my weapons concealed.

I do not wish to fight them.

“What business do you have here, Lost One?” One of the males, a young Kordolian with a vicious scar running from the corner of one eye to his jaw, steps forward, an ancient looking plasma cannon aimed at us. He speaks Imperial Kordolian with a heavy accent.

It is ironic. Kythians who live in the civilized zones refer to the Aikun and their like as the Lost Tribes. In turn, the Aikun call us the Lost Ones. They feel we have strayed too far from the teachings of the Goddess.

I’m not religious by any stretch of the imagination, but the value system of the Aikun intrigues me. They do not conquer or take more than they need. They simply exist.

After so many cycles waging war on other planets in the name of the Empire, the cause has become tarnished. I can no longer blindly serve my masters, who sit on their thrones in civilization and shield themselves from the realities of the universe.

I have even taken a mate; a Human. I never would have thought such a thing was possible. It is as if she has been created for me.

Prince Xalikian must agree to my plan, or else I will be half-tempted to take myself to the other end of the universe and be done with the Kordolian Empire for good.

I spread my hands wide, showing the Aikun that I’m unarmed. “I bear no ill will. I seek our mutual brother. He is expecting me.”

“I do not know who you speak of.” He narrows his eyes, his attention diverting to Abbey. He sniffs the air, trying to identify her scent. I suppress the warning growl that threatens to erupt from my throat.

The Aikun are being cautious, trying to protect Xalikian from outsiders. They don’t recognize him as a ruler, but as an equal. I can understand their reticence, especially when the High Council would see Xal’s severed head displayed in the forecourt of the Palace of Arches, a warning to all who would consider betraying the Empire.

That is what happens when one tries to kill the Empress, even if she is his own mother.

When news of his actions was transmitted throughout the Empire and he was denounced through the Nobles’ propaganda machine, Xalikian became a cult figure in the eyes of the ordinary classes.

He’d already earned their respect through his advocacy and his charity; this just sealed the deal.

The Aikun males draw nearer, their weapons raised. They carry an odd assortment of blades, guns and spears. Some are made from Callidum, while others gleam silver in the faint starlight. Beside me, Abbey is still, watching from behind her dark-vision goggles. I sense no fear from her. She is calm and steady like a seasoned soldier.

She is brave; a worthy mate.

She trusts me. I must do right by her.

I could threaten them right now, but that would bring tension and violence, and might result in unnecessary deaths. Theirs, of course.

There is a better way to convince these tribesmen that I mean them no harm. I drop to my knees and recite a short prayer to the Goddess. I speak in the secret, musical Aikun tongue.

It’s one of the few memories that remain from my life before the experiments.

I remember a soft female voice. She sings the words in a low, melodic tone. Her arms are around me, cradling my small body.

Fragments of memories are all I have left from my childhood.

The Aikun males respond by following my words with a deep, rhythmic chorus. The male with the scar on his face steps forward. “You are a stolen child,” he says, his eyes wide.

“Now can you understand that I mean our brother no harm?”

“And what about your companion, who is not of our world?”

“She is my mate,” I snarl, my sword hand twitching. “That is all you need to know.”

Abbey can’t understand what we’re saying, but she edges closer to me, sensing the tone of the conversation. She’s staring up at me. I’m not letting her out of my sight.

I sigh. “I understand your hesitation, Aikun, but the fact that I have come alone with my mate should be proof enough that I mean no harm.”

The Aikun males confer for a moment, muttering softly amongst themselves. The lead male turns back to me. “He is out on the plains, hunting beneath the ice.”

“We’ll go to him,” I say, and the Aikun laugh.

“You may have some difficulty traversing the mountain, Kythian. We can escort you, but your people aren’t familiar with the terrain.” The lead male’s tone is slightly condescending. “Would you not rather wait?”

“Don’t worry about me, Aikun. Worry about whether you can keep up.” I resist the urge to smirk. These Aikun have no idea of the conditions I’ve had to fight under; of the harsh planet environments I’ve fought in.

Navigating the mountainside is nothing for me.

It is time to take my Prince from his comfortable life on the Vaal, even if I have to drag him by his infernal horns. The future of our people is at stake, and he is the catalyst.

And somehow, this tiny planet called Earth, which had escaped our notice until now, could become our sanctuary. It’s blindingly bright, and Humans are irritatingly contrary, fragile beings, but they can also be brave, resourceful and clever.

This female beside me has clung onto life tenaciously, despite all that’s been thrown at her. And she’s brought me, a proud Kordolian General, to my knees.

Of course, I will never tell her such things.

I cannot have her becoming too comfortable now, can I?

* * *

Somehow, I’ve ended up in Tarak’s arms, and we’re careening down the side of a black mountain at terrifying speed.

I must be light as a feather to him, because he’s running down the rocky slopes like a goddamn mountain goat, never missing a step.

The tribal guys are lagging behind. Tarak laughs, his deep voice distorted by the wind. It’s rare to hear him laugh with such careless abandon. It’s almost as if the act of running down a dangerously steep mountain with a woman in his arms has unleashed some kind of childlike joy.

“What’s so funny?” I curl into his broad chest, enjoying his warmth and his scent.

“Those Aikun males thought they could outrun me.”

“They haven’t figured out that you’re a freak of nature, huh?”

“It’s true; I have enhancements that make this an unfair contest.”

Bits of gravel fly around his booted feet as we reach the base of the mountain. It ends abruptly and the flat, white, endless plains of ice stretch out before us.

“So where exactly are we going?”

“Prince Xalikian is fishing in the ice, so we go to find him.”

“And then?”

“We talk, we decide on a course of action, and we follow it.”

“To Earth?”

“Probably.”

Okay, that seems like progress. We’ve gone from ‘perhaps’ to ‘probably’. I still can’t figure out what’s going on in this infuriating male’s head, but at least he’s starting to become a little bit more open with me.

He needs to be, because I didn’t understand a word of what just went on between him and those tribal looking guys. It was the strangest thing. In the middle of a macho male-off between Tarak and the tribal guys, he suddenly knelt down and reverently recited something in a different language. It was soft and melodic, so different to the harsh Kordolian tongue.

After that, they all suddenly became cool with him.

Urgh. There’s so much I still don’t understand. Such as, who are these wild looking Kordolians who amazingly seem to be able to survive in the middle of the most barren place I have ever been to?

When I was a kid, I went on an Antarctic tour with my dad. I thought that place was cold. The entire trip, I couldn’t wait to get home. This is ten times worse. How do they manage to live out here? The chill doesn’t seem to affect them at all. I would love to have access to a text on Kordolian physiology right now.

Again, and this is starting to become a recurring theme, those young Kordolian males behind us are barely dressed, wearing simple loincloths and not much else.

They look like characters out of some ancient, dark fairytale, with their wild, long hair and menacing black horns. Like all Kordolians, their eyes are varying shades of fire, from deepest red to striking yellow.

Now I understand what those little bumps on Tarak’s temples are supposed to be.

The horns are unearthly and beautiful.

Why the hell would any Kordolian cut them off? When we’re back in relative civilization, we are going to have a talk about that.

We sprint across the flat, icy surface, Tarak slowing a little so the others can catch up. He’s not even out of breath. They shout at him in Kordolian, and he yells back. It sounds like playful banter.

Now, they’ve become totally chilled.

Maybe it had something to do with Tarak’s approach. Instead of his usual threaten-first-ask-questions-later style, he went softly, softly on this one.

I was rather impressed. There’s hope for him yet.

We reach a defect in the ice. It’s a large square-shaped hole. Tarak sets me down and I peer over the edge, fascinated.

There’s water at the bottom. It’s black and sinister and totally flat. I get the shivers just looking at it.

The ice must be about twenty feet thick, and somehow they’ve cut a hole in it. A metal ladder stretches down from the surface of the ice to the water, and there’s a small floating platform at the bottom.

“What’s that?” I ask, mesmerized by the dark water.

“Waterhole,” Tarak replies, staring down into the depths. “So they can hunt what’s beneath the ice.”

“And that just happens to be—”

Before I can finish, something black and sleek breaks the surface for a second, before disappearing into the depths again.

“Lamperk.” Tarak nods towards the water. “Watch.”

The black thing surfaces again, and this time I see its giant, gaping maw. It has teeth. Lots of sharp, white teeth. No eyes, no face, just teeth. It’s like a massive, underwater leech.

Alongside the lamperk, a flash of sliver appears. There’s a Kordolian swimming around down there.

“Oh shit, there’s someone down there! That thing’s going to kill him.”

Tarak just laughs.

I stare at him in disbelief. “Aren’t you going to help him?”

“Of course not,” he shrugs. “Wait and see.”

The water starts to churn, becoming a chaotic, turbulent mess. I see intermittent flashes of silver and black as the two bodies twist and turn in the water.

A plume of white liquid appears, clouding the water, contrasting with the inky blackness. Ew. Is that some kind of bodily fluid? The creature’s blood, perhaps?

The Kordolian seems to be gaining an advantage, because the lamperk’s thrashing is becoming less savage. Then all of a sudden, it goes still.

The Kordolian swims around and sticks a giant hook through its mouth, the sharp barbed end breaking through the creature’s black skin on the other side. A trickle of white blood streams down its skin where the hook has pierced it.

Is this guy the Prince Tarak was talking about? He doesn’t seem very, uh, princely.

The Kordolian swims through the water, dragging the limp beast towards the floating platform. With one hand, he hauls himself up, dragging the dead lamperk after him. The creature flops onto the hard surface with a loud squelching sound. It’s huge. It has to be about six feet long.

It looks as disgusting as I’d imagined. Its face, if it can be called that, consists mostly of a huge mouth, with hundreds of tiny, razor-sharp teeth. Its head is bulbous and eyeless, tapering into a long, glistening, snakelike body.

“Lamperk are a delicacy,” Tarak informs me. “They make for good eating.”

The thought of eating a piece of that thing makes me nauseated. My attention turns to the hunter, who’s shaking his head, droplets of water cascading around him.

Like the other tribal guys, he’s impressively built. His silver skin gleams with moisture, emphasizing his rippling muscles. His snow-white hair is long and wild, crowned by a pair of curving black horns. He brushes a slick of wet hair back from his face, revealing his aristocratic features.

If Tarak is a dark elven warrior, then this guy is the fucking Fae Prince.

Predictably, he’s totally butt-naked. I sigh.

Besides Tarak and myself, the other tribal guys are now standing at the edge of the hole, peering down. The Prince looks up, sees us, and shouts an exuberant greeting in Kordolian.

Hauling the monster over his shoulder as if it’s nothing, he starts to climb up the ladder, grinning, his body wet and glistening.

These guys really must enjoy the fact that they’re totally immune to the cold.

Tarak and I are the only ones who seem to be wearing clothes around here.

As the Prince reaches the top, he throws his catch onto the hard, icy surface. Its weird milky blood spills around it, starting to freeze as it touches the ice.

He sees Tarak, lets out a stream of rapid Kordolian, and then proceeds to punch him in the face. Tarak doesn’t even flinch.

“What the hell?” I gasp, without even thinking, moving to step between them, reaching for my dagger. Tarak curls one arm protectively around my waist.

“Do not worry,” he whispers. “It’s a traditional Aikun greeting.”

Traditional, my ass. What kind of numbskull says hello with his fists?

Tarak’s grinning. The crazy idiot. That Prince is crazy, too. All Kordolians, I’ve decided, are crazy, and I’ve just happened to become very attracted and attached to one of them. Therefore, I must also be crazy.

I feel for the black knife strapped to my thigh, my fingers curling around its familiar, reassuring shape. For the most part, it looks as if Tarak has things under control, but this is Kythia, and these are Kordolians.

One just never knows what’s going to go down.

Tarak throws off his robes, carefully placing his weapons beside them, but to my relief, keeps his pants on. He stretches, the taut muscles of his back and arms flexing.

Then he returns the punch, his fist slamming into the guy’s nose. The Prince smiles back, and then, even more confusingly, they hug, with lots of masculine back-slapping.

Tarak moves across and puts a gentle hand on my shoulder. “Relax, amina. This is perfectly acceptable. It may seem strange to you, but amongst the Aikun, fighting can be a show of affection.” He squeezes my shoulder, then turns to the Prince.

What happens next makes me roll my eyes in exasperation. They both move away from our group, giving themselves a little space.

The Prince, still wet and dripping from his underwater escapade, tries to get another punch in. This time, Tarak dodges it, feinting to his left. He responds with a blow of his own, his fist connecting with the other Kordolian’s jaw.

It’s not a hard punch; I get the feeling Tarak’s holding back. The Prince launches into a flurry of blows, trying to get a hit on Tarak. They weave and dodge, using some impressive footwork. Some glancing blows land on Tarak, but the Prince can’t really get a good hit in.

The attack picks up pace, and it’s the Prince on the offensive, with Tarak blocking and dodging.

They’re both grinning, their expressions reminding me of children who are playing with their brand new Christmas gifts.

Males. I sigh as this ridiculous spectacle unfolds before me.

It’s obvious that Tarak’s the better fighter, but the Prince is putting in a solid effort. In other circumstances, he’d be considered an excellent fighter. A Human wouldn’t stand a chance against him.

But with Tarak, it’s like the master schooling the pupil.

He lets the guy attack. He dodges, blocks, and doesn’t give an inch. He doesn’t go easy on him, but he’s not fighting back, either.

The tribal guys are cheering them on with loud, raucous cries.

If the whole thing weren’t so stupid, it would be an impressive thing to watch; two large, bare-chested Kordolian males at peak physical fitness, battling it out.

Tarak and the Prince keep at it for a while, but eventually the Prince starts to tire, and Tarak executes some kind of swift grappling move that leaves the guy flat on his back and breathless.

The Prince grins like a madman as Tarak extends a hand to help him up.

They start chatting as Tarak returns to my side. The Prince sets eyes on me for the first time and he raises both eyebrows, tentatively sniffing the air. His amber eyes go wide.

“Human,” he murmurs, his voice full of wonder. He babbles something to Tarak in Kordolian.

“Universal, Xalikian. Speak Universal so she can understand.” He slides an arm around my waist. He’s warm from the exertion of their little tussle, and he feels good. “She is my mate,” he proclaims fiercely.

The way he says it is unexpected; he actually sounds proud. A delicious, warm, satisfying sensation courses through me. Mate, huh? I think I’ll go with that.

Still, Tarak needs to learn how to make proper introductions. I’m not going to go around being referred to as ‘mate’. I pull the scarf from my face remove my hood, the cold air slapping me in the face. I ignore it, putting on my most winning smile. I hold out a gloved hand. “Abbey Kendricks, of Earth. Pleased to meet you.”

The Prince smiles, revealing his fangs. It’s a genuine smile that reaches his eyes. “Abbey of Earth, I am most honored to meet the female who has tamed the great General.” His accent is urbane and cultured. It’s definitely not what I was expecting from a guy who has just brutally killed a giant underwater slug.

I cast a sidelong glance at Tarak, who’s reverted to his usual stony expression.

The Prince does a funny little bow. I’ve seen a more elaborate version of that bow directed at Tarak before, but until now, no Kordolian has ever bowed to me. “I am Prince Xalikian Kazharan.” He winks. “But you may call me Xal.”

“Nice to meet you, Xal.”

He stares at my outstretched hand, then at Tarak, then back at me, uncertainty creeping into his expression.

“Uh—”

“On Earth, shaking hands is a way of greeting,” I inform him, realizing that Kordolians probably have no idea what a handshake is.

Beside me, Tarak stiffens. Xal glances nervously at my hand, then takes it, his fingers brushing ever so briefly against mine. “Interesting gesture,” he remarks, unconsciously taking a step back.

What’s got him so jumpy all of a sudden?

Is it because the big guy is staring at him so intently? Tarak reaches down and throws Xal his robe. “Put this on, Xalikian. It is not appropriate to be such a way in her presence.”

Of course, he’s referring to Xal’s naked state. I’ve become so used to seeing Kordolian males traipsing around in their birthday suits that I didn’t really think much of Xal’s appearance. It’s as if I’ve become desensitized to male nudity.

Xal takes the robe and dresses, giving Tarak a wary sidelong glance.

Looking up, I see that the little vein at Tarak’s temple is twitching. His pointed ears flicker, and he narrows his eyes at Xal. He’s annoyed.

My mouth opens wide in realization. Is the big guy jealous of the Fae Prince?

Oh, my. He is a possessive male.

Doesn’t he understand that he has nothing to worry about?

I snuggle into him, taking his hand into mine. To my relief, he seems to relax, the tension draining out of his body. Sensing the change, Xal looks visibly relieved.

“I sent a message through the Soldar that I wanted to see you, but I didn’t expect you here so soon.” Xal glances over his shoulder and says something to the Aikun in their tribal language. One of them unsheathes a big knife as the other pulls a round black device from a bag at his waist. They haul the lamperk over and start skinning it. Its raw, meaty smell drifts to me on the wind. It’s not unpleasant, just very, uh, fresh.

“There have been developments,” Tarak says. “I did not want to delay any longer.”

“I’m guessing this has something to do with the ruckus you caused with the High Council. And she’s at the centre of it, isn’t she?” Xal looks at me with a thoughtful expression. “My sources told me as much. It’s the reason I wanted to meet with you, actually.”

I disentangle from Tarak, crossing my arms. “Ta-rak,” I say, my voice low and dangerous. “What is he talking about? What exactly am I at the centre of?”

I know those creepy scientists were after me because they wanted my Human body for some kind of experimental research, but I had no idea I’d become some sort of political football. And even Xal, who lives in the middle of nowhere, knows about it?

The General has some explaining to do.

Tarak shifts uneasily, but his expression remains carefully blank. I watch his wine-dark eyes, for once refusing to be distracted by his bare torso.

“I was protecting you,” he mutters eventually, shooting Xal a dark glare. “The rulers of Kythia demanded I give you to them. I refused.”

Oh. Tarak protected me from the Powers That Be. I resist the urge to hug him. He might look scary, but that hard exterior hides a tender, protective heart. However, all this handing-over business sounds quite serious. “General, what exactly makes me so valuable to you Kordolians? As a Human, I assumed your people wouldn’t give me a second glance.” I’m not liking where this is going.

Tarak turns his back on Xal. He puts his big, warm hands on either side of my face and meets my gaze. His red eyes are wide and clear; I sense no deceit there. “When you got the nanograft, back on the Fleet Station, they did some tests without my knowledge.” His voice is soft. The wind picks up, whipping at my hair, chilling the tips of my ears. “They found something quite remarkable.”

“What, Tarak?” My voice cracks a little.

“Humans and Kordolians are compatible.”

“What do you mean?”

“We can have offspring together.”

“Oh.” My heart skips a beat. He runs his rough thumb gently down the side of my face, from the corner of my eye to my jawline. The sensation sends shivers up my spine. I don’t know what to feel right now. I don’t know whether to be angry and shocked that he omitted that particular detail, or overjoyed. Oh, the children we’re going to have together. “Is that why you’re keeping me around?”

“No.” He rests his thumb under my chin, tilting my face upwards. He almost seems angry. “You are not a female whose sole purpose is to bear offspring. You are my mate, and I need you by my side. I need you. I am not going to let you fall into the hands of those who would tear you apart and use you; those who would destroy you. Do you understand, Abbey of Earth? You are mine, and no-one, Kordolian or otherwise, is going to take you away from me. I will do everything in my power to protect you, even if I have to wage war against my own people.”

Oh, my. My heart, seemingly on hold, flutters back to life.

“You’re not going to start a war because of me,” I whisper, as the wind starts to howl. Behind us, the Aikun males are babbling on in their own language, and I hear the sound of lamperk flesh being chopped. “Although that’s very sweet of you,” I add, almost as an afterthought. Only Tarak could make the idea of starting a war seem romantic.

“No,” he shakes his head, much to my relief. “A war on Kythia is not my intention. I have devised a more suitable plan.”

“Of course you have,” I say gently. “That’s why we’re out here in the middle of the badlands, meeting a Prince who doesn’t want to be found, but who somehow still has his ear to the ground. We’re about to discuss the fate of the universe, aren’t we? And he’s somehow involved, and you have cryptically mentioned Earth a few times now. We’re going back there, aren’t we?”

“We are.” He shakes his head, half-amused, half-astonished. “Astute female. That is why you’re my mate.”

He’s such a sweet, stubborn, infuriating male. “Well, let’s hear this plan of yours then, General.”

* * *

I gesture towards Xalikian, indicating he should join us again. He was perceptive enough to give Abbey and I a moment of privacy while I discussed a certain issue with her.

It was the least he could do, after tactlessly bringing it up in the first place.

It went better than I had hoped. But that is how she is. She speaks her mind, but she’s thinking on her feet, always adapting. She has observed and listened and come to her own conclusions. She does not carry on with drama and angst like those cloistered Kordolian females.

I am fortunate.

The Aikun males have dissected the lamperk. They have skinned it and kept the black hide for curing. The soft white flesh has been cut into small cubes. They are busy setting up the heat source for cooking.

The Prince looks at Abbey and I curiously as he nears. He has wrapped himself in my black robes, covering his naked body. I do not have problems showing my body to her, but suddenly, I don’t want her to see other naked males. Besides, Humans seem to be sensitive about such things.

I haven’t seen Xalikian for several cycles, and he’s changed since he escaped the Palace. There is a hard edge to his gaze now, and even though he’s lost none of his charm, life in the Vaal has made him lean and tough, like the tribesmen he considers his brothers.

The resemblance to Vionn and his late father, Ilhan, is striking. He’s inherited his mother’s haughty, aristocratic bearing and his father’s compelling amber eyes. His charm and cunning seem to be his own. I hope he hasn’t inherited any his parents’ madness.

“You have heard the latest from the High Council, then,” I say, pulling Abbey close. “Sooner or later they will be heading for Earth, looking to take Humans for their experiments.”

“I have my sources.” Xalikian wears an enigmatic expression. His tone changes, becoming bitter. “My mother’s behind this. She sees all other races as animals. She believes in the supremacy of the Kordolian race, and she won’t spare anything or anyone in her quest to produce the perfect lineage, even if it means extracting biological material from other species. The next time I see her, I will make sure I finish what I started. She will die by my hand.” His golden eyes are as cold as the frozen sea we’re standing on. It doesn’t surprise me. Xalikian has suffered so much at the hands of his mother, the Empress.

I shake my head. “Vionn is a lost cause. You are better off concentrating on what needs to be done now.” I wrap my hand around Abbey’s smaller one, our fingers entwined. “I have decided to withdraw my entire fleet and the First Division from the High Council’s jurisdiction.”

Xalikian blinks, staring at me in shock. “They’ll sic General Daegan and his soldiers on you if you break away, you know that.”

I let out a derisive snort. “Daegan is an idiot. Let him come. If he is stupid enough to take me on, I will destroy him.” Daegan is a Noble who rose to the rank of General through connections and favors. He hasn’t seen real combat in his lifetime. He’s the sort who commands battles remotely, hiding behind strategy advisors and officers. I am not afraid of Daegan. His fleet is comparable in size to mine, but my soldiers are in a different class.

The only ones who would suffer in a war between military factions would be the ordinary classes, Kordolians who don’t have the backing of a Noble House. The High Council would hastily conscript them into a pointless war.

“Anyhow, the High Council can’t wage war if they can’t find us.”

Both Abbey and Xalikian stare at me, looking perplexed.

“I have ordered my commanders to make the Fleet Station untraceable, cutting off all communication with Kythia. All non-military personnel have been ejected, and it is being moved as we speak. A holographic representation has been left in its place. They won’t know until it’s far too late.”

Unexpectedly, Xalikian laughs. “That’s genius, General. You’re stealing half the fleet from right under their noses.”

“I can’t steal what already belongs to me, Prince.” The Fleet Station is mine, and all the soldiers on it are under my command. The fighter craft on it are mine to command. There is no fucking way I’m allowing such artillery into the hands of the Nobles.

Abbey squeezes my hand, turning towards me, so her face is protected from the wind. Her cheeks have become flushed again, a faint pink color spreading across them. So that happens when she’s cold, as well.

“You mentioned something about Kordolians heading towards Earth to take Humans,” she says, suspicion clouding her voice. “Please tell me you have a plan to stop that.”

“I was coming to that.” I meet Xalikian’s gaze. “Earth is habitable. Humans and Kordolians can have offspring. It seems like an ideal location for the scenario we have previously discussed.”

“A Kordolian settlement, outside Kythia?”

“A breakaway. For any who wish to be free of the Empire and the corruption of the Noble Houses. For those who would consider taking a Human mate. Some of us would rather see our entire race die out than take a non-Kordolian mate. They are obsessed with outdated ideals; with purity. I am not one of those.”

“What’s my role in all this?”

“We need a figurehead. You are popular enough amongst the ordinary classes, a cult figure to ordinary Kordolians and alien servants alike. Kordolians would follow you, even to Earth. I’m just a soldier. A war hero in their eyes perhaps, but I can’t inspire loyalty in civilians. You, on the other hand, have had diplomacy training. You can open negotiations with the Humans and apply for asylum on Earth.”

“I never expected to leave Kythia,” Xalikian says cautiously. “Even though I’m out here in the Vaal, I’m not entirely disconnected from the civilized zones. There are things I’m working on here, and Earth is impossibly far. It’s a six-cycle trip, isn’t it?”

Abbey holds up a hand. “Hang on just a second.” She gives both Xalikian and I a pointed look. “Planning an invasion of Earth is all well and good, but as the only representative of Earth here, I’d like to bring a few negotiating points to the table.”

The Prince inclines his head. “Certainly, Abbey of Earth. Unlike my mother, I don’t believe in haphazardly colonizing planets, and I recognize your right to speak on behalf of your people. What are your concerns?”

“Firstly, I get the feeling there are two sorts of Kordolians. Insane, and not-so-insane. You and Tarak here obviously fall into the latter category. I don’t even want to think about what the batshit-crazy ones would do to Earth, and to Humans.”

She has a habit of using Earth words I do not understand, such as this ‘batshit.’ I shrug. “We would defend Earth against any Imperial takeover.”

“You’d better.” This tiny, delicate female is standing between two Kordolian males who tower over her, and dictating terms. She glares up at me, hands on her hips. She’s both utterly adorable and indomitable at the same time. “Secondly, what about those insect monsters and Fortuna Tau? We just left them there, and we haven’t heard anything since.”

My ears twitch. It is an annoying, involuntary habit I cannot control. It only seems to happen when I’m with her. “I sent a retrieval craft shortly after we arrived on the Fleet Station. I am not worried about my First Division. They are beyond competent, and they have dealt with much worse without me. I am certain they already have the situation under control. I am sure the Humans will also be calling their people for assistance.”

I’ll admit, my decision to leave the mining station was a bit preliminary, and certainly not within protocol, but I had a most compelling reason.

“They’d better not let those things get to Earth.”

“It’s highly unlikely. And even if they do, only the First Division and I are equipped to handle them.”

“Are you trying to suggest that Humanity might need you, General Tarak?” She gives me a sly, sidelong glance. She almost sounds amused.

“If the Xargek ever reach Earth, then yes.” What is certain is that I need her.

Abbey gives me a long, hard look and seems to come to some sort of conclusion. “Fine. You guys can come to Earth. But no colonizing, no using Humans for medical experiments, and you have to promise that you’ll exterminate any oversized insects that try to eat us. Oh, and in public, you have to wear clothes. It’s a cultural thing.”

Humans and their strange customs. I shrug. “I can abide by those conditions.” Of course, I have certain conditions of my own. She is my mate, and she will allow me to ensure her happiness and protect her. In return, I won’t stage a hostile takeover of Earth. I will do something I have seldom done throughout my military career.

I will negotiate.

I will be open to discussion with the Humans. They are fortunate to have her as a member of their species, because otherwise I would just take their damn planet and be done with it. However, her happiness is important to me.

Therefore, I will show restraint.

The scent of roasted lamperk meat reaches my nose, drifting to us on the icy wind. Both Xalikian and I look towards the skies as a faint roar reaches our ears.

The Prince shares a knowing gaze with me. “They have found us,” he says grimly.

That roar is the distant sound of an Imperial destroyer. “Warn the Aikun,” I snap, scanning the skies. The black, starry backdrop doesn’t reveal a thing. I do a quick mental calculation, estimating its distance based on the sound.

“They will want to take Abbey alive. The rest of us, they want dead.”

“How did they find us?” Xalikian’s white hair whips around his face, the dark robes fluttering. The sound of engines is becoming louder.

I don’t answer his question, because I don’t know. Perhaps the assassin tipped them off to our location before Abbey killed him.

My mate looks up at us in confusion. I sometimes forget that human senses aren’t as acute. She probably can’t hear it yet. “What the hell’s going on, Tarak?”

“Imperial forces. You have to go, now.” This situation is most dangerous for her. Her body is fragile. She can’t slip into the hole in the ice and hide under the water like the Aikun.

I will have to create a diversion. No matter; I will draw them out. I retrieve the short sword and the plasma gun from where I left them on the ice, and draw out my armor.

“Take her into the crater,” I order, as the exo-suit molds over my body. The Aikun males are staring at up at the sky, their feast of lamperk forgotten. They glance at me in shock, probably startled to realize I’m suddenly wearing the armor of an Imperial soldier.

Xalikian nods, his eyes on the horizon.

“If anything happens to her, I’ll kill you, Highness.”

“Noted, Sir,” he replies, a trace of irony in his voice.

The destroyer is in view now. It’s gaining quickly, appearing larger as it nears. It’s a medium-sized Alpha-class craft, one of the later models designed for both atmospheric and space travel. It’s powerful, but it lacks maneuverability. The pilot is going to have a hard time pinpointing me.

I’m sure General Daegan is behind this. It’s so typical of him. That pompous idiot always tries to win his battles through firepower, without understanding the conditions. He’s fought too many easy wars, whereas my troops are always sent to handle the difficult planets. He’s too used to winning to be able to strategize properly. And sending only one destroyer? That’s just plain arrogant. How the fuck does he expect to blow us to smithereens and take Abbey alive with that thing?

I do not enjoy fighting our people, even if they are Daegan’s soldiers, but if they threaten my mate, I swear to Kaiin I will take them down.

* * *

I’m looking around, wondering what’s got the males all riled up when I hear the noise. It’s a faint rumble at first, then it grows into a roar. Tarak has activated his armor, and I get the feeling all hell’s about to break loose.

The Aikun males have disappeared, slipping down the ladder into their ice hole, abandoning the white meat of the lamperk.

Tarak growls at Xalikian in Kordolian, much to my annoyance. I’m struggling to get a grasp on what’s happening.

Xalikian taps me on the shoulder. “We have to run,” he urges. “A battleship is coming.” I look across to Tarak, who’s activated his exo-armor. “What’s he doing, then?”

“He’s going to do what he always does. He’s going to deal with it.”

Of course he is.

“Don’t you dare do anything stupid, Tarak,” I yell, as Xalikian guides me across the ice. “And you’re not allowed to die, General.”

“Don’t worry, amina. This thing can’t kill me.” Typical Tarak; he’s as arrogant as always. But with him, it’s not all false confidence. If he says it won’t kill him, then it won’t kill him. He grins then, a fierce, fearless grin, his crimson eyes filled with bloodlust. I’ve never seen anything more beautiful and more intimidating in my life.

And this bundle of savage, silver badassery is all mine.

“Let’s go.” The Prince is beside me, pointing in the direction of the black mountain. “Back to the crater. We’ll hide in the underground. He will be fine. Trust me, he’s seen and done worse. Can you keep up, or do you want me to carry you?”

“I think I’ll be fine.” I’ve got this newfound speed, thanks to the nanites the Kordolians used to repair my legs.

I wrap the scarf around my face, protecting myself against the wind-chill. We set off as the roaring sound becomes louder, Tarak sprinting in the opposite direction. Sweet male. He’s creating a diversion.

Despite the bulky Skaz-coat, I’m able to keep up with the Prince easily.

These new legs of mine are totally sweet.

As we reach the base of the mountain Xal turns, holding out a hand. “Need a leg up, or can you do it?”

“I’ll give it a try.” When it comes to hills and mountains, even on Earth, I’ve always found going up easier than going down. It’s something to do with balance and momentum. I start to run up the steep, rocky slope and find I can manage just fine.

We scramble up the hillside and I bend forward into the wind, gaining momentum and using the weight of my body as a counter-balance. About half-way up, I start to get winded and a dull ache begins in my legs.

I ignore it and keep going. Beside me, Xal’s easily keeping pace.

I’m starting to breathe heavily.

“Are you all right, Abbey?”

“Fine,” I grate, forcing myself to ignore the pain. The lip of the crater is in sight now, and I look for easy footholds, each step becoming harder.

Despite the fact that it’s absolutely freezing, I’ve broken out in a sweat. I take a deep breath, the air slow to fill my lungs through the thick scarf.

The top is just a little bit further.

The wind is beating at my back, almost pushing me up the slope. Behind us, the roar of engines becomes deafening. A series of explosions rocks the ground.

I’m dying to look back, but I don’t dare. I have to trust Tarak’s judgement on this.

He told me to run, and that’s what I’m going to do. I’m not going to rush back there like an idiot and put myself in danger. That would just weaken his position and make him vulnerable.

I’m not going to do that to him, so I just have to trust him.

We’re almost at the top now, and my legs are burning. But I’ve come this far, and death-by-spaceship is not something I have on my bucket-list, so I let out a scream, willing my body beyond its limits, and haul myself over the edge.

I find myself hanging.

What the hell?

Xalikian is grabbing my arm, and I’m staring down at an impossible drop. My heart flips into my throat.

The lip of the crater ends abruptly in a steep cliff, and the bottom is hundreds of feet below.

This isn’t the way Tarak went when we ran down this mountain the first time.

“Next time you’re going to jump over the edge, warn me first, Abbey!” Xal is looking down at me, his eyes wide with shock. He mutters something under his breath in Kordolian. It sounds like the same curse-words Tarak uses. “The General would rip my head off if anything happened to you.” He’s visibly shaken.

With one arm, he hauls me back up, and I scramble onto a solid bit of rock that’s shaped like a little platform, my heart pounding. I realize I’m shaking. “S-sorry. I thought there would be a ledge, like the place where we came up.”

I take a moment to catch my breath, stealing a look at the wasteland below.

A sleek triangular-shaped battleship has appeared. It’s matt-black and about half a football field long. An impressive set of artillery bristles from its underside and I cry out in dismay as a bolt of plasma strikes the icy ground, causing chips of ice to fly into the air. It leaves a huge, glistening crater on the white surface.

Where the hell is Tarak?

“There,” Xalikian points, and I make out a tiny black figure running around on the ice. From up here, he looks so insignificant; almost ant-like.

The odds against him seem impossible.

Tarak switches direction and the ship tries to follow him, turning around. But it’s slow and cumbersome.

Ah. That’s where Tarak has the advantage.

He can run really, really fast.

“He’ll be fine,” Xal reassures me, taking my hand. “We need to get out of sight. They will have heat sensors onboard that thing. They may have spotted us already. If you move ever so slightly to the left here, you will find a set of footholds.”

I peer into the darkness and see what he’s talking about. There are pieces of metal jutting out of the cliff face, leading down into the darkness. They’re about the length of my arm, forming a precarious looking ladder.

“So we have to climb down that thing.” At least my phobias are limited to closed-in spaces, and not heights.

“I’m afraid so.”

“Let’s go, then.” I swing over the side and my feet find the first rung. Xal follows me and we descend into the inky blackness, climbing down this odd, makeshift ladder.

From a distance, I hear an almighty crash. The mountain shakes a little, a few pebbles dropping onto us from above.

What the hell is Tarak doing out there?

“The ship’s crashed,” Xal says softly.

I want to go back up there and see. I want to make sure Tarak’s okay. But I force myself to continue the descent.

Everything’s gone eerily silent now, save for the sound of my labored breathing and the howling wind swirling down into the crater. Eventually a stone ledge appears, and Xal and I stop to rest.

There’s a bit of light here. I look down and see another ledge below us. From the side of the cliff, a waterfall has appeared, sending a fine mist across a forest of giant, glowing blue mushrooms.

If we weren’t in a life-or-death situation right now, I’d stop to appreciate the stunning beauty of the scene below. It’s the first sign of vegetation I’ve seen on this bitterly cold and dark planet. I really can’t wait to get back to the sunshine.

“There’s a cave past here,” Xal informs me, pointing towards a dark hole in the rock face. “We will be safe there.”

This mountain is full of surprises.

We enter the cave and I fight with all my willpower against the sense of panic that threatens to overwhelm me. There’s nothing like ending an escape from almost-death with a descent into a dark crater, followed by a retreat into a mysterious cave. For some reason, my dark-vision goggles don’t work as well in here. Everything is shadowy and indistinct.

“There aren’t any monsters in here, are there?”

Xal is quiet for a moment. That’s not super reassuring.

“Xal?”

“There shouldn’t be,” he says cautiously. Great. He goes silent for a bit. “I can see why he chose you as his mate,” he says eventually, his rich voice echoing throughout the empty space. From somewhere deep inside, I hear the steady plop, plop of dripping water. “You are brave, Abbey of Earth.”

I shake my head. “I’m just surviving. There’s nothing brave about that. I should be out there helping Tarak in some way. But I can’t do anything right now.”

“Oh but you have helped him.” Xal gestures towards a big flat boulder, and we both sit down. “He’s different, somehow. Before, he would allow himself to be dictated to by the Empire, even though he holds a lot of power himself. But now, something has given him the strength to seek change. I’d say that something is you.”

“Don’t be silly. He’s the sort that’s going to do what he wants, when it suits him, each and every time.”

A soft laugh escapes Xal. “You see, that’s what I’m talking about. There’s no-one else on this planet who would dare say that about him. It’s so rare that anyone will challenge him to his face. You’re exactly what he needs, Abbey of Earth. Someone has to keep him, one of the most dangerous beings in the universe, in line. And he’s totally besotted with you. I’ve seen the way he looks at you. It’s remarkable.”

“If that’s the case, then it’s a two-way street.” I shrug. “And what about you, Prince? Why are you here, hiding in caves and hunting ice-monsters, instead of ruling your people? And why do you let the General boss you around?”

Beside me, Xal stiffens. “It’s complicated,” he says, and his friendly tone disappears, his voice turning cold. “Let’s just say that not is all it seems on Kythia. As for the General, he once had orders to kill me. He refused, for reasons known only to him. And ever since, we’ve stayed in touch.”

“As I said, he does what he wants.” I bring my knees up against my chest, curling up into a little ball. I thought the cave might be a little bit warmer, because there’s no wind in here, but just like everywhere else on Kythia, it’s freezing. “I wonder why you guys are different. I mean, no offense, but I’ve run into some Kordolians who are downright evil. You and Tarak on the other hand, you guys seem to have standards.” It’s more of a loose statement rather than a question, but Xal makes a noise of agreement low in his throat.

“You know, I’ve often wondered the same thing.”

“So, are you coming with us to Earth, or what? It sounds like the future survival of your people is at stake. And we have females, Xal, lots of them. The ladies would go nuts over a guy like you.”

Xal sighs. “It’s increasingly looking like the only option. I’d better get out of the Vaal before the High Council starts causing the Lost Tribes a great deal of trouble. They shouldn’t suffer just because they’re sheltering me. And somehow, I get the feeling Akkadian will drag me to Earth by the horns if I refuse his offer. He really wants an out, and he’s genuinely concerned about the welfare of our race. So he’ll do whatever it takes to get me there. He’s just asking me first so I can preserve my dignity.”

“Exactly. You know how he gets.”

“And I am still looking for a mate.” A cynical laugh escapes him. “I would rather jump into the boiling lava pits of Keldork than hitch myself to one of those vicious Kordolian females from the Nobility.”

“Well, there you go.”

Agreement reached; mission accomplished. Tarak can thank me later. Now, we just need to sit and wait for him to single-handedly take down a Kordolian battle cruiser.

* * *

I must have fallen asleep at some point, because I wake to the sound of soft voices murmuring in Kordolian. Where the hell are we? Oh yeah, the cave. I remember waiting in the darkness, chatting with Xal, speculating, and worrying.

Tarak’s low rumble is music to my ears. That means he’s alive and safe.

I curl up into my Skaz-coat, feeling toasty and warm, drifting back into a half-sleep. The events of the past few hours float through my mind in a confused, hazy mush, almost as if this were all a dream.

Then warm, rough hands are tracing along my neck, tenderly caressing the side of my face, brushing through my hair.

“What the hell did you do, Tarak?” The words come out as slurred, mumbling sleep-talk. My eyes flutter open, but all I see is blackness. Someone’s removed my dark-vision goggles. “I heard a crash.”

“If a destroyer tries to change direction too quickly, it stalls. It’s the first thing we learn in flight school. I simply made them change direction too fast, drawing them into the error. But then I took pity on the soldiers and gave them a choice. Run back to the civilized zones, or die. Naturally, they knew who I was, so they ran. It’s not their fault if their commander is stupid.”

“Oh.” I bask in the sensation of his gentle caresses. “You are a clever male. Well done.”

“It was nothing,” he says gruffly, awkwardly, as I sit up, leaning into him. “But we have to go quickly now. There will be others coming for us.”

“Where are we going?” I blink, and feel around in the dark for my goggles. Tarak presses them into the palm of my hand.

“Earth,” he says, with absolute certainty. A thrill of excitement shoots through me. “Come, amina.”

“You keep calling me that.”

“Hm.”

He stands, and I put the goggles on. “A term of endearment?”

“It means ‘loved one’ in Aikun.” He brushes my hair out of my face and lifts my hood. “Imperial Kordolian does not have an equivalent word.”

“Oh.” Oh, indeed. The General just keeps on surprising me. I decide I like this lyrical little pet name.

I follow him out of the cave and Xal joins us. The three of us look up to the sky. The dark walls of the crater surround us, but at the top, there’s a patch of pure, uninterrupted space, a river of stars glittering across the black, impenetrable canvas.

We say nothing as we climb back out of the crater. As we reach the top, I see a big black shape down below.

The destroyer has crashed into the ice, leaving a giant gash in the hard surface.

The wind whips and howls around us and Tarak moves behind me, shielding me.

“That’s our way back,” he says, nodding towards the stranded ship.

“It will still fly?”

“Of course. Its body is made of Callidum, and nothing destroys Callidum except for Callidum itself.”

“Massive tongue-twister,” I say, as both Tarak and Xal give me a strange look. “Never mind.” I shake my head. There will be plenty of time on the flight to Earth to teach these Kordolians about Earth humor and Earth customs.

And Tarak and I will have plenty of time to ourselves. Oh, yes we will. I smile underneath my scarf, feeling a little giddy. What started out as a misguided, terrifying, but well-intentioned abduction has turned into a fantasy beyond my wildest imagination.

I’m going home with my very own growly, arrogant, domineering Kordolian male.

It turns out he’s not so bad after all. There are people on Earth who are going to have major problems with the idea of Kordolians coming to live with us, because the silver-skinned guys can be as scary as hell when they want to. But we’ll deal with that headache when it happens. The universe is changing, and if these guys don’t find mates in this generation, there won’t be another generation of Kordolians.

Right now, the Kordolian Empire is desperate, and desperate individuals can do terrifying things, like enslave other species.

I’d much prefer Tarak and Xal’s approach, especially if they can protect us from evil Kordolians and disgusting insect-aliens. Earth is ripe for the picking; we’ve just been lucky so far.

I yelp as Tarak lifts me into his arms, and all of a sudden we’re barreling down the mountainside again, going so fast that everything becomes a blur.

As we reach the bottom, waiting for Xal to catch up, Tarak lowers me to the ground. He pushes my hood back ever so slightly and pulls down my scarf. He bends down, his lips brushing against my ear. “The journey to Earth is long,” he whispers, his warm breath tickling my skin. “You Humans live in such an insignificant part of the universe that it will take almost six cycles to get there.”

“Is that going to be a problem?”

“I will teach you a thousand and one things in that time, my amina.” His deep, resonant voice is filled with hunger, causing me to shudder. “So it will not be a problem for me at all.”

Oh, no. He’s doing that thing again, where I get all warm and fuzzy inside. Can’t he at least wait until we’re alone? Devious male.

“I also have things to teach you, General,” I say softly, as he pecks at my earlobe with his warm, sensual lips.

“I am full of anticipation, Abbey of Earth.”

Suddenly, the trip back to Earth doesn’t seem so long. Tarak takes my hand, squeezing it, and we start to walk across the ice as Xal catches up to us. The place is eerily silent, the crashed black ship rising out of the ice like a strange, brutal sculpture.

It’s so Kordolian in appearance, just like my beautiful male.

So here we are; the most lethal soldier in the universe, the future ruler of the Kordolian Empire and me, Abbey Kendricks, chocolate lover and bioscientist, heading for Earth.

We’re opening up the pathway for the survival of a species, and I just can’t wait to show Tarak around my home planet.

Kordolians and Humans, who would have thought it?

If Tarak and I are anything to go by, there may be hope for the universe yet.