Chapter 19

If their presence had been unwelcome when they departed the hub, their reception now was downright hostile. X held her hand tightly as they pushed through the crowds.

Zantharians were shouting, "Lock the Earthling up!"

"Feed her to the gnarsharks!"

"Zanthar for Zantharians!"

Sylvie kept her head down and tried to ignore the insults, but they hurt nevertheless.

The regent grabbed the arm of a passing military officer. "I want an escort to my chambers. Now!”

The officer scowled, but motioned to his partner and the pair began clearing a path. By the time they made it to X's quarters, Sylvie was exhausted.

The regent held up his hand, pointing his finger at the officer. "You two stay here. No one gets in without an energy exchange with both of you. Understood?"

The guards took up their stations on either side of the door as X led her into his chambers. Without sparing a glance for her, he headed to the console and pulled up the display. "I want to see you in twenty minutes. My chambers."

Whoever was on the other end of the call must have raised a fuss because X's face tightened. "Get over here. I was almost replaced by a Hareema mimic less than an hour ago."

The regent waved away the display and finally turned his attention to her.

"You must be tired." His gaze ran up and down her body. “Let me draw you a bath.”

Being filthy and emotionally spent, she was in no mood to argue. He led her into an extravagant bathroom with a tub that looked like it could fit five grown Zantharian men, or women, seeing that they were just as large.

She leaned against the doorframe and closed her eyes, X’s voice bringing her from her restful state.

“Come get in and relax, Sylvie.”

"I need to disrobe." She moved toward him, half expecting him to leave the room.

"Okay," he replied. "Do so."

Sylvie frowned. "Not in front of you."

X snorted. "You're not leaving my sight for a second, and I'm not leaving yours. You see now how easy it would be to replace one of us with an enemy agent."

"Not that easy," she said, indicating the black soot covering her body.

He laughed. It was a pleasant sound. "Your prowess notwithstanding, I'm not leaving."

"Then turn your back at least. I don't think an agent can replace me before you can turn around."

A corner of his mouth lifted. The regent turned around and Sylvie wasted no time. She ripped off her clothing and got into the tub, letting out a long sigh as the hot water lapped at her legs.

X turned back around a bit too quickly.

Sylvie let out a soft yelp and pulled her knees up to her chest to keep her dignity intact. "How am I supposed to wash myself if you're watching my every move?"

The regent shrugged. "Your washing doesn't bother me."

Sylvie exhaled, lifting a curl of hair that had fallen over her face. "Your watching bothers me."

X once again turned his back, and Sylvie scouted around the tub for something resembling soap. She came upon what resembled a plush sea anemone. When she pressed into it, it excreted a sweet-smelling substance. Satisfied that it would do the job, she began rubbing it into her skin.

It was time to have a frank discussion with the regent. Time to explain that she couldn't stay here, especially in such close proximity to him.

"You know, my being here is dangerous. Not just to me, but to your approval ratings." She'd seen the crowds, had seen how his own military officers had lost respect for him. "Maybe it would be better for everyone if you sent me home."

She saw the regent stiffen, but she pressed her case anyway. "You must have crafts capable of taking me home. Now that your mom has signed off on me being innocent, surely you can't justify keeping me captive anymore. So send me home."

He didn't respond.

"Please."

X turned around suddenly and Sylvie yanked her knees back to her chest.

"You're not wrong, you know," he said, approaching the tub and taking a seat on its wide lip.

"So you'll send me home?" Her tone was hopeful, but inside she felt a strange stab of... disappointment?

"You're a distraction I can't afford," he said, lifting the errant hair off her face and tucking it behind her ear. "So I will send you home."

"You will?" She hadn't expected him to give in so easily.

"Yes, on one condition."

So he wasn't giving in easily. She should have never expected him to. She didn’t want him to.

"Name it." She reached up and took his hand, pressing it to the side of her face.

"I will send you home to Earth if you spend one night with me. In my bed. As my mate."

Sylvie stared up at him, her mouth open and heart suddenly picking up speed.

Leaving now would ensure she felt only a twinge of regret, but sharing her body meant giving him access to her heart. Could she afford that? Would she want to leave?

“Sylvie. What do you say to my request? Let me make love to you tonight.”

She looked down at her legs tucked against her and realized how badly she wanted the passion he offered. She glanced up and pursed her lips.