Chapter 28

Sylvia dried her tears and moved on to chewing her thumbnail, her foot tapping as she watched the transports ahead of her exit the central hub one by one.

Five more.

Four.

She was leaving Zanthar, the first planet to harbor proof of alien life. Not only was there life, but a civilization more advanced than Earth's own. She'd just snuck out of the leader of the planet's bedroom after spending a night of unequaled passion with him, which left her far less willing to leave him behind.

Three more, and then I'm free.

Two more. Dammit.

Sylvie was surprised at the whirlwind of emotions that had currently taken up residence inside of her.

This is the right decision. She had reminded herself of that a hundred times since leaving X's bed. It's better for him. Now he can concentrate on exposing the alien conspiracy and regaining his subjects' approval.

The transport stood before the membrane that kept the Zantharian seas out of the central hub. A few more moments. She breathed in deeply and forced her tears back.

The console in front of the major flashed on, accompanied by blinking red lights around the cabin. "Transport 7V, return to the pad. You are not cleared for departure."
The major moved back from the transport, heading toward the pad they'd left minutes ago.

"What's happening?" she asked him. "Why aren't we leaving?"

"We've been called back."

Oh no. No, no, no.

"Why? I have an official order, signed by your Supreme Regent."

"Looks like he's changed his orders." The major's face was neutral, but his skin color began to lighten, yellow streaks appearing in the green.

The major wasn't the only one who disapproved of the regent's relationship with her. Earthlings weren't exactly welcome on Zanthar at the moment. Not since they'd been suspected of teaming up with the Zantharians' mortal enemies, the Hareema.

The transport landed, and the major and his companion opened the hatch and led her out. With a sigh, Sylvie bid goodbye to her best chance at escape. She stepped out of the transport and into the grip of Zanthar's Supreme Regent.

"Where do you think you're going?" he asked.

Sylvie's gaze moved over him and she gasped. The regent was covered from head to toe, his form swathed in an overlarge cloak. She'd never seen him in anything other than his braided sarong, his chest left bare.

Maybe he's trying to keep a low profile.

She couldn't blame him. Mobs of his dissatisfied constituents were following him around, protesting his interactions with the Earthling, with her.

She pulled herself out of his grip, hating how badly she wanted to slide back into his arms and pretend like something could become of them.

"I was going back to Earth. Remember this?" She held out the rolled-up parchment that contained the orders allowing her passage back to Earth.

"You can't be serious."

Sylvie couldn't make out his expression in the deepness of his cloak. "Hell yes, I'm serious. I upheld my end of the bargain, remember?”

How easily he'd broken his promise. Why am I not more upset?

"Things have changed. Come with me." He grabbed her arm once again, and again she yanked away from him.

"No. You got what you wanted. Now be a gentleman and send me home."

"Major, take the Earthling prisoner."

"What?!?!" The older guard grabbed her arm, motioning for his partner to take his position on her other side. "This is ridiculous. You promised me--"

"Let's go," he said, turning on his heel and heading back through the throngs of people.

"You can't take me prisoner! I haven't done anything!"

The crowd around her erupted into cheers. "Exterminate the Earthling!"

"Shut up!" she yelled back.

That was it. She'd done everything she could to help the people around her root out the shape shifters who may have infiltrated their planet, and in return she'd received only hatred.

The crowd followed them down the passageways, the catcalls continuing.

"Hareema whore," one Zantharian shouted.

She turned her head away before she went ballistic on a random stranger.

"She's disgusting," another one said as she was dragged by. It was a female, by the looks of her clothing, which was almost identical to Sylvie's own. "Look at her body. It's so... round and grotesque!"

"I can't believe the regent's interested in the likes of her," another female added. "He has to be out of his mind to think that's attractive."

She was thankful when they at last left the corridor and the voices behind her until she realized she was back in the regent's private quarters.

"What the hell do you think you're doing?" she asked, immediately rounding on him. "How dare you bring me back here? I did what you asked. Now keep your promise!"

He didn't answer. Instead, he dropped the cloak, which had concealed him so thoroughly.

Sylvie's jaw fell open in response.

X's entire skin was like carved ebony. It was as dark as midnight, as dark as the pupils of his eyes.

She'd not yet seen a Zantharian whose body had gone black.

“What the hell does this mean?” Fear rolled over her in sickening waves. Was he hurt?

"I told you, things have changed," he said, indicating his body.

"So you turned a different color. So what? Zantharians are always shifting, from green to yellow, to red and purple…"

"And black?" he asked, the anger evident in his tone. "How many of us have you seen that have shifted to black?"

"None, but I don't see what this has to do with anything. Nothing's changed. Send me home. I can’t stay here, X." He needed her gone and his people were going to make sure she remained aware of that fact.

"Everything's changed!" he bellowed, running both hands through the tendrils that were swaying around on his head in agitation. His frustration was palpable.

Frustration? Wait, that's yellow.

"Why aren't you yellow?" For some reason she didn't understand, she was afraid of the answer.

X growled in aggravation, then sat down in a nearby chair, his forearms on his knees, his back bent, his head hanging low.

"How in Noruma's name did this happen?" He seemed to be talking to himself.

"How did what happen?" she asked, moving closer and forcing herself not to reach out to touch him. The evening of him making love to her brushed by her vision and she took another step toward him. She wasn’t one to simply share her body and her body alone. Some part of her heart had escaped her during the event.

"Why do you think I was covered up?" he asked, still not looking up to meet her eyes. "Why do you think I couldn't let my people see me like this?" His tone had gone from irritation to desolation, a change that happened swiftly and without warning.

Sadness is blue, isn't it? But he's black.

"X, why isn't your skin changing color with your moods? What's going on? You have to tell me if you want me to help."

The regent laughed, a laugh of desperation and hopelessness. "Help? I don't think that's possible."

Sylvie threw up her hands. "Then why drag me back here? For shit’s sake. Just be straight with me!"

X's head shot up, his eyes fierce. "I dragged you back because you belong to me. Because I can't stand being parted from you. Because, you. Are. Mine."

Sylvie was stunned. Where is this possessiveness coming from?

"No. You don't own me, no one does. You said one night. That night's over. So let me go! I’m nothing but a threat here and a disruption and… and…” Tears filled her eyes as she couldn’t shake the feeling that she had somehow hurt him by giving him access to her body.

X was out of his chair in a second, his hands digging into her shoulders as he leaned over the top of her menacingly. "You're not going anywhere. You will be by my side until I die. Which won't be too long at this rate."

Sylvie's eyes widened. "What do you mean?"

He stared down at her, emotion flashing through his beautiful eyes at an alarming rate. Anger. Fear. Lust. Despair.

"I'm not going to ask you again. Tell me what the fuck is happening right now!"

"The mating frenzy," he told her, his voice losing power as he deflated. "You’re my mate, and because of it, I'm going to die."