Chapter Four
Taryn watched as the men and women, with the help of the oxen-like creatures of Jasvar, finished hauling the landing shuttle into the giant cave at the rear of their mountain settlement.
Early on, her people had discovered that the metals and natural stone of the Dianfae mountain range protected them from any sort of sensors or radar. No doubt the Kelderan ship would start searching for the landing shuttle soon, but as long as it was inside the mountain, they wouldn’t be able to locate it.
Of course, that meant it was only a matter of time before they sent down more warriors. While a few helpless-looking women had managed to take down the pilots and guard of the shuttle, Taryn wasn’t sure if the tactic would work again. Especially if anyone inside the shuttle had sent a warning message to the main ship before falling unconscious.
Under normal circumstances, she’d have the ability to wipe the memories of some of the warriors and send them packing while the willing remained on the planet.
Too bad she didn’t have that option this time, or she’d most definitely wipe Prince Kason’s memory and get him out of her hair. He may be sitting stoically in a chair not doing anything but blinking, but it was pure defiance. If Nova couldn’t charm one of the other aliens, Taryn would have to change tactics. She only hoped she could accomplish her goal without relying on the prince. Killing him would definitely hinder their future, and her dagger might just slip the next time she talked to him.
As the doors to the cavern clicked closed, Taryn realized her head of technology, Evaine, was talking.
Evaine prodded, “Taryn? What do you think of my plan?”
Pushing aside thoughts of the prince, she glanced at Evaine. “Sorry. I was lost in thought. Could you explain it again?”
Since Taryn never missed anything, Evaine’s curious look was warranted. However, the technology expert merely gestured toward the shuttle. “I thought we might be able to use the shuttle as, what was the old Earth myth about, oh, a Trojan horse.”
“I somehow think if we fill it with Jasvarians, one, it won’t ever lift off because we don’t know how to fly it. And two, it’d be mighty suspicious as none of us speak their language fluently.”
Evaine frowned. “I was thinking more along the lines of a few of our best fighters hiding in compartments I create. If nothing else works, we can put the shuttle back out in the open. When they come to collect it, we attack, like Maldara did with the alien visitors eighty years ago.”
Taryn sighed. “Yes, Maldara’s plan. Sorry, Evaine. I haven’t slept in over a day, and it’s starting to catch up with me.”
Evaine touched her arm. “I can handle things here, Taryn. You should sleep and recharge your brain.” She opened her mouth in protest, but Evaine cut her off. “I’ll call Matilda if I have to.”
“Right, so she can prick me with a sleeping draft as if I were a child.”
Evaine smiled. “To Matilda, we’re all still children. That will never change.”
Taryn glanced at the shuttle. As soon as the door opened, a few of Evaine’s crew went inside. “I’m going to check in with Nova first, and I promise to sleep for an hour.” Evaine frowned, but Taryn shook her head. “No more. The memory potion won’t work after five days. The clock is ticking on our ability to have a secure future, especially since a second dose of the memory concoction might kill the aliens. If that happens, we may as well accept our eventual extinction as we sure as hell won’t get that ship.”
“You would make it a doomsday scenario.”
“It is, Evaine. If you still want a partner and children someday, then we need to succeed with this.”
She sighed. “I know, I know. I just try to keep an optimistic view on things.”
“As do most of our people. Unfortunately, if I do the same, we might become extinct.”
Evaine motioned toward the shuttle. “I’m going to study this ship and see if it’s enough. Maybe we won’t have to worry about ransoming anyone.”
She eyed the thirty-foot-long shuttle craft. “While it may have some of the technology we need, there’s no way it can have all of the medical and scientific equipment necessary to repopulate our planet and avoid luring ships here.”
The tall, lanky form of Zelig, one of the Kelderan scientists captured ten years ago, strode into the room and he headed straight for Evaine and Taryn. Evaine whispered, “I’ll let you know what we find from Zelig. If there’s any way to survive with only this shuttle, he should know.”
Zelig’s markings were silver. Taryn tried to remember what that meant, but failed. She’d have to ask about the marking colors and what emotions they signaled after her nap, even though she had a feeling Mr. Alien Prince would never show his cards in such a straightforward manner.
Zelig nodded at Taryn before looking to Evaine. “If you want my help, we need to hurry. My daughter won’t stay asleep long.”
Taryn tried not to smile at the new father, especially since it was his fourth child. “She’ll be there when you get home.”
Zelig’s black-eyed gaze moved to her. “With a contingent of Kelderan warriors on the planet, no one should be at ease. I’ll help Evaine and her team for an hour, but then my wife and daughters need me.” The former Kelderan stood taller. “I may not be a warrior, but I will protect my family.” Taryn raised her brows in question, but Zelig shook his head. “I wish I could help more, but I’ve told you all I know about the prince. I would be careful if I were you. He became a general younger than anyone in Kelderan history.”
Evaine looked to her, and Taryn pointed toward the ship. “Go ahead. Zelig and I talked earlier. He’s more valuable to you right now.”
As the pair headed toward the gangplank of the shuttle, Taryn quickly scanned the room. Finding everything as it should be, she headed down the corridor carved into the mountain.
Zelig gave her hope that her plan might succeed; no matter how different the Kelderans might be, it was possible for them to find happiness on Jasvar.
Speaking of which, she needed to check in with Nova and Celestia to see how their interrogations were proceeding. If the other prisoners were as stubborn as the prince, then Taryn would need to visit his royal highness and make him talk, no matter what it took. His glance had lingered on her body earlier, and if need be, she would use that to her advantage.
~~~
Kason gently tugged at his restraints behind his back. The humans foolishly thought that the metal would keep him from escaping, but he’d nearly bent it enough to get one of his hands free. Another hour and he could put his plan into motion.
Then and only then would he finally have the chance to show the human female her place.
Still, he wasn’t about to underestimate her a second time. If she succeeded in identifying Ryven, she might torture him to get to Kason, and he couldn’t have that on his conscience.
He had no idea why fate would make her a potential destined bride. Kason’s ideal match would be submissive and out to please.
At least Kelderans could refuse and search out another spouse, unlike some alien races who had only one shot at a future and family. Not that he wanted to take a wife. Generals never took brides because it would risk a female’s safety. If Kason did take one, it would force him into retirement, and he was damned if he’d do that without proving himself to his father first. Kason may not be the heir, but without him, his older brother wouldn’t stand a chance of keeping Keldera together.
Before he could think more on how Kason and Keltor’s birth order should’ve been the other way around, the metal door slid open. Even in silhouette, he instantly knew it was the female from before.
He schooled his expression into boredom right before she strutted into the room and he blinked.
She wore a tight-fitting top that bared her light-tan and toned midriff and the top of her breasts. The straps of weapons still crisscrossed her chest, but between her cleavage and abdomen, he barely noticed.
Showing that much skin would’ve caused a riot on Keldera, but the human’s boldness didn’t stop there. Her upper thighs were covered a mere few inches with a leather-like material, and the rest was bare to just below her knee, where the top of her boots started. The muscles of her abdomen matched the firmness of her legs.
There was little doubt she was a trained warrior. He almost admired her discipline to reach such a state.
Then the corner of her mouth ticked up, and he banished the thought.
When he didn’t speak, the human purred, “I was right.”
Before he could stop himself, Kason asked, “About what?”
She took a step closer, and it took everything he had to focus on her face and not her breasts. “You know.”
She reached out and traced his cheek. Not even his determination could stop the rush of heat her touch sent through his body.
Must resist. “If all you plan to do is play games, then leave me in peace. They won’t work, I assure you.”
Drawing a dagger, she straddled his lap. He barely noted the blade at his throat. Her heat and scent called him to do much more than kiss her.
He would enjoy dominating her in bed.
He nearly frowned at that thought. Clearing his throat, he kept his voice even. “Humans are pests. Kissing you would be like kissing a spladert.”
“I have no idea what that is, but it sounds like an insult.” The cool blade pressed a little harder against his throat. “I think you forget that I’m the one with the dagger.”
Between the combination of the female’s warm bottom on his lap and the casual way she threatened him with a blade, it took a great deal of discipline to keep his markings a deep blue and not red, the color of lust.
His cock, however, was waging a tougher battle.
What the hell was wrong with him? She was everything he should hate in a female.
And yet, the idea of a woman warrior intrigued him.
It was time to surprise her and hopefully scare her away. Without temptation, he could better focus on saving his men.
Raising his knees at the same time as he tugged hard at his metal restraints, the female slid against his body as he worked his hand free. Her blade nicked his neck, but the sting was minor.
Concern flickered in her eyes, but as Kason moved one of his arms around her waist and the other to her wrist holding the dagger, the look turned into surprise. In the next second, he squeezed her hand, and the dagger clanked against the floor. He half expected someone to rush into the room, but they didn’t.
The female had made a mistake in coming alone.
He tightened his hold on her waist until she was flush against his chest. “Without your blade and my restraints, you will lose. Cede defeat while you have the chance.”
He half expected her to whimper and plead for her life. Instead, she smirked. “Oh, I have a few tricks left.”
~~~
Taryn was grateful for the guards watching from behind the two-way mirror. So far, they were following her orders to stay put until she gave the order.
She had expected Kason to try something. What she hadn’t counted on was how the feel of his skin against hers awoke every nerve in her body.
So much so she’d nearly rubbed against him.
But as her dagger clattered to the ground, her lust-haze cleared. Kason could snap her neck in two if he so wished.
Still, as she mentioned a few tricks, she played her first card and leaned over to his ear. She whispered, “What about this?”
Moving her hips against his erection, Kason sucked in a breath and pulled her away from him. Taking advantage, Taryn retrieved a small syringe from her strap and stuck it into Kason’s side. She’d barely pushed the plunger when he tossed her away with a roar.
Taryn crashed onto the floor. Grunting, she quickly snapped to her feet and drew another dagger. But as Kason swung side to side in his seat before taking his head in his hands, she relaxed a fraction. The precious drug looked to be working. Good, because otherwise, Matilda would have her head for wasting the truth-telling serum; it took a year to produce one vial. As it was, it’d taken ten minutes to convince the medicine woman to give up the only one she had in stock.
Since he could be playing her, she decided to test the serum’s effectiveness. “Why did you come to Jasvar?”
Never lifting his head, Kason’s low voice murmured, “To look for a new colony planet.”
“Just like many before you.” He raised his head and gave a half-hearted glare. She shrugged. “This is my planet. As a prince, you most of all should understand protecting one’s people.” When he said nothing, she decided to ask what she needed to know. “I want your ship. What is the best way to take it?”
Kason clenched his jaw a second but finally gave in to the effects of the serum. His voice dripped with resentment. “Threaten my life, with proof of your power, and they will do whatever you wish.”
Well, well. So the prince had been lying earlier. “One more thing—who is your second-in-command and what does he look like?”
The alien prince held out a second longer than before but finally answered, “Ryven. Silver hair and light blue skin.”
That could be any number of the men they’d captured. “Does he have any identifying marks?”
Hatred burned in Kason’s eyes as he bit out, “A scar on his neck.”
Taryn studied the prince for a second. She had a feeling his second-in-command meant a lot to him. She could play the ruthless bitch and let him think she’d hurt Ryven. But for some reason, Kason’s hatred made her stomach heavy.
Before she could talk herself out of it, she blurted, “He won’t be harmed.”
“Says the female who uses her body to deceive.”
Any guilt she’d felt fled her body. Narrowing her eyes, she mustered every bit of steel she could and said, “I’m pretty sure you only say that because I’m a woman. Well, guess what? This isn’t Keldera. I’m Taryn Demara, leader of Jasvar and the sworn protector of my people. I’ll do whatever it takes to ensure their wellbeing. If a short skirt and tight top distract you, then you’re not going to stand a chance against me in the long-run, your highness.”
“If you take our ship, then you’ll have a civil war on your conscience.”
She frowned. “What are you talking about?”
Kason sat up a little taller. “My father is the king, but he’s ailing. If my brother ascends the throne without a new colony to ease Keldera’s population woes, there is a growing group who will blame the royal line of Vallen. They’ll try to kill my brother and marry off my sister to their new leader. They’ll do whatever is necessary, and subjects loyal to the crown will fight back.”
If not for the serum, she’d say he was lying.
However, the prince was under the influence of the serum, and no one had ever lied when dosed before. Add in Kason’s passion, and Taryn tended to believe him.
The civil war development must be new, since none of the Kelderan scientists on Jasvar had mentioned it.
Still, letting the ship return to Keldera, even if some of the warriors stayed on Jasvar to take wives, wouldn’t solve her long-term problem.
Damn it. Taryn needed to talk with Nova and figure out what to do next. First, she needed more information about both the man and his planet. She decided to find out about the man first. “Were you planning to kill me earlier?”
“I can’t kill you.”
She blinked. “Because I’m a woman?”
Kason narrowed his eyes. “No. Fate is a cruel mistress.”
“Clarify.”
The prince resisted for a few seconds but eventually answered in a low voice, “No Kelderan can harm one of their potential destined brides.”
“What are you talking about?”
He gave her a slow once over and Taryn’s traitorous body heated at the look. Approval flashed in Kason’s eyes. “You feel the pull too. Not even the strongest mind can completely ignore instinct, as much as I may want to.”
Yet more information her scientists had withheld. “I’m not Kelderan and don’t have the same instinct, but you not being able to kill me is a nice development.”
The prince’s eyes turned predatory, and she crossed her arms over her chest to resist a shiver. She refused to let him know how attracted she was to him.
Kason’s eyes moved to her breasts, and her heart rate kicked up. His gravelly voice was like a caress against her skin. “But make no mistake—just because I can’t kill you doesn’t mean I won’t find a way to escape.” He met her eyes again. “Just like you, I have a few tricks up my sleeve.”
It had been a long time since Taryn had been challenged by a worthy adversary. “Then we’ll just have to see who has the best ones.” Taryn motioned a finger toward the two-way glass and took a step back from Kason. “I’m going to leave you with four of my people. They have many more questions to ask you.”
As three guards and one cultural recorder came into the room, Taryn added, “And don’t worry, they’ll make sure you can’t escape.”
The guards moved to better restrain Kason, and Taryn strutted out of the room. She swore she could feel Kason’s eyes on her ass.
Not that she would let it matter. She might just have a way for her people and the Kelderans to both get what they wanted, even if she didn’t like it.
The thought of being stuck with the arrogant prince for the rest of her life wasn’t what she thought of as a happily ever after. And yet, if she could secure an alliance between the two worlds and ensure her people’s survival, it might just be worth it.
However, before she could talk herself completely into it, Taryn needed a drink and her best friend. Nova would dissect her suggestion and tell her if it really was their best shot at saving the people of Jasvar.