Bought by the Alien Warrior Elgan
Page 10
She bit at her lips before speaking again, “I just wish there was something I could do.” her words came quickly. “Other than be a passenger on board this ship, that is.”
I understood.
“Jules said you were a hard worker - she’ll need you back there when we’re given the all clear.” I offered.
“Those poor people.” She studied her hands, grazing on the fading bruises on her wrists. “I’ve spent almost all of my life in servitude. We both know that the ones that live would end up the same way.”
Lines of worry etched across her forehead. “I understand how that affects someone.” she tapped the side of her head, “In here.”
Diamond sat upright, I could see she was contemplating her words. “Maybe I could help with the people? No offence, Elgan, but a seven foot warrior can seem pretty intimidating to someone traumatized by war.” she kissed me lightly on the lips. “Even if he has the kindest face and a gentle touch. Sometimes a Terran female’s presence can be useful.”
I didn’t like her being anywhere near danger, but it was true.
“If that’s not an option, I suppose I can help elsewhere… When we were on Coriogre, I saw it for myself. Everyone watched your movements, kept you in the corner of their eye. Noone gave me a second glance - why would they? What threat is a Terran female?”
I nodded, not sure where this was going, but my gut warning me I would not like it.
“You guys acquire guns for the rebels, yeah?” she said. “Among other things.”
I didn’t know what to do for a moment. We hadn’t discussed it before, but Diamond was my mate. I would hide nothing from her.
“This is true.” I admitted.
“That can involve me.” she bounced. “I’m smart, mostly know how to talk myself out of a tight spot… and I can carry messages, even a few guns, without being noticed!”
My gut was right, I hated the idea. My jaw protested too, at the amount of force I was using on clamping my mouth shut.
“I can’t see it coming to that.” I said. “And I hope that is not something you do because I could not focus if I thought you were in danger.” I felt a rumble of a growl echo in my chest. No, I did not like that thought at all.
“Maybe I’ll have a chat with Allegra when we’re out of this pod.” she said hopefully. “I can see myself being able to work with her if she’d have me.”
“If Jules can spare you.” I reminded, liking my Diamond being inside the Torq Runner much better than running into the fray with Allegra.
“Whatever I do, this is where I belong.” she said, crossing the scant distance to brush her forehead against mine. She laced her fingers between mine and I admired the difference in our skin colors. I wondered what our son would look like, if we had one: Diamond’s courage and my physique. Or our daughter: Diamond’s sweet smile and my mother’s determination, well, they were both determined females. That only made me hope for a son more. Not that it was a decision or a choice for right now.
“This is not just where you belong, my love.” I said, holding her hand to my lips as I kissed it. “This is where I belong. I believe we are fated mates in the eyes of Decators and I pledge myself to you with my entire heart.”
“And I to you, Elgan.” came the reply. Her soft smile made my heart flutter faster.
“Good, because I should show you how happy that makes me feel.”
Epilogue
Diamond
It only took three days for the medical team to give us the all clear to return to everyone. Gandrox had insisted on greeting us formally on the deck.
Allegra and Macie had insisted that I met up with them first.
They were waiting for me outside the medical bay before running over to greet me with wide hugs and a million questions.
Before the girls shuffled me away, Elgan pulled me aside and kissed me on the lips.
“Go with them, enjoy yourself. I’ll meet you on the deck.”
“Yeah,” I breathed, still heady from his kisses, “Ok.”
“Yeah,” Allegra put her arm around my shoulder. “We weren’t counting on you wanting to join in with the girl-time. Besides, Gandrox said he wanted a debrief as soon as possible.”
They eyed each other. “But I gave a detailed report as soon as I embarked the ship.”
“Well, you want to tell the captain you’re more interested in girl talk?”
Elgan grumbled, before shuffling away.
Macie and Allegra giggled.
“Is he in trouble?” I asked.
Allegra shook her head. “Absolutely not… it was the only way we could think to keep him entertained while we stole you away.”
They give each other a knowing look before steering me away.
We neared the room I shared with Macy when we met Jules. She gave me a tight smile and an even tighter hug.
“I’m so glad to see you back safe and sound. I’ve been so worried about you.”
It was the most Jules had spoken to me in one go that didn’t involve some engineering jargon that I didn’t understand.
“Congratulations,” she said, as she walked away. “You and Elgan becoming mates is wonderful.” She stopped and took a shuddering breath, reaching for the ring she wore around her neck and gripping it. “I know how happy I was with my mate. I wish nothing but that same happiness for you both.” Her eyes rimmed with tears, one spilled over as she spoke. “May you have a long, healthy and happy life together.”
With that, she ran off, rounding a corner as the sound of her footsteps took her into the distance.
Macy gave an awkward smile. “Poor Jules.”
“Yeah.” Allegra said sadly. “He was so young. I don’t know what I’d do without Gandrox.”
“Oh, I didn’t know.” I admitted. “Well, I suspected something had happened to her, with that ring she always wears around her neck, but I didn’t know for sure.”
Our cheerful mood slowed.
“Alright!” Macy bounced, pouncing in front of me and poking at my hair. “Let’s get you fixed up a little.” She tutted at my hair. “I can’t work with this.”
“It’s fine.” Allegra said.
“Fine for what?” I could feel tension in my shoulders for the first time since we got back.
They glanced at each other. “For the little impromptu and very late birthday celebration we’ve prepared.”
Macy teased a stray curl of my hair. “I hope you like pamper parties! You’re getting a makeover!”
They weren’t kidding, as soon as we were in the room, they got to work on my hair, make up, nails, they’d gathered a few outfits together, even shoes.
They ended up deciding on a dress that had been repurposed from a warrior’s honorary clothing. Allegra insisted that the navy blue suited me. Macy paired the dress with one of the two pairs of shoes I’d brought with me. The highest silver strappy heels that existed.
Allegra eyed them. “Oh, I need to borrow them sometime.” She said with envy. “Not that we get to go many places that call for shoes like that.”
“I’m way to overdressed for this thing on deck guys, but thank you for all of this.” I smiled, “I needed to feel…” I shrugged. “I don’t know, but… thanks.”
Allegra’s comms beeped, and she jumped up from where she’d been sitting on the lower bunk. “Time to go, guys. They’re ready.”
“Who’s ready?” I asked.
“C’mon.” Macy ushered me out of my dorm and they scooted me onwards as quickly as they could.
We approached the entry to the deck where Gandrox stood waiting for me. My jaw dropped when I saw him.
He wore his honorary clothing, the finest of material draped on him making him look taller and prouder than I’d ever seen. His wide chest exuded the power I knew he possessed, but in his dress clothes, it reminded me of how magnificent he was as a warrior.
The girls squealed in excitement, kissing and hugging me goodbye with expectant eyes and knowing nods.
“See
you in a minute!” Macy said as Allegra pulled her onto the deck.
“Gandrox, you look -” I started to say when he cut in.
“Like a beggar, compared to the beauty I see in front of me.” He bowed, his long hair gleamed as it swished with the movement.
He kneeled. Even on one knee he was almost my full height.
“I know it is customary for Terrans to have a ceremony that celebrates when mates have found each other.” He started.
I’d heard of it too, but like birthdays, that was not something that they had allowed me, or deemed worthy of as a slave. I didn’t know what even happened at such things.
“I recognize you as my mate, in the way of my people. Decators, the god of the Aarans sees and hears all. But I wish to honor you and the ways of the Terran.” He retrieved something from his pocket and smiled sadly. “Jules was kind enough to tell me from her first hand experience of a Terran marriage ceremony, but I cannot present you with a ring, as is customary.”
He reached for my hand, lowering the metallic object onto it as he spoke.
“This is a trinket that belonged to my mother.” He said. “I would be the proudest and happiest male in the cosmos if you would accept it as my betrothal gift to you.”
The necklace looked to be of the finest chain and it glittered silver and blue as I held it. The pendant was heavy, solid in my hand, despite it being a semi-translucent stone. Inside it, it shimmered and swirled, tiny morsels of silver, blue moved within the clear stone.
“It is an Arkanian stone.” He said, “The Aaran equivalent of the most precious diamond.” He looked at me nervously. “My father mined for it himself, before presenting it to my mother as a gift. Think of it as a poor reflection of the promise I give to you.”
I stood open mouthed, emotions overwhelmed me.
“Well, do you say yes or what?!” Macy shouted, just as Allegra ran out and pulled her back onto the deck.
Elgan laughed before turning deathly silent. “Well? Do you accept?”
Tears fell from my eyes as I nodded. “Yes! I do, Elgan!” For a moment, he crushed his lips to mine.
Allegra appeared again, tutting at me. “Don’t ruin that makeup.”
She dabbed as my eyes, but I barely noticed, too busy looking at Elgan. He opened the clasp of the necklace and asked Allegra to help with my hair.
A moment later, the heavy pendant rested on my chest, next to my heart. The weight immediately felt comforting, something of Gandrox so close to my heart felt right.
Elgan stood and bowed to me.
“Come.” He said excitedly. “Gandrox will say a few words.”
Allegra insisted on checking my dress and made Elgan wait until I looked perfect. He quickly informed her I already looked perfect.
The ceremony itself was simple. Gandrox stood the center of a dozen of the highest warriors on board. The others, Macy, the other Terrans and Jules stood in the circle too. I noticed more Aarans standing in the room too. All Aarans wore their warrior clothes.
Gandrox announced that we were fated mates, our relationship foretold and designed by Decators. But, the way of Terrans also mated us, entering a monogamous relationship of our own free will, as equals and as two individuals, yet both together making one unit.
Gorloll flowed and as the evening wore on, guests returned to their chambers. Elgan bowed deeply to Gandrox, thanking him once again for his help and for keeping the box safe for him for all this time.
Later, he’d tell me that when he’d asked Gandrox to return the box, Elgan had planned on giving me the necklace in private. Gandrox later suggested our ceremony and everything had been organized in just a day.
Gandrox wore a wicked smile, one I recognized and a quiver of anticipation ran up my spine. It was time for us to go.
The next morning we made our way to the canteen. Hands held and strolling together, both unable to hide the grins on our faces. Xyru swayed past us, winking conspiratorially to Elgan, holding a bottle of Gorloll up in salute.
“Congratulations.” He slurred. “I hope someday Mare and I will share the same celebration.”
I didn’t recognize the name. “Mare?” I asked. Elgan shook his head.
“Yesssh.” Xyru continued, blinking slowly. “My mate.” His chest filled with pride before he burst into laughter. “I love her, you know? But you have to keep her a secret…” he put a finger to his lips. “Sh…. no one must know she’s in my room.”
Elgan looked to me and back to Xyru. “That’s wonderful news!” He said innocently. “Where did you meet?”
“Zeta!” Xyru rolled his eyes. “You’re ridiculous not knowing that. I found her when Allegra found us.”
Elgan’s expression turned to stone. “You mean you’ve taken a Terran female, and she’s been in your room all this time?”
“Pfft!” He laughed. “You make it sound like a terrible thing.” He took a swig from the bottle he held. “I would never hurt her, she’s my fated mate!”
AARAN BARBARIANS
Check out Stolen by the Alien Warrior Xyru
About the Authors: Eden Ember
Eden Ember found her passion in writing sci-fi romance. She spends her days either pounding on the keyboard or dreaming up the next stories. Her active imagination never lets up and the perfect outlet comes through in her books.
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Eve’s days are spent creating steamy romance adventures filled with fantasy, alien and paranormal beings. She loves writing about hot alpha males and the strong, empowered women they can’t help but love. Her evenings are spent telling her ever-patient husband about the crazy antics of the imaginary friends she writes about. She thinks it’s just about the perfect life.
A complete romantic at heart, Eve is always on the side of the underdog and believes that true love exists for us all. She’s also convinced that love is more than just an emotion, it’s a way of life.