PYTHEN: An Alien War Romance (Galactic Order Book 1)
Page 21
If the King was dead, did that mean so was our chance? Would Uthyf pick up where he left off? Talk of Juldo attacks, and fights for the throne had me thinking we’d be shoved to the back burner. I felt for Tahk and Uthyf, even for the dead King I had never met, but I couldn’t let that happen. The Dahk were our only shot.
I was in shock. Too many fears swirled through my mind, and I was ashamed of the one I focused on next. But it was there, and it wasn’t going away.
What about me?
But my Tahk knew and he nuzzled my neck. “I will not leave you here, my mate. You will come with me.”
I gawked at his earnest eyes in surprise and immediate denial. No. No way.
I couldn’t leave. I couldn’t. “My mother,” I choked. The idea of leaving her down there was so beyond devastating. Just no. I loved my mother, we hadn’t gotten along since dad died, but everyone grieves differently. I knew she loved me. This would be killing her, just as it was me. If she were still alive, she would be doing everything she could to get to me, I just knew it.
“Pehytohn. I will search for your mother.” Fihk stepped close and thumped his chest. “Let me make amends.” He looked pointedly at the wraps around my arms. “I will not fail you in this.”
“I c-can’t” I wheezed at the very idea of leaving. Not just for my mother I needed to be here. I needed to help save my people. I wouldn’t run.
“I cannot be parted from you. It is not safe for you here.” Tahk glowered meaningfully at the council members, both of which were watching my desolation without an ounce of sympathy.
“What about Viv and the others?”
“They will receive far better care on Home World.”
It wasn’t enough.
I loved Tahk, but it wasn’t enough to leave my home. What did that say about us? Was this inevitable? It would have eventually come to this. Ultimately, Tahk would have needed to leave. Would I have let him go then?
Would I have went with him?
It wasn’t fair to have to make that decision now. Not so soon. Not when the Vitat slaughtered everyone on Earth.
Tahk didn’t like whatever he read on my face. He stood straight and wiped all expression from his own. He looked at me through new cold eyes. I hadn’t seen that since the first day I met him. It made me shake in fear. Fear of what he might say next.
My fears were not unfounded.
“I cannot leave you here.” He looked away from me. “Take her back to my quarters,” Tahk ordered Fihk without an ounce of compassion. “Lock her in, then report back. I must inform the crew of the change of command.”
“Tahk, no! You can’t do this! Please! I can’t leave!” This wasn’t happening. It wasn’t. Maybe if I said it enough it might be true.
But he ignored my pleas and left me to Fihk, who murmured apologies and threw me over his shoulder.
“Tahk!” I screamed and kicked, but Fihk’s hold was strong and I couldn’t get away. “Tahk!”
Fihk took me back to Tahk’s room and locked us inside. I jumped away from him and banged on the door. “I am sorry, little one.”
“I don’t care! Let me out of here!”
Fihk clutched my shoulders and shook me. “Enough of this! You are his Pythen. You cannot be parted. He will take you to Home World.”
I wailed my fury. How dare he lock me away? Not my Tahk. I couldn’t believe he would do this.
“I vow you this, I will find your mother.” He made a frustrated noise when I smacked at him. “I will. Whether she be dead or alive, I will find her.”
“You can’t! How could you possibly find her?”
“I know your scent, I will search for her. I vow it. But we haven’t much time, you must look past your anger and tell me where to look.”
Oh god, this was really happening. I pushed away from Fihk and pulled my hair in hysteria. “You promise?” I wheezed. Yanking my hair until all I felt was pain. Anything was better than feeling this betrayed.
Fihk knelt before me and thumped his chest, “On my honor as Dahk.”
I gasped through the pain. “I need a pen and paper.”
Fihk looked confused before reaching for a small rectangle that looked a little like a tablet. “Tell me where.”
And so, I did. I gave him every location I could think of. Everywhere I thought she might go. I told him about everything, how she looked, what she wore. Her best friend’s house. Every boyfriend, every acquaintance. Every single thing I could think of. I told him about the damn mail man who stopped to flirt with her on Saturdays.
And when he left with one last vow that he would find her, I let myself go to the pain. I tore Tahk’s room apart in rage. I shredded the sheets we made love on. Scattered everything around the room. I beat on the doors until my palms were bloody and my voice was gone, and then I raged some more. I howled when the ship shook, the engines whining as he we left my home. I screamed and cursed my Pythen.
Then I made my own vow.
I would never forgive him for this.
To be continued.
I know, I know! It will be worth it, I promise!
Tahk and Peyton’s story will conclude in Book 2…
Home World, coming November 2018
The war for Earth will be fought in Book 3 when Fihk, Bailey and Olynth will fight their way to save Earth in―War For Earth
But don’t worry, you don’t have to wait long! Book 3 will be out shortly after Book 2 is released.
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