Her Alien Warrior Prince

by Roxie Ray

  M'ruvev stood over the attackers as one of his guards handed him a trident-pistol. “I had many friends aboard the Aquavor the day it was destroyed,” he murmured, his voice tinged with sadness and anger. “What I do now, I do in their names.”

  “Damn you, Akzun!” the traitor roared, struggling to free himself from the grip of my guards. “You are the true betrayer of Valkred, for allowing these fish-faced scum to murder your own subjects while you stand and watch! This is not over, do you hear me? You cannot silence us, you cannot defeat us! More like us will rise up to defend our world against your cowardice and weakness, I swear to you!”

  His words were sharply cut off by the single shot from M'ruvev's blaster, followed by two more – one for each of the remaining saboteurs. The shots echoed off the grass.

  “And now you have your revenge,” I said to M'ruvev. “I hope it was satisfying.”

  “No,” he whispered mournfully, returning the blaster to his guard. “But I suppose it will have to do.”

  21

  Carly

  I sat on the bed in my chamber, worrying about Akzun – hoping he was able to survive and triumph over whatever threats were waiting for him at the gem mines.

  No, that wasn't true. Or at least, it wasn't the whole truth.

  The whole truth was, I was still tied up in knots about our relationship. It was clear that he wanted to be with me, but how could we ever truly relax as long as his bloodlust was standing in the way of our happiness? He could call me his mate all he liked, but I'd seen the truth in his thoughts: On this world, real mates fed from each other. It was natural, expected, even required. Without that dynamic, it would be like an Earth couple trying to make a relationship work without sex.

  In a word? Frustrating.

  I heard footsteps in the corridor, and for a moment, I thought Akzun had returned – but no, the steps were too light to be his, or even Dhako's or Zark's. I hopped up and went to the door, thinking it might be a messenger with news about Akzun.

  Just as I got to the door, a hooded figure appeared in it, holding a curved silver dagger – and swinging right at my face.

  I ducked reflexively, and the blade missed me, nicking the marble doorframe.

  “What the fuck!” I exclaimed.

  The voice that answered was muffled by the heavy cowl that hid the attacker's face, but it was still unmistakable.

  “You've taken advantage of our hospitality long enough, you feeble human whore,” Torqa said nastily, bringing the knife back for another strike.

  I dodged under the next swing, pushing past her into the hallway. Based on the way Torqa had treated me before, I shouldn't have been surprised by her sudden assault, but I guess I'd assumed she'd be too scared of Akzun's wrath to actually make a move on me.

  Big mistake. Huge.

  I was desperate to get to the stairs, to call for help – but Torqa overtook me immediately, hooking her boot around my ankle to trip me. I fell on my face and flipped over, scrambling backward as she advanced menacingly.

  “How could you possibly believe you'd be a suitable mate for our Blood Ruler?” Torqa snarled, raising the knife over her head. “How could a mewling, squirming piece of Earthling trash like you ever do anything but weaken him and shame our planet?”

  The blade came down, and I rolled to the side just in time to avoid it. The stairs were closer. Maybe I could find one of the palace guards on the lower levels… but would they help me? Or would they be loyal to Torqa? How could I be sure?

  “You are less than nothing!” Torqa slashed at me again, narrowly missing my jugular. “You are merely a symptom of Akzun's doubt and uncertainty regarding the idiotic treaty with the Mana. He wants to believe in romantic notions of peace and unity in the galaxy, when in reality, there is only strength and conquest! He needs a mate who will make him hard as iron, not soften him with fairy tales. He needs me!”

  I barely made it to my feet before dodging another strike from Torqa. Christ, she was fast. Strong, too – based on the marks her dagger was making in the marble walls and floors, there was enough power behind her thrusts to carve me in half.

  “Could a human woman have manipulated those terrorists into attacking the Aquavor?” Torqa swung the blade at my face, and I darted backward just in time for it to graze the tip of my nose. “Could some worthless blood slave bought in a filthy, backwater bar have convinced them to try to blow up the gem mines, all while making them think it was their idea? No! That required cunning and a strength of will you will never possess. You may have survived my falling statue, you wretched girl, but by the stars, you won't survive this!”

  I ducked another knife strike, but Torqa faked me out, making me lean right into her other hand. She gave my chest a solid push and I stumbled backward, feeling the top of the stairs beneath my feet.

  I fell, the floor and ceiling spinning and switching places as my head, body, and limbs smacked against the slabs of smooth marble.

  Then I heard a man scream my name (Akzun? Is that you?), and everything went black.

  22

  Akzun

  My injuries had been treated by the medics at the mines, and I entered the Ruby Stronghold with Zark at my side, heading for the shaft that led to the upper levels. I was so eager to fly up to Carly, to let her know that I had succeeded in rooting out and defeating the traitors – that I had eliminated the danger to my people and preserved the treaty with the Mana. I was proud, I was happy, I was ready to share my victory with her and take her in my arms again…

  Then I heard the noise of a struggle coming from the staircase.

  Zark and I exchanged worried looks and ran in that direction. I stormed up the steps with Zark right behind me… then stopped short as Carly tumbled down, her body limp and bloody.

  “Carly!” I screamed.

  I heard her voice in my head, weakly: Akzun? Is that you?

  Then her thoughts went horribly blank.

  “Zark, summon Khim! Now! Then find out if anyone saw who did this to her!” As Zark ran off, I kneeled beside Carly, examining her wounds. There was a gash on her forehead, and blood was pouring down her face. One of her arms was bent at an awful angle, and when she breathed, I could hear several broken ribs grinding together.

  But she was alive. Thank the Succubi, she was alive. I could still hear her heartbeat.

  As I carried her to my chamber, a strange thought occurred to me: She was bleeding right in my arms. My bloodlust should have overcome me, driving me to drink from her despite my concern for her well being.

  So why wasn't it?

  I shook my head, trying to clear it. These were questions for later. For now, I had to make sure she would live through this.

  I couldn’t fathom the thought that she might not.

  Khim rushed in. “I'm here, Blood Ruler.”

  “Can you help her?” I demanded.

  She examined Carly briefly, and then nodded. “I believe so, yes. But it will require tremendous concentration. I must ask you to leave while I tend to her.” Her previous sarcasm about treating a human blood slave was gone, replaced with grim urgency.

  “Very well.”

  As I left the room, Zark approached me, shaking his head. “The guards didn't see anyone enter or leave during the time of the attack, brother. No unfamiliar scents linger, either. It's as though her assailant simply appeared out of thin air, and then vanished.”

  “Is this the level of security my guards deem acceptable for the palace of their Blood Ruler?” I thundered, punching the wall. “I may as well have no guards at all, for all the good they do! First Torqa waltzes in whenever she pleases, then you, and now this thrice-damned assassin! I should go find who did this myself! I should rip them limb from limb and hang their pieces from the Stronghold walls, as a message to all who would harm my mate!”

  “I know you're upset, Akzun,” Zark said gently, “but you must control yourself. There's nothing you can do now that the guards aren't doing already – and Carly will need you here
when she awakens. Khim will heal Carly, and we will find out who was responsible for this violation. I promise.”

  I threw my back against the wall and sank down into a crouch. “When does it end, Zark? The war, the terrorists, and now this. Can't I enjoy even a moment of peace?”

  Zark sat next to me, putting his arm around my shoulder. “Brother, if it's peace you seek, I regret to inform you that you may have chosen the wrong profession.”

  I laughed weakly. “You may be right. Is it too late for me to become a leech farmer, perhaps?”

  “Probably,” he chuckled. “Which is a terrible shame, because in my opinion, you would look quite fetching in hip boots.”

  The door to my chamber opened and Khim emerged, her robes stained with blood. “Zark, would you give us a moment, please?”

  Zark left, and I turned to Khim. “Well? Is she healed?”

  “Not quite, Blood Ruler. Tell me, please: What is the precise nature of your relationship with this woman? I had initially believed her to be a blood slave you'd purchased during the treaty negotiations, but there are those in the palace who say she might mean considerably more to you than that.”

  “What possible difference could that make, Khim?” I yelled, grabbing her by the shoulders. “Can you heal her, or not?”

  “I'm afraid it makes a great deal of difference,” Khim replied evenly, her gaze meeting mine unwaveringly. “The woman is carrying a child. One that is part Valkredian. I can only assume that it's yours. Am I correct?”

  I released her from my grip, my head spinning. “Yes,” I said, my voice barely above a whisper. “I suppose it must be.”

  “Then the remaining course of action depends on your relationship to her,” Khim went on patiently, straightening her robes. “She sustained numerous internal injuries during the fall. They threaten her life, and he one within her. If she is merely a blood slave – and therefore, replaceable in your eyes – I would advise that you allow me to ease and expedite her passing. If, on the other hand, you consider her to be a mate, then it seems as though the best course of action is for you to form a blood bond with her. Taking your essence into herself will strengthen both her and the child, allowing them to heal.”

  “And you're sure this will work?” I demanded.

  She shook her head. “No. But it's the best chance she has. And from the expression on your face, Blood Ruler, I believe I can guess your decision. I'll leave you to it, then.” She gestured toward the entrance to my chamber, then left.

  I entered and stood over her unconscious form. She seemed so small, so vulnerable.

  And the life she was carrying inside her was my own offspring.

  I'd never seriously contemplated fatherhood before – certainly not with a human woman as the mother – but now that it was staring me in the face, I couldn't bear the thought of losing a child in such a way.

  Very well, then, my love, I thought at her. If a blood bond is the best chance for you to come back to me, then a blood bond it shall be.

  I waited to see if her mind would respond, but no. Only silence.

  I climbed into the bed next to her and gently took her by the wrist, lifting it to my lips. Once again, I was mildly perplexed at my own self-control – I should have been ravenous, foaming at the mouth for her blood, but instead the bloodlust seemed like a distant memory. In that moment, all I cared about was doing whatever it took to preserve her life, and that of our baby.

  I took a deep breath and sank my teeth into her skin, feeling the hot blood spurt against the roof of my mouth.

  Her taste was sweeter than anything I'd ever known.

  I took several deep swallows, feeling her essence flow from her veins into my own like a torrent of pure melted gold. I realized it had been days since I'd fed on real blood, and newfound strength traveled through my muscles and bones. I was renewed, reborn.

  My bloodlust was gone – I could clearly see that now – replaced by my love for her. If only I’d been able to see this truth sooner…

  I removed my fangs from her flesh, using the bed sheets to staunch the flow of blood. The saliva of the Valkred contained natural coagulants, allowing those we drink from to stop bleeding and heal from our bites quickly.

  But that was only half the process. The other half might prove trickier.

  I drew my fangs across my own wrist, opening it. Blood welled up immediately, and I pressed the wound to Carly's lips – hoping enough would trickle down her throat to forge the blood bond as strongly as was required for her and our baby to heal. I kept it there as long as I could, watching the fluid stain her mouth a vivid shade of red.

  When I felt I couldn't afford to part with any more blood, I withdrew my wrist and curled up next to her, praying to all the Succubi that it would be enough.

  23

  Carly

  I woke up with a start, my mind still tumbling down the hard marble steps. I sank my fingernails into the bedspread, waiting for the lurching sensation to stop. After a few seconds, the world went right side up again, and I realized I was in Akzun's bedchamber.

  He was sitting in bed next to me, smiling gently. “How are you feeling?”

  How was I feeling? I'd been shoved down a flight of stone stairs. I'd felt my ribs splinter, my arm snap, and my skull crack on the final impact.

  But for some reason, I felt better than I ever had in my life.

  I looked down at my body. Everything seemed to be in place. No cuts, scrapes, fractures, or even bruises. And I was filled with a strange, manic energy. The air tasted sharper on my lips. The scents that flowed into my nostrils with each breath seemed more pronounced and nuanced. Even the colors of everything around me were more vivid and layered somehow. I felt like I could jump up and run five miles. I felt like I could fly!

  “Pretty damn good, oddly enough, thanks for asking,” I replied. “What happened to me? One minute I was falling, and then…”

  “You must be extremely confused right now,” Akzun said in a soothing voice, putting his arms around me. “And I will explain everything to your satisfaction, I promise you. But first, there is something I must make you understand.”

  “Okay, go ahead,” I said warily.

  “Many of my race go entire lifetimes without ever finding the mate they were destined for,” Akzun began. It sounded like he was choosing his words extremely carefully. “But I have been most fortunate. Because I have found you, and you, Carly… you have chosen to return my affections, despite the way things began for us, despite all the universe has done to test our feelings for each other.”

  “Well, that's a very sweet 'Get Well Soon' card you've come up with,” I joked, “but I'm still not sure I understand what happened, or why I feel this way. I'm so filled with… with… ”

  “Energy?” he suggested with a grin. “Life? Yes, I suppose things would feel quite different for you now. You are experiencing the world as we Valkred do. Your senses are heightened. You perceive the world differently. You have new strength, speed, and stamina. You feel as though you can do things now that you would never have dreamed of before.”

  “Yeah, right, but why?” I demanded. “What aren't you telling me, Akzun?”

  “Your wounds were quite severe, Carly,” he said. “Khim told me that I would have to form a blood bond with you in order to save your life. In order to save… both of your lives.”

  He placed a hand on my belly meaningfully, and I gasped. “You mean…?”

  Akzun nodded. “Yes. You are carrying my child. And now, you are carrying my blood as well. Just as… just as I am carrying yours.”

  “I… wow, Jesus, I don't know what to say,” I breathed, my heart thumping in my throat. “I guess I just assumed there was no way I could get pregnant with a, you know…”

  “Alien?” he filled in.

  “Yeah. With an alien. And now you're telling me – I mean, is Khim sure about this?”

  “Yes.”

  “And you…” I swallowed hard, trying to process all this new info
rmation. “You drank my blood? I thought you said the bloodlust meant you couldn't… that we couldn't…”

  “I apologize, Carly. I am uncertain of how this has happened. I'd been in the grip of the bloodlust ever since I was forced to have Elrisa executed. I was beginning to think I'd never be rid of it. But now, somehow, it seems to have disappeared entirely.”

  I considered this for a long moment. “Akzun, there's a word that doctors use on Earth when dealing with certain patients: psychosomatic. Are you familiar with it?”

  He shook his head.

  “It's when someone thinks they have a medical condition,” I went on, “but actually, it's all in their head. They believe it so strongly that their body manifests the symptoms to go along with it. When Elrisa betrayed you, you were filled with grief and rage, but you didn't have a chance to deal with that properly – you had an empire to run, a war to win against the Mana. You could have pushed those feelings away, repressed them to the point where they came to the surface in the form of this bloodlust. But now that you have me… now that you know you're with someone who would never, ever do to you what Elrisa did… maybe you're starting to finally deal with your emotions. Maybe that's why the bloodlust has gone away again.”

  Akzun nodded thoughtfully. “I believe your theory may indeed be correct. Because I do believe in you, Carly. I believe in our love, and our future together.”

  Love. Hadn’t that been exactly what I’d been waiting to hear, and feared I never would? I threw my arms around him, hugging him tightly. “So do I.”

  “Excellent. And now that you've healed and you're full of new spirit and vitality, what would you like to do next, my beloved mate?”