by Luna Hunter
Footsteps in the hall. A robed figure enters the room, and I place my hand on the grip of my blade instinctively.
“Put that away,” Eldrin says. “This is my visitor.”
The stranger removes the hood of his robe. He, or she, is fair-skinned, with silver hair and delicate features. I can’t tell if it’s a man or a woman, but one thing I am certain of: The stranger is no Thalanil.
“Allow me to introduce myself,” the stranger says. “I am Bodakin, of the Celestial Mates Dating Agency.”
Bodakin bows politely, and I accept the greeting with a quick nod.
“We connect souls across the galaxy. Eldrin has summoned me, asking us for aid, and I believe we can help you… assuming you are interested in our services.”
Eldrin leans in and grabs my knee. “Trust me, Tau. This is the only way.”
I can’t believe what I’m hearing. The Qroq are dealing us blow after blow. They got us on the back foot. Another major blow and we’re finished. All this pressure, and Eldrin is concerned with finding me a mate?!
It’s the least of my concerns.
“How will this help our cause?!” I say. “Some off-world bride is not going to change the outcome of this war!”
“She can give you a baby, Tau. A baby! An heir!” Eldrin says. “Think about that. Things look bleak now, but the Thalanil people are resilient. Even if the Qroq enslave us all, we will never submit. Your lineage is a symbol of our people, of our independence, of our history. It’s bigger than you and me. You need an heir, Tau.”
I ball my fists and utter curses. Eldrin’s right.
The thought of taking a mate has never crossed my mind — the war has taken up all of my attention. Besides, I’ve always wanted a melethril, a fated mate. A connection like that can’t be forced.
“Will we be compatible?” I ask.
“Yes,” the stranger answers. “I can assure you of that. Celestial Mates has never made a wrong match before.”
It feels wrong to bring a stranger into such danger. We are a hunted people. I have trouble protecting my own kind — what if I can’t protect my bride? Or my own baby?
Perhaps that’s why I’ve always stayed clear of the Kevan, the spring ceremony where young Thalanil meet and mingle. Out of fear. Fear I won’t be able to protect my mate, to shield her from the injustices that are so routinely inflicted upon our people.
My father always told me to welcome fear. Only in the face of fear can we be brave.
Time to be brave.
“Okay,” I say. “I agree.”
“Excellent,” the stranger says, clasping their hands together. “I have the perfect candidate.”
“Already?”
“Of course,” they answer with a mysterious smile. “Time is of the essence, is it not? There is only one problem…”
“What’s that?”
“Her world is very, very far away. I can open a portal to her world, but not for long, and it will certainly draw attention.”
“Qroq attention.”
The stranger nods.
Nothing ever comes easy, does it?
“The planes of Avik. Open the gate there. I will travel there at once.”
“You have made the right call,” Eldrin says. “Be careful when out in the open. The Qroq are never far away.”
I drain my cup of ale of its last few drops and rise to my feet.
Time to find my mate.
Click here to continue reading The Alien Prince’s Captive!
Also by Luna Hunter
Zoran Warriors
Alien General’s Baby
Alien Warrior’s Baby
Alien Soldier’s Baby
Alien Guardian’s Baby
Galactic Mates
Thabo
Fenrir
Bojan
Novak
Dusan
Zivan
Vukan
Drakan
Barbarian Brides
The Zoran’s Bride
The Zoran’s Mate
The Zoran’s Baby
The Zoran’s Fated
Celestial Mates
The Alien Prince’s Captive
About the Author
Hi! I’m Luna, and I love my SFR jam-packed with love and action. You know that already ‘cause you made it this far!
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Luna.