When Ryx had asked Beren to watch over the human female, Beren had never thought he might come to actually like her. The more he knew about her, the harder it was to act as if she were an inconvenience. Truthfully, he admired her, and he couldn’t lie to himself. He desired her too. The way her hands had felt on his body, the gentle way she’d traced his scars… no one had ever touched him like that before. Most barely even looked at him, except for the warriors who fought at his side.
What was Borgoz thinking, giving her to a councilman? Beren understood that everyone was concerned about Rena’s father, but surely if she were mated to any Zelthranite she would be safe. The thought of Faltz or Helio claiming her soured his stomach. It wasn’t that either male was bad, and he knew they would never speak harshly to Rena, but he also knew they wouldn’t appreciate her. Not the way Beren would. He was so fucked. Ryx had suggested Rena find a mate on board, but that was before Borgoz said she should mate with a councilman. Beren knew the Chief Councilor wouldn’t approve a mating between them, and yet…
Rena shifted in her sleep, her blanket falling halfway off the cot. Beren got up and covered her once more, his fingers softly trailing through her hair. Borgoz wouldn’t approve of them being together, but Beren wanted her. It was more than the desire he felt burning in his veins, though. He liked watching her, liked seeing her smile or hearing her laugh. The simplest thing seemed to give her pure joy, and it was breathtaking to see the expressions roll across her face, the look of wonder she had. Rena was different from any female he’d met before, and different in a really amazing way. The females who came from Earth as part of the bride program were dazzled by wealth and good looks. He knew there were good ones mixed in, but none had ever given him a chance. They’d seen a monster when they looked at him, someone unworthy of being loved, but Rena looked deeper.
He wondered if she’d have felt the same if they’d met under other circumstances, if she’d never been sold into slavery, never been abused. He knew that the cruelty against her had changed her, had made her into who she was today, but how much of that sweetness had always been there? Despite the horrors she’d faced, he didn’t sense any meanness in her. It was honestly astonishing that she wasn’t damaged more mentally. He’d seen what happened to females who endured years of slavery, and it wasn’t pretty. While Rena was scarred on the outside, and likely at least a little on the inside, she was at least still sane and able to function for the most part.
He knew the males on board scared her when they got too close, but she would eventually learn that no harm would come to her. It would take a while, but with enough time and patience, she would see that she was truly free, and that she was safe. Even if he couldn’t claim her, Beren would give his life to protect her. If anyone ever thought to enslave her again, he would end their lives without hesitation. Rena deserved a life of peace and acceptance, and Beren worried that neither Faltz nor Helio could give her that.
A rumble shook the floor and walls, the metal of the ship vibrating all around them. The alarms sounded as the lights flashed overhead, and Beren bolted out his bed, his heartbeat remained steady, but adrenaline rushed through his system. Ryx wouldn’t have set off the alarms unless there was a true emergency, and that meant Rena was in danger. Had the vibrations been from an impact of some sort? Beren retrieved his weapons and strapped them to his body, before gently rousing Rena. Poor thing had been on guard for so long, she’d finally passed out hard enough that she’d likely sleep through anything. It could be something as simple as an asteroid field, or it could be worse, much worse.
“What’s wrong?” she mumbled, rubbing her eyes as she sat up.
“I’m not sure, but it can’t be good. I need to go to the command center and speak with Ryx, but I’m not leaving you alone.” If they were under attack and someone boarded them, the last thing Beren wanted was for Rena to be completely defenseless. Taking her with him was the only option.
Rena stood unsteadily and latched onto Beren’s hand, letting him lead her through the ship. The vibrations continued and Beren knew that someone was firing on the Pryxus. He didn’t know if it was pirates, or someone who had sought them out intentionally. Either would be dangerous with Rena on board. What if the male who had given her to Ryx decided he wanted her back?
The other males were rushing through the corridors, their boots clanging on the metal floor. In the command center, Ryx was barking orders to everyone, his stance tense and his expression tight. Beren looked through the viewing screen and saw an unmarked ship, which meant they were likely space pirates. It wasn’t the first time they’d had a run-in with pirates, and it wouldn’t be the last. But this time was different. Rena was on board, and Beren knew if the pirates got their hands on her, she’d likely not survive the things they would do to her.
“Get Rena to the life pod,” Ryx said. “I’ve already programmed the coordinates to the nearest planet. I’m going to hold off the pirates and give you time to escape. I don’t think they know we have a female on board, so they’re likely after whatever goods they think we have.”
“What planet is nearby?” Beren asked.
“Lero Prime. It’s busier and far larger than I would have preferred, but it can’t be helped. At least we know they’re friendly to our kind, and they won’t cause trouble for Rena.” Ryx frowned. “At least, they shouldn’t. Stay with her at all times, no matter what it takes.”
“Understood,” Beren said.
His grip tightened on Rena’s hand and he rushed through the corridors to the life pods near the docking bay, the ship getting hit with blast after blast from the pirates. Only one pod was activated and blinking green. Beren opened the small vessel and climbed inside, pulling Rena down onto his lap. They were made to carry one person, but there was enough oxygen to support to the two of them for several hours, as long as they kept talking to a minimum and conserved their air. As the vessel closed and the engine started, Beren fastened the safety belt around himself and Rena, then wrapped his arms around her as well.
“Are we in danger?” Rena asked.
“If we don’t get off this ship, yes.”
Her body trembled slightly and he held her tighter. The life pod shook as it dislodged from the main ship, a burst from the small engine sending it farther into space. The Pryxus blocked the view of the life pod, and it was Beren’s hope that the pirates would never know the pod had been activated. As old as the attacking ship had looked, it was likely they didn’t have the technology required to determine lifeforms on board the Pryxus.
Beren kept a close eye on the Pryxus, hoping that his fellow Zelthranites would be successful. The battle continued until the life pod was far enough away that danger was no longer imminent and Beren could no longer see what was happening. He didn’t know if it had ended, or if the pirates were still firing on the ship. He didn’t relax his hold, wanting to give Rena the comfort she seemed to need. They floated for hours, the pod having little bursts every few minutes to send it farther along. The distress signal had not been activated, and it was Beren’s hope they would reach Lero Prime without incident.
After a while, Beren realized that they had successfully escaped the pirates. If the other ship was going to come after them, it would have done so already. That didn’t mean someone else wouldn’t come along who could pose a threat to them, but Beren hoped that wouldn’t happen. Without the distress signal, no one would be searching for them. And it wasn’t that likely another ship would just happen across them. The life pod didn’t have any defense mechanism and they wouldn’t be able to fight back if such a thing did happen.
Lero Prime came into view a while later, the orange, white, and blue swirls seeming to attract Rena’s attention. It wasn’t Beren’s first trip to the planet, as they passed it frequently on their missions. They’d stopped many times for fuel or to rest for a day or two while awaiting orders from the council. Not once had they run into trouble.
“It’s kind of pretty,” she said. “Is all that orange
from sand? Is it a desert planet?”
He chuckled. “No. The majority of their plant life is orange and yellow. The blue swirls are from the rock formations that cover most of their world, and the white is from their water.”
“I’ve never heard of such a thing.”
“You’ll be safe,” he promised. “No one will harm you as long as I’m around. Do you believe me?”
She tipped her head back to look up at him. “Yes. I trust you to keep me safe.”
“No matter what it takes?” he asked.
She nodded.
He warmed a little that she was so certain he could care for her, and it made him want her even more. With Lero Prime, there was no telling what he’d have to do to keep his promise to her. The people could be rather strict, and a bit conservative. They wouldn’t attack them, but their beliefs were a bit outdated. A single female and a single male might not go over well. But as long as Rena was alive and well, that was all that mattered to Beren. He’d do whatever he had to, no matter the consequences, and had Ryx’s permission to what was necessary.
The pod rattled and shook as they entered the atmosphere of Lero Prime, and as the ground drew nearer, Beren realized they were coming in too fast. He didn’t want to worry Rena, but he braced for impact, holding her as tightly as he dared. The thrusters should have reversed to slow the vessel once the ground was near enough, and yet that didn’t seem to have happened. When the pod crashed onto the planet, Beren’s teeth snapped together and his head slammed into the back of his seat, dazing him a little. Rena cried out and her hands gripped his forearm. The pod slid until it crashed into the base of a large tree.
Beren’s breath sawed in and out of his lungs as he assessed his body. Only a slight ache from the rough landing, but otherwise he seemed fine. The momentary blur of his vision had cleared and he seemed to be fully functioning once more. His hands coasted over Rena, worried that the landing had been too rough for her small body, even if he’d cushioned her.
“Are you all right?” he asked.
“Yes, just a little shaken up. You could have told me that would happen.”
“It’s not supposed to,” he muttered. Obviously, the pod they’d climbed into had been defective, something he would bring up with the mechanics who had cleared the Pryxus before it had left Zelthrane-3.
Beren hit the release button and the glass lid to the pod popped open. Fresh air breezed across his skin and he sucked in a lungful. He unfastened the harness holding them in place, then helped Rena stand. As they exited the pod, Beren looked at their surroundings, and saw that one of the outlying villages wasn’t too far off. It would be quite a walk for Rena, though, and he worried she wouldn’t be able to manage it.
“Is that where we’re going?” she asked, pointing to the small village on the hill in the distance.
“Yes. They’ll give us shelter and food.”
Rena gave a slight nod and started off in that direction. Beren smiled a little as he caught up to her. She had the heart of a warrior. While she’d appeared meek at first glance, there was steel underneath. To have survived the horrors she’d faced, she would have to be strong. As they walked through the wooded area, he kept an eye out for any potential threats. Lero Prime was a mostly peaceful planet, but that didn’t mean there weren’t some bad elements, and more than one form of wildlife that liked to snack on anyone who crossed their path.
The village was farther than it appeared, and Beren stopped several times in order for Rena to rest. He offered to carry her, but she stubbornly refused. By the time they reached the gates, night had fallen and Rena looked like she would collapse at any moment. The two sentries stood straight and tall, their weapons at the ready. Beren hadn’t been to this particular outpost before, but the other places he’d stayed on Lero Prime had all been welcoming.
“What business do you have here?” one of the guards asked.
“We just need a place to rest for a day or two. Our ship was attacked, and the life pod we used crash landed on your planet. My name is Beren and I’m a Zelthranite warrior from the Pryxus.”
The sentries relaxed and allowed them entry.
“The Chancellor is in the main hall,” one of the guards said. “You’ll need to see him to arrange for permission to stay here.”
Beren nodded as they passed through the gates. He held Rena’s hand tight as they walked from the gates to the main hall in the center of the outpost. It seemed quiet, but then, Lero Prime wasn’t exactly known as a place to party. The inhabitants of the small planet were conservative to the extreme. A good time was a quiet drink after work was over, then spending time with their families. As they entered the building, Rena’s hand tightened on his.
A man in red silk robes sat at a table on a dais and Beren approached. He stopped at the bottom of the steps, not wanting to insult the male by getting any closer. A slight tremor raked over Rena as they waited to be acknowledged. He wondered if she was afraid of the people here. They were different, but none would harm her. With their long tusks, wispy white hair, and fearsome faces, he wouldn’t blame her if she were frightened. Instead of feet, they had hooves but their hands were much like Beren’s, except the people of Lero Prime had three fingers that were longer and broader.
“Why is a Zelthranite warrior in my outpost?” the Chancellor asked.
“Our life pod crashed not far from here,” Beren said. “Our ship was attacked and I needed to get my female to safety.”
The Chancellor snarled. “Pirates.”
Beren nodded. “The captain of the Pryxus distracted them long enough for us to escape. My people will come for us once it’s safe. In the meantime, we would be grateful if someone could provide accommodations.”
“Your female,” the Chancellor said, eyeing Rena. “Your mate?”
Beren felt his cheeks warm. “Um, not exactly.”
The Chancellor took a swallow of his drink, then assessed them. “We do not currently have space for single females. The only way the two of you may remain within these walls is if you’re mated.”
Rena’s hand tightened on Beren’s, and he wondered if she was trying to tell him that she was all right with that.
“Chancellor, my Chief Councilor would prefer it if Rena were mated to one of our councilmen on Zelthrane-3. She was recently rescued and we were on our way back to my home world when we were attacked. I don’t think he’ll take it well if I claim Rena.”
The Chancellor showed no emotion as he studied them, then glanced off in the distance a moment. “Lero Prime is a place of peace and harmony. It is also a place where we have certain rules you must follow. To ask for our assistance and then refuse to comply with our societies regulations is a spit in the face of our people. Is that what you’re doing?”
“No, of course not, Chancellor. No disrespect was intended,” Beren assured the male.
“The next outpost is about seventy clicks from here, and the main city is thrice that distance. Not a journey your puny-looking female would likely be able to make. Only the main city will have room for a single female. So… you either comply and mate your female, or you start walking.”
Rena pressed closer to him and Beren leaned down. Her lips brushed against his damaged ear as she whispered, “Maybe I should explain why no one would want me?”
“Is that what you think?” Beren asked. “That I don’t want you?”
She shrugged a little.
“Rena, anyone would be honored to call you their mate. Especially me. But I know that Chief Councilor Borgoz has plans for you.”
“I don’t want a councilman,” she said in her whisper soft voice.
“Any mating I oversee would be permanent,” the Chancellor said. “The entire Galactic Federation would recognize the mating as official, even on Zelthrane-3. Only that primitive Earth you’re so fond of likely wouldn’t care.”
“I want Beren as my mate,” Rena told the Chancellor.
“Then I’ll organize the ceremony while the two of you get a
bit of refreshment. Might I recommend the carniac pies and dimiscus juice?”
As the Chancellor descended the steps and went off to arrange for Beren’s mating to Rena, his soon to be mate leaned up to speak in his damaged ear again. “Do I want to know what those things are?”
Beren smiled. “Carniac pie is stuffed with various meats and spices. They’re actually pretty good. The other is made from a hybrid fruit they only have on this world. I’ve never had it, but I’ve heard it’s rather sweet and offsets the bite of the meat pie.”
“Then I’ll try it,” Rena said.
Beren led her over to an empty table and a young female waited on them. She set two cups of the juice down as well as two plates with two cuts each of the carniac pie.
“Compliments of the Chancellor,” she said as she smiled and sauntered off.
Rena took a small bite, then her eyes widened in surprise as she ate another. Beren was entertained watching her expressions as she consumed all the food on her plate and downed three cups of the juice. He’d no sooner finished his meal than the female was back with a plate of opoi noodles, a special desert only found on Lero Prime, and a treat that he indulged in every visit to the small world.
“I promise you’ll like this,” Beren said, motioning for Rena to try the noodles.
She didn’t hesitate as she scooped up a few and stuffed them into her mouth. She’d no sooner swallowed those than she was reaching for another. Beren laughed and nudged the plate closer to her, more content to witness her enjoyment than to eat the noodles himself. He should be concerned about incurring the wrath of Borgoz when they returned home, but he knew that Ryx would have his back. After all, the captain had said to do anything it took in order for Rena to remain safe. The fact that the Chancellor was giving Beren something he really wanted was only a bonus. And Rena seemed pleased with the arrangements, although Beren wasn’t certain what she was expecting from a mating between them. He’d take things as slow as she needed. Just knowing she was his would be enough for now.
Rena and the Alien Warrior (Intergalactic Brides Book 16) Page 6