Axxeon Prince's Prize (Mates For Axxeon 9 Book 3)

by Liz Paffel

  Hahn spun, his eyes catching hers. His body moved forward as if he was going to run to her. His nostrils flared as he remained in his spot.

  Alora put up a hand as the council began to sputter. “This is Sasha Black, one of the human women Prince Hahn assisted. I asked her to come today, in case her testimony to events was needed.”

  The Council spoke amongst themselves before the center speaker eyed Metetto. “What use are you for access to Yala?”

  “I have something the mistress of Hanasha-Yupa wants. Allow me to negotiate with her for our men, and the human women. If it is successful, you will free my son of all charges as is required by Nanakka-Rak law.”

  The councilman sneered as if he didn’t believe anything Metetto had to offer was of any use.

  “I will grant Prince Hahn full release upon the condition that you arrange safe return of those listed. Until they are inside this station, Prince Hahn remains in custody. You have one hour to make the arrangements.”

  The men dispersed and the room cleared. Hahn walked past, sparing her the barest glance though she watched every second of his movement from the room. Alora took her hand. “Now we wait. Coffee? We have the real thing.”

  Sasha could only nod.

  Time passed slowly as they waited for Alora’s comlet to ding with a notification. They got one better as King Tryllin strode into Sasha’s quarters.

  “Metetto’s done it. He’s made arrangements for the return of the females and two of the Zeph’s crew.”

  “Only two?”

  “The others are missing.”

  Sasha put down her mug. “Becca did say that E’on suddenly disappeared.”

  “Becca and her child are to be brought here as well.”

  Relief pumped through her so strong that she had to stand. “What about Hahn?”

  “He’ll remain imprisoned until the captives arrive. I’m going to go speak to him now. Our father will no longer be exiled.”

  The women looked at each other. “How did this come about?” Alora asked.

  “Metetto sacrificed himself for the return of the captives. He’ll be going to Yala in exchange for the captives. He won’t be coming back.”

  Chapter Eighteen

  Seven rotations had passed since he’d seen Sasha, and the memory of her standing before the council to defend him still played clearly in his mind.

  He was about to break his vow not to see her. The more he stayed away, the more he could prevent attachment, even though it was slowly killing him. His father was gone. Sasha was removed from him. After he’d crashed the Threv, he’d doubted that he’d ever come home again. It was a miserable place to be, but he’d done it to himself.

  Alora had come to visit each day and filled him in on things happening around the station. She spoke briefly about Sasha and how well she was acclimating to her new surroundings. He tried to keep his interest neutral, though he wanted to know more.

  He should be more like her and denounce the demons inside of himself. His father was gone. Why he would be asked to remain on Yala in exchange for the captives was a mystery, but it was verified by Quixx who had monitored the call between Metetto and The Mother of Hanasha-Yupa. Metetto had indicated he had something she’d been wanting. She confirmed that she still wanted it, but he had to stay or there was no deal.

  He refused to think about what his father’s exile would be like on that sordid planet. He hadn’t gotten a chance to say goodbye, or, to take Sasha’s advice and assure his father that he was forgiven. Hahn would never forget his anger over what his father had done, but he was ready to get rid of the weight of it.

  Just as his strong, courageous mate had done.

  His mate.

  Hahn slammed a fist against the wall. The room was closing in on him. He could not eat or sleep. His mind would not stop replaying his time with Sasha.

  A knock on his door proceeded it opening. Quixx stood in the doorway with an annoyed expression. He threw something at Hahn with a sigh.

  Hahn caught it. It was… a Snickers candy.

  “I realize that you don’t want to see her because you’re a young dumbass who doesn't know his head from a hole in the ground.”

  Hahn smiled. Ahhh, the old Quixx was back.

  “However, I refuse to bring these tokens of affection or whatever the hell this is another single time. Trust me when I tell you; you’re going to want to let her in when she comes to see you today. If you don’t, you’re going to answer to me, my Prince.”

  “Okay. Nice talk, Quixx. What’s twisting your nuts today?”

  He scoffed. “I’m going to retrieve her. Go through the cleanser and change your clothes. You’re a damn mess.”

  There was an edge to Quixx’s tone that flagged his concern. “Is something wrong with Sasha?”

  “There’s something wrong with the fact that you’ve kept her away from you. When you find your true mate, you cling to her. You keep her. You bring her into you, and you don’t let go. I never thought I’d see the day that Prince Hahn gave a shit about taking a mate, yet here you are. You’re skinny. Your hair is too long. And you smell weird. That kind of desperation comes from wanting something so much and denying yourself.”

  “Do I need to remind you that I’m at risk of exile?”

  Quixx smiled. “This is about to be a very, very good day for you. The captives arrived moments ago. You’re about to be a free man.”

  Hahn ran a hand over his hair. It was too long.

  Quixx pointed a finger at him. “You’re going to want to cool your jets. I know you want to see the crew that has come back but trust me when I tell you that you’re not going anywhere for a while. You’ve got ten minutes or less. Hurry.”

  He’d learned a long time ago not to second guess Quixx. Taking his advice, he cleaned up and changed. He was just braiding his hair when the door opened. Quixx had an arm around Sasha and was helping her inside. She had three blankets over her shoulders and wrapped tightly around her body.

  Alarm coursed through him as he rushed to her and practically fell to his knees at her feet.

  “Sasha? She needs medical! Why…?”

  She smiled as a quake rent her body. “Whew. Is it cold in here?”

  “Are you ill?”

  She was slightly hunched over, her face nearly drowning in the blankets. “You heard the captives are here?”

  “Yes, yes. Enough about that.”

  He glanced up at Quixx, but the man was gone.

  “Remember when we got away and we, um, celebrated on the flight here?”

  Hahn went perfectly still.

  Sasha’s bit her lower lip. “Apparently, freezing your ass off is one of the first signs and your crazy hot skin is supposed to help.”

  “Sasha.” Her name dropped like a reverent prayer. Carefully, he unwrapped the front of the blankets. His eyes met hers for a moment before he lifted the hem of her shirt. Chills raced over him, his mind going momentarily stunned.

  Her belly was covered in a light hexagon pattern.

  Her jaw began to chatter. “Do you-do you think we c-can do that incubation thing now?”

  Hahn ripped off his clothes, grinning as she gave him an appreciative once-over before he picked her up and carried her to the bed. Gently placing her in the middle, he settled in behind her and pulled her tight to his body. He curved himself around her small form and pulled the blankets over them both.

  He closed his eyes and relaxed until his solarderm began a steady, warm glow. He’d keep her warm and incubate their kinder until it had firmly taken hold.

  Smoothing back her hair, he buried his nose in the soft strands. “It was only once. One time that we mated.”

  She chuckled. “I’m a midwife. Do you know how often I’ve heard that same line?”

  He pulled her closer, so many emotions rolling through him. “I’m sorry for keeping you away. And I am sorry for how my words must have made you feel when I first spoke to my brother.”

  She made a sound and he
couldn’t tell if it was an angry one or not. He’d have to get better at figuring out her reactions. “I didn’t think I’d ever stop being afraid long enough to have feelings for a man again.”

  Hahn looked over her shoulder and peered into her face. “I’ve never wanted anything in my life more than I want you. And now, this kinder.”

  She half rolled to look into his eyes. “Are you sure? We’ve barely gotten through the getting-to-know-you stage.”

  How could he show her? He’d never stop trying. “Yes, Sash. Yes.” He reached for something he’d tossed on the sleeping platform with his clothes. “If I didn’t feel strongly about you, would I be willing to share half of this dark chocolate Snickers with you?”

  A beautiful grin lit her face. “Only half? True love requires at least three-quarters.”

  “You are the greatest prize a male could want. I will give you everything.”

  Her expression fell serious again. “I’m sorry about your father, but when you think about it, he ended up being our hero. I know it’s hard to feel happy about the good things that happen to us after something terrible has already taken place. What your father did was bad, but this baby is… is so good. I saw the way you looked at E’La. I saw the tears in your eyes. I hope that you will allow the good inside yourself. We’ll work on it together.”

  He put her back into position and made sure she was tightly wrapped against his hot skin.

  “We need to think of a strong name for our daughter. A warrior’s name.”

  She sighed sleepily. “A daughter, huh?”

  “Yes. I was thinking that I heard a name on Earth that has a powerful undertone. Especially when you say it fast and hard. Powerful enough for the daughter of a Prince.”

  “Really? What’s the name?”

  “Bertha.”

  She burst into laughter and playfully covered her mouth with the blanket. “No. Way. No. Just, no.”

  “Why? It’s a courageous name. Say it with me. Ber—"

  Sasha turned over so they were belly to belly. She cupped a hand around his neck and brought her lips to his. “Enough with the baby names. I can think of something much better to do with your mouth.”

  Epilogue

  Blume hadn’t made it with the returned captives.

  Becca had chosen to stay behind in case there was any word on her mate.

  Ee-naa had been returned to her planet.

  Sasha looked down at the infant in her arms. A perfect little girl for Quixx and Priya. They were trying to think of a name. Luckily, Priya didn’t like Bertha either, though Hahn was doing his best to convince her.

  She’d helped deliver the small kinder very early this morning. She’d been born as they’d cruised past a stretch of space swirled with pink and orange and lit with stars. She thought of baby E’la. The colors seemed to suit the name somehow.

  Once their kinder was born, she and Hahn would be joining the Galax Union where Hahn would put in his time. She’d offered her services as a midwife and arrangements were being made.

  The baby cooed in her sleep. Sasha watched her with a smile. She’d never imagined she could know such peace. Her past was still there, lining the walls of her heart, but it didn’t scare her anymore. She had Hahn’s love and strength to keep her from ever going back to that dark place.

  Every now and then, when he thought of his father, she had to lift him out of his own shadowed place. She’d teasingly remind him that he could work on a new version of the Threv-beta to keep his mind occupied, since his had likely gotten crushed when the sand planet sunk into itself.

  The doors to the nursery whooshed open. Hahn hurried inside, nodding to Quixx as he entered. The look on his face made Sasha do a double take.

  “What is it, Hahn?” Quixx stepped up and took the baby from Sasha’s arms.

  Hahn grinned.

  She knew that glint in his eye. So did Quixx. “You’re about to do something reckless again, aren’t you?”

  Hahn pulled up a screen from his comlet. “I just received a transmission from Father. He’s found E’on and the others.” His lips pulled into a tight line. “He needs help.”

  Quixx crossed his arms. “What kind of help?”

  “Well,” Hahn grinned. “Just how reckless do you want to be?”

  I hope you enjoyed The Axxeon Prince’s Prize! Thank you so much for reading. I hope you’ll consider leaving an honest review on Amazon. Keep reading for a teaser of the next book, Taken by the Axxeon.

  Taken by the Axxeon

  Mates for Axxeon 4

  He was supposed to find his people a new home. Instead, he ended up a plaything.

  Stripped of his warrior status and forced at the feet of an insane master, one thought keeps Tarex of Axxeon focused: Freedom.

  Since crash landing with his crew and being sold to a crime family on Hanasha-Lupa, he's been separated from his crew and forced to do things that will haunt him forever.

  He's close to finally being free. Until they force the human female upon him and ask him to do one more horrible thing.

  Blume Montgomery didn't excel in advanced combat training in the U.S. Army for nothing. She's ready to kick some alien ass. After months bouncing around in the cargo hold of a scavenger's ship, she's about as unleashed as she's going to get.

  Someone is going down, and it won't be pretty.

  Until they drop her at the feet of a gorgeous Axxeon warrior who looks more undone than she is. They're paired up for a mission that promises freedom. If one of them doesn't snap first.

  Can they keep their hands off each other long enough to get the job done?

  Pre-order now on Amazon Kindle

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