A Son for the Alien Warrior (Treasured By The Alien #2)(11)

“That is completely unacceptable,” Cestov said.

Kwaret nodded. “I agree, however, I am but a single voice.”

“We should rescue them,” the young male said eagerly.

“I saw your ship,” Kwaret said patiently. “It does not appear to be a military vessel. It will take superior force to convince Commander Kadica to back down. With my assistance, the Defiance can take the ship with minimal harm. Can you contact them?”

“I have every intention of doing so,” Cestov said grimly. “How were you told to get in touch with them?”

The conversation turned technical and Mariah found herself watching Cestov as discreetly as possible. His face was so different from a human face and yet she had no difficulty in recognizing the expressions that flashed across it. Despite the intensity of the discussion, his gaze frequently flickered in her direction and his tail had once more come to rest on her, around her ankle this time. She didn’t protest. It seemed harmless enough and the warm touch was curiously reassuring.

“Very well,” Cestov concluded. “We will be on our way as soon as we have procured the supplies we need. And what of you?” He spoke to Kwaret, but he looked at her.

“I must remain in order to ensure the safety of the remaining females.” Kwaret shook his head. “I am especially concerned about the troublesome female. I cannot let her be sold.”

“Do you require our assistance to prevent it?”

Kwaret tilted his head as he considered the offer, then shook his head. “I have a plan. I think it would be best if you summon the ship as soon as possible. But there is one more thing.”

“Yes?”

“I cannot protect all of the females and I do not believe that Mariah will be safe on my ship. Can you take her with you and arrange to have her transferred to the Defiance?”





Chapter Seven


Take her with him? Yes. Cestov’s body responded immediately and his tail tightened around her ankle. The thought of having her on the Wanderer, her delicate fragrance filling the air, her soft body so close—everything about it felt right. His cock had never really subsided and now it sprang back to a full aching erection at the idea of her at his side. But he did have another mission…

“I would be happy to take her, but I am headed for Trevelor,” he said reluctantly. “I am searching for someone and unless he is on board the Defiance, I will simply pass along the message to them and continue to the planet.”

“Trevelor?” Mariah interrupted. “But that’s perfect. I’m also looking for someone and I hope that I can get some additional information there.”

Before he could respond, there was a knock at the door. His hand immediately went to his blaster and he noted that Kwaret also had his hand on his weapon. Mariah paled and pulled her hood up over her head as he instinctively stepped in front of her. He nodded at Maldost to wait behind the door, then cautiously opened it.

The Drigueran stood outside, accompanied by a young male servant bearing two platters loaded with food while balancing two oversized mugs of ale.

“Your meal, sir,” the host said obsequiously.

Without removing his hand from the hilt of his weapon, he gestured the servant inside. “Put everything on the table.”

The young male nervously obeyed, keeping his head lowered. The Drigueran started to step inside the room as well, but Cestov blocked him. As soon as the servant scurried back past him, he shut the door in the innkeeper’s face.

“I apologize,” he said to Mariah. “When I ordered the food, I did not think to take your preferences into consideration. But please help yourself to anything that you would like.”

He ignored Maldost’s muffled protest. The young male would not be harmed by missing a meal and his instincts demanded that he feed his—the female first.

She still had not pushed her hood back down and he found himself impatient to see her face once more. As if in response to his desire, his tail once more tugged at the cloak. She laughed and he couldn’t help but smile at the infectious sound. His admiration increased. She had been taken from her planet, surrounded by beings who were no doubt strange to her, but she had the courage and spirit to find humor in the situation.

“Please be seated,” he urged.

“If you insist.” She threw back the hood and this time she did not stop there but shrugged out of the cloak completely.

His mind ceased to function at the sight of soft lush curves barely contained by a Vedeckian uniform and all he could do was stare. He bit back his instinctive objection to the fact that she was obviously dressed in another male’s clothing. The arms and legs had both been rolled up many, many times to accommodate her tiny frame, but despite her small size, everything about her was perfect. Before he could call it back, his tail wrapped around her waist. She jumped and blushed and he reluctantly brought his unruly tail back under control.

“Please sit down,” he said again.

She looked a little uncertainly at Kwaret, then curled up on one of the low seats. He could no more have stopped himself from sitting next to her than he could have stopped himself from breathing. The Vedeckian and Maldost slid into place across from them.

“There are only two servings,” she said softly. “This is your meal, isn’t it?”

“We are delighted for you to have it. Aren’t we, Maldost?”