Alien Lover (Zerconian Warriors Book 2) (7 page)

“Some wake up with no memory of who they are. Not that I expected that to happen to you. Not the great Crown Prince Dexanon Xa’a, future ruler of Zerconia. He wouldn’t dare forget his own greatness.”

Tendrils of memory reached out to him. A spasm made his leg convulse and he gritted his teeth, trying to breathe through it.

Relax.

Hard to do when the male who had put him in this position was standing over his helpless body. Being vulnerable and unable to defend himself was a completely foreign feeling.

To quote Zoey, it sucked.

“I’m surprised you haven’t asked about the warriors who accompanied you.”

If Targos had hurt them, he would … what? He couldn’t even move.

“Where are they?”

Targos waved an elegant hand. Having lost his parents at a young age, he had been taken in by his uncle, Dante’s father. He had been given the best of everything. He could have done great things. Been a great man. Instead, he’d chosen to cheat, swindle, and lie his way through life. It had gained him a planet, wealth, people to run round after him.

But was he happy?

Dex wouldn’t be. Not without friends and family. Zoey. Shit. Zoey. He had to get out of here. No doubt she was growing concerned. Even though he’d told her countless times that her worry over him was misplaced. It was an insult. As though she doubted his ability to protect himself and his warriors.

Zoey only worries because she cares.

“Your warriors are safe. They are recovering in another room. As a goodwill gesture, I am even willing to reunite you with them. But first, you need to listen to what I require.”

What happened? How had Targos gotten the best of him?

Edreinia was a large planet, but eighty percent of the surface was water. Large areas of the planet weren’t monitored for incoming spaceships since ships couldn’t land on water. So they had deliberately crashed into the water to avoid detection with the intention of stealing a shuttle to make their way back to their ship.

They had arranged to be collected by boat by a male who remained loyal to Dante. Zacharian had paddled out and rescued them up under the cloak of darkness then taken them back to his home.

He had insisted on giving them a hot drink before they headed out.

Then nothing.

“Zacharian betrayed us?”

Targos nodded, smirking. “You did not seriously think you could use my own people to betray me?”

“They are not your people.”

The other male’s face darkened. He drew his leg back and kicked Dex in the ribs. Air rushed from his lungs as agony engulfed his chest. As he worked his way through the pain, he plastered a smile on his face.

“Is that the best you can do?”

Provoking him probably wasn’t wise. Blow after blow landed on his torso, his ribs, even his head, and Dex lay there, weak as a babe, unable to defend himself.

Taking a wheezing breath, Dex stared up at Targos. “Feel better?”

Targos straightened his suit, brushing out the creases. “Actually, I do. Zacharian was only too happy to drug you then contact me to retrieve you and your men. Really, Dex, it was a foolish endeavor to attempt to go against me.”

“What do you want? Why did you purchase some of my warriors in a slave auction?”

“Come now, surely you have worked it out. What could you possibly have that I might want? Think, Dex.”

“You want Dante.”

Of course. But Dante was an old friend and ally.

Dex wouldn’t betray him now.

“You cannot have everything you want.”

Targos scowled at him. Then like a switch going on, he suddenly smiled. His mood swings were even worse than Dex had remembered. “I think I can. But I do not wish to disagree with such an esteemed guest. I can be reasonable even if you cannot. Guards!”

Three armed males stormed in. They looked cold, hard. As though life hadn’t been kind, and it had molded them into some nasty characters.

Where had Targos found these people? They weren’t native to Edreinia. Edreinians rarely grew over five-foot-five and had a timid nature. That’s why he couldn’t believe that Zacharian had betrayed them.

“Take my friend here and put him in with the others.”

With rough hands and no care for his injuries, one of them grabbed his hands while another took hold of his ankles. Swinging him between them, they carried him out of the cell, carelessly smashing his side into the doorframe.

They made their way down a dark passage, then the men paused. He heard a door creak open. They carried him into a dark room and threw him into the corner where he landed with a loud thump, his breath swooshing out of him as agony thrummed through his body.

The door slammed shut, causing the throbbing in his head to increase threefold.

“Dex? Is that you? Dex?”

“Thor?” A feeling of relief nearly overwhelmed him. “Are you well?”

“My body seems to have a mind of its own. My head feels as though it might burst and I can barely breathe without wanting to vomit. Other than that, I am well.”

“Good.” Dex turned his head slowly. Pain threatened to blind him, and he took another deep breath. A spasm rocked his right arm and he clenched his teeth against the pain. “Is everyone else here?”

Only one light had been left to illuminate the huge room.

“I am, Sir.” Dex could barely make out Jaxan’s voice. There was the sound of gagging. Abruptly the sound stopped as he gained control.

He turned the other way and saw Tarack slumped on the floor, unconscious.

“I’m over here,” Macon spoke in a low, quiet voice. “Dasha is with me. What happened?”

“Zacharian betrayed us. He slipped a drug into our drink. Now Targos has us at his mercy and I do not know how long this drug will keep us incapacitated.” Dex clenched his teeth as another spasm rocked his body.

“Try not to tense up,” Thor advised.

“I know,” Dex replied.

“For what purpose has Targos captured us?” Macon asked, his breath coming in short pants.

“Dante. He wants to swap us for him.”

“This was all a trap then,” Thor surmised.

“Yes. Somehow he predicted that we would contact Zacharian, possibly because Zacharian was Dante’s manservant. He trusted him implicitly. Targos engaged Zacharian’s help then waited for us to take his bait.”

Thor swore quietly. “He must have known that Dante was still in contact with Zacharian. Do you know where the others are being held?”

“No. Once we escape, we will have to search for them.”

If they were still alive.

“Koran will soon realize something is amiss,” Thor told him.

“As long as he does not allow Zoey to worry.”

“He will find it impossible to keep this from her.” Thor’s voice was filled with warmth. Dex was grateful at how his cousin had welcomed Zoey. Surely, if Thor could accept Zoey then so could the rest of his family.

Although there was no doubt that his mother would be difficult.

“I do not envy Koran, trying to keep Zoey under control once she hears of our capture.”

“Koran knows that his priority is Zoey’s safety. He will lock her in our quarters if necessary.”

Zoey would be nowhere near danger. As long as he didn’t have to worry about her then he could do what he needed to free himself and his warriors.

Zoey swung around as the door opened and Koran entered.

“You’re late, I’ve eaten already.” Well, she had picked at her food. She felt too uneasy to eat.

“You can take a break,” he said to the guard who had relieved Racar a few hours ago. Once they left, he turned to her.

“I do have other duties, Zoey,” Koran told her stiffly. Did he look grumpier than usual? It was hard to tell. “I do not exist just for your enjoyment.”

She snorted. “That’s good because you give me little of that. And what duties? All we’re doing is waiting for Dex to return with his warriors. I know something is wrong. Tell me what is going on, Koran. You do not want to make me mad.”

Koran raised his eyebrows. “There is not a lot you can do if I lock you in your quarters.”

“You wouldn’t.”

“Wouldn’t I?”

Yes, he would. And the bastard would probably enjoy every minute. Why had Dex left him in charge?

“Dex won’t be happy with you,” she warned.

“Who do you think gave me permission to take such measures if necessary?”

Zoey felt her jaw drop. Then she pointed at him, attempting to appear stern. “You try and I will make you pay. I’ll wait. You won’t know when it will happen or how, but I will get you back. I promise.”

Koran watched her carefully. “I suppose that is meant to scare me?”

Oh, he was so infuriating. He could be a pain in the ass, but he wasn’t usually this bad. She pointed a finger at him as it finally dawned. “You’re deliberately trying to make me mad. But why? So I won’t worry? Koran,
what’s happened to Dex?
”

Koran sighed. “Panic is counterproductive.”

She would show him counterproductive when she shoved a stick up his ass to remove the one already lodged in there.

“Tell me.” If he didn’t tell her then she was going to question everyone on this ship until someone told her what was going on. “Tell me what is going on.”

“Fine,” he growled. “But if all Earther females are this bossy then I want nothing to do with them.”

Koran walked over to the control panel and pushed a few buttons.

A holographic image of a thin, clean-shaven man with a smug smile appeared.

“Greetings. I am going to assume you know who I am. I have your Crown Prince. He is unharmed at the moment. Well, mostly. But that will not continue unless you fulfill my demands. You have four moon risings to produce Danteson LaBellen to me. Then I will return your Crown Prince and warriors.”

The holographic image disappeared.

“Shit. What did he mean, ‘mostly unharmed’?” Zoey placed her arms over her stomach, as though trying to contain her pain. Dex had been captured? What would she do if something happened to him?

It hadn’t been that long since she had nearly lost him. She didn’t know if she could do this all again.

“What are we going to do?”

Koran watched her carefully. “That was Targos Turek. Last year, he challenged his cousin, Dante, to a high-stakes poker game. Targos’ mother and Dante’s father were brother and sister. Dante bet his kingdom and lost. Dante’s father was always a close ally of Dex’s father. When Dante had to flee Edreinia, the Emperor gave him sanctuary.”

“So why does this Targos want him now?”

“I don’t know.”

“Can we get Dante here in four moon risings?” she asked, pacing back and forth.

“We cannot swap him for Dex and the others, Zoey.”

Zoey swung around to gape at him. “Why not? Shouldn’t your first loyalty be to Dex?”

Koran straightened his shoulders, staring down at her coldly. “My first loyalty is always to the Crown Prince.”

“Then what is the problem?” She had to save Dex. She couldn’t live without him.

“It would not be honorable. Dex gave Dante sanctuary. It is our duty to protect him.”

“Even if it means Dex might die!” While she knew Koran was right, she wanted Dex back. No matter what she had to do.

“Dex will not die. You insult him by suggesting that.”

She turned to gape at him. “He nearly died not so long ago or have you forgotten that?”

“That is different. That was out of his control.”

“So is this. He’s being held prisoner, Koran. What do you think is going to happen when we don’t meet this asshole’s demands? Do you think he’s just going to shrug and say ‘oh well, my evil plan isn’t going to work so I’ll just release you, oh, and here’s some chocolate and champagne, no harm, no foul’?”

He frowned. “I think I understood about half of that. Of course, Targos will not simply release him. But Dex will find a way to free himself and his warriors.”

“Forgive me if I’m not so certain of that.”

“Dex is a warrior. Targos is weak. Dex will triumph.”

“Targos can’t be that weak if he managed to capture Dex and his warriors.” Why wasn’t Koran more concerned? These warriors could be so infuriating.

“Not through a fair fight, I’m sure.”

“Look, I know you guys are all about honor and crap, but not everyone fights fair.”

“We know that.” Koran appeared highly insulted.

“But are you prepared for it?”

“Dante had a gambling addiction. He should never have gambled his kingdom. That was his first mistake. His second mistake was believing that Targos would play fair.”

“And that could be your undoing as well. He won’t play fair, Koran.”

“What Targos does is of no consequence. Dex will find a way to escape.”

“And if he doesn’t? If he needs our help? What then?”

“You are a female. You will have no involvement in this. I should not even be talking to you about this.”

“Urgh!” She had fantasies about making Koran eat his words. He had to be the most stubborn, sexist male she had ever met. “Just listen to me. Dex needs our help. I know it. What if Dex dies because we sit here and do nothing? Can you live with that? Because I couldn’t live knowing that I could have saved him.”

Koran grew silent and she figured he was going to dismiss her. She was shocked when he gave her a thoughtful look.

“What are you suggesting?” he asked.

***

Dex sat slumped against the cold brick wall. They must be in the dungeons beneath the palace. He had visited the palace a number of times, but he’d never been down here.

Now he understood why. There was an oppressive, haunting feel to this room. The darkness had a malevolent presence; the coldness entered your bones and remained there. Occasionally, he swore a scream of terror drifted through the rooms.

He had no idea if it was from the living or the dead.

In an attempt to shake off the grim foreboding that he would perish here, he studied his warriors. Most of them were sitting; only Dasha still lay on the floor, his occasional groan and jerking limbs reassuring Dex he was still alive.

“How do we free ourselves when we are incapable of even controlling our limbs?” Thor asked.

“How long until the drug leaves our system?” he asked Thor.

“Without knowing what it was or the dosage, I cannot say.”

Dex had a feeling they were in real trouble.

Macon growled. “Does Targos truly believe we would betray someone who has been granted sanctuary?”

“Targos is a man without honor, and he believes the same of everyone else. When his demands are not met, there is no telling what he will do. We must be gone by then.”

Preferably before Zoey discovered his capture. His mate could be reckless with her safety when she believed someone she cared about was in trouble.

“Why come after Dante now?” Macon wondered. “It has been over a year.”

“I do not know,” Dex replied. “It could be that Targos was biding his time. That he waited for an opportunity to present itself.”

“Let us hope that Zoey does not devise a wild plan to rescue us.” There was amusement in Thor’s voice.

“Koran will ensure she remains safely on the ship. She need never know we were in danger.”

“I doubt he can keep this from her. If he does not tell her, one of the other warriors will.”

Dex frowned. “Why would they tell her?”

“Everyone likes Zoey,” Jaxan explained. “They find it hard to tell her no.”

“Then they must discover how. They are warriors, not gossips.” The harshness in his voice was due to concern rather than anger.

Koran was there to protect her from herself. He wouldn’t allow her to do anything stupid. Not unless he wished to face Dex’s wrath.

“I hope to one day find a mate like Zoey.” There was a wistful note to Jaxan’s voice, and Dex growled in response.

“Remember whose mate she is.”

“Of course, Crown Prince,” Jaxan replied quickly. “I meant no disrespect.”

Perhaps he needed to remove Jaxan from Zoey’s guard.

“Jaxan meant that he hopes to have a chance to find a human mate,” Macon explained. “There was no disrespect to you or milady intended.”

Dex eased down at those words. Macon was one of his most trusted warriors, which is why he had assigned him as Zoey’s guard. He knew Macon would defend her to the death.

“The opportunity to meet other female humans is rare,” Thor added.

Zerconia had closed itself off to most other planets. Only one trusted ship carrying supplies was permitted to land on Zerconia once a month. Otherwise, the only interaction they had with other cultures was during expeditions like the one they were currently on or through old alliances that had existed for decades.

Perhaps it was time to rethink that.

“Can anyone stand?” Dex asked. The replies he received were negative. They’d have to wait and hope that the drug soon left their system.

***

“No.”

Koran’s favorite word. Like a broken record, he kept stating it over and over again.

“You’re not my boss, Koran,” she snapped back. Damn, he could be such a worrywart.

“Dex charged me with your care.”

“Look, I know what I’m doing. It’s a foolproof plan.”

“The plan is ridiculous. But that does not matter as you are not going anywhere near Targos.”

“We need a way to get a team of our warriors onto Edreinia so that they can rescue Dex and the others. You tell me another way of doing that and I will gladly listen.”

A tic developed in his cheek.

“Well?”

“I do not have another plan,” he admitted and she bounced a little in excitement. “But that does not mean I will implement your plan.”

“Koran, it’s a good plan. You said that Targos has a lot of visitors who come to gamble and watch the games he puts on. All we have to do is find a smaller ship that I can use. Then I will make contact; claim I am a widow who is bored and looking for some entertainment. Hopefully, he’ll be intrigued enough to allow me to land. You guys will be hidden onboard. You can sneak out while I keep an eye on Targos, find Dex and the others, free them, and then we can all meet back at the ship. Easy.”

“Easy? Zoey, there are many factors that could go wrong.”

“Like what?”

“He could refuse to let you land.”

“He’s probably never met an Earther female. We don’t have any military outposts this far from Earth. I’m willing to bet he’ll be curious enough to let me land.”

“He could search the ship as soon as you land and find us.”

“I’m pretty sure I can stall them long enough for you guys to sneak off.” She hoped. That was a weak spot; she admitted it. But she couldn’t think of a better way to get them onto Edreinia. Obviously, Dex’s plan had failed, so that was no longer an option. They couldn’t trust anyone on Edreinia to help them.

“I just need some way to convince him that I’m on the up and up. Like a connection, something to explain why I would want to watch his stupid games.”

What kind of games were they? The Edreinian version of football? It didn’t matter, she could fake being interested. She’d done that with her ex-fiancée plenty of times.

And not just when it came to sport.

“No. We are going to stay here, where it is safe, and wait for Dex to contact us.”

“Koran, stop being such a coward.”

His eyes widened. “You insult me.”

“Look, I’m sorry. I don’t mean to be a bitch, really. But I am just so scared. We can’t just sit around and do nothing. We need to help him, and my plan is good.”

“It isn’t a plan. It’s wishful thinking.”

“It’s a great plan. You rescue Dex while I keep Targos distracted. What can possibly go wrong?”

“It is more a case of what can go right.”

“But you’re thinking about doing it, aren’t you?” She could hear it in his voice. Thank God. She felt terrible for how she had spoken to him, but she had to do whatever she could to get through to him.

“What if Targos refuses to let you leave?”

“Why would he detain me? I’m a guest.”