DangerouslyHis (15 page)

“Saia.”

She fought through the fog that clouded her mind to heed the
distant call of her name.

“Saia, baby, answer me.”

Yawning, she stretched and stirred from her sleep.

Justin?

She opened her heavy lids. She looked around to find that
she lay on a raised metal bed in the medical center. She was also the only
person in the room.

“Hello?” she called. Had she dreamed of hearing Justin?

“Saia, can you hear me?” Justin’s voice came in hushed tones
from her com-link.

She sat up, ignoring the throbbing in her skull. “Justin, is
that you?”

He breathed a sigh of relief. “It’s good to hear your voice.
I was worried. I thought they took your com-link away.”

She swung her legs around, letting them hang off the side of
the bed. “What happened?” she asked. “Why am I in the medical center?”

“You passed out at dinner and Taio had you rushed there.
Ship said Eva gave you something to help calm your nerves.”

She slumped. “I’m afraid nothing could calm me. Especially
since I have to go back to dinner and face Ranuit Pi.”

“Don’t worry about that. She told everyone you needed rest
and couldn’t return to dinner.”

A wave of relief escaped on a breath. “I’ll have to thank
her when I see her.” She had to face Ranuit Pi eventually, but at least not
right now.

“That may have to wait.”

“Why? Did Eva leave the palace?”

“Saia, do you love me?”

She didn’t hesitate. “Yes.”

“I love you too. I can’t let you go through with this
bonding. I have to stop it.”

She smiled and ran a finger across her com-link. “I wish
there was something you could do. I won’t ever forget about you.”

“I’m taking you away from here.”

“I…don’t know what to say.”

“Say you’ll let me.”

“We’ll be hunted. And that’s only if we can figure out how
to escape Sonis’ atmosphere.”

“I have a plan. It’s crazy, but then again, I’m used to
crazy plans.”

She clutched her hands together. What she wouldn’t give to
run away with Justin. To be free from Olo…from Ranuit Pi.

No. She couldn’t endanger his life.

She shook her head. “I can’t let you risk your life for me.
Even if I did escape my father, I’d be hunted down to no end.” Her heart seemed
to split into multiple pieces. Her fate was sealed. “There’s no way out of it.”

“There is. Saia Xochis—will you bond with me?”

“J-Justin. I can’t.”

“That’s not the answer I was looking for,” he said, sounding
dejected.

That’s not the answer she wanted to give. “I’m sorry. I
wouldn’t want for anything else, but I don’t see a way out of this.”

“Okay, I’ll try this again. Saia Xochis, will you spend the
rest of your life with me?”

“If I said yes, then what? You expect us to go back to the
party and say, ‘Guess what, King Xochis and Ranuit Pi, the contract you had has
been voided—by me, because I’ve bonded with another’? You’d be dead before I
finished the sentence.”

“Didn’t I tell you that I have a plan?”

“Yes, but—”

“Who are you talking too?”

She stared at her com-link, trying to figure out exactly how
he wanted her to answer. “I’m talking to Justin.”

“There’s more…”

She smiled. “I’m talking to Justin the space pirate.”

“Now, if I ask you to bond with me a third time it’ll seem
like I’m begging. I mean, I will if you want me to, but I really didn’t think
I’d have to beg my future wife for her hand in marriage. My grandmother and
mother are probably rolling in their graves. Wait. Do they even still have
graves? Hmmm…”

“Yes.”

“Yes what?”

She covered a giggle with her hand, unable to believe that
she really had said the word. “Yes, I will bond with you, Justin the space
pirate.”

“I knew you couldn’t resist me. Now for the hard part of the
plan.”

“Getting me to agree was the
easy
part?”

“I’m not saying you’re easy or anything. I was just
confident that you’d eventually want me to kiss you down there again.”

She felt heat rise up her cheeks. “Justin!”

He chuckled.

Saia slid off the bed, letting her bare feet hit the cold
floor. “Where did they put my shoes?” she asked as she crouched to look under
the bed.

“Find them quickly and then meet me in the transport bay.”

She froze in place. “But…how will I get there without anyone
stopping me? What will I tell the guard? I don’t see one in here, but surely
there’s one outside the door. And most importantly, how will I get the guard to
not
tell Olo that I’m trying to leave? Olo will kill me if he catches
me.”

“He’ll never get his hands on you again,” JB growled.

She dropped to her knees. Her hair fell around her face.
“What about my mother? Can she come too? I can’t leave her behind with him.
I’ll never forgive myself.”

“Who do you think is helping us escape?”

She pushed a lock of hair away from her face. “
Mother?
Really?”

“Yes, Ship is working on getting her away from King Xochis. She’s
going to meet us in the transport bay.”

“I’m glad you still have some space pirate left in you.”

“You and me both.” He blew out a breath.

“What’s the plan? How will we get away from Sonis? Taio’s
guards track every ship that comes and leaves. He’ll catch us.

“I have a plan around that,” he said. “We’re not going to
leave Sonis.”

“What? Why wouldn’t we leave? It would be crazy to stay
here.”

“Exactly.”

“I-I don’t understand.”

“We’re going to Rasha and Jess’ beach house. They aren’t
planning on going there anytime soon. Once the vessels and transporters are
dispatched to go look for you, we’ll leave too. We’ll be right under their
noses and they won’t even know it.”

“Will that work?” she asked.

“I’ve done it before. Grab your shoes and when you get here,
I’ll tell you all about it.”

She pulled her shoes from underneath the bed and stood to
slip them on her feet. “I’m ready.”

“That’s my girl. If you run into any guards, tell them
you’re meeting your mother and assistant in the kitchens to decide on the breakfast
menu for Ranuit Pi.”

I can do this.

She ran her sweaty palms down her dress. “Won’t the guards
call ahead to verify?”

“No, Ship promised to reroute all communication from any
guards you encounter.”

She clasped her hands, attempting to stop their shaking.
“Ship is helping so much. I don’t want him to get into trouble.”

“Don’t worry about Ship. He can take care of himself.”

“I don’t know how I’ll ever repay him.”

“You can think about that once we escape. Get going. If I
know Eva like I do, she’s due to check on you soon. That doesn’t leave us a lot
of time.”

“I’m leaving now,” she whispered.

“Keep your com-link on so I can hear your progress.”

“Okay.”

Saia walked to the door and held her breath as it slid open.
Deru stood on the other side. Startled, he moved out of the way as she walked
past.

“Princess, I was told the medicine you received would allow
you to sleep for a little while longer. Are you still ill? Shall I contact your
mother and Eva for you?”

Saia smiled, hoping it would cover up the trembling she felt
inside. “No need. I’ve already spoken to my mother. I’m on my way to the
kitchens to meet her.”

Deru nodded and let her pass. “Very well. I will accompany
you.”

She dipped her head. “Your presence would be greatly
appreciated,” she said, a little louder than necessary.

Please let Justin hear me.

As she passed people in the hallways, she nodded and thanked
passersby who offered well-wishes for a fast recovery. As she neared the
kitchens, her heart thumped erratically and her breathing pained her with each
labored breath. She struggled to appear calm even as a bead of sweat trailed
down her forehead to the side of her face.

Ship’s voice filled the hallway. “Deru, there’s a problem
with the console in the equipment storage room. The one located on the far end
of the training field.”

Deru’s body instantly became alert. “What’s wrong?”

“For some odd reason, it keeps sending out an error signal.
I have tried to fix it but I’m not sure exactly how you corrected it before.
I’m afraid if it isn’t taken care of in time, the anomaly will corrupt the
entire system.”

Deru slowed his steps. “You’re right. I need to fix it right
away. But it will have to wait. I’m escorting the princess to the kitchens to
meet her mother.”

Ship sighed. “I was hoping to finally learn how you were
able to bypass the system and fix the anomaly. I’ll have to learn some other
time. I will escort the princess.”

“But—”

Saia placed a hand on his arm. “Thank you for your company,
Deru, but I’m sure Ship will be an adequate replacement.”

Deru bowed slightly. “Very well, Princess.”

She dipped her head in return. After he left, she released
the breath she’d been holding. Her legs almost buckled underneath her.

“What will happen if Deru reaches the storage room and
there’s nothing to fix?”

“I assure you, Deru will find a very broken control panel.
Since he’s fixed it before and is knowledgeable in that area, the fact that
I’ve sent him to complete the task will not be questioned.”

Saia passed the kitchens and made her way toward the
transport bay. “Thank you, Ship. I don’t know how I’ll ever repay you.”

“Do not mention it.”

“Taio will be so upset when he finds out you’ve helped me
escape.”

“He will be upset at first. I imagine he will yell and throw
things, but it’s nothing I haven’t seen before.”

“But won’t you get into trouble? You’re helping me break a
contract. It’s against the law.”

“I am accountable for myself. Taio and I have had many
discussions about his customs and traditions, some I agree with and others I do
not. While Taio and I are friends, I am still not a subject in his or Olo’s
kingdoms. I stay with Taio because I enjoy his company and I’ve grown fond of
Eva and little Josanis.”

“What about the Galactic Council? Aren’t you afraid of what
they’ll do?”

Ship actually laughed. “What sanctions would they impose on
me?”

Saia tilted her head in thought. “I guess none.”

“Stop worrying about me. I’ll be fine. Let’s get you to
safety.”

They rounded the corner to the transport bay. There, she
expected more guards but was surprised to find none. “How did you get the
guards to leave?” She looked around. “As a matter of fact, how did you get
everyone
to leave?” Rows of transporters in all sizes sat docked, the bay devoid of
others. Another feat that only Ship could have accomplished.

“I could tell you, but then I’d have to kill you.”

“Exactly how much time do you spend with Eva?”

Ship sighed. “That’s the same question Taio has asked.”

The opening of a door pulled her attention away. Justin
hopped out of a small transporter and waved to her.

“Where’s my mother?” she asked. “Is she on her way?”

“I was able to get her away from Olo and her guard,” Ship
explained. “When I spoke with her last, she had returned to the apartment to
retrieve clothes for you and her.”

“Find her, Ship. Tell her we’re ready.”

“I’ll contact her. In the meantime, ready the transporter.”

He didn’t have to tell her twice. Her heart lurched forward
as she ran to Justin.

He caught her as she launched herself into his arms. “You
did good.”

She held tight to his neck. “I was so afraid. I thought Olo
would catch me at every turn.”

Justin thrust his hand in her hair. “You’re safe now.”

She pulled back. “Ship is finding what’s taking my mother so
long. He said to ready the transporter.”

He released her and helped her through the door. “Hurry,
strap in.”

Saia scrambled inside and took the copilot’s seat. “I’ve
never been in a transporter this small before,” she said. She grabbed her
safety harness and clicked it into place.

After settling into the pilot’s seat, Justin pushed a button
and turned some of the nobs on the control panel. The transporter hummed to
life. “Sorry I couldn’t get anything better for you. This was the best I could
do on such short notice.”

She smiled. It didn’t matter what kind of vessel she rode
in, just as long as she was by his side. “This is perfect.”

He reached over and checked her harness, making sure it fit
securely across her chest. “We’ll be moving fast.” Satisfied that her harness
was secured, he adjusted his own. “Ship, we’re ready. Where’s the queen?”

Saia closed her eyes.
We’re getting away from Olo.

“I’m afraid she has refused to leave,” he said. His voice
came loud and clear through the speaker.

Her eyes flew open.

“What?” JB asked in disbelief.

Saia’s heart lurched. All the air seemed to leave her lungs.
“That can’t be right. She can’t stay here! She knows what will happen if she
stays.” She fumbled with her harness. “I can’t leave her here. I can’t go—”

“Saia?” Fainia’s voice came through.

She froze. “Mother!” she cried. “Where are you? I don’t
understand.” Tears poured down her cheeks.

“Saia, listen to me. When you leave, Olo may send a vessel
or two to look for you. After a while, he will call those vessels home and post
notices for your return, offering a bounty with large sums of credit.
Eventually, he will stop looking. Oh, he’ll still be mad, but he
will
give up. But if
I
leave,” she said, her voice becoming hard and cold,
“Olo will hunt me down to the ends of the universe. He will never stop. His
hatred for me is so great, the only thing that would ease him is spilling my
blood.”