My pulse kicked into overdrive, and every instinct I had screamed at me to do something other than meekly follow some warrior to the Raas's private quarters like, like what? Like the war bride they'd called me? Like the payment the colonial leaders had agreed to?
Besides, there was nowhere to run. I was on a ship in space. Running or struggling would accomplish nothing but make me look weak and scared. Even if that's exactly what I was.
I dug deep, summoning some of the courage my friends had shown when they’d tried to rescue me, and I steadied my breath. I might not have a blaster, but I could be brave and show them I wasn’t intimidated. Even if I definitely was.
The Vandar officer nodded at his orders and moved toward me. I flinched and moved back before I could stop myself.
The Raas's tail flicked, the only sign that he'd noticed my reaction. Then he was already walking away, his voice carryingas he called over his shoulder. "I prefer to debrief our guest over dinner in my quarters."
And then he was gone, disappearing into the shadows of the massive ship, leaving me standing there with his officer.
Dinner in his quarters. The word "guest" echoed in my mind with bitter irony. Guests could leave. Guests had a choice about where they stayed and who they spent time with. I was a hostage dressed up in honorable language.
The officer gestured for me to follow him, which I did because I had no choice. But as we walked up winding steel steps and across swinging metal bridges, my chin stopped quivering, and my spine straightened. The fear was still there, and I wasn't foolish enough to pretend it wasn’t, but I cloaked it in anger and defiance and determination.
The Raas wanted dinner? Fine. I'd give the frostbitten prick dinner.
But I'd also give him exactly what I'd promised at the transport ramp. If he wanted a guest, he was going to be sorely disappointed. If he wanted a bride, he was going to learn that some things couldn't be taken, only given.
And I would never, ever give him anything willingly.
Chapter 10
Wrexxon
Istrode onto the command deck of my warbird, and every Vandar in the space snapped their heels together in sharp salute, the sound echoing through the chamber like a thunderclap.
The command deck was exactly as I'd left it, darkness punctuated by the blue glow of control panels and holographic displays, with the wide arched glass showing the planet of Lexxona and the infinite expanse of space beyond. Shirtless Vandar warriors in battle kilts stood at their stations, fingers dancing across touchscreens, calling out status updates and coordinates. The sounds washed over me—the beeping of sensors, the crackle of static from long-range communications, the low burr of voices speaking Vandar—along with dizzying relief that I was back.
Here I was the Qeth’rex. The Scourge. Here, I knew exactly who I was and what I was supposed to do. Here I didn’t have to think about diplomacy or protocol or the woman in my quarters who despised me.
Kolt moved to the navigation station, his voice low as he conferred with the Vandar plotting our departure. I caught fragments of their conversation about leaving a pair of horde ships to orbit Lexxona and provide defense. Then coordinates were entered, and we began to move away from the frozen planet.
My battle chief returned to my side, pitching his voice low enough that only I could hear. "Is it wise to put a combatant in your quarters?"
I cocked my head, studying his face. "I don't consider the female a combatant.”
Kolt's mouth twitched but he kept his gaze forward. "Then you didn't see the way she looked at you, Raas."
I grunted. I'd seen it. I would also be seeing it in my dreams for quite some time.
"She's angry," I said. "She has a right to be angry. But that doesn't make her dangerous."
"Anger makes everyone dangerous." Kolt crossed his arms, his face set in stubborn lines. "Let me send a guard with you. Just in case."
I bristled at the implication. "I am a Raas of the Vandar. I don't need protection from a human female."
“We have all heard the stories of Raas Kaalek and his bride. If I’m not mistaken, she tried to rip an axe from his headboard in order to murder him.”
“And they have been mated for over a decade now, with many offspring.”
Kolt’s brows shot up. “Is that what you wish, Raas? You wish to impregnate?—?”
“No!” I barked and most of the raiders glanced at us in surprise. I dropped my voice. “I have no intention of forcing myself on the female.”
“She is your war bride. No one would blame you…” His words died off as he noticed my stormy face.
I would never force any female. Even if the one in question looked at me as if she’d rather murder me than fuck me. I didn't want her unwillingly.
