His words are final, leaving no room for further discussion. What if Marta had been given the option to leave Sontafrul 6? She surely would have gone off world, to try to find a way back to Earth—she would have left me.
I close my eyes for a moment, a vision of Marta floats behind my lids. Her faces of anger, stubbornness, sadness, and pleasure infiltrating my every thought.
Am I as ungrateful to the goddess for my human mate as I keep telling myself? It’s only day two of even having her awake in my world…but I can’t imagine her leaving. Not even after she destroyed the ceremonial robes.
Even if I am grateful, it doesn’t mean she makes me any less frustrated.
“Last I heard, you wanted to ship the entirety of the crashed Deenz ship’s cyropods off world. You said humans are nothing but a tax burden.” He imitates my voice in a less than flattering light. “What’s changed?”
Just the human I’ve kidnapped and am keeping hostage in my bedroom—Marta has changed everything.
I can’t tell them that. They would force me to let her go if that’s what she wanted.
I’m not ready to do that.
“Send them to the planet that did this to me?” I point to my face, and Gra’eth visibly winces. “If I had any power to forbid it, I would. Humans might be a stress on our system, but none are deserving of this level of mutilation.”
The Andjin emperor slams a fist on the table. “We would never harm potential mates! War is war, but those women would be a treasured part of Andjin society, and you know it!” He stares me down. The two longer tentacles on his head, what they call the fore tentacles, twitch violently.
I stand, unafraid of the consequences of decking the emperor of a planet across the jaw.
Somehow, his request for human women feels like a direct threat. As though he’ll come and steal Marta from me in the middle of the night.
As the emperor stands, I roll my suit sleeve up, not wanting to bloody the bespoke cuff embroidery.
“Enough!” Ke’ain waves both the emperor and me off. “As king of this planet, my word should be final. Raf’ere, sit down and behave, or I’ll have you removed. I’ve said I will let the human women know your planet is an option. The rest is up to them. We will contact you should we have anyone take us up on your generous offer. Can we agree to that?”
“I agree to the terms, if you allow me to have a pair of Andjin dignitaries at the palace to speak to the women. I don’t trust the fi’len to paint Korlyan Moon’s citizens in a kind light.”
“Deal. We’ll set up a space for your dignitaries. I’ll have Gra’eth draw up the necessary plans.”
Ke’ain extends a hand, which the emperor takes. On their shake, the deal is sealed.
There are no customary exchanges of goodbyes when the Andjin leave, neither party wanting to prolong the meeting.
The meeting breaks, and as soon as the Andjin pair are out of sight, Gra’eth leans in closely to King Ke’ain’s ear.
“You do know Opal is going to kill you now, don’t you?” he whispers.
“She’ll understand eventually. The human women didn’t have control of their fates when they were abducted. It’s just as unjust to force them to stay with us if they want to go to the Korlyan Moon. They all have to make that choice as individuals,” Ke’ain reassures his friend.
“A little force is needed at times, cousin,” I say.
He turns to me, putting a hand on my shoulder.
“Raf’ere, one day when you have a mate, you’ll understand that subtlety is just as important. I, for one, can’t wait until that day.” My face must drop, because Ke’ain tilts his head to the side. “She will be worth the wait.”
I shrug his hand off my shoulder.
If he only f’teeing knew.
CHAPTER17
?A FRIEND OF MY ENEMY?
?MARTA
The alien womanjust stares at me, mouth agape, as I tell her everything I can about my situation.
