“How the fuck did you survive?”
He cocked his head at me. “Did you truly think one measly shuttle explosion was enough to kill me? Please. It didn’t even kill any of the docking hands, much less me.”
A tight coil inside me loosened at those words and I stared at him suspiciously. Did he know I felt guilty that I might have killed someone trying to escape?
He gazed back at me, the picture of innocence and I knew I was right. I wouldn’t give him the satisfaction of thanking him out loud but I was grateful nonetheless. I’d do it again even if someone had died, but I’d still feel guilty about it. I didn’t want to have to hurt any innocent bystanders in my escape, but if that’s what it took to get back to my friends, then so be it.
He spun me around suddenly, tucking me tightly into his side and pulled me along with him out of the shuttle. “I must thank you, though. If you hadn’t decided on that particular shuttle, I wouldn’t have had the excuse to dispatch its owner.”
I quit my attempts at elbowing him in the side to stare up at him. “Oh, please. Like you need an excuse to murder someone.” My tone was exasperated even to my own ears.
He hummed. “That is true, but it helps to have one. If I went around murdering everyone who I found unpleasant the people would revolt against me. As it stands, as long as I have a good excuse, they shrug and look the other way. So, thank you.”
He pulled us through the docking station and back onto the lift, where I dove for the knife tucked into his pants. He blocked me and secured me against him, my back to his front with one of his big hands holding my hands secured in front of me while his other arm banded across my stomach.
My kicks to his shins went ignored.
The lift stopped and Rathal pushed me away from him. I rounded on him just for him to duck and before I could blink his shoulder was in my stomach and my world spun as I found myself once again thrown over his shoulder and walked through the crowded station. This time the masses didn’t ignore us. People shouted praise and patted my back as we passed them.
Rathal chuckled as he pushed through yet another clapping gaggle of onlookers.
“I told you that blowing up the shuttle had earned you a few fans.”
I braced myself with my elbows digging into his back and glared at everyone. “Why? That makes no fucking sense.”
He laughed again, patting my butt with one of his big hands. He ignored my hiss.
“This is a refuge for the outlaw, the pirate, the consummate professional criminal. That you went to the extreme to be free is both expected and venerated. Congratulations, my prize, you’ve earned your place here.”
I rolled my eyes and flopped back down. He’d moved the knife he usually kept tucked into the back of his pants so my groping for it only made him moan mockingly. Asshole.
I ignored his incessant chattering all the way to the palace. The twins met us at the door, their glaring eyes burning a hole in my back as Rathal moved through the halls to my room. It was a relief when the door closed us in away from their ire.
“Whew, they are mad at you. Did you feel the tension? I would certainly hate to be you right now,” Rathal teased after throwing me onto the bed.
I fought my way free of the mattress until my feet were on solid ground and then rounded on him with my arms crossed in front of me. “They can both eat me.”
He chuckled, waving that infernal finger at me again. “Be careful what you say, pet. They just might take you up on that.”
I bared one of my fangs at him and shifted to head into my bathroom and closed the door in his smug face. I braced my back against the door and closed my eyes to the sound of his laughter as he moved away from the door.
“I will let you sleep now, darling. You’ve had a long day, and it's only halfway through the Lighting! Which I suppose is allwell and good, since it will allow you to switch over to my sleep schedule. The twins will be here at first Darking to wake you for breakfast. Ta, Ta.”
I hated that bastard so much.
I waited until I knew he was gone before willing away my armor and stripping my sweat soaked clothes off my body. A shower would help wash away the stink of defeat from my skin. Next time, I’d be sure to get the codes to the bulkhead doors to freedom first. The best ideas usually came in the shower, so I stepped under the warm spray and began plotting my next escape.
I woke up not remembering when I’d gone to sleep. I’d showered and flopped facedown on the bed dressed in another set of the soft but simple shirt and pants set Rathal had so graciously gifted me. I couldn’t even think of it without sneering at the air. I groaned and sat up, pulling off my hair wrap and tossing it back down on the bed behind me as I made my way to the bathroom.
I had just finished taking care of my hair when a low growl came from the doorway. I glanced sideways and met the eyes of one of the twins, her great hulking head held low in threat.
“Growl all you want. I won’t apologize.”
She showed me her teeth before turning and stalking out of my room with me on her heels. The other twin was waiting in the hallway, her canid face set in harsh disapproving lines. I rolled my eyes at her and gestured for her to get on with it. She huffed, pivoting and starting down the hall towards the throne room. Every servant and staff we passed grinned at me, some winking, and others out right laughing and clapping me on my shoulder as I passed.
I tossed the plan I’d formulated in the shower out the window and started plotting a new one. The twins were walking ahead of me, trying their hardest to pretend like I wasn’t there and I stopped the next servant that passed me and whispered into her ear. Or her ear hole, as it were. The yellow lizard lady regarded me with glittering eyes and smiled broadly before scurrying away like her ass was on fire. I stared innocently at the twins when they realized I’d stopped and came back to eyeball me with suspicion.
It took several long moments of extended eye contact before they narrowed their eyes and moved on. I blew out a breath and followed.
