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The Banti recoiled, and the stench of fried scales filled the room.

Loka fell onto his face, his head feeling oddly light. He could do nothing but watch as Heather rolled out of sight.

He let out a sigh. She was escaping; that was good.

Then she was back, using a chair to shield herself. She fired high and wild, not aiming as she pounded the room with laser blasts.

“Leave,” Loka whispered. He wasn’t even sure if that was the word he’d gurgled. He wished her out of danger. She couldn’t stay here.

A stab of pain lanced through Loka’s calf. He was sure it was a stab or a shot from the Banti, but the drugs they’d pumped him with left everything tingly and floppy. The pain was a weird, floaty sensation that didn’t feel real.

With an angry scream, Heather slammed the chair across the room, missing Loka by an inch and smashing into the Banti. She grasped the laser in both hands and fired.

Loka watched as the battling Bantis’ expressions turned to shock as their skin fried and they slumped to the floor.

Heather’s laugh was both startled and delighted. “Holy stars! I did it.” She raced to the control panel. “Doors! Doors! We don’t need anyone else joining this party. I have to close the ramp.”

Loka flopped onto his back. He stared at his tiny warrior princess. She was not only brilliant but brave. She wanted him. He was her boyfriend. It wasn’t a term he was familiar with, but it sounded great.

“Got them!” Heather turned. Her face paled as she focused on Loka. She grabbed him under the arms and pulled him into a seated position. “How are you doing?”

“Good. Pain. Some...sensations.” His head still felt too light. It must be the drugs.

She tilted her head, her gaze on his horns. “I’m not sure I got all of that. Can you hold out? We need to block the Banti signal and stop the code from doing any more damage.”

“Fine.” He slumped against the wall, wishing he could do more to help Heather, other than drool on himself and try not to vomit.

She quickly untied his hands and kissed his cheek. “I’ll be right back. Don’t go anywhere.”

If he could laugh, he would. Instead, Loka watched helplessly as the sedative continued to seep through his system. Heather stood at the control panel, her fingers running over it.

“This code is incredible.”

“Vincoles,” Loka growled.

“We’ll deal with them,” Heather said. “They should know better than to side with the Banti. I’ll make sure they’re banned from using My Single Alien’s services for life. That will teach them a lesson. They will never run our agency or expand their sick auctions.”

Loka struggled to remain conscious as Heather continued to work.

He felt her hand briefly touch his arm. “You rest. I’ve got this.”

“My princess,” he muttered, before lapsing into unconsciousness.

***

THE SMELL THAT FILLED his nose when Loka regained consciousness was not one he expected on a battlefield.

Not that he’d been in many battles. Well, any battles, unless you counted the time he had a near miss with a particularly violent virus he’d worked on during his visit to Dekab. It turned those infected into violent, mindless thugs. He’d knocked a few out and then waited in a safe room until the danger had passed.

This battlefield smelt of cinnamon and sugar. He inhaled deeply, his eyes still closed. He’d come to know and love that smell. He associated it with Heather.

Loka felt something warm and soft pressed against his back. He luxuriated in that feeling for a moment. This was no battlefield. This was paradise. If he had died in that Banti ship and this was his next life, he was content.

Easing onto his side, he slowed as he realized his head was wrapped in bandages.

As Loka reached his hand up to inspect his injuries, he felt Heather shift away from him, her warmth leaving a cold ache in his spine.

She grabbed hold of his hand and pulled it against her chest. “I didn’t mean to fall asleep. I wanted to be awake to keep an eye on you.”