Alien Mine (Zerconian Warriors Book 7) (7 page)

Rather than annoy her as it probably should have, his overprotectiveness was starting to make her feel safe. She wasn’t used to someone looking out for her. Ricardo had, but he had an ulterior motive. Once Thor discovered they weren’t mates, she knew he would direct his attention elsewhere.

“Do you think I want to go? That I want to place myself in danger? I haven’t felt safe in years. I’m naturally a wimp and I’m fine with that. I’m the person who hides under the blankets in the hopes that the monsters won’t find me. I wish I could be more like Willa. Kick-ass, take-no-prisoners, but I’m not. I’m a scaredy-cat.”

“What monsters?” Thor asked.

“All of them,” she replied sadly. “I’ve certainly known a few in my life.”

“I will allow none of them to hurt you. I will be your blanket.”

“That’s the nicest thing anyone has ever said to me.” She took a deep breath, trying to find some courage. God, it would be so tempting to wrap herself up in him. This wouldn’t last. But for the moment, she’d wrap his protectiveness around her like a blanket and revel in feeling warm and safe for once.

“But I still have to go. I have to, Thor. What if they move them? We don’t have an in-depth map of the planet for me to pinpoint where they are. Trying to get closer to get a better map will take time and risk alerting the Nerifs to our presence. I’m not used to working this way. It’s easier for me to trace someone the closer I am to them physcially. I can be more certain of my accuracy. I need to go.”

A muscle ticked in his cheek and he stared at her, his gaze arctic cold.

“Lucy is right. It will be much easier if she comes with us.”

“Do you plan to take Willa?” Thor growled.

“No. It is up to you.” Darac nodded.

“Actually, it’s up to me. I’m going.” She turned to Thor. “I won’t go near where they’re being held. I’ll wait back while Darac and his warriors go in. Believe me, I have no desire to be anywhere near any violence or fighting.”

“Fine. You can go.”

Ahh, like there was ever any doubt.

“But I’m going as well.”

“Wouldn’t have it any other way.”

She shivered as the damp air seeped through her clothes. Now she was grateful Thor insisted that she wear the large jacket he’d produced. It was monstrous on her and she hadn’t wanted to wear it in case she needed to move quickly. But now she realized she’d been cold and miserable in minutes.

No wonder the natives here resembled lizards. No way could you survive without a thick skin to protect them from the damp.

Darac landed the shuttle in darkness. Nerif was a low-tech planet, but the risk was too high of someone seeing them if they attempted to land during daylight.

“Are you well?” Thor asked.

“Never better,” she told him cheerfully. She was cold, scared and her head still pounded. But no way was she going to complain. She had no doubt Thor would use that as an excuse to send her back to the ship.

There was any going back now.

“Let’s go.”

Before they’d set out from the shuttle, Darac had handed her some night vision contacts. Uncomfortable as it had been to stick something in her eye, they allowed her to see perfectly in the dark. An hour later, after trudging their way through mud and trees and up and down hills, they reached the city. She was exhausted, woozy, filthy and cold. Which was weird since she’d been moving non-stop. This place just got into your skin and settled there.

They were crouched on the top of a hill. In the valley below lay a city. It wasn’t large. The buildings were only three levels high at the most.

They had encountered two patrolling guards, but had managed to avoid discovery. The last thing they wanted to do was alert the Nerifs that they were here. “We need to climb up,” Thor stated, pointing to the trees above them.

Ahh, say what now? No way was she climbing a tree.

“I don’t think so.”

“Thor is right. The Nerifs cannot climb. We can remain undetected up there. They have very little sense of smell.” Darac looked around him. “After you trace Koran. You, Thor and Lucan will climb this tree and remain here until we return.”

That left Darac with just five warriors and Rye to rescue Mila, Koran, the former Empress along with seven other warriors. Hopefully.

“I can remain alone if you all want to go.” What the hell? That did not just come out of her mouth. No way. There was only so much self-sacrificing she could do.

Darac shook his head. “No, Thor and Lucan stay. And before you argue, I am in charge.”

She shut her mouth and nodded. Sir, yes, Sir.

She turned to Thor to ask for Koran’s weapon when lights blinded her. Darac pushed her down, covering her as they all took cover. She peeked out when the lights passed. Darac moved away, giving her a chance to breathe properly again.

Willa hadn’t been impressed about being left behind. Lucy had heard part of the argument. Hard not too, Willa hadn’t been exactly quiet. But Darac had been equally as adamant that she remain on the spaceship. Surprisingly, Darac won.

“A ship just landed,” Jaxan said. He held high-powered binoculars up to his eyes. “Don’t recognise who is disembarking. About twenty of them.”

“Could work in our favor. If they have visitors, they’ll be distracted.”

More lights shone over them and once more Darac squished her down. She took shallow breaths. She really was going to have a chat with Willa about what he was eating. Felt like a small elephant was lying on top of her.

She groaned as he rolled off.

“Are you well?” Thor asked.

She refrained from telling him he sounded like a broken record. She wasn’t entirely certain that she was well. She would tell him when she regained feeling in her legs.

“You ever consider a diet?” she asked Darac, surprised by her daring. Darac could squash her like a bug.

He snorted. “Willa has mentioned that a time or two.”

“Another spaceship,” Jaxan said. “Coizils.”

Thor stiffened beside her. “That isn’t good.”

“We are going to have to be extra careful. Thor, can you give Lucy Koran’s weapon. We need to find our people now because I have a very bad feeling about this.”

***

Thor’s normal patience was rapidly dwindling. He would have felt less on edge could he touch his mate. She sat across from him, her back to the trunk of the tree and her feet braced against a fat branch. She’d been nervous about climbing the tree and it had torn at him not to help her. This holding back wasn’t working. She trusted him more than she thought she did. She always looked to him for reassurance. For certainty when she was frightened or scared.

He hadn’t been happy when she had insisted on coming with the rescue mission. But he had also been proud of her. Because he knew how scared she was, yet she was willing to risk herself to save his friends. Being scared wasn’t something to be ashamed of.

“You’re being very brave,” he told her. Lucan was currently patrolling. Thor kept his voice low although he was certain he would hear if anyone grew close.

“No, I’m not. I’m a wuss. Always have been. Always will be.”

“I do not like you speaking of yourself that way,” he scolded.

“I’m scared. How can I be brave when I’m shaking in my boots?”

“You are probably just cold.” That tore at him too. He had seen her shiver. But there was little that would warm her up, other than a fire and warm clothes.

Or his naked body wrapped around hers.

His rod throbbed uncomfortably. He was always aroused in her presence. But lately it felt he was constantly on edge. In need.

In need of her.

“Bravery isn’t about not being scared,” he told her. “It is being scared but still doing what you think is right.”

She snorted and shook her head. “I’m not doing much. I’m sitting in a tree, trying not to think about the fact that I need to pee because I really do not want to have to climb down then back up this tree, waiting for the really brave people to return.”

“Are you saying I am not brave?”

“What? No, of course not. You save people. You’d probably be out there right now if it wasn’t for me, right?”

“I still believe you to be very brave. No one would have thought worse for you had you wanted to stay on the spaceship, yet you choose to risk your safety to save people you barely know.”

She fell silent and he just watched her, drinking her in.

“Why do you think all these spaceships are here?” she asked, breaking the silence.

“I do not know.” It worried him, though. As well as the two spaceships that arrived previously, another one had landed since Darac and his warriors had left them.

A sharp whistle broke the silence and Thor stiffened. “They return.”

***

“They’re having a party?” she whispered.

Seriously? A party? While they were holding Mila, Koran and the others? Beating on Koran and doing god knew what else to the others.

“It appears to be the King’s birthday. I am surprised he has invited others to celebrate. But I guess even the Nerif King has friends,” Darac said derisively. “We found the building where you said Koran is being held.”

Not having a map made things more difficult but not impossible. Now that she was closer, she’d been able to give them step-by-step instructions on how to locate the building where Koran was held.

“It’s the King’s residence. And it’s heavily guarded. There are only two entrance points. The windows are too high off the ground to be viable. The party is a good distraction, but only if we can get inside and find Koran and the others.”

“Too bad you can’t disguise yourselves as guests,” she said jokingly. Wasn’t the time for jokes, she knew. But she couldn’t help but try to lighten the tense mood. She really didn’t want to think about what might happened if they failed.

Darac turned to her. The night-vision contacts she wore allowed her to see him clearly.

He appeared thoughtful.

“We can’t. They’d spot us straight away. But you could.”

“Me?” she squeaked. “But I’m not dressed for a party.”

Great comeback, Lucy. What she was going to wear was kind of the least of her worries.

“I have an idea of how to take care of that,” Darac said, turning to Rye. “What do you think?”

Rye grew thoughtful. “I think we have a party to attend.”

“Over my dead body!” Thor roared.

“I can’t believe I agreed to this,” she muttered to Rye as they hid behind some bushes at the outskirts of the city. Darac and two other warriors had accompanied them this far. But they’d left them here to scout around and see what they could find for disguises for her and Rye.

Disguises. Because she was about to head into the heart of enemy territory.

Stop it! This isn’t war. You’re not a soldier. You’re going to be fine.

Rye took her hand in his and squeezed it gently. “Just remember you have to act confident. Any sign of nervousness will give you away.”

“I wish I wasn’t so scared. Like you.”

“You don’t think I’m scared? I feel like I’ve just gone for a midwinter swim and my balls have shrivelled to the size of peanuts.”

“You’re really scared?”

“Nervous,” he admitted. “I’d be an idiot if I wasn’t.”

Oh. Somehow she hadn’t thought anything scared Rye. She wasn’t sure that made her feel better, though. She was relying on him to get her through this.

“Maybe you should just tell people I’m mute. Yeah, deaf and mute. That would work. Then everyone will be too busy pitying me or trying to get away from me to notice that I’m terrified out of my bloody mind.”

She and Rye had agreed try to sneak into the palace as one of the guests. All of those attending the King’s birthday would have entourages, they simply had to make everyone think they belonged with another group. Darac had confirmed that a number of the guests looked humanoid, enough so they could blend in.

Why had she agreed to this? She really must be losing her mind because this wasn’t her. It really wasn’t. Right now she would kill to be back in her small bedroom on Zerconia, bored out of her mind. Because boredom wouldn’t kill you, right?

“I’m going to die.” She was certain of it.

“You’re not going to die,” Rye reassured her. “If anyone is at risk of dying, it’s Darac. Cause Thor is going to be mighty pissed off when he wakes up. Didn’t think Darac had that in him. I’m impressed with the big guy.”

She still couldn’t believe that Darac had knocked Thor out. He’d been arguing ferociously about her inclusion in this little plan. He’d grown louder and louder until she thought he was going to explode. His face had grown red and a vein had popped out on his forehead. She had really been worried about his blood pressure.

Until Darac knocked him over the head and he’d crumpled, unconscious, to the ground. Of course, then her blood pressure had risen as she’d threatened to remove Darac’s balls from his body. Honestly, she’d never thought she had it in her. She was a little embarrassed by how she’d lost it at Darac.

“You’re impressed that Darac knocked Thor out?” Seemed a strange thing to be impressed about. “I thought Darac was Thor’s friend.”

“He is. That’s why he knocked him out.”

Huh? And men thought women were difficult to understand. “Then I’m glad I’m not Darac’s friend.”

“He would never hurt a woman,” Rye told her.

“Good. So reassuring. But anyone else is fair game? I mean, if that is how he treats his friends I’d hate to be his enemy.”

“So would I. Darac knocked Thor out because he was risking everyone’s safety. There was no calming him down. The noise he was making could have alerted the Nerifs to our presence. Which is interesting considering that I have always considered Thor to be extremely calm and level-headed.”

He was right. It was totally out of character. When she thought it over, Thor had been acting kind of volatile these last few days. She thought he’d just been worried about his friends.

“You think it’s because of me?”

Rye shrugged. “I saw Darac at his worst from the madness. Thor is nowhere that bad, but perhaps this is the beginning. Or maybe it’s because he’s close to you but can’t touch you.”

Wow. Way to pile on the guilt. “I’m not his mate.”

Liar. Liar.

“If you’re so certain then why not touch him? Why not make certain?”

Because if she was right and she wasn’t his mate it would end. But what if Thor was right? What if she was his mate? What if it really didn’t matter that she was barren?

She wasn’t certain which she feared more.

“I don’t know if I can trust him.” If she could trust herself. Her feelings for him. “I made a mistake when I trusted Ricardo and he sold me into a life of hell. If not for you I’d probably be dead or worse.” She could still be slave to Husan.

“Do you trust me?” he asked.

“Yes,” she said. “But that’s different. You risked your life for me. You rescued me from Husan. You took me home with you, gave me a place to live, kept me safe.”

“And you don’t believe Thor would have done that had he been in my place? I don’t like many people, but I like Thor. You and I have learned the hard way not to trust, but from what I’ve seen these Zerconians are honorable. They didn’t have to help us.”

“They’re hoping to find mates.”

“Yep, but not everyone can be a mate. Once you take out the children, the married couples and the elderly, you’re not left with many possibilities for mates. Yet they took us all in and they were upfront with us.”

He paused, turning to her. “I know what it’s like to look at everyone suspiciously. To not trust. For years, I trusted very few people. I still do. But sometimes a person is just what they appear. Honest, loyal and trustworthy.”

“I know.”

“I worry about you, Lucy. I don’t want you ending up like me. Cynical and alone. If Thor is your mate, you are the key to his survival.”

“Jeez, how much are they paying you to matchmake?”

He snorted. “I know what it’s like to lose someone you love. I also know what it’s like to cause their death. Sorry, none of my business.”

“I’m fine, really. I can look after myself.”

Uh-huh, sure you can.

He gave her an uncomfortable look. “I’m here. If you need me. If you want to back out then no one will blame you, Lucy. I kind of agree with Thor. This is dangerous. You’re not used to being in dangerous situations.”

“Not used to it? Did you forget the situation you rescued me from?”

“I will never forget,” he said grimly. “When I saw you in that dirty bar, half-naked and bruised, a look of defeat on your face as he forced you to sit on the dirty ground at his feet, I knew I had to rescue you from him.”

“Thank God you did. Because I don’t know how much longer I could have survived.”

“You would have survived. You are stronger than you believe. I see that. I think Thor does too. He sees beneath the fear, beneath the walls you put up. That’s rare, honey.”

“I know.” She straightened her shoulders. “If I get out of this then maybe I’ll let him kiss me. Then at least we’ll know one way or another.”

If she was his mate it would be a miracle. If she wasn’t, well, best she find out now.

He stilled then peered out of the bushes at a sharp whistle. “Here they come. Ready for this?”

Ready? No. She wanted to run screaming in the other direction. But she nodded. “Let’s do this.”

***

Haughty, snobby bitch.

That was the persona she was going for anyway. The clothes Darac has appropriated for her were interesting to say the least. A long dress that was a touch too loose, it was cut low at the front and the back, necessitating her to leave her bra behind. She wasn’t sure who was more embarrassed when she’d handed over her bra, her or Darac. She’d never see a Zerconian warrior blush before.

Kind of worth her own embarrassment.

Thankfully, one of them had the presence of mind to grab some shoes and they were high enough that the dress only just brushed the ground. A deep teal, it slithered as she moved, shimmering. It was the most stunning thing she’d ever worn. It flowed loosely around her feet and had a high slit up her thigh. It covered her and yet at the same time she felt very naked. Daring.

She’d never worn anything that might draw attention to her. Rather, she’d always tried to keep from being noticed. She had become an expert at hiding in plain sight.

“What if we come in contact with the owner of this dress?” She asked Rye as they skirted the edge of a building. “This has got to be a one-of-a-kind dress.” She hated to think how much it cost

“Act outraged,” he suggested. “Tell her this is your dress but it was sold to you as unique. Blame it on the dressmaker.”

Might work. The poor dressmaker was sure to get an earful, though.

Nerves jangled as the approached the palace before them. So far, except for a few curious looks they’d been largely ignored.

“Just stick by me. Follow my lead. Do not go anywhere alone,” Rye reiterated in a low murmur. “We’re just here to do some recon. Find some way of getting Darac and his warriors in here to rescue Koran and the others.”

She nodded. “And I will try and tell you how many people are in the palace and where.” That was her role. She could have done it from the safety of the forest, but the closer she was the more accurate she was.

Also, it was more feasible for Rye to have a partner with him. It would help him blend. Although she wasn’t certain how she was supposed to blend in this dress. Maybe there would be some huge pot plant she could hide behind.

They walked up the stairs to the doors of the palace where two lizard men stood, dressed in a dark brown sort of armor, large staffs held in their hands. Somehow she got the feeling they were more than just staffs.

“Shockswords,” Rye muttered. “They can be set to stun or kill. One touch from the tip and your insides are fried.

“Thanks for the info,” she replied dryly.

They stood behind a small group who looked mostly human. Time to blend in. Another ship had arrived just as they’d been dressing in their new clothes. Maybe these guys were from that ship.

“What if they ask us for an invitation?” Oh God, she was so not ready for this. She wasn’t made for this sort of subterfuge. She was going to fuck-up and then she’d get thrown into that room with Mila and who would rescue them then?

Rye patted her hand which he held in the crook of his arm.

They stepped forward and one of the lizard men stepped in front of them.

“Good evening,” she said in a low, sexy voice. Okay, where had that come from? “Your King is expecting us.”

The lizard man ran his gaze up and down her. Did he understand her? She’d spoken in Standard, the language many planets involved in interplanetary trade used. What if the Nerifs didn’t speak Standard? But how did they communicate with their guests?

“Name?” he said in a low, guttural voice. It sounded inhuman. Like his voice box had been constricted and he had to force the words out on a groan.

She raised her eyebrows. “Do you really want to know?” She leaned in. “Or do you want to find out later?” She walked her fingers up his chest, hiding her shudder of revulsion. “Maybe I’ll make you guess.”

His tiny, beady eyes flicked over to Rye.

“Oh, don’t worry about him,” she murmured. “He likes to watch.”

The male grinned. At least she thought it was a grin as he reached out with his free hand and ran his claw over her breasts, which were nearly completely bare in this dress.

Don’t shove him away. Act interested.

Damn, it was so hard.

Then he stepped back with a nod and a strange look. She couldn’t decide if he was trying to look sexy or he was thinking about eating her. Either way, she made a note to stay out of his way. Too bad there was no way of telling him from any of the other lizard men. They passed several of them as they made their way through the palace, following other guests to the huge ballroom.

The lizard people they’d seen outside the palace looked dirty and rough. Their houses were rustic and small. It was obvious on entering the palace where the planet’s wealth went. The floors of the King’s residence were a polished white marble. High, arched ceilings were painted in breath-taking murals featuring lizard people in all sorts of poses.

“Is that? Oh my God.”

“Try not to look,” Rye advised. “You can’t look shocked.”

It was really hard not to. Those poses were clearly sexual. Some were kneeling giving a blow job, others were engaged in some really big orgies. She turned her gaze to the walls and wished she hadn’t. Statues with similar erotic poses lined the walls.

“Is he a sex maniac?”

“Who knows?” Rye asked. “We just need to make certain we avoid him.”

Gladly.

“By the way where did that come from before?”

“What?” she asked, pretending ignorance.

Rye raised his eyebrows as he grabbed them each a drink from a waiter. He handed hers to her, even though she had no intention of drinking it she knew his intention was that they blend in. He steered her to the side of the room.

“Distracting the guard with that sexy routine. I thought you were going to follow my lead?”

Was he annoyed at her? Did he think that was who she really was?

“Did I do the wrong thing?”

He turned to glance down at her briefly. “No way, babe. You were fantastic. I’d take you as back-up on a mission anytime.”