“You’re hurting me,” she cried as the pressure of his fingers forced her to turn around. His use of force confirmed her suspicion that he wasn’t an actor hired by her boss to play the part of a client. She wasn’t even sure he was a man. Maybe he was an alien life form who’d taken on the shape of a human so as not to frighten her.
“Either you do as you’re told, or I’ll have to restrain you,” Teir said in a dangerously quiet voice. “The ship’s on autopilot right now, but there’s some tricky navigation ahead. I have to pay attention to the helm.”
“Let me go.” Sarina struggled to free herself, but it was like fighting against solid rock. Teir maintained his tight grip on her arm, and even as she kicked and squirmed, he drew her against his body.
“You’ll obey me, woman.” As he stared into her defiant eyes, something within him softened. With a sound of disgust, he thrust her away.
As soon as he released her, Sarina raced to the door at the rear of the cockpit. She wouldn’t be trapped here. The walls felt as if they were closing in on her. She searched for a means of activating the exit, hoping it would reveal the elevator or a familiar corridor on the other side.
“Storms of the sun, woman, get away from that wall. You can’t go anywhere.”
Realizing he spoke the truth, Sarina turned to face him. This man—or whatever he was—had lured her here and used her ignorance of the situation to his advantage. Now she was his prisoner. Her head reeled as she remembered what he’d said. She was needed. She had to marry someone. It didn’t make any sense, but then, none of this did.
Glancing his way, she noted how his contoured muscles stretched the fabric of his silvery jumpsuit. From the demonstration he’d already given her, he could easily enforce his demands. She’d better do as he said until she learned what he had in mind.
Chapter Three
Teir noted the play of emotions on the woman’s face. Her fear mixed with doubt and confusion. She might find this situation easier to accept if he gave her a fuller explanation.
“Sit down while I check our heading. Afterward, I’ll answer any questions you might have.”
Sarina pursed her lips but she obeyed, taking her seat while Teir dropped into the pilot’s chair to verify their coordinates.
“Where are we going?” she asked in a matter-of-fact voice.
He regarded her with relief. At last, she was acting rational. His jumpsuit itched, and he scratched at a spot on his neck. He hated wearing it, but it was the standard uniform for sensitive missions. The sensory-laden material made him invisible to surveillance devices, enabling him to enter Sarina’s building undetected.
He’d been amazed at how willingly she had come with him. He had been prepared to knock her unconscious if necessary, but she’d cooperated readily. She hadn’t been anything like he’d expected. Gazing into her eyes had the oddest effect on him. Their silvery flecks reminded him of the mists of Quava Plain on his home world of Vilaran. He hadn’t been home in ages and felt a sudden urge to return.
“We’re on our way to the High Council,” Teir said, pushing aside his musings about the softness of her lips. “According to the legend, your healing power will be activated when you fall in love with a member of the ruling family. Hence your marriage to Lord Cam’brii.”
“The ruling family of what?” Sarina asked. No doubt she hoped to gain knowledge to prepare herself for the inevitable.
“Earth is not yet a member of the Coalition of Sentient Planets, an alliance of star systems in this quadrant of the galaxy. The House of Raimorrda has ruled the High Council for eons past. Lord Cam’brii is their most valiant noble. He was chosen to fulfill the prophecy.”
Teir spoke with derision, not buying into the legend. It gave the politicians something to feed the dissatisfied masses.
She tilted her head. “Where do you fit in?”
“I’m an officer in the Coalition Defense League. I was assigned the unenviable job of transporting you to the High Council.”
“You don’t seem too happy about it.”
“That’s because this assignment is a waste of my ability.”
“What is your normal role, Captain?”
He gave her a wicked grin. “I hire out my services.”
“Is that so? What kind of services do you mean?” she asked, not responding to the sexual innuendo in his tone.
Teir focused his attention ahead. They’d entered a new star system and approached a large copper-colored planet. He punched a code into the computer and took over the steering column, guiding the ship around the planet’s edge.
“I’m a troubleshooter,” he replied after he’d completed the maneuver. “When the Defense League doesn’t need me, other people pay me to solve their problems.”
“What if I paid you more to take me home? I’ll double your usual fee, whatever it is.”
Teir shot her a disdainful glance. “No way, princess,” he said, using the title she would assume after her marriage. “The High Council has summoned you, and it’s my job to deliver you to them.”
“You don’t have to reveal that you found me. Make up some excuse,” Sarina begged.
His voice hardened. “Forget it. You’re not going anywhere except to your wedding.”
“Then you won’t mind if I explore your ship since I’m stuck here for a while.” She rose, her gaze noting the outline of a doorway on the opposite side from the escape hatch. Hustling in that direction, she ignored his warning grunt.
“Come back here,” he said, annoyed by the inconvenience she was causing him.
He unstrapped his harness and stood, but she’d already ducked through to the next passageway.
****
Sarina found herself in a series of rooms that opened into each other, storerooms and gunnery lockers from the looks of them. At the sound of Teir’s footsteps behind her, she glanced wildly around and grabbed a hefty rod-shaped object from a pile of tools on a shelf just as he raced through the hatchway.
“Don’t come any closer or I’ll brain you.” She waved the object threateningly in the air. It was so heavy she could barely lift it, but she put on a brave front and faced him.
Teir took a step in her direction. “We’re nearing the Yxon asteroid belt. I have to guide the ship. Stop this foolishness immediately.” His tone was icy, his eyes furious.
“No! I want to go home.”
He shrugged. “You’ve sealed your fate. I’m going to lock you up for the duration of the voyage.”
“Over my dead body.”
“Over your unconscious body, maybe.”
Sarina swallowed a large lump in her throat. Her arm ached, and she couldn’t hold the heavy rod much longer. She doubted she could swing it effectively to hit him anyway, but it was the only weapon she had.
“Will you stop waving that blasted electrifier around? It’s dangerous.”
Sarina lifted her chin. “Stop giving me orders. Turn this... this vessel back the way we came and take me home.”
“You leave me no choice,” Teir sighed. Setting his jaw, he pounced.
Sarina swung the rod, but Teir easily sidestepped the blow and chopped her forearm with the side of his hand. A sharp pain stung her below the elbow. The weapon fell from her numbed fingers and clattered to the floor.