Page 5 of Captured By The Alien (Starbound #2)

Vahn had left Kara’s cell in a maelstrom of emotions. Physically, the touch of her hand had restored his equilibrium. Exhaustion had receded and his body was a hundred times lighter. But mentally, the news of his father’s death had shaken him to the core.

His father had reigned for decades, he was the only leader many of his people had known. Yes, of course everyone knew his son would take the throne one day but no-one had thought it would happen so soon.

It was the war, Vahn thought bitterly. It had exhausted him. Ten long cycles of fighting the humans – or two decades in Earth years. He should have done more to persuade his father to make peace, even if the Terrans had not been open to it.

Alone in his quarters, he tried to prepare for what was to come. His first duty as Zhaal was to speak to his people and cement his position as their new ruler. At least there would be no dispute over the succession this time.

In past generations, the throne had veered between three separate families, all of whom had legitimate claims. Had his father died without a son, it would have been a different story. But Zhaal Qu’rash had left an heir so the line of ascendancy was clear.

Now he’d have to make his own heir.

Vahn thought of Kara and his stomach tightened. She was his kalehsha , his mate. As such, she would be expected to bear his hatchlings. But even leaving aside the fact that Vraxians would never accept a human Zhaalini, he wasn’t a hundred percent certain he could impregnate her. Terrans and Vraxians were two very different species.

He assumed, since the kalehsh bond had been activated, that procreation was possible. But they wouldn’t know until they tried.

Would she even be willing? He imagined Kara with a swollen belly and found himself getting aroused. She would be even more beautiful as an expectant mother, he mused. He would have to make love to her carefully, perhaps from behind, a position she enjoyed immensely…

Stop this. He shook himself out of his reverie. Whether or not Kara could bear him an heir was irrelevant. She was currently in custody as an enemy combatant. A prisoner-of-war. And he had no idea what to do about that.

He couldn’t just let her go. Despite the fact that he was the ruler and could in theory do what he liked, in practice such a move would give rise to all kinds of questions. Questions he didn’t want to answer.

Could he do what he’d hoped his father would do? Use her presence on Vraxos as leverage to force the humans to make peace? Agree to release her in exchange for a ceasefire?

That way she would be freed and they would achieve an end to the war. But Kara seemed certain her mother wouldn’t respond to pressure, which he found hard to fathom. What kind of parent would leave their only child in enemy hands?

There was a knock at the door. Ela came in.

“Your Majesty. It is time.”

“Don’t call me that, Ela. It sounds strange.”

“You will get used to it.”

“But not from you. I need you as a friend, not a subject.”

Ela inclined her head.

“I will always be your friend, Vahn. You know that. Now come on. Your people are waiting.”

She led him to the communications deck where an imposing desk had been set up in front of the Imperial Flag. Vahn took his seat and faced the vis-cam.

When he spoke, he injected his words with warmth and passion, pledging to live up to his father’s legacy and promising to end the war.

At the end of it, he looked to the general for a reaction, uncertain how his message had come across. She clasped her hands and touched them briefly to her forehead – their private code for ‘not bad.’

Vahn half-smiled. Coming from Ela, that was praise indeed.

“Rhyn is waiting to speak with you,” she told him as she escorted him back to his quarters. “I’ve patched him through to your private monitor. Apparently Baelon is hopping mad.”

“I am sure he is. He won’t be happy you found me.”

“On the contrary. He’s telling everyone who listens he’s been praying non-stop for your safe return.”

“How very pious.”

“However you should know that when you first went missing, he said Vraxos should prepare itself for news of your death.”

Vahn snorted.

“Pre-empting my demise. Yes, that sounds like Baelon.”

“And when your father fell ill, he started advocating for himself as the next in line. He said Vraxos couldn’t afford to wait until your death had been confirmed.” Ela’s tone was neutral and Vahn gave her the side-eye.

“Would you have backed him?”

“Probably. I don’t like his methods but he is strong and clever. And he has a lot of support.”

“I’m surprised. I thought you would have preferred Rhyn.”

“Rhyn thinks with his heart more than his head. That is a weakness.”

“I take it he never lost hope that I was still alive?”

“Of course not.” Ela’s lip curled. “You know Rhyn. Ever the optimist. And that is why he will never win against one such as Baelon.”

Vahn didn’t say anything. Ela had always preferred brute strength over empathy. In fact, if she could see the turmoil in his heart right now, if she knew how he felt about a human, she’d recoil in horror.

They stopped outside his quarters.

“Zhaal Talvahnax.” Ela’s sudden formality sounded awkward. “Now that you are the Emperor I am bound by the Constitution to ask if you intend to make any significant changes to the military?”

Vahn’s ridged brow creased further.

“Are you asking if I’m going to fire you?”

“New appointments often follow a change in leadership,” she retorted. “And we’ve been at war with the humans for many years. It is conceivable that you might want to shake things up.”

“Ela, I’ve known you since before we could walk. I’m happy with you as my military commander.”

“You shouldn’t let sentimentality get in the way of your judgement. There are several experienced Vraxian officers who would make excellent army chiefs.”

“By Vannla’s Sword, stop trying to talk yourself out of a job,” said Vahn, exasperated. “You’re not just a general, you’re my friend. Don’t be a jerk.”

“A… what?”

Vahn cursed himself.

“A human term I learned recently.”

“From the prisoner? Interesting. Did you have many conversations while you were stranded with her? Oh, but of course you didn’t. She cannot understand Vraxian.”

Her eyes bored into him and he wondered if she suspected anything.

“General Elaryx Solarun, I hereby reconfirm you as the Head of the Vraxian Army. Happy? Now go shout at some soldiers and let me speak to Rhyn.”

“Thank you.” Ela touched his arm. “And Vahn, it goes without saying, you will always have my unwavering support.”

He watched the female Vraxian walk away, uncomfortably aware that she probably wouldn’t be so supportive if she discovered Kara was his mate.

He entered his quarters and sat in front of the monitor. The Vraxian looking back at him was a few years younger than him. His scales were a darker blue and his hair more silver than white, but he was almost as broad in the shoulder.

His face broke into a grin when he saw Vahn.

“It’s good to see you, my friend.” The smile faded. “Heartfelt condolences for the loss of your father. I heard your speech, it was very moving. How are you holding up?”

“Good to see you too, Rhyn. I’m as well as can be expected. I gather you were with the Zhaal at the end?”

“It was my honor and privilege. He was very frail. The physicians say he had dreinlesh fever, and his age didn’t help. But at least he knew you were safe before he went.”

“Yes. That is something. I gather Baelon was trying to garner support for an early accession vote?”

Rhyn snorted.

“Jumping the gun as usual.”

“You didn’t think to challenge him?”

“Why should I? I knew you’d be back.”

“Rhyn, we have talked about this. If anything should happen to me, I need to know you will take charge, not Baelon.”

“He has just the same entitlement as me. What are you expecting me to do?”

“Be more devious. Like he is.”

“You know that’s not my style. When the time comes, I’ll just rely on my charm and good looks.” Rhyn smiled again and Vahn grudgingly acknowledged that when it came to charisma, Rhyn was streets ahead of Baelon.

“I suppose it doesn’t matter now. I will be back on Vraxos in a day or so.”

“Thank the great Lord Ayanlesh. You’ve been gone too long. The people will be glad to see you. And we have much to discuss. There are rumors that you have a high-value captive?”

Vahn swore silently. He might have known on a ship this size, someone would start talking about the human prisoner.

“She crashed on the same planet as I. And yes, she is important. She’s the daughter of the Earth’s President.”

Rhyn half-stood from his chair.

“Fountain of Zandarr! Vahn, that is huge. What are you proposing to do with her?”

“I am unsure. I haven’t had much time to consider it, I am still processing my father’s death.”

“Not much time?” Rhyn frowned. “You were on that planet with her for months. Surely you came up with a plan?”

“I… it was difficult. We spent the first few weeks just trying to survive.”

“I see.” Rhyn didn’t sound convinced. “We can discuss it when you get home. As your trusted advisor, I am sure we can come up with a course of action.”

“Yes. Thank you.”

“And you should know, while you’ve been missing Baelon has managed to stoke discontent among the people. Some are calling for tougher action against the humans. There’s even talk of using the Vastos Bomb.”

Vahn stiffened.

“My father ruled the Vastos Bomb was off-limits. It would destroy the human planet completely. I forbid it.”

“Of course you do. And all right-minded Vraxians agree with you. But those who’ve lost family members aren’t so troubled by ethical and moral concerns. I’m afraid you’ll find Vraxos far more divided than it used to be.”

“Damn Baelon. If he wasn’t shintu , I’d throw him in jail for subversiveness.”

“Sadly he is, so you need to play nice. But when you’re back you’re going to have some big rifts to heal. We have to bring all sides together. Your first task as Zhaal will be unification.”

Vahn looked up sharply.

“What did you just say?”

“I said unification is the priority. Why, what’s wrong?”

“Nothing. You’ve just given me an idea.”

“I have? Excellent. What idea?”

“I’ll discuss it with you when I reach Vraxos. See you soon, my friend.”

Vahn switched off the monitor and leaned back.

Unification.

All sides together.

A wild idea began to take shape. A mad, ludicrous shape but a shape nonetheless.

I couldn’t… could I?

He turned it over in his mind, trying to see it from every angle. All the ways it could go wrong. And all the ways it could go right.

Rhyn would support him because Rhyn always supported him. But his father would turn in his grave.

Ela would probably shoot him. Baelon would use it as evidence that he was unfit to rule.

And Kara…

Kara might hate him forever.