Page 17 of Princess (Marinah and the Apocalypse #5)

Marinah

Food waited for me when I opened my eyes. I slept like the dead and only woke up because of the delicious aroma filling the room. King entered the bedroom wet and naked, fresh from a shower.

“Did I sleep for three days?” I asked.

He smiled. “Only eight hours. I moved back the meetings.” He held up a hand. “You needed the sleep, and it’s not up for debate.”

“Who’s the boss of this outfit?” I muttered.

“You are, but you’re pregnant, took a hellhound bite last night, and overextended yourself. I’m your mate, and I have a say when it comes to your well-being the same way you have a say when it comes to mine.”

“But you never listen to me when you overdo it,” I challenged.

“You are pregnant,” he said with finality in his voice.

“Argh.” I tossed a pillow at him.

He caught it and tossed it back. “You’re always cranky when you’re hungry.”

He walked over and helped me up. It was impossible not to lean into his naked body, but my bladder couldn’t wait, so it was a very short snuggle.

He had his pants on when I came back but his chest was still available for perusal.

I liked his chest and secretly smiled because before we were together, I told myself he had too much muscle.

It was a lie. He had the perfect amount and my mouth watered for more than food.

Leading the Shadow Warriors and being in charge of the island was not kind to our sex life.

As always, I ate with single-minded purpose. King sampled his food at a slower pace.

“Do you feel better?” he asked.

I took inventory. “My back isn’t as sore, which is a plus. The bites from last night aren’t affecting me or the prince at all. He’s performing in his first gymnastics meet right now. Hopefully, I eat so much, he’s incapable of tumbling in such tight quarters.” I held up my hand. “Do not say it.”

King smiled. “Tell me about the teenagers.”

I did.

“They can fight,” he acknowledged.

“They can, but the danger is too high. We need an antidote for humans. I’m frustrated that we haven’t moved forward in that regard.”

“It might never happen,” King said.

“That’s what bothers me,” I replied sadly. “When did you tell the guards to meet?”

“They’re waiting for you in the conference room.”

I gave King the evil eye and shoved a piece of sausage into my mouth before standing. “You can be entirely too frustrating, but I do feel better after sleep and food. I’m in such a good mood, I’ll wait to start bitching at you.”

He smiled, and we left the room.

Two people were missing when we entered the argument room. My eyebrows rose.

“Missy is in labor,” Nokita said.

I turned and glared at King.

He shrugged. “Axel thought it would be a few hours.”

“You didn’t think to mention it while we ate breakfast?”

He shrugged again, but kept his mouth shut.

He pulled out my chair, and I slapped his hand away.

My last nerve was wondering if duct tape was an acceptable form of punishment.

Not for his mouth. I had another body part in mind.

I’d tape the appendage I was thinking of to his thigh so he pulled out hair when he walked.

“Did anyone come up with an idea to use Lesley as leverage against the Federation?” I asked as calmly as possible. I was at a loss no matter how much I thought about it.

“We could shoot her and be done with it,” Nokita said.

“You’re as bloodthirsty as King, and not helping,” I replied with a sharp look.

“Your mate didn’t disappear and run to the other side of the island to escape that woman,” he threw back.

I covered my eyes and leaned my elbows on the table. I may have growled.

“What if we implanted a locator device on her and gave her back?” Cabel suggested.

“Hmm.” I turned to Axel. “Is it possible?”

“It would be a homing device for hellhounds,” he replied. “There’s also no way we could do it without an incision, which would leave a scar.”

“What if one of us was captured with the barnacle and we carried the tracking device?” Cabel asked.

That gave me pause, but then I shook my head. “They might kill the Shadow Warrior immediately, or worse, turn the sacrificial Warrior into a hellhound like Knet. We can’t chance it.”

“Knet seems to have control over whatever the hell he’s turned into,” Nokita said.

“He knows our secrets, and he is stalking us on our own damn island. We need to do something.” There was pain and anger in his words.

He was usually reasonable, but Knet’s defection and Labyrinth’s death had gotten to him.

“It’s a death sentence for the Warrior,” I said. “We can’t risk it. We have families and people who love us.”

“I don’t,” said Alden. “I’m willing to volunteer.”

Everyone looked at him.

“I agree with Cabel. We’ve made little forward progress,” he said. “We got lucky before the Federation attacked. We knew they were coming and still had casualties. We need to do something unexpected. I’m willing to go.”

I stared at him for a moment. My mind snapped to a certain young woman who liked him. I turned to King, and he looked just as shook up as I was. It would be a suicide mission.

“I will think about it,” I told him. “I’m not saying yes or no right now. This needs to be thought through before we try something so rash. You also need to know that you are part of my family and I love you like a brother.”

Alden’s face flushed.

“I think it’s a good plan,” volunteered Cabel saving Alden from further embarrassment.

Of course he did. Everyone was challenging Beck’s spot for being a pain in my ass.

“I have a meeting about the children and need to get it started,” I said.

“Cabel and Alden can think about the problems associated with Alden’s plan and if there is any way around those problems. After the meeting about the children, I would like to speak with Eagle and Rodrigo. Can you arrange it?” I asked Nokita.

He looked perplexed, and I knew it was because of Rodrigo. Eagle, not so much. He was the person we needed to take Labyrinth’s place, even though it was hard. We couldn’t be shorthanded right now, especially if we put Alden’s harebrained plan into action.

“I’ll see it done,” Nokita agreed carefully.

“King, find the teenagers and send them here,” I told him.

“I would like to speak to you for a moment,” he said.

“If it’s about Rodrigo, I’m angry with you for not mentioning Missy’s labor, and won’t answer your questions until I’ve settled something with him.”

King grumbled.

“I would also like an update on Missy. I don’t know how long the meeting with the kids will last.”

“I’ll take care of it,” King said begrudgingly.

“I knew I could count on you,” I replied sardonically.

In less than sixty seconds, I was left alone. I placed a hand on my belly. “Your father is a jackass sometimes,” I whispered, “but you will love him as much as I do.”

The baby didn’t stir. He had finally exhausted himself after endless somersaults. I was okay with that.