Page 20 of Songbird (A Space Pearl’s Treat #1)
Jala and Praxxan exchanged knowing smiles, their eyes sparkling with a shared secret.
Kayzon, on the other hand, scowled and grumbled under his breath, clearly not pleased.
Meanwhile, Izzy’s cheeks flushed adorably with a deep shade of pink as she snuggled against me.
The Ambassador’s eyes lingered on us for a moment before turning his attention to where Kayzon stood near the door, surrounded by guards.
“Now I will hear your claim, merchant Kayzon.”
The asshole took a step forward, pulling out his own datapad, which he handed to Mukhal. “I have a signed agreement with the human female. She agreed to sing in my club for the next ten rotations.”
Ten years. I didn’t want Izzy around this fucker for ten seconds.
“I didn’t sign that,” Izzy insisted, her voice strong, although I felt a tremor run through her. The arm I held around her waist tightened instinctively, as did my tail.
“It is your fingerprint in your blood,’ Kayzon grinned maliciously. “I have the DNA confirmation from the Bardaga .”
I didn’t care if Kayzon had the confirmation of all the gods and goddesses. “A true mating supersedes any such agreement if the agreement would keep the mated pair apart,” I snapped at him.
Kayzon’s expression shifted as though he were trying to appear altruistic, if that were possible. “I don’t want to keep you apart at all. In fact, I offer you both a comfortable home on my planet where you can be together while the human fulfills her duties as per the agreement.”
Which would last until the first opportunity Kayzon had to kill me. I glanced at the Ambassador, who unbelievably seemed impressed by the statement. Fuck!
“I also have records from the Bardaga ,” Jala said, pulling up another screen on her datapad and returning it for Mukhal’s perusal.
“Isabella’s medical records after the Vaktaire liberated her from Kayzon’s employment .
Severe malnutrition and dehydration, broken ribs, multiple contusions, and cuts, burst and hemorrhaging vocal cords. ”
I felt a growl rise in my chest as she narrated the list of how Kayzon hurt my mate. No matter what the conciliator decided, I would kill Kayzon before I allowed him to get his hands on Izzy again.
“Izzy had not been run through the Garoot Healer upon her abduction,” Jala continued. “But due to the damage inflicted on her by Kayzon, the Healer was the only thing that could save her life. As you well know, now that she has been through the Garoot Healer, Isabella can never return to Earth.”
I met Jala’s gaze, hoping my expression aptly conveyed my gratitude. I would definitely be buying her a gift for her help. Something large and expensive.
Mukhal studied Jala’s datapad, and the silence of the next few minutes seemed to last eons.
When he finally glanced up, his gaze flickered warmly over the tiny female in my arms before landing on Kayzon, full of contempt.
“How do you answer for the state of your employee? Under new Alliance regulation, it is illegal to cause harm to humans in your care.”
Kayzon grunted, his dark eyes rolling. “Is it my fault that the human female cannot take care of herself?”
“Yes, I believe it is,” Mukhal retorted, handing Jala back the datapad and rising to his feet.
He clasped his hands in front of his chest, his purple gaze lighting on each of us in turn before speaking.
“I find the mating claim between Tarrick of House Asad and the human female Isabella to be factual and consummated as required by law. As per Alliance regulation, the mating supersedes any prior agreement or contract.” The glance he spared for Kayzon was hard.
“Your agreement with the human female Isabella is null and void.”
Kayzon growled with such fury that I noticed the several of the guards resting hands on their blasters.
“This will not stand! The human belongs to me! My property! They are worth nothing more than slaves.” His hateful gaze shifted to Izzy, and he spit, the salvia landing on the floor a few inches from Izzy’s feet.
If it had hit her, I would have killed him on the spot.
“I would be careful, merchant Kayzon.” Ambassador Mukhal spoke softly, but the power emanating from his words seemed to throb through the room.
“It would not be wise to show yourself as having the same mind as the criminal Yaard when it comes to humans. Especially when the new Kerzak king Alokar considers a human female his mother.”
A glance passed between Mukhal and Praxxan, to which my brother gave a curt nod, motioning for the guards to lead Kayzon from the room. He went, although growling and fussing with every step.
Izzy rose from the sofa, taking the few steps that put her directly in front of Ambassador Mukhal. Her blue eyes were wide and bright as she issued another curtsey. “Thank you. Thank you so much.”
Mukhal raised a small gray hand, one of his three fingers catching Izzy just underneath the chin and raising her gaze to his. This time, when his lips twitched, they formed a genuine smile. “The Alliance Prime is correct. Humans are the most fascinating creatures.”
Izzy’s cheeks flushed a deep pink. Ambassador Mukhal appeared completely besotted. Not that I blamed him.
“Would you like to join us for dinner at Space Pearls ?” Jala asked. “Isabella will be singing tonight."
The Ambassador’s expression brightened for merely a second before he caught himself.
“I would love to, but unfortunately, duty calls. I must leave immediately for the Gilese system.” His gaze caught first mine, then Izzy’s, accompanied by a nod before turning his attention to Jala.
“I will have documentation of my decision sent to you shortly.” His attention finally shifted to Praxxan.
“If you would see that Kayzon and his males board their ship, the Alliance will escort him back to his planet.”
“I will see it done.” Praxxan gave Mukhal a bow and headed for the door.
“My gratitude, Ambassador,” I said as the small gray male turned to leave.
Mukhal paused, turning his head slightly so his dark purple gaze found mine. “You have a treasure that most of us only dream of. Do not waste it.”
I nodded despite my heart twisting. I didn’t want to waste it. I didn’t want to lose Izzy. It was impossible to fathom a future without her at my side. Had been since the moment I saw her singing.
Jala took the Ambassador’s proffered arm, walking him to the door.
The moment we heard the swish signifying Mukhal’s departure, Izzy sank to the sofa, giggling with relief.
I settled beside her, grabbing her hand and bringing her knuckles to my lips.
Bright blue eyes met mine, and for a moment, her expression gave me hope that perhaps Izzy, too, didn’t want our fake mating to end.
That she recognized the truth of what lay between us, just as I did.
A moment that Jala interrupted, entering the room and theatrically flopping into a chair. “I’m so glad this ruse is over. Now we can stage your breakup, and all get on with our lives.”