Page 30 of The Alien Who Saved Christmas

Xane raced towards his brother. Just in case the Ravaging Death King was in a bad mood, Xane carefully set Sadie down in the sand, before he crossed the final dozen yards.

“I didn’t expect to see you for weeks.” He called.

“I was not far away. On Zaglthia.” Hathgarr’s turquoise eyes ran up and down Xane’s body, assuring himself that his younger brother was in one piece.

“I got here as quickly as possible. I thought it well worth burning the premium blue salt to save your ass. You know how much I enjoy saying ‘I told you so.’”

Other Rtaharions began pouring off the ship, scanning the area for threats and protecting the king.

And protecting Xane. The 1 family was always shielded, except from each other.

No one was dumb enough to get between the siblings, when they battled.

Their forbearers had founded the planet.

Their line had sat on the throne for millennia.

They were the prime family of Rtaharion, and no one else could fight as fiercely as they did.

Right now, though, Xane had no intention of disagreeing with his egotistical older brother ever again. He had never been so happy to see the man’s ugly face and massive horns.

Walking right up to the king, he wrapped all four of his arms around Hathgarr in a bone-crushing hug. “I have missed you.” He whispered, squeezing his eyes shut. “I am sorry, brother.”

Hathgarr gripped him back, just as hard.

“ I am sorry, Xane.” His voice broke and he had to clear his throat.

“I never wished to drive you away. I tried to force you into a mold where you didn’t fit, and it nearly cost me my favorite person.

It will not happen again. I welcome you home, however you choose to live. ”

Xane’s brows soared. It was astonishing to hear his brother saying something so magnanimous.

“But it never would’ve gone so far, if you weren’t an idiot.” Hathgarr persisted, quickly ruining the tender moment. “A few arguments about a ranch and you leave the planet? Join with mercenaries? Get yourself enslaved? I have been searching the universe over for your stupid ass!”

“Well, you found me at the perfect time.” Xane assured him, pulling back to grin at Hathgarr’s familiar glower.

“I see that.” Hathgarr nodded towards the Vice-Corporal’s body. “Anyone I know?”

“Doubtful. I barely met that son of a bitch, myself.”

“I suppose spending time on this hellish planet would turn me to indiscriminate murder, too.”

“The Vice-Corporal was not a close acquaintance, but he was a slaver and was plotting to steal my wife. The death I gave him was merciful.”

Hathgarr stared at him. “Your wife?” He repeated in a doubtful tone. “Xane, how long were you in the sun today?” He didn’t bother to wait for an answer. “Never mind. We’ll go back to my ship, and the doctor will check you out. Come.”

Xane dodged his grasp. “Wait a moment.”

“We do not have a moment. The glint-weapon’s effects are limited, so I want to go now. Otherwise, people will slowly awaken, and we will have to fight them, and killing the entire population of this wasteland will take all day.”

Xane ignored Hathgarr’s complaints and backtracked to Sadie’s still form. He swept her up into his arms, murmuring soothing words into her hair. She was so small, for someone who took up so much space inside of him. His lips brushed her forehead, and he carried her towards his brother’s ship.

“What in the netherworld have you got there?” Hathgarr demanded impatiently. “Leave it! There is nothing on Corono worth taking with us, brother.”

“You will think differently when you meet her.”

Hathgarr’s eyes sharpened, as Xane drew closer. His scowl slipped away, revealing absolute astonishment. His mouth literally sagged open, as he caught her scent. Under other circumstances, it would have been comical. “Holy phlarge !” He blurted out. “You really have found a woman.”

His shout drew the attention of the other men. Within seconds, they were all gaping at Xane, shocked that the Rtaharion who’d never quite fit in had returned to them with a female in his arms.

Xane held Sadie against his chest, his eyes on his brother. “This is my wife.” He announced proudly. “This is Sadie Malone.”

Hathgarr moved forward, like he just couldn’t help himself. “You were abducted to the armpit of the galaxy, enslaved and marked for death… And you emerge holding a wife?” Gazing down at Sadie’s peaceful face, he made a flabbergasted sound. “A wife with brown hair? How is that possible?”

“Sadie made it possible. She makes everything possible.” It was the bare truth. “Her species is called ‘human.’ I’ve come to believe they are the most extraordinary women in the universe. Every male should have one.”

Hathgarr’s hand came up to grip Xane’s shoulder, giving him a “well-done” squeeze. It was possibly the biggest sign of approval the other man had ever shown him. The Ravaging Death King was not one for sentiment. “Is there anyone else on this planet worth saving?”

Xane’s mind went to Lord C’don. The Vipri was desperate to return to the shaded pools of his home world. It would be simple enough to cart him and his spoiled heir aboard Hathgarr’s ship. Xane could easily save them from this purple desert hellscape forever.

Too bad those duplicitous little shits had endangered Sadie.

“No.” Xane said easily. “There’s no one else I wish to rescue.”

Hathgarr grunted, his eyes still on Sadie. “A shame. More beings like this one would be welcome. Where do these hu-mans come from?”

“Sadie calls it the ‘Milky Way.’ We call it ‘Nythtar Omega.’”

As he suspected, Hathgarr was not pleased with the news. “That backwater?” He made a face, but then quickly relented with a sigh. “Well, no being is perfect, I suppose. Not even when she has hair like this one. You will just have to help your wife overcome her grim origins.”

Xane ignored that arrogant opinion. If he didn’t ignore all the arrogant opinions Hathgarr shared, it would be impossible to speak to him, at all. Besides, he had more pressing issues to confront. “Brother?”

“Yes?”

Xane hesitated. He hated that he had to ask the next question.

Everything in him wanted to shut up. To just take his exquisite wife back to his ranch and never, ever let her go.

Those damn caring feelings wouldn’t let him, though.

They wished for Sadie to be happy, even at the expense of his own desires.

Xane took a deep breath. “Can your ship find a planet named Earth?”