Page 8 of The Intergalactic Duke's Inconvenient Engagement
In his confusion and the returning irritation that this was so confusing, he almost missed the second Earther who leaped out from one of the big planters and dove at him with a shard of somethingsharp in her hand.
He whirled toward the oncoming flash of white shirt and dark skin. Since he was still ducked down to calm the first little Earther, he dropped his shoulder under the attack and spun smoothly to one side. Thorkons—especially blood champions—weren’t just big, they were fast. And even if he’d been sent away from Azthronos for much of his life, that inborn heritage at least couldnever be taken away.
He didn’t want to hurt this other female—intent though she seemed on hurting him—so as she stumbled past him, the miniature blade in her hand swooshing ineffectually over his head, he turned, caught her by the hips, and heaved her gently into the other empty planter.
She went in head first with a shriek. Not of pain, he decided with gratification, but dismay and anger.
He thought of all the times he’d have liked to yell like that.
In the same easy flow, he twisted to face the Earther female who’d been acting as bait in this attack.
She must’ve caught the spurt of provocation in his expression because her dark eyes widened big enough for him to catch a reflected glimpse of the singularity overhead and she backed away rapidly toward the trees.
“Stay right there,”he snapped. “Don’t make me chase you, little soonyili.”
“Halt,” the sec-off shouted. “Or we blast the Earth girl!”
Raz winced as the female in front of him cried out in alarm.
He glanced over his shoulder to see the security officer holding a third Earther in front of him. At least the security officer had the sense to yell in English.
The girl—she was very small and young and pale—hung limpin the Thorkon’s grip, her eyes rolling sideways as if to avoid looking at the bore of the blaster near her temple.
“Stand down,” Raz snapped. “This is a rescue.”
“They attacked you,” the sec-off said.
“That one didn’t,” Raz pointed out reasonably. “And I took care of the one that did.”
That one was pulling herself upright by the edge of the planter, and she glowered at him but didn’t tryto get out, her gaze sliding uneasily between him, the first female, and the frightened one. He realized she wanted to be tough but was no warrior despite her imperious size. And for all his inheritance, he knew uncomfortably how that felt.
He scowled back. These larfing Earth girls were dredging up miserable memories that didn’t help him at all.
At his furious glare, the female who’d stoodthere like a lure while her fellow Earthers stalked him spread her hands in front of her, patting the air lightly as if she could soothe his anger. “Don’t… Don’t hurt Trixie,” she said softly. “Lishelle, stay right there. Everyone…just…let’s stay cool.”
“It will be the ambient background temperature of the universe in here—which is to say approaching absolute zero—when I vent the station,” hegrowled. “Why did you attack me? Are you Blackworm’s brides?”
“Brides?” She recoiled. “No! We…we were imprisoned here, against our will.”
“Itoldyou we’re here to rescue you.” He couldn’t hold back the insulted note in his accusation.
“But why would webelieveyou?” Her voice held its own plaintive tone.
He straightened in affront. “Because I said it.”
She stared at him. “I don’t know you.”
“True enough.” His own people didn’t even know him, not when he’d be gone so long. And this mission—to prove that he could guide them as well as his sire—was larfed sideways. “I am Aelazar Amrazal Thorkonos, Duke of Azthronos, Blood Champion of Zalar, Avatar of Azjor, God of Oaths.”
Her lashes fluttered in bafflement when she blinked. “Okaaaaay. And yet somehow, after all that…I feel like nowI know you even less.”
He swallowed a chuckle. “Once again, true enough. You can call me…Raz.”
“Your Grace,” the sec-off hissed.
Raz waved at the other Thorkon imperiously. “Let her go. Trixie, yes? Put little Trixie down. And please assist Lishelle out of the planter.”
“I don’t need him. I’mnotlittle.” The tall Earther clambered out of the container, her long legs clearing the edge easilyalthough she had to tug down the hem of the shirt.