Page 9 of King of Serpents

“Must be nice to be the son of the queen,” Alex mumbled to herself and then froze, her eyes widening as something sank through her fear. A prince. He was not just an alien. He was an alien prince who could probably have her killed, make it look like an accident, and no one would be the wiser. “You... you said you took me in while I was ill. You took care of me?”

He inclined his head, his gave lifting and snapping with the loud, unnerving sound in his species’ affirmative gesture. “You were ill for many days and suffered burns. It is fortunate that I have assisted in caring for many ill young hunters previously, though I have never tended to anyone so small and fragile. Sun sickness alone can be quite deadly even for Seshanamitesh.” His head tipped, his eyes narrowing on her speculatively. “I am relieved to see you awake. I was most concerned.”

She swallowed. He did? He was? She studied him, noting that his eyes were pinned on her in a way that could be interpreted as predatory... or the regard of someone who had tended to her for days on end and was understandably watching for any sign of relapse. If she had truly been unconscious for days under his care, then he had many opportunities to harm her if he was inclined to do so.

It was then that she noticed the swaths of pale pink material wrapped snugly around her. Although her flight suit was drawn back up over it, they spilled out from beneath the torn sleeves and the legs of the suit like thick, flowing scarves. She picked up the edge of the material and inspected it. The material had a surprising density, and its weave was nothing like she’d ever seen before. The fabric alone would be worth a fortune to anyone living in the colony. Its value aside, she was more shocked that she was carefully wrapped to ensure that she stayed warm. The overall look was a bit ridiculous, but the flight suit kept the material fastened tightly around her to keep her far warmer than a simple garment would have.

“Sahguin woven cloth,” the male supplied, unasked. “It is primarily used for the bedding of nestlings, but it occurred to me that your thin human flesh was just as vulnerable. I acquired it from a servant.”

He acquired it. That also implied that he had dressed her and taken care of her other bodily needs. She was mortified, but it didn’t stop her from drawing back the cloth to inspect her arm. A quick glance at her arm affirmed that not only had the sunburns faded but that the burns from the crash were healing. Overall, she felt weak and exhausted, but nothing else felt... wrong. She was willing to take a chance that he was as benevolent as all the evidence pointed to, and that he was hiding her to keep her safe.

Alex drew a slow, deep breath and released it. One thing was for certain: if things were this strained, she wasn’t going to be able to just put in a comm to Raza. She was going to have to get back to the colony personally to send out a search and rescue team for Vi and Ehsash. She couldn’t waste time in the Aglatha.

“Is there a plan for getting me home?” she asked as she very slowly eased off the wall that she’d practically flattened herself onto.

The male dipped his chin with a frustrated sigh. “I do not know how Kitanara managed to bring you so far without alerting someone, but it is unlikely that this can be repeated. The activity within the palace is watched very closely not only by those who serve the palace but by the families of the noble matriarchs.”

“But the other human who was with me—”

His gavo snapped wearily, and perhaps a little impatiently. “I am aware that there is another human missing on the desert. Kitanara is going to arrange for a few of the remaining hunters in the upper caverns to search for some sign of her. She will report to me as soon as she hears anything.” His gaze flicked to her. “She understands your concern and shares it. The desert is not a merciful place.”

She stared down at her hands contemplatively, frustration boiling up within her. “So, what am I supposed to do now?”

His large body moved, making the cushions and pillows around him shift audibly. “Now? Now you do what you need to do to survive. Be wary of everything. Nothing within the palace can be trusted.”

“Including you?” she demanded, glaring at him defiantly.

The Seshanamitesh laughed in a humming, rolling sound as he settled more deeply into the cushions and closed his eyes. “Especially not me, little human. The only thing you can trust for certain is that I will not harm you.”

Alex made a face in response. That was hardly reassuring. He may not actively harm her, but she was certain that the moment her protection interfered with his own interests, her safety would depend on her alone. That was mildly terrifying when she was likely miles beneath the surface of the planet.

She took several steadying breaths as she fought for composure. This was no big deal. She had survived quite a few tests of nerves over the years while assigned under the Corp. She could do this. The male was a necessary but potentially temporary and situational ally. It was better than nothing. She peered over at him from beneath her lashes, noting the way that his face was relaxed into oddly peaceful lines despite their strange contours as he wrapped his upper body around the long, rounded pillow tucked under his head.

“Okay. Since we are going to be cohabiting here in your... ah... nest... what should I call you?”

One of his red eyes opened and slowly turned toward her.

“Therxian,” he replied in a soft hiss before drawing his wing over his face, blocking her out completely.

Therxian. She mentally repeated it several times, her mouth moving with the silent sounds. It was a strange name, but it had a nice, smooth cadence to it. Therxian. She repeated the name again as she rolled her lips thoughtfully. Carefully, so as not to make too much sound or shift the cushions too much so that she wouldn’t disturb him, Alex crept closer to his side.

“I’m Alex. Alex Taylor,” she murmured.

He didn’t reply, but his wing twitched as if responding to the sound of her voice. Good enough. She was going to call that an acknowledgment. Yawning, she settled back among the pillows and pulled the soft blanket she’d kicked aside back over her. If she had to be hidden away in a manner that was barely a step up from prisoner, it was at least not a bad place to be kept. She just hoped that His Royal Highness ate something half palatable in the morning.

Chapter 7

Therxian watched the small human with amusement as she filled her hands with food and proceeded to stuff into her mouth as fast as she could. It should have been disgusting watching her eat like a dantha, but he found it oddly endearing. Not that she appeared to care what his opinion was. While she frequently paused to peer curiously at each platter of food before eating from it, she did not even glance his way once while she ate.

It was peculiar. She could not be familiar with the food of the Aglatha. Not even the Vehal would readily eat some of things savored by those who lived deep within the caverns. Yet this small female ate confidently without balking. It brought back an uncomfortable memory that he resolutely chased away.

“Are you familiar with our food?” he asked casually.

“Not really,” she commented between bites. “It makes little difference, though.”

That was not the answer he expected.

“Why?”