AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I had had to reflect for the past two days on how things transpired with Vishin. I had no regrets.
I didn’t have time for regrets. If there was anything I might regret, it would be not knowing what Krafina fangs felt like piercing my skin during sexual ecstasy.
I had lied to Braxl, and felt a little bad about that. I did know what the toxin would do to humans. I was surprised he didn’t. It was a super stimulant while also giving humans a blissful oxytocin-inspired state similar to MDMA. There were Krafina who sold vials of their toxin to clubs on Earth for humans to abuse. Such an idea was surely beneath Braxl, and was likely punishable within Prexis Prime if he learned any of his soldiers was partaking in such a drug trade.
It had been an easy way to manipulate him in the holodeck. I had avoided the total commitment to mutual sexual satiation - though I had greatly enjoyed my domination. But it was also a way to leave Braxl wanting more. It hinted at the courage and feistiness he seemed to find alluring and surprising in a human woman while also holding back some of the bliss he would likely get from using his fangs during lovemaking.
If I didn’t get to experience that before the bombs, then I might indeed have some regrets.
I started to push Vishin down the hallway toward the kitchen and his fiery doom. I couldn’t let it be an obstacle that I found myself really liking Braxl and his company. There was nothing I could change about my mission. It wasn’t as if I could go to him with my plans and extort a life of happiness from him in exchange for not blowing up his empire…
I sighed as I heaved the Krafina Commander through the hallways and down the elevators. Anyone passing by me did not even glance my way. I hadn’t seen any human slaves or enlisted on the ship, but it probably was a pretty common thing in Prexis, as in most of the Nova Dominion. Humans weren’t worth paying attention to.
That’s why this mission would actually work.
Hails of welcome greeted me as I entered the kitchen. I had told them I would be coming by later when I had scouted for where the incinerators were explicitly located so I wouldn’t fumble around for too long.
Strategic. I had to be strategic.
Burn the body and then go help make hors d’oeuvres for my wedding celebration events. None of the chefs would guess anything. Krafina brides enjoyed planning the perfect wedding, too. It would be easy to lean into cultural morés.
I stopped in front of the door to the incinerator, glancing around me carefully. I paused and listed for what felt like far too long. My heart thudded in my chest for a second time that day.
When I was sure no one was near, I palmed open the door and dumped Vishin onto the floor, quickly stepping away and hitting the FLASH button.
I peered through the small window to watch the entire room erupt in flames, fuel and oxygen wrapping anything flammable into an ashen fury.
I waited for the FLASH to subside, but I knew I couldn’t go in to check on him safely. I would just have to make a pass by before I left the kitchen for the night and try to spy if there were any remnants of the pouty little Commander.
But, now the laughter and joking of the kitchen staff as they married themselves for a wedding celebration with the best in gourmand creations was calling my name.
It was time to be the blushing bride for a little bit longer and design my wedding feast.
My stomach rumbled as I turned away from the incinerator. It was nice that I would get to do a little taste-testing, too.
14
Braxl
“You’ve always looked down your nose at Vishin for not going through the same steps you went through to get a Command! You brag about the loyalty of your crew, don’t you, Braxl? How can you be so sure your arrogance hasn’t bled down into their ranks like the shitty leader you are, and one of them killed him for you? You have so many different species on this rotted ship that they could crush him like this!”
I ducked as my father picked up a ceremonial paperweight shaped like the beloved planet hovering below theGloryDazeand flung it at my head. It shattered into slivers of glass against the wall and glittered across my office floor.
Deep breaths, Braxl.
I took three measured breaths while my father continued to rage and fling things from their meticulous places of order. I had seen my father throw tantrums like this more than once. Just waiting it out would never get my point across.
“Highest Supreme,” I could taste the toxin leaking from my fangs as thick as the venom in my voice. My father stopped and slammed his fists into my desk, glaring at me, perhaps even surprised that I was using his title. “I will vouch for all my crew on the oath of my command. Strip me of this rotted ship, as you call it, if I am wrong. What I think you don’t understand about true loyalty is not only that my crew will go above and beyond for me, but they also would never be tempted to do anything behind my back–”
“Oh, so are you saying that you ordered Vishin’s disappearance and potential murder?”
I slammed my fist down and he jerked backward at the abrupt gesture.
“Your crewman and those of all the other Commanders have been wandering where they don’t belong on my ship for the last three days! I have tolerated it long enough. I will not tolerate this baseless accusation while I am in charge of this ship. For all we know, it was one of his own crew using the opportunity of this ridiculous ceremony to dispatch a Commander that has never held the respect that this position deserves!”
Our gaze held, a silent challenge passing between us. I felt the crackle of tension in the air, the impending storm that hung over us. It was a test of wills, a duel of fiery determination.
In the stillness, I could sense the surge of anger radiating from Braxl, his clenched fist a testament to the brewing tempest within him. The heat was spreading, burning in my own veins, a surge of primal energy coursing through me. My fangs, sharp and ready, revealed themselves. This confrontation held a weight that was entirely different from any previous encounter.
