Enticed by the Alien Warrior Hope Hart (the giving tree read aloud .TXT) 📖

“In exchange for what?”

Varge grins at me. “In exchange for helping us remove the king from his throne.”

Chapter Nine

Arix

“They took the bait,” Korzyn mutters, and I ignore the way my chest tightens. I knew the human females would be approached, and I knew they would do whatever it took to get off this planet. So why is my blood heating in fury, betrayal sharp as a knife in my chest at the thought of Vivian setting me up?

I swing my sword in my hand, nodding for him to pull his own. My men have already completed their own training for the day, and I’m getting a late start.

“What happened?”

Korzyn slides his sword free. “They were approached at the marketplace, as we figured they would be. Sarissa pretended to collapse, and the guards attended her, allowing Vivian to speak to the messenger.”

“Who was it?”

“Likiz, although he sometimes goes by the name Varge. He is well known as a messenger amongst various groups. He deals in information as well.”

I nod, ignoring the rage that burns through my veins. I don’t know who I am angrier with—the traitors that would dare offer Vivian everything she wants in exchange for her betrayal, or Vivian herself for taking the deal.

“I’m…sorry, Arix.”

I glance at Korzyn. To his credit, he looks genuinely sympathetic.

I shrug. “It was your idea to make it known exactly why the human females were here and what they needed to be able to fly their ship. We knew this would happen.”

“Yes, but it is still a betrayal.”

“These females are loyal to each other. Even if Vivian chose not to betray me for herself, she would still ensure that the other females could get off this planet. Do we know if they accepted?”

“The females were arguing the entire way back to their rooms, although they kept their voices low. Even if they choose not to accept now, it’s only a matter of time before they agree.”

Logically, I know this. If they don’t agree to a deal for the chip, my enemies will likely have one of them kidnapped and held hostage to force the other to do what they want. Still, the knowledge burns.

It’s ironic. The same devotion to her people and commitment to her convictions would make her an excellent queen.

Instead, she’s attempting to kill a king.

I grit my teeth and nod at Korzyn, who swings at me, the power in his arm sending shock waves up my sword and into my arm as I meet his blade with my own.

I lose myself in the fight, pushing away thoughts of the female who steals my focus.

Vivian

Arix is in one hell of a mood. He’s pacing my room like an angry tiger, while I stand in front of my bed, watching him.

I’m tired—both physically and emotionally—after my day at the marketplace.

I frown at Arix. “You want to talk about it?”

“No.”

He can’t know I was approached at the market—can he? I wouldn’t put it past the commander to have put extra spies on us, but I know for sure there was no one within hearing distance when I was talking to the furry man.

Even if he knows I talked to someone, he won’t know what was said.

The thought of betraying Arix makes me nauseous again. I can barely look at him as his words run through my head on a loop.

“My kingdom has its faults, and while I try to improve it every day, it will always be a work in progress. But if someone were to take it from me, I would not rest until I had taken it back. My father would expect nothing less.”

The man promised that Arix wouldn’t get hurt. But some things hurt worse than physical pain.

Betrayal is one of those things.

Arix’s face is like stone. For whatever reason, seeing him like this makes me want to soothe him. I don’t quite understand this new urge, but I shrug, swinging my legs to the side and sliding off the bed as I get to my feet.

“You know…you promised to make me scream with pleasure on a daily basis,” I remind him. He whispered those words in my ear while languidly thrusting inside me just a few days ago.

He turns and tilts his head as he studies me. “You have complaints?”

He asks the question as if the idea is ludicrous, and I almost laugh. I’ve never been overly interested in arrogant men. I worked with some of the most attractive men on Earth when I was a model, and most of them were all ego and no real substance.

So why does Arix’s arrogance make me wet?

“All I’m saying is you haven’t fulfilled your duties today,” I say. His eyes flare at the word duties, as I knew they would, and he prowls my way.

“I’m going to make you beg,” he hisses at me, and I tense.

“Not fucking likely.”

“Oh, lovely, you just ensured it.”

I frown at him, but he continues advancing on me in a way that makes me feel stalked, his huge body moving like a panther.

I blink, and he’s in front of me, reaching into my dress and cupping my breast. My mouth drops open, and he doesn’t hesitate, taking my mouth in a deep, claiming kiss. I whimper against him, and he growls in response, running his thumb along my nipple until it’s hard and aching. He touches me with ferocious urgency until I’m desperate for him.

How does he always make me feel this way? Like my skin is too tight for my body? Like I’d get on my knees for him, beg him to put his hands on me?

He gentles his lips, brushing them against mine over and over again. I reach up and bury my hand in his hair, pulling him closer, insistently. He chuckles against my mouth, turning his attention to my other nipple, and I groan as he pinches it lightly between his fingers.

His other hand is busy with the strings of my dress, and