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

hitting me in the ribs as she strides past me. I ignore her, staring at the paintings.

“Wow,” I murmur, and Sarissa silently follows me as I walk closer to the vendor’s kradi.

The colors aren’t as bright or as vivid as those I’ve seen on Earth. They’re more…muted, but no less beautiful. In fact, the sheer skill it must require to paint these without access to the types of paints and brushes we have…

“Incredible.”

The paintings depict scenes from across Agron. In one of them, an old man with horns sits on a porch in a forest, looking content, if a little lonely. In another, a dragon flies above the Colossal Water at sunset, his reflection shimmering below.

“That’s Dragix,” I murmur, and Sarissa nods.

“Look at that one.” She points, and my heart flips. Arix is wearing a midnight crown as he lounges on his throne. He’s looking down at someone, his brow creased slightly in thought, one corner of his mouth curled up and his long fingers wrapped around a jeweled cup.

My heart stutters. I need that painting.

I tune out everything and everyone around me, turning to the vendor, who has been watching me closely. He’s scaled, the red-and-pink colors blurring together in a way that makes me dizzy, his eyes a bright gold.

“Are you the painter?”

He shakes his head. “My brother.”

“Will you give me his information?”

He shrugs but finally rattles off the details. I glance at Sarissa, who sighs but pulls out one of her pieces of paper and writes down the guy’s name and address.

The vendor tilts his head. “He will be here tomorrow if you would like to meet him.”

I definitely would. For now, I point to the painting of Arix. I don’t care how, but I’m taking that thing with me when I leave.

“How much?”

He names a price that makes Sarissa choke, and I narrow my eyes at him.

“How much if we weren’t human?”

He smiles, displaying crooked yellow teeth. “Your race has nothing to do with the price.”

I scowl. “What is it, then?”

“The look on your face when you gaze at our king.”

I blush, and Sarissa tuts, a smirk playing around her mouth. “Someone’s dick-struck,” she mutters, and I wish the ground would open up and swallow me.

I stare at the vendor, who sighs.

“Since you obviously plan to give my brother more work, I’ll take ten credits.”

“Seven.”

“Nine, and I’ll have it delivered to the castle.”

I raise my eyebrows at that, and he laughs. “Everyone knows of the strange females staying as the king’s guests.”

I sigh but dig into my pocket and hand them over. Arix insisted we never leave without a pocketful of credits, so technically, he’s the one buying this painting for me. Since he’s the reason I feel the need to buy it in the first place, it seems fitting.

I’m in a better mood as we walk away. Sarissa wisely chooses not to mention the fact my “fling” is veering into dangerous territory.

Next, I’ll probably be cutting off a lock of Arix’s hair to take with me when I get on that ship.

Actually, that’s a great idea.

No, no, no. This was always meant to be temporary. I was supposed to have some fun and get him out of my system. I need to get a handle on whatever obsession I seem to have with the man.

I hesitate, about to whirl around and stalk back to the vendor to tell him I don’t want the painting after all.

Sarissa nudges me, murmuring under her breath. “There he is.”

Shit.

I walk toward Varge as if I’m walking toward the gallows. Apparently, Sarissa has already arranged for our guards to be distracted for the next few moments. She now has enough contacts in this kingdom to run all kinds of plans. It’s a little scary, to be honest.

“Greetings,” Varge says. He runs a hand over his furry head and nods at Sarissa as she steps closer.

“There will be a ball in six nights,” he says, getting straight down to business. “Nobles from many tribes across this part of Agron will be attending with petitions for the king. All you have to do is ensure he is in a particular place at a particular time.”

Sarissa narrows her eyes at him. “How exactly will this work? You promised the king won’t get hurt.”

He nods quickly. “My contact is planning to overthrow the king with evidence of his ineffectual rule. He will convince the council he should rule in Arix’s place.”

It takes everything in me not to punch Varge in the face.

“We want the chip first,” Sarissa says, and he laughs.

“If you have the chip, what will compel you to hold up your part of the deal?”

“If we hold up our part of the deal, what will compel you to give us the chip?”

Stalemate.

Varge sighs and turns to Sarissa. “We will meet you at the dock on the night of the ball and will give you the chip.” He nods at me. “You will help us overthrow the king and will then be free to go.”

I glance at Sarissa, who frowns.

“We’ll think about it and let you know.”

Varge scowls at that, his huge, furry eyebrows drawing together like two giant caterpillars. “We don’t have much time.”

“We’ll get a message to you. Who should we use at the castle?”

I hold my breath, wondering if Varge will actually tell us. He hesitates and then finally shrugs.

“Give it to your maid,” he tells Sarissa, and I stiffen. Arix is surrounded by traitors.

“Done.” Sarissa nods as if completely unconcerned, and Varge turns and walks away.

“Are you going to be able to do this?” Sarissa asks me.

“Do you want my honest answer?”

“Of course.”

“I think this is all a mistake.”

Sarissa’s silence almost makes my ears bleed.

“Okay,” she finally says. “How do you suggest we tell everyone we can’t actually get off this planet because you lost your lady balls?”

I inhale so sharply I almost choke.

“Oh, of course it’s so easy for you,” I snap. “You don’t give a shit about anything or anyone!”

She stares at me, hurt, and then fury