Page 4 of Right on Time
“What? No! You’re making that up to get me to go with you willingly.”
Then again, did he really need her agreement? She hadn’t heard of women being taken off the planet against their will, but wouldn’t the human authorities cover up any such deed to remain in the Gaenthians’ good graces? The protection of the entire planet was more important than the wishes of the few. In this case, hers.
Chloe groaned inwardly. Whatever she chose to do, she would be getting no help from the human authorities. If she didn’t cooperate, things might get worse for her.
As evidenced by the way the Subcommander’s gaze had hardened, any previous warmth gone from his unique eyes. Gaenthians were known for adhering to a code of honor which stigmatized lying. And Chloe had basically accused the Subcommander of lying to her.
Oops.
Yes, perhaps it was better to cooperate.
Chloe took a deep breath. “Look, Subcommander, you caught me in a bad moment. I was in the middle of something very important, perhaps the most important thing in my life, and that’s why I am not ecstatic about coming with you.”
He rumbled so loudly that everyone jumped in surprise.
What the heck was his problem? Was he trying to intimidate the fight out of her? Not happening. “Subcommander, is it indeed not possible to check if I am truly the Commander’s mate without me having to come all the way to Jupiter with you?”
“I already told you. Lady Hloe.”
He was clearly pissed. Well, so was Chloe. “Fine. How much time is it to your space station?”
“One Terran rotation.”
Okay, a day of travel didn’t sound so bad. “Once I’m there, how much time will it take to prove the ASI is glitching?”
He gave her a look that said what he thought about that possibility. The trust these guys had in their AI… “One meeting with the Commander.”
“Sorry, what?”
“Once you meet with him, you will know there is no glitch.”
“Oh.” Chloe crossed her arms over her chest. “And what if after that meeting I still claim your ASI is faulty?”
He crossed his arms too. “You will not.”
Chloe gasped. The nerve of this guy… “But what if I do?”
“You will have a second meeting,” he said through clenched teeth.
Chloe pursed her lips. “And if I’m still not swooning over Commander Curling Horns?”
One of the Gaenthians at the door chuckled. The other made a poor imitation of a cough.
The Subcommander’s nostrils flared and his blue eyes narrowed at her. “Commander Siriniel of the Swirling Horn Clan is your fated mate. If after a second meeting you still deny the greatest honor the Goddess can bestow upon a soul, the most important thing in any being’s life, then I will personally insist that the ASI has made a mistake. That you are unworthy of being matched. Lady Hloe.”
Ouch. That hurt. Not that Chloe should care about the opinion of this guy. No matter how stunning he looked and how his presence awoke her libido. She hadn’t meant to offend his beliefs, but it wasn’t like he had shown respect for hers, had he now?
“Perfect,” she declared, eyes meeting his. “Clearly, I won’t be away from Earth for more than two to three days.”
“You will be away as much time as necessary,” he said just as firmly.
“Ha! And how exactly am I to explain that to my boss? Just like you, I have a job.”
Was that a sparkle of glee in his gaze? “Your boss has been informed of the honor bestowed upon his employee and said employee quitting her job on Terra. He wishes you the best of mated life.”
Fan-fucking-tastic.
CHAPTER 3