Page 31 of Adored By the Alien Warlord

“Alright,” I croaked.

With a pivot, he stalked into a room on the right side of the foyer, his tail a whip behind him.

One of the staff yanked on my chain, taking me to a room on this level, a small space with green walls and a bed large enough for two Veerenads. A tiny bathroom had been tucked off the right side. The guards left, locking the door behind them.

Now, all I could do was wait, trying to make sense of the new situation I'd been thrust into. As I sat on the edge of the bed, my heart pounded from worry for Davon. The memory of his lips on mine filled me with a mix of fear and longing, messing with my already tangled emotions.

The distant hum of thecity filtered through the barred window along with the soft rustle of wind through the trees. Under any other circumstances, this might not be bad. The king hadn’t indicated he wanted me in any way other than to dance, and I doubted he’d expect me to perform from dusk until dawn. He also hadn’t suggested I’d do anything else.

But I was as trapped here as I'd been in my room below the bar. I closed my eyes, trying to calm my whirling thoughts, but I wouldn't relax until I saw Davon.

A while later, someone opened the door.

They thrust Davon inside.

He stopped, remaining in place, waiting until they’d locked the door again before turning toward me.

“You’re alright?” he whispered, lowering two sturdy packs onto the floor near the wall.

“They didn’t hurt me.”

“Good.” He scanned the room, noting the solitary window with bars. Striding over to it, he tested it, yanking on the bars, but they didn’t grate or make a sound, telling me they were sturdy enough to keep us penned in. Even if we could make it outside, we’d still have the guarded wall to get past.

“The king made it clear that you’re only my bodyguard, that he’ll kill you if you touch me in any other way,” I said.

“Then we’ll keep our distance.”

I nodded, sliding off the bed. “What’s the new plan?”

His eyes gleamed, and I tried to read hope there, but it was hard. This situation might provide an easier job forme, but in many ways, it felt worse than the last. At least at the bar, he could sneak in and help me, talk to me, help keep my spirits from flagging. “I’m working on it. I studied the place as we arrived, and I’ll find a way.”

I rushed to him and gave him a quick hug, not daring to touch him more than that before backing away. I doubted they had cameras inside my room, but we didn’t know who might find a way to watch. We’d be unwise to ignore the king’s warning.

The door opened again and a slender Veerenad with bright pink hair hanging to their shoulders stepped in, holding a folded pile of clothing. A female? Perhaps.

“I’m Oolah,” she said in a lilting voice. “Welcome to the king’s palace. You’ll dance. Dance some more. And you’ll do whatever else you’re asked.” Another warning I’d take heed of. She laid the pile of clothing on my bed. “I was told you don’t have a tail.” A sneer came through in her voice. “I closed the back holes in these, but it’ll take time to gather new outfits for you.” Her assessing gaze traveled down my frame. “You’re much too small. A youngling?”

I wasn’t going to tell her I was fully grown. Let her think I was a child, and she might slip up and give me a way out of this trap.

Nodding, I smiled. Tried to, that is. Exhaustion kept trying to bowl me over. I needed to sleep, or I was going to collapse.

“Do you require food?” she asked, striding back to the door, totally ignoring Davon. But he was my guard. She probably didn’t acknowledge the king’s either.

“No, thank you,” I said.

Finally, she looked Davon’s way. “Why aren’t you out in the hall? Your job is to make sure this odd female doesn’t escape.”

Not without him.

“They locked him inside with me,” I said with a shrug. “Take him with you when you go, please.” Let her think I didn’t even know who he was.

“As you request.” Davon dipped forward, giving her a bow.

Satisfaction gleamed in Oolah’s eyes. He might be one of the first to show her deference, and she appeared to like it. We could work with this too.

“I appreciate all you’ve done for me,” I told her, adding to Davon’s gesture. “Thank you very much.”

With a grunt and a sneer, she opened the door, waving for Davon to leave the room. Once they’d stepped out into the hall, she closed and locked the panel behind her.