Page 53 of Adored By the Alien Warlord
I looked up at him, my jaw set, my eyes hard. “The king’s going to pay for what he's done.”
Someone brought us food and multiple jugs of water.
“Eat,” Valdar said, dishing up a full plate and sitting at a desk to consume his meal.
The scent of roasted meat made my stomach growl despite my ragged nerves. I tore into the meal, juices filling my mouth, and washed everything down with gulps of water. Valdar did the same, his eyes narrowed in thought as he ate.
The sun began to set, casting long shadows through the window. The noise from outside slowly died down, the fights becoming fewer and farther between. A group of male and female Veerenads, dusty and bloodied from battle, entered the room, their gazes locking onto Valdar.
“Sire, we control the main parts of the city,” one said, his chest heaving. “The remaining guards have either surrendered or retreated. I have packs tracking them down. Once we catch them, we'll make them swear allegiance or make sure they can never support a usurper again.”
Valdar stood and braced the male's forearms. “Thank you, General Kro Ek. I couldn't do this without you.”
The general looked at me, his eyes gleaming withrespect. “I'm sorry about your mate, Zuldruxian. We'll do everything we can to get her back.”
Valdar nodded, his voice steady as he explained our plan to his general. “I believe the king has taken her to the caverns. We'll enter through the secret passage and make our way from there.”
Kro Ek grunted with approval. “I'll put together a force. Meet us at the weapon's room when you're ready.”
As the sun dipped below the horizon, Valdar turned to me. “It's time.”
We made our way to the weapon's room, the clang of metal and the murmur of voices growing louder as we approached. Inside, Veerenads armed themselves with swords, spears, and shields. I strapped on a set of armor, the cool metal a solid weight against my chest. I chose a sword, its hilt fitting perfectly in my hand, and a dagger that I tucked into my belt.
Valdar led us out the back of the palace, the cool night air a shock after the sweltering warmth inside. We moved silently, sticking to the shadows as we made our way through a copse of woods behind the building. The wall loomed ahead, a dark silhouette against the starlit sky.
“We'll follow the wall until we reach the entrance,” Valdar whispered, his voice barely audible. “Watch out. The king may have guards posted in the area.”
We crept through the woods, the soft crunch of leaves underfoot the only sound we made. The wall stretched on endlessly, but Valdar moved with confidence. The scent of damp earth and night-bloomingflowers filled my senses, and the rustle of small creatures in the underbrush made me turn with a jerk, my body on high alert.
Finally, Valdar stopped, his hand signaling for us to halt. He pointed to a section of the wall where the stones jutted out slightly, casting a deeper shadow. He stepped forward, his fingers tracing the edges of the stones. With a soft click, a section of the wall swung inward, exposing a dark passage. Valdar looked back at us, his eyes gleaming in the moonlight.
The jerk of his snout asked if we were ready, and we nodded, tightening our grips on our weapons.
I followed Valdar into the darkness.
The dark channel swallowed us, the cool air and the scent of earth surrounding us as we made our way deeper.
Chapter 29
Maggie
Isat on the floor of the cell, my arms aching where they were tied behind my back, trying to ignore how trapped I felt. Damp cold from the stone seeped into my bones, and the scent of earth and something sharp filled my senses. Terrified, I was more afraid than I had been inside the palace. At least there, I could see Davon. We could make plans. Here, he didn't know where I was. Would I ever see him again?
At least the king had left after tossing out his threats. I hated him, hated that he was so determined to control me.
But despite the fear gnawing at my insides, I held onto hope. I had to. I couldn't give up, not when Davon was out there, fighting for us and our future. I clung to the memories of his touch, his smile, his love. It was all I had in the darkness, and I wouldn't let go.
The sound of footsteps echoed down the hall, and a male Veerenad unlocked and entered the cell carrying atray with a bowl of something and a jug of water. He lowered the tray onto the floor.
I scrambled to my feet as best I could with my hands bound behind my back.
“What's happening?” I asked, my shrill voice reflecting my fear.
The male took me in with cold, unyielding eyes. He said nothing, turning away and stepping through the open doorway and slamming the barred door closed. The lock clicked into place.
I rushed over. “At least unbind me. How do you expect me to eat when I can't use my hands?”
He spun his finger in the air, and I turned. His blade sliced through the ties, and I pivoted, flexing my hands to bring back the circulation.