Chapter 9
CHAPTER NINE
The closer we flew to Exostalon, the more worried and paranoid I became.
We ended up making an additional stop at a planet I’d never been to before, one close to Exostalon, but not one the Exostalons were known to visit, to refuel and get supplies.
It was a smaller planet, but there were still a lot of ships parked at the port.
Part of me wondered if they’d mainly stopped so I could get off the ship for a bit before we landed on Exostalon, but I didn’t ask.
Either way, I was thankful for the break.
I went to Gage and asked, “Would you like to explore the planet with me for our date? I’ve never been here and you seem familiar with it.
” As the pilot, Gage spent most of his time ensuring we were headed the correct way, so aside from meals, I hadn’t been able to spend time with him like I had the others.
Gage smiled and nodded. “Sure. I can give you a tour of the best spots in this port town and take you to a delicious meal, if that’s what you want.”
I nodded. “Sounds great.”
Gage informed the others of our plan and after a heated, whispered argument between Zeke and Gage, we finally left.
Zeke continued to frown as we walked away, as did Wayne.
“Why are they upset?” I asked.
“They’re just concerned for your safety, since you seem to be a magnet for trouble,” he admitted.
Scoffing, I said, “I’ve been staying safe all by myself for years. I’m not a defenseless, damsel in distress.”
He smiled down at me and it made me pause mid-step. “No, you’re definitely not defenseless. It’s been quite a while since I’ve seen someone fight with such fire like you do. Like you enjoy it as much as we do.”
Returning his smile, I gave a half shrug. “At first I hated fighting, but … it grew on me.” And as much as I hated being an experiment, my additional skills and abilities helped ensure I would never be captured again. Especially now that he was dead.
We resumed walking and entered a market of sorts. There were the usual weapons and parts sellers, but there were also some trinket and jewelry sellers, too. While I had some money saved, I never spent it on frivolous things. Still, I liked to peruse the items.
On one of the tables, a cat figurine caught my eye.
It was a decoration my mother had had in her bedroom, a cat with one paw up, beckoning you closer, and the other holding a golden coin.
In one of the largest cities on my planet, it had been displayed in businesses and homes as a symbol of good luck.
Most, even those not part of that city, had several of the cats decorating their homes.
“That’s a special cat, you know?” the elderly woman whispered. “From my home planet, that was destroyed by the Exostalons. This cat will beckon good luck and fortune to you.”
My eyes widened as I looked up at her. “You’re from the Fourth Realm?”
She looked at me and gasped. “P-P-Princess? We thought you were dead!”
Hushing her, I quickly walked around the table to hug her. Some of my people were alive! “I’m sorry that you don’t have a planet anymore. I’m so sorry we couldn’t save them.”
“Nonsense! You were a child and you lost your parents as well as your home. I’m so happy you’re alive!” She looked behind me at Gage and visibly relaxed. “Oh, good, you found Dragonkin. They’ll keep you safe. Just stay away from those Exos, you hear?”
What did she mean the Dragonkin would keep me safe? Was it just because they were powerful? Did we have an alliance with them I had forgotten about?
“Did we have an alliance with the Dragonkin?” I asked.
She frowned. “Did you not hear from your parents about it? Yes, we have an alliance with them. You should be safe with them.”
Gage interrupted us by setting credits on the table and picked up the cat figurine. “I’d like to buy this for her,” he said.
The woman bowed. “Thank you, sir.”
He dipped his head back and she quickly wrapped it up and put it in a small bag.
“You stay close to the Dragonkin and let them protect you, you hear? May the stars bless you.” She bowed to me.
“May the stars bless you,” I whispered back and returned her bow.
As we walked away, I looked up at Gage and said, “You didn’t have to buy me the cat, but I appreciate it.”
“It’s a small price to pay for that smile,” he said and tapped the corner of my mouth, where I was indeed smiling.
“I can’t believe some of my people are still alive,” I whispered.
“See, you’re still a princess. Even if your planet is gone, your people and your traditions live on.”
My smile stayed in place as we continued around the market and headed deeper into the town to a small restaurant with a heavenly spicy scent permeating from it.
“This place has the best noodles in the galaxy,” Gage informed me.
The menu was pretty small, but everything sounded good. “Can you order for me? I can’t decide which to get.”
He smiled and nodded, seeming to like that I asked for his suggestion. “Of course.” He raised his hand and a waitress, a beautifully tall and thin female with milky skin, cerulean eyes, and pointed ears came over.
“What may I get you?” she asked, eyes focused solely on him.
Not that I blamed her. Gage was a handsome specimen.
He ordered for us and she immediately brought us back a fruity drink that was absolutely delicious.
“How long have you guys been exploring to find all of these places?” I asked.
“Too long,” he whispered, but then smiled at me. “A while, but it’s nice to visit a place I have been before with a set of fresh eyes.”
“I can repay you for the cat figurine,” I said quickly, my cheeks warming.
“Consider it a gift for allowing us the dates.”
“But the dates were—”
“I won’t allow you to repay me,” he said quickly. “If I had my way, I would buy you everything on this planet.”
Staring and blinking at him in disbelief was my only response because I was too shocked by his statement.
“Why do I feel like I’ve met you before?” I asked softly.
He smiled and shrugged. “Universe trying to let you know that we’re safe?”
I scoffed. “The universe is an asshole, so I doubt that.”
His smile turned down into a frown. “I’m sorry that you had to experience such hardships at such a young age. It makes my beast so angry, but there’s nothing for us to kill since it’s in your past and Zeke killed that Underlord.”
My eyes widened. Why were they so protective?
“I appreciate the sentiment, but you may soon find your mate and then you’ll have to drop me off somewhere and—”
“Would you like to come to our planet?” he asked suddenly.
My mouth snapped shut and I stared at him for a few breaths before I asked, “What?”
“Even if you aren’t our mate, I can provide for you. I have … a bit of wealth. I could provide for you to live there and live comfortably. Would you like that?”
Would I? For sure. However … I wasn’t sure I could handle watching them with their mate. Not now. Not after … getting to know them.
“I’m … not sure,” I admitted.
He reached across the table and gently clasped my hand with his. “Consider it,” he whispered. “I know we haven’t known each other long, but I feel drawn to you, to protect you.”
“Why? What is it about me that makes you guys want to protect me? I don’t understand it. I don’t understand a lot of things.” Huffing out a breath, I dropped my eyes down and tried to stop the circles that my brain was spinning.
“I understand that this feels different for you, that you don’t understand why you feel this way. I just ask that you allow us to learn more about you. Allow us to get to know you.”
My eyes snapped up to his. “Why? So that when you leave me for your mate that I feel even more alone than I have been this past decade?”
Why? Why had I said that? Why had I admitted how lonely I’ve been feeling?
His hand squeezed mine again. “Even if we find our mate. Even if we have to divert our attention to her, I promise … No, I swear on my beast, I will ensure that you are provided for. That you are happy and healthy on our planet, if you choose to come with us.”
“What if your mate hates me?” I questioned.
He scoffed. “No one could hate you.”
My cheeks heated at the compliment. “You are not like what I imagined or what I’ve experienced so far in my life out here in this unforgiving galaxy.”
“We are born to protect,” he whispered. “And you, my lovely princess, are desperately in need of some protection. Not just for your body, but your soul as well. I swear I will provide you a safe haven to live out the rest of your days. What do you say?”
“What do I have to promise you to get that safe haven on your home planet?” So many had offered the universe, but with a cost I didn’t dare pay.
“Friendship,” he answered. “I just want to get to know you better. Learn more about you, your past, your people, and strengthen this bond.”
“Bond?” I questioned.
He released my hand to tap his chest. “You can feel it, I know you can. There is a bond between us. I’m not certain what it is yet, but it is there, nonetheless.”
This was all too much. There was so much information and so much uncertainty.
“We have quite a long time until we reach our planet, so please just consider it. I won’t hold you to any decision tonight or require you to make one.
I just want you to know that I enjoy your company, even if it’s just as a friend.
You make my soul feel relaxed. Something I haven’t felt outside of my quartet in a very, very long time. ”
“I feel honored by that statement,” I admitted.
He laughed. “You should.”
Our food was delivered and it was one of the best things I had ever tasted in my life. I devoured it without looking up, but Gage didn’t seem to mind.
We returned to perusing the vendor stalls and a few shops with structures in the town. I found a few more items I liked and despite my protests, Gage bought them for me. He even purchased a backpack to put all of the items in so he could keep his hands free and carry everything.