Page 44 of Adored By the Alien Warlord
I fought on, bucking and thrashing, trying to dislodge the guards piling onto me. I landed a solid punch on one, sending him reeling back, but another took his place. A heavy blow landed on my back, driving the air from my lungs again. I roared, refusing to yield.
“Davon.” Maggie's cry cut through the snarls and grunts of the guards. I could see her out of the corner of my eye, standing with a sheet clutched to her chest, fear etched onto her face.
A guard grabbed my arm, wrenching it behind my back. I bellowed and twisted, slamming my elbow into his snout. He howled, releasing me, but another guard drove his knee into my spine.
I fought until the very end, until a sharp blow to the back of my head sent darkness crashing over me.
Maggie's screams followed me into blackness . . .
I woke to my cheek pressed against cold stone and the tang of blood in my mouth. Groaning, I pushed myself onto my hands and knees, the world spinning around me. I blinked, waiting for my vision to clear, and lifted my head, taking in my surroundings.
The walls of the small room were made of rough stone. A single, barred window had been set into the door, letting in a meager amount of light from a hallway beyond. Damp mustiness hung in the air, the scent of old straw and unwashed bodies filling my nostrils.
A soft rustling sound caught my attention. Three Veerenads sat in the corner of my room, their gazes on me. They weren't guards; what little clothing they wore hung in tattered shreds. Dirty, from the dull sheen of their scales. I'd bet anything they and their clothing hadn't been washed for a very long time. Prisoners, like me.
With a groan, I shifted across the floor, my back scraping against the stone wall when I dropped to sit upright. Every part of my body ached, my muscles sore and bruised from the fight. I probed at the back of my head, wincing at the tenderness there.
The Veerenads watched me, their expressions unreadable. They didn’t appear hostile, but they weren’t grinning with welcome either. They observed me, their tails flicking across the floor beside them.
I took a deep breath, the coolair sending a shiver through my tortured body. I was alive, but for how long? I had no idea what they'd done with Maggie. Fear gripped my heart, squeezing tight. I had to find a way out of here. I had to save her.
I closed my eyes, listening to the soft rustlings of the Veerenads, the distant drip of water echoing through the stone room. I was a prisoner, but they had not defeated me yet.
I would find a way out. I had to.
For Maggie.
For us.
I stirred, realizing I must’ve passed out again. A heavy groan escaped my lips as the world rushed back into focus. The room spun before my vision cleared, revealing the same cold stone walls and damp mustiness that had greeted me earlier. The Veerenads now paced the small space, their tails lashing behind them. One kept glancing at the door, his eyes filled with unease.
I pushed myself up onto my elbow, my head pounding from this simple movement. The bang of metal on metal echoed through the hallway outside our cell, followed by a gruff voice shouting, “Get back or lose your limbs.”
The Veerenads shuffled away from the door, pressing against the stone wall along the back. I sat up, rubbing my head, my fingers tracing the tender lump that had grown bigger.
The door to our cell creaked open, and two guards strode in, spears clutched in their hands. They jabbed the weapons towards the Veerenads standing stiffly nearby, jeering and sneering. “Look at you, pathetic creatures. Once mighty warriors, now nothing but drettires in a cage.”
The Veerenads said nothing, their eyes cold as they glared at the guards. More guards filed into the room, carrying a large tray holding food and a jug that I assumed contained water. They placed it on the floor without a word and left, the other guards following close behind them. The door slammed shut, and the lock clicked into place.
The youngest of the three Veerenads turned to me, his voice surprisingly gentle. “Are you thirsty or hungry?”
I blinked, taken aback by the kindness in his voice. I’d expected these prisoners to be harsh, every male looking out for himself.
“No, thank you.” My voice came out rough through my throat tight with worry for Maggie.
The three of them sat down around the tray, their manners polite as they began to eat. Each took a small portion, ensuring there was enough for everyone. They ate in silence for a few moments before the youngest looked at me again.
“I’m Valdar.” He waved to the other two who dipped their heads my way. “This is Krekk and Torinar.”
“I'm Davon.”
Valdar tilted his head, studying me with curious eyes. “You’re Zuldruxian. You’re not from here. What brought you to this place?”
I hesitated, unsure of how much to reveal. But there was something about these Veerenads, a kindness and nobility that made me want to trust them. “I came here with my mate. We were forced to come here. She . . . dances for the king—”
Valdar snarled. “Some king.”
“We were told not to be near each other but . . . I love her. We were caught together.”
