16. Chapter 16

MYLES

As expected, our discussion about how to proceed with the Chrymphten turned loud and aggressive. Out of fourteen vissigroths, seven had arrived here. All of us alpha males, used to absolute command and power.

Since this was my planet and my mission, I asserted my authority as leader in the absence of our susserayn. It wasn't easy and I was sure one or the other would challenge me again, but Darryck, Treyton and Duncayn supported me and with them at my back the others would sooner or later follow. Grudgingly, but they would submit to my lead.

That wasn't to say that each one of them didn't have their own input on how we should attack the Chrymphten once they showed themselves. And that discussion too, turned heated within moments.

I was glad when it was just me and Niara again after a long feast that followed our war talk. I wasn't in the least prepared for another attack.

"Why can't I just go back to my quarters?" Niara objected when I told her that for the next few nights we needed to share a bedroom in the penthouse.

"Because all the other vissigroths have their rooms here," I repeated patiently, "and I need to stay up here in case we need to discuss something."

"I get that, but why do I have to stay here?"

My head was killing me from earlier shouting matches and the noisy feast. Neither my mind nor my body where in the mood for another drawn out debate. Least of all with my hostage.

"Because you are my hostage," I repeated in case she had forgotten, "not my guest, my hostage ! You will sleep close to me so I can make sure you don't escape."

She rolled her eyes, aggravating me even further. "And where would I escape to? And what would I do? Do you really think I would run to Nathan and tell him not to meet with the Chrymphten? Do you really think I want them to attack Oceanus? This is my planet too." For good measure she pushed her fists into her hips, glaring up at me.

The worst was that she was right about this. Every one of her questions made perfect sense.

But she hadn't noticed the hungry looks of the other, unbound vissigroths she had received, hadn't heard their questions if the human seffy was with me or free to pursue. It seemed every vissigroth wanted a human seffy now and I would be damned if I allowed them to pursue my… hostage. That's all she was. My hostage. Mine!

"The situation is to precarious right now. I can't afford chasing you down in case—" I knew how weak my argument was, even before she interrupted me.

"Fine, I promise, I swear, I won't run away. You can even lock me in my room if you want to."

That hurt. Not that I was going to admit it to her, but damn. Why was the thought of her and I sharing a room for a few nights so abhorrent to her?

She interpreted the determination on my face right. "What about another room up here then?"

Where all the other vissigroths had access to? Without me knowing? No fucking way. "There are, but like I said I want you with me."

Even to my own ears I sounded like a petulant child.

"Oh, you're impossible," she fumed. "So you decided because I can't lock a door here, to force me to sleep here. With you."

That stung. "For your information, you locking your door accomplished nothing. If I had wanted to get in I would have gotten in, trust me."

"Good gods," she threw her hands up in the air, staring at me. I stared right back.

"Fine," she surrendered, "let me just go and get my things."

"That won't be necessary," I filled her in. "I noticed your… lack of personal belongings and had a closet stocked for you."

"You what?"

I pointed at a door behind which a second closet was hidden. Which would have belonged to my vissy if I had one. For now it had been filled with garments and whatever else a seffy needed, to have Niara outfitted as her status deserved.

I didn't think the other vissies had taken more than a quick notice of Niara's poor clothing, but I had. I had also noticed what the other vissies wore and I had wanted Niara to have that.

If I had expected a squeal of delight from her upon seeing what I had arranged for her, I was sorely disappointed.

"What is that?" She inquired, turning to face me at the entrance of her closet without setting a foot inside.

"I ordered it for you," I said as the first stirrings of foreboding moved through my body. "You are not pleased?"

"Pleased?" She whirled and pointed at the many garments in an area that I was willing to bet was larger than her bedroom at home. "I’m not your concubine who you can dress as you like." She fumed.

"I never thought of you as my concubine," I defended myself, even though, I wouldn't have objected to a kiss in gratitude or… more.

"Let me be clear. I am your hostage ," her eyes threw daggers at me. "Nothing else. I don't need to be dressed in finery. I don't need your… charity. I don't want it."

"Charity?" I thundered. "This isn't charity seffy, this is…" zyn, Myles, what exactly is it ? My mind stopped me momentarily. "A thank you for training my males in diving, for working so hard on the equipment, your warning about the volcano, take your pick."

I nearly patted myself on the back for having come up with this reasoning so quickly, which in all honesty had not been on my mind when I ordered all the finery for her. It worked though, I could see it on her slowly changing facial features and I wasn't about to feel guilty for the embarrassment written over her paling face. Instead smugness rode me.

"A thank you would suffice."

"Thank you," she said in a low voice, that almost, made me feel guilty. Almost.

"You're welcome, now explore your new clothing, while I get the bed—"

Her wrath returned, by Grandyr this seffy's moods changed like a krumm—batlike creature—did directions.

"I will not sleep with you in the same bed," and then, for good measure—I suspected—she added, "Just so you know, I’m betrothed."

That hit me like a spear to the gut. Sudden jealously fanned through me. I kept it in check, barely, "Well, I wish you and your betrothed a long and happy life. I hope he is aware of what he is in for? Your temper seffy, is nothing to be trifled with."

Betrothed?

Why hadn't she said anything before? Why hadn't I thought about it. And most of all, why the snyg did it bother me?