Chapter 13

Madame Althea is a constant threat in the back of my mind as we make our way across the galaxy. With two large bounties following us, we are careful to avoid larger shipping avenues and stations. Thanks to Shuvo's crew and a network of bounty hunters who are willing to help keep us informed of the Madame's movements or other hunters who might be after us, we're able to safely make our way to Shuvo's home planet.

However, the most exciting part of our journey—at least for me—was when Shuvo surprised me with information he was able to find on Bela and Skylar. Both women I was abducted and then sold to Lux with ended up on an amnesty planet called Pamia.

Bela is still with Treto, the bounty hunter who saved them, and Skylar was able to finish growing up in a safe place and is also living out her happily-ever-after.

I'm nervous as I lean over the back of Shuvo's chair when he comms a male named Rovos, the leader of the group of bounty hunters who saved my friends. When the screen in front of us flickers to life, it's not the gray male with feline features, including tabby stripes, that grabs my immediate attention but the woman sitting beside him. My eyes instantly start to well with tears at a sight I never expected to see again.

Bela's eyes widen, and then her hands cover her mouth as she lets out an excited squeal.

"Holy shit! Nita, I can't believe it's really you!" She laughs with disbelief. "When Rovos told me about the bounties Madame Althea put out on you, I'd hoped that meant you escaped!"

I snake my arms around Shuvo's neck and lean my cheek against the side of his head. "I never would have done it if it wasn't for Shuvo," I tell her, smiling when he runs his hand across my arm. "I've been worried about you too. How is Skylar? And did you ever find the others?"

Bela leans back with a long sigh, the grin on her face never faltering. "Oh, boy. There is so much to tell you. The short of it is, yes, we both made it, and we're wonderful! In fact, I'm happy to tell you that all of us abductees are great, actually. Sasha, Danielle, and Shae are all happily mated and living their best lives. Sasha ended up back on Earth with two bounty hunters, and the others spend most of their time touring the galaxies with their guys."

My jaw drops. "Wait. Did you say two?"

"Yup, and it's exactly what you're thinking," Bela says with a wink.

Well. Damn. "Good for her."

"Right. Lucky bitch." Her eyes slide to the side, and a soft smile spreads across her lips. "Not that I'd trade her for anything. Anyway, they stop in now and then and keep in touch. You're the only one who—shit, Nita, it killed us to leave you behind."

The distraught look that clouds her happy expression stabs at me. "No, no, I chose to stay, remember? And I was happy for a long time!" My lips quirk, and I glance down at Shuvo. "Well… I was content until he showed up."

Bela gives me a knowing smirk, and Shuvo glides his hand down my arm to twine his fingers through mine.

"We're doing what we can to thwart the Madame's bounties," Rovos speaks up from where he's been sitting quietly beside Bela. "Do you have any kind of plan? You're welcome to come to Pamia, but the Madame will have all lanes of travel leading this way watched, expecting that move."

Shuvo shakes his head and then squeezes my fingers, signaling for me to speak for him.

"We thank you for the offer, but we've already decided that we're going to Vuloria, Shuvo's home planet. He says we'll be safe there."

Bela looks disappointed, but Rovos nods in agreement. "That's a very distant planet, and the Negura aren't known for being welcoming to outsiders."

I tense at that, and Shuvo squeezes my hand, assuring me there is no need for worry.

"If things change, you're both welcome here," Rovos repeats, but then he narrows his eyes and points to the screen. "But don't just show up. Comm first so we can prepare when you inevitably bring trouble with you. I've had my hands full enough of that to last me a lifetime, but my mate will never let me hear the end of it unless I offer you sanctuary."

"Rovos!" a female voice shouts from somewhere off-screen.

Bela laughs. "Ignore him; you're always welcome here. Comm us anytime, if nothing else, so we can stay in contact. The others are going to be so jealous that I got to talk to you! Skylar snuck away this morning. She and—well, I'll let her tell you all about him. She likes to hike up into the hills where she can draw without being bothered. We probably won't see her until the suns start to set."

Bela and I talk for a little while longer, and I learn that Shae and her alien mate Volethos keep a home on Pamia, although they are off-planet whenever it suits them, which is often. Danielle and her mate also spend most of their time in space, only coming by to visit when they happen to be in the area. Bela has a bunch of kids with Treto and has become close friends with Rovos's mate, Anna, who is also human.

I promise to keep in touch with her and to comm back as soon as we're able so I can talk with the others. The rest of the trip to Vuloria remains uneventful. Although, the closer we get, the more nervous I become and the more I wonder what will it be like? Except for the asteroid where I was auctioned and a few space stations, I've never set foot on another planet besides Earth. Shuvo assures me I'll be happy there and that the atmosphere is compatible with my biology. That the people are friendly, despite what Rovos said, and welcoming. He also promises me that it's beautiful.

When Vuloria finally comes into sight, Shuvo drags me into his lap. From so far away, it reminds me of pictures I've seen of Neptune, but greener. It's settled in a galaxy that circles a sun similar to Earth's except that their sun pulses with a red glow rather than yellow.

When our cruiser breaks through Vuloria's thick layer of clouds, and the surface finally comes into view, I can't hold back my surprised gasp.

All I see is ocean. Vast, gray-green ocean.

Shuvo told me his people are most comfortable under water, but for some reason, I just assumed they must spend time on land as well, but I don't even see any land. I've never been more than waist-deep in any body of water my whole life and never learned to swim. The few times my husband—ex-husband—took the boys and me to the shore, I stayed far from the waves lapping at the beach and contented myself with watching them. Yet another notch against me that James used to his advantage. So, looking down at the vast stretch of choppy water has anxiety tightening my gut.

I jump when the comms suddenly crackle to life and a voice rattles off a string of coordinates. Shuvo picks up his communicator to respond before expertly banking the cruiser and taking us down to where a crescent-shaped island suddenly takes shape below us. It's covered in thick foliage that blends almost seamlessly with the gray waters. As we get closer, I realize there are more than the one. In fact, there are dozens, no, hundreds of small islands that form chains stretching as far as I can see.

He sets us down in a clearing that reminds me of the swamp in The Empire Strikes Back, where Luke goes to find Yoda. Thick clouds block out most of the sun's rays, and through the view screen, all I can see are twisted trees shrouded in mist.

This...is nothing like I expected.

Shuvo secures the cruiser and grins as he excitedly grabs my hand. I'm too shocked to do more than let him pull me through the hatch and into the humid outside air. With the lack of sunlight, I expect it to be cold, but instead it's quite warm. Balmy even. After breathing recycled oxygen for so long, the thick scents of salt and rich fauna are overwhelming and make my nose itch.

I marvel at the eerie jungle we've landed in. Above the twisted tree trunks is dense foliage ranging from shades of gray to dark green and blue. The sounds of alien birds and animals add to the creepiness, and I find myself looking all around, trying to place where all the strange sounds are coming from.

Shuvo's eyes glint with excitement as he pulls me down the gangway and into the marshy swamp. I expect my feet to sink into soft, spongy ground, but beneath the mist, it's solid and rocky beneath my feet.

"Greetings!" a deep voice precedes a male who slowly appears from the foggy tree line.

My heart is pounding, and my grip tightens around Shuvo's hand as the stranger walks toward us with a wide grin. He is Negura, but unlike Shuvo's dark gray coloring, his skin tone is greener, and he keeps his white hair trimmed short. His chest is bare, showing off stacks of muscles, and loose trousers ride low on his narrow hips.

When the male keeps striding toward us, with no intention of stopping, Shuvo steps in front of me with a growl that has the other male's eyes widening when he finally comes to a halting stop. A tense silence stretches between them before the male suddenly tips his head back with a hardy laugh.

"It would figure you'd go off and find the most luscious female in all the systems, then bring her back to gloat." His voice is huskier than Shuvo's but with the same soft tone that comes from using a communicator.

My head swivels between them. "Do you know each other?"

Shuvo nods once, and the other male laughs again. "I'm Ojal. Shuvo and I were best mates when we were pups." His eyes flick back to Shuvo. "I'm glad to see you again. I honestly never thought I would. Are you only visiting?"

Shuvo hesitates and then shakes his head.

Ojal's eyes widen even more. "Truth? You're here to stay?"

Shuvo nods and pulls me beside him, draping his arm around my shoulders.

"I imagine you're in a hurry to see your family, so I won't keep you, but promise we'll catch up soon."

Shuvo nods and then turns me away from him.

"It was nice to meet you, Ojal," I call out with a wave as Shuvo leads me away.