13. Rivvac

RIVVAC

“Mia?” I bellowed at the sudden silencing of her sweet voice. “Mia?”

It was no use shouting through the door. I could no more ascertain what was happening behind it than I could peer through it.

“I’m coming in!” I announced.

I stepped back, planted my back foot, and snapped at the door. It shuddered hard, the wood splintering beneath the first blow. The door buckled around the latch. Seeing it, I aimed my next strike at it square. It flew open, the hinges giving way along with it, and sailed through the air.

I was prepared for an immediate attack the moment the door was off its hinges. I would be at my most vulnerable at that moment… but none came.

I peered through the doorway but made out only the damp confines. I edged around, using what little view the doorway provided.

I cared nothing for my own safety but knew that if I were to lose my life, it wouldn’t only be mine that was forfeit.

“Don’t hurt Mia,” I said, edging closer to the door. “She’s done nothing wrong. Your problem is with me, not her.”

I’d exhausted the angles the doorway offered and decided to step into it. My eyes automatically adjusted to the darkness. My breath hitched in my throat at the sight of Wyre with Mia in his arms, his blade pressed to her throat. A single pearl of blood peeled down her neck.

I couldn’t look at her. I didn’t want that expression of sheer terror to be the last thing I would remember of her.

I focused on the creature holding her in place, his liquid yellow slitted eyes unblinking, full of rage and yes, more than a little fear.

“Weapons,” he hissed. “Down. Now.”

“I don’t have any weapons.”

He looked me over. “Turn around.”

I did as he asked, holding my arms out to either side, and turned slowly on the spot. My senses were on high alert, muscles so tense they were ready to fly and lash out in case he attacked me from behind.

But no attack came.

When I came full circle, I was rewarded with Wyre loosening his hold on Mia and lowering her feet back down to the ground. His blade remained pressed at her throat.

“You came here in a Royal shuttle,” he hissed. “You stole it?”

“I am Prince Rivvac,” I told him.

Wyre snorted. “And what would a prince be interested in this female human for?”

“She’s my Steyatt mate,” I said evenly. “If you release her now to me, unharmed, I will let you go. No harm, no danger, left in peace.”

“Peace?” Wyre snorted. “She stole from me!” he snarled. “No one steals from me!” His grip tightened on Mia’s throat once more.

Mia’s eyes shimmered with tears of terror that then rolled down her cheeks. She gulped and the blade was so sharp that it made another small incision on her neck.

“She has nothing to do with this!” I growled. “I stole your money. I did it alone. Just me.”

“A prince stealing? Why? You have all the riches you could ever need for a lifetime. Hell, for a thousand lifetimes.”

I considered telling him the truth, that the Royal Family’s wealth was no longer what it once was, but I didn’t think he would believe me.

“Sometimes it’s nice to have a little extra on the side that no one knows about, don’t you think?” I said.

He licked his lips. I thought he believed me.

“I just opened up a little smuggling sideline operation,” I said. “If you give her to me, I can cut you in.”

He pursed his lips, considering.

“Or tell me what you want and I’ll give it to you, no questions asked,” I said. “Just let Mia go. You know I can grant you anything you want.”

“Anything?” he said, his eyes glinting bright.

I nodded. “Anything that is in my power to give.”

He thought for a moment before a sinister grin bent his lips upward. “Pick up that blade.” He nodded toward the kitchen table where a smaller, narrower blade glinted off the moonlight.

“Why?” I asked.

His slitted eyes gleamed. “I’ll tell you. Pick it up.”

I did as he asked.

“Come back over here,” he commanded.

I didn’t like where this was going but I did as he asked.

“Put it to your throat,” Wyre said.

Mia stiffened. She struggled as much as she was capable of without accidentally slitting her own throat.

I shook my head at Mia and she quietened down. I raised the cold bite of the metal’s edge to my neck.

“Now slice it open,” Wyre said.

Mia whimpered, causing another droplet to stain her skin.

“Now,” he commanded.

“I’m worth more alive,” I told him. “You can hold me hostage and ask for any reward you wish. I’ll go willingly.”

“And risk you escaping and slitting my throat open? I think not. I’ll tell them a nice little story about how space pirates took you hostage. I managed to rescue you… but not quite in time. I’ll be hailed a hero and showered with gifts that will make my previous treasure pale in comparison.”

“And Mia?” I asked.

“I’ll release her. But only once your body is drained of its life force.”

I couldn’t trust him, not with his history and the blade at Mia’s throat. I had to do something.

“Very well,” I said.

I pressed the blade to my throat. My blood seeped from the wound and splattered across my throat.