Marked Prince - Michelle M. Pillow Page 0,20

like he genuinely wanted to help her.

“Chandoo or death,” she answered.

Blast her constant honesty.

His expression was about what she’d expect when asking a member of the royal family to buy illegal drugs for her. His eyes narrowed at the suggestions, and he gave a firm shake of his head. “I’m sorry. I can’t help you with those.”

“I assumed as much.” She slowly walked toward the couch to put distance between them. The directness of his intent gaze caused her heart to beat a little faster than usual. Her thoughts raced, but not like before. Now they collided with her impressions and needs. Only she wasn’t sure what to think. “I want to apologize for vomiting on you. Between the visions and the flight, I am afraid I was not in control of my stomach.”

“Think no more of it,” Jaxx assured her. He followed her, slowly making his way toward the couch. His eyes didn’t leave her. “I apologize for the rough flight.”

“You helped save me from the Federation. I’m in your debt for that.” Fiora remained standing, unsure of what to do. Generally, by this point in a conversation, she was concerned with keeping images out of her head. With Jaxx, the emptiness of his future let her have her own thoughts. Too bad she still couldn’t figure out what those should be.

“That is why I have come.” Jaxx shifted his weight, and she found herself mimicking his pose. “I wanted to let you know that General Sten has relinquished his claim on you. There is no reason for you to fear him. You are safe.”

Safe. What an odd word. As long as she was breathing, she would never be safe. Her curse would always be a threat. There would always be those who would like to know what she could see.

“I assumed as much, but it is good to hear he relinquished his claim and has gone away for now,” she said. “But you are wrong to say I should not fear him.”

“You assumed?”

“I had visions of the queen scaring him more than the dragons, and his soldiers leaving.” Fiora was proud of herself for calling him a dragon and not a monster. She closed her eyes, trying to isolate the vision out of the many swimming in her head.

Repeating the queen’s words, heard by a soldier watching the interplay that happened at the palace entryway, she said, “Any off-world prisoner brought to or captured on this planet by visiting authority, that would be the Federation, must be divulged to the royal shifter families, that would be us, immediately. Since we have not received such documentation of…” She paused, trying to grasp at the string of thought as the timeline merged with that of the king. “I can only assume that this is a misunderstanding. Otherwise, you are in violation of the temporary settlement agreement and must at once vacate this planet. Of course, we would welcome those who wish to remain in the settlement known as Shelter City to stay, with the understanding that they were no longer under Federation rule, but free to choose whether or not they wish to leave or become true Qurilixen citizens. We would welcome them with open hearts.”

Fiora opened her eyes, wondering if this was the moment that brought forth the end of Shelter City. The dragons would have thought it a moment of victory, but the general was not a man to take the actions lightly. He was a man of control, and the dragons had taken away his psychic toy.

Was the imminent destruction because they’d saved her?

“That is exactly what the queen told General Sten. I would swear it was word for word, or at least very close,” he said.

“It was word for word,” she assured him. “It was brave of her to try.”

“I think she rather enjoyed telling the general off. I know we all enjoyed watching her do it.” Jaxx gave a small laugh.

Fiora tried to return his smile but couldn’t.

“I’m trying to keep in mind that you don’t want to be asked questions,” Jaxx said, “but I have them.”

“You want to know about your death,” Fiora concluded. “I’m sorry I told you. I don’t like giving that news.”

“No.” He shook his head firmly. “No man should ever know when the end is coming. I don’t blame you for telling me. I know you can’t help it. But I don’t wish to know more. I can’t let fear dictate my actions. I must go on as I am