Hunted By the Alien Pirate by Celia Kyle Page 0,54

as Ilya did only a short while ago.

“Thank the stars you’re alive, Fiona! We were all so worried about you. No more foolish missions to black sites for you anymore. From now on, you stay put in that nav chair where we can all see you!” she admonishes, just as any den mother would.

“Believe me, I’ll be laying low for a while, Marion. This was more than enough adventure to last me a lifetime,” I tell her.

“Who are your friends?” she asks, eyeing the group of women gathered behind me.

“These women were rescued from the slave auction on Perseus. Some of them have been held prisoner for months. I was hoping you’d assist me in getting them fed as well as securing some new clothing and a place to sleep. Solair has agreed to deliver them to the nearest safe port, as we’re currently running over capacity ourselves,” I explain.

“Of course, I’ll help you—and them. After all, it wasn’t so long ago we found ourselves in the same situation. We’re still essentially refugees, I reckon,” Marion says.

I watch as she immediately abandons her own meal and herds the women to the counter of the mess, introducing them to Jax and instructing him to ply them with as much food and drink as he can. One by one they receive plates piled high with warm bread and vegetables as well as the biggest bowls of Rauth stew he can provide.

Marion leads them over to a group of tables and settles them in before asking Kintar for his help in locating a place for them to sleep along with bedding and some clean clothes. The Kilgari steward doesn’t even grumble in response. He only nods and departs with a smile.

Once the women appear settled, Montier and I turn to take our leave. We’re just about to exit the mess when I’m approached by the woman I’d spoken to when I’d arrived at the auction. I’m glad to see her. Under the lights of the mess hall, she looks healthier than I’d originally thought.

“I just wanted to thank you for taking us with you, Fiona. It’s very admirable,” she says. “My name is Alia, by the way. I didn’t get a chance to tell you back on Perseus.”

“It does me well to see you, Alia. I’m so glad you’re here and safe. Please, make yourself comfortable. Eat as much as you like. Marion will ensure you have a comfortable place to sleep until we can get you planet-side again. As the Queen’s navigation officer, I’m on my way to the bridge right now to determine our next port of call,” I say.

“Really? You’re part of the crew?” she asks, eyes wide.

“I am. It’s only a recent change, but yes.”

“Will you… will you allow me to accompany you to see the captain? I have some information that might be useful to you all, and I feel he should hear it,” Alia says.

I turn to Montier, unsure of the protocol regarding non-crew members on the bridge.

“Would she be permitted?” I ask.

“I don’t see why not. It’s not typical, but it’s Solair’s call to make,” he says.

He’s right. I take Montier’s hand in mine and Alia follows us up to the bridge, trailing behind in silence.

When we arrive, I don’t let go of Montier’s hand. I’m aware that everyone already knows we’re jalshagars, but this is the first opportunity we’ve had to present ourselves as a cohesive unit and I’m not going to miss it.

Solair and Varia are already present, as well as Swipt, Ilya, and Grantian. Swipt immediately abandons his seat, handing the controls over to Ilya, and approaches me at a fast pace. I barely have time to brace for the impact when he crashes into me, like an overgrown puppy who missed his master.

“It’s so good to see you, Fiona. I’m so glad you’re okay!” he exclaims.

He gives me a solid hug but pulls away quickly when he hears a low growl coming from the back of Montier’s throat. Laughing, he punches my mate lightly on the shoulder.

“Calm down, Monty. I’ve a jalshagar of my own. You were at our mating ceremony, remember?” he jokes.

I can’t help but roll my eyes at the two of them.

“Forgive me if I’m a little on edge. You know how it is,” Montier says, but his tone is light.

“Who’s your friend?” Solair asks, noticing Alia standing behind us.

I introduce her formally and inform the captain that she mentioned she has some information we might find valuable before