Prideful Savage (A Warrior's Redemption #1) - Miranda Bridges Page 0,44

packed supplies, weapons, and provisions, we set off to my home planet.

I am returning with not only the cure but also my mate.

Ella

Now I know how Bravik felt when he entered the interrogation room.

I hold my head high as I step into the throne chamber, trying desperately to ignore the sea of eyes that follow my every step. I’m an outsider to them, and they’re looking at me curiously like they would a caged animal. I suppose it makes sense. To them, I’m the alien, not the other way around.

Some of the males and females whisper when I follow in Bravik’s wake, but most of them gawk at me like I’ve got two gigantic heads stuck to my shoulders. In spite of their cold assessment, I’m admittedly amazed by how unique they all are. I’ve never seen aliens quite like this other than Bravik and his brothers.

The males are the minority here. They all wear the same style of sleeveless shirt as Bravik, but they’re a deep ruby with ebony embroidery that runs diagonally across their torsos. Their pants are black too, and the silk material shines in the candlelight bleeding down from the brass sconces. The females, who drastically outnumber the men, wear crimson dresses cut down the front, exposing scandalous amounts of cleavage.

They all have horns, but they’re as different and unique to each other as snowflakes. Most of the females vary in flesh tones, apart from the one who sits in a tall, intricately carved, gilded throne. Her skin is porcelain white, almost translucent, and her hair is golden, twined with jewels and chains that reflect the light. Her gown is fully black with sleeves and leaves nothing to the imagination. A large ruby rests in the hollow of her throat, and when she turns her head to look at me, the glinting jewel is almost blinding.

“This is Her Majesty, Hellisa,” Bravik whispers in my ear, his hand steady and comforting at the small of my back. “She’s the one who will decide whether our alliance will go ahead.”

I swallow my nerves and hold myself tall. This meeting could be what makes or breaks our rebellion. Having all these powerful aliens on our side…surely the G.C. won’t stand a chance? With them fighting alongside us, we’ll flush out our enemy and send them back to the government cesspit where they belong. And then we’ll take back Aurora, and no human will be enslaved ever again.

Bowing low to Hellisa, I stand before her throne and wait, my heart racing with abandon in my chest. Her gold eyes narrow on my face, then they flick to Bravik, assessing and questioning. Cold and unyielding. After a moment, she parts her rosewater lips, and the words that follow are foreign to my ears.

Bravik places his other hand on my shoulder. “For the benefit of my human mate, I would like to kindly request we conduct this hearing in her native tongue.”

Surprised murmurs break out among the audience. I shoot Bravik a thankful smile and then face Hellisa.

“Very well,” she says in English. I have no idea if she’s using a translator or actually speaking the language. I’m just relieved I can now understand her. “I have spoken with my advisers,” she continues, “and I have been informed that you, Bravik, located a suitable cure that may be used in strengthening our post-transformation state. Is that true?”

He nods with unwavering pride. “I believe so, Your Majesty.”

Hellisa extends a bejeweled hand and points to a stone altar positioned directly between us. The granite is decorated with strange symbols and patterns that are carved into her winding horns and the back of her throne.

“Please bring forth the evidence,” she says, her eyes latched on me.

It’s like she knew all along the vial was tucked safely inside my pocket.

I peek at Bravik, and he smiles at me reassuringly. Right. It’s time to show these aliens we mean business. Taking a sharp inhale of breath, I reach into my coat and withdraw the glass vial. I approach the altar and place the serum on the lightly cracked surface. All the while, everyone watches me, and I swear one of the females gasps for me to hurry up. I get it. This is a big deal for them. I just hope it’s truly what they’re looking for.

“All those present grieve the fact the fate of our species hangs by a thread at present,” Hellisa says, addressing the audience. Her smooth, clear voice carries a strong sense of