Testing Truth (Cyborg Space Exploration #6) - Cynthia Sax Page 0,50

monitoring the ship’s systems, was aware of all communications flowing through them.

Including the transmissions between the prince and the palace.

“The queen offered me an audience with her.” That male was the next to enter the bridge. He remained too thin, but his cheeks held pigment and he could walk without assistance. “I refused that great honor.” His tone was sarcastic. “And I didn’t give her private secretary a reason for my response, which irritated him.”

The Palavian grunted. The male followed his prince closely, his gaze on his little human.

Truth’s female sighed. “She—”

“She handed me to the Humanoid Alliance, knowing I would be tortured and likely die in their custody.” The prince’s voice raised. “She sent you on an impossible mission to rescue me, knowing you would likely fail and be brutally killed. We’ve made our sacrifices for Royaume, Princess. We don’t owe them or their queen anything else.”

The Palavian drew the distraught prince into his arms, covering as much of the human’s form as possible. He cooed, a soothing sound Truth had never heard one of his kind make. His handling of the male was gentle.

“I agree.” Nancy burrowed deeper into Truth’s embrace, as though she too sought the comfort of her male’s touch. “What I was going to say is the queen will view your response as an act of defiance. You should prepare for her reaction.”

“Oh.” The prince blinked once, twice. “We won’t be present to face that reaction.” He exchanged a glance with his Palavian. “Knowing the queen, she has told no one else about my return. When we land, we plan to slip out of the palace, go to a place we can be alone, plot our next move.”

“That’s clever.” Nancy’s nod was regal. “We’ll distract her so you can make your escape.”

“Will this distraction involve blowing something up?” Truth grinned at his princess. “I can carry some explosives if that is necessary.”

“You’re a fool.” She shook her head, a hint of a smile curving her lush lips. “There will be no explosives.”

“I’m your fool.” He kissed the tip of her royal nose.

She beamed at him. The gold rimming her irises glowed. His female was gorgeous, and she was his, and he would ensure she remained safe and happy.

The probability of that was 3.5896 percent if they were parted. The queen had sent her on a dangerous mission once, would send her on a dangerous mission again. And, without him by her side, his princess might not survive the next assignment.

Truth wouldn’t survive her death.

They had to stay together.

“We’re approaching the landing site.” Valentin placed his hands on the controls.

Truth kept his hands on Nancy. The male was a competent pilot, could land the ship without assistance, and his princess required the comfort of his touch. She quivered under his palms as she smoothed her gown, straightened her tiara.

“You’re perfect.” He grinned at her.

“I’m not perfect.” Pink pigment flooded her cheeks. “But Royaumes expect me to look that way.”

And she cared what her subjects thought about her. She cared about them.

But he was the being she loved.

He gazed at her with open admiration, was still gazing at her when the ship settled on palace grounds, within the walls.

Claude insisted on leading them through the ship, to the doors. That was his expected role, he explained, his chest puffed out with importance.

Truth’s role was with his princess. She gripped one of his arms with her fabric-covered fingers. He moved with her, matching her shorter stride, monitored the space around her, looking for threats.

Humans were positioned at the bottom of the freighter’s ramp. In the distance, beings chanted, “Princess, Princess, Princess.” None of them appeared to be hostile.

But Truth wasn’t taking risks with his female. Her stiff form relayed to him she felt unsafe. He rested his free hand on the handle of a holstered gun, prepared to defend her.

A snooty-looking male greeted them. “Her Majesty the Queen requests an immediate audience with Her Royal Highness Princess Nanette.” He posed with one hip stuck out, his nose pointed in the air.

Truth looked at his female, tapped the handle of his gun, and lifted his eyebrows.

He would happily end that male’s lifespan.

His princess shook her head, denying his silent request. “The queen will receive an audience with the princess and Truth, the princess’ consort.” Her tone matched the snooty male’s haughtiness.

That turned Truth on. His cock pressed against the confines of his body armor.

“The princess’ private secretary, royal guard, and royal dresser will accompany the princess and the princess’