Alien Mate's Revenge

2. IARRED ACKMED

IARRED ACKMED

Katan stood facing me, gesturing for me to choose a weapon. I stared at the Katana made from Pasha Ackmed III, our great grandfather. I had used every weapon in our arsenal except the Katana of Retribution. The sparring chamber was vacant since I had bested all of the royal guards and stained their garments with lavender blood. Today I insisted on fighting with weapons, and I gave no mercy.

Turning away from the wall of weapons, I turned to my brother. “I don’t want to train with you.”

Katan frowned. “When are you going to forgive me? I am your brother and your future king, yet I still feel your anger as you gaze upon me.”

“The depth of the pain and misery you caused cannot be undone with mere words. What you did was unforgiveable.” I moved away from him and walked toward the door.

Every moon rotation, I prayed to the goddess to soften my heart and allow my spirit to forgive my brother. When the crimson twin suns rose high in the sky, I still lusted for my brother’s blood. Crossing the threshold, I sauntered into the hallway. Hot fingers clasped around my wrist and jerked me around.

“This is not over. We will settle this thing between us finally and you will forgive me.”

Looking passed Katan, I narrowed my eyes at the crowd that had gathered behind us. “Leave us now!”

After the hallway cleared, I swung on him. “Stay out of my way and leave me alone.”

Seeing the purple blood flow from his busted lip felt gratifying. I didn’t wait for him to get up. If he and I were to fight, it would be to the death. He ruined my life and the one thing that was important to me.

Katan pushed me into the wall. “You act like she’s dead. She is here and you are here. Stop blaming me for the planet surface distance between the two of you.”

A group of guards stopped before us. “The king has summoned both of you to the throne room.”

I cracked my knuckles and turned my gaze to the guards.

As much as I wanted to destroy my brother, the king was summoning me.

Silently, I followed them to the throne room. My body hummed with unspent energy and adrenaline surged through me. Blinking, I ignored the gritty feeling in my eyes and the anger in my stomach that burned like acid. It would be impossible to work with Katan like he hadn’t tried to kill Tamsin. Whatever was going on couldn’t be good. Unlike father’s meetings, there was an elaborate feast of foods from the nine planets. Our father wasn’t big on eating foods from the other galaxies, but he spoiled Mom. Mom sat in her chair nibbling on the delectable foods in front of her.

What was she doing here? Father usually chose to leave Mom out of the political meetings.

On the occasions that he involved her; she was his emotional support. I had no doubt this summoning was political, and it had a personal impact to Katan and I.

Would Father arrange a marriage for me now that Tamsin isn’t speaking to me? When the goddess bestowed a fated mate in your life you were lucky indeed.

Strolling over to Mom, I embraced her. “You are looking well but Father looks exhausted.” Placing a kiss on her cheeks, I smiled as she chuckled. “He has been preoccupied but he is well.”

Lately, it seemed what the Gurguns had done to us had emboldened our enemies.

Father’s eyes were dull, and stress clung to him like a cloak.

“Is everything okay, father. Are you well?”

“Yes, I am well. Your mother and I wanted you in Katan here. We have information that we must discuss. Out of the corner of my eyes, I saw Katan flinch.

Nodding, I braced for the news. When the heavy ornate door closed behind the guards, I looked at father. “You must get more rest father. Whatever is amiss, I can take care of it.”

“Nonsense, Iarred. Your mother and I are fine. Just a bit discombobulated.”

Folding my hands behind my back, I waited. Father was a thinker. He always found a way to formulate the best plans and think ahead. Instead of reacting, he was always in a position of power. I took a goblet and poured myself a small amount of Soku juice. Soku was a heavy, potent juice, made from bitter berries. It allowed you to gain energy and enhanced your s*x drive. The juice was never something that I drank often.

Today however, things were different. The fact that Katan and I might have to work together was something that I wasn't sure I could commit to. The deep-seated anger that I felt for my own flesh and blood brother was beyond words. There were times in which I fantasized about snatching his life. I always thought that there was nothing that our father, my king, could ask of me that I wouldn't be able to do. However, now I was not so sure.

The moment Katan becomes king, I would have to kneel and pledge my life to him. This had never been a problem before, but now it was. What Katan did to Tamsin, and I was horrid. He set this whole nightmare in motion. He had caused me to lose my fated mate. I wasn’t sure which was worse, the Gurguns or Katan.

Shaking my head. I forced myself back to the present. My thoughts of revenge and murdering my brother couldn't be good for the planet, or my family. This inner battle was a constant struggle inside me … my duty to the crown, and my duty to my family.

How can I do what he asked of me, for the betterment of our planet? When it was going to sacrifice my very spirit.

I died inside with each planetary rotation. I watched my mate from a distance as she became increasingly withdrawn, depressed, and a hollow shell of the human she used to be.

All the blame wasn’t on Katan, the other half of it was on me. I shoulder that blame every moon rotation.

To say that I regretted the events that led her back to the palace, would be an understatement. I vowed to make it right and I will if it's the last thing I ever do.

Father snapped his fingers in my face. “Iarred, are you listening to me? This is not the time to get distracted. This is important.”

I jerked. Everyone was staring at me. I hadn't caught a word of what he had said, and I was clueless as to what was going on. “Father, I didn't catch that. Please repeat.”

He sighed heavily. “I'll make this brief since you look like you're about to collapse from lack of sleep. You do the crown no good if you're dead.”

“I'm taking care of myself father, but Katan is next in line, and he is not ready for the responsibility. We should focus more on his lack of sleep, and his health conditions and ignore mine.”

Mom snorted. “We’re focused on both of you. We are family. A royal bloodline that has been in power for millenniums and these tough times shall past too.

Katan walked forward. He now stood directly behind father. “Iarred, you won't even speak to me. I am going to be king. We must settle what is between us.”

I bit my tongue so hard I could taste the metallic blood pooling in my mouth. I took a moment to swallow it. “How dare you say that we have something to settle. We have nothing to discuss.”

Katan sidestepped father. “I will be your king. I am your blood. You will give me your allegiance and your life.”

A red haze crept over my vision. “You will be my nothing. I have thought long and hard, and I have decided that you will never have my felty. Katan left me no choice. I will be leaving the planet as soon as Tamsin can travel safely.”

Father blanched. “Son, I forbid it. As your king, you will not do this!”

“Katan, I hunger for your blood. If you push me, I will have it, bathe in it, swim in it and keep it in a locket around my neck.”

Katan’s eyes narrowed. “This ends now. We fight to the death.”

He lounged at me. Ducking his fist, I thrust my elbow into his kidney. He crumpled to the floor. I stomped him repeatedly. Behind me, I heard mom’s cries, but I couldn’t hold myself back any longer.

“Stop. I forbid you to duel to the death.” Father grabbed me and threw me back.

He signaled for two guards to restrain me. Panting, I forced myself not to shame my king in front of the guards. The other guards jerked Katan to his feet. He pushed the males from him and attempted to stalk to me. Smiling, I gestured him forward.

Mom stepped in front and waved the guards away from me. They stepped aside and swiftly vacated the room.

She cupped my cheek. “No, Iarred. I forbid you to leave the palace. You are my son. The two of you are all I have left. I cannot lose you. We've lost so much because of the Gurguns. They have butchered apart our society. Crippled us, in a sense. I refuse to believe that they've dealt a fatal blow to the Ackmed line as well. We are of royal blood. The last of our kind. We are stronger together.”

Her voice broke and tears flowed like an endless ocean. I forced myself to watch her anguish. Her soft sobs were like sharp knives stabbing in my chest.

“I’m sorry mom. Katan is not worthy to be a king. He needs time and a heart because that lifeless thing beating in his chest is useless. I must leave.”

Father pushed Katan and embraced Mom. “We must stand as one. You have hurt Mother and my queen. Nobody hurts my mate. You and Katan will fix this, or I will.”

I opened my mouth, but quickly shut it when I saw a single tear roll down Mom’s cheek again. “Father, I am sorry that I have failed you.”

Glaring at me, he bent and picked Mom up in his arms. She laid her head against his chest as he stalked toward their seats in the center of the room. Sitting her down in her gold jeweled chair next to him, he took his seat. “Luddath Yeecren, King of the Thickars is coming to the palace in two moon rotations to discuss a possible peace treaty with us. He is bringing his two daughters, Raiylyn and Zariyah. I had always planned to secure a marriage proposal for the two of you with them.”

What? I would rather die than marry a female that I do not love.

“Father, Tamsin is my fated mate, whether she is sad or not. The goddess has deemed her mine. To order me to take another would kill us both. I will never dishonor her so.”

“Tamsin saved us and protected our people. I would never ask that of you now that you have found your fated mate. She will always have a treasured place on our planet no matter what. I know you will never let her go but if you did, she would still be under my protection for all of her life.” He squeezed mom’s hand.

One glance at mom, and I regretted all that happened. Her eyes were red and shamed flooded me once more. I had always hoped that I would have the type of mating like my parents. It was evident that they loved one another. Our father would kill us to protect Mom and that made me respect him even more.

My mate was irrevocably damaged from the inside out. Her spirit, and will to live, had been badly bruised.

I understand, but I will not allow her to throw her life away.

She hungered for revenge. And as her fated mate, I would seek it and it would be administered on her behalf. I could never nor would I ever allow her anywhere near the Gurguns again.

Katan frowned. “I should not have to marry their daughter either. I should have the right to choose a mate of my own volition.”

“Katan, you need a mate. You are our first born. We need to strengthen our position for the turbulent times ahead. You have been given everything that you have ever wanted, and you will do this for your people,” she said.

He shook his head. “What about my fated mate? Just as Iarred has found his, I might find mine too.”

She snorted. “What should your father do with the state of affairs? You don’t have a female in your life so this will not inconvenience you. This will help you heal the rift you have caused with Iarred.”

Katan was selfish. He has always been self-absorbed, entitled, and entirely too spoiled. He spoke of, hopefully finding his fated mate after he damaged mine.

He had never allowed a female close enough to lose his heart. He focused on power and ruling with an iron fist. A faithful mate in his life would do him well.

“A king sacrifices for what he wants most for his people.” I strolled out of the room.

The hallway was empty. I swiftly made my way to Tamsin’s room. I missed her and this distance between us would end now. Reaching her door in record time, I keyed in my biosignature, and the door opened. A pungent scent hit my nostrils immediately and I held my breath. It wasn’t hard to notice the pile of containers that held food that she hadn’t eaten. I thought giving her time to grieve was the right thing to do but I was wrong.

Despite the aroma her quarters were tidy. The bed was made, and everything in the room was in place. I knew that she slept during the day, but she must have risen from the bed and cleaned the space. Walking to the connecting bathroom, I saw that she had showered. Her towel was damp and hung on the metal hook just outside the shower doors. There was a lingering scent of lavender and lilies in the air.

Where is she? Was she attempting to escape to get her revenge or is she ready to speak to me?

This was a drastic change. It didn’t matter. I will be prepared for both scenarios. I just wanted to find her. Closing her door behind me, I tilted my head and sniffed the air. The only scents in the hallway were distinctively male. Passing by the windows, a shrill sound shattered the silence. I raced toward the gardens. I knew that voice anywhere. Bursting through the front door of the palace, I stopped and sniffed, blinking against the blinding sunlight. An unfamiliar cosmic pull guided me toward the gardens. The maze entrance had no guards. Heads were going to roll after I found her. I rushed inside the maze.

A roar tore from my lips as I saw her struggling in the alien’s arms. He would die for his disrespect. Pushing her away from him, I picked him up and threw him into the tree line.