Adored by the Alien Assassin

1 “The fate of the Lathar could depend on you. We are relying on you. I am relying on you, Xaandrynn. Do you understand?” The emperor’s words hit Rynn like a ship at light speed. For a moment, he stood there, stunned. When he’d been summoned by the emperor, he’d expected to have to explain himself for the total fuckup his last mission had been. He’d spent months infiltrating a clan with suspected purist leanings, working his way up the hierarchy to get close to the leadership and assassinate them, only to break cover to rescue Karryl K’Vass and his human woman when they’d been captured. And no matter what his orders were, he’d had to take the initiative. Even deep undercover he’d heard the news. The humans had been the discovery of the century—a genetically compatible species the Lathar desperately needed to ensure their survival as a race. But from the moment they’d been discovered, they’d been a target. The Lathar had no women of their own, so any genetically compatible species was highly prized and even more so when they looked as… appealing as the humans did. Like smaller, more delicate versions of the Lathar themselves. A cousin species apparently. But some elements of Latharian society hated the very idea of interbreeding with others. Purists believed that reproducing with other species was a sin, and any who did should be purged from existence itself. Hopefully, rescuing the human and a warrior the emperor had publicly claimed as a kinsman would go a long way toward limiting any comeback for breaking his cover. He hoped anyway. Now, standing in front of Daaynal himself, with that sharp gaze spearing him in place, Rynn wasn’t so sure. He’d faced down many men—lethal warriors and utter scumbags alike—and he’d always come out on top because he’d been able to read them. Been able to look into their eyes and predict their next move with pinpoint accuracy. It was his talent, a near unique skill that had gained him a reputation as the best spy and assassin in the empire. They called him the emperor’s shadow… A boogeyman in the dark even grown men were afraid of. But he couldn’t read Daaynal. The warrior-emperor was a complete blank, his expression and body language so controlled Rynn couldn’t get a read on him. It was frustrating and scary as f**k, all at the same time. If he couldn’t read the guy, how was he supposed to formulate a plan in case this meeting went sideways? “Yes, Your Majesty. I understand.” He nodded, hands still clasped behind his back in the standard warrior’s at ease posture, and laughed mentally at himself. Who was he kidding? If this meeting went sideways, there was no backup plan. He was f****d pure and simple. Daaynal was not an emperor to cross. The numerous warrior’s braids in his long hair and the battle scars across his heavily muscled body bore testament to that. “A mission like this is a great honor.” Rynn paused for a moment, wondering if he should continue his thought. Recalling that Daaynal was a man who liked initiative and boldness, he carried on. “I would have thought, though, that you would award it to your kin. One of the K’Vass maybe…” He trailed the thought off, watching Daaynal’s face for any hint. Even the tiniest muscle movement or change of expression might give him an inkling into what the warrior-emperor was thinking. It was no secret that Daaynal favored the K’Vass, the clan his twin sister, his litaan, had married into. Without a mate or children of his own, there had been rumors for years that he would name one of his nephews as his heir. Daaynal watched him for a long moment, green eyes searching Rynn’s as though looking for something. Then he smiled, the quick grin full of amusement. “A man who speaks his mind. I like that. But, as talented and loyal as the K’Vass are, an emperor must think of the bigger picture. I need someone without clan loyalty who I trust implicitly. Which means you or your father.” Rynn blinked as surprise rolled through him at Daaynal’s words. His father was a war hero with a reputation nearly as impressive as the emperor’s, and Daaynal’s champion to boot, taking to the challenge arena to defend the honor of the Imperial throne. Everyone knew Xaandril was totally loyal and that the emperor trusted him with his own life. But Rynn had never expected that level of trust to be extended to him. Not in a million years. “Your Majesty… I…” he stuttered for a moment before kicking himself in the ass mentally and getting his s**t together. “Thank you. Your faith means a lot. I do not have the words.” He clapped his hand over his heart in the ancient warrior’s salute. “I will not fail you.” “Good man,” Daaynal said, clapping Rynn on the arm. “The recovery of Lady Jessica’s sister is probably one of the most important missions in our history, and I couldn’t think of a better warrior I could send.” Pride snapped Rynn’s back straight. A compliment like that from the most dangerous man in the empire, its emperor, was something to be remembered. He allowed a hint of a smile to curve his lips. “Thank you, Your Majesty. As always, I live to serve.” “Plus…” Daaynal leaned closer, dropping his voice conspiratorially even though there was no one else in this section of the palace gardens with them. “I am told that Lady Jessica’s sister is also her identical litaan. And, without my sister-son Laarn here to take offense or remove a warrior’s body parts, I have to admit… the Lady Jessica is indeed lovely.” Rynn chuckled. It was true. The human female Jessica Kallson was a beauty, as were most of the human females currently on Lathar Prime. In fact, Rynn didn’t think he’d met one that he wouldn’t give his left nut to try and claim as his own. But he was a practical man. There were many warriors vying for each of the human women, and even though his father was famous with a lot to offer a potential mate, Rynn was not. “She is indeed,” he replied. “And I will ensure her sister arrives on Lathar Prime unharmed and in perfect…” A sound behind them made Rynn pause. Daaynal moved at the same moment, his hand lifted for silence as the two warriors listened, aware and alert for any danger, even here in the palace gardens. Rynn moved silently, his hand closing around the pistol grip of the blaster on his hip. Likewise, Daaynal’s fingers edged toward the heavy blades sheathed at his hips. But it wasn’t the lethal swords any attacker needed to worry about. Rynn hadn’t missed the glimpse of a silver band half hidden in Daaynal’s hair, loose over his shoulders. A remote uplink band. Which meant the emperor could uplink and have drakeen combat bots here within minutes. Rynn almost felt sorry for anyone stupid enough to try and attack the emperor in his own palace. Silence reigned… but there was no attack. The emperor sighed and ran a hand through his hair, loose about his shoulders in the manner of a warrior. “Bloody purists. Got me like a cat on a hot tin roof, jumping at shadows.” Rynn smiled at the human expression but didn’t comment. Daaynal had been spending a lot of time with the Terran women and it showed. A quirk of the bigger man’s lips showed he’d noted Rynn’s tactical silence. “Travel safe, warrior, and return to us quickly,” he said with a firm nod. Realizing he’d been dismissed, Rynn gave a small bow and turned, taking his leave.