The Dark Prince's Prize

Chapter 1

CHAPTER ONE

Curizan Warship-Rayon I: Earth’s Orbit

Seven years ago

The lift arrived at the shuttle bay, the doors opened, and Adalard almost walked into Ha’ven. Restless energy filled the entire ship and it was feeding into Adalard’s power. He urgently needed to release some of it.

Every unmated warrior was looking forward to meeting a few beautiful females on the planet below. Adalard had impressed on all of them, however, that they must be very discreet. Nothing caused trouble like fraternizing with the locals who weren’t aware aliens existed. Adalard had seen firsthand the disaster that could ensue. Given Ha’ven’s expression, he must have been thinking the same thing.

“Where are you going?” Ha’ven demanded.

Adalard grinned at his older brother and adjusted the bag he was carrying.

“Exploring. Are you and Emma ready to leave?” he replied, trying to sidestep around Ha’ven.

His brother didn’t let him pass. If anything, the scowl on Ha’ven’s face deepened. It looked like he wasn’t going to escape as quickly as he had hoped.

“Exploring? What kind of exploring? Where? How long will you be gone?” Ha’ven absentmindedly demanded.

Adalard raised an eyebrow. “Yes, exploring—down on the planet, and if I have to tell you what kind of exploring, you’ve been mated too long. You don’t have to worry. I’ll be back long before the ship is scheduled to depart,” he replied.

Ha’ven opened his mouth to protest, but instead, he sighed and gave Adalard a wry grin. “Of course. Still, I am worrying. Trouble always seems to find you, brother, no matter where we go. The closer we get to the planet, the more I wonder if this is a mistake. I keep telling myself that everything will be fine.”

“It will be fine,” Adalard reassured.

Ha’ven grimaced. “I know—I’m just distracted. I’m worried about Emma. If you insist on going to the planet, will you do me a favor? Trisha asked me to meet with Mason Andrews and Chad Morrison on Paul’s ranch to make sure everything is alright. If you can do that, it will save me some time. Be sure to tell them that Paul and the women are safe and happy.”

“Yes, I can check in with them. Is there anything else?” he dryly inquired.

“No. There is only one mission for this trip as far as I’m concerned, and it isn’t for you or anyone else on this ship to break some poor human’s heart,” Ha’ven warned.

Adalard shook his head in wry amusement. “My men need a break, Ha’ven. They have been in space too long. Give them credit for knowing how to behave.”

Ha’ven scowled. “It isn’t your crew I’m worried about. Need I remind you of the barrage of messages the ship’s communications officer received in the past month alone from your many avid admirers wanting to know when you’ll return?”

“What can I say? I’m good in bed,” he declared.

Adalard chuckled at the uncomfortable expression on his brother’s face until Ha’ven suddenly paused and turned, his face lighting up as his blonde, petite mate walked toward them. It still amazed Adalard how far his brother had fallen—and how thankful he was that Ha’ven had found Emma. She had literally saved Ha’ven’s life—more than once.

Adalard smiled at her. She gave him a shy smile in return, her gaze hesitantly sliding over the long scar on his cheek.

“I hope you have a pleasant trip, Emma,” he said when she came to a stop next to his brother.

He fought to hide a smile when he saw Ha’ven fondly wrap his arm around Emma’s waist. Ha’ven sent Adalard a grateful nod. Emma and Ha’ven were intending to pick up her mother from the nursing home where she lived. He had to hand it to his brother for embracing the role of a family man. Personally, he would rather face a dozen assassins than deal with a mate, or worse—younglings. A shudder of distaste ran through him. He would leave the breeding to Ha’ven, the Valdier, and poor Vox. Besides, it wasn’t essential that he produce a Ha’darra heir with Ha’ven around.

“Thank you. Are you going somewhere?” she politely inquired.

He readjusted the bag on his shoulder and shrugged. “I thought I would explore a little of your planet. You never know when the information will come in handy,” he said with a grin.

“Oh. I’m afraid I can’t give you any recommendations. My parents didn’t travel much when I was young and I… the only time—” Her voice faltered.

“Adalard can find his way around,” Ha’ven quickly interjected. “He is going to Paul’s ranch. A human there can help him.”

Adalard nodded. “Part of the fun is getting lost. Who knows? I might find a female who will offer to be my guide,” he teased with a wink.

Emma’s eyes widened and she blushed. “Yes, well… uh… good luck,” she stuttered.

“Shut up. You’re embarrassing her,” Ha’ven groused.

With an affectionate smile, Adalard gave her a slight bow. “My apologies, Emma. I’d better take my leave before your mate challenges me,” he teased.

Emma giggled. “I’ve seen his bruises after he returns from the training room with you. Have fun and be careful,” she said with a grin.

“Always on the first, never on the second,” he replied with a wave of his hand.

He grinned as he walked away. It would feel good to get off the ship for a bit. He studied the shuttle bay. The Rayon I wasn’t a large ship. His twin brother, Arrow, had designed the warship for speed, maneuverability, and stealth.

“Commander Ha’darra,” a warrior called, hurrying toward him.

Adalard bit back an annoyed groan. “What is it, Quill?” he impatiently asked.

“I wanted to let you know I found a bad module on your shuttle—and this,” Quill responded, holding out a small silver cylinder.

Adalard narrowed his eyes on the tracking device. “Where did you find it?” he demanded.

“Inside the outer burner casing. Whoever installed it did a poor job. When the module burned, it shorted out the tracking device. The logs show that the module burned out on your return trip from Kardosa Spaceport last month,” Quill replied.

Adalard rolled the device in his hand before he held it out to Quill. “Keep this between us. Review the vidcom logs and run a scan to find the manufacturer of the device. I want to know who put it on my shuttle,” he instructed.

Quill bowed his head. “Yes, sir,” he replied.

“And Quill—run a scan on the Rayon I,” he added.

Quill smiled. “I’ve already started one, sir. If there are any other devices, I’ll find them,” he promised.

Adalard nodded. Quill reminded him a lot of Arrow. His younger brother by a few minutes loved his toys. So did he, the difference was his toys were usually of the soft, alive, and sexy variety while Arrow’s tended to be mechanical, hard, cold, and deadly.

“I wouldn’t be surprised if Arrow hasn’t invented a new PVC with as much time as he spends in his laboratory,” he chuckled.

The thought of the Valdier’s Personal Virtual Companion software, or PVC as they called it, made him laugh. He confessed, thinking of his immense pleasure in viewing Trelon Reykill’s PVC after Trelon’s human mate, Cara, used it to test a new communication booster she was working on. Half the known galaxy had the privilege of enjoying it as well after Cara sent it out to test her newest invention-in-progress.

“Perhaps I should reclassify human women as extremely dangerous,” he mused before dismissing the idea.

The women were crazy, annoying, and cute but not really dangerous—except for Trisha, Carmen, and Riley. Hell, even Abby Tanner-Reykill had torched his traitorous half-brother, Ben’qumain, and most human women didn’t come much gentler than Abby! Then there was Emma—sweet, delicate Emma. He paused on the platform leading into his personal shuttle and shook his head.

“Who am I kidding? They are all as dangerous as hell,” he chuckled. He couldn’t wait to meet more of them.