CAPTURED: 9 Alpha Bad-Boys(209)

"Cybris is one of our oldest cities. It retains many of the same customs  as it has for thousands of years. The residents voted to leave it as  such, and it attracts many visitors from other star systems who wish to  experience a true Sarafin city. The city was formed around the central  palace where Titus, Banu, and my other cousins live. The walls were  built to protect it from the creatures that live deep in the forests.  They do not come near the city now as there is a security field that  protects it, but in the days of old, that was not the case," Vox  explained as he guided Riley along the walkway, ignoring those who bowed  to him as they recognized him. "I have to meet with Titus and Banu  about some issues. Will you be all right if I leave you with Fred and  Bob? I will post a couple of guards as well."         

     



 

"Of course," Riley assured him. "What could happen here?" she asked,  spreading her hands wide at the crowd walking around. "This place is  like paradise."

Vox chuckled as they turned down a side street and stopped at a gate. He  pressed the button at the gate and stepped through when it opened. A  moment later, the front door to the small cottage opened, and a short  figure with two heads shot through the door in excitement.

"Riley!" Fred cried out in delight, rushing forward as fast as his little feet could carry him.

"Fred! You look fantastic!" Riley said, rushing forward and dropping  down to her knees to hug her friend. She gave him a kiss on both of his  cheeks, laughing as both turned a dark red. "You are just as cute as  ever. How have you been?"

Both of Fred's faces beamed. "I have a mate, Riley. She is beautiful!"  Fred's right head responded quietly as his left studied her carefully.  "I want you to meet her," his left head added.

Riley's eyes widened with shock before she smiled and laid a palm on  each of Fred's cheeks. "I would be honored to meet the lady who could  capture your heart. You deserve it, and she better realize what a prize  she has."

"I do," came the soft reply. "I am very fortunate."

Riley stood up and looked at the small figure that approached her  hesitantly. The tiny figure curtsied when she stopped in front of Riley.  Riley smiled down and held out her hand in greeting.

"I'm Riley St. Claire, soon to be d'Rojah," Riley replied when she heard  Vox growl out a warning when she said her last name. "The growly bear  is Vox."

The tiny figure glanced in fright at Vox's huge figure. "I am Doral. It  is an honor to finally meet you. Fred has told me how you saved his  life," Doral replied.

The tiny female Tiliquan only had one head, but the rest of her figure  was the same as Fred's. She wore a simple gown with a black apron tied  around the waist. She had the same green, yellow, and red coloring, but  her eyes were framed by long, thick lashes that swept down shyly under  Riley's scrutiny.

"Do I not get a welcome?" a deep, melodious voice asked from the doorway of the small house near the gates of the city.

Riley's eyes softened on the huge gelatinous figure standing looking  down at her. "Bob!" Riley cried out softly, stepping into the huge arms  as they opened up for her. "I'm so sorry for what I said to you the last  time I saw you," she murmured against his broad chest. "You were right,  I do belong with him."

Bob's huge body shook as he chuckled. "That is good. I can rest knowing I made the right decision."

Riley leaned back and grinned up at her friend. "That doesn't mean I  don't still have to put him in his place every once in a while."

Fred and Bob both broke out into laughter as they heard Vox snort.  "Riley, I have to go. I won't be long," Vox said with a shake of his  head. "Take care of her, my friends," he said, brushing a kiss across  his mate's plump lips.

"We will! We will!" Fred assured him, coming up and taking Riley's hand  in one of his while he clung to Doral. "You have to meet Bob's mate.  Come, come, we have refreshments."

Vox watched as his mate was pulled into the small cottage. He nodded to  the two guards with him. "Stay with her. Protect her with your life," he  ordered.

"Yes, my lord," both men replied taking up position in front of the door to the cottage.





Chapter 22

Vox strode through the palace corridors to the conference room with a  grim expression on his face. He had not shared with Riley the true  nature of their visit. He had personally gone to interrogate his two  former bedmates. He discovered that their betrayal was larger than he  expected. He had managed to get the location of one of the rebel bases  from Eldora before she died from a poisoned drink left for her. Pursia  had hung herself the night before in her cell using the covers from her  bed. Eldora had begged for forgiveness before she died, swearing she had  been forced to betray him and his family. He discovered that Bragnar,  one of the warriors assigned to the kitchens, was holding her younger  sister hostage in return for her help. She told him with her last breath  that Bragnar was responsible for the attempted poisoning of his mother  several months before. If it had not been for his mother's lady's maid  giving his mother the wrong bowl of soup, it would have been his mother  who died instead of one of her personal assistants.

"Have you any word as to who Bragnar is working with?" Titus asked as soon as he closed the door to the conference room.

"No," Vox said grimly. "Pallu and Walkyr are going to scout the rebel  camp to see if what Eldora told me is true. She swore on her dying  breath she was forced to do what she did."

"Do you believe her?" Banu asked as he activated the holovid in the  center of the conference table. "The region she told you is thickly  covered in mists and old growth forests. It is said even the trees there  are alive. It is hard to believe that anyone could build a camp there."

"I believe her. Her family is from the forest clan. They would know how  to live there. Plus, she had no reason to lie as she was dying. She knew  there was nothing that could save her," Vox said, looking at the image  of the thick mists that swirled into view.

The satellites could not penetrate the cloud cover. Maybe he needed to  talk with Ha'ven or one of his brothers. Those damn Curizan loved a  challenge when it came to technology. He knew his friend would have  something within a few days that could probably tell them exactly how  many leaves were on the trees.

"Have you linked him to anyone else? We know whoever Bragnar is working  with must also be working with Raffvin. That damn Valdier has his  fingers into everything," Titus grunted out. "Who did Bragnar associate  with while he worked at the palace?"

"The handful of males and females he talked to have been cleared. None  of them knew much about him. They all said the same thing-he kept to  himself for the most part," Vox replied.

What was the connection? He knew it had to be related to the deaths of  his aunt and her mate, the attempt on his mother's life, his kidnapping.  Why would they do this? His thoughts turned to his aunt. She had been a  gentle soul. His mind fought to piece together the clues. He looked at  his cousins. They had taken Titus and Banu as well. Why was it important  to take his father's side of the family? Titus and Banu were from his  father's oldest sister. Maybe the clue was with her.

"Where is Illana?" Vox asked suddenly.

Both Titus and Banu started in surprise at the mention of their mother.  "She is probably in her workshop. She loves working with her hands, and  you know she creates some of the most beautiful bowls and vases with the  mineral clay. Why?" Banu asked curiously.

"I am not sure," Vox murmured looking at the holovid again. "But  something tells me we are missing something crucial, and she may have  the answers we seek."

"I'm not following you," Titus said with a frown. "Do you want me to ask  her to join us or would you like to go to her workshop?" he asked,  puzzled.

"Let us go there," Vox replied suddenly anxious to see his aunt.

Titus and Banu stood up at the same time. Banu flipped the holovid off  and shrugged his shoulder at Titus. He didn't understand either, but  both of them had learned a long time ago to appreciate Vox's instincts.  It had saved them more than once during their youth, not to mention  during the war.

Titus led them through the huge palace. The gleaming pale walls changed  color as they passed through them, reflecting the difference in the  warmth of their bodies against the sensitive stone that picked up on  their moods. The stone for the palace had come from the mountains  surrounding the city. The tall arched corridors allowed an abundance of  light through crystal clear windows that could be darkened with a single  command. Workers moved on light feet, laughing as they went about their  way. He could feel his aunt's touch among the workers. They enjoyed  their duties.