Rogue Warriors of Lorr
Captured By the Alien Chapter 14

Even though Grux tried to keep it from her, Scarlett knew their identities had been discovered. She was really pissed, and though she gave him gruff answers and whispered snips, she knew now wasn't the time to make a big scene. She stayed quiet while the nurses took samples for testing and tried to relax. "What are we going to do?" Scarlett whispered as the medical staff left the room.

Grux shrugged, taking her hand. "I heard my father called the hospital," he finally admitted, confirming her fears. "Maybe Father won't interfere now that he knows you are pregnant-with an heir to the throne."

"Is there really much of a chance of that?" Scarlett asked.

She wanted to believe him, but she was skeptical of his answer. He seemed to have more faith in his father than she did, and she couldn't understand why he thought his father would back off. The baby didn't seem like a good reason to her.

When he looked at her with very wide, worried eyes, she knew that he didn't believe his own words. She took a deep breath, hoping she would be able to leave soon so they could avoid the king.

After dozens of tests, the doctors and nurses left them alone. Time ticked by, and soon Grux and Scarlett were both tired of waiting. They couldn't afford to hear the results if it was going to take hours. As hard as Scarlett tried to stay calm, she was beginning to feel it was already too late.

As Grux supported her out the front doors to head toward the cruiser, she looked up to see three imperial vessels landing in the middle of the road. Behind them, hospital staff were gathering, pointing, and whispering as they watched the royal guard approach. Scarlett felt Grux's hand tighten on her waist. They both knew there was no getting away this time.

"Your Highness," one of the guards said as he stepped forward. "We are here to escort you and your-the Terran-back to the palace."

"Of course, you are," muttered Grux. Scarlett kept taking deep breaths as she tried to stay relaxed.

He makes it sound like he's doing us a favor. From his perspective, he probably is.

The guards circled around the two of them and began to walk slowly toward the hovercraft. Scarlett felt as though she and Grux were sheep being herded by farmer's dogs.

She kept her head high as they got into the hovercraft and kept a tight hold on Grux's hand. He leaned over and kissed her gently as the vehicle took off.

"I'm so sorry, my love," he whispered.

She shook her head. "It's not your fault. We did what we had to do."

The trip back to the palace was not very long but tiring enough that Scarlett felt exhausted by the time they arrived. She tried to walk in with her dignity intact, but when she stumbled, attendants immediately appeared with a wheelchair.

"My lady," one of them said. "I am Nyla, and I'll be your personal servant from now on. I am a trained nurse, and I am to care for you and your child, on command of the king."

"And my guard?" Scarlett snapped. Nyla bowed her head, not bothering to argue.

Instead of being taken to the throne room, the guards directed them to a smaller conference room where the king waited. Grux was obviously tense, barely holding himself in check as they entered the comfortable study. Scarlett thought the king might be trying to disarm Grux. The throne room would certainly have put him on defense.

The study was set up with refreshments and comfortable chairs. Scarlett stayed in her wheelchair, watching as the king hurried over to them. He had a big, warm smile on his face, but his eyes were cold and calculating.

"My dear," he said, walking toward her with his hands out. "Why didn't you tell me that you were pregnant? This is such fantastic, joyful news. My son, we must celebrate! How could you hide this from me?"

The king came closer to them, reaching out as if to embrace Scarlett. Before she could recoil, Grux stepped in front of her.

"What are your intentions, Father?" Grux asked. The king smiled and shook his head.

"What do you mean? This is a great event. I intend to celebrate, of course."

Scarlett wrapped an arm around her belly, hating the idea that her innocent child was going to be used as a pawn in these horrible political games.

"The Xoyosans," Grux began, but his father cut him off, shaking his head and waving his arms.

"You have nothing to fear from them. I would never hand over my son's mate! Such an idea is preposterous."

Even though Grux had his back to her, Scarlett saw the tension streak through Grux's shoulders. He didn't believe his father was genuine. Neither did she.

They exchanged a few more tense words before Grux was given leave to go to their shared quarters. As well as her attendant and guard, Nyla, five members of the royal guard were stationed outside their suite.

As Nyla and the other servants made her comfortable, Scarlett felt frustration and anger colliding within her. She had never been so desperate. In all her years of slavery, nothing had ever looked so bleak.

The room was full of every comfort, every luxury she could desire, yet she was still a prisoner, just as she always had been. The saying of old had never felt truer.

A cage is a cage, even if the bars are made of gold.

Grux watched the attendants making Scarlett comfortable, and he could sense her frustration rising, even though she appeared calm. He knew she didn't need him fussing over her, but she looked so miserable he felt he had to do something.

He moved a chair over to the bed and sat down, holding her hand gently. When she turned to look at him, he couldn't stand the hurt written all over her face.

"I'm so sorry, my love," he whispered. He saw a single tear gather at the corner of her eye and roll down her cheek. He was getting sick of saying sorry, but he couldn't help it.

"It's okay," she said. He could tell she was anything but okay, though.

"Maybe we should just look on the bright side," he said gently. "You are on forced bed rest anyway, and at least the palace is comfortable."

"It is," she agreed softly.

"You'll have everything you need as well as medical care."

Scarlett did not look at him. Grux felt like he might be digging a hole deep enough to bury himself in.

He bent over, stroking her hair and kissing her cheek so he could whisper in her ear. "Once the baby is born, I'll take you back to Earth," he murmured so softly the attendants could not hear.

Scarlett did not react, and Grux felt fear trickling through his blood, chilling his bones. He wanted her to be enthusiastic and support his plan. He had been hoping she wanted him by her side because he was happy to be banished from Lorr if it meant keeping her by his side.

He loved his planet and his people, even if he never wanted to be king. He thought Kozien had been insane to choose a woman-a Terran, of all races!-over his family, but now, Grux understood. He'd give up everything for her. "I love you," he whispered.

Scarlett didn't appear to have heard. He gently let go of her hand, and Scarlett lay back on the pillows, turning her head away from him.

He wanted to let her rest, so Grux hurried to see his father in private. He needed a chance to unleash his emotions without worrying about upsetting his mate.

He found his father in the same comfortable room they had just left, holding an informal meeting with a few key advisors. When Grux entered the room, the king stood up and greeted him warmly. "My son!" he cried enthusiastically. "The next King of Lorr!"

"The next king after you pass," Grux ground out. "After the stunt you pulled with the bounty hunter, I just might help that progress along."

His father waved him off. "Nothing came of that. Now, I am organizing a celebration, and you could not have arrived at a better time. When were you planning on holding the bonding ceremony?"

"What?" Grux muttered, feeling disappointment flooding his guts. He realized his father wanted to take advantage of the fact they hadn't yet been married by making it a state affair.

Then no other organization would dare interfere. We'd be stuck here forever!

"Bonding ceremony," his father repeated. "Since the two of you have mated, I don't see why you haven't had it yet. I think this is a great opportunity for the kingdom." "I bet you do," Grux muttered.

His father addressed the advisors, talking about the preparations that would need to be made. Grux felt his worst fears being confirmed with every word the king spoke.

"Father," Grux cut in suddenly. "Have you informed Scarlett's family of her pregnancy?"

"Why, no," the king said graciously. "You know how long it takes to send messages out there, but I think there is plenty of time for that. Don't you? Let's organize the ceremony for now. Then everyone will know that Lorr has a new prince!"

Grux turned on his heel and left, not wanting to hear any more. He was disgusted by how quickly his father had disowned Kozien and by how easily he manipulated Scarlett's life and that of their unborn child. He couldn't rely on his father any longer. He knew that no matter what he said to him, nothing would change. Instead, it was time to take matters into his own hands.

He hurried back to their suite, finding Scarlett sitting up in bed with a tray of food in front of her. She was staring at it with disgust.

"What's wrong?" he asked gently.

Scarlett peered up at him with tearful eyes. "Nothing," she muttered. "The food is delicious."

Nyla stood by the bed, her stance more like that of a warrior than a lady in waiting. She bowed as Grux approached.

"I have tasted everything and made sure it is healthy as well as tasty," Nyla said. "I am in charge of her well-being, so it matters very much if the food is not palatable to my lady."

While Nyla was talking, Scarlett rolled her eyes so hard Grux thought they might slip right out of her head.

"I can't take this, Grux!" she cried. "I don't want to lie here like an invalid or worse-like a doll! I'll go crazy if I'm forced to stay in this bed."

"That is unfortunate," Nyla said, her voice firm. "But thankfully, insanity is something we can deal with quite easily by having you restrained. You will stay in bed as ordered."

"Did you hear what she just said?" Scarlett hissed, staring up at Grux. "She said they don't care if I go crazy, just so long as I stay in bed! I've got less rights than a breeding sow!"

Grux could see her distress, and he knew that if she got too worked up, they really would strap her down. Scarlett was barely keeping herself from crying.

"I have no control over my own life," she said softly. "I never did. I almost wish I'd never known freedom! Having it taken away again is far worse than never knowing it!"

Before Scarlett could break down, Grux hurried over and took her hand. "How about I call the doctor?" Grux asked. "We'll see if he has those results back. They might let you get off of bedrest if everything looks good. This was just a preventative measure." "She will not be permitted to leave this room at any rate," Nyla snapped.

"That's fine!" Grux snarled right back. "But I think you can see she needs some change to her circumstances, or she will not be well enough to bring the child to term."

Nyla looked upset as if she'd happily strap Scarlett down and sedate her for the rest of her pregnancy, but she remained silent.

Scarlett stared up at him, eyes wide and pleading. He squeezed her hand gently, kissing her forehead. It was time that he held true to all his promises.

Grux hurried to call the hospital, hoping they would have some good news for Scarlett. Even if she was only allowed a little exercise, some autonomy was better than none.