His Prize (Earth Women for Alien Warriors #2) - Luna Kingsley Page 0,2

these frail creatures will last the length of their contract. They look terrified of their own shadows as they huddle together on the sand. They're sweaty and glassy-eyed with pale, ethereal skin. I bet a stiff wind could blow them over. We’re not going to get our money's worth out of them.

I remind myself that if they look frail to me, I must look like a giant monster to them. My blue skin is thick as hide and my arm is as thick as one of their legs. I'm struck by competing urges. If this arrangement is to have any chance of success, I need to put them at ease quickly, but I also need them to respect my authority and follow my commands.

I step from the giant metal platform onto the sand. The urge to clasp my hands behind my back and stand at attention is strong. Every male among my people is trained as a soldier first. We undergo years of compulsory military service before we're allowed to join polite society. At this point in my life, ramrod-straight posture comes naturally to me, but something tells me any effort to intimidate these small creatures would backfire.

I'm desperate to make this arrangement work. The Zimanthi mine is my first command post and nothing will stop me from making it a success. My family's happiness back on Pheon depends on it. So, even though it feels unnatural, I force my body into a casual stance. I rest my hands lightly on my hips and slouch to make myself smaller and less intimidating.

"I am Haikon, the denizet of this outpost." My voice booms across the desert. The women look scared and confused, but at least I have their full attention. I move closer to them. "I am the one responsible for your contracts and you will report to me."

The words sound foreign and harsh as they pour from my mouth. I should have practiced my remarks in their language, instead of my native tongue, when I was practicing. I'm ready to launch into my rousing speech until a woman collapses on the sand and the others gather around her. I realize this conversation is best had in the mines, preferably after the new recruits are given a chance to recover from their long journey.

"Let's head below." I point to a giant platform we use to transport the vocrium to the surface. "Give you a chance to settle into your quarters before you start working." I'm eager to begin their training so I can see what they are capable of. I'll learn soon enough if there's a chance to salvage my decision to bring them here. Hopefully, they're hardier than they look.

"Our lodgings are underground?" It's phrased as a question, but I can tell the woman addressing me is already unhappy with the setup. I scan the crowd and easily pick her out. She's as frail as the rest, but there's something different about her. A bit of moxie. Her arms are crossed over her chest and her chin is raised in defiance. This one is going to be trouble. I can tell already.

She's the only one who doesn't seem afraid of me.

Giant sandstorms frequently blast the surface of Zimanthi. In the moments before the dust collects in giant clouds, the air crackles with electricity. It reminds me of how I feel now. I move closer to inspect her properly.

Her ivory skin reminds me of the snow that gathers in the mountaintops back home. She has enormous green eyes that gleam like jewels and bore straight into me. She uncrosses her arms and rests her hands on her hips, mirroring my posture, which has the benefit of emphasizing her curves. The women back home are nothing like the exquisite specimen in front of me.

I'm a fool.

We're moments into our first meeting and I've already chosen the Earth woman I'd take to my bed. I guess there was a good reason why our ancestors and prior denizets refused to allow females of any species in the mines. Males do foolish things when they're far from home, trapped underground for months at a time.

I need to be careful around this one. A woman like her could bewitch a man and lust—and love—are luxuries not afforded to those on Pheon. Nothing will ever happen between us, but that won't stop me from thinking about her tonight when I'm alone in my bed and my cock throbs.

"I asked if our lodgings are underground." Her brows scrunch