Scarred - Tana Stone Page 0,4

first.

The raw beauty of the planet was distracting enough that she didn’t pay too much attention to the fact that everyone on the planet seemed to be way too happy. And way too touchy-feely for her liking, as well.

The Spartosians looked relatively human, with skin that shimmered a silvery white the only obvious sign that they weren’t. From what she could tell, they were all blondes too—from platinum to honey to strawberry. An impressive feat that made her wonder just how much intermarrying went on. She’d seen a few other types of aliens, but they all worked for the Spartosians ,and were not considered full citizens.

“Look on the bright side.” She put a hand on Serge’s shoulder. “At least we’re not being held in that cell anymore.”

“You’re right about that.” Serge peeked at her from under one draped arm. “Those Ganthar pirates were not pleasant.” He nibbled the corner of his lip. “You don’t think Reina’s still there, do you?”

Madeleine hadn’t gotten the chance to get to know the Vexling liaison well before they’d been abducted and forced into separate cells, but she knew from all the stories Serge had told her that the woman was his best friend. He spent equal amounts of time complaining about her and worrying about what might have happened to her.

“Maybe she got rescued. You did say the Drexians would be coming after us.”

Serge straightened, his face brightening. “I’m sure she did. She’d probably back on the station right now.” His smile fell. “You don’t suppose she’s planning weddings without me, do you? No. She’d never do that, would she?”

Madeleine didn’t have the chance to respond before Serge had leapt from the chair and taken up pacing around the room. “She’d better not have moved on without me. She doesn’t know the first thing about pulling together all those details. I make it look easy, but I assure you, it’s not.” He stamped one small foot. “Reina, you’d better not think you can take my place, you Vexling hussy.” He directed his final words skyward, as though speaking to Reina directly.

Madeleine raised an eyebrow. “I’m sure she’s not taking your place.”

“What if she’s already planned all the weddings?” He threw his hands into the air. “What if there’s nothing for me to do by the time I get back?’

“She can’t have planned all the weddings. I’m still stuck here with you.”

Serge let out a breath. “That’s right. She can’t plan your wedding without you, can she?“ Serge stopped and studied her. “Although, to be honest, I didn’t think you were excited about the whole tribute-bride program.”

To be honest, she wasn’t. The idea of being taken from Earth to be assigned a big, alien warrior to marry just because the Drexians had stopped producing women had not impressed her. She didn’t care that the Drexians were badasses who, in exchange for brides, protected Earth from vicious aliens who wanted to destroy it. Even if the plan was approved of by Earth governments, she didn’t have to go along with it.

“You aren’t going to insist on being one of the rejects, are you?” Serge asked in a hushed voice, as if it was too horrible to say at full volume.

He’d told her about the humans who rejected their matches and lived in a bare-bones section of the station. As much as she wasn’t crazy about being a mail-order bride for aliens, that hadn’t appealed, either.

“I don’t know what I’m going to do, but if I ever get married, I promise that you’ll be the one to plan my wedding.”

That seemed to mollify Serge. He smiled at her, then tapped a finger on his chin. “And do you give me carte blanche as far as the design?”

“Don’t push it.”

“Fine.” Serge folded his arms over his chest and tilted his head at her. “What do you think about a mermaid silhouette for your wedding gown? Or a slip dress? You’re one of the few who could pull that off. Narrow hips, perky breasts, slim legs. It’s like you were made for it. And with your fabulous skin color, you could pull off pure white. What do they call you on Earth?”

Maddie couldn’t be offended by the Gatazoid’s frank assessment of her body or her skin color since the alien appraised everyone this way. “Asian-American. Half, at least.”

Serge nodded as if he knew what this meant. “Well, you’re divine, sweetie. I can’t wait to get you into a wedding gown.”

“I’d take anything over this.” Madeleine returned her glare to