The Renegades' Reward Read online

  The Renegades’ Reward

  Maddie Taylor

  Copyright © 2017 by Maddie Taylor

  All rights reserved.

  This book is a work of fiction. The characters, incidents and dialogue are products of the author’s imagination and as such, any similarity to existing persons, places, or events must be considered purely coincidental.

  This book contains content for adult audiences and is not suitable for readers aged 17 and under.

  For mature readers, only.

  Published in the United States of America

  First Electronic Edition: July 2017

  Table of Contents

  Title Page

  Copyright Page

  Cover Art by No Sweat Graphics | Editing by Wizards of Publishing

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Epilogue

  Other titles currently available from Maddie Taylor | The Barbarian’s Captive | (Primarian Mates, Book 1 of 4)

  His By Command | (Primarian Mates, Book 2)

  His Rebellious Mate | (Primarian Mates book 3 of 4)

  Marshal’s Law | (Jackson Brothers, Book 1 of 3)

  Captain My Captain | (Club Decadence Series, Book 1 of 7)

  Also by Maddie Taylor

  Other Independent Publishers | His Naughty Christmas Angel | (Part of Put Your Ho Ho’s On Anthology)

  About the Author

  Keep up with Maddie at the following links:

  Cover Art by No Sweat Graphics

  Editing by Wizards of Publishing

  Chapter One

  At the top of the grand marble staircase, in front of the main entrance to the Elzorian royal family’s residence, Daniella paused, closed her eyes, and sucked in a breath of cool, clean air. She did so for two reasons. First, to soak up as much fresh air as possible before embarking on the seventy-two-hour space flight home—not the most pleasant experience for a moderate claustrophobic and dedicated landlubber. And second, to calm her jagged nerves before navigating the fifty steps leading to the massive gathering of onlookers below.

  Feeling a bit better after inhaling and blowing out slowly several times, she opened her eyes and looked down. Big mistake!

  She swayed on weak knees, a sudden head rush making her world tilt on end. Reaching out with a trembling hand, she grabbed hold of the carved balustrade. Time to add fear of heights to her phobia list. When she swept her gaze over the crowd of thousands, each face angled up to where she stood, all eyes fixed on her, her pulse jumped, and she tacked on agoraphobia to her growing list. She averted her eyes, picking a focal point straight ahead, and tried to steady herself.

  Dani had always wanted to travel, to visit all thirty-seven Intergalactic Alliance planets. So far, she’d only made it to two, including Earth. She used to blame her father and all his rules as the reason. After this trip to Elzor and her week-long stay, she realized being a space tourist wasn’t all the travel brochures and getaway infomercials made it seem.

  Granted, if she had stayed home, she would have missed the beautiful landscapes and stunning vistas which made up the Dominion of Elzor. Appropriately named the Blue Planet, the color dominated every setting, from the spectacular cyan mountains in the distance, to the nearby bay with its deep-sapphire waters glistening in the morning sun, and, above it all, the azure sky laced with fingers of ice-blue feathery clouds as far as the eye could see. This majesty exemplified the reason she wanted to spread her wings and move beyond her narrow existence in her father’s Long Island suburban home.

  After this trip, however, she had grave reservations of ever doing so again.

  Things went awry soon after liftoff when the ship’s course took them through a meteor stream. For almost three hours, she sat strapped in her flight chair while millions of jagged boulders came hurtling at them.

  Okay, millions was perhaps a slight exaggeration, but there had to have been hundreds, at least, maybe thousands. Dani thought for sure they would die as the space rocks banged and bounced off the shields—the experience like being trapped in a metal drum while someone beats on the outside with a baseball bat. While she held on with a white-knuckled grip, graphic images of her imminent demise flashed in her head. Mostly, of a giant boulder hitting one of the external fuel cells and turning them into a celestial fireball. At least it would be a quick ending. Not so fast, and what she feared more, the safety shields failing and something—either hurtling debris or a meteorite—knocking a gaping hole in the hull. She pictured herself being sucked out into the vacuum of space, gasping for breath without oxygen, and suffering a horrible, painful death when her lungs expanded and burst, or all the blood in her body vaporized.

  Even now, she couldn’t keep from shuddering at the horrifying prospect.

  To her relief, the shields held, and the ship didn’t go up in flames, although it sustained external damage. Nothing life-threatening, but important navigation and communication components had to be repaired before they could safely continue their journey. This resulted in a two-day layover at a nearby spaceport.

  When it came time to leave, the captain himself escorted her on board. His reassurances had done little to calm her twisting, churning stomach. The three-day flight turned into five, and it had taken her another six—until yesterday—to settle nerves, and her queasiness, enough to eat.

  Now, with it time to head home, she dreaded going through anything close to the same ordeal again.

  As bad as the incoming flight had been, it didn’t end up being the worst part of the trip, believe it or not. In fact, the entire visit had been rather strange, and nothing had gone as planned. From the moment she arrived, she noticed wherever she went, crowds gathered, and she drew curious stares. At first, she thought her appearance turned heads because at five feet eight, she towered over the petite Elzorian women. Where they were pixyish and reed slender, Dani had curves and meat on her bones. Not overweight, she liked to eat and would never achieve a concave belly or a six-pack.

  Her auburn hair stood out amidst a sea of silver and champagne blondes, as did her rosy-hued complexion because the people of Elzor had blue skin to match their planet. Not a dark shade, but a light grayish-blue, almost ashen, which Dani found eerie and corpse-like. She’d spotted other humans amid the onlookers and knew many of her kind worked and lived on Elzor. They had for decades, ever since Earth joined the Alliance in 2273. She’d also read there’d been a few interspecies marriages and some of those couples had children. They must be accustomed to seeing Earth women, so she couldn’t figure out why they seemed so fascinated with her.

  What was going on didn’t become clear until midweek. Then, the news knocked her for a loop, although it became less shocking when she learned her father had a hand in it.

  Initially, when she found out he had arranged for her to stay with the royal family, she’d been surprised, and a little uncomfortable, though they were gracious and welcoming. By itself, this wouldn’t have been all bad, but he had also neglected to inform her of the sole purpose of the holiday. Prince Ivar needed a wife, and she’d been sent here specifically to meet him and be considered as a potential bride.

  Holy freaking crap! And dear ole dad hadn’t mentioned a word about it.

  Further, if Ivar approved, she would meet the king and queen of Elzor,
his parents, who would decide if she was good enough for their son, fitting to bear the title of royal princess, and, worthy of being the mother to the next heir to the throne.

  It bore repeating... Ho-ly fah-reaking crap!

  When the prince explained this, she had burst into laughter. A rude reaction, yet what he’d told her had to have been one of the most outlandish stories she’d ever heard. He hadn’t chuckled, cracked a smile, or given the least little twitch of his blue lips.

  When she realized he was serious, she’d embarrassed herself further by getting weak in the knees, which had required his helping her to a chair or falling flat on her face. The rest of the stay had been a blur of social events with her trotted out and put through her paces—the prize mare analogy both spot-on and insulting.

  “Broodmare is more like it,” she muttered to herself.

  Remembering how her potential in-laws had scrutinized her all week, she wouldn’t be at all surprised if they’d gone off somewhere now to compare notes and tally up a score card.

  Dani’s anger, which had been simmering under the surface the past few days, reignited. So much so, her jaw clenched while her heart thudded in her ears.

  The nerve of her underhanded, dictatorial parent acting as though it was the dark ages, although she shouldn’t be shocked. He’d always been highhanded and taken charge of her life, making decisions without caring what she wanted. Telling her how to dress, where she could go, what school to attend, who her friends could and couldn’t be.

  Correction! He never told her, at least not to her face. It came in a directive through one of his assistants, or barked as an order over his shoulder while he walked out the door—not once expecting her to do anything other than obey.

  “Two more weeks,” she whispered under her breath. “A short time to endure before you are free for good.”

  The pounding in her ears became louder all at once. It took her a moment to realize it wasn’t her thudding pulse, but rhythmic clapping from the crowd below. The next instant, it grew in volume, and raucous cheering erupted at the same time a hand came to rest on her back.

  “Daniella, surely you weren’t going to leave without saying good-bye.”

  Her head snapped around, and she found Prince Ivar, her husband wannabe, standing beside her. Chin tilted up—yes, up. The men of Elzor may not be pixie-sized like their women, but they were close. Only of average height, Dani had a good two inches on the prince, five if she counted her heels.

  While he waited for her answer, his blond brows inched higher.

  “I, um...thought we said our farewells after supper last night. I know I expressed my thanks to your parents for welcoming me into their home.” Afterward, she had avoided Ivar like he had a plague, figuring if they weren’t alone, he couldn’t ask the dreaded question, something she hoped and prayed he wouldn’t do here on the steps.

  “Yes, but I planned to have a private word with you after breakfast.” His tone held unmistakable censure when he added, “A meal you skipped.”

  “I wasn’t feeling well. My stomach is nervous about the upcoming flight. You understand, after the very unpleasant trip here.”

  “Perhaps you should postpone your return if you’re ill.”

  “No!” she blurted out, regretting her lack of finesse when a dark-blue shadow crossed his face.

  Shit! It wouldn’t do to anger the man or insult the Elzorian royalty.

  She rushed to cover her faux pas. “I’m sorry and appreciate your concern for my health, your highness, but I can’t stay. I have other engagements I’ve committed to and must keep to the schedule.”

  His stiff expression relaxed somewhat, and she mentally sighed in relief. “I understand obligations, Daniella. As a royal princess, I dare say your calendar would be more demanding. It pleases me to hear you take your obligations seriously.”

  She swallowed, not liking where this was heading at all. She’d been polite to him, but not overly approachable since she had no intention of marrying the man. And, although beautiful, Elzor wasn’t a place she wanted to live, princess or not.

  “Oh, look,” she exclaimed, determined to stop any other mention of weddings, princesses, or royal engagements. Yikes! “My ride to the landing pad has arrived.”

  Taking a hasty step forward, which put her up against the edge of the first stair leading down, she teetered then staggered, catching herself on the railing. Ivar hurried to assist, his arms encircling her waist to steady her.

  Excited cheers and the chant of “Daniella” erupted from the avid spectators, reading much more into her stumble and Ivar’s rescue than she wanted. She tugged down her lightweight fitted jacket and smoothed the front of her skirt. Once set to rights, she thanked him and carefully turned back to the stairs.

  “I have business in New York City. I’ll be making a trip there soon. While I’m there, we’ll have more time together, and more privacy. If you don’t break your neck on the descent, that is. Let me assist you.”

  When he took her arm, she had no choice other than to accept. It wouldn’t do for her to make a scene by pulling away and refusing his help. With thousands watching, including a good number of photographers, anything perceived to be a snub would hit the news links and become fodder for the tabloids. It could turn into an interplanetary incident. Her father, who had business ties to Elzor, would be livid. With so much at stake, she plastered on a fake smile for Ivar and any cameras aimed her way.

  Descending at a slow pace for her benefit, the prince didn’t speak further. Dani was grateful because she needed to focus on putting one foot in front of the other and not being her usual klutzy self by tumbling head over heels down the hard, unforgiving marble, landing in a broken heap at the bottom, and taking Ivar with her.

  Wouldn’t that be a sight?

  They crossed the landing midway without a misstep, no thanks to the butterflies dancing furiously in her stomach. Another twenty-five feet and she’d be home free. Not for the first time this week, Dani wondered why they couldn’t have a lift, or a moving staircase at the very least, like everyone else in the modernized universe.

  With her heart racing, she forced her chin up, facing the thousands who had turned out to see her off today. Seeing their excitement, she felt like a fraud, though she had done nothing to concoct this farce. She would let her father break the news to Ivar, and subsequently to the people of Elzor. No way would she say yes to becoming their future princess, no matter how much Daniel Alltryp ranted and railed at her.

  Still, he could make the next fourteen days until her birthday difficult. She needed to come up with a way to delay a proposal and, heaven forbid, any rush to the altar, which she wouldn’t put past her father. Once she turned twenty-five, the age of majority on Earth, she’d come into her inheritance from her grandmother, held in trust for her since birth, something he couldn’t touch.

  She felt the need to pinch herself to make sure she wasn’t in the middle of a crazy dream. Like most little girls, she’d fantasized about marrying a handsome prince and being whisked away to a fairy-tale castle to live happily ever after. In her dream, however, he hadn’t been blue or short, and her prince charming had fallen in love with her. And he didn’t have the entire thing arranged by a third party. Something seemed fishy, but she had yet to figure out what.

  Arriving at the bottom, she took a breath and stepped off the last stair onto the thick plush red carpet. Yes, they had rolled out an actual red carpet for her, a nobody from Earth, not royalty, merely the daughter of a businessman. A very wealthy businessman—some even called him a mogul—and the one most often in the spotlight. This wasn’t for her, someone quiet and reserved, not a media whore interested in fame, fortune, and being sucked up to by the little people, like her father.

  Dani didn’t have time to dwell on anything to do with him right now, or anything else other than moving the thirty feet between the stairs and the waiting vehicle. To do so, she had to run the gauntlet made up by the cheering, clamoring crowd lining t
he walkway.

  “I will be in touch with your father, Daniella.” Ivar raised her hand to his mouth. When he pressed a lingering kiss to her knuckles, his warmth surprised her, expecting icy cold.

  Imagining his blue lips on hers, or his ghoulish fingers touching her body intimately, made her cringe inside. She barely managed to tamp down a shiver. Eager to get away from him, she nodded and stepped forward, her eyes on the uniformed driver who stood beside the hovering glider, hand on the latch, ready to open the door for her.

  She counted down the diminishing distance, from twenty-five, to twenty, to fifteen. Just a few more feet...

  “Princess Dani,” a young girl called out. She ducked under the velvet perimeter rope, her youthful agility and the crowd’s excitement making it easy to scoot away from her mother. Arriving in front of Daniella, she dropped to her knees, her skirt pooling around her as she looked up in awe.

  “Not a princess yet, sweetheart,” Dani told her, cupping her upturned face.

  “But you will be soon,” she replied with childlike giddiness. “You said yes to Prince Ivar, didn’t you? He is getting quite old, and we worry if he waits much longer, he might not be able to—”

  “Find a bride,” her mother finished for her. She must have ducked under the ropes to retrieve her. “We’re thrilled for you and the prince, miss.” Afterward, she began hauling the little girl away.

  “She didn’t answer my question, Mother. I wanted to know if she said yes.”

  The people had quieted, trying to hear the exchange. Now, they looked at her with anticipation, the ones toward the back, leaning in to catch her answer, which she judiciously withheld.

  “There will be a formal announcement very soon. Thank you for coming to see me off.”

  Feeling more awkward and knowing her imminent decision would disappoint the child and so many others who had turned out today, she patted her on the head and moved past her, eager to get in the waiting car and be on her way.

  After taking no more than a few steps, from the corner of her eye, she spied a young man drop to one knee and bow his head in a show of respect. Still unused to this reaction, Daniella inclined her head and continued past him, trying not to hurry, and seem obvious, when she really wanted to sprint as fast as her feet would take her.