Pursued: A Sci-Fi Alien Warrior Romance (Raider Warlords of the Vandar Book 4)

wine.
“I will not.” I took long strides to pass both warriors, pausing at the door. “If you need anything, I will be testing out our new holographic battle ring. It has been too long since I’ve battled a gorgomil, and I look forward to seeing if the artificially created tentacles are as challenging as the real ones.”
I didn’t wait for their response as I left my strategy room and walked through the command deck, raiders at their consoles clicking their heels together at the sight of me. I made my way through the ship quickly, leaping from one open walkway to another. The dark interior of the warbird echoed my pounding footfall as I descended further into the ship’s belly until I’d finally reached the newly installed holographic battle ring, a gift from Raas Toraan after the warlord brothers had reunited.
I tapped my fingers on the control panel, setting a program to battle the Jenvarian creature, and selecting the highest level of difficulty. I drew in a long breath as the door to the chamber opened, and I caught a glimpse of the enormous beast with flailing, spiked tentacles. My heart raced, but I didn’t care. If I was battling a monster, at least my mind wouldn’t be on the female I would soon be sending away. The one I secretly wanted for myself.

Chapter Eight
Alana
The raider led me into the spacious quarters and waved a hand in the direction of an arched doorway. “The bathing chamber is there.”
I bit back a sarcastic retort, since it was pretty clear where the bathing pools were. The rest of the large room was sparsely furnished, with dark chairs and a long table flanked with benches secured to the floor, and there was only a single doorway leading into another space.
You’re a scared female who escaped from the empire, I reminded myself. Not a snarky assassin.
“Thanks,” I said, attempting to make my voice sound frail. “It will be nice to bathe.”
The Vandar’s gaze did not meet mine, but he nodded. “I will remain outside if you need anything.”
“Outside the bathing chamber?” I asked, forgetting to soften the edge in my voice.
He glanced up at me, cocking one eyebrow.
Shit. That had sounded anything but unsure and fragile. I cleared my throat. “I mean, I doubt I’ll need anything.”
“And I meant that I will be outside the main door.”
I let out a breath. “It’s been a while since I had an actual bath. I might be in there a while.” And I did not want anyone walking in on me while I searched the Raas’ room.
“That is fine.” He turned and headed for the exit. “When you are done, I will be waiting to escort you back to your quarters.”
“Great.” I managed to make that sound sincere, although it took effort. I also gave him a smile, but it was wasted on his retreating back. No matter. I kept it plastered on my face until the steel door closed, and I was alone. Then I spun around and scanned the room intently. “It’s about fucking time.”
Even though I’d told the guard I’d take a while, I did not want to get caught executing my imperial orders. I needed to work fast so I could hop in the bathing pools and make myself look like a woman who’d had a luxurious soak.
A cursory sweep with my gaze told me that a search wouldn’t take long. There was barely anything in the room. No monitor or desk, or even a bedside table. To call the quarters spartan would have been an understatement, although the effect wasn’t unpleasant.
A glossy, black table ran near the far wall with two long benches tucked on either side. The wall behind it was entirely glass and overlooked space—lights streaking past it a stark reminder that we were on a massive spaceship traveling close to warp speed. The opposite wall held an inset fireplace in which blue flames gyrated like Orlenians engaged in a tribal dance. A pair of chairs were angled in front of the fire along with a low table—all the same high-polished ebony as the obsidian floors and ceiling. One of the only things not black was the enormous bed’s imposing headboard, which had been forged from many battle axes, the steel glinting in the faint light from the flames. If I didn’t already know that the Vandar were seriously violent, badass warriors, this room would have clued me in pretty quickly.
I strode to the bed, trying not to think about Raas Bron tangled up in the claret-colored sheets that were pulled tight across the surface. I reached one arm under the mattress, groping wildly. Nothing. So much for the Raas stashing something secret under there.
I stood and twisted around. I wasn’t even sure what I expected to find, but most of my powerful and important victims had kept secret ledgers or devices or even journals in their private chambers. My mission wasn’t just to take out Raas Bron. I needed to find the information that could take down the entire Vandar species.
Heading to the built-in dresser, I threw open the doors. A few leather kilts hung over a series of drawers. I quickly searched the contents of each drawer and found nothing but swaths of heavy fabric and wide belts.
“Come on, Bron,” I whispered as I slammed the last drawer shut and closed the dresser doors. “You must have something personal in here.”
Unless Vandar didn’t keep personal items. I’d already seen that their ship was utilitarian to the extreme and their clothing minimalist. The only things that appeared to be individual were the carved handles or intricate etchings on the battle axes that swung by each raider’s leg. Otherwise, their kilts and lace-up leather boots were standard issue. At least for ancient, nomadic warriors, which I knew their people had been.
Huffing out a breath, I took long steps across the room. I peered under the table and both benches then walked back across to the fireplace, daring to