Chapter 4 : The Emperor of Ilios

Theodora's POV In the sun, the royal castle looked even more spectacular. Golden arches reflected the sun, making it look like a jewel in the greenery of the mountain. A fog had settled along the trees from the early morning. Castle didn't seem like the right word to describe it. Setting off a cliffside, it was open, airy, and not fortified like many other castles. Fabric blew in the wind, adding to its ethereal qualities. Absolutely beautiful. And as Daxton as I climbed the steps further to the grand gates, it only seemed to get more stunning. Various land rovers were parked outside the gates, each of them as fancy as the one I was in last night. My one-night stand did exactly what I wanted it to. I was relaxed and sleepy, and I didn't think about Mads as I drifted into sleepy land. Thankfully, I didn't dream much at all. So I woke up rested and ready to kick Daxton out of his bed. He would complain and tell me that we still had a few hours before we had to meet with the Emissary. But as always, I told him, "on time is late." We still had time for a hot beverage at one of the town cafes though. I loved to try out local breakfast staples before a job and Ilios did not disappoint, unlike their alcoholic drink of choice. The worn footpath guided us upward to pointed gates where a young, rather stout man, was waiting outside. Looking down at a tablet, tapping his fingers anxiously against the screen. He was dressed elegantly, in loose robes complimenting the fabric adorning the golden structure. A few guards wearing plate armor and phasers in their hands accompanied the man I recognized as the Emissary from the video call a few days ago. "Captain Walker!" the Emissary greeted, his amber irises contracting as he saw us. "You're early." He took a step forward, outstretching his hand for a firm handshake. Daxton clapped their hands together, a charming smile on his face. "You know what they say, on time is late." I repressed a laugh. The Emissary finally gave us a pleasant smile, looking to the side at me. "I don't think I caught your name the other day." "Theodora Walker," I offered, holding my hand out to greet him as my brother did. But the Emissary didn't shake my hand, instead, he ignored me, gesturing for the guards to open the gates. Dick. And a big reason Daxton poses as the captain. In general, our clients treat him better than they treat me. Night and day difference. Besides, with eyes off me, it makes it significantly easier to be under the radar. "Emperor Cyrus is awaiting you in the grand hall. We must ask that you retire your weapons with the guard before entering the Huaca," the Emissary stated. It would be easy to argue, but I wasn't familiar with Ilios customs. And I didn't want to end up with the military police called on me again. I unholstered my revolver, dropping the weapon into the guard's awaiting hands. The guard's eyes widened as he took my gun. It was unusual to see old-fashioned pistols these days. Most people carried phasers. Endless magazines. I found it too easy to be reckless with unlimited shots. The only thing stopping it was an unheated barrel. I didn't like the mindlessness that came with phasers. I liked to think about it before I pulled the trigger. Besides, aiming a pistol was lightyears better. Daxton followed my example before we continued to follow the Emissary into the Huaca. I guess that's what they called their castle. Seemed to fit a whole lot more than "castle." It was even more impressive on the inside. We were passed by various people. Scholars. Consorts. Children. Were they all daywalkers? I didn't know. I had never seen a daywalker in person before. The pathways between buildings were open to the fresh, foggy air, smelling lush and green. I can see why most locals never left the planet. It had everything they could ever want. Daxton nudged my shoulder as we walked behind the Emissary. Eventually, we ended up at two miraculously sized double doors, plated in gold like everything else. Two guards stood at the post outside of the doors, opening them for us to enter. "Emperor Cyrus, I present to you Captain Walker and his sister, Theodora," The Emissary announced as we entered. The room was almost empty aside from a dark-haired, golden-skinned man sitting on a plush throne. He had long dark hair adorned with a golden headdress, not unlike a crown. Amber eyes nearly glowed as he took us in. For a moment, my breath caught in my chest because he looked a lot like Javier. But as we stepped closer, I released my breath with relief. Emperor Cyrus wasn't Javier. I almost laughed when I imagined how awkward it would have been if I had fucked him last night and left without so much as a goodbye. "Welcome to Ilios," Emperor Cyrus greeted. "Thank you for agreeing to meet with me." "Of course, Your Majesty. We were very curious to hear what job you were offering us," Daxton replied. Emperor Cyrus nodded, a serious look in his eyes as his eyebrows came together. He looked over at his Emissary and waved his hand in a silent gesture to back up. Just like that, the Emissary became a fly on the wall and I forgot he was even in the room. "I'll cut to the chase," he said, standing from his seat. Robes and luxurious fabric cascaded down his shoulders, leaving his chest completely bare. "My daughter is missing. I would like to hire you to find her and bring her home." I drew back, surprised and I couldn't stop myself from asking, "And you think she's off planet?" His amber eyes graced my face, not with disregard as his Emissary had. "I have reason to believe she was smuggled off the planet on a cargo ship." Daxton raised his hand, lips in a hard line. "Don't you have enough resources to seek her out yourself?" Emperor Cyrus merely shrugged. "Many of my resources believe that my daughter is safe and sound in Huaca. They can't know otherwise. I don't trust them." "Yet, you trust us?" I asked skeptically, crossing my arms over my chest. I didn't like how a smile pulled at the corner of his lips. "Theodora Walker. War criminal. Wanted by the galactic police. The military police. Banned from visiting numerous planets. A hefty reward for your capture," Emperor Cyrus stated calmly. "I've done my research." "Don't threaten me," I snapped. "Let me finish, Miss Walker," he retorted. I narrowed my eyes but gestured for him to continue. "A woman clearly so adept at evading the police is exactly the person I need for discretion. The Peacemaker has a reputation for completing missions to a T with a ninety-six percent success rate. I can't argue with those statistics." Daxton put a hand on my shoulder. "Why is discretion so important?" The Emperor hummed, settling back on his throne. "Do you know why daywalkers don't leave Ilios?" "Can't say I do," Daxton replied. "Because our blood is valuable. If anyone knows the princess is missing, they will seek her out and bleed her dry. I don't even trust my advisors to know she's missing," he explained with a wave of his hand. "Yet you trust us?" I repeated. "With my daughter? Not in the slightest," he replied. "But I do trust you to complete the job. As long as I have one of my most trusted friends accompany you. My older brother will join you and report directly to me with your progress." I paused before countering, "We aren't doing this job if we need a chaperone. We don't work well with a stranger on our ship. How do I know I can trust you?" "You can't." Emperor Cyrus shrugged again. "But if that's your ultimatum, then I have no qualms about throwing you in prison until the military police can collect you. These are my terms. Yes or no. My brother or prison." My mouth grew dry. Now it made sense. He had dirt on me. That's why he could trust us to complete the job. If we didn't, I'd have the force of a daywalker military chasing me down, too. Fuck, as if I didn't have enough problems. I glanced at the doors, coming to the realization that the Grand Hall was deep inside the Huaca. I'd never get out without being caught. Not with my human limitations against daywalkers. No way. I didn't even have my gun. "I will reward you handsomely for a successful mission," Emperor Cyrus continued. I gulped as Daxton's eyes met mine. Fine. I nodded once. "We have a spare room on the Peacemaker. Shouldn't be much trouble to accommodate a chaperone," Daxton said nonchalantly, but I knew it bothered him just as much as it bothered me. We didn't like strangers in our space. Too bad. Not much of a choice now. "I'm pleased to hear that. My brother has been awaiting a chance to get off Ilios," Emperor Cyrus stated. "Send for Javier," he called to the Emissary who had been waiting patiently by the doors. Javier? Oh, fuck. "Actually, I still don't think we need a chaperone," I blurted. I would rather be thrown in prison than be in close quarters with my ex-boyfriend and the one-night stand for the duration of this mission. I could handle Mads. But Mads and Javier? I used Javier to get over Mads, but those feelings for Mads were still there. I only added another man to the mix. Fuck, call the military police. Lock me up in fucking Cronos 8 maximum security. I'd find a way to break out of it. It's fine. I just didn't want to see Javier's face after I bolted, leaving him with my panties and a "see you never." Daxton's eyes shot over to me. "What the fuck are you doing?" he muttered under his breath. "I just think we should stick to our guns this time," I replied, feeling my face heat up, blush blooming to my ears. "Ignore my sister, always a joker," Daxton said loudly, elbowing me hard in the ribs. Then he ducked his face behind my ear and hissed, "I'm not going back to prison for you." I took a deep breath. "Fine…Captain," I mumbled, swallowing my pride. Maybe it wasn't even the same Javier, but I did fuck him at a bar down the street in a land rover that looked miraculously like the rovers parked outside the gates. But should my little brother go to prison with me because I couldn't keep it in my pants? No. He shouldn't. He should go to prison for a few other things. But not that. The doors behind us opened and the little voice of hope that this wasn't the same guy died. As dark as it was last night, the build of his body was unmistakable. Broad shoulders and deep terracotta-hued skin. Honey-colored eyes and plush lips that tasted as good as they looked. Instantly, I was transported back to last night, the taste of his tongue in my mouth. With the feel of his thick cock ingrained into my muscle memory. It was only one night, but Javier was a good fuck. I couldn't deny that. I was in deep shit. And when those eyes glazed over me, I knew he recognized me. His tongue pressed against the inside of his cheek as he fought a cheeky smile. "Javier, this is Captain Daxton Walker and his sister Theodora. They, so graciously, invited you to join them," Emperor Cyrus stated. "Oh, did they, now?" Javier asked, crossing his arms over a rippling chest. Fuck me, he was even sexier in the daytime. "Invited is a strong word," I replied with mock niceties. Daxton elbowed me again. "Yes, we will have a room made up for you." "Fantastic," Emperor Cyrus stated, threading his fingertips together. I turned my head back around to the Emperor, trying to ignore how unbelievably hot Javier's eyes felt against my back. "What leads do you have?"