Chapter 9

I should have slept, but sleep was impossible. Instead, I’d spent the hours in flight fighting with the alien makers until I had something that would serve my purpose and resembled a royal outfit. Or what I imagined one would be, based on my memory of the history holoshows I’d devoured as a link to the Earth I’d never seen.

It was pretty, despite its annoying imperfections. Okay, the skirts were wider than was practical, long enough to drag along the deck and wide enough that I doubted I’d be able to get through a human-scale door. But it did what I needed it to, I thought, admiring my reflection in the more-than-full-length mirror. The guest cabin Rhakaris had given me was small by Drachali standards, but scaled for the gigantic aliens. Which was one reason my emerald green dress didn’t fit quite right—the computer refused to believe my human measurements. With more fiddling, I could have improved it, but I was out of time. I barely had enough time to reach the bridge before planetfall.

It was heavy, too, and I hoped it didn’t show too much in my walk. It was too late to change now.

The Blackwing shook as she reentered the atmosphere, a cherry-red glow surrounding her as she bled off speed. Sensors warned of weapons locking onto us, but the castle’s blasters stayed silent. That and automated landing directions were all the welcome we got as we came in to land.

I found a bitter irony in the fact that my second time arriving at Karych Castle was both more impressive than the first, and more depressing. Numb with fear and anger, even seeing Rhakaris in his royal finery did nothing to cheer me up. It was one more reminder of what I stood to lose today.

My alien mate seemed just as hollowed out, though he did his best to hide it behind an approving smile when he looked at me.

“You are stunning,” he said. “Every time I see you, I lose my heart to you all over again.”

“Flatterer,” I said with a wan smile. “What happened to our ‘no pressure’ agreement, anyway?”

“If we are alive and free come sunrise, you can dispute my breach of contract if you wish. For tonight, you are my queen and I, your king.”

I swallowed the complicated feelings that woke in me and nodded. “Okay, I can do that. We’ll fuck them up as partners, then.”

His smile twitched, a hint of genuine humor showing through, and guided us in to land. Blackwing settled onto a landing platform on top of one of the castle’s towers, and Rhakaris held out a hand.

“May I have the honor of escorting you, your Majesty?”

“The honor is mine, your Majesty,” I answered with equal formality, though in Galtrade it sounded ridiculous. Hand in hand, we descended the cargo ramp to meet the duke’s court as they emerging from the castle.

Vazand wasn’t taking any chances. As well as a crowd of nobles and courtiers, he’d brought plenty of firepower. A dozen guards, armed and armored, waited with their rifles technically not aimed at Rhakaris. The duke and his daughter stood safely at the back, still flanked by Keepers, and another two guards kept watch over my family. A final guard stood beside Ellarax, holding her hostage for Kharmiya’s good behavior.

I swallowed a mess of feelings at the sight of my family. On the one hand, they were in deadly danger. On the other, they looked unhurt. It could be a lot worse.

The duke strode forward to meet us, Kharmiya trailing behind her father. She looked as crushed as I felt. Our eyes met for a moment, and I wondered what she saw in mine. Hers seemed inscrutable, her practiced courtly skills paying off, but I thought I caught a hint of an apology there. Or was it just wishful thinking? Her scheming had gotten me and my family into this mess, and if she didn’t feel guilt over that, she was a terrible person.

I didn’t want to see Rhakaris marry someone terrible. Or, to be honest, anyone at all.

“Majesty,” Duke Vazand started with a low bow. “Delightful to see you again so soon.”

I could hear Rhakaris’s muscles tensing as he restrained himself from doing something he’d regret. “The Sumner family, they are safe now, yes? They can leave?”

Vazand straightened and favored us with a chilly smile. “Of course, just as soon as you are married. How lucky for them to witness a royal wedding! You would not deny them the honor, would you?”

And you won’t give up your hostages until your hook is well and truly swallowed. I glared, and Vazand turned his icy gaze onto me. “In fact, this one should join her family now, while we prepare for the ceremony.”

A guard took me by the arm, pulling me away from Rhakaris. My hand slipped from his with one last squeeze, a reassurance that everything would be alright. It didn’t count as a lie; we both knew it wasn’t true.

* * *

“Eden! You’re alright!” My mother pounced on me as soon as I was close enough. “What the heck are you wearing?”

I couldn’t help grinning. “Always lead with the important questions, right, mom?”

“Well, it is a ridiculous getup. You look like you stole a princess costume from a holodrama that had no budget for costuming or research.” She hugged me close, whispering in my ear. “I won’t let these motherfuckers see how scared I was for you. These alien pricks can go fuck themselves with razor blade dildos.”

“And some people wonder where I learned to swear.”

“Did that alien hurt you?” Dad asked, mind on more practical matters. “These assholes weren’t exactly gentle when they grabbed us.”

“No, no, nothing like that. Rhakaris has been nothing but kind to me, and he saved my life by getting me away from these guys.”

“Now he’s brought you right back to them,” Dad said, eyes narrow, glare directed at my alien mate. “Some savior.”

“We came back for you, Dad,” I said, wishing there was time to explain. But I knew how quick Drachali weddings could be, and didn’t dare risk this one going ahead. “Right now, we have to stop the ceremony. I’ll tell you all about it later.”

Dad snorted, though Hector and Andy, the older pair of my brothers, looked eager for a chance to fight back. Andy had already tried, I guessed. The bruises rising on his face were a solid clue.

“Don’t you go putting stupid ideas in your brothers’ heads, Eden. The enemy outnumbers us, they’re stronger than humans, and they have guns. Our only weapon is your mother’s foul language, which might count as a war crime but won’t win the day on its own.”

“True. It would be spectacularly stupid to try anything,” I agreed, then grinned. “Which means we’ll have the element of surprise.”