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Chapter 11

Chapter 11

I knew Il’ors would salivate over the glofilt. It would ensure his family’s priority from the Creesach who worked on Todrore. Another feather in his cap, and another reason to negotiate a credit increase from his employer.

“I need an audience with Zema Mevier.”

Il’ors whistled. “When you ask, it’s not small is it?”

I winced. “I’m afraid not.”

“Let me see what else you’ve brought. I’m sure I can find something to tempt him out of his fortress.”

Khanet stepped up next to me. “Fortress?”

Il’ors nodded. “He is paranoid, while at the same time insisting he should rule all of Todrore. The other elites fear him, and he craves respect he will never have.”

“I can work with that.”

I knew Khanet meant in an interrogation. Fortunately, Il’ors misunderstood.

“Yes, you can lure him with the promise of legitimate superiority over the others. Offer him something exclusive, something the others will covet, and he will come.”

I took the chef through everything I’d brought this time. I had chosen things I knew were in demand and rare. My heart sank as one by one, he rejected almost all the goods as not enough to lure Zema into the open.

“Now this,” his body half disappeared into a crate, “might work.”

He pulled out a small, nondescript box that I knew contained a single, wrapped portion of meat. “But that’s just standard zih.”

Il’ors clucked his tongue. “There is nothing standard when it comes to Todrorians and zih. The zih have been extinct on this planet for many years, but some still remember their flesh as a great delicacy. Since it isn’t as rare in the rest of Denchui space, no one bothers to import it to the Core, so it almost never reaches Todrore. Yes, he will come for this.”

It took several discussions to prove the zih’s authenticity, on top of Il’ors resounding endorsement, to get Zema to agree to meet us in the market.

Khanet rented a small commercial space and quickly furnished it with a table and three chairs. It screamed trap, or at least interrogation, but Khanet and Il’ors were confident the zih would override all of Zema’s better instincts.

They were right.

The thing that almost stopped him was his elaborate headdress. It was too tall to fit through the door and forced him to slump in order to not hit the ceiling as he walked. He was more than happy to take a seat at the table.

Behind him, Kevad shut the door with an ominous click. Zema still didn’t lose focus on the small box.

“May I see it?”

“Of course.” I opened the box in front of me, making sure it was out of his reach, and pulled out the wrapped package. As soon as the sides fell free, Zema grinned with glee.

“Yes, I will take it. What is your cost?”

“We want the name of the Skeall council member who worked with Garble.”

That hit home. His eyes darted to ours, then he stood and tried to run. He’d forgotten about his headdress, and with his first step his head snapped back. He lost his balance and fell flat on his back. I laughed. Khanet loomed over him and shook his head.

“The name is all we seek. The Todrorian government can see to your other crimes.”

Zema visibly relaxed. Todrorian elite could buy their way out of almost anything with no more than a slap on the wrist.

“Will I still get the zih?”

All three of us rolled our eyes. I recovered first. “Yes, for five million credits.”

Zema nodded. “A fair price for such a prize.”

“Your life, or the zih?” Kevad asked.

Zema didn’t attempt to get off the floor. I suspected his headdress was too heavy and too well attached to his head to allow much vertical movement.

“Both.” He looked back to Khanet. “You are looking for a Skeall named Brorkur.”

Kevan and Khanet shared a look.

“You’re sure?”

Zema nodded. “Garble only mentioned the name once, and I suspect it was an accidental slip of the tongue after too much zhi?cl, but I am sure.”

The two warriors hauled Zema to his feet. I waited as he transferred the credits to my account and then handed him the box of zih.

Back on Arella, with Drokak and Thexit on screen, Khanet told them the name of their traitor.

Both of their eyes went wide. Drokak’s in a more dramatic fashion, with an added expletive.

I turned to Khanet. “Why is Brorkur such a surprise?”

“We thought it was another khumtu member named Lutux.”

Thexit grunted. “I still think he had something to do with it. His behavior is too suspicious.”

“Well, I’m just glad it seems to be over. I plan to kidnap Khanet and spend a week on Mraho getting sand into places it should never be. I can afford it now.”

While Arella took us back to Sulphus, I booked our luxury stay at one of the less expensive resorts on Mraho. We might not rub elbows with the celebrities that frequented the planet, but it would still be glorious.

They’d arrested Brorkur by the time we arrived. Between Parphad’s ledger and Zema’s written statement, the evidence of his betrayal was overwhelming. They stripped him of his rank and seat, and he awaited trial in a dark hole.

Despite Khanet, Drokak, and Thexit’s reservations, the khumtu declared themselves free of corruption. The captains wanted an independent investigation, but the remaining members made it clear that wasn’t happening.

I knew they wouldn’t let it go, but Khanet let me steal him away.

On Mraho, even Arella relaxed and seemed to enjoy herself. The planet boasted a vast ocean with a salinity that allowed even the largest ships to float peacefully. I sprung for her to receive a spa treatment, where thosh the size of dinner plates scoured her hull until it gleamed.

Even Skitter was pampered with pounds of his favorite plant snack and plenty of time laying on the hot sand soaking up the sun.

Our last night there Khanet was twitchy.

“Do you want to stay? I think I can swing another night or two.”

He smiled. “No, it is time for us to get back in the stars.”

I narrowed my eyes at him. “Then what has you so nervous?”

He fell to his knees in front of me, his head bent, and his back bowed. “Danyx, I wish to link my life with yours. You are my arawt, the one being in the universe designed to complete me.”

I swiped at the tears running down my cheeks. “Are you asking me to marry you?”

He nodded. “I love you. I will love you until the last star winks out.”

Despite my best effort to keep it from him, my heart was his. “I think I’ve loved you from the moment you stepped on board Arella. I didn’t want to. I tried my best not to fall in love, but it happened.” I launched myself at him, sending us into a sprawling heap on the sand. Skitter rolled around us in an orbit of excitement.

Khanet laughed. “Is that a yes?”

“Yes! It’s a yes!”

Arella’s dry voice was in my ear. “Thank stars. I don’t even want to contemplate the ennui that would have permeated my every circuit had either one of you put that off for any longer.”

“Shut up, Arella.” I grabbed Khanet’s face and pulled it to me. “Now kiss me, and show me you’re mine.”

Khanet growled. “With pleasure.”

The End

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