Chapter Two

T he sun was a reddish purple when Kris woke, used the facilities, and took a shower as soon as she could. There was a cleaning unit for her bodysuit, so she made use of it while she used the solar shower. She was going to be dry and tanned by the time she left. Flakey skin was a definite possibility.

She got dressed, and when that was done, she braided her hair along her scalp. Learning to make her own conditioner had been a thing. She had to find the supplies locally but was pretty sure she could manage it.

The first stop was the kitchen, and the second was the kitchen of the main house. If she was staying with her employer, she was going to have to do a lot of maintenance. Yorness forgot that she didn’t have scales.

She headed down to the main level and checked the kitchen. She found enough wax and oils to mix together into a makeshift body butter. It was a well-stocked kitchen, and she got melting right away. Kris looked out the window and saw gardens.

She grinned, turned the oils off, and set them beside the heating element. With a spring in her step, she wandered out to defile her boss’s garden.

She smelled seven different types of flowers before she picked a blend she liked and gathered them in her tabard. When she took her loot back to the guesthouse, she stripped and bruised the petals, easing them into the oil before she set it to melt. She stirred slowly, and when the petals were all in the melted oil and wax, she took it off the heat and inhaled the scent. It was quite pleasant.

She left the flowers to harden in the mass and rubbed her hands along the hardening wax, smoothing them across her hair. The protective layer felt nice on her braids.

Kris rubbed the rest of the balm into her skin and headed out to look around to see what she could see.

The light had a distinct purple tint, and she left the guesthouse and wandered toward the large, distant buildings that reminded her of barns.

There was a fence between her and the barns, so she stayed on her side, looking for any sign of animals. The heavy thudding made her blink. Something was coming. A lot of somethings.

She watched the thundering of what seemed to be large iridescent pigeons with hooked beaks. Kris stared, watched the flock stampede past her, and saw one straggler trying to keep up with the others. It was purple and peacock blue as it struggled past, and Kris sighed. “Hey, little one. Everything is harder when you don’t quite fit, right?”

The little one was still taller than she was at the shoulder, but it slowed and looped to come toward her. Kris remained on the other side of the fence as the little creature walked toward her and confidently stuck its head over the fence.

Kris grinned. It was obviously a pet. She reached out and stroked the silky soft feathers of its neck.

The leader of the herd or flock clacked loudly at her, the bands on its neck dark, and the ridge of feathers rising in an angry crest. The little one closed her eyes and stuck her head out as she enjoyed the petting and scratches. The scent of the feathers was slightly dusty, but there was a sweet undertone.

Kris slowly pulled back her hands and smiled at the bird. “Nice to meet you. You are very pretty.”

The bird clacked softly at her, trilled, and then went to be nipped hard by the head of her flock.

Kris took the hint and headed back to her guesthouse as the sun faded completely and the moons began to rise. She stretched as she walked and returned to her temporary home.

The scent of the flowers was strong, and she smiled and went to heat and strain the balm one more time. She found a tub she could close and filled with the fragrant balm.

The knock at the door while she was cleaning up got her attention. “Enter.”

A servant came in and blinked in surprise. “That smells wonderful.”

“Thanks. My hair and skin suffer in this heat, light, and environment. Putting a balm on it works well to ease any issues. The ingredients were already here.”

The woman had a tray. “Mistress Yorness has had this food prepared for you.”

Kris smiled. “Thank you. Is she trying to keep me away from the main house?”

“Perhaps. Essan has come for a visit. She is eager to keep you hidden.”

“What? Didn’t she file me properly under bodyguard or something?”

The servant set the tray on the table. “I believe that she mumbled something of the kind. It may have something to do with all off-worlders needing to be presented to Essan upon arrival.”

“Why?”

“He’s looking for a new breeding partner. He has mourned long enough.”

“Uh, how long has he mourned?”

“Five centuries. Madam Yorness is a child twenty generations from him.”

“Oh, she’s related to him?” Kris sighed and kept cleaning up. “She didn’t mention that.”

“All of the travellers and merchants are related to Essan.”

“Right. Of course.” She dried her hands and went to the table. The meal was hot, and her ring didn’t detect any allergens.

She sat and ate while the servant tidied up and caught flecks of water from the counter. “May I know your name?”

“Oh. Theera, Miss.”

“Not so much Miss, just Kris.”

The woman nodded, her pale green scales shining in the moonlight. “Would you like me to turn on the lights?”

“No, if she’s hiding me from Essan, there is a reason. I will remain in the dark and return to bed.”

She smiled at Theera as she finished the small meal. Kris got up and was going to take her bowl to the sink, but Theera grabbed it and put it back on the tray.

“Please allow me to do my job.” Theera smiled. “I have heard that they are coming for you at breakfast. You will need all the rest you can get.”

“That sounds ominous.”

“It will be exhausting but fun. I hope you enjoy experiencing our world.”

“Thank you, Theera.”

“Oh, I will be back in a few minutes with your clothing. Madam was precise with what she wanted.”

“Oh, great.”

She waited in the dark, and true to her word, Theera was back in a few minutes with her arms loaded with fabric. Theera smiled. “I never knew that a bodysuit could be made this thin, but the madam managed to find it.”

“Several of them, apparently.” Kris touched the pile. “They are certainly soft enough for my unscaled skin.”

“I will hang them up for you. Illumination.”

The lights came on in the guesthouse, and Kris sighed. “Did you do that on purpose?”

“They are in the front of the house. They won’t come near the night garden unless Madam wants to walk.”

Kris blinked. “She loves an evening walk. I had to do half my work on evening walks.”

“Well, I can help you get into one of the matching outfits, just in case.”

“Something is up.”

Theera shrugged. “It is above my station to tell you, but yes.”

Kris followed her upstairs and said, “Which outfit says I am going to kick your ass, you old, scaley bitch ?”

Theera paused. “The dark blue.”

“Then that is what I shall wear.”

She dressed in the nearly transparent deep blue bodysuit with a studding of gems down the arms and legs. She slid the tabard on and belted the works. The two layers of fabric rendered the light weave opaque.

Theera blinked. “Miss Kris, you look lovely.”

“Thanks. For a scaleless alien.” She smiled.

“Well, yes.”

There was a brusque knock from the main door. Kris walked down the stairs while Theera busied herself with the wardrobe.

She opened the door and saw Yorness standing next to a Hmrain with midnight blue scales, eyes that showed stars on a black background, and wings neatly folded at his back.

Kris bent one knee, folded her hands together, and bowed. “Overseer. Madam.”

The overseer snorted. “Education station. Dregs.”

Kris felt a wave of angry heat wash over her. She didn’t speak.

“Grandfather, you are being rude to my guest. She is an enhanced being from her world and extremely powerful.”

“Why would a powerful being give a bondservant’s greeting?” Essan snorted.

Kris remained bent over. “Because it was the only one I was taught for Hmrain. I didn’t realize that the designers had crafted callous idiots.”

Yorness hissed in shock and then quieted.

“Stand straight, creature.” He growled it.

She stood straight and looked up into his surprised expression. Essan looked at her, and his eyes dipped down to take in the shape of her before his gaze locked with hers.

He cocked his head, the fine scales nearly a smooth surface. “You are very brave for someone who is here at my sufferance.”

“I died twice in the same hour. After that, I know what I can appreciate and what I will not. I do not appreciate being called dregs.” She brought heat to her skin and took a step toward the Hmrain.

Yorness backed away.

When Kris burst into flame, Essan took a step back. She purred at him. “Oh, Overseer, why don’t you come closer and examine the dregs of my people? Your people prefer warmth, and I have plenty of it.”

She ratcheted the flames up, and Yorness winced. “Kris, please.”

Kris settled and was now naked. The clothing hadn’t withstood the heat.

Essan’s expression showed surprise. “You aren’t scaled.”

“No. Just skin or hide.”

“You are comfortable naked?”

Kris shrugged. “I got used to it. My travel suits and on-duty uniforms are resistant to fire.”

“Yorness was supposed to bring you for an introduction when you arrived. It is tradition.”

“I am a fan of breaking traditions. I believe we have been introduced, so I will go inside and stop freaking out Yorness’s family. They look unsettled. I didn’t think I was that pale.”

Yorness snorted. “Then you were deluding yourself.”

Kris grinned. “Right. Well, I am the dregs of my world, and the Hmrain has met me. So, I am going to call it a night.”

Essan reached out and grabbed her wrist. “You are an interesting thing, and I wish to interview you more.”

“Nope. Not if you call me a thing. I am a woman, female, or mutant. I answer to those or to Terran or human. Urther just sounds stupid. If you wish to converse, I should dress... again.”

Essan nodded. “Very well. Yorness and I will wait here.”

She looked down at her wrist. “I can’t dress over you.”

He slowly released her, and she turned and walked back into the guesthouse. She left the door open and sprinted up the steps. She was going to grab her hard suit.

* * * *

E ssan looked at his descendant. “Why didn’t you bring her to the palace?”

“Because she is not just a bodyguard; she is my friend.”

“She’s fearless.”

Yorness sighed. “She has seen her own death and participated in the deaths of others. She has no fear because she has no hope, and her only true friend, one who was beside her when they were both crushed in an accident, has gone on to pursue her own dreams. She is alone now, or I would have returned home on my own.”

Essan looked at her in surprise. “You have affection for her?”

“Yes. She is mouthy, opinionated but loyal and funny. She lights up any room and easily dispatches any attackers. It’s messy but effective.”

Essan smiled. “I imagine it would be. Does she burn her clothing often?”

“No. She usually focuses it through her hands.”

“Interesting. So, what do you plan to do with her now that she is here?”

Yorness shrugged. “I thought to show her the mountains, the plants, the shorelines, and beaches. I will have her taken to the volcanos and the snowy wastes.”

Essan smiled. “You will not take her yourself?”

“I am getting old, Grandfather. Climbing mountains is beyond me now.”

“Who will you send her with?”

“Niassin’s nephew is a good pick. He likes that outdoors stuff and is in her age range. He’s also a professional guide. He’s a good choice.”

Essan thought about the pearly beauty of the alien and the silky soft skin. Her wrist was softer than any of the fabrics he wore. It reminded him of flower petals.

“Tomorrow, she goes on a trail ride with the older granddaughters. I think she will be amused to learn to ride.”

“Does life amuse her?”

“I believe so.”

“When are you showing her the galleries?”

“When she has appreciated the wilderness of this world. She misses walking freely and breathing deeply. Of course, she is allergic to half the food here. It makes things awkward.”

Essan blinked. “What?”

“I learned of her allergies on Frethen. She ate some of the greens and began to have difficulty breathing. Her skin turned red and raw, and she had to be rushed to a medic. I bought her a sensor ring, which she uses on her food and drink. She also has emergency injections if she needs them.”

He frowned. “Isn’t there a medical treatment she can get?”

He heard the footfalls, and Kris emerged from the house and closed the door behind her. Her hair was braided tightly along her scalp and flared loosely into silky locks. The suit she was wearing was thick and a dull grey. “You didn’t have anything that was flattering?”

“Of course I did. This will withstand me overheating because I keep replaying getting called dregs in my mind.”

Essan felt something, and to his shock, it was regret. “I will endeavour not to set off that impulse again.”

Yorness smiled. “Would you like to join us with the family, Kris?”

“Well, I got dressed and everything, so sure.”

Yorness sighed in relief, and they turned toward where the family was gathering.

The human looked at him. “Is Yorness going to be in any trouble because she hid me?”

“I do not believe it will be necessary. She just about fainted when I arrived at the door.”

Essan smiled when he realized Kris was talking to him as an equal. Considering her earlier bow, it was surprising.

Kris nodded. “She thought she had gotten away with it.”

“Yes, I nearly regret coming for my scheduled visit and wrecking her plan.” He chuckled.

“Why would she hide me? I am obviously not suitable.”

He chuckled. “Have any of your kind become bond mates to Hmrain?”

Kris’s body went still while she continued to walk. “One or two.”

He blinked. “How many?”

“Uh, over ten.”

“Any elders?”

“One or two. He’s nice, though. They just had a baby.”

Essan was suddenly very interested in the conversation. He took a seat and gestured for her to sit next to him. “The child is healthy?”

“Yes. So was the mother. She’s great, and he looks like he wants to populate a world with her.” Kris smiled. “I think he is planning on trying.”

Essan was amused. “What do you think his bondservant will do?”

“Kick him in the groin if he tries. It won’t do any good, but it will get her point across.”

“She would threaten a Hmrain?”

“Yes. She was initially thrown to him as food and chose to kiss him instead. He was shocked but got what he needed to do what was necessary. She recovered from torture and grew about a foot after they bonded.” Kris smiled.

Her smile softened her features. They were classically beautiful and symmetrical, but when she smiled, it was intriguing. Essan shook his head. “Which elder was it?”

“Kethen. His partner is Janessa.”

“I am going to research this.”

She shrugged. “Do or don’t. You asked questions, and I gave you answers.”

He smiled. “So I did. Now, are you up to telling me about your world?”

“It was hit by an asteroid, and only a tiny fraction of the population was taken up by the education station. From impact to recovery, it was over a year. Some folk didn’t get picked up until near the two-year mark. I think everyone is off the surface, but if you want to get a consort, you might want to contact the station.” She shrugged. “I mean, if you are shopping for one. Since you showed up here alone, I just guessed that you were currently unencumbered.”

Essan nodded. “Your deductions are correct. Now, how did you end up in service to my granddaughter?”

The woman smiled. “That is a very long and weird story.”

“I have time.”

She looked at him and sighed. “Right. I guess you do.”