Chapter 10

I find myself standing in the same spot when he walks back in dressed. His clothing seems like a mix of Viking meets cyberpunk and he is hot as hell. I don't know at what point I started seeing him as more than an alien. Once again, I wonder why one of his own has not snatched him up. He says all the right things and seems to be a man with morals, so what's wrong with him?

Hemotions for me to follow him towards the tube thing, and I hesitate once again to step inside. ZoD holds his hand out for me to take it, uncertain I reach out. I feel like this is a bigger step than just going down. Tucking me into his side he hits what I can now see is a set of buttons on the inside and before I can blink, we are on another floor.

"Good lord, that takes my breath each time, can we just use the stairs next time?"

"MyAmori, you will get used to it in time, but I will show you an alternative route when we return." Thankfully, he takes my hand. I am so busy gawking at everything I am not watching where we are going. That is until we enter a room, and everyone stops talking immediately.

"For the ones of you who don't know, this is Tessa. She will be staying here with us until further notice, and I would appreciate it if you would all help me show her how wonderful our world can be." Some point, and I even hear the mention of his runes moving, but a few smile my way. He doesn't wait for anyone to even acknowledge his words before leading me to what looks like a massive buffet.

"There is always something prepared and hot in this room to eat. Elexa does a fabulous job keeping all of us fed no matter the schedule one is on." ZoD hands me an oval plate and then starts piling his high in front of me. Watching what he is getting, I choose a few things and then follow him to an empty table.

Theconversations have started back up, but I feel like I have a million eyes staring at me at once. WhenI feel a slight tug on my hair, I turn around only to find a little girl behind me. It seems like everyone is holding their breath, wondering what I am going to do.

"Well, hi there … What's your name, pretty thing?"

Shetilts her head like ZoD did earlier, her small hands gathering as much of my hair as she can in them. "Dis is pretty."

"I think yours is pretty, too." I look around to see who she belongs to, but no one seems to be claiming the child. "Would you like to come up here and sit with me?"

Shenods her head yes, and I bend down and pick her up, tucking her into my side. "Are you hungry? Where is your … momm…y…?" I realize my mistake as the words are leaving my mouth.

Shedoesn't say anything back, just keeps running her little fingers through the bottom of my hair. "ZoD, can she have this?" I pick up one of the Grum berries.

"If she wants it, she'll take it."

Ihold one out to her and she takes it shyly then plops the whole thing in her mouth. I watch to make sure she isn't going to get choked before eating one myself. ZoD doesn't say anything, just continues to eat like it's simply another day. I share everything I have on my plate with her until she is leaning heavily against my side. Her hands are still wrapped tightly in my hair.

ZoDgets up and takes mine and his plate to a slot in the wall where they disappear. I turn around, so the little girl is more comfortable. She is like a mini version of all the others around me, markings, and all. ZoD comes back and reaches a hand down to help me up and I just look up.

"What?"

"Come on, we have much to do."

"What about her? I am not just going to leave her here by herself."

"She isn't by herself, everyone is looking after her. She just picked you to sit with this rising."

"I know that's your way and all, ZoD, but I can't just shut off everything I have ever been taught. She is just a baby, there is no way she is over two years old. I absolutely will not leave her here."

Heseems slightly confused for a moment, so I take the problem in hand. Reaching down, I pull her against me. OnceI am on my feet, I settle her small frame on my hip. Her little arms hug my neck tightly as she holds onto me. Rubbing her back, I bounce her gently. "Ok, I am up. Let's get going."

"What are you planning on doing with her?"

"I am taking her with me."

"Lord of Light, how my mother would have loved you. Seeing that child on your hip and the fierceness in your eyes makes me wonder if she sent you to me from the stars."

Hedoesn't have a chance to say anything else when another female approaches me. She holds her hands out clasping her hands together and the little girl leans towards her. Reluctantly, I let her go into the other woman's arms.

"Thank you for watching over her, our little Wynd. She is normally very picky about who she spends time with. You will never get a moment's peace from her now that she has chosen you to be one of hers."

Kissingthe little girl on the cheek, I step back. "I feel privileged to be included. I will see you soon, Wynd." The woman nods and walks away. The little girl waves and I wave back as they walk out of the room. This entire time, ZoD and several others have been watching me.

Idon't resist this time when he takes my hand, but before this day is over, I plan on making him show me where all the children are kept. UntilI see it with my own eyes, I just can't believe these children are ok being raised this way.

Wewalk down a long tunnel. At first, I am worried I will feel claustrophobic, but everything is so large and bright it's easy to forget your underground. I have been quiet for the most part. Simply observing ZoD and his people when someone stops him to ask something.

Atno point, so far has he shown me a different side of him I haven't seen yet. Everyone seems to respect him, and he takes the time to speak to them all. He squeezes my hand gently just as we round another corner and I stop us both instantly because of the sight in front of me.

Ahuge, triangular shaped thing stands towering above us. Flowers and vines cover it from the top to the bottom. The smell is so fragrant and pleasing I could simply stand here all day.

"This is our biggest kept secret, welcome to the conservatory. When our forefathers crashed into Zodiqua, as you know the majority of the planet's surface is flat and dry. The ship they were on was damaged so greatly that they had no choice but to try to find a means of survival. However, they figured out quickly nothing would grow on the surface. Left with no choice, they sent out scouts looking for an alternative area to settle in. Luckily, even though I am sure they didn't feel that way at the time, one fell through a fissure and discovered the first tunnels.

"As you can see, we have come far since that discovery. Raya normally oversees this entire area when she isn't covering for me. Between her and Elexa, they run this place like a well-oiled machine."

Iam in total amazement as we walk through the walkway and into the largest greenhouse I have ever seen. There are people everywhere, some harvesting, others planting. Flowerpots and vines dot the entire area, everyone seems to be talking casually, and there isn't a frown on a single face. I think back to my job. Well, the one I used to have, and remembered the days that it was hard to hold back the tears. Looking around. There was not a smile to be seen on anyone and how depressing it was to be forced to be in such an environment.

Aswe pass through, many nod their heads if busy, while others call out to ZoD in greetings. We have just reached the end of a long planting area when I am grabbed around the waist. A squeal leaves my lips in terror before I recognize who grabbed me.

"Tessa, I am so glad Father brought you out here. You have to come with me and meet a couple of my friends. Please, please."

"Zllera, be careful; you could hurt Tessa grabbing her like that."

Thebright smile that was on her face instantly leaves and I could smack ZoD for scolding her so. "You didn't hurt me Zllera, just startled me a little. I would love to come meet your friends."

ZoDlooks torn. I could tell he was leading us towards a certain destination, and now he is not sure how to proceed. "How about I go with Zllera for a little while and then we can meet up before we eat again? That should give you time to take care of a few things, and I can start figuring out how to get around."

"You're alright with this?"

"It was my idea. I know you have been away for a while now. Go on and do all the important stuff. Zllera won't let anything happen to me."

Zllerawraps her arms around my shoulders and pulls me in close. "I promise Father we won't go beyond the conservatory. I will have her waiting for you at the appropriate time."

"You know how to comm me if you need to?"

"I do."

Ican tell he doesn't want to go, but he has to show his people that he trusts me to be with his daughter. He reaches down and kisses my forehead before turning back towards the way we come.

Zlleragiggles next to me. "I think Father, like, really likes you. I have never seen him do that before. Come on, they didn't believe me this rising when I told them all about you. They will all be amazed when they see … you."

"Great, nothing like show and tell," I whisper as Zllera rattles on like teenage girls do.