Chapter Ten

 

 

Prince Kenan still hasn’t answered my question, and I harden my glare and lift my chin higher. If he’s hesitant to answer, that must mean Vonn’s brother wishes to claim me in the very near future. In weeks, or possibly days. I dig my fingers into my waist, in an effort to keep from shaking.

Perhaps I can manage to escape this town before Tavarr claims me. I’d spent two years walking on eggshells around Harry and bending over backward trying to make him happy, only to be captured by a fierce alien who made my life a living hell and almost killed me. I know it’s possible to find happiness with a Kleaxian male, because Laylah and Helena seem content enough with their respective mates, but handing me to Vonn’s brother is surely a recipe for disaster. I won’t abide it. I won’t.

Prince Kenan steps closer and clears his throat. His eyes suddenly gleam with kindness. He puts a hand on my shoulder, a gentle touch meant to comfort. Though I don’t know much about the prince, I had assumed he was a traditional Kleaxian male, accustomed to giving orders and having them followed. I’m stunned by his efforts to comfort me, beyond surprised to find he has a soft side.

But then Zandek has a soft side too, I remind myself. He gives Helena loving looks and I’ve witnessed them embracing in the dark corners of the downstairs corridors, during times they don’t know I am lurking nearby, afraid to continue on my way through the house out of fear of interrupting their private, intimate moment.

“How soon?” I ask again, raising my voice.

“Tavarr says that tomorrow he will travel to Kleax-Lul, our prime city, and personally petition the king to overrule my decree that you remain untouched and in Zandek’s household for a year.”

“What do you think the king will say?”

“I am uncertain. My grandfather did not overrule my recent decree to Dennian Mountain inhabitants that prohibits harsh punishments, those that cause bruises or draw blood, for human mates and slaves. In fact, his own territory and many other territories on Tallia have adopted the new law. However, I believe my grandfather will sympathize with Tavarr. The king’s mate was once mated to his older brother, you see, and when his brother died he followed the ancient Kleaxian tradition called heia-monti, and took his older brother’s widowed mate as his own. Since Tavarr has a legal right to claim you already, it is likely that the king will grant his request, as you will belong to Tavarr one day no matter what.”

“You said Tavarr would live in Vonn’s old house and help you train your warriors, and also that he would learn English from Zandek. Does all that still hold true?”

“Yes. Tavarr had originally planned to honor my decree that you spend a year in Zandek’s household, however he says being in the same room with you makes his blood heat with a fierce mating lust he cannot control. It is the heia-monti asserting itself. It’s not simply tradition, Katrina, but it is a biological force. Normally, the heia-monti does not come on so quickly. Normally, a mourning period of six full moon cycles is observed, that’s roughly seven Earth months, before a widowed female is claimed by her former mate’s brother.”

“This, um, he-heia-monti. Why is Tavarr experiencing it so quickly, and can anything be done to stop it or change his mind?”

Prince Kenan releases my shoulder and steps back, a smile playing at the corners of his lips. “He says you are the most beautiful female he’s ever seen, and that he senses you have a kind heart and are a gentle spirit. He claims he is drawn to you as he has never been drawn to another female, and the only way to calm his mating fever is…the act of mating itself.”

“Or maybe he’s just anxious to finish the job his brother started. Maybe he is anxious to kill me.” I cross my arms over my chest. “He probably holds me responsible for his brother’s death.”

“Tavarr holds only one individual responsible for his brother’s death, and that is Vonn himself. I assure you that Tavarr is deeply shamed by the actions of his brother toward you. It is a grave sin to harm a female as badly as Vonn harmed you.”

“But Kleaxian males do beat their females,” I say, recalling the stories from Harry. And once, two weeks ago, I had thought I heard what sounded like a spanking coming from Zandek and Helena’s room. I’d never asked Helena about it, because she seemed cheerful the following day and Zandek had given her such a loving embrace before leaving on a fishing trip, that I thought surely I’d been mistaken. But what if I’d actually heard Helena being punished? What if all Kleaxian males physically chastise their females?

“Katrina, it is true that Kleaxians punish their females when necessary, however, Tavarr will be mindful of your past. I have threatened to cut his head off and place it next to Vonn’s if he treats you as cruelly as his brother did, and I will visit you from time to time, as will Zandek, to ensure you are not being grievously abused.”

The breeze picks up and blows my hair in front of my face. I smooth my locks behind my ears and glance at the sparkling night sky, then return my eyes to the prince. I remind myself he’s the one who brought Vonn to justice. He’s the one who beheaded my vengeful former mate and left the stones in the street stained with blood until the first heavy rainfall.

Do I dare trust Prince Kenan to ensure my safety?

What happened to my resolve to only rely on myself and never trust another man?

I glance at the dark forest, sporadically illuminated by the huge flashing bugs that glow bright pink and white as they sail over the massively tall trees. The forests of Tallia are jungles, filled with dangerous creatures, or so all the tourism brochures claimed. Because I’ve never taken a tour in the wildlife, I don’t know how much truth those claims hold.

“Are you actually thinking of running away, Katrina?” He gestures to the forest my gaze is still heavy upon. “Even if you managed to escape Zandek’s house, you would be located quickly. We have the technology to conduct broad scans of the entire planet to search for missing Kleaxians and humans. You wouldn’t get far.”

Damn him for reading my mind.

I tear my eyes from the forest and look upon the lights of the town. Solar lamps brighten the stone streets, and only a handful of Kleaxians are out and about during this late hour, most of them crowded into a small outdoor restaurant on the edge of the market. I spy a human female with long red hair, seated next to a huge Kleaxian at a table. I think it’s the young woman who helped me on the hovercraft. They’re both smiling at each other, and I wonder how she can smile when she’s been claimed against her will and is wearing a leash around her neck. Vonn never took me out in public, so I’ve never worn a leash, but I imagine it will feel most demeaning. Absently, I touch my bare neck.

“Tavarr has come to say goodbye to you, Katrina.”

I gasp and peer around the prince to see Tavarr, the Kleaxian who is apparently burning with a biological fever to claim me, standing tall and staring at me with the same intensity as during dinner.

“Remember what I said. He is not like his brother. I will see you soon.” Prince Kenan nods at me and departs the rooftop, disappearing down the twisting staircase and abandoning me with Tavarr.