CHAPTER 5
A lora hurried to the baskets of newly arrived produce. It wasn’t often Lemuria received a shipment of fresh produce from the Andolin star system, so she was fortunate to make it here before the large crowds gathered. She snatched a Kollo fruit and glanced at the other shoppers. Situated among the uppermost branches of a Rolmdew tree, Lemuria’s open-air market buzzed with activity. In the early evening, customers hurried to obtain the fresh fruits and vegetables before they ran out or the market closed, whichever came first.
Not wanting to take the time but unable to resist, Alora brought the Kollo fruit to her nose, closed her eyes, and inhaled. The sweet, delicate fragrance was a reminder of what they no longer had on Lemuria—the ability to grow enough crops to support their population.
She clenched her fist and juice from the Kollo fruit dribbled down her fingers. Her planet was slowly dying.
Earth, the pretty blue orb in a solar system with a single sun, contained the one ingredient Lemuria needed more than anything—water. The much-needed liquid would not only sustain crops, but would help quench the fires that raged during the summer months.
A sense of urgency rippled along her nerves. She needed to hurry home so she could visit Noeh on Earth, tell him about the Ursus, friends turned enemies. This was something she should’ve done already, but hadn’t had time.
Close by, a female with a scarf covering her head and shoulders shoved a handful of berries into her basket, her movements quick, hurried. The ends of her blue hair poked from beneath the material and the orange spots on her arms indicated she was an Arotaar.
Dressed in a fine tailored suit, the male next to her frowned, his eyes narrowing in distaste. He shoved her out of the way. She stumbled and lost her hold on the basket. The berries tumbled to the wooden platform.
Alora’s pulse spiked. “Hey! Watch it!”
The male glared at her. “What’s your problem? She’s a slave, and—”
Alora stepped into the male’s personal space. “Everyone deserves respect.”
He raised his chin and flicked some imaginary lint from his custom-made silk jacket. “Not everyone.”
A bitter taste filled Alora’s mouth. The Kollo fruit slid from her fingers and landed on the wooden platform with a soft, squishy plop. “It’s Lemurians like you that give our planet a bad reputation.”
“Other species in the galaxy fear us. We should enslave every planet we come across.” He tugged on the collar of his jacket.
“The slave faction should be abolished. If I had my way—”
“You free faction groupies are all alike. Save the poor, helpless people on other planets. Bah!” He spat on the ground, his saliva soaking into the dry floorboards. “At least the council keeps a level head.”
The council. Some days she despised the council members, even though Radnor, her father-in-law, was their leader. If there was a dispute over a planet, the council intervened, as they had with Earth. Alora ground her teeth. “The council does its best to—”
“Enough.” He shoved her aside. “I have better things to do than argue with the likes of you.”
Heat flared up her face and into her cheeks. She stepped into his path. “What did you say your name was?”
He blinked then cleared his throat. “Get out of my way.”
Seeing him squirm sent a rush of satisfaction through her. She smiled. “Be careful what you do and say. You never know who may be watching.”
With a quick glance, he scanned the area then hurried on his way.
“Have a good evening,” she called after him.
The female he’d pushed gathered the last of her berries, her fingers stained with the fruit’s juice. Using the table for support, she pulled herself to her feet.
A pang of empathy hit Alora in the chest. She approached the female and placed a hand on her shoulder. “Excuse me. Are you all right?”
The female turned around.
Alora inhaled. “C…Carine. I didn’t expect to find you here.”
Carine lowered her eyes. “Alora, thank you for chasing away that male. Please, you should go. If Zedron found out I spoke to you…”
Zedron. At the mention of his name, Alora’s stomach cramped. He was her rival in this war over Earth’s water. She wanted Earth to become a free planet and barter with the humans for their precious resource. He wanted to enslave the humans and take the water by force.
Alora swallowed as she studied the young female. “Carine, has Zedron…has he…harmed you?”
She shook her head.
The bonds around Alora’s heart loosened. She let out a quick breath. “You know I’m here for you if you need me. Come visit any time.”
Carine’s gaze rose to meet Alora’s. Hope, fragile and small, reflected in her eyes. “Really?”
Alora placed her hand over Carine’s. “Of course. Actually, I’d like that very much. I recently lost a good friend…” Bellamy.
Memories of the last time Alora was with her best friend flitted across her mind. The suspension bridge…the rhondo beast…Bellamy falling to the planet’s surface…her screams…the crunch of bones.
Hot and fast, tears stung Alora’s eyes.
Carine touched Alora’s arm. “I’m sorry for your loss. I’d like to be your friend, very much.”
A new companion was just what Alora needed, and her chest swelled at the Arotaar female’s offer. “You know where I live, right?”
“Yes, Zedron showed me your place once.” She bit her lip and looked away.
Alora frowned. “Of course he did. Say,” Alora glanced around, searching for Zedron’s familiar shoulder-length dark hair, “I thought he didn’t allow you out on your own. Did something change?”
“He gives me brief allowances away for shopping and chores.” She held up her bracelet. “My arm band has a timer. If I’m not back before the credits run out, he’ll—” Carine clamped her mouth shut, cutting off her words.
Alora fisted her hand, her rage building beneath her skin, hot and fevered. “I hate everything about slavery. I’d free you in a heartbeat if I could.”
Carine nodded. “I’d like to visit you, but I’d have to be careful. Zedron can’t know. I think I could squeeze in some time away without him finding out.”
“I wouldn’t do anything to jeopardize your safety. You’re welcome to stop by, but you’ll have to come at night. I’m not home during the day.” No, lucky me. I’m cooped up in my solitary dark room when the sun is out. To make matters worse, her characters suffered a similar fate, unable to handle the sun’s rays without burning to death. Damn sanction.
“Zedron told me about your and Veromé’s punishment for cheating in the game.” The lines around Carine’s eyes softened. “To be apart so much must make it tough for you and your mate.”
Alora’s thoughts drifted to Veromé. A pang tightened her chest. My mate, my love. “Yes, it does. Our time together is limited to sunrise and sunset. If anything happens during the day, you can always go to him.”
“Thank you.” Carine smiled, creases forming around her eyes.
Alora wrapped her hands around the Arotaar female’s. “I’m so glad I ran into you. Please, come by soon.”
Carine’s bracelet vibrated, the tremor pulsing through their connection. She tugged her hands away and glanced at the display. “I have to hurry home and check in. Thank you.”
Carine bowed her head once then fled toward the cashiers.
Alora’s pulse sped. “Damn you, Zedron.”
She peered into the night sky, the stars sparkling between the Rolmdew’s branches. Somewhere out there was a little blue planet, one that held the key to helping Lemuria. The war raged, and she needed to visit Noeh, soon.