Though I couldn’t understand a word the A’li-uud said, I could tell by the look on his face that it wasn’t friendly. He wore an antagonistic smirk on an otherwise handsome face, and he was staring at Khrel a little too hard to be anything less than combative. Khrel was gripping my hand so hard it hurt. I tried to pull away from him, but he drew me nearer until our sides pressed together. The fear I’d felt about the visit in the first place came back in full force. There was something about this alien Khrel clearly didn’t trust, and it made me uneasy.

Vi’den said something to the pair, his voice sounding somehow smooth despite the jolting clacks that made up the A’li-uud language. The unfamiliar male lifted his hands as if to indicate innocence, but Khrel continued to glower. Vi’den spoke again, this time only addressing Khrel, and he finally relaxed slightly against me.

“Perhaps we should all speak in English,” Vi’den said. I was relieved to understand him. “It is rude to leave a guest out of a conversation.”

“It is also rude to leave a guest unintroduced,” the arrogant A’li-uud said, hopping to his feet and striding toward us. His lips twitched as he looked expectantly at Khrel.

A muscle was visibly throbbing in Khrel’s jaw. I was certain he was going to throw a punch at the male any second now, but he seemed to restrain himself by letting go of my hand and sliding an arm around my waist. His fingers dug into my side. When it became clear he wasn’t going to oblige the A’li-uud, I broke the silence.

“Lena,” I said politely. I held my hand out before remembering A’li-uud didn’t shake hands, preferring instead to incline their heads. “Lena Devereaux. I’m a colonist in Pentaba.”

He lowered his head as I expected him to, though the gesture was very brief in contrast to the inclinations I had seen and received from others. “Zuran of Dhal’at,” he reciprocated. The smirk was a mere shadow on his lips now, but it flickered into view each time he glanced at Khrel to gauge his reaction to our exchange.

“Dhal’at,” I repeated. The word felt strange on my tongue. “I haven’t heard of Dhal’at. Is that another kingdom?”

Zuran opened his mouth to answer, but Khrel cut him off. “Dhal’at is the desert kingdom at the southernmost point of habitable landmass,” he explained stiffly. His lips barely moved, and his eyes hadn’t left Zuran’s smug visage. “It has a…reputation.”

“I recall a time when you made plenty of contributions to said reputation, Khrel,” Zuran interjected, clearly delighting in Khrel’s obvious unhappiness.

“What kind of reputation?” I demanded curiously.

“Smugglers, thieves, and hustlers,” Khrel snapped. I knew the harshness of his tone was not meant for me and took no offense, but it only seemed to spur Zuran on, and I wished he would calm himself. “The majority of Albaterran crime can be traced back to Dhal’at.”

Zuran grinned toothily. “Perhaps you are looking to relocate, then, old friend. I hear you have been on quite the crime spree lately.”

“You are ignorant!” Khrel spat.

The snarky A’li-uud continued to grin, but Vi’den stepped between the two males with a hand raised to each of them. He looked at Khrel as he said, “I understand there are some lingering emotions you two have yet to sort out, but I believe you came with a purpose, Khrel, and I wish to do what I can to help you while there is still time. It would be best if conversation between you was kept to a minimum for the sake of your situation.”

A deep growl curled from Khrel’s lips, but he nodded in reluctant agreement and finally tore his gaze away from Zuran. I felt awkward and out of place, like when hanging out with a fighting couple. Surprisingly, I found myself longing to be back in Khrel’s house in the Capital even though I’d spent the last couple of weeks wishing only to escape.

“I feel certain I am up to date on your goings-on and thus know why you have come,” Vi’den continued, “but please tell me to ensure we focus on what is most important.”

Khrel took a deep, calming breath and let it out in a whoosh. “I assaulted a Novai last night after finding Lena caged in their camp,” he disclosed. “And I killed two others, one who attacked me and one who attacked Lena. Both attacks occurred just over two weeks ago.”

Vi’den didn’t look the least bit surprised, though he was undeniably displeased by the news. Zuran, on the other hand, looked as though someone had just announced he’d won the lottery. His eyes were practically dancing, and his smirk had become a full-fledged smile. I hoped Khrel would ignore him. He did.

“As you know, when the Council approved the Novai colony, we were given explicit orders to use deadly force only in extreme cases. I considered unprovoked attacks extreme cases, of course, and I felt Lena was in danger when I assaulted the Novai in the camp. Despite this, though, the Council may feel otherwise, and it appears Elder Sevani would agree with them. I have come to you hoping for your open-minded analysis of the circumstances. If you feel I was justified in my actions, I respectfully ask for your support when the time comes. If you feel I was not, I will accept whatever punishment the Council gives me.”

I whipped my face toward him upon these words, horrified to hear them, but I could see the stoicism on his face and knew he was not exaggerating for effect. No matter how unfair or how harsh the judgment would be, Khrel was dedicated to his kingdom, his race, and his Elders, and he would not question what they deemed appropriate. And there was nothing I could do to change that, regardless of how much I wanted to.

Zuran snickered, and three sets of eyes turned to him. “Say what you like about Dhal’at, but you are the first A’li-uud I have ever met to commit that many offenses of such severity in a span of only two weeks,” he remarked.

Khrel swelled, and, again, I was sure he was going to strike. “This does not concern you, Zuran,” he snarled furiously.

Before Zuran could respond, Vi’den said regretfully, “Unfortunately, Khrel, it concerns Zuran very much. The Council has been discussing moving the Pentaban colonists to Dhal’at for their safety, and, in light of these recent events of Lena’s kidnapping and your infringement, it is likely the motion will be passed. In fact, if we are called to trial during your visit here, it is possible Lena will not be returning to Pentaba but instead leaving for Dhal’at with Zuran.”