Chapter Eight

 

 

To be suddenly thrust from a state of constant fear into complete safety is an odd, almost violent feeling itself. When the jolt of waking from the worst nightmare of my life finally fades, along with residual traces of panic, the days have already turned to weeks.

I remain in Zandek’s household as ordered by the prince, slowly but surely healing in both body and spirit. It helps that I don’t remember anything beyond a few kicks to my stomach and head from the time Vonn tried to kill me, and it also helps that I haven’t been left with scars. The skin on my back is as smooth and unblemished as ever, with no signs of the whipping Zell had described.

Though the doctor mended my injuries, exhaustion often weighs me down, and he says it will take time for my body to fully recover from my ordeal. I’ve never slept so much in my life, but each day is better than the one before.

Helena and Joanna are nothing but kind and go out of their way to make me comfortable, but I still can’t help worrying over the future. What if this house is but a brief calm in a storm that will resume raging at the end of the year?

Sooner than I would like, Prince Kenan will select a mate for me from among his warriors.

Which Kleaxian in the town will I be given to?

Or will the prince give me to a male from another town entirely?

I try not to think about my future mate, but it’s difficult when all I want is solitude, because if I am alone, I will feel safest. My dreams of living in the forest by myself never leave.

Sometimes, I imagine I’ll make my escape one day and live like a fairytale princess in a cozy little cottage, with no one but the exotic Tallian forest animals to keep me company. Zandek maintains a watchful eye on me, though, and his home is reinforced with a security system that rings each time someone exits the front door or even leans out a window. Thus far, the opportunity for escape hasn’t presented itself.

Zandek, at least, treats me with kindness, and I am relieved he speaks fluent English. Not only that, but he is teaching a group of Kleaxian males from the town how to speak English so they can better communicate with their mates. He also inquires about my health daily and always asks if I need anything from the market. He’s even provided me with several nice dresses in the Kleaxian fashion—elegant flowing gowns in bright colors—for which I am most grateful.

Zell has remained in Zandek’s household, and there is another Ghessan servant living here, named Getta, who hasn’t yet communicated with me but whom I enjoy being around, as his presence is strangely calming. His eyes twinkle with humor and he smiles at me often.

On clear nights, I venture to the rooftop terrace and gaze at the twin moons and the beautiful star encrusted sky. After being locked inside Vonn’s house for weeks, I appreciate the outdoors more than ever.

As often as I can, I sit in silence and stare across the darkened landscape, marveling at the large glowing bugs that fly atop the trees, intermittently flashing white and pink. I’d seen nothing of the sort in Capital Acres, but then I hadn’t ever ventured far into the forest. Guards had patrolled the perimeter of the city, and only scientists, government workers, and tourism companies with special permits had been allowed to leave. I’d always wanted to join one of the tourist groups on a grand adventure through the tropical forest surrounding the human city, but Harry had said it was too much money.

You’re not a tourist. You’re my fiancée. Start acting like it.

I flinch. He’s dead, but sometimes his harsh words resurface at random and cut as deep as the first time.

“Something wrong, honey?” Joanna asks, eyeing me with concern. She’s standing in the kitchen doorway, holding a basket filled with berries. Wisps of white are escaping her tight bun. She’s slightly out of breath and her face is flushed. She must have gone on another trek up the mountain to pick the berries Zandek favors, the same type of berries Zell snuck inside my cage in Vonn’s house on several occasions.

“No, I am fine.” I rise from the table, feeling guilty that I’ve spent the last few weeks sleeping and laying around while Joanna and the two Ghessans have done most of the work. Even Helena contributes, often cooking dinner, but much of her time during the days are spent with her mate. He takes her on long walks through town sometimes, and though they have invited me to tag along, I have always declined.

I’m an unmated young female—fertile, as Zell has matter-of-factly reminded me on several occasions—and I suspect I would attract unwanted stares from single Kleaxian males. Though the entire town must know I am living in Zandek’s household and the reason for it—Vonn’s crimes against me are certainly no secret, as the prince publicly judged and executed him—it feels safer to remain hidden in this house, away from the hungry eyes of any unmated Kleaxian males who might petition the prince for my hand.

“Here, let me wash the berries,” I say, taking the basket from Joanna.

She gives me a curious look, then smiles. “Thank you, Katrina. How are you feeling today?”

“Not as tired as I normally am.” It’s the truth, and I return her smile and set the basket on the counter next to the sink.

“Perhaps you would like to go for a walk with Master Zandek and Helena later? It would do you good to get some fresh air.”

“I get fresh air every day,” I remind her. “I spend time on the rooftop terrace, don’t I?” Sometimes she joins me in the evenings, sitting next to me as she works on her knitting.

“Is it the leashes?” she asks. “Do they make you uneasy? Is that why you declined to attend Prince Kenan and Laylah’s human wedding in the town square? You won’t have to wear one, until you are mated, anyway. You will have to walk behind Zandek though, out of respect, as he is your official male guardian. You can walk next to Helena and all will be fine. No one will bother you.”

The leashes Kleaxian males put on their females to wear in public do upset me, but the prospect of being noticed by an unmated Kleaxian male disturbs me more. I tell Joanna as much, and she gives me a compassionate look.

“You must prepare yourself for the inevitability of being mated to a Kleaxian, my dear. I wish it weren’t so, but when the year is up, Prince Kenan will see you matched with a male of his choosing.” Her eyes light up. “Speaking of the prince, he and his mate, Laylah, are coming over for dinner tomorrow night. Helena informed me this morning.”

“Is that so?” I finish washing the berries and wipe my hands on a towel. “Is he a reasonable man, the prince?” He must be considered unusual from the majority of his race, if he married Laylah in an Earth wedding ceremony, but I’m curious to know how far those differences reach.

“Well, he’s a traditional Kleaxian, but I believe he is learning to be more understanding of human ways, based on my conversations with Laylah, whom I see almost every time I venture up the mountain to pick berries. Prince Kenan is actually half-human, did you know that?”

My mouth drops open and I stare at Joanna. “Half-human?” I knew Kleaxians and humans could have children together, but I didn’t think any interbreeding had occurred long enough ago that half-human, half-Kleaxians have already reached adulthood. Harry only showed me pictures of the children, which he disdainfully referred to as little red bastards. A flash of hatred for him heats my blood, and I push away all thoughts of my former fiancé, not wanting to dwell in the past. He’s gone. He’s dead. And even if he were still alive, I wouldn’t want anything to do with him.

“Oh yes, half-human. I don’t know the particulars of how that happened, but I know his mother was a Kleaxian princess, and his grandfather is the king.”

A half-human prince. Perhaps I can convince Prince Kenan to allow me to remain in Zandek’s household as a servant, or a slave. Technically, Joanna is considered a slave, though to my knowledge she is treated well. She doesn’t join us during mealtimes, but she interacts with me and Helena often. I consider the elderly woman my friend, and I know Helena does as well, despite her official status as a slave. Though I would rather be free, I know it’s an impossibility, unless I manage to run away. But escape doesn’t seem likely given how closely Zandek watches me. My best option is to seek a placement as a slave.

I depart the kitchen and decide to seek out the Ghessans and help them with their work today. If I can prove myself a good laborer, it will help when I make my case with the prince and Zandek.

However, when Prince Kenan and Laylah arrive for dinner the following evening, they aren’t alone.

A tall and muscular Kleaxian male stands next to the prince.

I discern the male holding Laylah’s leash is Prince Kenan, but I’m confused by the appearance of this stranger beside him.

The moment Mr. Unknown looks at me, while I stand nervously next to Helena in the entryway, his nostrils flare and his luminous purple eyes darken with unmistakable lust.