Kage

“Glad you’re here, Kage!”

My uncle Torin grabs a hold of me and hugs me tightly, his powerful grasp nearly knocking the wind out of me. I try not to show it.

“This interrupts my training,” I grunt. “I wouldn’t be here if my instructor didn’t force me to be.”

“All work, no play, huh? I see Vasu is instilling the right ethic into that purple skull of yours. Still, you need to relax every once in a while.”

“I can relax when I’m inked.”

My shoulders and biceps are still bare. Uninked. A true warrior is covered with symbols, each one representing something different: A kill, a battle, a campaign. A battle-hardened veteran can size up a man from his ink alone.

Here, at this human castle, I am surrounded by some of the finest Zoran warriors and generals the universe has ever seen. Rumor has it that the Warrior-king Vinz himself will be here.

I am not worthy of his company. I don’t want to be here, I don’t want to be reminded of the fact that I have yet to prove myself. My body burns with desire, and every second that I am not in training is one wasted.

“You’ll get there, Kage. There’s no rush. Ah, Egon! Good to see you. I’d like you to meet my nephew, Kage!”

I snap to attention as I salute Egon the Savior. My instructor was right; I had missed out on a lot of important news.

It was Egon who led the squad — which my uncle Torin was a part off — that saved New Exon from Siya Onyx’s foul plot to destroy our kind. That’s something I haven’t forgiven the human for, and it is also something that makes me question this Zoran/human union.

“At ease,” the green Zoran says. “This is a mating union, not a battlefield. Enjoying your time off?”

“Kage here would rather be in training,” Torin says. “He thinks this is all a waste of time, don’t you?”

“Err,” I stammer as I curse myself internally. Way to screw up your first impression! “I don’t see the point, to be honest.”

“That’s because you haven’t met a human female yet,” Egon says. The two warriors exchange a glance that makes me feel like I’m out of the loop. “Ah, look, here they are right now!”

I turn around.

Two females pass through the archway. I recognize Nora from the invitation, my uncle’s mate, but it’s the other human female that catches my attention.

In fact, I can’t look away.

Her hair bounces with every step. The dress she is wearing hugs her body perfectly. She’s go gracious, so beautiful.

So… perfect.

I’m frozen in place, my heart suddenly thumping in my chest, as an unfamiliar feeling spreads throughout every inch of my being.

I had no idea human females could be so… enchanting.

She looks at me, and our eyes meet. My heart feels like it’s been struck by lightning. My armor feels two sizes too small as my entire body burns up.

“What did I tell you?” Egon says, elbowing me in the ribs.

The spell is broken, and I turn away. My uncle and Egon are both smirking at me, and I feel like an absolute fool.

“What?”

“Nothing,” Torin says. “I have something important to ask you, Kage. Follow me.”

We bid Egon goodbye, and my uncle puts his arm around my shoulder as he leads me away. I glance back, but the alluring human female has already left.

Much to my chagrin.

So that’s what they look like…

Sure, I’ve seen human females on the ‘casts before, but that doesn’t do them any justice. The blonde one had me captivated.

“Sit down,” Torin commands me. We’re now in a study, with two leather seats in front of a window. He closes the door behind us.

I lower myself into one of the chairs.

He hands me a glass of kuhla. I accept and bring it to my lips. My throat burns as the alcohol goes down, warmth spreading throughout my body.

“You don’t like humans,” Torin says.

It’s not spoken as an accusation, but purely as a fact.

“I…”

“It’s okay,” he says. “Most Zoran’s don’t. And not entirely unjustified, I might add.”

I cock my head. “Yet we are here for your mating union with a human female.”

“I am. But I am not blind to the truth — some humans consider us enemies. They fear our strength. They see us as threat to their rule of the galaxy.”

I can’t help but scoff. “Humans are far from ruling the galaxy.”

“They are now, yes, but don’t underestimate them, Kage. Humans are resourceful and tenacious. Some day they will achieve greatness. Personally, I would rather have them as an ally than as an enemy. What about you?”

I take another sip of my kuhla as I consider the question. I thought I was here for a dumb party, and yet here is my uncle, grilling me. Truth is, I haven’t given it much thought either way. I’m not even a warrior yet — why would I be thinking about the future of our entire species?

“It’s not my place to decide,” I say. “I’m a warrior. I follow orders.”

“You’re a warrior, yes,” Torin says. “Or at least, you will be soon. But do you want war?”

“Only to defend my homeland. Only when it’s justified.”

“That’s where the problem lies. Who decides what is justified?”

I shrug. “King Vinz.”

Torin nods. “Yes, King Vinz does. And yet, before him, it was Emperor Qleiord — who our beloved King rebelled against. Don’t follow orders blindly, nephew. Be your own man.”

“What’s your point?” I say, shifting around in my seat. “Did you bring all the way here just to lecture me on Zoran history?”

He chuckles and downs the rest of his glass.

“No, Kage. I brought you here to ask if you wanted to be one of my groomsmen.”

“My what?”

“It’s a human thing,” he says with a gesture. “It means you’ll have an important part to play in this wedding, this mating union.”

“Ah. Important, you say?”

“Very,” Torin says. “This union isn’t just about me and Nora — though don’t get me wrong. That woman is my chosen, my fated mate, and I love her more than I love the world itself. That being said, this union is also about human-Zorans relations in general. Not to overstate my own importance, but this is about the future of our two races. After what happened with Siya Onyx… we need a new narrative, a new story to tell. Not one about war, but one about love. And I want you to be part of that, my nephew.”

The look on his face is very serious.

“I want you to represent me. I want you to represent our clan. I want you to represent our entire species. I have faith in you, Kage. I know you’ll be a fantastic warrior, but you need to control your temper, your urges, your raw, untapped power. Can you do that? There will be human dignitaries here, of course, but also Asir, Suuna, even Kua. All the great races will be here. Are you up to the task?”

My chest swells with pride. Representing my race is all I’ve ever dreamed of. A chance to prove my worth!

“Of course, Torin!” I say. “I won’t let you down!”

“I know you won’t.”

My mind reels with ideas. What will I do? Wrestle? Win a bare-knuckle fighting tournament? Or perhaps it’s blade on blade?

“Go to your room and rest up,” my uncle says. “Be sure to stop by the tailor on the ground floor — he’ll take your measurements and will have a suit ready for you.”

“A battle suit?” I ask, my voice rising with enthusiasm.

My uncle smirks, his eyes twinkling.

“Not exactly. The humans call it a tuxedo. It’s meant for dancing. With the human, female bridesmaids.”