by Kelly A Nix
“Welcome, my guests. I am pleased to see you all. My son has an important announcement.”
With a signal from his mother, Prince Truin steps from his throne with a nervous lurch, and Atae cringes for the young royal. He ignores the whispers that cascade through the crowd and raises his head with a willful fierceness.
“Seventeen seasons ago, my mother, Queen Sula, ironed out a treaty with the Camille Empire that put an end to a galactic war that spanned generations. Peace is a wonderful thing, but it leads to complacency and weakness. Fearing for her people’s future, Queen Sula established the Sula Academy & Research Facility. She hoped to keep future generations from losing the strength and honor for which our elders had given their lives.” The older warriors in the crowd nod their heads in agreement at Prince Truin’s words.
“And when the treaty is finally broken, we will be prepared,” Prince Truin says. His mischievous grin instigates a cascade of muffled chuckles, but everyone falls silent when Queen Sula clears her throat. Truin glances at his mother and frowns in submission.
“But it has survived this long and, who knows, maybe it will last another seventeen seasons,” he says. The crowd mumbles at the unnerving thought of returning to war against the Camille, and Atae can taste the tension in the air.
“Sula Academy has been training younglings for twelve seasons,” Prince Truin says. “And as we have all seen, they are a force to be reckoned with in the Gridiron. This season’s class of younglings will be the first to have attended Sula Academy from beginning to end. This class will be the best of the best and will prove Queen Sula’s strength as a warrior and a leader. In six months, they will compete in the Gridiron, and it promises to be very exciting. In fact, if they perform as well as we all have come to expect from Sula Academy, the Ru-Kai crest promises to establish an academy on every home planet in the empire.” As the crowd murmurs with excitement, Atae notices Prince Truin’s smug expression. She has to fight the urge to roll her eyes at the pompous youngling.
“To make things even more exciting, I have decided to compete in the Gridiron with Sula Academy,” Truin says, trying to echo his mother’s grave, commanding voice. The crowd bursts into a loud commotion of disbelief, causing Atae to step back in surprise. Of course, the prince wants to compete with the strongest of warriors.
What do the Crests of Kaji expect from their prince?
“Forgive my boldness, Your Highness, but I…we all fear for your safety. You are our only prince,” an older Kaji with scars on one cheek says with honest concern. The crowd parts around him, so Prince Truin and Queen Sula can peer at him unhindered. Sula opens her mouth to respond, but her son is quicker.
“I will prove to the Kaji that I will be a worthy king, or I will die trying.” Prince Truin speaks with such conviction that Atae stands taller with pride for him.
“But who will lead us then? With no king to challenge, there can be no Royal Brawl. You are the last of the Ru-Kai crest, and Queen Sula cannot rule as regent forever. Who will take the throne if you perish?” a silver-eyed Kaji with braids asks as he pushes his way to the front of the crowd with his daughter. Atae doesn’t hear concern for their prince in the elder warrior’s voice, but curiosity. Ambition seeps from his half-hidden grin as he places a hand on his daughter’s shoulder.
The daughter stands firm with strong shoulders and muscled arms crossed over her powerful chest. Thick shoulder-length hair frames a sharp face. The youngling’s tall height distorts her age, but Atae guesses that she is less than a season from maturity. Prince Truin glares at the youngling, hiding his seething hatred under a mask of indifference. Surprised to see such loathing from the prince, Atae suspects that the two heirs have a history.
“I foresaw the anxiety my son’s decision would cause our people,” Queen Sula says. She stands from her throne and demands attention from everyone. Prince Truin is the only one that refuses to face his mother. Knowing what the queen plans to say, he grimaces as she speaks.
“The Kaji should never pause for the uncertainty of the future. So I declare this, here and now, for all of the Kaji to hear. If my son, Prince Truin, is slain in the Gridiron, whosoever defeats him shall win his right to the throne of the Kaji Empire.”
As the crowd roars with disbelief, outrage, and excitement, the tall heir peers at Prince Truin with her father’s ambition shining bright in her small, silver eyes.
Chapter 25
“What? Is she allowed to do that?” Atae asks her packmate. The entire throne room roars with excitement around them, and the blonde glances at Atae with a shrug.
“She is the queen,” Jeqi says.
“My queen, are you allowed to do this? It has never been done,” the scarred warrior asks. Atae nods her head, glad to hear someone voice her question.
“I am Sula Ru-Kai, Queen of the Kaji Empire, the strongest galactic empire in existence.” Her cold, threatening voice that echoes throughout the throne room like a promise of death. Her molten amber eyes scour the room for any who would challenge her claim to the Kajian throne. Finding none, Queen Sula shifts her battle-hardened gaze to the large window behind the crowd and speaks with conviction as she envisions the countless souls that look to her for leadership.
“The Kaji have lived and died by my word for decades, and today is no different.” She returns her gaze to the Crests of Kaji. “My word is law. Any citizen who wishes to discuss the matter may do so with the Kajian council. They are fully aware of and support my decision.”
“But why?” the same scarred warrior asks. “He will be the target of every ambitious Kaji in the Gridiron. You are throwing him to the battle beasts.”
“I am no scrap of meat to be thrown to wild animals. I will not be beaten,” Prince Truin says.
Queen Sula glares at her son’s youthful arrogance then returns her gaze to the chattering crowd. She clears her throat, and the throng of Kaji quiet.
“As a mother, I have done all I can to teach my son to be an honorable warrior. I have provided him with the best advisors and instructors our empire has to offer. I have spent his entire life trying to teach him the ways of our people and the true meaning of strength and honor.” Queen Sula sets her hard gaze on her son, and he frowns at her in return. “As queen, I cannot allow an un-fit warrior, Ru-Kai or not, to claim the throne. If Prince Truin has failed to absorb what has been laid before him, he does not deserve his birthright. Any warrior who cannot protect what he claims as his own shall not keep it long.”
“I can and will protect my birthright. I am the Ru-Kai heir and the future King of the Kaji Empire.”
“But what pack do you have to protect you, my prince?” The scarred warrior asks. He searches for a straw of hope for his prince’s survival. It’s no secret that Truin lacks a genuine pack since his attitude drives away most potential packmates. Those loyal to the Ru-Kai crest can be called upon and labeled packmates in duty only. Prince Truin doesn’t have a true pack bond with any warrior he calls pack.
“I don’t need a pack to protect me,” he says. Truin’s amber eyes are as molten as his mother’s when he dares any of the heirs to oppose his declaration of strength and ability. The ambitious youngling with silver eyes chuckles and draws every eye in the room as a wave of tense silence threatens to smother them all. The youngling’s voice is smooth and silky as it slips from her dark smirking lips.
“You mean there isn’t a warrior that will follow you. No one will stand next to you in battle or die for you. Your crest, maybe. Your mother, definitely. But not for you.”
Prince Truin glares at the taller youngling with a fury Atae has never seen from her prince. What’s worse is the thread of fear she sees in his eyes as he glances back at Atae. The silver heir managed to stab Prince Truin in the open wound that Atae had sliced into existence only recently. Doubt knocks the wind from the young prince as he steps back away from the crowd. The throng of Kaji smells blood and surges with whispers.
No, they can’t doubt him. Not now. He hasn’t eve
n entered the Gridiron. Atae’s eyes dart across the faces in the crowds as they twist in disapproval of her prince. Of course, Prince Truin has warriors that will stand with him. He will not be alone.
“He has me,” Atae says loud enough for a few nearby guests to hear. When the crowd shifts in unison to meet her, Atae recognizes her mistake. Wide-eyed, she peeks at Solum for help, but Atae’s father shakes his head and clenches his jaw at her outburst. Refusing to rescue Atae from the consequences of her actions, Solum pinches his dark lips together and stares at her. Realizing that her father has abandoned her to the mercy of politicians, Atae takes a deep breath and glances at Prince Truin. Her deep fuchsia eyes meet his swirling amber, and certainty washes over her.
“I will stand with Prince Truin. I will ensure his survival, or I will die with him.”
Solum wipes his hand over his face, exasperated by her foolishness. Yet, the crowd loves it. Excited cheers echo from the guests until Jeqi steps forward from Solum’s side.
“I promise the same,” Jeqi says. Despite her stoic mask, the puffed tail around her waist warns Atae of her packmate’s fury. Jeqi hates rash decisions, and the blue hybrid just made a massive one in front of all the Crests of Kaji. Atae slips a comforting hand onto Jeqi’s shoulder, but after an icy glare, she yanks it back for fear of losing it.
“As do I,” says a deep voice that interrupts chattering throng. It’s a voice that Atae would recognize anywhere. The crowd parts to reveal Sloan, garbed in formal attire with a crest plastered on his medallion. Unfamiliar with the emblem, Atae cannot determine with which family it belongs, but she notes that the ambitious female with silver eyes wears the same crest. Atae stares at her rival in awe and confusion.
Sloan is an heir to one of the Crests of Kaji? How did I not know this?
Atae glances at Jeqi, but her scorned packmate is of no help. The blonde sneers at Atae and refuses to acknowledge the surprising turn of events. When Atae swivels back to Sloan, she finds him sporting a smug smile, and his eyes dance with that familiar mischievous glint. Pouting, Atae glowers at him as she crosses her arms over her chest.
“Well,” Sula says. “It seems my son has plenty of support. Anyone daring to challenge Prince Truin in the Gridiron will have a hard time getting past his pack.”
Queen Sula narrows her eyes at the silver-eyed youngling who dared to challenge her son. The bold heir lowers her gaze and hunches her shoulders in submission to her queen’s higher status. Sula surveys the remaining heirs with pressed lips before lifting a dismissive hand.
“Now, it seems there is nothing left to discuss. Everyone should reach out to their communication networks tonight. By morning, I expect every citizen in our empire to know what transpired here today. Now be gone. I have better things to do than play hostess.”
Eager to spread the exciting news, the crowd surges out the door leaving behind only a handful of warriors. Queen Sula steps away from the dwindling group and disappears behind several hanging drapes. Atae zeros in on Sloan with a furious stride and leaves a miffed Jeqi behind to sulk. Prince Truin reaches Sloan before Atae, however, and demands his own answers.
“What do you think you are doing, Sloan?”
“Saving your butt. You were drowning up there. You’re welcome.”
“You’ve played our hand. Now, everyone knows where your allegiance falls, including your sister,” Prince Truin says. He points an accusing finger at Sloan, who snorts in return. Atae glances from one heir to the other with a furrowed brow.
“What are you talking about? You have a sister?” she asks.
“Please, Royce knows exactly where my loyalties lie, and it isn’t with her. She’s shadier than our father. Smarter, too,” Sloan says.
“Yes, but she is dangerously charismatic. I hate charismatic people. Like you,” Prince Truin says.
“You’re just jealous because you have no people skills.”
“Wait, you both know each other? How?” Atae says.
The male younglings finally decide to acknowledge the baffled hybrid. Prince Truin glares at her as though she were too simple to understand the basic principles of life, and Sloan chuckles with smug satisfaction.
“Of course, we know each other,” Prince Truin says. “As the prince, it is my duty to know every heir to the Crests of Kaji.”
“Unlike some commoners, who can’t even recognize their own prince,” Sloan says. Atae narrows her eyes at the two younglings ganging up on her. She props one hand on her hip and points a finger at Sloan.
“An heir, huh? Then, where are your private tutors? Why are you attending Sula Academy?”
Atae watches Sloan flinch at the barb and grind his teeth. When he glowers at her in silence, Atae grins as a realization slides over her. She’s found a way to get under his skin.
“Oh, I get it. That silver-eyed youngling is Royce, your sister.” Atae slips in closer to Sloan and flashes a smug smile. “You’re a black-eyed mark on the silver-eyed lineage. Rejected by your own family. That must sting a bit.”
Sloan closes the gap between them and growls at Atae. His dark gaze burns under his thick eyebrows, and a snarl twists his lips.
“You know nothing, so shut your mouth.”
Atae sees something feral flash across Sloan’s eyes, and she steps back, frightened by the familiar predatorial gaze. With the scent of Atae’s fear permeating his nostrils, Sloan’s eyes elongate and flare into a deep red. Atae no longer sees Sloan’s red, beast eyes, but instead, she finds Kandorq’s twisted, red orbs glaring into her soul.
“Solum!” Prince Truin calls for help as he struggles to subdue a shifting Sloan. Atae hyperventilates as the throne room disappears, and the never-ending dark forest returns. Shadows dance around her as the suffocating darkness of the abyss weighs down her body and mind. Atae falls to her knees, fear tracing up her spine, and a familiar taunting whisper brushes against her ear.
“Too weak to stop me.”
“No, I am strong. I am Kaji,” Atae whispers. Kandorq’s chuckle envelopes her in a paralyzing blanket of fear. Weary of this struggle, Atae wonders if she should give in to the insanity.
What’s the point in fighting? He always returns.
Enough. A thin whisper spears Atae’s mind, and she jolts at the intrusion. A tendril of silver fog escapes from a hidden crevice in her mind, and Atae stares at it in wonder.
“Atae, move!”
Solum’s voice breaks through her dark haze, and she lurches back to the reality of the throne room. A completely shifted Sloan snarls and snaps at Solum and Prince Truin as they venture near the battle beast. They distract Sloan, drawing him closer to Schinn and Trikk. With his back to Atae, Sloan growls and lashes out at the offending Kaji. He howls at Solum and Prince Truin as they maneuver closer for an attack.
Relieved that Sloan seems to have forgotten her, Atae jumps to her feet and creeps backward, away from the furious beast. Her eyes dart across the room in search of a nearby exit then settle on the main entrance. The giant door at the top of the elegant stairway is halfway between her and the guards.
Maybe, if I move very slowly and quietly…
Before the blue hybrid has a chance to find out, a firm hand grips her right arm, and Atae squeals in surprise. Jeqi slaps a hand over her packmate’s mouth to muffle the sound. Still as night, they both watch the battle beast for any indication that he’d heard. When only an ear flickers in their direction, Jeqi releases Atae’s mouth and pulls her back toward the wall behind the thrones. As they reach the large drapes framing the Ru-Kai’s crest, Jeqi disappears behind them.
Atae lifts the drape and reveals a hidden pathway. She glances back to find Sloan leering at her with his red beast eyes. She ducks into the small hallway before he has a chance to chase after her. The wall slides shut behind her and leaves a howling battle beast on the other side.
Chapter 26
For a moment, Atae just leans against the wall. She closes her eyes and enjoys the cold brick against her hot skin. Atae list
ens to Solum’s muffled voice directing guards to subdue the furious battle beast, and she smiles at the sounds of Sloan flailing about on the other side of the wall.
“What are you smiling about? This is your fault,” Jeqi says. Her accusation blusters through Atae’s musings, and the blue hybrid opens her eyes.
Jeqi stands shrouded in darkness and floating particles of dust that were stirred up from their bustling entrance. Her blue Setunn eyes reflect the small beams of light that escape from the throne room through crevices in the sliding wall. Atae drops her gaze from Jeqi’s eerie appearance and fights the memories of similar but emerald eyes.
“It’s not my fault that Sloan can’t control his anger,” Atae says. She pushes past Jeqi and eyes the dark, narrow pathway that’s covered in dust and recently disturbed cobwebs. Atae remembers the queen disappearing behind the drapes and wonders where this path leads. With her tail thrashing at her back, Jeqi huffs at Atae.
“His anger? His anger didn’t trigger his shift. It was your fear.”
“That’s not true. Sloan started shifting when I angered him. I saw his eyes.” Atae glances over her shoulder at Jeqi. “Did you notice they changed color? I’ve never seen a battle beast with red eyes. Why do they change color?”
“Probably the same reason he has black eyes while most of his lineage has silver. Genetics.”
Atae nods, satisfied with the answer, then stumbles down the dark hall, using a hand on the wall to guide her. Atae frowns as she struggles to see through the gloom. A few tiny beams of light slice through the dark hall, but accomplish little against the shadow. Atae pauses to close her eyes and concentrate on shifting her eyes, but nothing happens. She sighs in frustration and continues down her blind path. When she hears a chortle from her packmate, Atae frowns but bites her tongue.
I don’t need her help to navigate a stupid tunnel.
Then her foot catches on an uneven stone, and Atae crashes to the floor. She lies in the dirt and cobwebs, listening to Jeqi’s muffled laughter. She considers the best way to salvage her pride and dignity as the blonde watches her with a satisfied and, somewhat, taunting smile.