by Kelly A Nix
Queen Sula drops the glass down on a nearby table and activates the door. It slides open to reveal a petite female haloed in the dim light of the hall. Realizing the shadow could not possibly belong to Solum, Sula sighs in relief.
My son is still alive.
“Enter,” she says. Her voice hides her anxiety behind a cold and controlled tone. The small form trudges into the shadows of the dark room and disappears until Sula activates the lights. It takes a moment for the youngling’s fuchsia eyes to adjust to the sudden illumination. She glances around the lavish living quarters before settling on the regal form sitting in a large, comfy chair. The royal amber eyes stare at her with a placid expression designed to unsettle the young female. It doesn’t work.
“My queen.” Her voice is slick with false charm as she salutes Sula. “I am honored to be in your presence.”
“Sit, Aniyah,” Sula says. The youngling hesitates to flick a strand of her lengthy, black hair over her shoulder before obeying. She sits in the only other chair available, which places her directly across from the queen. Maintaining the proper sitting position in the overstuffed chair is difficult, but Aniyah does her best. She shines her brilliant smile to distract from her lack of etiquette. Sula watches her with a blank expression that echoes in her voice.
“Do you understand why you are here? On this cruiser?”
“Solum briefed me.” Accustomed to the cold shoulder, Aniyah nods with a silent confidence.
“Good. Why are you here in my room?”
“I need some assurances from you.”
“You’re alive, aren’t you?”
“The task you’ve given me is-”
“Your mother was a traitor,” Queen Sula says. She picks up her glass again, and this time, she doesn’t hide the hint of anger and betrayal in her voice, causing the young female to flinch. “She was the last of her line, save for you. Her betrayal tainted her lineage and your future. And your children’s future.”
“So I’ve been told.” Aniyah sourly sucks on her cheeks at the reminder of her family history. “By Kaji law, it was in your right to kill me, but you chose to spare me. You graciously allowed my father to raise me on his home planet.”
“I did.” Sula flashes a wicked smile as she sips from her glass. “I foresaw a use for you. And look at that, I was right.”
“I am grateful for the opportunity to serve you, my queen.” Aniyah bows her head then raises it to meet Queen Sula’s gaze. “And I hope my service is enough to restore my honor and status among the Kaji.”
“Aniyah, the task I’ve given you may save the Kaji Empire. Complete it, and I will give you everything you’ve asked of me and more.”
“Thank you.” Aniyah sighs as relief washes over her, and she reveals a genuine smile that even Sula appreciates. The young female lies back in the large chair and relishes the hope of the future. The queen watches Aniyah with an interested gaze until the youngling collects herself and returns to the proper sitting position.
“Don’t thank me. The task will prove more difficult than you think. Solum thinks it’s impossible,” Sula says.
“I understand the difficulties. But I assure you. I will prove my worth to you.”
The determination glimmering within Aniyah’s eyes reminds Sula of another fuchsia-eyed youngling that’s also eager to prove her worth.
Thank you, readers.
I hope you enjoyed this novel as much as I enjoyed creating the Kaji Universe. Bringing each of my beloved characters to life has been one of the most rewarding challenges of my career. I look forward to more adventures with Atae and the other Kaji Warriors.
-Kelly A Nix
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Acknowledgments
There are three important people that I need to acknowledge in the making of this book. I’d like to thank my mother for always giving her honest opinion, even when I didn’t like it. I am very grateful for one of my best friends in the world, Amanda. She endured my obsession with this book, and the late-night texts that accompanied it, with the patience of an angel. And she always provided insightful feedback. Finally, I want to thank my oldest friend, Suzanne. She was the first person I told when I began writing, and she’s provided unwavering support since.
Without each of you, this book would’ve never seen the light of day.
About the author
Kelly A Nix is a native-born Texan from the Dallas-Fort Worth area. In high school, she competed in rodeo, earned a brown belt in Taekwondo, and strived to be an actress. After graduating with her M.B.A., Kelly enjoys her career in the veterinary industry, and she spends most of her free time with her family, traveling, and writing. An animal lover, she shares her home with three cats, Louise, Rachel, and Orange Kitty, and a Great Dane mix named Dingo.