by Roxie Ray
The ship continued to drop slowly until everything became much clearer. I could see large beasts that looked like elephants run through the open sections of jungle. But they had no trunks that I could see… and their hides seemed to be furry, more like a cat than a tough-hided animal.
I expected the jungle to thin out as we came to the main city, but the trees persisted. I had been so engrossed in trying to pick out animals amidst the shrubbery that I had completely missed the tall towers of the castle we were approaching.
I gasped as the Elisior castle came into view. It sat on a rocky outcrop that stood several hundred feet above ground level. The trees of the jungle had risen up to meet it, lending natural majesty to a simple castle that looked like it had been made from a mix of silver stone and dull, gold marble.
It put my in mind the medieval castles of Earth. It had high defensive walls whose corners and entrance were flanked by massive towers topped with crenellations. I felt goose bumps prick at my skin with the realization that this was going to be my new home. For a girl who had spent her whole life squashed into a two-by-four with two other adults, it was a surreal moment.
I realized we were going to fly right over the castle. As we passed, I saw a flag being hoisted up onto the tallest tower. It was a bright black flag with a small gold crown in the middle. I deciphered that it was heralding news that their king had returned to the castle.
As we flew over it, I realized how massive the interior of the castle was. There were parts of the castle that were closed off and private, but I could also see courtyards with patches of green that were open to the sky. It was like a mini village behind the walls of the castle. Just beyond Elisior’s giant walls was a sprawling city whose finer details were lost on me from this height.
This was Vandor, the royal city. My skin was flush with excitement. I watched intently, taking in every little detail and compiling a list of questions in my head to ask Quatix when we were alone in our chamber together. I was so focused on the incredible vined tree that I had spotted in the near distance that I didn’t notice Quatix come up behind me.
“There you are,” he said, placing a hand on my shoulder.
I gasped, jumping a foot, and Quatix froze immediately.
“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to startle you.”
I held my heart and smiled. “No, I’m sorry. I was just admiring your planet and didn’t notice that I wasn’t alone.”
“What do you think?” Quatix asked, and I sensed the subtle pride that he was trying to keep tempered.
“Oh, Quatix,” I said, unable to express just how lovely his planet was. I could understand now why travelling to Earth was such a hard thing to suffer through. “Svante is extraordinary. I don’t know how you can bear to leave it.”
His face filled with warmth, and he wrapped his hand around my waist, pulling me to him. He planted a gentle kiss on my lips before looking out at his kingdom.
“You haven’t seen anything yet,” he told me.
The exit lights flashed, and slowly the doors began to part. I noticed a long line of Svantians assembled outside the ship. There seemed to be a specific formation to their arrangement — there were two sets of uniformed guards on the left and right, spaced about ten feet apart. In front of them were five Svantians dressed in the blacks and silvers of the Protectors, and in front of them stood two individuals.
The male Svantian looked to be about seven-three, near Quatix’s height. He wore dark trousers that were held in place by a thick worked belt that caught my eye instantly. His boots were simple and he wore no shirt, which meant I could see the light purple scales that covered his body.
I realized that he was probably dressed traditionally, the way most Svantians dressed while they were homebound. As the Destroyer’s doors opened and the warm Svantian breeze hit my face, I realized that there was no need for extra layers. I already felt overdressed.
As impressive as he was, my attention kept flitting to the woman standing next to him. A thin sheath of soft pink fabric was wrapped around her body, revealing one bare shoulder and flowing to her ankles. The dress had a filmy, translucent quality about it, and I realized I could see the outline of her legs as Quatix walked towards them.
Her brown hair had been arranged in a series of intricate braids that were adorned with tiny pearls and bells. There were several chains and pendants hanging from her neck, and both her hands were covered in thick bracelets that had been stacked until they almost met her elbows.
Her appearance was nothing if not striking, but that was not why I couldn’t look away.
She was human.
“Who is that?” I asked Quatix.
“That is Brags, my chief advisor and one of my protectors,” Quatix replied.
“No, I meant the woman standing next to him.”
“Ah, that is his mate, Sophia.”
I was prevented from asking any more questions because Quatix and I had reached Brags and Sophia.
“My King,” Brags said, bowing low with his hand placed firmly against his chest.
“My King,” Sophia said, as she curtsied prettily before us.
Quatix smiled widely. “Brags, Sophia, may I introduce you to Rosa. She is my mate and your new queen.”
It was clear from their expressions that they had been informed of my presence well before we had landed. All the same, both looked at me with delight. Brags bowed low a second time, and his wife walked forward and curtsied, though she kept her eyes on me the whole time.
“Hello, my Queen,” Sophia said. “We are delighted to welcome you home.”
I wanted to say something important, something gracious… but the words stuck in my throat, and I realized that I was overwhelmed with the moment.
“Rosa is tired from our long journey,” Quatix said, stepping in and saving me. “We didn’t have an easy one.”
Brags’ eyes turned dark, and Quatix exchanged a glance with him. I knew they wanted to discuss the Sives attack, as well as the possible threat to the Gnosees, but they were refraining from jumping right into political matters just yet. I wondered if that was purely for my benefit.
“Of course,” Sophia said. “You will want to rest and change. I have had a selection of gowns brought to your chambers, my Queen.”
I looked at Sophia with discomfort. “Ah, you don’t have to call me that,” I said. “Rosa is fine.”
I noticed Sophia glance towards Quatix, who inclined his head infinitesimally as though he were giving her permission. Sophia turned back to me with a bright smile.
“Very well, Rosa,” she said. “I will take you to your personal chambers.”
I frowned and turned to Quatix. “You’re not coming with me?” I asked.
Quatix hesitated apologetically. “I’m sorry, my Queen,” he said, making my skin tingle with both annoyance, as well as the thrill of being addressed as such. “But I have important matters to discuss with my council. You will be in good hands with Sophia in the meantime.”
I didn’t want to sound like a pouty child, so I suppressed my disappointment and forced a small smile on my face.
“I understand,” I said.
“Thank you,” Quatix said. He came forward and kissed my forehead gently. “The staff is at your disposal — if there’s anything you want, don’t hesitate to ask.”
Then he lifted my hand to his, kissed it distractedly, and started walking away with Brags and half the guard. I saw that Terrox, Comadin, and Brailin followed behind them as well.
“Come,” Sophia said, linking her hand with mine. “We must get you settled in, and changed into more appropriate clothes.”
I raised my eyebrows and looked down at my jeans and t-shirt combo. “Is this not appropriate?” I asked.
Sophia smiled. “You might start feeling slightly warm after a while.”
She was not wrong; I already wished I were wearing something similar to what she had on. She led me to the large granite steps of the castle with a small contingent of guards
at our backs. I glanced at them uncertainly.
“Will they be following us around everywhere?” I asked.
Sophia smiled. “The King left orders,” she said. “He’s never struck me as the overprotective type, but love does strange things to a man.”
While I appreciated the sentiment, I didn’t appreciate Quatix setting his guards on me. We were half way up the steps when I stopped short and turned to the six guards tailing us.
They were all dressed the same, in dark trousers with thick belts around the waist that swallowed most of their torsos and displayed only the top tiers of their ridged muscles. The belts were studded with simple stones of jade, obsidian, or crimson. At their wrists were dull metallic bands that looked like armor.
Apart from that, the guards were shirtless and unencumbered. I did notice that each one had different weapons buckled at their waists. One guard had a sword, while another had an axe, but it seemed to be a matter of preference rather than a standard issue weapon.
“Thank you, but it is not necessary for you to escort us to my chambers,” I said, trying to speak politely but firmly. “Sophia… um… Lady Sophia can show me the way.”
“But, King Quatix said…” one of the Svantian guards started.
“I am the queen,” I said, feeling very strange as the words left my mouth. “Should you not also obey me?”
The guards exchanged uncertain glances, but Sophia stepped down and smiled. “Do as your queen commands,” she said.
The guards looked slightly wary, but in the end they did as I told them. Sophia turned to me with new respect in her eyes.
“That was very impressive,” she said.
“That was so not me,” I replied, covering my face with my hands. “Who do I think I am, commanding Quatix’s guards like I have a right to?”
“You do have a right to,” Sophia assured me, as we reached the top of the staircase and entered the castle through massive Iron pronged gates that were adorned with a series of intricate animal carvings. “You are a queen. You are our queen now.”
10
Quatix
It felt good to be back home, but my joy was short lived. There were threats to be dealt with and not a lot of information to go on.
I hated leaving Rosa to her own devices immediately after we had landed, but the Sives attack had been unexpected, and I needed to convene my council to discuss our next move. I took comfort in the fact that Sophia would make good company for Rosa, a little bit of familiarity in an otherwise foreign land.
“Have you any new information for us?” I asked Brags, as we entered the West Wing of the castle.
The architecture was more reminiscent of the old world, when colored stone and dyed marble had been the cornerstone of aesthetic beauty.
“As a matter of fact, I might.” Brags nodded. “One of my spies arrived on Svante shortly before you did. I had hoped to speak with him before welcoming you, but there was no time.”
“Where is he coming from?” Terrox asked.
“Valkred, by means of the Cexiea Space station,” Brags replied. “But he’s been planet hopping for the past several months. I believe he might have important information for us.”
“Then you must speak to him first,” I said. “Join us in the council chambers afterwards.”
Brags gave me a small bow and veered off on a separate path, leaving Comadin, Brailin, Terrox, and I to head to the royal council chambers together.
“If his spy has no worthwhile information for us, what is our next course of action?” Terrox asked.
“Always the pessimist, Brags,” Brailin said, rolling his eyes. “You need to look on the bright side.”
Terrox flashed him a glare. “I see the world as it is,” he scowled. “Not as I wish it to be.”
“Charming as always,” Comadin smiled. “I’m sure your Earthling bride won’t be able to resist your glowing personality.”
I glanced sideways at Terrox. “You’re planning on securing yourself a mate?” I asked.
“Perhaps,” Terrox said evasively. “On our next trip to Earth. I am yet undecided.”
We entered the royal council chambers, and I felt a sense of calm settle over me. I had always loved the space. I could feel centuries’ worth of history wafting off the walls. We walked into a large oval space that veered off into smaller, more intimate solars. Every view within the council chamber overlooked the Western Kingdom and all its natural offerings.
The round table where most of our official meetings were held was placed in a flying extension, similar to the one in my private chambers. I could see the smoking mountains of Rixor in the distance, steep cliffs blanketed by lush fauna, covering any hint of the brown rock that formed its base.
We moved into the flying extension to find that the council table had been filled with food. There were large platters of charred meats, some dry and others sitting in their own juices. There were also large pitchers of wine to wash the meat down.
Comadin and Brailin exchanged a glance, and then looked to me. “Would you be greatly offended, my King, if we —”
I rolled my eyes and suppressed a smile. “Go ahead.”
The two of them sat down at the table and helped themselves to the steaming hot meat. Terrox moved to my side, shaking his head slowly.
“Children,” he declared tiredly.
Mere moments later, the council doors opened and Growan walked in. He offered me a bow, and then embraced the two of us who were still standing.
“Brothers,” Grown said. “It is good to have you back.”
“It is good to be back,” Brailin said, with his mouth full.
“Did you happen to meet Brags on your way here?” I asked, impatient to hear if his spy had managed to procure any useful information.
“He sent word for me to meet you all here,” Growan replied. “Nothing more.”
“Very well,” I said. “Sit, we have much to discuss.”
Growan and Terrox both took their seats next to Comadin and Brailin, but I remained standing, as my nerves started to cut through my pleasure at being back on Svantian soil. I took a moment to look out at my vibrant kingdom, and I wished that I could be with Rosa now, so that I could see it all through her eyes.
My whole life had shifted in the seconds it had taken for my eyes to fall upon Rosa, but that did not mean my duties as King had changed. I felt as though I was being pulled in two different directions. It was the difference between what I wanted to do and what I was obligated to do.
I sighed deeply, trying not to let my preoccupation with Rosa distract me from what I needed to do now. It was no easy feat; she was in the seconds between my every heartbeat.
“How many more threats have we received?” I asked, turning back to the carved round table.
Terrox was tapping his fingers against the rich wood impatiently, while Brailin and Comadin stuffed their faces with Dakar meat.
“Two more, Your Grace,” Growan replied, glaring at Brailin and Comadin with distaste as they scarfed from their food. “Both from Nils.”
I growled low, and Terrox picked up my fury. “We should have killed the bastard when he joined Sives,” he said.
“Svantians have the freedom to go where they choose and do what they please,” I pointed out. “I did not have the power to stop him.”
“Where is the honor in fighting for a group of outlawed mercenaries?” Brailin spat. “He is no true Svantian in my eyes.”
All four of my protectors growled in agreement.
“Any trouble along the land borders?” I asked.
“We found three centipede drones along the Southern border,” Growan informed me. “And two more along the Western border.”
“Five drones,” Terrox hissed. “What make?”
“Likely of Aligary make,” Growan said, after a small pause.
I frowned. “What do you mean ‘likely’? Didn’t you seize them?”
Grown looked at me wearily. “We tried, my Lord. The drones were fitted
with a self-destruct feature. The moment we got within a two-foot radius of them, they blew up.”
I exchanged a panicked glance with Terrox. I noticed him rubbing the first two fingers of his right hand together. He always did that when he was worried.
“The drones would have been transmitting information directly through to its command center,” Terrox said. “The self-destruct would have had no bearing on any data collected.”
“What data could the drones have possibly collected?” Comadin asked. “They were obviously planted to try and determine the location of the Gnosees, and the creatures no longer have free run of the jungles.”
“It does not matter,” Terrox growled. “We cannot man every inch of our land borders, much less our space borders. They want to find our weak points. They’re looking for a way in.”
“We have yet to determine who ‘they’ are,” Growan said.
Despite his calm manner, I noticed the glistening sweat sheen upon his forehead. Even Comadin and Brailin had set aside their meat. The atmosphere in the room was tense. I rested my hands on the table and stared down at the carved map sprawled out before us. The situation was more serious than I had initially suspected, and I was anxious to gather intelligence so that we could stop the attack I knew was coming.
“The Sives,” Terrox said. “It has to be them.”
“The Sives?” Growan repeated incredulously. “They are nothing but a bunch of mercenaries.”
“And yet they opened fire on a royal Svantian spaceship,” Terrox pointed out.
“We can’t rule out the possibility that they might be working for someone,” Brailin said.
His eyes darted towards the wine, and I didn’t have to glance into his mind to know that he was craving a drink. He had never been one to deal with stress single-handedly. I had closed my mind to my protectors’ thoughts. I had my own worries, and I did not need to be influenced by theirs. Still, the psychic bond between us was strong and drops of emotion kept landing on me like pellets of rain.
“Where is Brags?” Terrox asked impatiently. “He said he had information for us.”