by Kit Tunstall
At that moment, something that sounded faintly like a gong rang, and the group of politicians all moved toward the tables at the back of the room. She flashed Ysaak a grateful smile when his hand fastened around her elbow, and he led her to the main table in the center of all the others. He held her chair for her to help seat her, and she wasn’t certain if that was a universal gesture of chivalry among all humans and Dazon males, or if he’d been studying her culture as closely as she’d been studying his.
She was relieved to find he sat on her right side, but dismayed to find Aryk on her left. The Emperor sat at the head of the table beside Aryk, and a dozen more joined them, all wearing the black traditional garb rather than the more comfortable suits. Introductions were made, surprisingly by Aryk, and he seemed to be almost bouncing with glee as he went around the table, saving the last introduction with an air of anticipation. “And this is Dr. Jorvak Ha, Chief Scientist for the Dazon Empire.”
Horror filled her when she learned the other man’s name, unsettled by the way his eyes moved over her in an assessing fashion, as though picking her apart. He seemed to want to know how she worked with no indication that he would ever put her back together again. Perhaps it was just because she knew what he had done, but he seemed like pure evil. She wasn’t a person often guided by feelings or emotions, so to feel so overwhelmingly certain that he was a terrible person, and that she should stay away from him, made it difficult to ignore the impulse to flee.
Only sheer stubbornness and the need to negotiate peace between them kept her in her seat, though she didn’t bother to spare a greeting for Ha. Instead, she turned her attention to the Emperor. “Are you aware, Emperor Chon, that your chief scientist is a criminal on my planet?”
The Emperor inclined his head, but made no further comment. He was difficult to read, and she couldn’t be certain if he supported Ha or not. The fact that the scientist was at the table with them suggested he did, but that also could have been the work of Aryk, who was clearly not just Jorvak’s sponsor, but also his friend, as she quickly gleaned from the conversation between the two men. They spoke with easy familiarity and respect, suggesting they considered each other equals.
Equal assholes, she thought to herself as she sipped very carefully on a pale pink liquid. It was tart, and she was certain it was some sort of alcohol. She regarded it with caution, as she did the rest of her meal. Until being seated with Jorvak Ha, she might not have been so mistrustful about what she ingested, but now, paranoid scenarios flashed through her mind, each more ludicrous and terrifying than the last.
Finally, she was able to calm herself with the reminder that she was of no interest to the Dazons, at least from a breeding perspective. Elena had been her half-sister, and though her father was also a carrier of Kaiser’s Syndrome, Embeth’s mother was not. Elena’s mother had died when Elena was just a toddler, collapsing from an aneurysm years before she would have begun to display symptoms of Kaiser’s Syndrome. It hadn’t even been a recognized disease at that point.
Embeth carried the dormant gene, but unless she partnered with a man who also carried it, her children had no risk of getting Kaiser’s Syndrome, and she didn’t suffer from it herself. Since the mutation caused by Kaiser’s Syndrome was what made Earth women genetically compatible with Dazon males, she was safe.
She remained quiet and watchful during dinner, answering questions when they were addressed to her, but mostly taking the opportunity to observe. The gathering wasn’t much different than any other political dinner which she had attended over the years, despite it being a group of aliens rather than humans.
She was thankful when dessert came, or what she assumed was dessert. Pale golden globes were drizzled with a darker amber sauce that she tasted carefully, unable to bite back a small moan of pleasure that fortunately only Ysaak heard.
He leaned closer to her, keeping his voice low as he grinned. “These are dahlia fruit, which grows naturally and profusely on the planet, and there’s a grove at my favorite place. Perhaps I’ll have a chance to show you when we tour the planet. This is a delicious way to have it, but they’re incomparable fresh from the vine.”
The tart, yet sweet, fruit melted on her tongue, and she nodded, too busy savoring the flavor to find a response for a moment. When she could speak again, she said, “I look forward to trying it in its natural state too. It’s the most amazing thing I’ve ever tasted.”
His eyes gleamed. “We have a favorite in common then, Ambassador Williams.”
Ha picked that moment to ruin the peaceful camaraderie she had discovered with the Second Prince. He cleared his throat, speaking over the soft buzz of voices at the table as his gaze focused on her. She shuddered slightly under the intensity of his eyes.
“Ambassador Williams, it would please me if you would stop by my laboratory for an exam tomorrow sometime, perhaps after your morning meetings? I would very much like to study your physiology for research.”
She had just reached for the glass of pink liquid to clear her throat, which had turned dry under his gaze, and the fragile stem snapped in her hand when she tightened her grasp. “I believe you’ve done enough research on Earth women, Ha.” She refused to use his official title of doctor or scientist. He was a mad butcher, not a doctor, at least by her standards.
He seemed impervious to her cold tone and note of accusation. “It’s vital for my people to learn as much as we can about Earth women’s biology. You’d be doing us a great service.”
She set down the broken glass, angling the fluted part so the liquid inside wouldn’t spill on the table. “I’m not here to do you a great service. I’m here to find a peaceful way for our two groups to coexist.”
Ha smirked at her, allowing a hint of his disdain to show. “There can be no such arrangement, Earth woman. Your people are foolish and naïve if they believe they can stop anything that will happen to them.”
“That will be enough, Dr. Ha,” said the emperor in a firm tone, one laced with disapproval. “This dinner is to welcome the ambassador, and you are far out of the bounds of etiquette by asking her to submit to a physical exam.”
With a churlish nod of his head, the doctor looked down at his plate, seeming chastised, but his eyes revealed his anger. “I apologize, Emperor.”
Of course he didn’t apologize to her, she noted with a sour twist of her lips. “If you’ll excuse me, Emperor, I suddenly have a headache. I believe I’d like to have an early night before our meetings begin tomorrow morning.”
The emperor inclined his head, seeming unsurprised. He waved a hand at Ysaak. “Of course, Ambassador. My son will see you back to your chambers and ensure you find the meeting hall in the morning. I hope you rest well.”
She almost snorted, but good manners and training kicked in, so she inclined her head instead. “Thank you, Emperor. Good evening.” She spoke the parting to the entire table, though her heart wasn’t in it. She was certain there was visible anger in each step as she strode from the dining room, relieved when Damon fell in to step behind her, and only vaguely aware of Ysaak beside her for a moment.
Once they were safely out of hearing distance, she turned abruptly to Ysaak. “Do you all feel that way? Am I just wasting my time here? Is every Dazon convinced they can just take all the women with Kaiser’s Syndrome, and there won’t be any repercussions?” She knew she was ranting at Ysaak, and her tone was unbearably rude, but she couldn’t rein in the impulse in her anger.
“Did you know my sister had Kaiser’s Syndrome, and she died just a few months before Ha stole all those women? If she hadn’t, she would have been in the group he stole. To see him sitting so casually at this dinner, one ostensibly to welcome me… It’s a…a… It’s like a slap in the face. He should be in prison, not enjoying fancy royal dinners and a promotion to Chief Scientist.” From what she had gleaned from Ryland Breese’s debriefing reports, that was a recent promotion given since his return to Dazonia Major.
The prince maintained a peaceful expre
ssion. “I agree with you, Embeth.”
She wasn’t certain if it was his agreement or the use of her first name that soothed her raging temper so quickly. She looked at him with surprise. “You do?”
He inclined his head. “Are you up for a walk?”
She hesitated before nodding. Embeth looked over at Damon, nodding again to let him know she wanted a bit of privacy. His gaze flashed deliberately to the small heart she wore around her neck, a concession to which she had readily agreed before the mission began. It was more than jewelry, containing a tracking device that allowed Damon to find her any time she was out of his presence on Earth or Dazonia Major. After her guard faded away, she fell in step with Ysaak, who led her down the hallway and out to a balcony.
Even in her anger, she was temporarily distracted by the beauty of the night sky, with its intense orange and green, and the faintly purple-blue color that served as a backdrop thanks to the differences in the Dazon atmosphere. It was almost enough to soothe and distract her, but not quite. “Am I wasting my time here, Ysaak?” It felt natural to call him by his first name after he had already initiated the drop of formality.
After a brief hesitation, Ysaak shrugged. “I truly don’t know, Embeth. My father has not revealed his position, though Aryk is a vocal supporter of Ha and his research. The High Council has clearly endorsed Ha’s methods as well, though there is much dissent in the General Council. The General Council is composed of the common citizens and represents the voice of the people.
“Unfortunately, even with all the people behind the General Council—and most are in agreement that the accord must be consensual—the High Council has more power. Aryk has more power still, and my father holds the ultimate power in our system. However, without knowing his position, I can’t plainly state that yes, you’re wasting your time, or no, you aren’t. All I can suggest is to wait and see. Be cautious and on your guard.”
She let out a sigh as she leaned against the orangestone, her gaze focused on the stars above her. They were different from the stars back home and a stark reminder she was on an alien planet, standing beside an alien to whom she was wildly attracted, but conflicted by her mission and the feelings rushing through her. At the moment, anger was chief among them. “I cannot believe the sheer nerve of Ha to join us for dinner, knowing he’s a wanted criminal on my planet. It’s completely disrespectful, and it doesn’t bode well for a truce between our people.”
He moved closer to her, not quite touching, but his hand rested near hers on the stone rail. “I agree, but as the Second Prince, I have little influence on such matters. Father asks my opinion, but it bears no more weight than the average councilman for the High or the General Councils. Aryk’s opinion influences my father to an extent, but only because he will be emperor someday, and not because he holds power over my father. Emperor Talek is a wise man, and I hope he reaches the only obvious solution.”
“Which is?” she prompted.
“Earth and Dazon must cooperate, and both of our people must be satisfied with the arrangement. It can’t be one of coercion or suppression. For this to truly work for all of us, the women have to be willing to either donate their eggs or mate with Dazon males, and our cultures will have to find a way to blend and coexist.”
She let out a breath she hadn’t been aware of holding, suddenly overwhelmed by the surge of desire sweeping through her. She’d been attracted to his appearance before, but now she found herself equally attracted to the man himself. It was almost dizzying how much she wanted him, and she had to take a deep breath to control the urge to do something inappropriate, like take his hand in hers. “I should get back to my room. We have an early start in the morning.”
His gaze was fogged over, his eyes a mix of molten green and gold, but he sounded unaffected when he spoke. “Of course, Ambassador Williams.”
“Please call me Embeth, at least when we aren’t working in an official capacity.” She much preferred that to the stiff and aloof ambassador title.
“Of course, Embeth, and I would prefer Ysaak when appropriate.”
As they neared her door, she experienced a sudden image of sitting on the prince’s lap as she rode him, screaming out his name as her sheath convulsed around his erection. It was a powerful mental picture that tightened her nipples and made her panties damp.
Without thinking, she swayed toward him, and his head bent, as though he was in the same fevered grip of desire. If it hadn’t been for Damon clearing his throat, reminding her he was there and witnessing it all, she was afraid she would have kissed the prince.
Stiffening abruptly, she took a step back and straightened her posture. “Thank you for the escort, Ysaak. I’ll see you in the morning.”
“Good night, Embeth. I hope you sleep well.” He showed her the gesture of respect with his fingers to his forehead before leaving her.
She studiously ignored Damon, and his wide grin, as she swept through the doorway of her suite, pressing the button to close it behind her with her guard on the other side. Right then, she needed to be completely alone. She wasn’t certain whether it was to prepare herself for tomorrow’s events, or to pick apart the time she’d spent in the prince’s company to hoard the best moments like a dragon with gold.
It was disconcertingly familiar and almost exactly as she had felt for her first crush. Absolutely damned ridiculous behavior for a thirty-three-year-old ambassador on a foreign planet, she told herself as she prepared for bed. That did little to quell the buzz of desire still burning through her, or the spark of excitement at the idea of seeing Ysaak again in the morning.
Chapter Three
Embeth sat patiently as she waited for the Emperor to begin speaking. His sons flanked either side of him, and she briefly wished Ysaak was seated beside her instead of across from her. It felt strangely lonely on her side of the table, though Damon was just outside the doorway, and she wasn’t completely alone. She wouldn’t have even noticed or minded if it hadn’t been for the contemptuous expression Aryk wore, and the way he furrowed his brow ridge every time he looked at her, making his disdain plain as day.
“Please tell us about the lives of Earth women,” said Talek.
She moistened her throat with a sip of water before she began sharing details of the average person’s life on Earth. Though the emperor had specifically requested information about women, she gave him information about men, women, and children, hoping to paint a vivid picture for him to illustrate how critical women were to society on their planet.
She spoke for more than an hour, answering the occasional question as she shared relevant information, before concluding with, “As you can see, losing vast numbers of women would destroy Earth, much as it caused your society to decline. We don’t have the genetic manipulation capabilities that your scientists possess, so if our female citizens were taken from us, it would be an extinction-level-event for humans.”
Aryk yawned, making his disinterest clear. “From what I have observed about humans since Dr. Ha’s return, having reviewed his data, it seems to me wiping out humans and integrating the females into the Dazon Empire would be a favor to your planet, and not the tragic event you portray.”
She let out a ragged gasp, waiting for the Emperor or Ysaak to refute the words. Ysaak’s mouth started to open, but the Emperor shook his head barely perceptibly, and the Second Prince remained silent, though he was glowering at his brother.
Bolstered by Ysaak’s reaction, she said, “It’s true humanity has its problems. We’ve pushed ourselves to the brink of extinction more than once, and not to mention the animals and other life forms we have forced into extinction. We’ll either grow into a more compassionate and caring race, or we’ll destroy ourselves. Either way, it should be decided by humans and not an outside force.”
“Perhaps you simply lack guidance and the ability to do what must be done.”
She shook her head at Aryk’s retort. “Fine, let’s assume you’re right on a large, global scale, and that kidna
pping all Earth women who are compatible with your genetics—and Jorvak Ha claims he could make any Earth woman compatible with the right technology and research—would be a benefit to Earth.
“Let’s not pretend that you actually care about what happens to Earth, of course, but let’s say you’re right. You’re not accounting for individual reactions and rebellion from the Earth women you plan to steal away. If you think these women will cooperate with you, you’re mistaken. If you rip them from their homes and families, separating mothers from their children, you’ll find you’ve done nothing more than introduce a whole other level of war to your society.”
Aryk pointedly yawned again. “There are ways to ensure compliance. From a biological perspective, all we really need from Earth women are their eggs.”
“Perhaps, but Ha failed to adapt an exo-womb that could support a human/Dazon hybrid, so he impregnated human women without their permission or consent to see if he could grow offspring. He was successful, but the human woman was a critical ingredient.”
She hated speaking so dispassionately about the women who had been traumatized by Ha, having met most of the four hundred before undertaking her mission. She had also seen the infants produced from the experiment, some left without mothers because they had died during the birthing due to Ha’s arrogance in creating multiple pregnancies with babies that were larger than typical humans. Those infants were being cared for at the consulate, but there was no long-term solution in place.
Still, she was certain she wouldn’t get through to Aryk with an emotional appeal. He either had no emotions, or he simply didn’t care about humans, regarding them as a lower life form.