by Lisa Lace
He felt the room sway around him for a moment, then remembered the doctor had threatened restriction to the medical bay if he didn't get some rest. He made his way down the hall to some temporary quarters he had co-opted from a junior officer and fell into the bunk. It wasn't as comfortable as his, but then again, the junior officer didn't have the Princess of Anquesh as a mother. She had pulled some strings to bring in another mattress and other conveniences to make her son as comfortable as possible.
Maybe it was the pain of his injuries, or maybe the pain from believing his sindare hated him, but Kai gave into the urge to call the one person who would understand his feelings.
The screen on the wall shimmered, and he saw his mother standing in a garden with the Anquera night sky behind her.
"Son?" said Andeleth, her face and voice filled with concern. "Are you well? You never call me when you're in space."
"I'm doing fine...er...how is the emperor?"
Andeleth's eyes narrowed. "I know you well. Don't bother hiding behind inquiries about my husband's health. You know I watch him every minute. You never contact me without a reason. What is the purpose of this call?"
Kap paused. "I have met my sindare."
"That's fantastic!" Andeleth's sudden expression of joy slowly gave way to consternation. "Wait. Is it an Earth woman?"
"Yes," said Kai miserably. "And she does not desire me."
The princess clucked. "That's considerably less wonderful. I don't believe you. Who wouldn't want my handsome son?"
"Mother," protested Kai. "Even if she did, it presents problems, and you know it. You've hidden many things from me."
Andeleth raised her head. "I didn't want you to worry."
Kai frowned at his mother's admission. She had known she was in danger and didn't share it with him.
"Tell me about her," urged Andeleth, trying to change the subject. "Is she pretty?"
"I can't get over her hair. It's a combination of gold and yellow hair."
"Gold! I don't believe it."
"Her eyes are as blue as the dress you wore at Hanton's wedding."
"Really? So you consider her exotic."
"Very much so. She would be an excellent prize for any warrior."
"Of course. But how can you be sure she is your sindare?"
Kai felt his cheeks flush, and he tried to look away before his mother saw his face.
"Ah," said Andeleth knowingly. "You took liberties with her already."
"It wasn't like that," protested Kai. "It was something special. I didn't know that the mere act of touching her would make me feel completely different."
"Sometimes it will, especially if the bond is very strong. I speak from experience. I knew Kanton was my sindare when we met at a court party. He took my hand and I was never the same again. Tell me something. How can you function right now when you are not with her?"
"I told you," Kai growled. "She does not want me."
"It sounds impossible if your bond is as strong as you claim."
"I dishonored her by the way I touched her. She is angry with me."
"So it was like that after all."
"That isn't the point," said Kai exasperated. "What should I do? I'm trapped in an impossible situation."
"And how is that?"
"I thought the Emperor didn't keep anything from you." Kai's voice came out in an accusatory tone, and he immediately regretted it.
"The Emperor and I have faced many challenging situations over the years. He couldn't imagine you would find your sindare among the Earth savages. Now that your situation has changed, I'll have to convince the Emperor that we should adjust our position."
"It might not be as easy as that. Tellen says having an Earth woman a heartbeat away from the royal family is intolerable."
She hissed. "Tellen is not trustworthy, no matter what your stepfather believes. He finds a way to be on every side of an issue. Let me worry about Tellen. I will talk to the emperor. We will make sure your sindare is welcome among our people."
"Bringing her was never the issue. The question is, will she be safe?"
Andeleth smiled. "Spoken like a true sindare. I cannot promise her safety, my son. That's your job."
"First things first. How can I get her to accept me?"
Andeleth shrugged. "Do you remember the kitith you tamed as a child?"
Kai had forgotten about the wild creature. It lurked in his garden outside his room, stealing food from Kai's plate when he wasn't looking. Eventually, Kai trained the animal to take food from his hand.
"If you could tame that kitith, you can tame an Earth woman. You'll figure it out. I will be glad to see you when you return home."
Kai sunk back, letting his head hit the pillow. It was good to talk to his mother, but somehow his problems seemed worse than before. He needed to make Jenn see that they belonged together. And he suspected Jenn would be more difficult to tame than a wild animal.
Chapter Thirteen
Jenn paced the floor, waiting again for Kai to show up at her room. It felt more like a prison cell. For the past few days, he would appear at random times, talk to her briefly, then leave again. She was getting tired of the routine. He would say nothing of significance and never answered her questions.
It didn't help that she had drop-dead sexy dreams of the Anquesh warrior. As soon as she closed her eyes, she found herself in his arms again. He was all over her body, stroking, licking, and kissing. But the Kai of her dreams was vastly different from the stern warrior who visited her every day. Why did she keep hoping that the alien she dreamed about was real?
It was crazy, and she knew it. Despite his claims of protecting her, she was a prisoner on a spaceship. Perhaps they were going to use her as a hostage. Kai might think she was a bargaining chip. If that was the case, Anquera was in for a big disappointment. Jenn wasn't important enough to be valuable to anyone.
Today she decided she was getting some answers, whether he wanted to give them or not.
The door chime sounded. Kai entered the room, holding a bag. He looked at her warily. Good. She felt angry enough to spit nails.
"Are you distressed?" he asked cautiously.
"Distressed? I don't know, Commander. How could I be distressed with these lovely accommodations?"
As usual, he ignored her jibe.
"Soon we'll arrive at Anquera. I brought you a change of clothes."
"What's wrong with the dress I'm wearing now?"
"Well, you've worn it for five days."
Jenn looked down at herself. Her dress was looking wrinkled and a little worse for wear, but she had tried to keep it clean.
"I wash it each night," she protested.
"Yes, and I appreciate that. But your dress shows your legs, and that isn't the style on Anquera."
"The aliens are particular about the type of clothes I wear," said Jenn acidly.
"Exactly. I'm glad you understand," said Kai firmly. "You'll be meeting members of the court and it is important to conduct yourself properly."
"I'm not proper enough for you?"
Kai sucked in a breath. "You are the second Earth representative to appear before the Anquesh court. You will be the first woman. It is best for your world and mine that you make a good first appearance."
"I thought I was special before, but I feel considerably less special knowing that I'm the second. Who was the first?"
"Commodore Bretland."
"He's alive? Everyone on Earth thought you executed him." This was the first good news Jenn had heard for a long time, and it gave her hope.
"Of course he's alive, along with his battle group. They are enjoying Anquesh hospitality."
"Just like me, right?"
"Gods," said Kai, his eyes flashing. "Do civil words ever come out of your mouth?"
"Occasionally. But I might be finding it hard to be civil at this moment."
Kai moved on her quickly, clasped her shoulders, and looked down. His dark eyes bored into hers. "You will always be
in danger on Anquera. You will be in less danger if members of the court can see you as a real person instead of the primitive creature in their imaginations. Most Anquesh think of everyone on Earth as a hated enemy. It is important for you to understand this. We are talking about hatred, not honor. If we honor our enemies, we will welcome them to our tables when we defeat them. If we don't..."
The Anquesh warrior stared at Jenn so intently that she felt like shriveling away from his gaze. But Kai's words lit a spark inside her. Savage? Hated?
She wouldn't give him the pleasure of seeing her back down.
"At least my people aren't kidnappers," she snapped.
"No," he said coldly. "They are murderers. Is that better?"
"Murderers!"
"Do you remember what happened at Calan Tourab?"
"Now you're talking nonsense."
"Calan Tourab is the gas giant where we first encountered the people of Earth. We were only a small trade convoy, but when we made first contact, your military destroyed them all. Those people weren't warriors, Jenn. You slaughtered them all and earned the wrath of every Anquesh citizen in the process."
Jenn looked away. Was Kai telling the truth? Did humans fire the first shot across the bow of the Anquesh war machine?
"I had nothing to do with that," she stammered.
"Do you think that matters? On Anquera, you're a representative for everyone on Earth!"
There it was again, an all-consuming responsibility for her people that threatened to consume her whenever she was in Kai's company. The worst thing was that she could tell he thought awful things about her. To the Anquesh commander, she was a slut as well as a murderer. She knew this alien warrior did not find her desirable. She lowered her head.
"I can see now why I'm not a suitable wife for you," Jenn said sadly. "But I'm not a savage, despite what your people think. Give me the dress and I'll show you."
When Jenn exited the Ruvien, more people were watching than when she entered. She walked down a gangplank between two rows of huge Anquesh honor guards. The path lead to a small group of elegantly-dressed people standing on a raised platform a few hundred yards from the ship. A crowd of people cheered when Jenn and Kai came into view, and they didn't stop cheering until the pair reached the platform.
With one hand on Jenn's shoulder and another on her elbow, Kai gently urged her up the stairs that were a few inches too tall for Jenn. The height made her feel clumsy as she made her ascent, but Kai supported her, so she didn't have to look graceless. A hot breeze made the overhanging flaps of the tent flutter. Everyone on the platform had a solemn expression on their faces.
At the top of the platform, Kai moved to her side and bowed to two people in the middle of the group. From their clothes and elaborate headdresses, it appeared that they were the Emperor and his princess. The Emperor was an imposing figure and the princess at his side looked delicate and elegant. Jenn had to stop her mouth from dropping open at the aliens' majestic aura. Everyone was two heads taller than her, and she felt like a child again.
Kai silently squeezed her elbow and Jenn remembered his rushed instructions. She bowed at her waist.
"Your highnesses, I present to you Jennifer Carden, from Earth, their candidate for marriage. She is my sindare."
Jenn thought she could hear the intake of breath from some people on the dais, but it was very faint. Perhaps it was the wind.
The air hung thick with anticipation as the Emperor inspected Jenn. His eyes traveled up and down her long gown.
"Rise, Kai Imwaden, and Jennifer Carden from Earth." The Emperor said nothing else, but the woman at his side moved forward and held out her hands. Jenn took them and the woman warmly smiled.
"Welcome you to Anquera. My son has told me about you. I look forward to spending time with you and learning more your planet."
Jenn couldn't help but smile back. The woman seemed warm and genuine, and Jenn thought she might be a friend.
"I am honored. Kai didn't tell me his mother was gorgeous."
The woman chuckled, and the Emperor cracked a small smile. "That is the way of sons, isn't it? He has not failed to tell me how beautiful you are. It's good that he didn't try. Words would not adequately describe your appearance."
Jenn felt dizzy from the compliment. She wondered if his mother was making a show for the sake of the audience. She didn't believe that Kai told his mother she was beautiful.
Jenn didn't have much longer to feel good about herself. In the space of one breath, a roar sounded. A section of the tarmac rumbled as it split and sprayed into the air. People in the crowd began to scream, scattering themselves and finding cover. Guards rushed up the platform and pulled people off the dais, starting with the royal couple. Jenn didn't have time to think about what to do.
Kai swept Jenn into his arms and looked frantically for a way off the platform. People jammed the stairs. He lifted her up in his arms and jumped down. Landing with a roll on the tarmac, Jenn was trapped by his arms and pressed against his body as they made several turns. Kai stood in a swift motion, hauling Jenn to her feet, but he wasn't fast enough. Another roar rose above the clatter and screams. The ground shook as the sound of an explosion filled her ears.
The last thing Jenn remembered was falling forward.
Chapter Fourteen
Jenn heard Kai shouting. "I don't care! Leave the Anquesh translator on as long as she's here."
"Your proposal is irregular," said another voice.
"She is my sindare. Jenn must have the ability to understand the language."
"What is going on?" She groaned, fluttering her eyes open.
"Lie still, Jenn," said Kai. "You have a nasty injury on your head. Our doctors aren't sure how to treat you since they don't know human physiology."
"Aren't you keeping a bunch of our ships hostage? Bretland has doctors, doesn't he?"
"Even while injured, she can give you a good suggestion. Yes, sindare," Kai said, his voice softer than usual. "That is an excellent idea. Someone call Bretland's battlegroup and speak to one of their doctors."
"Do you mean me?" The man sounded horrified.
"If you don't, I'll have someone else replacing you within the next ten heartbeats."
"Yes, my lord. But what about your injuries?"
"I'll manage."
Jenn turned her head to look at Kai again. This time, she noticed streaks of blood staining his handsome white uniform and silver breastplate.
"Are you hurt?" she asked.
"A little bit, but not like you. Apparently my head is harder than yours."
He deadpanned his last line, but she smiled despite his alien attempt at humor. Jenn coughed as a flash of pain shot through her head and ribs.
"You have to get some rest."
"I'm sure I'll be okay. What happened?"
"Someone started dropping bombs on us. We don't know who is responsible yet. Security is trying to learn more. The devices were crude."
He spoke without emotion. Did Kai really have no reaction to the violence they had just experienced? When she thought about how close they came to death, Jenn started trembling again.
The doctor returned. "I have the chief medical officer from Earth's flagship on a secure communications channel."
"Good," said Kai. "If you have difficulty understanding the translation, feel free to ask me. I am becoming proficient in English."
The doctor's face came on the screen at the foot of Jenn's bed. The Earth doctor asked Jenn some questions about her pain and how she felt. Upon request, the Anquesh medical staff provided images of Jenn's internal organs, passing a scanner over her body. The results displayed on one side of the Earth doctor's screen. The doctor stared at the images for a moment.
"You got lucky. It looks like you only have soft tissue damage. Jenn, you'll be sore, but your bones aren't broken. You appear to have a mild concussion. Someone will have to watch over you and wake you every two hours."
"We'll take care of it," said Kai.
"I'd feel better if I could examine her in person, of course."
"I'm sorry. That will not be possible."
"Call me if you have any questions. You know where I am," said the doctor, shrugging his shoulders. Jenn understood what was happening. They were trying to get her onto an Earth ship, but the ruse didn't work. Maybe Earth was planning a rescue operation for her. She hoped somebody was. Knowing humans were hated enemies made her worry even more about being in Anquesh hands.
"Doctor," said Jenn. "Are you and your men okay?"
"We're protecting them," said Kai. "I will permit no further questions on this topic, and I will verify their safety myself."
"Jenn, can you get information on Commodore Bretland? We haven't seen him since he left with the commander."
"He is enjoying the hospitality of the Anquesh Empire, and that is all you need to know," said Kai. He made a motion in the air with his hand, and the communication ended.
Kai turned to Jenn. "I understand your concern for the other humans. Please do not interfere with a military operation. I will return later. See to her needs," said Kai brusquely to the doctor. He turned and strode away, leaving Jenn with the medic.
Jenn lay her aching head back onto the pillow as she listened to Kai's fading footsteps.
"Where's he going?" she asked.
"I assume he intends to see the princess. You weren't the only one injured."
Kai expected the guards at his mother's door to greet him. He did not expect them to prevent him from entering.
"I'd like to see my mother now," said Kai roughly. Typically he would have come here first, but today a force inside him wouldn't let him leave his sindare while she might be injured. After the consultation with the human doctor, Kai believed Jenn would recover. Now he wanted to find out about his mother.
After the bombs had gone off, Kai saw his mother loaded into a medical transport. The bloodied Emperor had climbed into the transport with her over the protests of his staff. Jenn was already unconscious, and Kai couldn't leave her. He had picked her up and walked through the chaotic scene, shouting orders to shell-shocked soldiers, sending them to different tasks. A medical unit had stopped Kai. When a doctor had insisted Jenn move to a medical facility, Kai left with her.