by Mara Jaye
You’re more than an asset, Xell sends to me.
Just go with it, he’s on a roll, I send back, and she just barely stifles a snicker.
“As I was saying, your actions are unacceptable, yet, I have to take into account this Sixth Worlder’s fate. Ms. Perches, I know you have our current technology and assume you’ve done the research. Do you have a preference in your sentencing?”
Xell looks at me for an instant before clearing her throat. “Yes, your excellency. My choice is to accompany Enforcer MaKrell wherever he goes no matter where you send him.”
Eldan steeples his fingers. “I see. Even if it’s in the depths of Fleeg as a miner?”
My fists clench. Eldan knows my past better than anyone. We had long talks about the colony while we were exiled on Earth. Xell steps forward. “I’m aware of the colony and its hardships. Even so, if G’nar is sent there, it’s my new home, too.”
The Empress touches Eldan’s arm and he leans over to her. She’s speaking to him from behind her hand. I don’t smile, even if I want to. Pax hasn’t had bionans long enough to remember innercoms sometimes. The Emperor stands, his voice in command mode. “Clearly, I’ve created a problem among my ranks by being so forgiving in breaking the Lesser World Order. My own actions have hindered this sacred trust to keep young races intact. I can’t continue to turn a blind eye to these transgressions. I will need to think about my policies on bonding with Earthers and how best to deter Ghar-Earth alliances. For now, there is a colony on Pon where the Vahdmosi have been using Earthers as slaves. My decision is to send Enforcer G’nar there to set up a rehabilitation program for the victims. His bondmate will be an excellent partner to him. They will be provided everything they need to be successful. My decision is final.”
Chapter Seventeen
Xell
I’m not sure why the Emperor turns me goofy, but he does. Besides the looks, he has this air of command and who doesn’t love a ruler? His Empress is beyond beautiful. They make an amazing couple. If Earth ever knew about Ghar, tabloids would be all Eldax or Paxel. Or maybe not, since those sound like medicine names.
At any rate, I’m still a little in shock that we’re not in the Ghar equivalent of a dungeon. Instead, I’m following along with G’nar as the guards lead us somewhere. I know where I am logically but the sights and sounds around me are mesmerizing. The bionans are pulling up history on the palace as we walk. Entertaining and interesting but distracting, too. I turn them to mute while looking at the walls. Marble, I’d think, but where ours have black veins, theirs has gold. Just enough to look rich without crossing into gaudy.
That went as good as could be expected.
G’nar’s voice in my head makes me smile. We’re not being tortured at least.
True.
Two of the men in front of us open double doors. G’nar leads the way, stopping short enough that I run into him. The Empress is there and comes up to him. “G’nar, it is such a pleasure to see you again. How are you, really?”
He gives her a hug. One that lasts a little too long, but no one’s paying any attention to what I think. I don’t say anything to either of them when the cuddles stop and they talk about the whole nano disaster. Since I was there, I don’t listen as much as look around at what must be the Empress’s quarters. The bed being so prominent sorta irritates me. What if I hadn’t been with G’nar? I’m not the jealous type, but she’s really pretty and he seems to have a thing for us Earthers. I smooth back my two toned hair, wishing I’d had access to something more than a dry shower.
“She’s beautiful,” the Empress says, capturing my attention. Neither of them are looking at me, though.
“Will they be here anytime soon? I’d like to see them and the baby before we’re exiled to somewhere deadly.”
I inch closer to G’nar. I’d meant it earlier. I’d go anywhere, do anything, if it meant we stayed together. I didn’t understand the bonding at first but with the bionans, I can’t imagine living without him.
The Empress laughs. “Don’t worry. If Eldan had wanted to exile you, he’d have insisted you stay on Emol. I think he has better plans in mind for you. And, for your lovely bondmate.” She turns to me with a smile. “Sorry, but I had to clear up a few pleasantries with G’nar.” Pax takes my hands. “How are you? It’s such a pleasure to meet you and tell me all about where you’re from.”
“Oh, it’s a lot.”
“And you’re tired. I completely understand. There are fresh clothes, something less formal on their way to you.” She lets go of me. “I’m making Eldan leave you two alone until tomorrow. In the meantime, you are our guests here. Send for anything you need the instant you need it.” Pax gave a nod. “Come on in and help Ms. Perches.”
I turn and a young Gharian woman walks in with a stack of fabric. The Emperor follows her into the room quietly. “Hello again.” The server girl turns and squeaks, rushing to a dresser to drop off the clothes before scurrying away. I don’t blame her. He’s imposing close up, a little taller than G’nar.
My mate approaches his, and now our ruler, and shakes his hand. “With all due respect, you’re sending me to be a Helper when my training has led me to be an Enforcer. Don’t you think that’s a waste of an asset, too?”
The Emperor’s eyes narrow. “You think I’m not aware of your qualities. I need someone to lead the colony into being productive and lawful. I can’t think of anyone else who I’d like to be an example for a group of Fifth and Sixth World citizens. While I can’t outright reward you for your actions, I can give you the chance of a lifetime to create something beneficial from a crime. I fully expect you to come back to Ghar as one of my top Leaders in a few sas.”
G’nar puts his right fist over his heart and nods. “You honor me.”
Eldan tilts his head with a grin. “I do, but you deserve it.”
“Thank you, your excellency.”
“You saved my family’s life.” He glances at me. “I would ask you both to a private dinner tonight. Pax has been dying to spend time chatting about her homeworld.”
His wife steps forward. “No, let them rest from their ordeal. We have the best bathrooms here. Marble tubs with geothermally heated waters.” She bit her lip. “You know, Eldan, let’s have the dinner in a week’s time, and make Lin and Turkh bring the baby.”
“I need them at Bolan,” Eldan counters.
She gives him a pleading look I would have cratered in on as she offers, “Four days?”
“Very well. Four days. Tell Lin.”
“Yay! I have so much to do.” She comes over and gives me a hug. “Rest for now. We’ll talk later.” I nod as she goes for G’nar and another hug. Eldan doesn’t reach for me and I’m almost glad. I’d hate to embarrass myself by giggling if he hugged me, too.
Not until they’re gone and the doors are closed do I realize I’ve been holding my breath. “Whew. That could have been so much worse.”
“You’re not disappointed over leaving Ghar so soon?”
“I am, a little, but the chance to help? I like the idea of doing good deeds for other Vahdmoshi victims.”
“So do I.” He pulls me into his arms and I rest my head against his chest. “I’m glad we’ll be here long enough for you to meet Lin and her mate. Turkh’s one of my best friends and Lin is the first Earther I ever saw in real life. I think you’ll like them both.”
“I’m sure I will. I hope they like me, too.”
G’nar pulls away far enough to look into my eyes. “Xell, you are the most wonderful woman I’ve ever met. Anyone who’s ever been in contact with you will love you.”
I think of all the people I’ve met and while I care for them, he’s the only one who is my true mate. “Just as long as you love me, that’s all I really need.”
Taking me in his arms, G’nar holds me close. “Loving you forever is the easiest promise I’ll ever make.”
Author’s Note
Hello and thank you so much for reading G’nar’s and Xell’s st
ory! I more than love forcing my heroes to eat their words. Poor G’nar, too. All of that “You need to leave Earthers alone” stuff he gave Turkh and Eldan. What happens the first time he finds a trapped Earther? Yeah, the heroes are always such pushovers for doing the right thing, even if it’s wrong.
Eldan came off as a bit of a hardass in this, didn’t he? I think we can all agree, there IS a trend of Vahdmoshis stealing Earthers, the Gharians swooping in and rescuing the victims, and then what? You can’t take an Earther back home or it all goes to hell in a handbasket. When you think about what we fight over now and throw in advanced races? No contact is the best until we grow up a little. I think we’re pretty awesome, but yeah, we’re a young race. At any rate, Eldan is trying to stop the flood of Earthers he senses are coming. We’ll see if he’s successful or not.
I want to give a huge thank you for taking a chance on my book. I don’t know if my love for my characters shows through but it’s true. It’s so much fun inventing people and situations for your amusement and I hope I succeeded.
Love,
Mara
Please come see me at www.facebook.com/authormarajaye. Hang out at my new website, www.marajaye.com or email me at [email protected] .
Reading List
Lin’s Challenge
Pax’s Emperor
Xell’s Entrapment (this one!)
(There are more planned, but they’re top secret for now.)