by Maia Starr
“We are brothers,” Lazan said simply.
I pursed my lips. I had a feeling I knew what that meant, but some brothers got along a little better than others. Still, I chose not to bring that point up to Lazan and moved on to my next question. I knew that he was probably going to be sick of me by the end of our journey together. I was always full of questions, and getting into trouble because of my inquisitive nature.
“Tell me about your home planet,” I said. “The planet Hexa is so strange and beautiful. But it is the only other planet I have ever been to. Tell me about Yala. Maybe one day when I find my way back to Earth, I will be able to picture it.”
Lazan looked at me sharply, his brow arched, and immediately I realized my mistake. I had implied that I was not going to go back with them to Yala. That maybe, somehow, I would be able to escape the claim that Kerglan had made on me and find my way back to the place where I really belonged.
“One day you will surely see the planet I am about to speak of,” Lazan said carefully. I expected him to be angry at me for doubting his brother’s possession over me, but for some reason, he seemed oddly gleeful. “But I suppose it would not hurt anything for me to tell you more about it before you get there. I have read that humans often have a hard time with adapting to changes. Your evolution is so slow that it can be difficult to come to terms with such things.”
“You guys really don’t seem to think humans are very high up there on the evolutionary timeline.”
“Well, look at yourselves,” Lazan said bluntly. “There are bacteria in the urcha that evolve more quickly than humans do.”
He was frozen by my glare and then quickly smiled.
“That does not mean that there is anything wrong with you. It just means that you and your planet move at a much slower pace than others in the universe. Try not to take everything so personally, human. It will take you far.”
“Maybe I wouldn’t if my stupid little human brain wasn’t so simplistic and unevolved,” I muttered bitterly.
Lazan’s laughter cut through my irritation almost instantly. Why was this alien so damn charming? And why couldn’t his brother be more like that? I was doomed to be claimed by that one, after all. If the worst-case scenario happened, why was it that I was going to be stuck with the egotistical hard ass rather than the easy-going intellectual? Then again, this was coming from the person who had managed to get abducted along with her research group and dumped on a planet full of vicious monsters. Why question it at this point? It was just my luck.
“With an attitude like that, you will not get very far, human. Everybody has ups and downs, but what stays consistent are our goals. We can evolve our behaviors. Every day is an opportunity to evolve toward an even greater self. If more humans saw each day as an opportunity to change instead of dreading it, I think all of you would be much better off.”
I glowered at the ground. Evolve. There was that word again. As if I was just some stone-aged Neanderthal who would never be able to comprehend the greater concepts of the universe. Did he know how insulting that was?
And yet he said it in such an optimistic way that it was hard to stay upset about it. Still, I was a scientist, for crying out loud. I wasn’t there because I was some kind of alien space criminal. I was there because I was one of the most elite minds on Earth and had happened to be at the wrong place at the wrong time.
“Lucky for us, it doesn’t matter what I think,” I said. “And if it did, then I doubt you and your brother would be squabbling over nothing the way you do.”
“It is not nothing,” Lazan said, turning to me with his eyes flashing. “You are not supposed to be coming back to Yala with us. His claim on you is rash and unwarranted.”
I sighed. “You think so too, huh?”
He looked at me, his multi-colored eyes wide with surprise. “You mean you do not want to be Kerglan’s mate?”
I snorted, choking back a harsh laugh, and Lazan’s eyes narrowed. He was clearly not used to being around humans.
“It’s kind of complicated,” I said quietly. “Humans, like you said…we’re pretty slow about everything. I don’t want to just jump into things with somebody I hardly know. When he explained to me what the claim meant? That was really intimidating. But he isn’t the type to take no for an answer.”
Lazan frowned, his handsome face pensive. “He did not force himself upon you, did he?”
I laughed quietly. “No…not exactly.”
The truth was that I had been fully expecting him to. And although he was remarkably handsome–both of them were–I had been surprised when what he did instead was to sit down on the ground with me and explain exactly what his intentions with me were. I hadn’t been able to get a word in edgewise, and although we kissed again, and this time I felt a small fire awaken inside of me–it had been far too long since I had felt a man’s touch, so it wasn’t very surprising–the truth was that I was not interested in being dragged to a planet I had never even heard of to spend the rest of my life living with a man who wouldn’t even let me speak my mind to him. It seemed wrong.
“Well, what happened? I was sure that the two of you had consummated the claim!”
“He said he wouldn’t make it official until we were on Yala. He wanted everything to be perfect.”
A pang of guilt caused me to look away from Lazan, whose face was contorted in an expression that was hard for me to read. Finally, he sighed loudly.
“My brother sure knows how to make a mess of things.”
“Don’t we all,” I said, shaking my head.
“I understand that you are unhappy. And I wish that there was something I could do to help you. If you do not wish to be claimed, it should be that you do not have to live by that claim. Unfortunately, many of the ancient rules that govern my planet are primitive and dogmatic. They do not leave a lot of room for personal freedom or self-expression at times. This can be very confining and difficult for most beings. But it is a rigid structure that provides the planet with dedicated warriors and an established economy. I know I was teasing you about the way humans evolve, but all races in the universe have their own shortcomings.”
It was nice to hear him say so, and Lazan offered me a comforting smile.
“We can discuss this issue more later,” he said, turning away from me. “For now, let us seek shelter. Night will fall soon. Without Kerglan here, that means it is going to be much less safe. He was right about that much.”
I nodded. I knew it was true, and yet somehow, with Lazan by my side, I felt safer now than I had when the both of them were with me. Maybe because of Kerglan’s claim, or maybe it was something else entirely.
Whatever it was, I didn’t have the time to analyze. Lazan was right. Night would fall soon, and the last thing either of us needed was another fight.
***
“The sky is the most beautiful thing about Yala,” Lazan said suddenly.
We had built a small shelter; it was cozy and intimate, and the two of us were lying close to each other on twin leaves from a humungous plant we had passed on the way down. They made great sleeping mats, but they were a one-time use type of thing.
“The sky?” I asked. I had forgotten that I had ever brought up his home planet, and he spoke with such nostalgia that I almost felt as if I were doing something wrong by sneaking up on his memories.
“Yes,” Lazan said. “People who visit rave about the sky. We Raithers really hate to build shelters that make it feel like we are closed in. When we are outside, looking up at the sky, it is as if the entire universe is ours for the taking.”
I was quiet for a moment, considering how differently Kerglan might have said those words. With Lazan, it sounded romantic, as if he was admiring the beauty and potential in the stars. Were his brother to say the same thing, there would have been no doubt in anybody’s mind that his intention was domination. It was such a drastic difference.
“Is that what you miss the most?”
Lazan was quiet for a momen
t as he considered the question.
“In truth, my planet, although beautiful, holds little mystery for me at this point. I wish to explore new worlds and have adventures unlike anything I would be able to experience on Yala.”
“Really? So you don’t miss it at all?”
Lazan turned to me, his handsome face kind as he gazed at me. “I miss it, but not in the ways you probably miss Earth.”
I felt a surge of pain tighten my chest, and I looked away. I missed Earth terribly. It was my home. I had always been the kind of person who took comfort in what I knew for sure. Security was always my top priority. I probably wouldn’t even have qualified as one of the top researchers for my government if I hadn’t been working so hard to create a life for myself that would provide me with a sense of security, knowing that I would be able to provide for myself for the rest of my life without needing to rely on anybody or anything else.
“What’s the matter, human? Are you all right?”
Lazan was suddenly beside me, sitting up and looking into my eyes. Did he have any idea how unbelievably gorgeous he was? Were all Raithers this attractive? Why did I feel embarrassed even just to look at him sometimes?
“I guess you’re right, is all,” I said, trying not to let my eyes linger on Lazan too long. “I miss Earth more than you could possibly imagine. I’m sure Yala is beautiful and all, and I have enjoyed the time that we have spent here on Hexa, but there is nothing I want more than to be able to go back home where I belong.”
Lazan nodded somberly. “My brother is going to make that very difficult for you. There are laws about such things.”
I chuckled wryly. “For such an evolved species, you sure do have a lot of rules to follow.”
Lazan fixed a broad, boyish grin on me and my breath caught in my throat. He was almost too much for me. Something about the way he looked at me always seemed to make me melt. It was ridiculous, really. Maybe there was something on this planet, in the air perhaps, that was messing with my hormones. That wasn’t unheard of.
As annoying as it was to have it pointed out by aliens, the human species was relatively impressionable. There were many ways that we were sensitive to the elements that other species weren’t. Hopefully that was all this was. I couldn’t imagine just how complicated it would make things if I really were beginning to develop feelings for this Raither. The thought of it was absurd.
“So you are going to be all right then,” he said, situating himself back on his own large leaf.
“I guess we’re going to find out,” I said, sighing quietly.
“Yes,” Lazan said firmly. “You are going to be all right. I will see to it.”
I had to turn away to hide the smile that was spreading across my face. As annoying as it was, I definitely liked this Raither. I just hoped that these feelings wouldn’t turn out to be my undoing. I belonged to his brother now, according to the laws of their people, and that meant that if Kerglan ever found out, things were going to get messy.
***
“I knew that you would be back!” Kerglan exclaimed, strutting arrogantly toward us with his chin jutted high in the air. He gripped me by the arm and tugged me to his side, and a combination of excitement and disdain consumed me.
Yes, I was fairly certain now that there was something in the atmosphere that was causing my hormones to act out of balance. As attractive as these men were, it made no sense to me that I might be such a slave to my carnal impulses toward them. There was something else at play here, and my scientific mind began to spin in an effort to uncover what that might be.
“We aren’t back for long,” Lazan said. “I found the trail.”
The arrogant smile was wiped from Kerglan’s face, and he frowned deeply at us.
“What do you mean? There was never a trail.”
Lazan glanced at me, and I swallowed hard, trying to keep my thoughts on the task at hand. This was my cue to explain to Kerglan why it was that we had to follow Lazan. That, or they would never be able to get off of Hexa. And even if I didn’t want to go to Yala for good, my best chance at survival was to leave the prison planet with them and hope that at some point, I might be able to make it back to Earth.
“The fruits on this planet are characterized by type and grow in groups in certain terrain,” I began, turning to Kerglan and trying to keep my voice as kind and unthreatening as possible. “The soil and atmospheric conditions have to be just right for certain types of fruit to grow, and in each orchard, there are different varieties, all of which are able to thrive considering those specific conditions. We were able to locate an orchard that provided the same fruits available to you in the area where your crew is located.”
Lazan stepped forward and opened his sack, dumping out the fruits that proved what I was saying, at least in part, to be true. Kerglan took this information in silently, though I could tell that on the inside, he was seething.
“I recommend that we continue in this direction, at least for a little while. Maybe if we do, there is a chance that we will find your crew sooner rather than later. What do you say?”
Kerglan looked from me to the fruit, and then to Lazan.
“I see. I suppose we can try looking in this direction for a little while then. If that is what my mate wishes to do.”
My stomach churned at the phrasing, and I smiled at Kerglan, hoping that he would not be able to notice my displeasure.
Fortunately, he remained oblivious and marched forward, ignoring the fruits that Lazan had dumped on the ground. He expected us to follow, as if the entire thing had been all his idea. I exchanged a look with Lazan, whose multi-colored eyes were sparkling.
I felt immediately better, and, after stooping to gather the fruit, we followed Kerglan into the forest.
Chapter 5
Lazan Kylad (Technical Support)
It was miraculous, and a little bit comical, how good the human was at attempting to get my obstinate brother to see reason. In a way, I hoped that her feelings for him might develop to be something true; he had never had anybody in his life who cared for him or was able to see his point of view and personality clearly. There had always been obstacles.
And yet, there was an even deeper part of me who was repulsed by this thought. The human deserved so much better than an ego-twisted man who simply wanted to possess her, not to know her. I had already learned that the human was an incredibly interesting person. She had thoughts and ideas unlike anything I had ever dreamed of.
If she remained stuck with my brother for the rest of her life, there was no telling what might happen to those inspirations of hers. They would probably shrivel away into nothing, leaving her an empty husk of her former self on a planet where she didn’t belong. The future for Mila was bleak.
We had been walking for two days after the incident. None of us seemed likely to bring up the fact again, and Kerglan had been excessively annoying when it came to matters of importance. It was as if he needed to reassert himself as the leader in the group, and although I had always loved my brother as one is meant to love family, I was growing tired of his ways.
“You have been bringing an inadequate source of food on your treks,” he said one afternoon. “For lunch, I am going to go out myself and show you what it is done. The fruits that I am going to bring back are the kinds that we should be filling our bellies with to fuel us onward. You must pay attention; do you understand?
I pursed my lips, anxious for another fight, but I could feel the human’s patient gaze upon me. She and I had agreed already that it would do nobody any good to antagonize my brother. He was set in his ways, and no matter what the truth of the situation happened to be, it was better for us all if he believed he was right in all matters. For the sake of peace.
“All right, Kerglan. I did not realize that the fruits I have chosen were not nourishing enough.”
Kerglan nodded, enjoying the recognition of his superior opinion. “It is all well, brother. I will help you to fix that. Come now, and let us feast up
on my return.”
I offered him a tolerant smile, and Kerglan marched out of the camp’s range, leaving the human and I alone.
We were silent for a few moments, neither of us quite sure what to say now that we were awarded this rare opportunity for privacy. Usually, the space was filled with Kerglan’s voice going on and on about himself and the ways that he was better than I was. It was a wonder that he did not tire himself out on these tirades. But Kerglan was Kerglan’s favorite subject, and I supposed he must believe the same to be true for everybody else too.
Finally, the human inhaled softly, and my eyes darted upon her, heat filling my body. She had a way about her that caused me to feel remarkably out of control. I had always prided myself on my ability to maintain my self-contained nature. When it came to my father and my brother, they were hot-headed and ready to go off at a moment’s notice. I took after my mother, who had an even-tempered nature and a cool intelligence. It was likely she had been overwhelmed by my father’s temper and his self-importance and had found love in an unexpected place. And yet that had somehow caused her to be imprisoned on a planet that was probably much like this one.
“I think the food you bring is really good,” she said. She was sitting on a tree trunk, her light brown hair cascading to her knees as she rested her chin in her hands, resembling to me, at the moment, a sulky child. “Kerglan is really hard on you.”
“He is hard on everybody,” I said. “But especially me. I am his brother. He knows that he can get away with it.”
Mila sat up and stretched, then shook her head in disapproval. “He cannot get away with it. Not if you don’t let him.”
A fierce anger surged through me. Was this human trying to tell me how to assert myself with my brother? Did she think that I was weak to tolerate his command the way that I had, even after talking to her about how pointless it was to go up against him? How foolish was this female?