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Planet Etteria
Issneen, the Royal City
The war council had met, Brenin was tasked to manage the submarines, Enyl and Ori were returning to Earth, and Xeus had just escorted two Durns to the Etterian data archives. As much as this all solidified Etteria’s survival in the upcoming war, none of it mattered. With Illan here, that could mean only one thing... Macera was near.
Xeus’s breath hitched. He paused mid-stride to press his hand against a stone pillar, trying to ease the dizziness spinning his vision. He shouldn’t be this excited. No internal reprimand diverted him from this path. He had to find her. His knees trembled and forced him to lean against the pillar lest he fell. His body’s reaction was madness.
“Xeus?” Cales strode toward him.
Xeus barely managed to smother a groan. He cherished his battle-bond, but sometimes a little quiet time would be appreciated. “Have the Ladies Macera and...” What was the other human’s name?
“Cyndi. Lady Macera has been allocated chambers. Lady Cyndi is with Iddan.”
“With?” Xeus straightened then hopped, testing out his knees.
“Durn version of paired.”
“Now that is intriguing.” Xeus gazed at the night sky, attempting to not appear too eager. “And Lady Macera?”
“En route to Issneen. Sub-Commander Oyaz has requested two warriors to guard her.”
Xeus scowled. He had to slip past more males to reach her? “Why would she need protection in Issneen?”
“From herself, according to Oyaz.”
Xeus pinched the bridge of his nose. “In what way is she a danger?”
“I questioned him myself, Xeus. He fears she will become lonely, as she did on the Phoenix.”
Xeus rubbed his chest where his heart twinged. His Macera suffered? He grunted. And with his schedule, he couldn’t ease that loneliness. Excitement drained from him. She wasn’t planetside yet. Nor could he demand regular updates on her location or activities without rousing suspicion. He would find her, though.
“Restrict her access...until she is comfortable in our world.” He need only be patient. “In a few days, bring them to court to be formally introduced. The sooner our people meet the human females, the better for all.” He almost thumped his chest in victory. She couldn’t miss him then.
“Wise, Xeus.”
He scowled at Cales, not feeling wise at all. A cool breeze chilled him. He stilled. Feeling? And he was. To feel is to fail, and Macera invoked a riotous explosion of emotions he couldn’t begin to sift through. He was playing with his soul, the void... Ice drenched his neck, shooting down his spine. He tested the center of his core, poking the darkness that lived there. The void hadn’t grown and wasn’t pressing in on him. Alodon’s balls, he was losing his mind.
“What are the results from the mental health assessment?” He waited, expecting the worst.
“All good.”
Xeus fixed his gaze on Cales, trying to assess if the male lied. Yes, it was dishonorable to do so, but with how his emotions swung from fury to joy, and the void wasn’t encroaching, insanity seemed the most plausible. “Truth?”
Cales frowned. “Why would I lie?” He scanned his O.D.I. again. “The results were favorable. You are in peak condition.”
He grunted and resumed striding down the passage toward his chambers.
Cales trailed him. “Why would you expect the worst? Are you unwell?”
“I am well, just...” He glanced at the sky again. Beaches, sunshine, with a cold beverage sounded irresistible. Vacation, Macera had called it.
“Tired.” Cales gripped Xeus’s shoulder. “I shall clear your schedule. Take the time to rest, my battle-bond.”
“Thank you, Cales. As always.” Xeus stared after him, then headed to the proving grounds. Rest? Not with his thoughts in turmoil and centered around Macera.
~*~
Planet Etteria
Issneen, the Royal City
Terra Firma, at last.
Macy grumbled at missing the view of the Royal City as they approached via the shuttle. Oyaz had strapped her in as if she was precious cargo. That he treated her so was sweet and frustrating. She leaned forward to catch glimpses of Etteria on the display vid and sighed at the pink skies and white fluffy clouds. A strong warrior race had a pink planet? She stifled a giggle—a mixture of nerves and excitement.
Thehutle tilted, granting her snatches of red oceans with pale gray beaches. The unusual coloring stunned her. Then bright white buildings appeared on the display vid. They were cube-like with no curves or organic shapes. Made sense in a military culture. Blues, splashes of pinks, greens, and whites of the colorful flora interspersed the buildings. She assumed those were flowers.
As soon as the shuttle touched down, Oyaz unstrapped and pulled her to her feet.
“What’s the rush?” she asked.
“My new command is to protect Earth. I leave as soon as I have ensured your safety.”
What? He was leaving her? “My safety? Can’t Rior do that?”
“Rior cannot, he is a medic and must return to the Phoenix,” Oyaz said in a matter-of-fact tone.
“You’re both abandoning me?” She drew in a shuddering breath. It was no consolation that she could comm them and the Lysarans. She needed someone to speak to face to face, dammit.
“Yes. Two warriors will protect you. I escort you to them now.” Oyaz gazed at her upturned face as he led her down the lowered ramp. Protect, escort, but not companionship, not guidance? Besides, she was on a warrior planet, what did she need protection for?
“I’m in danger?” She glanced up then gasped at the full sight of Etteria laid before her. The glimpses had assuaged her curiosity, but the scenery, in its entirety, was breathtaking. Not that Oyaz let her admire the vista. The ingrate.
“You are a human female wanted by Etterian males and Yithians. You need protection. It is not negotiable, Macy,” Oyaz said.
While he led her to the waiting hovering craft, many males paused in their tasks to watch her. Spinning on the spot in amazement, she ran her hands over her wide hips, cursing her genetics. Fire burned through her under Oyaz’s arched brow, catching her stroking her body. A ferocious scowl settled on his lips. He glared at his males.
“She is not the enemy to observe so,” he growled.
She raised her face to the unfamiliar sky and prayed a hole would open, swallowing her.
“My apologies, Macy. They hope for a Dar Eth,” Oyaz said, ushering her past them. A few studied her still, while others averted their gazes.
“Me?” Hope flared, bright and blinding. “What must happen for me to be someone’s Dar Eth? A blood sample?” She held out her arm as if to say, ‘take it, take it now.’
“The annals state a full-body visual,” Rior said, leading Cyndi behind them. “From head to toe with nothing to distract.”
Macy smothered a groan. This again. How was she supposed to get every damn male to see her? Her gaze caught on Cyndi’s ethereal beauty. Why couldn’t I be as gorgeous as her with her pale blonde hair and blue eyes? Not with my cow-shit brown hair, eyes, and skin—dull, dull, dull. Then to top it off, I’m short and overweight. I’ve tried to compensate by being cheerful and energetic since beauty is skin-deep. She snorted. But I have to catch a man’s attention first.
“So, an image of me will do it?” She arched a brow at Rior. “How soon will I know I have an Eth?”
“If you trigger the Ethera, your male will come for you. By Etterian law, you are united,” Oyaz said, urging her forward, almost dragging her with him.
She frowned at his eagerness to get rid of her. Still, she dug in her heels. United? She gaped. “Are you saying I could have a husband by dinner time?” She broke into a dance, only to be urged once again toward the hovering craft. Hi, I’d like to place an order. One Eth to go, please. Sure, I’ll take delivery. The idea of being married by sunset delighted her. To not be alone, to no longer feel disgusted with her company, and to share her boredom with someone? Heaven.
“You want a male?” Oyaz frowned, leaning in to whisper. He darted his gaze around, throwing warning growls at approaching males.
“Oh, yes, very much so.” Using the hand he held out to her for leverage, she climbed into the craft. A blast of air, sweeping up from under it, whipped her hair out. “Can we take a picture and send it via everyone’s O.D.I.?” She fisted her hair out of her face and pinned it to her chest. Her gaze snagged on her bulging cleavage, heat renewing its barrage on her cheeks even as tears blurred her vision. All their males would study her features and flaws. The number would be way more than the twenty or so who stared at her now or the forty club regulars who had listened to her on stage. At least she wouldn’t see them turn away in disgust.
“Such widespread communication is only utilized during war. I can, however, request permission from King Xeus,” Oyaz said.
She chewed on her lip, wanting this done. Then she’d know there wasn’t happiness for her on this planet. “It would just be for me, right? I don’t want Iddan to lose Cyndi.”
“No, the Ethera does not work on those who have romantic love in their hearts,” Rior said, seating himself beside her with Cyndi opposite him.
“How is that possible?” Macy gasped, amazed at this Ethera’s ability to pick up on attraction when the parties involved might not know themselves.
“We do not know. The Durn engineered the Ethera at our request, but we lost that knowledge with the destruction of their planet.” Rior’s gaze traveled her face, but he said no more. She almost hit him. Talking to him was like pulling water from a stone.
“Why am I not your Dar Eth, Rior?” She pursed her lips, running her gaze over a virile male in the prime of his life. To be his would be wonderful. To be Zoo’s would be better.
“I cannot explain this, Macy. I feel warmth and protectiveness toward you, and you are beautiful, yet that is all I feel.”
She dipped her chin to her chest to hide the heat staining her cheeks. He’d called her beautiful. It was kind of him to say so, even if it wasn’t true. “And if I was your Dar Eth?”
“If you called forth the Ethera within me? I would be the most blessed male on Etteria.” Rior thumped his chest, whatever that meant.
“You are the sweetest male, Rior. I hope you find your Dar Eth soon.”
“And you, your Eth,” Rior said, patting her hand.
“If your king says yes? To my image?” She nudged Oyaz, who had, at last, stopped typing on his O.D.I.
“Only the Maker grants a pairing, ensa.” Oyaz had chosen the seat beside her, within easy reach of her elbow.
The craft followed Xan and Quin’s, and even though they arrived at the same landing pad, Macy and Cyndi were led away from the royal court. Quin entered through large doors and disappeared. Rior led Cyndi away while Oyaz kept a firm hand on Macy’s elbow. He stopped outside a door two males guarded.
“This is Warrior Azan and Warrior Nuos, I place in your care a treasure infinitely dear,” he said, his tone a little too formal for her liking.
She imagined Oyaz handing over a bundled baby saying, ‘this is the prophecy child.’ Her new guards held their fists to their chests. Ah, as if they were saying ‘on their honor?’
Oyaz took the time to grasp their forearms in some sort of warrior-to-warrior greeting before facing her. “I am a message away, my friend. Please, let me know how you are doing and often. And thank you again for my incredible gift.”
She bit her lip to hold back the tears then flung her arms around his waist. “Godspeed, Oyaz.”
He pressed his chin to the crown of her head and held her for a minute. When he hurried away, he didn’t glance back.
She squared her shoulders and caught her new security detail studying her. “You were with Quin on Lysara, Nuos?”
“Yes, milady,” he said.
“All right, let’s start with that. Macera is fine. Macy’s also good. Milady or lady is out. O.U.T.” She stared them down.
Azan blinked but said nothing. Nuos showed a glimmer of humor. He would be the first to break in. She couldn’t go around with two stiff ironing boards as company.
When they hesitated, she muttered about stubborn males. “What do you call Quin?”
“Milady,” Nuos said, a smile spreading across his gorgeous lips. Two dimples appeared, and she sighed at the sight of them.
If she were an artist, she’d carry a sketchbook in which to capture their beauty. Etterian males were gorgeous. She shuddered to think what their females looked like. As it was, Macy felt like a sack of potatoes next to Quin and Cyndi. Next to an Etterian female, she’d feel like a sack of rotten potatoes. She snorted at her unkind thoughts.
Back to the discussion at hand. “And Quin let you?” Macy wondered how that argument had played out.
“There were other issues needing attention,” Nuos said.
Right. The shuttle crash and dealing with the Lysarans. “You must tell me about that adventure, Nuos. I spent most of my time on Lysara dodging beautiful males.”
“A male cannot be beautiful,” Nuos said, his body stiffening.
“A shit lot you know.” She gestured to the console. “Is this thing set to me?” Before they could reply, she slammed her palm down, taking her frustration out on the inanimate device. The door slid into the wall. She stilled. Her new prison was like an expensive penthouse apartment—pristine white walls, floors, ceilings, colorful comfys, and huge windows. “Is this mine?” she asked. Am I to live here all alone? It’s empty, cold, and uninviting...like my life.
“Yes, milady.”
She shot Azan a glare for the ‘milady’ and entered. They waited at the threshold, not stepping through the door to follow her. She frowned, feeling more like a prisoner with them hovering at the door. “Come in. What’s the matter with you two?”
“We cannot enter without your permission.” Nuos inched through the door, only to assume a guard position next to it.
“Nuos, relax. I’m inside my prison, what could happen here?”
His brow furrowed, the poor dear. “You are not confined, mil—”
“A gilded cage is still a cage.” She gazed out the windows.
When she glanced at him again, he’d relaxed his military stance, now a soldier at ease. She familiarized herself with her new home, admiring the light spilling through the windows onto the bright white floor, the massive bed in the enclosed bedroom, and the larger-than-usual replicator with an extended counter surface.
“Nuos, Azan, I’m curious. What if I wanted something too big for this replicator? Like a comfy or a table?”
“We have replicators for those purposes. Inform me of your requirements, and I will see it done.”
“So, I can order potted plants, couches, paintings, curtains?” Their eyelids fluttered, and she almost giggled at the look of it. That had been mean of her. “And who pays for it?”
“Pays?” Azan mouthed the word. “As in tokens, milady?”
“Yes, cash, gold, whatever currency you use.”
“Etteria pays for the needs of all Etterians,” Nuos said.
“Whoa, don’t tell humans that.” She held up her hands, palms out. “We go crazy when it’s for free. Nothing on Earth is free.”
“Truth?” Azan arched a brow.
“Yes, truth.” She huffed. As if she had a reason to lie. “And if they say it’s free, don’t believe it. Do you want anything from the rehydrator?” She may be on another planet, but her gran had raised her. Manners maketh a woman, she’d say.
“Oh, yes, please. Chocolate.” Nuos’s eagerness was palpable.
“Dark, with nuts, fruit, or plain?”
He blinked at her, so she took pity on him. She ordered plain for him and one for Azan too. Nuos accepted the offered bar while Azan tentatively took it. He watched Nuos rip off the silver wrapper to take a massive bite.
“Addicted, I see,” she teased.
Nuos offered a huge grin, then gestured to Azan that they needed to leave.
“Oyaz insisted I collect you at 0430 for your training,” Nuos said, calling forth a deep groan from her.
Her shoulders slumped. So thoughtful of him. She’d send Oyaz a snotty message, just so he wouldn’t miss out on her complaints. She grumbled about misplaced loyalty, then dismissed her new bodyguards’ concern with a wave of her hand. She planned on complaining to Oyaz every morning and super early too, the bastard.
After Azan and Nuos left with instructions to call them should she leave her chambers, she messaged Cyndi. Cyndi, what happened? Where are you?
Cyndi commed Macy instead. The display vid mounted to the white wall flickered.
“Hey, Macy. They’ve issued me quarters...chambers. I’m ordering clothes and hanging them in the closet. What you up to?”
“Nothing much.” Macy glanced at her bedroom. Maybe she should do the same? “Any reason you can’t order clothes as and when needed?”
Cyndi grinned. “Because we’re meeting the king tomorrow.”
Macy froze. “What?” she rasped.
“Oh, didn’t you know? We’re to be introduced to King Xeus and his court. Quin’s sort of done it with the war council.”
“Tomorrow?” Macy squeaked. No, no, no, she didn’t want to. Why would anyone want to meet her? Couldn’t they just... She shrugged,...pretend she didn’t exist?
“Find something pretty to wear. First impressions count, y’know.” Cyndi glanced up as if someone had walked in. Her cheeks flushed a delicate pink. “I’ve got to go. Let me know if you need help picking out something.”
Macy blinked at the black screen. A thousand ants scratched just under her skin. She clamped a hand over her mouth to smother a scream. Meet another king? Sy-mar hadn’t been that bad, but this was Etteria’s king, the male she had to obey. Pacing ramped her anxiety, and pressing her cheek to the cool window didn’t help.
Desperate for something to calm her, she tapped the replicator and ordered knitting needles. She expected a familiar beep. Nothing, just the items she ordered materializing. Huh. Scrolling through the variety of colored wool, she paused and activated the O.D.I.
Zoo? What’s your favorite color? She might as well systematically knit a scarf for every male she knew.
His reply was in an instant. Blue, ensa. And yours?
I like blue too, or purple, maybe orange. She scanned the colors available. Dark or light blue?
The blue of my eyes.
Her breath hitched when she remembered the intensity of his gaze. What could she say? Part of her wanted to gush over his handsome features, another advised caution. Dark blue it is.
With needles in hand, balls of Merino-silk wool, and a new beach bag, she sank into a comfy. Click-click, knit one, purl one created an intriguing beat. She swung her foot and sang along. “...leave you all alone? Mhmm. I’m on fire.”
Two hours later, she set the scarf-in-progress aside and approached the vid to call Myn-ras.
His familiar face appeared, a bright smile curling his sensual lips. “Greetings, Sali. Have you arrived?”
“Yup, Myn-ras, been here half a day, and it hasn’t been...good. Oyaz has abandoned me.” She smothered a sob as her loneliness crashed down around her. He’d left her on the doorstep as if she were an unwanted pet. The sting behind her eyes didn’t match the intense pain crushing her chest. “I’m inside my new home and feel....” She tossed a glance around her sterile apartment. Trapped. The walls shrank in on her, the air oppressive, squeezing her lungs until she wanted to run away.
“If I was there, would that help?”
She peered at him. “It’s sweet of you to offer, Myn-ras, but you need to find your human.” And not chase after me...
“I intend to, Sali, after King Sy-mar’s diplomatic visit to Etteria.”
Sy-mar on Etteria? She didn’t know how she felt about that. Just as long as he didn’t ask her again to make Lysara her home. The way her emotions swung, she might throw caution to the wind and accept.
“You’re coming with him?” She’d love to see Myn-ras, but she couldn’t monopolize his time. At his nod, she clapped and bounced on her heels. “When?”
“We will arrive at Issneen this day.” His gaze darted to the side as if he didn’t want anyone to overhear him. “King Sy-mar speaks fondly of you.”
“What?” she gasped, stepping back from the vid. “Is he hoping I’ll change my mind?” Well, she had said Etteria first...after she met King Xeus.
“But of course.” Myn-ras pressed a hand to the screen as if he wanted to touch her. She liked the comforting gesture. “It will be good to be in your company again, Sali.”
She dismissed his compliment, used to his wiles by now. “I should charge you for each one of my laughs.”
“I would pay you whatever you demand.”
“Sweet talker,” she said, despite the heat staining her cheeks. “Comm me when you arrive. I’ll have my guards escort me to you.”
With a final smile and wave, she ended the comm. What she should’ve done was panic and choose an outfit that would flatter her figure as Cyndi had suggested. Instead, she sank into the crimson-colored comfy, wiggled her ass when it adjusted to her shape, then messaged Zoo.
I’m here. In Issneen. She stilled to relish the shiver of excitement coursing through her. Zoo had said they’d meet when she arrived. She glanced at the replicator. Maybe a beautiful outfit would be wise. But she wasn’t up to playing dress-up. She winced and typed another message to Zoo. Already, it hasn’t been great. Hope your day is going better than mine.
She waited a nerve-wracking five minutes, each passing second grating across her senses. But when he didn’t respond, it hit her hard. Even Zoo had abandoned her. Dashing aside an escaped tear, she squared her shoulders and sought the comfort of fresh air and two suns shining in a pink sky.
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