| |
“THIS IS WHERE I’M EXPECTED to stay during my visit?” Princess Una of Pheilit stopped dead center in the communal area and refused to take another step. Her personal secretary Aiko, who had her head down and was typing furiously on her tablet, ran into Una’s back with an oof.
Una flailed her arms, wobbling on shoes too high and narrow. She reached to steady herself on Aiko, but came up with empty air. Aiko had bent to retrieve her tablet from the floor where she’d dropped it. Before Una could fall flat on her face, Elkah, one of her guards, grabbed Una’s arm and righted her.
“Ancients! You’re too strong to hold me like that. You’ll leave marks on my skin!” Una tried to pull away. “Let go of me before you break my bo—”
Before Una could get the last word out of her mouth, Elkah released her, leaving Una teetering on unsteady feet again.
“Oh! Wait.” Una reached to steady herself on Elkah again.
Elkah took a healthy step away. The Oncun didn’t like uninvited touches. Elkah had explained this during their first meeting.
“Whoa! Whoa!” Una said as she wobbled from side to side.
The only reason Atlanta Georgia Moore wasn’t laughing—loudly—at the comical scene was because the sensitive skin on the inside of her cheek was mashed between her teeth. It was a habit she’d gotten into years prior. It was meant to provide a little pain as a reminder to keep her facial expressions neutral. That didn’t stop her from chuckling on the inside though.
Una was a spoiled brat. Atlanta had learned that two days prior when they’d first met, and the assumption had been confirmed every waking minute since.
This suite was exquisite, yet the princess had somehow found fault in it. Yes, Una’s family palace was bigger than the bu Kumkani palace, but if Una wasn’t such an impudent child, she would admit this suite rivaled her personal one on Pheilit. It was jaw droppingly beautiful.
Once Una was steady, she crossed her thin arms and huffed out a breath. “The first thing I’ll do when I become his queen is upgrade all the furnishings, including this uneven carpet.”
It’s not the carpet, Princess. It’s the shoes.
The Ngonyama attendant who’d met them in the docking bay sputtered. Her red skin flushed a shade darker. Her whiskers twitched and her tail swished violently behind her.
Atlanta was surprised the attendant had been able to keep her anger in check for as long as she had. From the moment Una stepped foot off her transporter, it seemed she’d been trying to prove she was better than everyone else, and deserved to be given preferential treatment.
Una had told the attendant within minutes of meeting her, “My mother has the credits and connections to buy this dry rock of yours. Be lucky that I only came here to rule a small section of it.”
Atlanta had learned rather quickly that Una spoke without grasping the consequences of her words. Una had been invited to Ipakethe as a possible mate for Kgosi Melisizwe bu Kumkani, the ruler of the bu Kumkani Kingdom. Since she was one of nine invited, Atlanta would’ve guessed Una would be on her best behavior in order to secure the pairing her mother sought.
Instead, Una had complained about everything from the temperature in the docking bay to the décor and lack of staff roaming the halls, all while looking down on their attendant and any other Ngonyama they passed as they were led to their suite.
The attendant, still bristling with anger, swung her gaze from Una to Atlanta, then to Elkah, waiting for one of them to reprimand Una for her behavior. Both Atlanta’s and her partner’s mouths remained shut. Keeping Una’s temper in check wasn’t their responsibility. Atlanta and Elkah were hired as personal security only. Any coddling needed was done by Aiko, who, at seeing the look from the attendant, sprang into action.
“Princess, I was assured we would be given the finest guest suite available.” Aiko, cradling her tablet in her arms like a precious babe, turned toward the attendant. “Was there a problem with my request?”
The attendant’s lips thinned, revealing her pointy teeth.
Atlanta wanted to laugh again. Neither Aiko nor Una seemed phased by the show of aggression. Una knew her mother would level Ipakethe if anything happened to her fifth daughter. Unless the Ngonyama wanted a multi-planet incident, she would calm down. And if she didn’t...that’s where Elkah and Atlanta would step in.
“The guest suites approved by my Kgosi, my King, are exactly the same.”
It didn’t escape Atlanta’s notice which words the attendant put emphasis on. Atlanta guessed it was to remind Una who the attendant took her orders from.
“He did not want to give the impression that one guest had higher standing than the others,” the attendant continued.
Una was considered pretty on her homeworld. Her eyes were deep set and wide. The outside tips angled upward toward her hairline and the inside corners angled down to meet the bridge of her nose. Her eyes were large and expressive. The sclera shone like diamonds and the irises were soft blue, which complemented the pink hue of her skin. But when she got angry, Una’s eyes narrowed into slits and her skin turned purple. Just like now.
Atlanta had only seen Una’s transformation once. After arriving on Pheilit for their assignment, Una’s mother, Queen Anaiel, the only ruler on Pheilit, had introduced Atlanta and Elkah as Una’s personal security for the journey to Ipakethe. Una’s good looks had turned monstrous, as she’d proceeded to wreak havoc on her mother’s throne room. Anything breakable had been smashed across the floor.
Her mother, seemingly used to Una’s antics, hadn’t batted an eye. She’d explained that leaving for Ipakethe without personal security wasn’t an option. When Una then refused to go, her mother calmly reminded her that if she didn’t match with the Kgosi, the bonding contract to a faraway dignitary would be signed posthaste.
“What you’re telling me is that this...” Una’s voice trailed off as she swept her arm out and turned in a tight circle. “Is the best your King has put forth for his future mate?”
Atlanta took a step toward the attendant and sized her up. She was taller and skinnier than Atlanta and had pronounced muscles under the pantsuit she wore. She would be a formidable opponent but it was doubtful it would come to a fight. Atlanta wouldn’t hurt the attendant if she decided to launch herself and strangle Una, but she would restrain her. To be honest, Una had a good strangling coming to her.
“I’m sure the future mate of my Kgosi, whoever that may be, would appreciate his decision and wouldn’t work to undermine his authority or his directives to his staff,” the attendant said through gritted teeth.
If Una was smart, she would back down. The attendant might inform her Kgosi of Una’s behavior. While she’d introduced herself as an attendant, she could very well be related to the Kgosi or have his ear. From what Atlanta had read about the Ngonyamas during the long journey, their kingdoms were made up of close-knit communities.
Una stabbed a finger toward the attendant. “Now you listen here—”
No. Una wasn’t smart at all.
At this rate, Atlanta and Elkah would be back home, job completed, before the day was over. While Atlanta wasn’t on Ipakethe for a pleasure visit, she had wanted to sample the luxuries the palace had to offer. Usually her and Elkah’s jobs were middle-tiered. This was their first high-profile assignment and the first job that came with perks they would also get to enjoy.
For starters, they’d been given free upgrades to their universal translators. Una’s mom had paid for it without hesitation once Elkah had informed her it was needed. Their previous translators weren’t base model, but they didn’t have the Ngonyama language pre-programed. Without the upgrade, they wouldn’t have been able to understand the Ngonyama.
Not all translators came pre-programed with every language, especially those only spoken on select planets. The Ngonyama language wasn’t spoken anywhere else but Ipakethe.
She was happy for the free translator upgrade, but what Atlanta really hoped to experience was the communal bath. While each suite had a private sonic shower, the bu Kumkani palace also had a bathing chamber that staff and guests were given access to. Atlanta had gotten giddy just reading about it. She planned to make use of it during her very first break. She’d never immersed her body in water before.
She also wanted to make use of the food processor. They would actually get to eat food Atlanta had only heard of and could never afford on her salary. It was stocked with all the ingredients to make every dish available in the pre-programmable features. Even Elkah had been excited when she’d learned their suite would not only have one, but all guests could use it.
The status of her clients had never concerned her before, as long as they were able to meet Aunt Varlah’s price for their services. But now, seeing all the luxury displayed around her, Atlanta wanted to experience what she could. If only for a little while. When the job was completed and she returned home, it would be to a one room apartment, without running water or indoor plumbing.
Aiko moved swiftly in front of the princess, angling her slight frame to block part of Una’s body. Normally, the move was one of protection. While the attendant was growing irritated by the minute, Atlanta didn’t sense a threat. Neither had Elkah, because she hadn’t changed her position by Una’s side.
“You are correct. We wouldn’t dare to undermine the Kgosi’s directives,” Aiko said in a soft tone. “If you say everyone has the same accommodations that the Kgosi himself has approved, then we are most satisfied.”
“But—”
Aiko placed a hand gently on Una’s arm. “Princess, this might be a better discussion for private, no?”
Una opened her mouth then, after a hesitation, snapped it shut. “Very well,” she forced out through tight lips.
Atlanta had to give it to Aiko, she was quite the idiot whisperer. In the short time Atlanta had been in the princess’s presence she hadn’t seen many people who could handle Una as Aiko had just done.
Satisfied with Una’s reaction, Aiko turned back to the attendant. “I’ve received the itinerary and downloaded it to my tablet. Are there any changes I should be made aware of?”
The tone Aiko used and the subject change seemed to work, because the attendant relaxed her shoulders. The deep breaths that had made her three sets of breasts heave up and down calmed. “We remain on schedule. Any changes will be sent via comlink and can be downloaded remotely to your tablet. Your luggage will arrive soon. If you have any further questions or need assistance, please call me. I’ve programed my contact information into the main communication console by the door. It also connects to a private system available in each room.”
Their comlinks were the other upgrade they’d received from this job. Thanks to Queen Anaiel, the bulky wristbands that Atlanta and Elkah used to have were now replaced with thinner, sleeker, and newer models. Before she’d only had two icon screens, now she had five, with updated holo-graphics and four slots.
They weren’t given the gadgets that could go into the slots, but when she saved enough credits she was buying a tablet. Outside of the slot, the tablet would be as big as both of her hands put together but, at a touch of a button, it would fold down to the size of a small disk, known as a file, that was then stored in one of the comlink slots.
Aiko gave the attendant a deep nod. “Thank you for your assistance. We will settle in and await your return to escort Princess Una to dinner.”
At Una’s name a flash of anger crossed the attendant’s face again. Her features were sharp and her thin lips pursed into a tight line. Her eyes, fierce and glowing, narrowed on the princess.
Una, who Atlanta was sure was not used to having someone challenge her overtly, twitched her nose.
“Rest well.” The attendant turned, and then left, her long legs quickly carrying her away.
After the sliding door clicked closed, Una turned her irritation on Aiko. “Am I allowed to speak now?”
“Princess, you are free to speak your mind, however, your mother did ask me to attend to you this trip instead of your personal secretary. She entrusted on me the responsibility of helping you navigate this meet and greet successfully. Remember, your mother approves of this possible match and she only has your best interest at heart.”
Una humphed, turning her head slightly. “I don’t need your help or hers. I know how to navigate royalty. I’ve been doing it my entire life.”
“No one is questioning your ability. We want you to succeed and well, sometimes you can be...”
A pain. Difficult. Stupid. Pompous. Conceited. Overbearing, Grandiose. Pretentious. Vain. Arrogant. Patronizing. Pontifical.
Una thrummed her manicured fingers across her arms, waiting for Aiko to finish. Atlanta bit the inside of her mouth again. She badly wanted to complete Aiko’s sentence. There were so many possibilities.
A chime sounded and relief flashed over Aiko’s face. “That must be our luggage!” She rushed toward the door and opened it. “Yes, yes, please come inside,” she said to the staff, who had the mountain of luggage on a hover-dolly. Aiko stepped aside, giving the staff ample room to steer the machine through the door. “I’ll show you which luggage should go into each room.”
The suite was comprised of a master bedroom and two additional rooms. Una and Aiko had their own rooms and Atlanta and Elkah would share, which was fine by them. They would alternate security duty, leaving one person to occupy the room at a time anyway.
As Aiko led the staff down the hallway and to the room assigned to Atlanta and Elkah, Elkah turned toward Una. “Atlanta and I will perform a security sweep of the suite while you rest.”
Aiko led the staff farther down the hall and out of sight. There hadn’t been much to drop off at Elkah and Atlanta’s room. They had one small bag each, enough for three changes of clothing. Their attire consisted of black microfiber bodysuits, impenetrable to most blast guns and sharp weaponry.
Aiko had two bags. As Princess Una’s secretary, she would be expected to attend some of the events planned and had to dress accordingly. The other ten large bags belonged to Una. They’d planned for a short visit, but the princess had packed enough for months.
Una flicked a hand in the air. “How can I rest with all this noise going on?” Besides the whisper of sound from the luggage being stacked in Una’s bedroom, the suite was quiet. “Whatever, go ahead. You’re dismissed.”
Elkah’s eyes stayed focused on Una. Elkah had been working on making eye-contact with clients. The problem was it usually made them uncomfortable, especially when her face was flat and she didn’t blink.
Una grimaced. “You’re so weird sometimes.”
Even though other species found them off-putting, Atlanta envied how easy it was for Elkah to make her face a perfect mask, devoid of emotion. It was a skill that eluded Atlanta even though she’d spent countless hours in the mirror practicing.
“It’s a human flaw. Your emotions are displayed on your face for all to see,” her Aunt Varlah had told her many times.
“We can’t be ‘dismissed.’ As explained to you previously,” Elkah said calmly. “One of us will remain on duty at all times and, when the situation warrants, we will both be on duty. The only person who can dismiss us is your mother, Queen Anaiel.”
“One call from me and you will both be gone like that.” Una leaned forward and snapped two of her fingers for emphasis.
“That may be true, but, as of right now, we are tasked with ensuring no harm befalls you, intentionally or by accident. Your mother spent many credits in providing you the best security team available. We plan to do our job. Thoroughly.”
“Best security team?” Una’s gaze slid to Atlanta.
Atlanta found herself standing a little taller and lifting her chin.
Although she had the Oncun tribal rite of passage jewels on her face and lining the sides of her head, the same as Elkah, their similarities ended there.
Atlanta’s thick hair was pulled into a bun while Elkah wore her dark-brown, stringy hair short and close to her head. Elkah was shaped squarely and Atlanta had curves. Atlanta’s complexion was much darker than Elkah’s greenish skin.
Their facial features were the same; two eyes, one nose, a mouth and a pair of ears, but Atlanta’s were more pronounced, rather than flat, like the Oncuns.
While it was easy to guess Atlanta wasn’t an Oncun, most species didn’t know what she was. Many incorrectly labeled her as a Sket. Which was fine by Atlanta.
The Skets were formidable and fierce. Everything humans were not. But Atlanta wasn’t so lucky to think that Una thought she was a Sket. Her mother had deduced Atlanta was human from the very first meeting.
“Humph. I doubt that,” Una said.
Atlanta was well aware how other species viewed humans. She also knew she’d proven those views wrong over and over again. If she wasn’t qualified for the job, Aunt Varlah wouldn’t have given her this assignment, no matter how close the relationship between them was. The security firm was Aunt Varlah’s pride, her livelihood. She wouldn’t do anything to jeopardize her name or the reputation of the company. Not for Atlanta and not for her only daughter either.
“Princess, tread lightly,” Elkah warned in a low voice. Atlanta and Elkah had grown up together. After Atlanta’s mom died giving birth to her brother, Aunt Varlah had taken her in. Although Oncuns weren’t an overly emotional species, when Elkah did show anger, it was to take up for Atlanta. It was something Elkah had been doing since they were young. “We’re here to protect you. Hurling insults at us isn’t advisable.”
Atlanta stiffened, preparing herself for the remarks that would surely still come her way. The same insults Una had said during her fit of rage in her mother’s throne room.
Why are you entrusting my protection to a human when everyone knows how weak they are?
Even I’m stronger than the human.
Will the human understand my commands if I speak slower?
Atlanta had heard those insults and worse before. She’d grown up fighting those who’d targeted her not because she’d done something to offend, but because of what she was. It had made her angry then and it made her angry now.
Her skin burned hot with rage, a low hum filled her ears and her vision became tunneled, Atlanta knew biting the inside of her cheek wouldn’t work. If she wanted to control her anger, she had to go her happy place in her head.
She thought of a playground. From there it was easy to imagine the metal of the stairs. She then imagined children rushing up those stairs, only to slide down a flat shiny surface to waiting woodchips below. She also imagined a row of swings and each one filled with a child.
She’d never seen any of this, but she held onto her mother’s memories. The cheek biting was a nice trick, but could only do so much. Getting lost in thinking about playgrounds was what kept her anger in check. Her mother had told her it was the happiest place on Earth. Atlanta could practically hear the children’s laughter in her ears.
Una turned from Atlanta and studied Elkah. A retort seemed to be on her tongue but, after a few seconds of letting her gaze run up and down Elkah’s body, Una seemed to rethink her challenge.
Elkah was quadruple the size of Una. Although she wasn’t taller than the princess, Elkah’s size was in her girth. Like all Oncuns, Elkah was short and squat, with square shoulders that matched her hips. The Oncuns were naturally muscular, they didn’t have to work on their physique. Often to display their power they entered and won a great deal of strength contests.
Many other species gave them a wide berth. Not because of their temperament—they rarely displayed anger, as it wasn’t their way—but because they weren’t to be trifled with and their tolerance for pain was very high.
“Well, I’ll take your advice and nap and leave you both to secure the suite.” Una finally said. She turned on her heels with a wobble and, after a quick glance over her shoulder, continued to her room, using the wall to steady herself.
“You’re getting better at masking your emotions. There was a moment when I thought you would punch her if she said something offensive to you, but you controlled your anger.”
“Your mother would never give me another assignment if I slammed a client’s face into the wall and broke every bone in it.”
Elkah turned to watch the empty hallway. “I would vouch for you if you had done it. She’s a terrible individual.”
“The fact that she was invited here as a possible mate doesn’t lead me to believe Kgosi Melisizwe is a much better person.”
“Maybe he’s terrible too and they deserve each other?”
“We probably won’t have to interact with him at all. I’m glad about that. I can only deal with one spoiled royal at a time.”
“We do as we’ve been trained. Our client is our first priority.”
Atlanta let out a breath. “I know.”
Elkah turned back to Atlanta. “You’ll be fine. Blend into the background. We’re not to be seen or heard. If we do our jobs correctly, everyone here will quickly forget our presence.”
The Oncuns stood out. The tribal markings on their face and scalp assured that. But their blank faces and ability to stand for hours without a grunt here or sigh there made them easily forgettable. Atlanta, on the other hand, still had some work to do in that area.
“You can do this, Lanta. Blend.”
“No one will notice I’m in the room.”