When the diminutive, blue-skinned chef waddled from the kitchen carrying something that resembled a pepperoni pizza, I nearly laughed out loud. Only Pearl’s hissed breathstopped me, though I didn’t dare meet her or Emmy’s gaze while the chef laid out generous servings on each plate, preening over the entrée like he served Kobe beef smothered in white truffles.
Despite not being haute cuisine, the pizza proved utterly delicious.
“I would like to express my sincerest gratitude to everyone for your support during this time,” Duke Ako said after polishing off his fourth slice of pizza. His pale blue eyes cut to me, and he inclined his head in a gesture of respect, “And for keeping me alive. I knew from Helene that human women were extraordinary creatures, but you have only solidified my opinion.”
“What will you do now?” The words were out of my mouth before I could stop them. The only thing in my head was the moment I thought Charick lost to me forever and how the Duke must have felt sending his mate away.
“What do you mean?” He smiled, but his eyes narrowed.
“Now that Ambassador Yaard's crimes are revealed, couldn’t you go to Earth and reunite with Helene?”
Not a single emotion played across the Duke’s visage save for the faint widening of his eyes.
“I think you will agree, Duke Ako, that human females are the most romantic creatures,” Charick said, draping his arm across the back of my chair.
“As was I… once,” Duke Ako sighed sadly. He pondered the remnants of pizza crust on his plate for a moment before lifting his gaze and finding the Alliance Prime, issuing a sad smile. “As you know, Helene had been through the Garoot Healer upon her abduction, and the Alliance forbids any human that has gone through the Healer from returning to Earth.”
“Wisely so,” the Prime added, although lines of regret creased the corners of her eyes. “Despite regenerated youth, the Healer adds a hundred years or more to the human lifespan.We do not feel that humans with such augments would fare well returned to the planet.”
Seated in the chair to her left, Sahikas tapped furiously on something resembling an iPad.
“You’re right,” Emmy agreed. “I can only imagine what governments or drug companies would do if they got their hands on someone with regenerated youth who lived to be a couple hundred years old.”
The idea made me shiver. Having spent my life in the military, I knew what those in power were capable of.
“Thankfully, my dear friend knew how much it meant to me to see Helene safe.” Duke Ako gave the Prime a smile, and I swear it looked like she blushed. “Yaard would never suspect the Alliance allowed Helene to return to Earth.”
“It was the only place where he could not reach her.” The Prime agreed with a slow nod of her head.
“How did you send her back with all her... differences?” Emmy asked, a curious scowl furrowing her brow.
“There were concessions,” Duke Ako sighed sadly, wistfulness shimmering in his blue eyes. “Helene had to go through a memory wipe with a hypnotic implant that urges her to relocate her surroundings every twenty years, so no one will notice she doesn’t age like a regular human. Even if I could find her, she would not know me.”
“I’m so sorry.” My heart broke from him.
Broad shoulders shrugged under the purple robe. “As long as she is safe, happy, and out of Yaard’s reach, I am content.”
I didn’t believe it for a minute. The aching quality of his expression said Ako was far from alright with the loss of his mate.
“And Yaard never guessed you’d sent her back to Earth?” Pearl nursed a pale green fizzy drink in her hands.
“It did not appear so.” The Prime acknowledged with a tilt of her head. “Even if he had, Earth remained the safest place for her?”
“How so?” I pressed, taking a sip of wine.
“Even though the Earth wasn’t in protectorate status, the planet is considered technically undeveloped and therefore deemed prohibited from contact by Alliance member planets. Besides….” The grin the Prime gave was positively Machiavellian. “Just because Earth wasn’t under our formal protection didn’t mean we didn’t enact safeguards. TheBardagais evidence of that.”
“Thank you, Lady Prime,” Khaion gave a respectful nod.
“All that will change now.” Her smile broadened, making her look positively gleeful. “In the aftermath of Nansar and Ambassador Yaard’s treachery, the Alliance Council has voted unanimously to adopt Earth as a protectorate.”
“What does that mean?” Emmy leaned forward in her seat. “While some on Earth would be thrilled to have the existence of other species proven, most people would be terrified.”
“No.” The Prime made a sound that might have been a chuckle. “I do not mean to offend, but Earth is light years from the point in evolution where it is ready to learn about life among the stars. Becoming an Alliance protectorate simply means that the Earth comes more firmly under our protection and laws, which will make it a crime to abduct, enslave or harm humans, punishable by death.”
“That’s all well and good for humans that are still on Earth.” Pearl took a sip of her drink. “But what about the people like us who’ve already been abducted and weren’t lucky enough to run into the Vaktaire?” She gave her mate a dazzling smile, which he returned in kind.
“I am hoping you will be able to help with that.” Lady Prime’s deep golden eyes touched on each of us.
