Midori's pulse quickened as the ship drew ever closer to Zyranth. The ship had just flown through its third and final wormhole. Each time, she experienced the strange sensation of being stretched while simultaneously falling. It was a strange phenomenon she didn't much enjoy and made the food she'd eaten earlier sink like a stone in her belly.
She'd slept soundly in Cael's quadruple arms, so profoundly happy to give herself completely to him. He made her feel safe. Loved. Wanted. So many things she hadn't felt for so long. But after they awoke, she felt nervous energy radiating off Cael. He tried to hide it, but she knew he was worried about what lay ahead.
There was little they could do but wait. Baelor's quarters were lavishly appointed, and both Midori and Cael took advantage of the amenities available. They bathed, dressed, and ate. There were even entertainment devices, but the closer they came to Zyranth, the harder it was to distract themselves from the danger ahead. They both knew Cael's uncle, Bres, wanted Cael out of the way. It was imperative they get to the Council of Elders without Bres knowing they were there.
A room alert rang, and the door swished open. Baelor entered, leaving two hulking guards standing in the hall. He waited for the door to close behind him before he spoke.
"My liaison will meet us at the docking bay and will escort us directly to the Council of Elders. The Council doesn't know you're coming. Bres has spread tales amongst them of your desertion, saying you've left Zyranth after stealing a fortune from the treasury. If we'd told them you were coming, they'd have you imprisoned first and asked questions later. That would give your uncle more than enough time to see you taken care of, my prince."
"Who is this liaison?" Cael asked.
Baelor shook his head with a grim smile. "You wouldn't believe me if I told you. And for your safety and theirs, I won't until you're safely in front of the Council."
"All right then."
"We'll be there momentarily. Let's head to the gangway, so we're ready to move once we land."
Cael looked over to Midori and took her hand, squeezing it in one of his. She nodded, forcibly ignoring the butterflies in her stomach. Baelor led them out of the room and they followed him, flanked by the two guards to the belly of the ship.
The interior of the Zyranthian ship was sleek and round with gleaming metallic surfaces in shades of deep green and burnished gold. The walls curved gracefully overhead in sweeping arches etched with ornate symbols which seemed to glow faintly from within. To Midori's eyes, everything looked almost organic, like the innards of some vast living creature. She'd been much too distracted to observe her surroundings when they were first escorted on the ship, but now she marveled at the beauty and technology as they made their way forward.
Midori's stomach twisted with nerves as they approached the exit. She squeezed Cael's hand tighter, her palms growing slickwith perspiration. Cael's unease was palpable. The taut lines of his jaw and the tense set of his shoulders betrayed the turmoil simmering beneath his outward calm. His silver eyes narrowed as he looked through the windows, no doubt strategizing their next moves.
As the ship lowered through the planet's atmosphere, Midori caught glimpses of the land through a foggy crimson haze. Towering spires of blackened metal loomed in the distance, silhouetted against a blood-colored sky.
The ship docked, the door opened, and Baelor stopped just short of the exit, one hand raised for them to halt. He turned to face Cael and Midori, his expression grave.
"Once we exit, do not speak unless spoken to. Let me handle the introductions. And Cael . . .” He hesitated, seeming to weigh his next words carefully. ”Brace yourself. You may encounter some surprising allies on our way to the Council."
Midori's heart stuttered in her chest as Baelor turned on his heel and strode through the exit without another word. She exchanged a loaded glance with Cael before they followed, the guards falling in behind them. Though his expression was guarded, she could see the intensity burning in his silver eyes. This was it—the moment they had been preparing for.
As they disembarked, Midori's breath caught in her throat at the sight before them. Russet skies swirled with hues of amber and crimson. Gracefully arcing buildings seemed to glow from within, their crystalline spires reaching toward two small moons, one pale blue, the other a deep orange. And in front of them, the palace rose like a sparkling emerald jewel.
Midori's eyes widened as a lone figure approached from the palace entrance. At first she assumed it was a servant or aide coming to greet them, but as the woman drew near, her regal bearing and exquisite beauty became unmistakable.
Cael tensed beside her, his grip on her hand tightening almost painfully. Midori glanced at him in confusion, but his gaze was locked on the approaching female, his expression a mask of disbelief and apprehension. The woman was Zyranthian, with azure skin and shimmering black hair that tumbled past her shoulders in elegant waves. Her features were flawless, from her high cheekbones to the lush curve of her full lips. She moved with effortless grace, each step regal and poised in a shimmering gown of iridescent blue which clung to her lithe form like a second skin.
As she neared, Midori saw the woman's silver eyes flick dismissively over her before fixing on Cael with an intense, hungry look that made her stomach twist. There was a possessiveness there which made Midori's skin prickle with unease.
Who is this bitch?
"Cara . . .” Cael's deep rumble was strained, his tone somewhere between shock and wariness.
The Zyranthian woman's full lips curved into a smile which didn't reach her eyes as she came to a halt before them.
"My prince," she purred, dipping into an elegant curtsy, though her gaze never left Cael's face. "I knew you would return to me eventually." She raised and put two hands on her hips and crossed her two upper arms over her chest.
Cael's eyes darted between the woman and Baelor.
The guard opened his mouth to speak when another figure emerged from the palace entrance behind Cara, and he immediately clamped it shut. An older Zyranthian man approached, flanked by a group of heavily armed guards. Opulent robes of deep purple and gold swathed the man's portly frame as he waddled toward them.
"Well, well," the older man drawled, his tone thick with disdain. "The prodigal prince returns at last. And a hero at that,saving an Earthan female from a slave ship." His lip curled in a sneer as he raked his gaze over Midori with obvious distaste. "I must say, I don't understand Lord Krissayr's interest in the human females. Seems unnatural to only have two arms."
Cael gave a curt nod. "Hello, uncle."
Midori felt her stomach twist as Bres feigned concern for her well-being. His beady eyes skimmed over her with undisguised disdain, as if she were something unpleasant he'd stepped in. She squeezed Cael's hand, drawing strength from his presence.
"Of course we're all relieved Prince Cael rescued this poor human female from the clutches of those depraved slavers," Bres said with an oily smile. "The very idea of subjecting innocent young women to such horrors is abhorrent."
