"I would hope not. I have so many questions."
"I am here to answer them."
"What are you, like a prince?"
"A prince." He glanced at the guard, then back at her. "In a way. My parents are some of the leaders of Kantenan."
"Are you expected to take over for them when they die?"
"No."
"Then you're not a prince," she said.
"I am expected to take my place when they retire from their duties."
She sighed. "You're a prince." His comment about following his own path made more sense--if he was expected to take up the family lineage and instead chose to go his own way, then she could only imagine what kind of trouble that would bring to his people. She'd read about entire dynasties falling because of a rebellious child.
"As my mate, that makes you a princess."
"I don't think there is a lot of Kantenans out there who are supporting this idea," she replied.
Xenophobia was common enough. The average humanoid did not have an issue with interspecies mingling, but some races certainly did. It was simply a typical reply from many who were afraid of change. Or a different way of looking at things. It seemed there was plenty on Kantenan that did not want to see their people, who had notoriously been very protective of their genome would not be open to this scientific experiment.
"It will take time. We have little choice," he said as the lift came to a stop.
The doors opened, and more guards were waiting.
They escorted them a short distance to another apartment. This one didn't have windows. Not nearly as rich-looking. If anything, it looked like a war room bunker. Stone walls. Tables and physical charts hung around the room and holographic imagery on screens.
She looked at one of the displays and realized it showed different landing pads. Where they were, she didn't know because she didn't see the one they'd been on before. Though similar, nothing looked the same.
"Where are the others?" she asked whoever would answer her.
Hopefully, some of the guards had more information.
One guard glanced at her, but he didn't respond.
"Yes, where are the others? And what about Stron, Fiviel and Dhomhes?"
"Stron and Dhomhes are with the ship's occupants. Stron is assisting with helping the injured."
"And Dhomhes?"
The guard shrugged. "Dhomhes is being Dhomhes."
Khalzin rolled his eyes. "What about Fiviel?"
"He is currently unaccounted for."
7
Khalzin blinked. "What do you mean Fiviel is unaccounted for?" He crossed his arms, glaring at the guards. Anger and pain welled up in his chest. He had not let the panic hit him yet. He had been cautious to mask his concerns.
But he did not expect a friend to be missing.
Worse than death. Missing.
The guard shifted. "We have guards searching for him, but he disappeared when the last explosion occurred, as well as several of the Galactic Alliance passengers."
