Jack smiled, so she stopped worrying about kissing him. Apparently, it hadn’t made him mad. That was good.
Madelaine saw that Seraphina clearly understood there was more to the story, but didn’t ask any further questions.
She left Jack and Seraphina in the vestibule and sequestered herself in the large bedroom on the lower floor. She retrieved the metal box the Secret Keeper had given her from the room’s wall safe.
She did not take out the flip-phone he’d given her because she was not planning to call him.
The rental house was minimally furnished, which suited her just fine. She’d slept here the night before the bachelor auction, having flown to Alienn on thePaladin Seekerwith perma-cloaking engaged, so the local leadership wouldn’t know she was here, how long she stayed on Earth or when she left the planet.
Even Seraphina didn’t know how she’d gotten here. Her friend had come to Earth a few days ago on a luxury liner and stayed belowstairs at the Big Bang Truck Stop until Madelaine contacted her.
The spacecraft was hidden in the woods behind the property behind a granite knoll with the cloaking mechanism engaged, to keep her business here and her privacy intact.
She sat on the edge of the bed in the spartan room, pulled the key she’d retrieved from the safety deposit box out of herpocket and inserted it in the lock. She placed her thumb on the oval below the lock, which warmed and lit up green.
She turned the key and heard a distinct click. The top of the box popped open about an inch so she could lift it up.
Madelaine didn’t know what she expected to find, but the raggedy, golden brown, folded parchment paper was not at all it. She took the paper out of the box and checked to see if there was anything else inside. Nope. It was just the old paper that looked well-aged and even more decrepit than the parchment Quell-don had given her at the outset of this journey.
She pushed out a sigh and focused her attention on the task at hand. Carefully, she unfolded the paper, which looked like it might fracture into a million pieces of dust if she moved too fast. It was sturdier than it looked, thankfully.
A small tan envelope fell from between the folds of the ancient-looking document. She left the small envelope for now, reading quickly, trying to memorize as she went in case the paper did disintegrate as she held it.
Paladin Courier, you must follow these instructions precisely. The path you follow is filled with dangers both seen and unseen. You must be wary and cautious with every step forward you take as you proceed with this imperative duty.
For your next task, you must go to the planet Malvoraxis Veil and retrieve another sacred package with further instructions. Malvoraxis Veil is a very dark, brutal planet of warriors hidden within our solar system, bordering our sister galaxy. Because of the inhabitants’ stark edicts, you must acquire a husband to continue this important journey.
Madelaine gasped. A husband?! What?!
The beings living on Malvoraxis Veil do not recognize females as worthy to even converse with any intelligence. Therefore, you must get married quickly before you leave Alienn and take this man with you to Malvoraxis Veil.
Your husband will be required to pilot the ship through the atmosphere to Malvoraxis Veil. He will have to speak your words in order to retrieve the package. You will be allowed to accompany your husband. However, you must never speak. Do not even speak in your own spacecraft until you have left their atmosphere.
If you dare speak while on the planet, your husband will be forced to fight to the death for the disgrace of allowing his woman to voice any view. We have pre-selected a trusted man to help you accomplish this task. His name is in the provided envelope.
The Justice of the Peace in Alienn will have a package for you with further details and specific instructions for this next leg of your journey once the marriage documents are signed. Unfortunately, there is at least one other planet you will need a husband for on this trip, possibly more.
May your steps be sure as you complete this vital task.
There was no signature, the text just ended. She turned it over, but there was nothing on the other side. Madelaine reread the letter and took a picture of it with her phone to ensure she had the complete text, should she need it. She picked up the envelope and read the message centered on the front:Open this envelope only after you have read the missive.
Her gaze went to the bedroom door as if she could see through it to the man who waited somewhere on the other side.
Her man. Jack Grey.
He was the only husband she’d ever wanted. She glanced down at the envelope, wondering if shehadto marry the man they chose. She reread the missive once more, which only said she had to get married and that they had selected a trusted man for her. It didn’t say she wasrequiredto marry the man named in the envelope.
Before she thought too much about what she wassupposedto do, she opened the door with the express purpose of making her own choice.
Jack looked up at her, brows raised.
“Where is Seraphina?” she asked, taking the cowardly route before she couldn’t take back what she really wanted to ask him.
“She went out to get food. Said she’d be back soon.”
Madelaine held the envelope in her hand. She looked down at it.
“Are you okay?” Jack asked.
