Page 1 of Dreikx

Chapter 1

Tamey

In the Regha Horde stronghold’s war room, where my father, the king of Regha, has made some of the toughest decisions of his life, Dreikx, the Telean male who came to collect on his debt, stands before me, lithe and tall, wearing a tight black suit with two thick blue lines running from his shoulders down his body and over his hips. They highlight the pelvic area, and I note there’s no bulge between his legs. I don’t think he has a penis.

From under the hood of my cloak, I glance at my mom, who sits on the throne next to my father. He reaches for her hand. Mom clasps hers on her lap. Tears run down her face, but she makes no sound.

“I suggest,” Father says to Dreikx, “that you leave.”

The Telean bows his head. “I apologize for the inconvenience, dear queen.”

“Inconvenience?” Mother says and leans forward. “You blackmailed my king and took my firstborn as payment for doing what any honorable man would do out of goodwill.”

“I am a thief,” Dreikx says as if that explains everything. I guess it explains his lack of honor.

“This union is crucial to the prosperity of our people,” Father says. “Tamey is a Regha princess, and with that comes duty to the kingdom.”

Mom stands and hugs me tight. “I will come to see you. If he doesn’t make you happy, we’ll poison him. Okay, baby girl?”

“Thank you, Mom.”

She turns to my father and says, “I’m staying with Kingsley in Ohala for a while.” Mom’s heels ring in the hall as she exits, leaving the three of us alone.

Father stands and approaches me, then lifts my chin. “You are the jewel of Regha, yes?”

“Yes.”

“You understand your duties, yes?”

“Yes.”

He kisses my forehead and whispers, “I love you, T.”

“I love you too.”

Father steps back and turns to the Telean. Dreikx is his name. I should call him that, or whatever he wants to be called.

“I strongly suggest you take great care with how you will broach this news with my son.”

“Thank you for the warning,” Dreikx says drily.

“Make her happy,” Father orders.

The Telean rolls his eyes. ““I will do what I must, Tayseer.”

“Be on your way. The new Horde unit awaits transport.”

The Telean bends his arm and offers it to me. I place my hand on his arm, looking straight ahead again, trying hard not to cry because I’m leaving my home for this planet called Earth. Mom comes from there. She’s told me all about it. I’m both excited and sad. Excited to see my brother Raven, maybe even my nephew, as the future queen is due to deliver. Sad because my sister and parents are staying behind and I don’t know how often we’ll be able to see each other. Raven hasn’t come home in many turns.

We walk out of the war room, and I glance back to see that Father still lingers. He smiles a small smile as the door closes after us. We walk through the Horde stronghold in Ohala, servants and soldiers stopping to gape at our unlikely pairing. Footsteps sound behind us. The Alphas follow, undoubtedly wondering where the Telean is taking me. Hopefully not into the Serpent’s Shadows.

We descend the steps into the former dungeons, now a massive underground area housing the space gate. It is filled with Horde Alphas. At the bottom of the stairs, I pause. The Telean stops and looks at me in question. I don’t instruct him on royal greetings and etiquette.

The new unit of Horde Alphas traveling with us kneels but they don’t bow their heads. All eyes glare at Dreikx. I smile. If Father hadn’t briefed them on our union, they’d all have challenged the Telean for my hand. The very least I can do is nod and approve of the glares they send his way.

“One could get used to this,” the Telean says.

“Threats to your life?” I ask.

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