Page 22 of 3 Secrets to Love
The building seemed ancient with large columns across the front, multiple double-paned windows, and a large wooden door to enter. Nothing at all like the tall towers I was used to on the capitol planet.
I walked right up to the door where I was greeted by a blue-haired Saogian in a black suit. They’d whispered something into their ear-comm as I’d made my way up the stairs but did not seem fazed by my arrival.
“Hi, I’m Phalon, the one everybody seems to be looking for.” I held my breath as I waited for a response, unsure if they would have any idea what I meant or would automatically restrain me.
Instead, they gave a brief hint of a smile. “I know who you are. Come in.” They opened the door for me and guided me inside. “The ambassador has already been notified of yourarrival and their assistant is trying to get in touch with the Council of the Quadrants. Until they come for you, please sit and someone will be out in a moment with a beverage.”
The furniture in front of us consisted of several pieces with wooden claw feet and puffed-up seat and back cushions. Yet, when I sat, the cushion had no give, as if meant purely for looks rather than to ever be used. I tried to find some comfort in the single seat as the doorperson returned to their post. But I had no luck. I decided to stand as another Saogian arrived wearing the same black suit, and their blue hair pulled back and tied up in a high tail.
They handed me a glass with a fizzling and slightly orange drink. “Please drink this before you meet with the ambassador.”
I took the glass and smelled the concoction. It reminded me of an alcoholic beverage I’d once had on Rennir, back when I was a space racer. I didn’t remember much after that until I woke up the next morning with a pounding headache. No way did I want to experience a blackout like that again. Instead, I handed the glass back. “No, thank you. I’ll be fine.”
The Saogian didn’t argue, only shrugged then took the glass back to wherever they had come from.
Moments later, the Eureblian Ambassador arrived wearing a sparkling red dress that widened at the bottom like a coniferous tree, and a white cape that flowed behind them like it was made of water. The spikes on her head stood up straight as they reached out a tentacle in greeting. “Hello, Prince Phalon. It is a pleasure to meet you. I am Ambassador Anet. And, I must say, we are all relieved to know you are alive.”
Guilt rippled through my chest. I didn’t think too many people would be worried about me. “Th-thank you.” I shook their tentacle. “But I really don’t want to be prince of anything.”
Ambassador Anet lightly shook their head. “That is not my business. I simply used your rightful title. You must discusswith the council what you want to happen next. Your people are depending on you.”
I cringed. That was exactly why I did not want to be in charge. I did not want to be responsible for everyone on Yatak. Yet, I knew, at the same time, my home planet could not remain under the control of Kalpier. Not when the villages kept getting moved to allow them to mine our land. “Okay.” I released a heavy breath, wanting to get the enormous weight of it all off my shoulders. “Lead the way.”
The comm meeting lasted only minutes, Minister Taleron not available to hear my concerns, but her assistant took notes and promised to pass them on to the minister while also coming up with possible alternatives to me reigning over the planet. At the end of the session, I was asked to return to Eurebly to meet with the minister in person. I agreed on the conditions that Xacalla would be with me and guards would be sent to the homes of Reena and my former teammates until all the arrangements were finalized and Kalpier had completely withdrawn from Yatak. Once the meeting ended, I headed back to the hotel, determined to convince Xacalla to accompany me.
***
“I will not leave Brely.” Xacalla crossed her arms and stared at me with a pointed look. “I refuse.”
With a sigh, I glanced over to her sister, hoping the older of the two would help me win over Xacalla so I could keep her safe on Eurebly. “There’s a target on her back. I can’t let her go back to Omisu if she is in danger. Not if I’m going to claim the throne.”
Xacalla darted in front of me. “But it’s only a temporary position for you. Everyone will know that. And the Council of the Quadrants is on your side.”
Clenching my fists, I tamped down as much of my frustration and fear as possible before I spoke. “You think those after me, the same group who left the triplets on Arodin to die, really care that I’m only going to be the king until a proper leader can be elected? No, because they want Kalpier in control of Yatak. They want the planet’s resources without having to compensate my people without any worry at all for us, and they’re willing to kill to keep it that way.” I placed a hand on her shoulder. “I’m so sorry you got dragged into all of this, but I feel responsible. I need to be sure you’re protected.”
“I get that.” She took my hand and, as she lowered it off her shoulder, intertwined her fingers with mine. “I do. But I can’t just leave my sister here.”
“I can be packed in minutes.” Brely started tossing the items from her nightstand into a travel bag. “Why don’t you both escort me to Omisu and then head to Eurebly from there?”
I waited for Xacalla to agree to the concession. I really didn’t want to go back to Quadrant Three where both my home planet and Kalpier circled the same yellow sun. But as long as I was with her and we ended up on Eurebly, it didn’t matter what path we took to get there.
She sighed. “Okay, fine. But I want to see Mom and Dad at the spaceport before I leave again.”
Brely rolled the luggage toward her sister. “Whatever. Just hurry. The next flight home leaves the spaceport in an hour. Phalon, use your connections to get us on that ship.”
***
After being fast-tracked through boarding, thanks to Minister Taleron, and a brief security check, the three of us walked through the passenger boarding bridge onto the spacecraft. It wasn’t a full flight, but the best the minister couldget for us were three aisle seats in the same area. I didn’t mind as long as I was within arm’s reach of Xacalla, and I knew she wouldn’t let her sister out of sight.
The ship stopped on Sodoya then Talaxia before leaving Quadrant Four. I eyed everyone getting off, and especially those who boarded. I refused to take any chances when it came to Xacalla. She and her sister slept as we traveled through the empty space between systems. Normally, I would have as well, but I had to remain vigilant. I couldn’t let anything happen to the one woman who made me want to settle down and do something with my life. Yet, I knew that wasn’t going to be as king.
Once we finally reached Omisu, there was a delay in the disembarkment of our ship. We waited on the landing strip for over an hour before the craft taxied over to let us deboard. I didn’t think it strange at all, simply a common delay. Not until guards from the Council of the Quadrants came on the craft with their plazers drawn.
I immediately stood, moving into the aisle in front of Xacalla. They could take me, but I refused to let them harm anyone else.
“Prince Phalon.” The one in front lowered his weapon and gestured at me as the passengers released a collective gasp. “There’s been a situation. You and your guests are to come with me.”
The beings around us suddenly erupted in conversation. I heard the words “explosion,” “Saog,” and “Eurebly” as I made my way forward.
