Page 22 of Shadowed By the Alien
“Renikk and I are involved,” I raise our clasped hands.
“How involved?” my dad asks, his tone, betraying his displeasure.
“He’s my sholan. A zyanthan term for husband.”
My dad pounds his way toward us. “You’re married?”
“That’s wonderful,” my mother says, as she hugs me. “He’s a fine man, sweetie. We’re so happy for you, aren’t we, Charles?”
“No, we’re not. Warrior Qeelin, you’re dismissed. Permanently. Return to the Galactic Alliance. I will keep this matter to myself and provide them a glowing account of your service here if you never go near my daughter again.”
“You can’t blackmail him into leaving,” I say.
“Either he leaves now willingly, under my terms, or I can have a squadron of soldiers here in ten minutes to remove him.”
“And if he defies you?”
“He can’t. Because if he does, I’ll break off Earth’s relations with the Galactic Alliance.”
“You can’t,” I object. “We need the Galactic Alliance more than they need us.”
“You don’t know half of what happens between Earth and the rest of the universe, Raven,” my dad says in that authoritarian way that hints of hidden information. “The Galactic Alliance needs us more than they’ll admit. Earth is rich with titaniumand vanadium, two elements the Zyanthans need and can’t find elsewhere. Isn’t that right, Warrior?”
CHAPTER TWELVE
RENIKK
Earth is rich in Titanium? Drekk, I didn’t know this. I thought the Galactic Alliance’s interest in Earth was merely because the more planets we ally ourselves with, the stronger we become in our fight against the Coalition and other common enemies.
Zyan needs Titanium. And vanadium. Desperately.
I face Raven and see the confusion on her face. I haven’t said anything, haven’t denied her father’s claims.
“I did not know your world has titanium,” I say as her face starts to dim. “But it does not change my path.Ourpath. You are mine, Raven, and I will do whatever it takes to be with you, even risk a treaty between our worlds.”
“It won’t come to that, will it, Mom?”
“Of course not, dear. Your father’s just lashing out. You caught him off-guard with your news. He does a better job negotiating when he has all the information ahead of time. And a few hours’ sleep.” Mrs. Miller leans toward me and whispers, “He gets cranky without his morning coffee, too.”
“This isn’t a negotiation.” Mr. Miller slams the front door shut and finally enters the living room.
“Certainly not!” Mrs. Miller agrees as she slides her hand in her husband’s. “This is our daughter’s life we’re discussing. Once everyone calms down and has a chance to adjust, we’ll discuss a wedding party. You do want a wedding party, Raven, don’t you? Nothing big, just immediate family and a few friends. And maybe we can throw in an officiant and hear you do your vows again. And a beautiful long white dress.”
“Mom…”
“Fine, a short one. Or something slinky to show off your figure to your groom.”
Raven chuckles. “That would be lovely, but it’s not necessary, Mom.”
“It certainly is! We need to celebrate your marriage and what better way to show Warrior Qeelin off to everyone? Such a fine male.”
Mr. Miller’s shoulders sag as if he’s outnumbered and has no say, and seeing the two females chattering away, I believe that’s precisely the case. And here I always thought Raven’s mother was submissive to her sholan. I suspect it might be the other way around.
“You can call him Ren, Mom.”
“Ren it is. Welcome to our family, Ren.”
Mr. Miller clears his throat and squares his shoulders. “No. There will be no wedding. No party. No welcoming him to the family. He’s an alien, Raven, which means he’s off-limits.”
