Page 20 of Healer
“You know my father wanted to change the way of the Kerzak?” Vienda asked, settling on a fur-covered settee beside the male.
“Your people are warriors,” I stated the obvious, letting my arm drape across Agnes’ shoulders. She cuddled close to my side. I liked her closeness… a lot. Not just because it was easier to keep her safe. I like the way her touch made my skin tingle and how her floral scent filled my head like a drug. It was difficult to tear my senses away from the lovely human and concentrate on our hosts.
“Like yours, yes,” Vienda agreed. “My people are many. Most honorable and good, but a few follow the vicious way of blood and blade. My father wanted all of Kerzak to adopt a more peaceful path. Sadly, not all his counsel agreed, and they could not be trusted.
“You were betrayed by an ally?” We’d always wondered how assassins accessed the Kerzak royal barge. The regents’ guards were legendary in their prowess.
“Yes, by my father’s closest advisor, Ambassador Yaard.” Despite her manners, Vienda made a face that showed her tobe a thoroughly bloodthirsty Kerzak. “We traveled to a meeting with Duke Ako and Alliance elders when those loyal to Yaard attacked our envoy. He orchestrated the murder of my parents and younger brother and had me brought here.
“They murdered your little brother?” The tone in Agnes’ voice sounded heartbroken. She’d dedicated her life to helping children. The loss of one lone child, even an alien child lost to history, bothered her.
“Yes. He was next in line to the throne.” Vienda’s honey-brown eyes misted.
“Shouldn’t you be next in line to rule as the eldest?” Agnes pressed. The sadness in her voice shifted into something stronger, more curious.
“The Kerzak believe females are not fit to rule,” I told her softly, the arm I held around her shoulders giving a gentle squeeze.
Agnes stiffened, brows furrowing. “Well, that’s some shit!”
I froze, remaining on edge until I realized the rolling sound coming from Vienda was laughter.
“Isn’t it”? The female agreed, raising her glass.
“Why did the ambassador allow you to live?” I asked. No one else aboard the royal barge received that concession.
“At the time of the attack, our laws considered me still too young to take as mate. So, he dumped me here, along with a contingent of guards, to await the time when he could claim me.” Her face twisted with disgust. “Marrying royal blood would open a way for him to claim the throne.” A glance at her mate saw Vienda’s expression soften. “Thankfully, the gods saw fit for Talamus to form a mate bond with me. He killed the other guards and claimed me.” She stroked the male’s knee, and his face widened in an uncharacteristic smile as he nuzzled her head.
“Didn’t that piss off the ambassador?” Agnes asked, watching the Kerzak.
“Greatly,” Vienda chuckled. “But not even Yaard is brave enough to defy the gods’ wishes. When he returned to find us mated and me pregnant with our daughter Irsay, he left, not to return.” Vienda’s gaze traveled to a curtained doorway, and beyond, I picked up the sound of a child’s soft snoring.
My attention returned to find Vienda eyeing Agnes curiously.
“You are human?”
“Yes.” Agnes straightened. “I was abducted and brought here for experimentation, but Hakkar rescued me. He’s my hero.” The hand she rested on my forearm gave a squeeze. I’d never felt prouder.
“We have seen many humans brought here over the years,” Vienda mused, her eyes narrowing. “You are the first I have known to escape.”
“I took her from the Ulkommanian.” At the mention of the name, the twist in Vienda’s features told me I didn’t need to extrapolate. “We travel to the settlement of Poikash to rendezvous with my ship, the Bardaga.”
Vienda leaned against her mate, silent as she finished her drink. Setting the cup on the tray, she rose, arm sweeping out in a welcome gesture.
“Then let us invite you to share the hospitality of our home. You can rest and re-equip yourselves for the remainder of your journey.”
I opened my mouth to refuse. As gracious as Vienda seemed, I would not consider Agnes truly safe in any company but my own until we left this planet behind.
“We’d love to!” Agnes blurted, wearing a wide smile.
Chapter 9 -Anges
A hobbit hole!
The dwelling was cozy and lovingly kept, with paneled walls and lots of fur-skin rugs. Dried plants hung from the rafters, giving the air a scent that reminded me vaguely of rosemary and mint. It was nothing like the 3500-square-foot house Dereck and I once shared, but I felt cozy and safe within the wood and stone walls.
I got the feeling Hakkar wasn’t happy about my acceptance of Vienda’s hospitality. He mumbled something about them being Kerzak, not hobbits, before Talamus dragged him off to hunt for our supper.
Hobbit or not, they were a lovely family. One could tell that Vienda and Talamus were devoted to each other and their little girl Irsay—the embodiment of a walking, talking teddy bear. Her fur was a mix of her father’s brown and mother’s gray, but her eyes were the same round honey-brown color as Vienda’s. The child played happily with carved wooden blocks near the hearth while her mother and I sat at the table, chopping vegetables for the stew.
