Page 4 of Surrender
Well, at least she wouldn’t have to leave Earth. That knowledge was somewhat comforting.
She opened her mouth, ready to ask them what Merokk was like, but she quickly pressed her lips together, realizing it didn’t matter if he was the cruelest Kall in all of existence. She prayed Crooked Teeth was telling the truth about Merokk likely wanting a marriage in name only. The very prospect of sleeping with a Kall warrior struck fear into her heart.
She stared at the back corner of the trailer where Janie slept, tucked underneath a coarse, government-issued wool blanket, as she considered the turncoats’ proposition.
It wasn’t a difficult decision to make, but it was a painful one.
She doubted she would see her mother again if she accepted this offer, but she also doubted her mother’s odd behavior would escape the bloodthirsty Kalls’ notice for much longer. And Fiona’s chances of getting her hands on the expensive medication Janie required was slim.
Those who caused trouble in the camp were slaughtered, usually on site. Fiona had seen it happen on numerous occasions. No trial. No questions asked. Just… killed. The Kall wouldn’t understand her mother’s medical condition if she started yelling outside or decided to approach one of them for a conversation, or if she got into an argument with a neighbor or simply walked too close to the Kall while they were engaged in training exercises.
Every day that they remained in Camp Syracuse was a risk, but there was nowhere else to go. It wasn’t as though Fiona could collect her mother and take off on foot, especially with winter approaching. Most of the country lay in ruins and the Kall oversaw every last refugee camp.
Her heart broke.
“Very well,” she forced out after a minute of choking silence. “I-I’ll do it. I’ll marry Merokk.”
Chapter 2
Merokk stoodon the White House lawn as workers bustled all around, preparing for tomorrow’s mass wedding. Many of his comrades were excited about the upcoming nuptials to Earth women, but Merokk didn’t share their sentiments fully.
In spite of his desire to return to the Kall homeworld, his father had arranged his union with the First Daughter and insisted the couple stay on Earth. Merokk would remain in the nation’s war-torn capital as an ambassador.
His days as a glorified soldier had come to a bitter end.
“If you don’t stop brooding like that, you’re going to scare away your bride-to-be.”
Merokk turned at the sound of his father’s voice. “Must you speak English all the time?”
Penka chuckled. “You better get used to it. Your little wife doesn’t speak Kall.” He paused and glanced back at the White House. “Speaking of your wife, she has just arrived.”
Merokk’s pulse quickened. “Have you seen her?” Despite his reluctance to remain on Earth, he was quite eager to meet his bride.
“She’s lovelier in person than in her pictures. Come, let’s go.”
Merokk followed his father inside to a large empty room on the third floor. Without a word, the old Kall left him alone to await his bride. Moving toward the massive window overlooking the lawn, Merokk clasped his hands behind his back and waited, his anticipation growing as he listened for the sound of approaching footsteps.
A wife. His pulse raced even faster. He would soon have a wife of his very own, and a human one at that. He adored the soft skin and flowing hair of Earth women, and he’d bedded a few who had visited the Kall homeworld as tourists before the war broke out. Of all the species of known aliens, humans were the most similar to the Kall in both appearance and custom. Betsy Carson’s humanness didn’t bother him. Many Kall took mates from other compatible species, though most unions were for political alliances.
As the son of a powerful Kall leader, Merokk was bound by duty and honor to marry the female of his father’s choosing. He’d realized long ago whatever marriage he entered would be a political union. He’d accepted that, as well as the fact that he’d likely never father children with an alien bride, but he’d never accepted the possibility of living on a foreign planet.
According to the treaty, the Kall would gradually leave Earth over the next few years, leaving only several small military bases and a handful of advisors and ambassadors behind.
Merokk was one of those ambassadors.
He supposed as the youngest of twelve sons, he should’ve seen this coming. He’d spent the last few years distinguishing himself in battle, rising to the rank of Commander, but his accomplishments hadn’t earned his father’s favor enough to warrant something grander than an ambassadorship on Earth. Swallowing his resentment, he turned at the sound of an opening door.
A haggard-looking President Carson guided a young, pretty human female across the room. The American leader cleared his throat and dipped his head in a show of respect.
“Ambassador Merokk, may I present to you my daughter, Betsy Carson.” He urged the woman forward and stepped back.
Merokk stared into the bluest eyes he’d ever seen, taking note of the glimmer of fright she tried to hide behind a small, polite smile. The moment stretched on as they stared at one another, and he suddenly became annoyed that they weren’t alone.
“Leave us,” he said sharply, glancing at President Carson.
Betsy’s smile vanished as she watched her father depart the room. She squared her shoulders and held Merokk’s gaze, her eyes sharpening with a hint of boldness. Amusement curled his lips. Despite her brave front, the scent of her fear remained a sweet cold sensation that flowed into his nostrils and caused his muscles to tense.
Her distress, coupled with the knowledge that she would belong to him in every possible way, stirred his darkest desires.
