Page 5 of The Alien Noble's Little Human

A guard, also puzzled, addresses me directly. “Lady Zaya, it’s a matter of urgency that you come with us.”

“Can I have details? I’d like to know more before I make my choice. And it’s just Zaya.”

“Do you have obligations here? Surely someone can –”

The sound of clopping hooves grows louder, and I’m hoping it’s Talan.They wouldn’t enlist security to force me to go if I refuse, would they?

“Papa!” Sorsha and Talan’s children smother their father in hugs as he opens the door.

“Hello, hello, little ones!” he cries to the children swarming him. He looks at the two Kiphian guards. “Ah, I see they’re here. I hoped I’d beat them.”

“We took the shuttle,” a guard answers.

“It’s working?” Talan asks incredulously, then scoops up a child in each arm.

“After Her Royal Highness Princess Hanai fell ill, the Thane ordered it repaired.”

“Sirs, would you excuse us for a moment?” Talan motions to me and Sorsha, then indicates that he wants us to follow him into another room.

“Yes, but make it brief. His Royal Highness the Prince is waiting.”

Talan rolls his eyes. “His Royal Highness can wait a few more minutes. Just because he’s used to getting his way doesn’t mean he has to get it immediately.”

My eyes flare as we make our way down the hall. “Please tell me what’s going on. First, I learn that I’ve been volunteered as a royal medic, then I’m being hauled away like I’m accused of a crime?”

“I thought there’d be more time before they got here.”

“Apparently not. Do I even have a choice?”

Talan’s face turns serious. “You always have a choice. But if you knew this child, I think you’d want to. I’ve known her since she was born.”

“Another spoiled Princess?”

“No. The opposite. She’s part of why I wanted children.” Talan looks at Sorsha, who takes his hand. “Since she was born, Hanai was always inexhaustible. Scaling the walls of the castle, building statues with clay, making up wild stories. But when I saw her…”

Talan shakes his head. By the look on his face alone, I already know I won’t be able to say no.

“How was she?”

“It’s like her body was there. But all the life was slowly leaking out.”

It reminds me of things people whispered about me, not knowing or not caring if I heard. Being treated like a problem to be solved, not a person, shaped me. I can only imagine the types of things this child has seen.

“The way you talked about your childhood, Zaya, and then what Sorsha said you’d read. And if the cure involves minerals, like you said. No one knows more. I’ve known a lot of so-called learned folks. None of them are as smart as you.”

Sorsha looks at me pleadingly, and I can tell she’s thinking about what she would do if one of her own children were ill. The silence is interrupted by the children bursting in, hugging my legs. If it were one of them, I’m sure I’d do everything.

“He’s one of my oldest friends, Zaya. If anything happens, I’ll never forgive myself,” Talan says.

I sigh and hug them before we re-enter the main room. The guards stare expectantly.

“I’m willing to come with you to Cygoth. But I need to get some things first. And I’m going to ask you a million questions on the way.”

3

TAUREK

“The healer is on her way, Prince Taurek. Jani and Marol have informed me that the shuttle has taken off.”

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