Page 51 of Double Cut

“You dare speak!” Prince Gudren snapped.

“We would hear more,” the emperor said, his sibilant words cutting through the crown prince’s tone of offense. “Speak freely, female.”

Evangeline took a deep breath and summarized what little she’d been able to glean during their stay in the safe house. “If I understand the situation correctly, Ahn’hudin’s technological focus and advances have primarily concerned military might. This has spilled over into consumer goods and services. If I also understand correctly, Ahn’hudin is mostly desert, yet there is an abundance of fresh water underground and your oceans are freshwater, too.”

“That is so,” the emperor said. “What of it? Our oceans provide us with seafood.”

Determined to get her point across, Evangeline continued, “I also understand that Ahn’hudin is importing females … er … mates from other compatible species, including humans. While the Ahn’hudi are primarily carnivorous, other species may not be. Humans–”

“You are no longer human,” the crown prince pointed out.

“I am no longerjusthuman,” she corrected him. She bared her blunt teeth punctuated by short, sharp, new fangs, knowing that he might well take insult from the aggressive expression. “I still have human teeth. I am not a carnivore, but an omnivore. I and other omnivores like me need a steady diet of plants in addition to meat.”

“Go on,” the emperor urged, his faded yellow eyes gleaming with interest.

She took another deep breath. “If my understanding is correct, Ahn’hudi science and technology have not focused on agriculture. Plants—how to cultivate them and improve their productivity—is my specialty. With the proper resources, I can help Ahn’hudin convert currently barren land into productive cropland to grow the fruits and vegetables your imported brides will need.”

The crown prince opened his mouth to speak, but Evangeline held up her hand.

“I’m not finished.”

The prince glared at her. She squared her shoulders and bit back a smile as the emperor nodded at her to continue.

“Not only can I help Ahn’hudin cultivate crops to feed its citizens and meet their dietary needs, but I can help Ahn’hudin cultivate forage for livestock to raise the meat its indigenous people need, so you won’t have to import as much food, if at all.” She glared at the prince. “Self-sufficiency will strengthen Ahn’hudin commercially and martially.”

“Your mate is insolent,” the crown prince snapped at Horas.

Horas met the prince’s stare and replied, “She is correct.”

“And we find her impertinence delightful,” Sarus commented. “We prize our mate for that intelligence, knowledge, and training. She will prove her value to Ahn’hudin.”

“Careful, Commander, you risk my ire,” Prince Gudren warned.

“We shall be interested to learn more of your consultation with the science master general, Lady Evangeline Antonia Donal. The scribes will keep us apprised,” the emperor said.

“Your Majesty,” the crown prince said, “surely such a valuable female should be awarded to the general superior rather than a mere guard and commander?”

Horas and Sarus stiffened at either side of her. Their crests flattened tight to their skulls.

The emperor looked at the two warriors and asked, “Has she been barbed?”

“Yes, Your Majesty,” Horas and Sarus replied in unison.

The emperor waved his clawed, skeletal hand. “They are mated, Gudren, their bodies attuned. Even if she were given to another male, the union would produce no offspring. No, she will not be given to another.” The emperor’s weary gaze skimmed over the three of them. “Go in peace. May your union be fruitful.”

The two warriors thumped their chests and bowed their heads. Not sure whether a curtsey was something Ahn’hudi females did, Evangeline bowed. Sarus and Horas turned on their heels and departed with slow, measured steps, following the petty functionary who had guided them into the throne room.

As soon as the next supplicants entered the room and the doors closed behind them, Evangeline snapped, “What an ass!”

“Prince Gudren is yet young. He has much to learn,” Horas said.

“Hmph,” she huffed. “Now I know what you meant by ‘treachery.’ I’m glad my mates arehonorable.”

Sarus laughed, the sound drawing curious glances from passersby.

“Come, the audience was longer than anticipated. We must hasten to make the ceremony. Then we meet with the science master general,” Horas urged.

Evangeline nodded and took a deep breath to quell her nerves and suddenly queasy stomach she attributed to anxiety.It’s just nerves.

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