Page 1 of Forever

CHAPTER 1

Moxy

I’m not surprised it happened, Jefferson and I married out of convenience, to further our careers. It was political, never about true love. At least not on his part. He became the director of the Zorloxian Ambassador, and proved integral roles in bringing Earth into the current space age. We grew apart and separated with intentions of divorce. He’s married to his career. I wanted freedom to find my happiness.

I held the office of Intergalactic Communications, working as a liaison between Earth and Zorlox. Now we’re taking on the half-breeds, those who carry the Zorloxian gene but have mothers from other planets in the Koliam System. As such, I travel back and forth from Zorlox to Earth, leaving my precious daughter, Kenna, in the hands of her Nanny.

King V’Rurrg’s death sent shockwaves through the two systems, leaving behind a legacy of many sons, no daughters, and the unimaginable deaths of every female Zorloxian. Because he had so many sons, no one of particular claimed the throne, being the Princes of Zorlox. Really, it was just a title, nothing special. Onthis particular trip, I stumbled into the Palace and nearly ran smack into the current reigning Prince Do’Thortn. He wanted to take an active role between his home and Earth and agreed to accompany me back to Earth, to learn about our culture, and to bring on board many of the half-breeds now coming of age on Zorlox.

“Oof, I’m so sorry,” I said as I jumped back. The handsome blue alien smiled, bent to me, helping me steady my step.

“I’m sorry, are you okay?” His question sent shivers down my neck and back, as his deep voice reverberated. My heart nearly thumped out of my chest when I locked eyes with him.

He gave me a half grin, his chiseled face, strong and sure. He didn’t look like the type to take crap off anyone. I did a quick curtsey, because he’s royalty.

“No, no, I expect none of that,” he said as his hand reached out and made me stand tall.

“I’m sorry, I’m Moxy Foster, the liaison from Earth, here to meet with you,” I stammered.

“You are Moxy?” His face drew askew, like I couldn’t possibly be who I said I was.

“Yes, I’m sorry. Not what you were expecting?”

His head shakes. “I’m sorry. Dawster, please show Moxy to her quarters, I’ll return momentarily,” he said.

I watched him quickly step away, my mouth agape. It’s as if he suddenly looked at me and thought I was the ugliest woman to land on Zorlox.

“What just happened?” I asked Dawster.

“I’m terribly sorry. I’m not sure. Please, step this way,” Dawster said.

Dawster, tall and part Zorloxian and part Geonian, from the planet Geonix in the neighboring system, shows me to the quarters where I’ll stay while on Zorlox. I questioned why my accommodations had to be in the Palace and not in a hotel, and was told this was safer.

I waited for a couple of hours, looking through the window at the palace grounds with the beautiful sprawling lawns, the caretakers busy weeding and watering and rearranging plants. Stepping from my room, I wanted to see Zorlox. After the shuttle landed, they whisked me straight to the palace via a darkenedZoomer.

“Moxy Foster, where are you going?” Dawster asked when I waltzed by the office in which he sat.

“I would like to see the Zorloxian culture, take in the planet. Being from Earth I haven’t seen much outside the Terran System. It seems my host has disappeared and I’m rather bored,” I said as I continued toward the door.

“No, I must stop you.”

“Why?” My brow furrowed. I wasn’t accustomed to someone telling me no.

“It’s dangerous out there,” he said.

“Dangerous, what do you mean?”

“Aw, Dawster, I’ll take it from here. If Moxy Foster wishes to see Zorlox, perhaps I’ll take her myself on the Palace Zoomer, best way to see the sights, as the Terrans say.”

Do’Thortn sucked in a deep breath as he approached me. In his presence, I felt something odd, a stirring, like I shouldn’t look him in the eye or walk beside him. After all, he’s royalty and I am but a servant from Earth.

“It’s quite okay, I am perfectly able to walk about on my own,” I said.

“No, it’s dangerous for you out there, I’m afraid,” Do’Thortn said, his blue face blushing a violet.

My hand landed on my hip. “Dangerous? How so? Your people approached us years ago and you’re telling me Zorlox is a dangerous place?”

Do’Thortn’s hand guides me back into the palace. “There’s an element of unrest here. The Abliadorians have come here causing trouble.”

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