Chapter 9
Troubled attraction? Seems like we have something in common.
Cael thought about saying the words to lighten the mood, but from the look on Midori's troubled brow, now wasn't the time. Pugly's words had frightened her. No doubt she was thinking of her sister and getting back to her own home. Of course she'd be worried if she thought they'd never escape the bowels of this mountain.
And what of him? What if he never made it back to Zyranth? He'd begun this journey searching for his friend. Was he going to give up trying to find him? What about his uncle's abuse of power and connection to Lord Krissayr? Their nation had always despised the slavery trade and refused to participate. His uncle had changed all that, and now his people were active participants in the despicable practice. He had to make his way back and challenge his uncle. Make the council of elders see him for who he really was.
They had to get off this planet and make their way home.
Luckily, Pugly had helped him realize exactly where they were.
"We will not die here. I know we will find a way out, and once we do, we'll get back home. We just have to keep our eyes open for an exit. Once we find one, everything will be all right."
"How do you know? We could be the only people on this entire planet." Midori's voice was rising along with the panicked look on her face. "What if we get out of the mountain and even worse things are waiting for us? Trying to kill us? We don't know where we are or what's out there."
"That's not completely true," Cael said, plucking off another fruit from the vine and splitting it in half. "Krystalberries are a delicacy because there's only one place they're grown in the known universe—deep in the mountain caves on the moon of Equus. I know where we are. If we can get out of here, I can get help. I can get us home."
The smile that erupted on Midori's face was more than worth the pit of sadness forming in his belly.
"Are you sure? Really?"
Cael nodded. "Equus has several small cities dotted at the base of the mountains. It shouldn't be too hard to find civilization once we get out of here."
Midori breathed a sigh of relief and hugged her arms around Cael's middle, squeezing him in a tight embrace. Cael pulled her tight against him with all four of his arms, his tail snaking around to hug around her as well. It felt good to have her in his arms. It felt right. Like it was meant to be.
But it's not meant to be, and you know it. You're going to have to let go of her eventually. You might as well get used to it.
Cael cleared his throat, dropped his arms from around her, and took a step back.
Was that a look of hurt on her face?
"We really need to get some rest before we start a dedicated search for the way out." He handed half of the split krystalberry to Midori. "Eat your fill. I'll try to find something we can use to carry some of these with us, but without the solar-thermo bag, it will be difficult."
Midori's face fell. "I forgot about that. It's still in the cave where the vyrmm attacked us, along with all the supplies that had been in it. If I had paid more attention, I could have grabbed it when we escaped."
Cael shook his head. "There's no use thinking that way. Everything happened so fast. The important thing is we're safe and unharmed. The supplies wouldn't be worth anything if it meant you'd been hurt or worse."
"I suppose you're right. We'll just have to improvise."
"Exactly. Now, I hate to mention this, but our clothes are still soaking wet. The air in is here is warm enough they'll dry, but they might dry faster if . . ."
"If we're not wearing them."
"Indeed. May I suggest you lay them out while you relax in the pool of warm water? You can enjoy dining on the krystalberries while you bathe."
"What will you do?"
"I'll return to the main cavern and see if there are any other grottos such as this or tunnels which might lead to an egress from the mountain. I'll take the pig dog with me. It will give you some privacy."
Midori bit her lip. "Please stay."
A flush of pink erupted over her cheeks and neck, and Cael felt a surge of emotion well up within him at those two words. Please stay. Did she really mean it?
"What if something happens to you? Or me? I just—" She placed a hand on one of his. "I'd feel better knowing you were nearby. Please stay."
Her words trickled to a whisper, and her lips trembled as she looked up at him with wide, troubled eyes. He could look into those eyes for an eternity and never grow tired of searching their mysteries.
"All right. Would you prefer I keep watch at the entrance?"
The blush creeping across Midori's rich brown skin grew even deeper.
"I have a different idea."
She grabbed an armful of the cave fruit and nodded at him to follow. "Come with me." Midori led the way back to the pool and placed the fruit along the edge. "Your clothes are just as wet as mine. I think you should join me."
"Oh, sweet bringer of celestial light, do you intend on bathing in the hot spring with the blue beast man?" Pugly's head tilted with curiosity as his snout flared.
"I think it's a definite possibility. Would you mind giving us some privacy, Pugly?"
"Only to please you, illustrious one. But I beseech you to be careful." Pugly's voice drew deeper as he gathered close to Midori and spoke in a hushed whisper just loud enough for Cael to hear. "I have a harder time reading the blue one's mind, but I can tell he's hiding something. I wouldn't trust him if I were you."
"I appreciate your concern for my well-being, Pugly, but Cael saved me from a slave ship and a vyrmm. Plus, he's trying to get me home. I think he's proved himself trustworthy."
The pig dog sniffed and gave a "Hmph. If you say so." But the side-eye he gave Cael as he exited the grotto back to the main cavern showed his blatant distrust.
The sound of Pugly's cloven hooves echoed against the walls until they dispersed, and all Cael could hear was the sound of his own heavy breathing.
Midori's hand hovered at the hem of her damp shirt. "I know you've already seen my body, but would you mind. . . ?"
"Of course."
Cael turned his back to give the Earth female some privacy as she undressed. Someone else in his position might find it ridiculous to turn around after the intimate moment they already shared, but Cael's sense of duty told him it wasn't just important, but necessary. Midori had already lost so much since she left Earth. He'd gladly give her whatever she needed to feel empowered.
The splash of water told him she'd entered the pool.
"I'm in if you'd like to . . . join me."
Cael turned. Midori was facing away from him, her wet hair settling between her delicate shoulders as she clung to the far side of the small pool. Her clothes hung over a series of boulders. They'd be dry in no time. He took off his own and laid them down before slipping into the pool.
The water was luxuriously warm. With the steam coming from the surface and the dim light of the bioluminescent flora and fauna, they had complete privacy. The water wasn't deep and only came to his midsection. An outcropping of rock under the water created a natural seat, and he sat down deeper, allowing the water to cover his shoulders and ease the aches and pains he hadn't realized were even there.
Midori turned around and gave him such a big smile, his heart skipped a beat. "It feels good, doesn't it?" she said, laying her head back on the edge of the pool.
"It does indeed."
"Almost makes me wish we didn't have to leave and go back to our lives."
Cael studied her face as well as he could in the darkness. Did she fear going back to her home?
"Tell me about your life, Midori. How did you come to be on the ship heading for Rivia in the first place?"
Cael immediately regretted asking the question. The whole aspect of her body shifted as she considered her answer. Tension flickered over her face, and she drew her arms around herself as if hugging her stomach could keep it all in.
"I'm sorry," he backtracked. "It's really none of my business. You don't have to tell me anything you don't want to."
"But I do want to. I feel safe with you, Cael."
He nodded and stayed silent as he waited for her to say more. After a few moments, she took a deep breath and eventually found the words to tell him about her past.
"A few years ago, I thought I found the love of my life. We were engaged to be married. I was with him for several years, even dropped out of college to be with him. But the week before our wedding, he called the whole thing off. I was devastated. Depressed. I felt like the unluckiest person alive.
"I'd lost my dad when I was a child. He died in a helicopter accident in the Army. Then my mom passed away from breast cancer when I was in high school. Then I lost him—the man who was supposed to love and cherish me more than anyone else in the world. Only, he didn't love me. He was just going through the motions and realized he couldn't do it.
"I cried for a week. I couldn't get out of bed. Couldn't do anything. Eventually, I lost my job. Lost my apartment. I didn't know it then, but I'd lost myself. My sister saved me. She forced me to go to a doctor and helped me get some counseling. She let me move in with her and supported me every step of the way as I tried to pull myself together. It took a long time, but I finally realized my worth was not determined by anyone else but myself. I may have been unlucky in life and love, but I wouldn't let it stop me from living.
"A year after the Rivians made contact with Earth and started the Rivian-Earthling Attachment Program, some couples realized they couldn't have babies on their own and needed surrogate mothers. It paid well. Really well. It promised to be an adventure of a lifetime without the commitment of a lifetime; just what I was looking for. So I signed up, and I convinced my sister to join me. She had a great job as an astronomer already, but this way she'd really get to be among the stars.
"We'd just boarded the ship a few hours before and were on our way to Rivia and a new life when we were attacked. A few weeks later, I met you."
An amalgam of emotions swirled within him as her story ended. She'd loved someone else. Did she love him still? How could any Earthan man be foolish enough to throw away the gift of her love unrequited? Whomever he was, he must be an insensate half-wit.
The thought of Midori in pain made his chest tighten and his own breath quicken. He'd never do that to her. Never make her feel that way. He swore it. Her happiness and well-being were all that mattered.
A yawn escaped Midori's lips. "I'm sorry. Everything must be catching up with me. I could fall asleep right here."
An image flickered through his mind of Midori snuggled naked in his arms while she slept peacefully in the warmth of the waters. But it wasn't the best idea. He'd learned from their encounter with the vyrmm that he needed to be prepared to fight or run when they rested. At least until they made their way to safety.
"We should get some rest. I'll find the pig dog and give you some privacy."
Midori nodded, her face unreadable as she turned around and faced the back of the grotto. It only took him a moment to wipe the excess water from his skin and dress. He left her alone while he traveled back along the path to the main cavern.
Pugly was lying on his belly, his head resting between his folded hooves. "Are you finished, then? Has my ineffable queen finally grown tired of you?"
Cael chuckled at the beast's jealousy which so closely mirrored his own when he thought of the man Midori had once loved. "Nothing happened, pig dog. You've nothing to worry about. Come. We'll get some rest, but we should stay together."
The beast gave a snort of approval and jumped to its feet before giving a shake of its shaggy body and heading back to the grotto.
The rocky floor of the cave had one large smooth spot where the trio bedded down for the night. Even though the air was warm, the rocky terrain was cool to the touch, and Midori didn't argue when Cael suggested she sleep tucked in between him and the furry pig dog. She snuggled in his arms and was asleep within a few seconds.
Cael smiled at the soft sound of Midori's gentle snores as she slept in his arms. His heart gave a tug, and for a moment, he thought about what it would be like to have her fall asleep in his arms every night. The perfect bliss of knowing she was his mate for the rest of their lives. The thought of her belly swollen with their child, a perfect mix of the both of them. It was tempting to imagine it, but he knew it wasn't meant to be. Midori already had plans for her future, and they didn't include him.
Cael sighed, and darkness crept in with memories he'd rather forget.
He'd just returned to Zyranth after his father's passing. He was walking through the palace, looking for his uncle. His friend and guard, Baelor, was missing. In fact, all of his guards had been removed from service. He wanted answers. But his uncle had other plans.
"So, the prodigal has returned. And how many credits did you spend this time, nephew? Just how much of the royal treasury have you wasted on your selfish games and philandering?"
"I'm done with that sort of lifestyle, uncle. I have been for some time now. My greatest concern is for Zyranth and its prosperity. I know I've made questionable choices in the past?—"
"Questionable? Try irresponsible."
"But I want to change. I want to be more. Do more for our nation. I know my father wanted this for me."
"Your father wanted a son who wouldn't embarrass him. A son he could pass the throne to without hesitation or regret. But unfortunately, you didn't live up to the challenge."
"But with father's passing?—"
"It's already been decided, Cael. You're not ready for the throne. Zyranth needs a leader with a strong moral compass, not a fledgling child too selfish to do the right thing."
"I'm not?—"
"The Council of Elders have voted. Until you show enough maturity to reign as king, I will oversee the kingdom as regent. Once I'm convinced you have grown in wisdom and stature, we'll speak with the Council."
"You can't do that."
"I can. And I have. You'll do well to learn your place, nephew. In the meantime, you're to remain confined to the palace where I can keep my eye on you. But don't worry about not having enough to do. I have plans for you. Chief Elder Xandar has offered his daughter to be bonded with you, knowing she will someday assume the role as Queen of Zyranth. She's due to arrive in three days' time. By then, I expect you to know everything there is to know about her and make her all too willing to become your lifemate. You will not fail me in this matter. Do you understand?"
His uncle hadn't even waited for an answer. He just walked away, expecting Cael's complete obedience. He'd stolen Cael's throne. Removed his security. And arranged his marriage.
Cael didn't know exactly what his uncle was really planning for him. Was he planning to assassinate him? Send him off to the far side of the planet? Or simply keep him prisoner in the palace and remain regent forever? Cael didn't know, but he didn't intend to stay there and find out. First, he'd find Baelor. Then, he'd find answers.
But it hadn't worked out as neatly as all that. He still hadn't found Baelor, but he had found purpose. He'd also learned his uncle had become involved with Lordy Krissayr and the slave trade. Surely the Council of Elders would want to know about that.
First, he'd do everything in his power to help Midori. And afterward, when she was safely home and he was no longer part of her life, he'd take the pain of saying goodbye and use it to give him focus.
Because after saying goodbye to her, his heart would never be the same.