Assistant for the Alien Prince by Tammy Walsh

Jessica

I hadto excuse myself the moment I learned the news and knew there was no way I could control the tears of relief that would stream down my cheeks.

“Excuse me,” I said. “I… have something in my eye.”

I couldn’t think of a better excuse and didn’t wait to see if they bought it or not.

I hurried outside and relaxed when the cool evening breeze hit me full in the face.

It was cold and stripped the air from my lungs.

Less than ten seconds later, Zai was there.

“Are you okay?” he said.

Was I okay?

The news had precious little to do with me, I told myself.

Then why did I react the way I was?

Why did I take such relief from learning the baby wasn’t his?

Why did it matter so much to me?

It shouldn’t have.

It should have rolled off my back like water across a duck’s oily feathers.

When I looked up at him, the emotions I had until a moment ago managed to control, exploded from me and I fell into his arms.

“Zai!” I said. “It’s amazing! You can go ahead with your Pairing Ceremony! You can get on with your life! The tribe leaders will learn you’re innocent! They’ll have to accept your invitation now! Don’t you see? They’ll have no choice but to accept you as their king! Nothing makes the public care more about someone than realizing they were wrongfully misjudged!”

The poor guy looked unsure, but there was no doubt in my heart.

It would work out for him.

I knew it would.

He would get to take part in his Pairing Ceremony and he wouldn’t have to be held back by a child he knew nothing about.

Still, there was sadness in his features that I couldn’t fully account for.

I threw my arms around him again.

“Everything’s going to be all right!” I said. “You just wait and see!”