Freed By the Alien Prince by Tori Kellett
Chapter Thirteen
Sascha eyed the two N’olaan farmers. She was hot, frustrated, and angry. They were on an alien planet with all this advanced technology, but it was apparently too much to ask for some air-conditioning.
Although, that wasn’t fair. She’d asked to come to the mining camp. She could be in the cool palace right now. What did she want to do?
Make a difference.
And to be treated like an adult and have her opinions respected.
So why am I behaving like a child? Rising to Q’at’s words was pathetic and had hurt N’ameth immeasurably.
She waved toward the small camping chairs under the awning and smiled. “Thank you for coming to help.” They were eager and knowledgeable. Far more knowledgeable than her, and she had a good long look at herself. Respect had to be earned. She knew that. But all she’d earned so far was disgust. She had disrespected a prince in front of his people. She didn’t blame them for the disgusted looks they had shot her. She needed to get her act together.
She suggested to Olar and Tuin, the N’olaan farmers, that it would be best to set up a meeting with Zurtak as soon as he returned from looking at the filtration tanks above the palace, but apart from that, there was nothing else she could do. They were happy to agree and left. She watched them go, then stood. Lam’saak, who had been mostly silent, stood also.
“We are working on bringing a portable ice machine. I am hoping it will be with the next shipment.”
“Ice?” Sascha said, momentarily distracted. “You have ice?”
“Not in the way you mean,” he said carefully. “Not frozen water. The N’olaans have an artificial cooling system that’s easily portable. It is intended to make the mines safer to work in. The internal temperatures are dangerously high during the day, but the same conditions make sleeping equally miserable. One of my engineers is setting up fans that are balanced with weights to use in the cabins. They don’t require power.”
“That sounds really good.” And simple, Sascha thought. Why the Ishtaans hadn’t done something similar was beyond her. But then that wasn’t fair. She knew why people like Zurtak had been looked over for anything except how he could hold a gun.
“Tired workers make mistakes,” Lam’saak said. “I want everyone safe, or as safe as they can be.”
Sascha sipped her water and gestured to one of two chairs and realized she couldn’t just leave. If she was trusted to instill manners in preschoolers, she should be capable of demonstrating them herself. “Please sit.” Lam’saak bowed but did as she asked.
“It is a shame you cannot explore the area before you return to the palace. You may be able to identify suitable areas for crops.”
She nearly laughed but, mindful of the cover story, explained. “I think the N’olaan farmers are far more experienced than I about indigenous plants. I lived on a farm as a child, and we were used to growing crops such as corn, squash, even watermelons. There are many foods that grow in desert soil, but they all need a water source. What I’d like to start with is the aloe vera.”
Lam’saak was interested, and she explained what she intended to do. “I need a base oil.”
He nodded. “Gava bushes are grown for their fruit, but the stems give off a pleasant scented oil. I remember my matriche using it. It smells faintly of the fruit.”
“They do?” That sounded perfect.
“But you can also use Eish’ta paste. We use it in cooking. I took the liberty of requesting some be brought back for you as I thought it would be useful. It isn’t as liquid as the oil.”
That sounded even better, and Sascha told him so. He beamed. “I assume you are thinking of this area because of the high water levels?” He flushed. “I heard what you requested of the young warrior and what you explained to Olar.”
Sascha nodded, pleased that he seemed to instantly grasp what she needed. “Apparently flooding is a problem, even sometimes in the Dry, which makes me believe there is either a close water source or a high water table. We also have some farmers coming with experience of this to research the best area.” And look for the crystals. But of course, she didn’t say that. Not that she doubted for one second Lam’saak didn’t know. He had alternated being with N’ameth most of the month while they were interviewing the prisoners, then dashing up here to oversee things, and if she knew there was a possibility, then it was likely everyone did.
She didn’t know how long N’ameth would be gone. Hell, she didn’t even know if he was coming back, but maybe she could do what she had promised and make some suggestions. At least look like she was trying anyway. Then maybe N’ameth wouldn’t dislike her quite so much.
“I would love to show you the back of the camp beyond the trees?” They had gone in the opposite direction when they arrived.
“N’ameth said we were to stay here.” It was said out of surprise rather than agreement. She couldn’t envision Lam’saak disagreeing with N’ameth for one second.
He stiffened, almost as if she had insulted him. “I am a warrior, Sascha. I would never—”
“Okay.” She put a hand up. She hadn’t meant to insult him.
He looked regretful. “I understand if you didn’t feel safe with me, and it may be too hot though.”
Sascha knew that, but she was used to hot. “Let’s go.” She’d grown up in regular summer temperatures of a hundred degrees, and this was important. She got up and grabbed her water, draped the cool cloth that the women used around their heads and faces to avoid the sun, and followed Lam’saak out. The heat—even as miserable as it was under the canopy—took her by surprise when she went outside. The camp was quiet. There were a few warriors standing guard who watched them carefully, but she gamely followed Lam’saak around the back of the cabins. She didn’t see Rachel or Brey, and to be honest, she was relieved. She was going to take a quick look behind the camp so she would have something to tell N’ameth when—if—he came back. Along with the apology she knew he deserved, assuming he was talking to her.
Sweat was pouring off of Sascha by the time they made it to the trees, and she shook the cloth from her head. At least here they were in the shade. Lam’saak stopped and pointed out various trees. It made sense that the Dry wasn’t killing these giants off as their roots would go a long way down.
The trees eventually cleared a little, the land becoming flatter and more open. She stopped to take another drink and realized her bottle was nearly empty. “I don’t think we should go much further.” In fact, she had no idea what she was trying to prove. They had farmers coming. Honest to god farmers with a ton more experience than her. She’d show Brey and some of the others how to remove the aloe and mix it, and then she was going back to the palace and maybe try out her idea about the children.
Because that’s what she really wanted to do. She was good at that. She knew she was.
She looked out over the landscape. Sparse trees, dried flat earth, rocky outcrops. Rocky outcrops. She glanced at Lam’saak, who was looking in the same direction as she was but didn’t seem to find it remarkable. She was sure the dark rocks were the same as the ones from near the cave where they had found the ghost lily.
Lam’saak stopped so suddenly that Sascha nearly walked into him, but he turned and gestured to a rock. “Shall we sit? I have something I wish to ask you.”
Nerves suddenly hit Sascha. “Maybe when we get back?”
“I will be quick,” he assured her. “I have been hoping to catch you on your own.” Crap. She hoped this wasn’t what it sounded like. “Now that you have rejected Prince N’ameth, I hoped you may give more consideration to my offer.”
Yep.
“I grew up on N’olaan, not Ishtaan. Our females are treated with respect and are not forced into roles they neither fit nor wish. As my mate, you could be or do anything you want. You would not be forced to maintain appearances or behave in a particular manner as is befitting the ruling family.” He smiled ruefully, and Sascha got what he was trying to do. She didn’t blame him for trying to score an advantage, especially when she’d just scored an own goal.
He stepped closer, and Sascha took a step back.He put his hands out in a surrender motion. “I shouldn’t have said anything, I merely ask you to consider what I can offer you before the end of the lunar cycle when you must choose.”
Sascha blew out a frustrated breath. “I am honored to be asked, but I need to talk to N’ameth first.” Unless he doesn’t want to talk to me.
Lam’saak frowned. “I thought you had rejected him and that the female Lexie sought his approval?”
“That may be,” Sascha said. “I promise I will consider what you have asked.”
Lam’saak hesitated. “I understand if you think I’m not worthy because of the Zirca Seven.”
“Of course not,” Sascha interjected and put a hand on Lam’saak’s arm. “I would never—”
Before she got a chance to finish her declaration, Lam’saak closed the gap and fastened his lips on hers. For a second, she was too stunned to move, but then she registered what he was doing and tried to step back, except his hand came up behind her head and stopped her. Annoyed, she pushed against his chest, but he just moaned as if he found her struggles a turn-on.
So she bit his bottom lip.
He yelped and stepped back, shock widening his dark gray eyes. She swallowed a little nervously. “I’m sorry, but I need to talk to N’ameth.” She stepped to his side, heart hammering, half expecting a hand on her arm. When he didn’t follow, she turned to look behind her and recognized the slew of emotions that crossed his face. Horror, shame.
He dropped to his knees. “My apologies. I have dishonored you and behaved abominably.”
She sighed. “Please, it’s fine. I just need some time.” But she was placating him. If she’d been in any doubt, that little demonstration decided things. “I’m too hot. Can we go back?”
Lam’saak stood and bowed, and they started walking. “I apologize again for my behavior.”
“Of course.” She smiled and felt a little sorry for Lam’saak. Desperate to fit in and trying really hard to find favor with everyone.
Lam’saak walked a little way in front of her, for which she was glad, so she didn’t have to carry on a polite conversation. Halfway back, another two guards appeared, obviously looking for them, and she stepped to the side, letting them talk. She leaned against one of the huge Hasida trees and, for some reason she never knew why, looked up.
Straight into a child’s face.
He froze, and they stared at each other for a long few seconds. She glanced toward the guards and Lam’saak, but they weren’t close enough to see. She opened her mouth to call out, but the little mite—he was maybe eight, if she had to guess, with dark brown hair and a face full of freckles, which she didn’t think she’d seen on another Ishtaan—shook his head frantically. He looked terrified.
It made her pause, and she glanced over at Lam’saak again. She guessed—it wasn’t rocket science—that this might be one of the children who escaped from the mines. The trouble was he didn’t know Xar’ta and P’anchta weren’t there anymore, so he was still terrified of them. And he might run before she explained if she called over the guards. After another glance to make sure she wasn’t being watched, she looked up and smiled. He wouldn’t have the translation chip, but body language was universal.
He smiled a little, very hesitantly, clearly distrusting her. She ached to be able to talk to him and decided she would come back alone as soon as she could. She doubted N’ameth would be back anytime soon. She didn’t have a watch, but she thought getting to the camp even in a shuttle had taken nearly an hour.
Lam’saak finished talking to the guards, so she resisted looking up at the child and joined them. She could have talked to Lam’saak, but something told her the sight of a warrior would frighten the child too much before she got the chance to help him.
It was no use. Somehow, she was going to have to go back on her own.
By the time they got back to the camp, she pleaded a headache and let herself into the cabin she shared with Rachel and Brey, relieved to find it empty. Now, how the hell was she going to be able to ditch her guard?
It took two hours, but in the end, it was easier than she had expected. The Dry brought strong winds, and the canopy lifted at one corner. All the warriors and guards had to help to secure it. No one noticed her slipping from the cabin and heading back to the trees.
She was armed with a blaster, a water bottle, and her tunic. As soon as she got to the trees, she lowered the cover, stood and listened. Then she headed back to the tree. It was easy to spot. There were some huge ones, but this was a Goliath. She had no idea what she was doing, but she knew if this child was living rough, she had to help.
She leaned against the tree, then slid to the ground. As far as nonthreatening went, this had to be a plus if anyone was watching. She eyed her blaster, sighed, took it out, and laid it on the ground, stretching so it was six feet away from her. She could still get to it—she wasn’t that stupid—but it would take a couple of vulnerable seconds.
She waited and sipped her water. After a good thirty minutes, she was ready to accept defeat. It had probably been a ridiculous idea, and reluctantly, she got to her feet.
The child landing on the ground in front of her nearly stopped her heart.
Especially since it was a different child.
And oh my god, a girl!
Sascha met startling gray eyes. The first native Ishtaan she had seen without some shade of blue, except for some of the elders without the genome editing whose eyes seemed to be a universal brown.
The girl was thirteen, fourteen at a guess, and definitely didn’t look sick, although that could be because she hadn’t succumbed to the disease yet. It was rare, so she understood, but it happened. She heard rustling from behind her, and within seconds, she was surrounded by at least another seven children.
And they all were pointing knives at her.
“Where is he?” the girl demanded.
Who?“Can you understand me?” She knew because of the chip she could tell what the girl was saying, but the reverse was unlikely to be true.
The girl paused for a second and stepped forward with her own blade. “Start talking.”
“Who? Where’s who?”
An older boy, maybe ten or eleven, lifted what looked like a spear and pointed it at her head.
Sascha looked at the girl. “I don’t know what you mean. I came to try and talk to the boy.”
She scoffed. “Kash’ta is missing. He came back full of tales about the female who hadn’t told the guards where he was. Barely a few minutes later, he told Marta he was going back here to see if you had returned. There’s no sign of him.”
Sascha winced. It was—what—about three hours since she had been here? “Might he have gone somewhere else?”
The girl shook her head. “Kash’ta never goes anywhere except the tree.”
Sascha nodded. “Then we have to find him, but what you all need to know is the king is dead, and his son, Zakaarir, has taken over. It’s not like it was before.” She was met with a skeptical eyebrow. “And P’anchta is dead because Zak slit his throat.”
That the girl obviously knew P’anchta was immediately obvious. “You didn’t betray Kash’ta?”
“The boy I saw earlier? No. I was worried he would run. It’s why I came back. You don’t need to hide anymore. Nothing like that will ever happen to you again.”
She looked skeptical, and Sascha didn’t blame her. “How come you have a translation chip fitted?”
The girl was silent for a moment but then said, “Because I was born without honor and sold as a slave on T’ulla.”
“The space prison?”
The girl nodded. “I was lucky. There was an escape. I bargained my body for a place, but the cruiser was hit and destroyed as it landed. The Ishtaans assumed everyone had died.”
Sascha looked at her. She stood tall, proud. She had the skin coloring of an Ishtaan, but there were definitely other traits. Her facial features were tall, angular. Her hair seemed to move as she turned her head. Almost as if it was alive.
“What’s your name?”
“It doesn’t matter.”
Sascha took a deep breath. “Zak is different. Everything is different.” She remembered Voren. “He has welcomed his half brother into the palace and recognized his status.” The gray eyes shimmered slightly. “But he needs warriors desperately.”
The girl scoffed. “He would send me to the schoolroom if he didn’t send me to the cells.”
“I don’t think so. Yes, he would be protective, and you couldn’t expect anything less, but the princes of Ishtaan want a different type of female.” And suddenly in her heart, she knew. “They want a female to stand at their side, not behind them.”
She wasn’t going to convince her in one conversation. Sascha took a settling breath. “I have to go back. I don’t want to bring the warriors here.” She hoped she saw respect in the gray gaze that flashed at her.
“You were looking for something else here, not just Kash’ta.”
Sascha admired her perceptiveness and was blunt. “I made a mistake. I love someone very much, but because I felt trapped, I insulted him. I am trying to find the second Azteen vein. Ishtaan needs their independence from what the Alliance has forced them into. I am hoping this helps.” The girl was silent for another moment. “I promise you won’t be hurt.” But then the girl raised a hand, and every weapon lowered.
“Which planet are you from?”
“Earth. It’s a long way away. Prince N’ameth brought us here to help repopulate the planet.”
“Because of the sickness,” she said bluntly.
Sascha nodded and took another guess. “If any of the children with you are sick, I can bring a doctor back with me.”
Bitterness flashed in the girl’s eyes. Pain and something else. “It’s too late for doctors. But I need to find Kash’ta.”
Sascha pressed her lips together to stop herself from saying something trite. She couldn’t imagine what these children were going through. “I can come back with Prince N’ameth. Just us two, I promise.” She would go to the palace to get him herself if she had to.
“And why should I trust you not to tell anyone else?”
“I can’t give you a reason,” Sascha said honestly. “You don’t know me, so nothing I can say would convince you.” But maybe that was enough because the girl nodded and stepped away, but she paused and seemed to consider something, then turned.
“Do you know the story of the ghost lilies?”
Sascha’s eyes widened. “Yes. One of the village females—Brey—told me.”
The girl nodded. “If you follow the black rock two marks east, there is a whole hillside full of them.” Then she, and every child with her, vanished into the trees.
Sascha took a breath. It was as if she’d imagined the children, but she knew she hadn’t imagined their pain. She needed to find Kash’ta.
And the lillies. A whole hillside of them? That must be where the second Azteen crystal vein was. It had to be. There was no way the girl had told her that without meaning. She had a feeling she needed a home too. She was so tempted to rush back and tell Voren or Lam’saak, but she’d made a promise. She needed to talk to N’ameth.
