Bound to the Stars

Chapter 8

I should have asked for more. The thought occurs to me approximately three seconds after Kael agrees to let Nadine accompany me. He doesn't hesitate, doesn't demand an explanation, and doesn't even attempt to negotiate. He simply says yes, as though allowing my best friend to remain with me is the most reasonable thing in the world. Which, considering everything I know about the Valerathyins, makes me immediately suspicious.

I glance at Nadine. She's still holding my hand, although her grip has loosened slightly. Her expression is somewhere between disbelief and relief, and I imagine mine looks about the same.

Across from us, Commander Vaerik appears to be experiencing a personal crisis. His eyes keep moving between Kael and the king, who looks considerably less pleased with the arrangement than his son.

Good. At least someone is having a worse morning than I am.

King Theron speaks in Valerathic, his voice carrying across the assembly hall. I catch the word for "human" and something that sounds suspiciously like "protocol," although I could be completely wrong. For all I know, he's asking what everyone wants for lunch. Judging by his expression, however, I doubt sandwiches are the topic of conversation.

Kael answers without raising his voice. Whatever he says causes his father's jaw to tighten, and the queen places a hand against the king's arm before he can respond. I watch the exchange with growing interest.

Until today, I had assumed the royal family operated as one terrifying, united front. Apparently, even alien royalty has family disagreements. The difference is that when my family argues, nobody has an army standing behind them.

"Do you think he's going to change his mind?" Nadine whispers. I look toward Kael. He is speaking to Vaerik now, his attention briefly occupied with whatever arrangements are necessary to remove two human women from a government-operated breeding facility. The commander listens with the rigid posture of someone who would very much like to disagree but knows better.

"I don't know," I admit. "He seems pretty committed to making everyone's day difficult."

"Everyone except yours."

I turn toward her. "Excuse me?"

She gives me a pointed look. "Anna, you asked him to bring me, and he agreed without even thinking about it."

"Maybe he just wants to get rid of me before I embarrass his entire family."

"Well, if that's his goal, he's about twenty minutes too late."

I almost smile. Almost. Because the truth is, I have no idea what Kael is thinking. He's spent the last several minutes contradicting nearly everything I've been taught about Valerathyin mates. He hasn't tried to touch me. He hasn't demanded that I acknowledge our bond. And now he's allowing Nadine to accompany me somewhere that, judging by the king's expression, humans aren't normally invited.

It would be easier if he acted like the others. At least then I'd know what to expect.

Kael finishes speaking with Vaerik and turns back toward us. His gaze settles on me immediately, and I notice the faint illumination along his throat grow a little brighter. I really need someone to explain that.

"Arrangements are being made for your departure," he tells me. "You and Nadine will have time to collect your belongings before we leave."

I glance toward the doors at the far end of the hall. For six months, I've imagined what it would feel like to walk through them without a guard ordering me back. Now that it's actually happening, my stomach feels like someone has tied it into a knot.

"How much time?"

"As much as you reasonably need. There is no reason to rush you."

I study him for a moment, searching for the impatience I've come to expect from his people. He seems entirely comfortable standing there while thousands of humans stare at his father and us, silently plotting what I assume is my immediate execution. "You're awfully accommodating for someone who's basically kidnapping me."

Something passes across his face. It's brief, but unmistakable. Discomfort. "I understand why you would see it that way."

I let out a humorless laugh. "Well, that's reassuring."

His eyes remain on mine, but he doesn't answer immediately. For the first time since he approached me, he seemed to be considering his words rather than simply responding. "I cannot undo what has happened to you, Anna. I know that. But I can make certain that what happens next is different."

The sincerity in his voice catches me off guard. I don't want it to. I want to tell him that a few promises aren't going to make up for six months of imprisonment, that he doesn't get to stand in front of me wearing expensive clothing and glowing alien markings and pretend he's somehow separate from everything his people have done.

But something about the way he says it makes the words stick in my throat. Instead, I look away. "We'll see." He accepts that without argument, and I find myself wishing he'd stop being so damn reasonable. The walk back to our living quarters is quieter than I expected.

Vaerik leads the way, accompanied by several guards, while Nadine and I follow a few steps behind. I can feel their attention on us, even when I can't see them looking. Apparently, being recognized as the crown prince's mate comes with an immediate increase in security. I haven't decided whether that's comforting or horrifying. Probably both.

Nadine walks close enough that our shoulders occasionally brush. She hasn't said much since we left the assembly hall, which is unusual for her. Normally, she'd have approximately seventeen questions and at least three inappropriate jokes prepared by now.

I glance at her. She's looking down at the floor, worrying about the edge of her sleeve between her fingers. "Hey." She looks up. "Are you okay?"

She considers the question for a moment before giving me a small shrug. "I think so. I just keep waiting for someone to tell us it was a mistake."

I know exactly what she means. We've spent so long following the same routine that the idea of leaving feels almost impossible. Every morning, we wake up, get dressed, eat whatever questionable food they've decided qualifies as breakfast, and spend the rest of the day being reminded that our futures no longer belong to us. And tomorrow, apparently, that routine will be over. Or maybe even today. I have no idea. "Well, if they try to send you back, I'll throw a fit," I tell her.

She smiles faintly. "You were going to do that anyway."

"Probably. But now I have a legitimate reason." Her smile grows, although it disappears almost as quickly.

"Anna, what if it's worse?"

The question settles between us. I don't need to ask what she means. What if the place we're going is worse than the matching center? What if Kael changes his mind about letting her stay? What if his promises mean nothing once we're away from the thousands of witnesses who watched him make them? I have considered every possibility. Several times. "I don't know," I tell her.

Nadine looks at me, and I can see how badly she wants reassurance. I wish I had some to give her.

"But we're going together," I add. "Whatever happens, at least we won't have to figure it out alone." She nods, slipping her arm through mine. For a while, we walk like that.

It's strange how comforting something so small can be. Before the invasion, Nadine and I used to spend entire afternoons together without giving it a second thought. We'd wander through stores we couldn't afford, complain about work, and make plans for weekends that never seemed long enough.

Back then, being together was normal. Now it's the only thing keeping me from completely losing my mind. As we turn down the final hallway, Nadine leans closer. "You know," she whispers, "I still can't believe you ended up being the prince's mate."

I close my eyes. Here we go. "Please don't."

"I'm just saying. Remember when I told you that you could be a princess?"

"Unfortunately."

"And you said you'd rather lick the floor?"

"I stand by that statement."

She laughs softly, and the sound makes something in my chest loosen. "I wonder if they have crowns."

I look at her in disbelief. "Nadine."

"What? I'm curious."

"Well, if they do, you can have mine."

"Really?"

"Absolutely. I'll even let you wear it while you scrub the palace toilets." She bumps her shoulder against mine, still laughing.