by Zara Zenia
They walked in silence for a few moments, looking at all the different stalls. Margot looked back a few times to witness exactly what they had seen back in the research facility. Pralmav was distracted and Milinna was beside him, looking hopeful for attention as they walked. Margot didn't doubt that Pralmav took care of her, because he did. It was just that Draklan was right. He was a bit neglectful at times.
They didn't stay very long, but Margot couldn't stop talking about all the things that she saw and all the wonderful bits and baubles that were for sale. She couldn't believe that she had been missing out on such an experience, and she talked about it until bedtime. Draklan was so happy to see her smile that he finally decided to bite the bullet that he had been dodging.
Obviously, things were not good with Bhatraz at the moment. They had been at odds ever since the night of the dinner, and Bhatraz hadn't made a single move to mend things. So for Draklan to knock on his door and step inside with a smile meant that there was something different about his attitude. Drastically different.
“Is the palace burning down?” Bhatraz asked his younger brother upon seeing him.
“No?” Draklan answered, confused at the question.
“Is Pralmav dead?”
“No?” Draklan responded.
“Then why exactly are you here, Brother?” Bhatraz answered. When it was just his family around, he didn't keep on the mask of charisma.
“I came for some . . . advice,” Draklan said. “And I know it's going to sound odd, given that we have been fighting over this very thing.”
“What exactly are you asking?” Bhatraz said. “Because I've had a long day and I'm not exactly keen on talking to you.”
“Your . . . marriage,” Draklan said. “Is stable.”
“Is it?” Bhatraz asked. “Considering you accused my wife of horrible things in public?”
“Accused?” Draklan answered and then backtracked when he saw his brother's face turn red. “Okay, maybe I did. But throughout all of that, I didn't hear you threaten to leave Rabbina.”
Bhatraz looked at him, confused. “Why would I have threatened her with that?”
“Because . . . you wouldn't,” Draklan said. “Because your marriage is strong and stable, even at the worst times. From what I can tell, you fight but never bring up what could be.”
“We are bound together, Brother,” Bhatraz said. “You don't bring it up. You find a way around it.”
“But you aren't,” Draklan said. “I mean . . . if you really hated her, you could leave her.”
Bhatraz held his gaze steadily.
“But I won't,” he said. “Is that what you want advice on? You want to leave your alien wife?”
“On the contrary,” Draklan said. “I want to . . . well, I want to get closer to her. I want to find a way to make the marriage work.”
“I heard you were quite angry at the matchmaker,” Bhatraz said.
Draklan sputtered. “Who told you that?” he asked, worried his secret about Tariana had gotten out.
Luckily, Bhatraz was referring to another factor. “It's obvious,” he said. “The way you looked at Margot.”
“Oh, well . . . I'm considering changing my own mind about that,” Draklan said. “However, you know as well as I do that it's hard to get a moment's peace when you are in the palace. I could never give her the focus I wanted to here. There's always a million people pulling you in a billion directions.”
“Indeed,” Bhatraz said. “I agree, it is hard to get peace here.”
“She loved the market today,” Draklan said. “And she loved going to the research facility. I hadn't realized that she felt like a caged bird. I guess we get so caught in palace life that we forget the effect it can have on others.”
“So, why don't you take her on a trip?” Bhatraz answered.
“A trip where?” Draklan said. “Mother still won’t grant me access to the islands, and I suspect she won't until my future child is born . . . and that child will likely never be conceived if we don't get a moment's peace.”
It had been a long time since he had been this candid with Bhatraz. Bhatraz paused, considering his options. “Perhaps a sketching trip?” he said. “She loves landscapes and she's always got a sketchpad in her hand. The two of you could take a shuttle and head off for a few days, away from all of this.”
“Oh,” Draklan said. “That's actually . . . not a bad idea.”
“I have an idea,” Bhatraz said. “We've been at odds for too long, Brother. Why don't I organize it all for you as an apology?”
Draklan was quite surprised by that offer. “Really?” he said. “You'd do that?”
“I'd do that,” Bhatraz said. “I'll arrange the location, the accommodations, and even the shuttle to take you there. I'll speak to security as well so they don't lose their minds.”
“That would be . . . wow, that would be amazing,” Draklan said. “Thank you.”
“As long as it ends our feud,” Bhatraz said.
“Yes, yes,” Draklan said, holding out his hand. “All is forgiven.”
They shook, a formal agreement.
Draklan lingered, unsure of what to say. “How has your day been?” he asked at last.
“It was a day that made me wish I were on a sketching trip,” Bhatraz said.
Draklan smiled. “Maybe this is something that we could take turns with?” Draklan suggested. “If it goes well? We could cover each other so that we could all take a trip once in a while with our wives?”
“I'm sure the possibility of what could happen on that trip would make Mother very happy,” Bhatraz said. “You be the one to test it, and if it works, I'll speak to her.”
“I'll let you know,” Draklan answered. “Thank you again.”
“Go and ask your wife, Draklan,” Bhatraz said with a smile. “That is the first rule. She must agree.”
“Yes, of course,” Draklan said and left the room. His heart felt lighter than it had in a long time. Bhatraz’s offer was almost too good to be true, but he wasn't going to let it slip through his fingers. The way his brother changed his mind every few minutes, it was best to take advantage of the situation right away.
They were still sleeping in separate rooms, and Margot was just settling down for the night when Draklan knocked on her door. She seemed surprised to see him but let him in without hesitation.
“Hello,” she said. “Is something the matter?”
“Why does everyone think that when I show up?” Draklan asked. “I've just been to see my brother and he asked me the same thing.”
“You went to see Pralmav?” she asked.
“I went to see Bhatraz,” he responded.
She raised an eyebrow in surprise. “Really? How come?”
“I had a few things to discuss with him,” Draklan said. “And one of them was you.”
“Me?” Margot responded in surprise. “Have I done something wrong?”
“No, Margot,” Draklan responded. “In fact, you've done something right. I saw how happy you were today at the market. I didn't realize how caged in you were feeling in the palace. I mean, I knew it was a problem . . . but I didn't think it was that bad. But seeing the joy on your face today, I realized how mistaken I have been.”
“It's not your fault,” she was quick to assure him. “I know you've been busy and you've had lots on your mind.”
“Still,” he replied. “I have people I know and places I can go. You have none of those things. So I thought we could take a trip to clear our minds. Hopefully, when we return, we can figure out a new plan of attack for all of this. Tariana, the kingdom . . . everything.”
Margot's face lit up in such a way that he knew that he had made the right decision.
“A trip?” she responded. “A trip where?”
“A painting trip,” he said. “There are beautiful views on this planet, and you should see them. We'll take a small private shuttle, just the two of us, stay in private accommodations, and stop for as long as you like,
wherever you like, to just relax and paint.”
“That would be the most amazing thing!” she said. “Are you sure you can afford the time away?”
“Yes, of course I can, if I know in advance,” he said. “Does this mean you'll say yes?”
“Yes,” she said. “I'm all for it. Thank you!”
“Give me a few days to figure out the details,” he said. “Bhatraz is organizing everything, but I'll have input based on what I know your preferences are.”
“Bhatraz is organizing everything?” she responded in surprise. “That's . . . wow. Really?”
“It's an effort to make amends,” Draklan admitted.
“Are you sure he's just not trying to get rid of us?” Margot teased him.
“He could be, but at least it'll be a beautiful way to go,” Draklan responded.
She laughed. “I'll see you in the morning,” she said after they stood together awkwardly for a few more moments.
Even if they were getting along, Draklan still didn't know what to say to communicate with her on a deeper level. And he certainly didn't know what to say to make her feel comfortable enough to invite him into her bedroom. “Good night,” he said at last. It was a step in the right direction, at least.
“Draklan.”
He hadn’t been away from Margot's rooms more than three seconds when he heard his mother’s voice.
“Are you settling in for the night?”
“I am, Mother,” he answered, turning around.
She was clearly of the same mindset, heading to the grand chambers that she’d had for as long as she lived in the palace.
“Is there something I can help you with?”
“Margot's room is that one,” she answered, pointing to the doorway he had just let.
“I know,” he responded, confused.
“Well, shouldn't you go back there?” she asked.
“Uh . . . no,” Draklan said.
His mother lowered her voice. “Draklan, you will never get an heir this way.”
“I . . . Mother.” He flushed. “I know. We're trying.”
“Well, you need to try harder,” she said.
Draklan screamed internally. “We will, Mother,” he said. “We're going on a royal tour.” He didn't want to tell her the truth about the relaxing trip they were planning. “And perhaps that will help.”
“Oh,” she said. “I had no idea that there was a tour arranged.”
“Bhatraz just brought it up,” Draklan responded, knowing that his older brother could do no wrong. “And I agreed.”
“Oh,” she said. “Well, that's wonderful. It's wonderful to see you taking on more responsibility.”
“Of course,” Draklan said. “Anything for the kingdom. Now, I'm quite tired.”
“Sleep well,” she said as she opened her own door. “Although you really should be doing that in Margot's bed. Or her in yours.”
“Oh, my—” He resisted the urge to put his head against the wall. “Good night, Mother.”
He briefly wondered if other princes had to deal with such a thing from their mothers. He knew that there was pressure, of course, but he wasn't even the crown prince. His brothers had been married far longer than he had, and he was certain they didn't receive as much pressure.
He knew sleep would not come easily to him, so he didn't try. Instead, he settled into bed with his tablet, checking his messages for the day.
There were a few messages from his security team that caught his eye. From what they could tell, Tariana was still making matches and accepting huge sums of money for them.
What alarmed him was that his security team reported that it looked like she was on the move. She had moved from a more permanent residence into a hotel in the same city, and it seemed most of her large possessions were being moved out of the residence. It seemed she was selling them off and stocking the money in a digital account that was universally accepted.
They couldn't do anything, of course, until she actually made the move. And even if she did, Draklan often wondered what exactly their first move was going to be. She wasn't exactly a high-priced criminal. She had accepted the money and made matches. Just because she was bad at her job, it didn't mean they could technically prosecute her.
He could prosecute her, possibly, for not having the proper license. But he didn't know what court would hear it, considering she was technically a citizen of the universe and not of any planet. Not having the proper license or letting your license lapse wasn't the worst crime of the century. She could even claim ridiculous things, like that she wasn't notified properly or that she forgot. And most courts would at least hear her.
He could prosecute her for emotional damages, but it would be laughable that a prince of his station would want to do such a thing, given that he really didn't need any money.
His head hit the pillow in frustration as he thought through his options. He had promised Margot that he would do something about this, but it seemed that he was at a dead end.
He just needed her to stay put until he figured out what to do. He knew that the real world didn't answer to his uncertainty. When he sat on the throne on the island, he couldn't just demand that the world stop until he figured out what to do or how to do it.
He also knew that he would make mistakes when it finally became his turn to make big decisions. There wasn't a ruler alive who could say that they didn't make mistakes.
The biggest mistake he could make, he thought, was not securing his throne or his legacy. Without an heir, he could be thrown off the throne and lose it for his entire family. But if he had a son, it would be more secure.
He wasn't the kind of person who could force Margot into something when she wasn't ready.
But he did need her to be ready, and soon.
Even if they weren't sure where they stood emotionally, he knew where he stood physically with her. She was more than just attractive. She was stunning. And she was certainly more attractive than anyone on Tamarax.
He had legitimately thought there was something wrong with him, growing up. Even with his brothers being very different, they still expressed interest in women in their unique ways. Bhatraz was very different from Pralmav, but Draklan had watched their eyes follow women they were interested in. Tamaraxian women were very different from Earth women, skinnier, less curvy, taller, and somehow more aggressive. Draklan thought that Pralmav had gotten lucky with Milinna because she didn't want to argue every point he brought up.
Margot was Draklan's dream woman, he realized. And he was married to her, but he couldn't make any progress with her.
It was a frustrating situation, to say the least.
The only other thing that was flagged in his email box was the fact that Bhatraz had made a rather large withdrawal from the treasury. Because the treasury was well-protected, they were all notified whenever credits over a certain amount were withdrawn.
Draklan was too tired to look at the details of the transaction, but he did note that this was the third time this week. He didn’t question what his brother needed it for because Bhatraz would never do anything to hurt the kingdom. He scribbled a note on his bedside notepad to ask his brother what he was up to, out of curiosity, and then approved the transaction. He noticed that Pralmav also had approved it, which was really all Bhatraz needed.
Finally done for the night, he shut off his tablet and his light, closing his eyes. He usually was able to fall asleep quite quickly. Tonight, however, his mind was wracked with thoughts of Margot. He imagined their future together, when they were on their own throne on the island. He wanted to imagine the crowd, but all he could see was his beautiful co-ruler standing beside him, looking stunning in Tamaraxian fashion and a large crown. He imagined taking her hand and walking down the steps, out of the room, and into their bedroom.
Chapter 13
Margot
Margot couldn't believe that they were really going on this painting trip. She felt like her dream was coming true. She remembered all th
e days on Earth when she was looking at Tamarax's landscapes and dreaming of walking through them. She’d wished she could paint them in real life, standing in the fine greenery. And now it was upon her. She thought it was the greatest thing that had ever happened to her.
She talked about it every moment, thought about it every moment. The entire planet seemed to know that the pair was going on the trip, despite the fact that it was supposed to be to be a private, quiet trip. Margot was pleasantly surprised by the support. She wasn't sure what the planet's opinions of her were, but it seemed they at least wished the couple well in their marriage.
The night before the trip, she cornered Milinna after work.
“Do you know what I should wear?”
Milinna looked at her as if she had lost her mind.
“Margot,” she said softly. “You are asking the wrong person.”
Margot chuckled at that, taking her sister-in-law's arm.
“Please,” she said. “I don't know anyone else to ask. Please help me.”
“It's . . .” Milinna sighed and then smiled. “All right. I will try.”
“Come with me, then.” Margot didn't even give her a chance to take off her lab coat. She literally dragged her sister-in-law into her room. Milinna had never had a friend quite like Margot, and she didn't resist the tugging.
“Wait,” Milinna said as her phone jangled. They were just inside Margot's room and she pulled it out, sitting on Margot's large armchair. “It's Pralmav.”
“Will he be mad that you are here?”
“No,” Milinna said as she answered it. She put it on video phone so that her husband could see exactly where she was. “Hello. Do you need me?”
“Are the samples finished spinning?” Pralmav asked her without greeting her.
“They are,” Milinna said. “But I can come back if they are insufficient.”
“No, she can't,” Margot cried with a giggle, sticking her face in the camera. She was comfortable enough with her in-laws at this point to scream through the lens. “I need her, Pralmav, please.”
Pralmav looked surprised and struggled to maintain his composure. “Margot,” he said. “Is everything all right?”
