by Zara Zenia
I rolled over and the dream changed, but I was still on that farm in my dream.
"Laurie, hurry up! The cows aren't gonna milk themselves!"
"Yes, Mama!" I called, hurrying out of the tiny room, my bare feet slapping against the wooden floor. It was hard and cold under my feet. I needed to hurry, or I'd miss the bus for school. I dressed in a pair of jeans and a pink sweater Mama had knit for me, and then found a pair of socks without holes to wear before pulling on my boots. As I headed out to the barn I waved to Papa, who was out in the field, planting. I found the tin pails we used to collect the milk just inside the barn door. They clanged together as I moved toward the cows. I set one in the straw beneath Bessie and got to work. As I pulled her utters, I practiced my times tables.
"Three times one is three; Three times two is six; Three times three is nine…" I recited. I got through all of the threes and halfway through the fours before moving over to Elsie. The milk from Bessie sloshed in the pail as I set it aside and pulled the second pail under Elsie.
Grunting, I shifted in my bed and again the dream changed.
There was a knock on the door. It was early in the evening and I was helping Mama make dinner. I was making the mashed potatoes while Mama fixed us a chicken. "I'll get it—"
"No, just get the potatoes done, I'll see to whoever that is," Mama directed me.
I nodded and kept working on peeling the potatoes. They were wet and the peelings clung to my fingers. I heard Mama answer the door, and got curious, so I moved to the doorway of the kitchen.
"The IRS isn't going to wait forever for payment." The sheriff spoke as he stood at the door.
I listened from the kitchen doorway, peeking my head around the corner, trying to figure out what was going on.
"I know, Bill, but it's been in our family for generations. I can't let it go. I'll get the money."
What was Mama and the sheriff talking about? What had been in our family for generations? Was she talking about the farm?
"I know, Sally, but there's real interest in the property. They've purchased your debt—"
I jolted awake as the door opened and spun to see who it was. "Oh. Hello Colonel Weiss." Mother's most powerful creation entered the room carrying a tray. Colonel Weiss was a seven foot tall security android with AI technology. He was my personal bodyguard and looked like a Medieval knight with glowing white eyes behind his visor.
"Good evening, Miss Laura. Did you have a nice nap?" he asked in the strange German accent that Mother had given him.
"I guess. I had those weird dreams again. Well, they weren't exactly the same, but still very odd." I'd taken to confiding these crazy dreams I'd been having to him as he was pretty much the only confidant I had besides Mother, and I couldn't very well share them with her, she'd tell me they were nonsense.
"What did you dream about this time?" he asked as he set the tray down.
Unlike other AIs Mother had built, Colonel Weiss seemed smarter almost dare I say, sentient. He was always kind to me, at least when Mother wasn't about. If Mother were here, he'd barely speak to me unless I directed my question at him and even then he only gave me a basic answer.
"About the farm again." I could remember that much, and something about apples and cows. It seemed as I woke, the dreams faded and almost disappeared, leaving me feeling out of sorts.
"Was it an enjoyable time on the farm?"
I pursed my lips. "I guess, mostly. At least up until the end."
"What happened in the end?"
"Mama was worried about losing something. Something that was important."
"Your mother never fears losing anything."
"No… this wasn't Mother. It was … someone else. She had dark hair. She wasn't blonde like Mother and me. Sally… I think was her name." I tried to call the dream back up in my head and tried to picture myself in it, but it wasn't like I'd looked in a mirror in the dream. Still, I'd known it was me. And then it dawned on me, I could just make out the strands of my hair in the dream. "My hair in the dream was brown too. A deep dark brown."
"Interesting." Colonel Weiss held his hand out toward the tray. "Do you want company while you eat?"
I sighed. "Is Mother coming back up?"
"No. Ms. Morse has left the Castle for the night."
"And what of Thornbush?" I asked. Thornbush was another of Mother's AIs, but not anywhere near as nice as Colonel Weiss. Thornbush had been known to break himself up into little robotic cubes that sliced at me with foldable blades if I attempted to leave my area of the building. I supposed he was meant to keep me in the Tower, but also to keep out other intruders.
"Thornbush is occupied on the lower level and will not disturb you this evening unless you should attempt to leave the premises."
I moved from my bed over to my table and sat down. "Then do please join me, Colonel Weiss."
"It is my pleasure," he said and pulled out a chair, sitting his steel frame down in the chair across from me. "Once you have eaten, shall we play a game?"
"I would like that." I smiled at him. For as long as I could remember, Colonel Weiss had been my only friend. When Mother was away, he'd entertain me, play games with me, make sure I ate, brought me anything I asked for, within reason.
"A game of chess, I think," he commented, rising again. "I will get the board while you eat."
"Thank you, Colonel."
Chapter 3
Rawklix
"Fellnix, send a message to my brothers for me, let them know I'm settled here in Miami and I have a prospective bride in mind."
Fellnix paused. "You do, my Prince? Might I inquire which of the lovely women you've decided might be your potential mate? We should have her scanned immediately."
"That might be a problem right now. I haven't met her yet, and there is an obstacle to be considered as well."
"You haven't met her? Then how are you … forgive me, my Prince, but I wonder where you have seen the young lady in question and why you haven't introduced yourself yet."
"I saw her on television the other evening and I have not been able to get her out of my thoughts. She's extraordinary. I only saw her for a moment before Nora Morse moved in front of her, but it was enough."
"Nora Morse? As in the woman who continually attempts to thwart our Princes efforts to find their brides?" Fellnix raised his brows. "Perhaps, my Prince… please forgive me for saying so, but shouldn't you look elsewhere?"
"One in the same. And I don't wish to look elsewhere, Fellnix, she is the one, I can feel it. I am hoping my brothers may provide some ideas to get around Ms. Morse."
"I see. Then would you like me to request they pay you a visit?"
"Yes, that would be most beneficial, Fellnix, thank you."
"As you wish, my Prince, I shall see to it right away." He bowed his head and then left me alone.
I leaned back into the couch cushions and pulled up the interview again. I'd had to go looking for it on the video website, but finally discovered it in the news channel's archives and recorded it to my DVR. I paused the tv on her image as I had done for the past three days. Those eyes had been in my dreams, haunting me. That rosy smile, the pert little nose… she was perfect. I had to know more about her.
Fellnix returned a few minutes later. "Sir, I have spoken with each of your brothers, and told them of your possible prospective bride. Lortnam and Jinurak have both sent their regards. They will be here shortly. As for the rest of your brothers, all are currently unavailable to leave their homes at this time but send their best wishes."
I nodded. "That's fine, thank you, Fellnix."
His eyes went to the frozen tv screen. "Is this the young lady you wish to court, my Prince?"
I looked back at the tv. "It is."
"She is very lovely, my Prince."
"I think so as well, Fellnix. Something about her speaks to me."
"I wish you good luck in your quest, my Prince."
"Thank you, Fellnix."
"Shall I have luncheon pre
pared for when your brothers arrive?"
"Yes, that would be great, thanks."
Fellnix gave me a nod and then went off to the kitchen, I presumed to prepare the meal. As I waited for my brother's imminent arrivals, I grabbed my tablet and started researching. I put her name, Laura Morse into the tablet, doing an internet search for her, but there was nothing. It was as if she didn't exist. I tried multiple spellings and search sites but came up empty each time.
A frustrating hour into my search, my brothers appeared. "Come in, come in," I said, opening the door. "Fellnix is working on lunch, I hope you brought your appetites."
"Good, because I'm starved." Jinurak grinned. "So, are congratulations in order?"
"I'm not surprised you found your bride so quickly here. It is almost as lovely as the Solarin Islands."
"Well, I haven't met her yet and I can't scan her until I do. I've only seen her face. I still need to figure out how to contact her and meet her. I was hoping you both would help me out."
"Of course, we'd be happy to help. Where did you see her?"
I gestured to the living room and then rewound the interview just a bit and hit play. "Here."
"No," Lortnam said, shaking his head.
I paused the screen again. "I know. I know she's Nora's adopted daughter, but… I must meet her. There is something… I can't explain it. I know she is the one."
Jinurak shook his head. "I understand the need… the urge to find your mate, Rawklix, but you are asking for trouble. And you'd have Nora Morse, a murderer by the way, as an in-law!"
"By her own words, they aren't blood related. Laura is her 'adopted' daughter. Though I haven't been able to find any information on her at all." I shook my tablet and sighed as I sank into the couch again.
"Maybe because this isn't meant to be?" Lortnam suggested. "The woman is a menace!"
Jinurak frowned. "Seriously, what makes you think this young lady is the one?"
"Forgive me for interrupting, my Princes, but lunch is ready if you would care to have a seat in the dining room." Fellnix stood at the entrance to the room.
"Of course, Fellnix," I acknowledged, standing again and gesturing to my brothers to proceed me. I contemplated Jinurak's question as we were all seated and served.
"Well?"
I looked over at Jinurak, my glass of wine halfway to my mouth. I set it down without taking a drink. "You are both aware that I haven't been actively pursuing my mate since our arrival. I've enjoyed my time here on Earth, bedded many beautiful women, taken advantage of every Earthly pleasure. I didn't think I was really missing anything except home. After you all started finding your mates, well… I suppose I started to believe that I'd never find mine. I've looked. I've had every woman I've been with scanned. Now that I'm the only one left, I really had thought moving here to Miami was a last ditch effort. If I couldn't find her here, I'd never find her." I picked up my glass and swirled my wine in it but didn't drink it.
"So, you now agree moving here was the right thing?" Lortnam asked, taking a bite of his steak.
I nodded. "If I hadn't moved, I would never have seen that interview. And they are here in Miami."
"You still haven't answered the question. Why her?" Jinurak asked again.
"I feel this strange tug on my being just looking at her face. Her eyes have been haunting my dreams. I know there is some connection between us, it's… it's like I know her, but I've never met her. And I know it sounds stupid, but I must know for sure. If it's not her, if she's not meant to be my mate, then maybe I'm just not meant to have one. Or maybe she's out there on some other planet in some other universe. All I know is that Laura moves me in a way no other woman has, and we haven't even met yet."
"I'll help you."
"What?" Lortnam choked, his eyes flying to his twin.
Jinurak nodded. "I'll help you. Whatever you need."
"You're both crazy." Lortnam sighed. "But fine. I'll help."
I looked between them. "You will?"
Lortnam rolled his eyes. "Yes. Where do we start?"
"I've been trying to find information on Laura, but so far I've had no luck. I know from what Nora said, she works at the Tower, but I don't want to just show up there, not with Nora around."
"Right. I still think you're completely insane for doing this. I'll talk to Kelly. Maybe she and Mei can find something. They are good at digging up information on people."
I grinned. "Thanks, Lortnam."
"Maybe I can tackle information on the Tower," Jinurak suggested. "See when it was built, who works there, that kind of thing."
"You two are the best big brothers I could ask for," I said, taking a bite of my own steak.
"You're just saying that because you're getting your way. Again." Lortnam laughed.
"Father always did spoil him," Jinurak added, grinning as he shoved a forkful of vegetables into his mouth.
"Spoiled rotten."
I rolled my eyes. "Yeah, not so much. Father may have made it seem that way, but he has always made me work for what I wanted." I chewed another bite of food and took a sip of my wine. "That law degree, I got that because Father said I needed a hobby and he wanted to know what kind of legal minds this world had. He pushed me to finish it quickly, and yeah it was lucky that I did for Akrawn, but still, it was not my own idea. It has always been that way."
"He only wants the best for you, Rawklix. He knows you need to be challenged or else you get lazy, too much into the pleasures of the world. You know it's true."
I shrugged. "And what's wrong with enjoying the pleasures of the world? This one or Trilyn's. I have no problem working when it's for the Solarin Islands, but I do not see the point here on Earth. Why do you think I return home so often? It's not just for supplies, you know. I go to check on the Islands and make sure my people are getting what they need."
"That is commendable, little brother." Jinurak smiled and took another bite. "It is the balance that I think Dad worries about. I'm sure he would like to see you do more."
"Well, I can't do much more than I am while I'm here on Earth. And with now the possibility of actually finding my mate… my entire focus is on her right now."
"As it should be," Lortnam agreed, wiping his mouth on his cloth napkin. "Fellnix, lunch was outstanding."
"Thank you, Prince Lortnam." He blushed a little as he bowed his head.
"Excellent lunch, Fellnix, thank you. Now, if you will excuse me, I am going to head home and get started on this research." Jinurak pushed back from the table.
"Yes, I should be going as well. Kelly will want to contact Mei before she goes to bed, if she hasn't already." Lortnam stood.
"Thank you both, I appreciate your help. I'll keep trying to dig into things here too."
We said our goodbyes and they headed out the door.
Chapter 4
Laura
I sighed as I stared out over the land from my balcony. It was a lovely day and I wished I could go to the beach, but Mother would never let me go there. She never let me go anywhere. My life was secluded to these round walls of my tower prison. That's what it felt like. A prison. I was sick of the stone walls. Sick of being stuck inside and never able to go out into the world and meet people. Of never doing anything I wanted. My only escape was my books, and the computer Mother allowed me.
I turned the page of the book I was trying to read but wasn't really getting into. I'd read it before, but today I was too distracted by the glorious weather. A knock sounded on the door and I glanced over to it. "Who is it?" I asked, hoping it was Colonel Weiss.
"Mother. Do open the door, Laura."
I put my bookmark in my book and set it aside. "Fine."
I moved to the door and put in the code, unlocking the security system. She could have done it herself, but for some reason she liked to make me feel as if I had control over it. Not all the time, of course. Sometimes she changed it and didn't tell me, so I'd be stuck in the two rooms up here for weeks. Most days I had the run of the To
wer, there were multiple rooms up the length of the building, but I was never allowed out of the building itself, unless I was with her and then it was just around the perimeter, as if she expected someone to kidnap me the moment I stepped through the gates.
"Good morning, my dear girl. How are you?"
I rolled my eyes. "Fine." I wanted to tell her how I really felt, but she would just storm off and lock me in again. "Mother… it is such a lovely day… could we perhaps go to the beach?"
"Laura, we've been over this a million times, my dear. No. There are people in this world who will hurt you. Do you wish to forget about me completely? Is that what you want? You want your memories stolen again? You wish to not know me or our home anymore?"
"Of course I don't want that, Mother. I just… I'm restless." I sighed.
Mother looked at me. "I have just the thing then, darling. A new code for you to memorize. I am changing the code again. You can never be too careful. Here you are, darling." She handed me a slip of paper and then went to my code box and reprogramed it. "And there is a new project for you to work on. Mr. Planter will be bringing it by later. Now, I must leave town for a few days, so anything you need, be sure to inform Colonel Weiss. Thornbush will of course keep you safe here."
"Where are you going?" I asked, wishing she would take me with her. "Why can't I go with you?"
"Darling, stop asking. I'm going to be terribly busy with work. I'm showing off some new tech to some potential buyers in California and I do not want to have to worry about you."
"Yes, Mother." Feeling defeated, I sank down on my bed, the new code in my hand.
"Now, learn that code, darling, and Mr. Planter will be by later this afternoon. I'll see you in a few days."
I nodded as she opened the door and stepped out, closing it behind her. I waited, knowing she was standing directly on the other side.
