by Zara Zenia
"Sir, the message you were waiting on has arrived."
I stopped walking. "Seriously? She's written?"
"Yes, sir."
"I'll be right there!" I whirled around and sprinted down the beach, sand flying out behind me. I didn't even bother to dust my feet off as I hurried back to my quarters. Fellnix would just have to forgive my mess. He met me at the door with my tablet in hand.
Grabbing it, I clicked on the email as I sank down on the couch.
Rawklix,
I'm sorry it has been a few days since you wrote. Mother was home and I didn't want to chance her interference while I wrote. She's been very… volatile emotionally lately. Luckily, she has taken another business trip and doesn't plan to be back for a week, though her plans are never solid, so I think if we are going to meet it will have to be immediately. Can you come visit me today? With Colonel Weiss' help I have arranged a clearance for you through the system so that Thornbush doesn't grow suspicious. I do hope you will come. Let me know one way or another as soon as you can.
~ L.
"Yes!" I shouted, jumping up off the couch.
"Good news, sir?"
"Yes, Fellnix, the best news!" I quickly sent her a reply that I would be there as soon as possible, I wanted to change clothes and look my best.
"I am glad to hear it, sir. You appear to be in a hur—" The buzzer to my quarters chimed interrupting him. "Just a moment, my Prince, let me get that."
My tablet buzzed as well with a reply from her, giving me directions to follow for when I arrived. I replied that I would see her soon and then turned my tablet off and set it on the table.
"How's it going, little brother?" Jinurak asked, coming into my living room.
I grinned. "It's going well! In fact, I need to go get ready, I'm meeting Laura."
"That is excellent news, Rawk, are you going to scan her?" He followed me into my bedroom.
I pursed my lips, thinking about it as I went through my clothes, pulling out a nice pair of pants and shirt. "Maybe not yet. I haven't told her I'm a prince or even that I'm from Trilyn. Though if she knows anything about us, she'll have guessed based on my email address."
"You used Trilyn in your email address? One you sent into the system at the Tower? Where Nora Morse is? Are you insane?"
"It's encrypted, you don't need to worry! She's not going to find it."
"Very well."
"Did you come by for a specific reason?" I asked, shrugging out of my shirt and picking up the one I'd chosen.
"I did, though I can see my trip was unnecessary. Fellnix called this morning."
"Ah. I see. Thought he'd need a bit more help in persuading me out of bed?" I chuckled.
"He was getting worried about your obsession."
"I'm not obsessed." I gave him a dark look. "Merely invested in finding out if she is my true mate."
"Either way, I'm glad to see you up and about."
I buttoned my pants and put on my shoes. "Yes, well, as you can see, I'm fine, and in a bit of a hurry here. I hate that you had to come all the way out here for nothing."
"No, it's fine, I'm glad I came." He smiled. "Go, enjoy your meeting with Laura and I hope for your sake that she is your true mate, Rawklix. You deserve the same happiness that we all have found."
I grinned. "Thanks, Jin," I replied, patting his shoulder.
He walked out with me and boarded his transport, while I climbed into my own. I was so excited to meet her, I wondered if I should bring her anything. Flowers maybe? Did I have time? I decided to take the chance. I knew there was a flower shop close by and I plugged in the coordinates for it first. I pulled up in front of Meaningful Flowers, parking the transport and quickly rushed inside.
"Good afternoon, may I help you?" an elderly woman asked, meeting me halfway into the shop.
"Hello, I'm… I need a bouquet of flowers."
"Well then I suppose it's a good thing you came in here, isn't it?" She cackled, a wide grin on her lips. "Who's the bouquet for?"
"A young lady. I'm meeting her for the first time in person and I want to make a good impression."
She nodded, a knowing smile on her lips. "Is she pretty, this young lady of yours?"
"Extraordinarily beautiful."
"And you are wanting to make this young lady your girlfriend?"
I smiled. "Something like that." I nodded.
"Then I think I know just the flowers. Come with me."
I followed her through a maze of flowers. She picked up a bouquet, set it down and then chose a different one, looking it over. They were exquisite looking. Fresh and beautiful. Just like Laura.
"These are Calla Lilies and Daffodils. The Calla Lilies are for magnificent beauty and purity. The Daffodils symbolize regard and chivalry. In a bouquet like this they mean joy and happiness as well."
"They are perfect. I'll take them."
She smiled and we headed to the counter. She rang me up and handed me the bouquet. "There you are. Good luck with your young lady," she said.
"Thank you," I called as I headed back out to the transport and plugged in the coordinates to the Tower.
It didn't take long; I was there within ten minutes. Nervously, I parked far from the gate as she'd expressed in her reply email, picked up the bouquet, checked myself in the mirror and then climbed out. I headed toward the gate, which was blocked by a guard tower. Inside was an AI that looked like a medieval knight. "Colonel Weiss?" I asked, unsure.
"You must be Miss Laura's friend. Come, we do not have long."
He pushed a button and the gate opened. He moved toward me and held out a hand, which I shook, but it was an odd move for an AI.
"I had about given up on you," he commented as we crossed the expanse of land between the gate and what looked like a castle with a giant tower.
That was a rather curious statement from what was supposed to be a non-sentient AI. "You did?"
"The guard won't be gone for much longer. I will get you into the Tower. Getting you back out will be a little trickier, but we'll manage." He put his hand on a panel by the door and it lit up.
The steel door opened, and we entered. He stopped me before I could move beyond the doorway. He picked up a badge and clipped it to my shirt.
"What's this?"
"This will keep you safe in the Tower. Keep it on." He handed me a hand written note. "Read."
I did as he said, looking down at the note.
Rawklix,
Thornbush can sense your presence. The badge identifies you as my doctor, Dr. Ashford. When Colonel Weiss shook your hand, he read your biometrics and transferred them to the system and then to the badge so they'd match and Thornbush would identify you as Dr. Ashford. I can't wait to meet you!
~ L.
Her handwriting was lovely and feminine, and I ran my finger over it with a smile. "Shall we?" I asked, putting the note in my pocket.
Colonel Weiss gave me a nod. "Just this way, Doctor." He gestured toward the stairs.
I followed him all the way up to the top, where he knocked on the door. "Miss Laura, Doctor Ashford has arrived."
The door whooshed open and there she stood. Tall, willowy, and absolutely lovely. The smile lighting her face was brilliant and I wanted to sweep her up in my arms and kiss her, but that would be too forward.
"I shall leave you to your visit, Doctor," Colonel Weiss commented and then headed back down the stairs.
"Come in, Doctor," she said, gesturing for me to enter.
I passed across the threshold and her door whooshed shut. With a smile, I presented her the bouquet. "These are for you."
She took them, joy on her face and brought them up to her nose. "Oh, they are gorgeous! Thank you! No one has ever—" her voice was soft and sweet and just as lovely as she was. "Thank you."
"You're welcome." I looked around her living quarters. They weren't fancy, but they seemed comfortable at least.
"I'm sorry about all the subterfuge but it was the only way we could think o
f to get you past Thornbush. Unfortunately, that means our time is also limited. Should he suspect you aren't Dr. Ashford, he'll go all security dog on us and trust me, when I say he is most unpleasant, I mean it." She shuddered.
"Is he actually a dog?"
She giggled and it was the most musical sound I'd ever heard. "No, he's mostly an AI system, but in physical form he's like a big cube with legs that can break apart and become smaller cubes with legs. If that was it, it wouldn't be too bad, but the cubes have the ability to sprout these slicing type of weapons. Mother has been very creative in keeping me safe."
I nodded. "It sounds like it." I smiled and reached a hand toward her cheek, wanting to touch her. "You are even more beautiful than I thought."
Her cheeks turned pink. "Thank you." She glanced around her room. "Would you like to sit?" She gestured toward the table and chairs.
"Thank you." I moved toward the table and held a chair out for her. She giggled and sat down and then I took the seat opposite her. She still held the flowers in her hand. "Do you have a vase for those?"
"Not right now, but maybe Colonel Weiss will bring me one later. They are the first flowers anyone has ever given me. I've never held anything so beautiful in my life. I think I just want to hold onto them for a bit longer." She smiled up at me.
I wanted to whisk her away right then. Show her the world, hers and mine, but first… I would need to reveal myself. "Laura, there is something you much know."
"Oh?" she asked innocently.
I took a deep breath. "I am Prince Rawklix of the planet Trilyn."
She smiled, her blush returning to her cheeks as she glanced down at the flowers. "A prince?"
"Yes." I reached for her hand. "And I'd like to court you properly."
Her smile deepened. "You would?"
I nodded. "I want to show you the world, both yours and mine."
"Like Prince Aladdin."
"Who?" I asked. "Are you being courted by another prince?"
She giggled. "No. It's a movie. And unless you have a genie in your pocket, that's the end of the resemblance. It was your words. He sings a song to the Princess about showing her the world."
"And does his Princess reside in a tower as you do?"
She shook her head. "No, she lives in a palace," she said with a smile. "This is a castle. Big difference."
I laughed, as she'd meant me to."I am serious though. I want to show you the worlds. Come away with me?" I gripped her fingers tightly in mine, not wanting to let her go.
Her smile faded. "I… I can't. She'll stop me from leaving. Thornbush would stop me… I… there's no way…" She looked terrified of the security system, which gave me pause.
"I understand, it's alright, we'll just continue meeting like this." I smiled at her and gripped her fingers in mine. "Do you have a cellular phone?" I asked, thinking maybe we could keep in touch that way, it would be easier than email.
She shook her head, a sad smile on her lips. "Who would I call? Mother doesn't think it necessary for me to have one. I'm sorry." Her eyes grew wide and she jumped up, rushing over to her balcony. "Oh no!"
"What's wrong?"
"Mother! She's coming back! You've got to get out of here!" She grabbed my hand and pulled me to my feet. "Hurry!"
As she opened the door, Colonel Weiss met us at the top of the stairs. "Miss Laura, your mother—"
"I know! I heard the helicopter, can you get him out, Colonel?"
"Of course, come with me, quickly," he said.
"But—"
Laura pressed up on her toes and kissed my lips. "Thank you for the flowers, I can't keep them, but they are lovely." She pressed the bouquet into my hands. "Go, before she discovers you. Email me!" she whispered.
Feeling like I'd been hit by a transport vehicle, I followed Colonel Weiss down the stairs, and out the door. Instead of going back toward the gate, he tugged me around the side of the Tower. The sun was setting, so it was dusky out. I had no idea where we were going.
"All right, this is as far as I can go. I have to get back into the Tower before she makes her way over from the Castle. Cut across here, I'll shut down the electricity to the fencing in that section for the next fifteen minutes. It should be enough for you to get over and get back to your transport. Be careful. There are land mines on the other side of the fence. You will know them by their lighter coloring of grass. She's placed them about every ten feet, so be careful where you go over and where you step. Go now! The helicopter is landing."
I could see it setting down on the roof of the far end of the Castle. "Thanks, Colonel."
"You make her happy and you have my gratitude." He nodded.
Another odd statement, but I didn't have time to ponder on it as I sprinted across the land. I got to the fence and tested it, finding it just a fence. I quickly looked at the ground on the opposite side, locating the land mines there and then climbed over and jumped to the ground.
Cautiously, I made my way back to my transport vehicle. Climbing in, I set the bouquet on the seat and headed home.
Chapter 8
Laura
I quickly changed into my pajamas and climbed into bed. I didn't know why Mother had come home so suddenly, but I didn't want her to suspect anything. My heart was racing as I lay there waiting for the door to open and Mother to come storming in. I prayed that Rawklix had made it out without her seeing him.
There was a light tap on the door.
Weakly, I said, "Come in."
"Darling, the system alerted me that Dr. Ashford was here, what's the matter? Why did Colonel Weiss feel it necessary to call your doctor?" she asked, looking suspicious as she strode into my room.
I shook my head. "It is just a spot of food poisoning, Mother. I guess it was the lunch I ordered from the fast food restaurant. Colonel Weiss sent one of the techs from the Castle to get it for me." I wasn't lying, well I was, I didn't have food poisoning, but he really had sent one of the techs to get me fast food.
"How many times do I have to tell you? The tech's are not your personal servants, Laura. They have serious jobs to do!"
I shook my head. "He was going anyway. He just brought me back some too. It just didn't agree with me and I threw it all up."
"It serves you right! Did Doctor Ashford give you anything?"
"No, he said there was no need and it will pass. My system just isn't used to the things in fast food."
"I cannot believe I wasted a trip for this!" Mother huffed. "From now on, you are not to have any more fast food, do you understand me? I am going to inform the techs they are not to supply you with any of that junk. And I'm going to instruct Colonel Weiss not to follow your orders when it comes to things like this." She shook her head and looked around my room suspiciously, peeking her head into the bathroom and then striding over to the balcony, peering out before shutting the doors as well as the curtains. "Now I shall have to postpone my trip until tomorrow. I wasted an entire day that I could have spent gaining new clients, but you had to be selfish!"
"I'm sorry, Mother. I did not think you would rush home simply because Dr. Ashford came to see me."
"I am your mother, Laura, how would it look if I didn't come home immediately when you are ill? What would my staff think?" She narrowed her eyes.
Obviously she didn't rush home just because I was ill, she rushed home because of what her staff might think of her if she didn't! Still, I knew I needed to appease her. "I'm sorry, Mother. I never want to eat that stuff again. I feel awful. My stomach is in knots and just talking about it makes it worse."
"Good. It will teach you not to do it again in the future. Now, I think you should just stay in your bed and go to sleep. I'll tell the Colonel not to disturb you until morning. I will be leaving at daybreak to try to salvage the meeting I was supposed to have. Good night." She turned and strode back out the door, slamming it behind her. I heard her plug in the code to arm it, essentially locking me in.
It didn't seem as if she'd changed the code, but I c
ouldn't be sure, and I didn't want to chance it right then by checking it. Expelling a breath, I breathed a sigh of relief. I had never been a very good actor, but it seemed that we'd covered our tracks well. It sucked that I'd not be able to have fast food anymore, but I was willing to pay that price to keep my friendship with Rawklix a secret.
I leaned back against my pillows and thought of him. My handsome Prince from Trilyn. I wanted to ask him all about his planet. I had known of course that the Trilyn had come to our planet, everyone did. I'd seen things on tv about them, but I never paid too much attention to it. I'd never even thought about meeting one, let alone one so handsome as Rawklix was.
With thoughts of him in my head, I drifted off to sleep. My dreams started off pleasantly, walking on the beach with Rawklix, but then they changed.
I was back on the farm.
My room was cold, and I snuggled deeper under the covers. My fingers gripped the quilt Great Grandma had made. It was lovely with love knots of pink and green. And on top of that, it was super warm on cold winter nights and mornings.
"Laurie! Danny! Chores!" Mama called, tapping on my door.
"But Mama, it's cold!" I called back from my cocoon.
"The cows aren't going to milk themselves! Get moving, girl! And don't forget to collect the eggs from the hens!"
Sighing, I got out of bed and quickly dressed, pulling on a pair of jeans, thick socks, and a sweater. I stepped into my boots, which were a size too small and cramped my toes. I put on my heavy coat, an old one of Mama's, and a scarf and then trudged through the snow to the barn.
"Wait for me, Laurie!" a boy I somehow knew was my older brother called from behind me.
"Hurry up, Danny, it's too cold to be hanging about out here!" I shivered as I pulled the wooden door open. It wasn't much warmer in the barn either, but at least there was no wind.
"One of these days, Bessie, I'm gonna get off this farm and live in the city. Maybe someplace warm. No, definitely someplace warm!" I told the cow as I milked her.
