by Leslie Chase
"They are," I said. "Between the sea monsters out there in the deep oceans and the pirates, our ships need all the protection they can get. Anything smaller than those ships wouldn't make it across the sea. Even here we have to be careful. Lookouts in the towers keep an eye out for pirate raids, and we have to be ready at all times."
"Because of pirates, or monsters?" She sounded confused by the idea, looking at the cannon beside me and then out over the clear seas.
"Both," I told her. "Not often, we're too well protected for the pirates to take. But the deep seas are dangerous, and the people who travel them have to be dangerous too. Any island that shows weakness will be plundered mercilessly. That's why our leaders are Protectors — my role is to stand between my clan and harm, and if there is a threat I will die facing it."
Gemma paled slightly at that, and I saw it sink in. Good. She has to know why I can't risk her life.
"This is a dog-eat-dog world, huh?" she asked. I frowned at the idiom.
"I don't know what a 'dog' is," I admitted. "But I think I take your meaning, and yes. Yes, it is. There are a thousand dangers here that you don't know, between the pirates and the other clans and the monsters of the ocean, and few allies to hold onto. You are not safe here, Gemma Wexler, and my clan Elders should not have brought you here."
She stood still, looking out to sea, and for a moment I thought I'd reached her. That she'd see the wisdom of returning home, and that I could forget about her. Except that I knew, no matter how hard I tried, I would never forget about Gemma. The best I'd be able to do was put her out of my mind for a time.
But when she turned back to me, her eyes sparkled and her cheeks had regained their color.
"It sounds to me as though you need more friends, then, not less," she said, defiantly. "If I'm willing to take a chance, why aren't you?"
So much for that. I suppressed a frustrated growl and shook my head. Gemma just didn't understand the dangers she was sailing into, and I shouldn't be annoyed at that. They were, after all, new to her.
But I wasn't going to let her blunder into a sea serpent's mouth just because I couldn't convince her. I would protect her from herself, no matter what. I promised myself that. And right now, that meant getting away from the temptation of her.
"Let me show you to your room," I said, turning back to the stairs. "I must see to my unexpected guests, but the servants will bring you anything you need."
Gemma followed me reluctantly, looking back over her shoulder at the island beyond the castle walls. The wistful look on her face made me want to show her everything, and I had to force myself to focus on my duty.
I kept my face impassive, balling my hands into fists and digging my claws into my palms. Staying away from her for nearly ninety days was not going to be easy, not when we would be under the same roof.
7
Gemma
So I was just supposed to wait here until Corvax could pack me off back to Earth? Fat chance.
The tower room where Corvax had left me was pleasant enough, I supposed. Certainly the view was spectacular — I could see out across the ocean, watching a distant ship approaching. It was a huge, bulky thing, slow and armored, and for a moment I thought it might be the pirates Corvax had mentioned. But no alarm sounded and the castle's cannons stayed quiet. The fact that all the ships were so heavily armored made me wonder just how dangerous the ocean on Crosos was.
Sitting at the window, I watched the ship approaching as I fought down an urge to cry. Here I was in a fairytale castle, but I was cast in the role of Rapunzel in her tower. And the man I wanted to rescue me didn't want me on his planet.
At least he's not trying to climb up my hair, I thought, trying to make myself smile. I doubt I could take his weight. Though I guess then he'd be here.
I looked at my bed and sighed. It was huge, comfortable, and most of all empty. Not at all what I wanted to see when it could have had Corvax in it.
My bag looked pathetically small on the floor beside it, especially for something that contained all my worldly belongings. Maybe I could do something about that — there had to be somewhere I could get new clothes, right? I wondered how I'd pay, but that was a problem for later, when I'd found whatever shops there were on this planet.
As I walked to the door I wondered what I'd do if I was locked in. Scream, maybe. Bang on the door until someone let me out. It turned out I was worrying for nothing — the door opened for me, and I followed the stairway back down, searching for someone to speak to. Corvax, preferably, but anyone would do.
"Good morning," someone said, and I jumped with a strangled squeak. The old alien who'd argued with Corvax earlier was watching me from a doorway, and he was polite enough to pretend he hadn't noticed how much he'd scared me. "I hope that your journey hasn't left you too tired, my lady?"
"Please, call me Gemma," I said. 'My lady' sounded weird and I didn't want to get used to it when Corvax was planning on sending me away. "And I'm fine. I just want to find Corvax and find out what I'm supposed to do with myself now that I'm here."
The old man smiled and stepped forward. "I am the Eldest of Clan Rohar, Gemma," he said, using my name reluctantly. "It's a pleasure to meet you privately, and I apologize for the unfortunate greeting we gave you when you arrived."
"Thank you," I said. "I'm sorry I shouted at you, too."
The old man waved that apology away, unconcerned about my rudeness or at least understanding it.
"I hope that you're settling in well," he said. "Our Protector has a lot on his mind right now, and I wanted to be certain that he's taking care of his mate."
That sent a flash of anger through me and I felt myself tense. It's not his fault, I told myself. It wouldn't help to shout at him, anyway, not when he was trying to be friendly, and besides he was an old man. Be nice.
"My room's comfortable enough," I allowed. "But Corvax isn't treating me as his mate, and he doesn't plan on me staying here for long. I'm not sure if that means he's taking care of me or not."
I didn't mean for that to sound bitter but I couldn't help it. Here I was, in the house — no, the castle — of a man who was supposed to be my perfect match. And he wanted nothing to do with me. It would have been a lot easier to take if the Celestial Mates hadn't gotten so much right about him. Tall, muscular, brave, protective. What was there not to like?
"I'm sure you'll win him round, young lady," the Eldest said with a smile. "You'll be here for a few of your Earth-months, plenty of time for you to make an impression on him. We all have confidence in you."
"Great. Fantastic. More pressure." I grumbled, but at least someone thought I could succeed. That made things seem a little less hopeless. "I guess I should start by getting to know the place. Do you think that Corvax would show me around if I asked him?"
"He will, regrettably, be busy in negotiations for some time," the Eldest said. "But don't let that stop you exploring. The island itself is quite safe, and everyone here will be happy to help you. They all know who you are, and you are a guest of the clan."
That might be for the best. If I could settle in a little, perhaps I'd have a better shot at convincing Corvax later on. Let him see me being comfortable amongst his people, and maybe that would soften his heart a bit. But I couldn't deny that I was disappointed that Corvax wouldn't be showing me around. Even if I couldn't touch him, looking at him was its own joy. One I'd just have to put off until the evening.
"Where should I go then?" I asked, looking for something to distract me. "What's interesting for a visitor?"
"We don't have many guests, but I imagine that the seafront is different than anything you've seen on Earth," the Eldest replied with a thoughtful look. "Or there's the market at the foot of the skystalk. There are always visiting merchants from all over the galaxy there."
I shuddered. The visit to the space station tethered at the top of the skystalk had been enough for me. Another market full of different aliens would just remind me of that — I could save it for a
nother day. But the seafront might be interesting. I'd only seen the sea once on Earth, and Crosos seemed much more spectacular. I nodded my thanks and we parted.
Leaving the castle took a little longer. The corridors all looked alike and there were so many of them that I kept getting turned around, but eventually I found my way to a door and out into the sunlight. It blinded me for a moment, making me squint to adjust, and while I couldn't see anything I heard the rolling sounds of the waves. Birds sang unfamiliar songs, and a saltwater smell filled the air.
Closing my eyes, I let the sun warm me and realized I was smiling. For the first time since I'd arrived, I had nothing to do but enjoy myself. I could wander as I pleased, if the Eldest was telling the truth I'd be safe here. And while I missed Corvax's presence at my side, without him I wasn't so focused. I could take a little time to just get used to the place. Okay, then — let's see this island.
There were several paths from the castle gate, the main ones heading down to the port and inland to the skystalk. I didn't fancy looking at the port, though. I'd seen enough industrial areas to last me a lifetime back on Earth, and I'd rather see something new. And I didn't want to go back to the skystalk, either. The huge, impossible-looking bulk of it rose up in the center of the island, and every time I looked at it I couldn't help worrying that it would fall or something. It was just too big for me to take in.
Instead, I took a smaller path that meandered through the purple trees. Soon I was out of sight of the castle and the branches overhead blocked the skystalk from view. It was a peaceful, calming walk, and I felt a spring come back into my step.
After a while, the path curved back towards the shore and I followed it. Once the beach came into view, though, I stopped and stared.
Golden sands stretched out along the island's edge, meeting a beautiful bright blue sea. Small huts sat by the water, and Crosans gathered on the beach, laughing as they worked.
What caught my eye, though, wasn't the stunning landscape or the aliens on the sand. In the air above the sea, Crosans were flying. Wearing strange metal wings, they soared on the air currents, darting down to the sea and stabbing with the spears they carried. More often than not, one would come up with a fish wriggling on the spearhead, and I stared at the delicate grace with which they flew.
The question of why they didn't fish from boats was answered before I'd really thought of it. One of the Crosans stayed near the surface a little too long, and then pulled up sharply, his artificial wings beating as a gigantic head broke the surface and snapped at him. I gasped, hand going to my mouth, but the monstrous sea serpent missed by what looked like inches before crashing back beneath the waves. The rest of the fliers circled higher for a second, and then started their diving again as though nothing important had happened.
Okay, so, mental note: no swimming in the sea. I stared out at the mirror-flat water, marveling at the dangers hidden under its shining, inviting surface. The creature had looked big enough to swallow a small boat whole, and one of the Crosans would just make a nice snack for it. Must be the sea serpents Corvax mentioned, I thought. I didn't realize they'd be so big. Or so close!
Small flying vehicles hovered amongst the fliers, collecting the catch. When a flier had a catch, he'd carry it to one of those and drop the fish off in the back to be ferried to a building on the shore. Maybe if I can't get out on the water I can take a ride above it?
I walked down to the beach, feeling the heat of the sand through my shoes as I approached a parked craft. As I approached it my mood fell again. It was clearly built for a lone pilot, which dashed my hopes of getting taken flying. Still, it couldn't hurt to take a look. A young Crosan was working on it, applying a colorful paint job in an abstract pattern. He looked up at me as I approached and shut the hatch he had open, standing and wiping his hands on a rag.
"Hi," I said, feeling a little awkward. "Is this your, uh, ship?"
He nodded deeply, almost bowing. His proud grin was anything but formal, though.
"It is!" he said, gesturing. Then he paused, getting control of himself. "I mean, it's not mine, you know. It belongs to the clan, but I take care of it, and everyone who flies it says it's the best."
"You take care of it but don't fly it?" I asked, a little confused. He looked insulted by the question, and I hurried to add. "Sorry, I don't know how things work here."
"These are for children," he explained. "Or old people who can't handle their wings anymore. They're so simple anyone can fly them. Not like the wings, those take skill."
I almost laughed at how earnest he sounded, but I held it back. No need to bruise his pride. His words gave me an idea, though. I looked into the flier's small cabin and frowned. The controls certainly looked simple. Maybe...
"I'm Gemma," I said, turning back to the young alien. He laughed.
"My name is Toprak, and I know who you are, my lady," he answered. "Everyone on the island does."
It was a little uncomfortable to be talked to like that — apparently the fact that Corvax wasn't interested in me didn't stop his people from treating me like royalty. Or perhaps the young man was mocking me? I couldn't be sure.
"Can you show me how to fly this?" I asked. He frowned, looking suddenly less certain, and this time I did laugh. "Come on, you said children fly them. How hard can it be?"
"It's not that it's difficult, my lady," he said slowly. "But... you're not a Crosan."
"Oh, so you don't think I can handle child's work?" I put my hands on my hips and gave him my best glare. Toprak wilted under it, shaking his head.
"That's not what I mean," he protested. "Only, we're all used to the island and the air currents around it. You're not."
"I'm a quick study, and I promise I won't go far." Time for my best smile. Toprak still looked uncertain.
"The Protector said I should learn about the island and its ways, so that's what I'm going to do," I told him, stretching what Corvax had told me well past its breaking point. If I was going to see any of this world before he shipped me back to my own, though, I had to try things while I could. And how dangerous could it be if children did it?
The boy looked torn. His eyes darted from me to the path behind me and I wondered if he'd go up to the castle to check. What would Corvax say?
Screw him. If he wants me to just sit in a room on my one chance offworld, then he can say what he likes. Anger made me feel bold and I stepped forward, making the alien boy back off a step.
"My mate the Protector sent me here because you could show me how to use this," I said, moving past stretching the truth and into outright lies. "If you want to bother him about it, go ahead. I'll wait here while you drag him out of council and check."
As I'd hoped, the kid looked terrified at the idea of interrupting Corvax. With a quick shake of his head he backed down.
"No need for that," he muttered. "Just wanted to keep you safe, my lady."
"And I appreciate that," I told him, trying to soften the blow. It was only as I got into the small craft's cockpit that I wondered how much trouble I was getting him into. The thought made me pause, but it wasn't enough to stop me. I'll take the blame, I promised myself. When I get back, I'll make sure Corvax knows it wasn't his fault. He can be angry at me.
Though that wasn't a great thought, I comforted myself with the knowledge that I'd only have to put up with him being pissed off for a few months. And what could he do? Literally lock me up in that tower? That wouldn't be any different than me staying there because I was afraid to leave.
The seat was a bit big for me, but the straps fit tight enough to make me feel secure. And the controls really did look easy enough for anyone to use. I felt a shiver of anticipation — I'd always wanted to fly, but never had the chance.
Toprak took me through the flight controls quickly but efficiently, and it really was as simple as he'd suggested. In minutes I felt confident that I could handle the craft. It was so intuitive that I couldn't imagine anything going wrong.
"Stay close
to the island," my young teacher said, worry on his face. It looked as though he might be about to change his mind, so I smiled and nodded enthusiastically.
"I promise I won't go far," I told him, reaching for the door. He put a hand on it, preventing me from swinging it shut.
"Don't fly too low, either. It can be hard to tell when you get too close to the water," he continued. Not that I needed the warning after seeing the sea monster earlier. "And if the autopilot gives you a weather warning, come straight back. There might be a storm later today."
"I promise," I repeated, putting on my most sincere smile. Did the kid think I was stupid? That wasn't fair, and I knew it. He was taking a chance letting me do this at all.
Visibly reluctant, Toprak let go of the door and I swung it shut. As soon as it closed, the craft gave a little shiver as its engines engaged silently. Biting my lips and concentrating, I put my hands on the controls and gently squeezed the throttle.
The tiny flier leaped skyward, sudden acceleration pushing me into my seat. It was a feeling unlike anything I'd experienced, and I loved it. The shadow of the skystalk fell across me as I zipped over the beach, wobbling slightly as I got to grips with the controls.
Easy. No problem. Anyone can do this, I told myself. Gently pulling back on the stick, I eased the craft around into a turn out over the water, trying to stay away from the other fliers. No need to risk hitting someone.
Since they were mostly staying low to the water, I flew higher, the horizon stretching out ahead of me. In the distance I could just about see other islands sticking up from the water, and I wondered what they looked like. They couldn't be that far away, could they?
If they are, I'll just turn back, I promised myself. I might not get another chance to see them.
Turning the nose of the small craft towards the nearest one I squeezed the throttle again, laughing at the feeling of speed as I zoomed towards the horizon. The sensation of flight was amazing, and for a little while I lost myself in it. Testing my control of the craft, I swung left and right, dipped down into a dive and pulled up hard to race skyward.
