“And you decided to bring her here?” his father asked.
“Where else was I supposed to bring her? She needed food and water.”
Tyrex's father closed his eyes and rubbed his temples. “What will the Council of Elders think?”
“Kitor, Tyrex was right to bring her here.” Tyrex's mother rose from her seat and took Sophia's hand. “Now Sophia, why don't you come with me into the kitchen and help me with breakfast.”
Sophia looked to Tyrex and he nodded at her.
Tyrex and his father were left alone to discuss the situation. Kitor cited various laws on Jeorn and Tyrex explained that they didn't apply to this situation.
“I don't know why you are so afraid, Father.”
Kitor stood firm. “I am not afraid, Tyrex. This could put our family at serious risk.”
“Why? Because our neighbors will look at you differently. When we looked up at the stars, we knew we couldn't be the only ones out there. Now we know we aren't alone. Sophia is proof.”
“What if more of her kind come here?”
“They will take Sophia back to her home and your problem is gone.”
“I wish I could be as naive as you, Tyrex. And what of your Trials? You only have six days left to find your Intended.”
“This will not interfere with that. I promise.”
“Breakfast is ready,” Lija announced.
Kitor and Tyrex joined Sophia around the dinner table. Burloq, tungle, and jamil were set on each plate. Sophia recognized the bread but had no idea what the rest of it was. There was something that looked like angel hair pasta but bright white. The jamil was a jelly-like blob that bounced around.
Lija sat down at the head of the table. “I would like to welcome our guest, Sophia.”
“Thank you for the hospitality,” she replied.
“Let's eat,” Lija said.
There were no silverware and everyone ate with their hands. But very slowly and dignified. Jeorns never stuffed their faces and always took small bites.
Sophia copied their movements to hopefully not offend anymore than she already had. She tried the tungle which tasted exactly like eggs but in pasta form.
“This tungle stuff tastes amazing but the jamil doesn't really taste like anything. What is it?” Sophia asked.
Lija smiled. “Jamil is an ancient recipe passed down from generation to generation. It has no taste but is rich in nutrients. It will give your body everything it needs. When Tyrex, was little he would only eat Jamil.”
“Mother, she doesn't need to hear about this stuff.”
Sophia laughed. “No tell me more.”
Kitor ate in silence, barely acknowledging anything that was said.
Lija passed Sophia more burloq. “No please tell me about yourself. How did you get here from your planet.”
“I flew here on a ship.”
“Like a boat?” Lija asked.
Sophia tilted her head side to side. “Kind of. But a lot more advanced.”
“And how does your ship work?”
“Mother, I don't think Sophia wants to answer a million questions.”
“No Tyrex, it's quite all right. It's the least I can do for your family taking me in.” Sophia put her food down. “Well I actually don't know much about space travel. I wasn't the pilot and it was my first time in space. It didn't turn out that good for me.”
“Why did you leave? Don't you have any family?”
“Never knew my father and my mother died a few years ago. So there wasn't much left for me on my planet.”
Lija put her hand on Sophia's. “I'm sorry to hear that.”
Kitor finally spoke up, “Are your people coming for you?”
Sophia lowered her head. “I have no idea. But I hope so.”
Tyrex tapped the table with his fist. “Enough of the questions.”
Sophia grabbed the cloudy blue liquid in the glass in front of her. “Tastes just like milk,” she said, wiping her mouth. “That was a very good breakfast. Much better than my mother ever made.”
Lija beamed. “I'm glad to hear it.”
“I'm going to take Sophia on a tour of the village,” Tyrex said.
“Do you think that's wise, Son. People will see her.”
“They're going to find out sooner or later, Kitor,” Lija said.
“And what do we tell them?”
“The truth,” Tyrex said.
Tyrex reached his hand across the table and took Sophia's. “Let me show you our village.”
Sophia blushed. “I would like that very much.”
Chapter Six
Tyrex took Sophia outside the hut. “Please ignore my parents. They don't know when to stop.”
Sophia laughed. “It was fine. I actually like them.”
Tyrex stopped her for a moment. “You don't need to be polite.”
“I can't blame them for the way they're acting. Their son just brought home an alien to breakfast.”
Tyrex tried to keep from laughing but couldn't hold on.
“So show me your village. I want to learn all about it.” She hooked her arm in Tyrex's and he looked confused about it.
“There's not much to show. I just wanted to get away from my parents.”
Tyrex showed her around the various huts. The biggest being for the Council of Elders.
“And I assume the Council are the leaders of the village?”
“Leader isn't the right word. More like gods. Or at least that's what they think of themselves as. They are forcing me to marry within seven days.”
Sophia put her hand on his arm. “That sounds horrible. Who do you have to marry?”
“I don't know yet. I have to find her.”
“And can't you refuse?”
“I don't understand.”
“Like tell them you won't do it.”
“You can't do that without losing your head.”
Sophia put her hand over her mouth. “I can't believe that.”
“That is life on Jeorn.”
Tyrex showed her to the main well where the majority of the village got their water. A few people shot them weird glances but didn't say anything.
“I'm sorry if I'm making you feel uncomfortable,” Sophia said.
“Never think that. These people are just shocked to see something foreign to them.”
“Well I'm a little shocked to see all this too.”
Sophia almost felt like she was on a date. It would be the first one since her last boyfriend. Tyrex was everything she wanted in a man: strong, polite, and interesting.
But was he even really a man? His skin color and huge size seemed to be the only differences. And skin color never bothered her before.
A Jeorn male in robes approached them. He wasn't as tall nor as attractive as Tyrex. “What is this...thing, Tyrex,” he said, pointing his blue finger at Sophia.
“This is Sophia,” Tyrex replied. “Sophia, this is Juhktar. He's a member of the Council.”
“It is nice to meet you.” Sophia reached out for a handshake.
Juhktar recoiled in fear. “Where did this thing come from?”
“Space, my lord.”
“Space? You surely jest, Tyrex.”
“I would never joke, honored council member.”
“The Council of Elders will hear of this. I would like you to come in tomorrow. Alone.”
“Of course, my lord.” Tyrex bowed.
Juhktar bowed, ignored Sophia, and left.
“What was all that about?” Sophia asked.
“Probably just the beginning,” Tyrex replied. “Let's forget about it and get back to my home.”
Chapter Seven
The next morning, Tyrex found himself in front of the Council of Elders again.
“Jukhtar has brought us some troubling news, Tyrex Luk'ta,” the lead council member said. “Please explain to us what happened.”
“I discovered an alien from space, my lords. Simple as that.”
The council Elders grumb
led to each other. “And where did you find this alien?”
“In the forest. Her spaceship crash landed here a few days ago.”
The council members grumbled to each other again. “This is most unusual, Tyrex Luk'ta.”
Tyrex laughed. “You're telling me.”
“And should we expect more of those things to come?”
Tyrex tried to be as polite as possible. “The thing's name is Sophia Jordan and she's from Earth.”
The council member rephrased the question. “Will there be anymore Jordans arriving?”
“I'm not sure. Sophia has told me there's a small chance that her people might be looking for her. But it might be like finding a yuwil in a hayfield.”
“And what of your Joining? Have you found your Intended?”
Tyrex was shocked at their change of topics. “I regret to inform you that I am still looking.”
“I believe we have found you a suitable Intended, Tyrex Luk'ta,” Juktar announced.
Tyrex looked at the third council member from the left. “That is most irregular, honored council member. I never knew the Council of Elders would choose the Intended for the male.”
“This is most irregular,” the middle council member said. “But this situation is irregular, Tyrex Luk'ta. I believe you would agree with me.”
Tyrex stood firmly. “I believe a Jeorn male should be able to choose his own Intended.”
“We are not forcing you to Join with her. You must only meet with her. That is the order of the Council of Elders. There will be no more discussion. You will meet with Rajla Cut'ha. Tonight.”
Tyrex left the hall with his fists clenched. “How could they interfere with my life anymore than they already are?”
Tyrex took the long way home, zigzagging through the village. As much as he was angry at the Council of Elders, his thoughts kept turning back to Sophia.
She was everything he wanted in a female. Her beauty was exotic and her brain would make her the perfect mate. Yet she was not a Jeorn. Tyrex would still have to find his Intended.
–
“Mother, Father, The Council of Elders are forcing me to go on a date with a Jeorn female.”
“We know, Son,” Kitor said. “The Council spoke with us on who would be a suitable mate.”
“And did you agree with this?”
Kitor nodded. “We think you might need a little help, considering the distractions.” Kitor motioned to the room where Sophia was taking a nap.
Lija embraced Tyrex. “Look at it from our side. We just want the best for you. And we believe Rajla is a wonderful female.”
Tyrex had only met Rajla once when he was six years old. When the villages of Ja'la and Tuk'na joined for a celebration. It wasn't unheard of for the Intended to be from another village. There were many times when there were a lack of females in one village and an overabundance in another. Trade sessions with both Council of Elders would commence.
If Tyrex were to pick Rajla as his Intended, the village of Ja'la would have to pay Tuk'na a hefty sum.
“But why Rajla? There must be a suitable mate in our own village.”
“The Council of Elders put forth her name. While we would love for you to pick someone from our own village, we agreed with their pick,” Lija said.
Tyrex knew something was wrong with the Council. They never set up dates for the males and they almost never would've picked a female from a competing village.
“Son, just meet the woman. None of us our forcing you to make her your Intended. But we think she will be perfect for you,” Kitor said.
Tyrex took a deep breath. It would only make matters worse if he angered the Council and his parents. “Okay, I will go on this date.” Tyrex put his palm up. “But don't expect anything.”
“That is all we ask,” Lija said.
–
When Sophia awoke from her nap she almost forgot where she was. “Oh right, I'm still stranded on an alien planet.”
Lija had set out a spare set of clothes for her. She almost forgot that she'd been wearing the same clothes for days now. She didn't care what they looked like. Sophia just wanted to feel clean.
There was no mirror in the guest room but Sophia didn't need one. She knew she looked like a cave woman from the prehistoric age. Leather wraps for her waist and chest were tight but not uncomfortable. She wasn't used to showing so much skin. “When in Rome...”
After thanking Lija for the clothes, Sophia found Tyrex outside the hut. “What's going on, Tyrex? Your mother told me you are going to be busy tonight. Is it that thing about your Joining?”
Tyrex was caught surprised when she showed up in a traditional Jeorn outfit. “Wow Sophia, you look incredible.”
Sophia flushed from head to toe. She looked down at herself. “Your mother said it used to be hers when she was younger.
“I think it looks better on you,” Tyrex said.
“And what about your Joining?”
“The Council of Elders has seemed fit to set me up with a date. I regret to inform you that I will be busy tonight.”
Sophia felt a sudden rush of jealousy. She didn't even know where it was coming from. She'd only known Tyrex for a couple days. “I'm sorry to hear that. Maybe it will be a good thing? From what you told me, this Joining thing sounds pretty intense.”
“You might be right, Sophia. I just don't like when my destiny is chosen for me. If you'd excuse me, I must prepare for the journey.”
“Journey?”
“My date with Rajla is in the next village over in Tuk'na.”
Sophia already didn't like the name Rajla. “Is it far?”
“Not too far. But I will be gone until the next morning.”
Sophia dropped her head. “Oh.”
“I'm sorry, Sophia. I will be back as soon as I can.”
Sophia smiled. “Good luck.”
–
Tyrex traveled until sunset when he finally made it to Tuk'na. A representative dressed in white robes was waiting to escort him.
“How was your travel, Tyrex Luk'ta?”
“Uneventful. Where is Rajla?”
“She is waiting for you. I will take you there.”
The representative led Tyrex to a beautiful clearing in a meadow near the edge of the village. A female Jeorn with long black hair sat in the middle plucking at flowers.
The representative bowed as he left the both of them.
Tyrex approached slowly. She seemed not to pay attention to his presence.
“My name is Tyrex Luk...”
Rajla stared at the flowers. “I remember you Tyrex Luk'ta. We met when we were six years old.”
“Yes I remember,” Tyrex replied.
“Do you remember this meadow?”
Tyrex looked around. It looked no different from the hundred other meadows he'd seen. “No I'm sorry I don't remember.”
“You gave me a flower just like this one in this meadow when we were kids.” She finally looked up at Tyrex and showed him a green flower with soft petals. “You also told me we would be together forever.”
Tyrex was drawn into her green eyes. He didn't remember those either. “I'm sorry but I don't...”
Rajla waved him away. “It was a long time ago. Now help me up.” She reached out her hand and Tyrex pulled her up.
Rajla was dressed in black silks that were almost transparent. Didn't leave much to the imagination. She was only inches away from him and Tyrex felt nothing. He was confused. Under normal circumstances, a beautiful Jeorn female would get his heart pumping and his hands sweating.
But he felt nothing.
“I know you were forced to come here tonight,” Rajla said, walking ahead of Tyrex through the meadow.
Tyrex tried to keep up, following the tight black silk that hugged her hips. “It's true that the Council set this up but I didn't refuse.”
Rajla laughed. “Of course you didn't refuse. You don't want to be executed, do you?”
Tyrex joined in the laughter. �
��Yeah my head likes to be attached to my body. But I still need to find my Intended.”
Devil's Hellions MC Complete Series Box Set Page 34
