by Zara Zenia
“I’m familiar with Chad Wallace and his holovideos.” Jordan spoke dryly.
“Oh, okay.” I trailed off. I was surprised by Jordan’s admission.
“Why do you need me to locate him?” Jordan asked. He grinned with amusement. He knew I needed him and would probably taunt me about it.
“Well, that’s the tricky part,” I told him with a little chuckle, although inside, I wished I could reach through the screen and strangle him. “He is here on Mixis.”
“How do you expect me to aid you on your planet?” Jordan scoffed as if my request was outlandish and preposterous. He wanted nothing to do with me, and I knew it.
“You can send officers here to support the ones I’ve already planted around the area,” I demanded in a slightly raised tone of voice.
I wasn’t in the mood to argue with this man who loved bickering to no end. He always wanted the last word.
“What, exactly, has this man done wrong?” Jordan asked with a sarcastic tone as he smirked at me.
“He has humiliated me as the crown prince,” I told him. I hated to admit that I had come under a prank, but there was no use in trying to restore my dignity at this point.
“How has he done that?” The ambassador’s questions were antagonizing and intricately used for the sole purpose of stalling. He wanted all the information because he wanted to make fun of me in a combative way.
“He has participated in a wild prank that has gone against the rules of society I have in place on my planet. Not to mention, his total disregard for the outcome must reap punishment. The prank was intended for the sole purpose of ratings on the holovid channels.”
I remained calm and poised, ready and bracing for impact from the inevitable shroud of excuses that Jordan was sure to spill forth. He was going to milk this for all it was worth.
Instead, he took me by surprise. “So, you need me to help find him or bring him to justice?” He held a poker face, so I couldn’t determine the meaning of his expression.
His question wasn’t exactly an agreement, but it wasn’t as argumentative as before. Maybe I had a loophole in after all.
“I will determine the punishment that fits the crime,” I said in an assertive voice.
The ambassador propped his elbows up on his desk and leaned in closer to the screen. “You are aware of the fact that you cannot punish a man who is neither a civilian of your planet nor a native?” His tone was condescending, and I didn’t appreciate it, but if I wanted his help, I had to play along and try not to lose my temper.
“Yes,” I sighed. “I am fully aware. That’s the purpose of this call,” I told him with sarcasm, as if he should catch up and understand why we were having this difficult conversation.
The ambassador stared at me with a complex gaze for a few moments while neither one of us wanted to be the one to break the silence first.
“It might take me a few days to organize a fleet of troops to send to Mixis,” he told me as if he was trying to lecture me on how business affairs worked.
I took this as a good sign and pressed forward even though his tone was still snide.
“Thank you. I understand these things take some time. If you are willing to assist me in this quest, then I can send my ships to Earth to retrieve your troops. That way, the process will take less time.” I was trying to take the alternate path of patience and kindness.
I didn’t want to rub salt in the wound by telling him the reason for my offer was because my ships were stronger, faster, and more durable, so I omitted that part, hoping he would just agree to help me.
“I will see what I can do.” The Ambassador scratched his mustache and glanced at me with a serious expression.
This admittance wasn’t substantial enough for me to trust that I could turn to him and lean on him for help. I had to remain cautious with him and keep my guard up.
“Will you call me back once you have your troops together? I can give you forty-eight hours to assemble a proper team.”
“Forty-eight hours!” Jordan shrieked as if my demands were set too high for the bar he was willing to climb. He was flustered as he sighed dramatically.
“Yes.” I remained adamant and firm. “I’m sorry, Ambassador, but this is a deeply pressing matter that must capture your immediate attention.”
Jordan gruffly sighed. “Okay, fine.” He was going to do his best. I knew I’d owe him big, but I couldn’t worry about that right now.
“Thank you.” I gave him a courteous nod in gratitude.
“I guess it’s only fair that I admit something to you as well,” he said and rolled his eyes. He took a deep breath.
It was like pulling teeth with this guy, but I didn’t have any choice. I was backed into a corner and it was taking longer than expected to locate Chad. I needed to pull in some outside sources.
“What is it?” I held my breath as my heart pounded. I had no idea what bombshell the Ambassador might drop on me. It could potentially be anything.
“I am aware of this little problem you are having.” He gave me a poker face, unrevealing of any emotions.
I cleared my throat and adjusted in my seat. “Do you mean with Chad Wallace?”
“Yes.” He nodded and folded his hands together. He gave me a little smirk for effect.
“How much do you know?” I treaded the waters carefully.
Jordan sighed and spoke with vagueness. “Let’s just say I am willing to help you because it has come to my attention over the last couple of days that this is rapidly becoming a diplomatic incident.”
“I must say I’m relieved to hear that,” I told him with a little chuckle.
“You might also be pleased to know that as soon as we hang up from this call, I will be urging and instructing the operators of the holovids to take them down from their live or regular streaming.”
“Thank you so much.” I smiled, marveling at Jordan’s willingness to comply with a cause that assists the greater good.
“You’re welcome,” Jordan responded. This time, his voice was softer, more empathetic. “Shortly, the videos will be removed from circulation. I have no doubt that I will receive some backlash from the fans, but they will just have to get over it.”
Jordan’s voice chimed with laughter at the irony of the situation and his ability to control his people with an iron fist of dictated rules.
“Well, things are looking better already.” I tossed him a polite smile, now eager to end the call.
“I will touch base with you in the next day or so when I’m ready for my army to be shipped off.”
“Is it okay with you if I go ahead and send some ships to wait for them?” I requested.
“Sure.” The Ambassador shrugged. “Do what you want. I’ll be willing to help you along the way.” He seemed to have lightened his aggressive manner.
“Your kindness will not go unnoticed,” I reassured him as we said our goodbyes. I’m sure he was just as eager to hang up as I was.
I was one step closer to finding Chad, and that’s all I cared about. Everything else was just water under the bridge.
Chapter 9
Georgia
“Good morning!”
I turned around and observed Kylin as he strutted with an authority of confidence and sociability. I was outside on the back lawns, watching the morning birds flutter and fly around, playfully enjoying the early day as much as I was.
It was clear that Kylin was in good spirits and a delighted mood. I was relieved that perhaps this day would start out on a positive note.
“Hi.” I smiled at him and tucked a strand of my long red hair behind my ear. It was golden in the sun, just like Kylin’s. It was amazing how similar our hair colors were.
He plopped down beside me and sighed with noble serenity. He grinned at me. He was beaming as he patted my thigh with tender adoration.
“Do you always wear your hair in that braid?” I asked. I wasn’t trying to offend him. I was genuinely curious.
It was an innocen
t enough question, but Kylin roared with laughter as he slapped my knee and gave me a fond gaze as if I was adorable for even wondering.
“Why do you ask?” He chuckled with lightheartedness.
I shrugged. “No real reason. I was just wondering.”
Kylin nodded and his eyes wandered out to the horizon past his vast palace lands. “Usually. It’s just easier that way.”
“Yeah, a crown prince has no time to spend on high-maintenance hair,” I joked and began to laugh.
Kylin gave me a sincere smile that filled my body with an intense heat. “You are cute. I really like you.”
“You aren’t too shabby either.” I couldn’t help it. He made me grin from ear to ear. There was undeniable chemistry between us.
“Thank you.” He continued to chuckle, apparently delighted in our exchange of pleasantries.
If only every day could be like this and I could forget about the problems that still lingered and afflicted me.
“It’s nice to wake up to such profound beauty all around me,” I confessed and glanced around as I absorbed the perfect and serene landscape.
Kylin nodded in agreement. “Ah, yes. The real splendor of Mixis is not known to many other planets around the galaxy, but I take true and real pride in being a natural-born resident here.”
“You should.” I smiled at him and took a sip of my French roast coffee that Kylin took the liberty of importing from Earth just for me.
He was trying to make this transition as smooth as possible for me, and I appreciated his sincerity.
“I have some fun places and things I’d like to show you, if that’s okay with you.” Kylin flicked his eyes toward me as if he was afraid I’d say no and lacked confidence.
I stared at him for a brief moment. “Are you kidding me?” I chuckled.
“What?” His anxiety to have me approve of him shined through his eyes. He was adorable and kind.
“Yes, absolutely, I’d love for you to show me around your world.” I had been wanting to get out and explore ever since I got here.
“Great!” His eyes immediately flooded with relief and he beamed at the success of his suggestion.
“No offense, but I feel like I’ve had just about all I can take of the palace walls and grounds.” I laughed. “I mean, don’t get me wrong. It’s absolutely beautiful here. I am just getting a little stir-crazy, that’s all. Cabin fever has my mood a little sour.”
I was rambling, sure, but I was excited to see beyond his gates for a change. For the first time since landing on the planet almost a week ago, I finally had something to look forward to.
“I will be happy to be your tour guide for the day.” Kylin smiled with approval as if he was truly honored.
He continued to grin at me with subtle curiosity. I stared at him through the reflection of the sunlight. I began to realize how handsome he was, not only on the outside, but his kindness really surged him into a massive attraction zone for me.
He was more unique than any other guy I had ever met. He seemed to really want to make me happy, which I’d never experienced before with another individual.
“So, where to first?” I leaned up eagerly in my seat, bordering a flirtatious tone with him. I was excited to see where the day would lead us.
He sighed and crossed his hands together. “Well, I have the perfect place to start.” He gave me a smirk as if he was proud to keep me in suspense.
“Okay, great!” I stood up. “I think I just need to freshen up. Can I meet you back down here in half an hour?” I decided it would be worth it to just be surprised.
“That sounds perfect to me.” He cast me a warm and appealing smile that made my insides quiver with delight.
When I galloped down the stairs at our scheduled time to meet up, I couldn’t hide my smile or my excitement to wander the new and wondrous planet.
It wasn’t going to do me any good to sit around and wallow in misery about Chad. I had to have confidence in Kylin and his army to find him. I had to have patience to wait out the tough period in between. If I distracted myself with something fun, then the torment wouldn’t be able to rob me of my general happiness.
“You know, I really have to count my blessings,” I said as we walked out the front door together and approached the waiting car with a driver who would show us around.
“Really?” Kylin studied me as if he wanted to know exactly what I meant.
“Yeah,” I said and prepared to elaborate. “You are really nice and patient. You are letting me adjust to being on Mixis and giving me an opportunity to distract myself with some fun out and about today.”
Kylin’s face beamed with pride at my compliment. “It’s true. Although we don’t know each other very well yet, I still want to make sure you are happy and comfortable. I am enjoying getting to know you better.”
“Same for me. I can’t wait to see what adventures you have for us today.” I smiled over at him after I climbed in the car and scooted all the way across to allow Kylin room.
“You’ll love every minute of it.” His golden set eyes sparkled with promise.
One thing I had observed on my own accord about Mixis was the fact that there weren’t metropolitan cities.
I mean, I had yet to discover the land in person. However, I had studied up on the planet and its qualities before I thought I had landed the teaching job. I was an adventurer at heart, and I needed to get out there and live life to the fullest.
I wanted to be prepared, of course, and be able to adapt better to the land around me. There was still a learning curve that went along with developing an understanding of a new culture, but I was up for the challenge.
This, in turn, worked out perfectly for Kylin because nothing besides the fact that I had been tricked into marrying him had come as a shock to me thus far.
We rode along, and just as I expected, much of the terrain was hot, dry, and red. The area resembled one of the deserts on Earth.
There were vast chains of volcanically active mountains and islands, although we lived closer to the center of the planets and there were no islands near where Kylin lived, or at least not to my knowledge. I wondered how far it would take to get to water or oceans.
For the most part, Mixis was acutely similar to Earth in that the days mainly lasted roughly the same length, although Mixis day and night were slightly longer than on Earth. It wasn’t anything that had been substantially noticeable to me, though.
Unlike Earth, Mixis had very little soil, which meant there was not an abundance of trees or plant life here on the planet. It was certainly an interesting environment to witness in person.
Kylin had explained to me that because of this, the land was prone to earthquakes and eruptions from the volcanos. I didn’t feel threatened by either due to the fact that the Earth often had similar natural issues, and he told me that most of the time, the volcanos lay dormant.
The driver pulled up to a valley with rugged mountain chains that spread across the island as far as the eye could see. It was remarkably beautiful and awe inspiring.
“What are we doing here?” I asked Kylin as I glanced with curiosity out the window of the car. I craned my neck to see the adventure beyond the horizon.
Kylin stepped out and walked around to my side, where he opened the door and held out a hand to offer me assistance. He was so chivalric.
“Thank you very much. You are quite the gentleman.” I gratefully took his hand as he led me down a little path. The air was a little hot and humid, but it was livable.
It was quiet, peaceful, and remote throughout the area as I observed it. “We are all alone out here,” I remarked with a whisper.
“The way I like it.” Kylin glanced over at me with a pleasant smile.
I stared at Kylin, who was gazing with admiration out to the rolling hills and mountain peaks encircling us. He was truly proud to call this place home. I could see it the way he lovingly glanced around at his homeland.
“Do you think that the other Mixis
natives will like me once you introduce me to some of them?” It was a question that had been plaguing me since my arrival on the distant planet. I wasn’t exactly anxious, but I needed to feel reassured.
Kylin chuckled. “Yes, you are very gentle and kind, and I’m sure they will see that in your nature and aura.” His eyes reflected truth.
“I hope so,” I said and followed him as we walked toward the edge of a cliff, overlooking the gigantic and astonishing mountain chains. I felt safe with him, even though we were alone.
I already knew the personalities of Mixian people tended to be tender yet protective, humorless yet filled with honor and pride. I had done my research before agreeing to come here.
Some of them were known for flares of bad temper, but from what I’d noticed so far about Kylin, he probably didn’t fit that category. He seemed to have more patience than I did, too.
I hadn’t seen him seek revenge on my brother yet, so I still couldn’t form an accurate opinion on that side until the wild fury was unleashed. I had some temper to exhaust on my brother as well.
“What are those?” I squinted to get a better look at some settlements I saw on slopes in the far distance.
“Those are some of the Mixian compounds,” Kylin answered.
“Oh, that’s interesting,” I said with interest. I was curious to learn what went on beyond there.
“Do you know the reason I inquired after a bride on Earth?” Kylin turned to face me with a reflective expression.
“No.” I shook my head and gave him a sheepish smile. “Why?”
Kylin sighed as if he was melancholy and stared off into the distance toward the compounds. “It’s because people here have started taking brides from other planets to avoid inbreeding.”
“Oh, no,” I said with rising concern. “Is your species in danger of becoming extinct?”
“Not really . . . yet.” He chuckled. “We are just taking precautions. There are definitely far fewer of us than there are of other species on the different planets in the galaxy. People are starting to worry about what the future will be for us here.”
