Amid Stars and Darkness

by Chani Lynn Feener

  “The more likely it is one of the Kints will notice something is off,” she said, putting it together. Slumping against the wall, she squeezed her eyes shut. There were aliens of both groups on Earth; some even stayed permanently. There was always the chance that they’d tune in at an inopportune time and see that a recently graduated high school student had gone missing in the exact same place the Lissa had been found.

  It was a stretch, of course, that they’d even begin to guess what had really happened, that Olena had switched planets with Delaney, but could they risk it? No.

  “This is a nightmare,” she whispered, not really meaning to. A second later she felt Ruckus’s warm breath fan against her cheeks, and her eyes snapped open, going wide at his nearness.

  He’d moved so that he was standing toe-to-toe with her, arms up at the sides of her head in a similar pose to the one Trystan had used to intimidate her last night. This was different, however, because there was no threat in the way he held his body around hers. It was more like protection, and it caused a strange warmth to pool in the center of her chest.

  “Tell me something,” he said breathlessly, the words so low that someone standing even half a foot away wouldn’t be able to hear.

  “Something,” she found herself answering, absently licking her lips.

  His gaze trailed down and followed the move, and she sucked in a breath when the yellow in his eyes began to glimmer gold. He caught himself, matched her stare again, and shifted his feet, the move bringing him half an inch closer to her. No part of them actually touched, but the heat transferring back and forth was palpable.

  Delaney didn’t understand this. She knew what attraction was, of course, but couldn’t comprehend how she could be feeling it toward him. Not only was he of a different species, but he’d also dragged her into this mess, and they hardly knew each other.

  “I’m trying to get to know you,” he said then, remaining where he was even when she stilled.

  Oh shit.

  “How much of that did you hear?” she asked, immediately picturing the clear box around her mind like he’d told her to do. She hadn’t even been aware of the slight burning at the back of her neck. He’d just connected with her telepathically, read her mind, and she’d been too distracted to notice.

  Stupid.

  “Just the part about us not knowing each other,” he said, easing some of her embarrassment. It would have really sucked if he’d caught the part about her finding him gorgeous.

  She was still embarrassed about the hot alien comment from earlier.

  “That’s what I’m trying to do right now, Delaney”—he looked at her full lips again as if compelled to—“get to know you.”

  She didn’t know how to respond so ended up not saying anything.

  “I know your favorite food.” The corner of his mouth turned up in an interested half smile. “Tell me something else.”

  “I’m a cat person,” she managed, though the husky way she spoke made her wish she’d stuck with the silence thing a little longer. Her palms flattened against the surface of the wall. “Do you have cats on Xenith?”

  “No,” he divulged, “but I’ve seen them on your planet.” His smile grew. “What else?”

  “What else do you want to know?”

  “Whatever you want to tell me.”

  This was seriously weird. Yet it was working: He’d successfully gotten her mind off her worry for Mariana and her parents. She was grateful for the distraction, and found that it made her want to oblige him and his game of twenty questions. But only if she got something out of it as well.

  “I’ll tell you mine if you tell me yours,” she teased, surprised that she was able to with him still so close, invading her senses. His scent reminded her again of sitting around bonfires—which was giving her a serious craving for marshmallows—and made her want to do the oddest things. Like rub her cheek against the muscled curve of his neck.

  She’d always been a sucker for fall, it was her favorite season, and if she’d been home right then, she’d no doubt be at one of the end-of-the-school-year fire pit parties. It was still spring there, but a bonfire always took her back to brisk autumn air and bursts of colorful leaves. That must be one of the reasons she felt so comfortable around him. His smell was so familiar.

  “All right,” he agreed, pulling away. “But we should return to Olena’s room first.”

  Not being out in the open seemed like a good plan, so she silently agreed and fell into step at his side.

  CHAPTER 11

  “Tell me what your favorite thing to do is,” he persisted the moment they were back inside Olena’s bedroom. “It’s obviously not attending Tandem games.”

  “No,” she said, and laughed, “definitely not. I like bowling.”

  “Bowling?” He pursed his lips. “Is that the sport where you knock things down?”

  “Pins.” She nodded. “You roll a ball down a lane and try to take out as many pins as you can. I’m fairly good, not to brag or anything. I spent a lot of time hiding out in the bowling alley in my town to avoid going home to an empty house. My parents both have strenuous jobs.”

  “We don’t have anything like that here. But we do have movies. They’re played on a stage and broadcast in actual 3-D. Perhaps we can go to one soon. Do you like movies?”

  “Love them.”

  He was standing with his back to the window wall, hands tucked casually into the front pockets of his charcoal pants. Unlike in the hall, he maintained his distance, keeping a polite five feet between him and where she stood at the edge of the bed.

  “Have you always wanted to be an Ander?” she asked.

  “Yes,” he replied, then glanced away. “Though it’s not what I expected.”

  “How so?” She found she didn’t like the unsure look in his eyes. She wanted to make it go away.

  “No one wants to be around Olena,” he offered, “and I am always around her. It makes … having other relations difficult. It doesn’t help that I spent the last five years circling Earth’s orbit. I needed to stay close in case there was an emergency and she needed me.”

  Delaney scanned his features, taking in the way his shoulders had slumped and how tired he suddenly appeared. She’d been so focused on herself, she hadn’t noticed how much this situation had taken out of him as well.

  “You’re lonely.” She felt bad the second she pointed it out, but he only chuckled.

  “I have an important job,” he said, as if that should be enough explanation.

  The sound of approaching footsteps cut off anything else they were about to say. A second later a heavy fist knocked against the door.

  Ruckus glanced at her, and it was clear he hadn’t been expecting anyone. Another knock came, this one more impatient than the last, and he moved to answer. His spine stiffened as soon as he had it open.

  Trystan was standing in the hall, head bowed down as he listened intently to the hushed whispers of a Kint soldier. A second after the door was opened, however, he held up three fingers, instantly hushing his companion and stared pointedly at the Ander.

  Ruckus stiffly stepped to the side, allowing him entrance, but stopped the other Kint soldier at the doorway.

  “Lissa Olena.” Trystan approached and came to an easy stop before her. “I was looking for you earlier. I wanted to know how you were doing after the attack. Clearly my worry was misplaced.” He glanced between her and Ruckus, staring a bit too intensely at her guard. “The Ander seems to have kept you in good health.”

  “And I see you survived as well.” She ran her eyes from his toes upward, making sure to let her lips twist slightly, a small sign of her ire. She couldn’t come outright and say that she hated him—that was obvious—especially with his man standing in the hallway over his shoulder. Didn’t mean she had to be the epitome of polite, either.

  Still, her reaction gave him pause.

  “Don’t push him, Delaney.” Ruckus’s warning echoed through her mind as if he were speak
ing directly into the curve of her ear.

  The sudden intrusion caused her to shiver, a move that of course the Zane picked up on, because his surprised expression immediately morphed into one of satisfaction.

  “I’m curious, Lissa Olena, what it is exactly you did on Earth all these years.” He angled his head at her. “Surely it wasn’t merely extreme sports and risks with jungle animals.”

  “Savanna, actually,” she corrected coolly. “They’re called the king of the jungle, but lions don’t actually live there. Tigers do, as well as some other large feline species.” At this point she didn’t know why she was still talking, but figured it had something to do with her not wanting to hear the sound of his voice any longer.

  There was a smooth timber to it that always sent her entire body into alert mode, as if her brain didn’t know if it liked the way he spoke or not. She hated everything he said; that was a certainty at least. And the less time she spent in his presence, the better for everyone. Her hope from earlier that his hatred of Olena would keep him away dwindled. Obviously, his feelings were only going to make this harder.

  “She’s developed a fondness for cats,” Ruckus divulged with a bored shrug, as if it were of very little importance.

  “And here I thought you hated animals,” he replied. “We should get together, talk more about your travels.” He didn’t bother looking Ruckus’s way, but it was clear his next words indicated him: “In private.”

  “I’m not sure that’s necessary…,” she began, but the rest of her sentence died in her throat when he took a single step closer, invading her personal space. Even knowing Ruckus was right there wasn’t a huge comfort.

  Unbidden, her gaze slid over to him, and she bit her tongue when she noted the fury burning through his eyes. Ruckus’s hands were clenched once more into fists at his sides, a similar reaction to the one he’d had when the Basileus had threatened her earlier.

  “It wasn’t a request.” Trystan brought her attention back to him. “We’ll dine alone tonight. In my rooms.”

  “I’ve already promised to eat with the Basileus.”

  He nodded, but before she could feel even an inkling of relief, he followed it with, “I’m sure your father will understand that I’d want to check on you after the scare this morning. Brightan,” he addressed the tall brunette man over his shoulder, “be sure to speak with the Basileus about his daughter’s new evening schedule.”

  “Right away, Zane.” The man, Brightan, bowed low, and then turned quickly on his heel. His shoulders were every bit as broad as the other two men still with her, with defined muscle to boot, but she knew he was only meant to carry out the appearance of a bodyguard.

  Trystan didn’t need anyone to protect him; that was painfully obvious.

  “There, now that that’s taken care of”—he moved around her stealthily, finding humor when she turned with him to keep her body facing his—“you no longer have a decent excuse as to why you shouldn’t share a meal with your intended.”

  Her eyes narrowed, really hating the smug look that passed over his belying angelic features.

  “Maybe I don’t want to make your poisoning me any easier,” she stated dryly.

  He grinned. “You think I tried to kill you? What, this morning?” At her silence, he chuckled. “What a fascinating possibility. I would never stoop to poison, though, Lissa. It’s a cowardly way to take a life, don’t you agree?”

  “No more so than a bomb.”

  If anything, her jab only caused his mirth to grow, and he openly laughed. “You’re definitely going to have to tell me how you spent your time on Earth.” Moving backward, he headed for the door, all the while perusing her from top to bottom. Just as he was about to reach the door, he twisted around and called over his shoulder, “Until tonight, Lissa.”

  It didn’t pass her notice that he didn’t deny involvement in the attack.

  “You shouldn’t be so quick with your tongue,” Ruckus growled, shutting the door with a bit more force than necessary. “How many times do I need to repeat myself on this?”

  She rolled her eyes. “Please, as if I stood a chance against the Basileus, or the Zane for that matter. Neither of them likes me very much, in case you didn’t notice.”

  “The Basileus is fearful for his daughter,” he pointed out, “and the Zane—”

  “Hates me?” She held out her hands. “Yeah, I got that much. Who thought pairing the two of them up would be a good idea again? There’s got to be an easier way to find peace. The way I see it, those two will end up killing each other before the honeymoon is over.”

  “We don’t honeymoon here.” He moved across the room toward the door in the nearest right corner. “And no one would suspect Olena of being capable of murder. Which is mostly what the problem is. You are far too outspoken to pass for her. She’s a snob, yes, but no one would ever accuse the Lissa of being strong.”

  “Well”—she batted her lashes at him—“they will now.”

  “This isn’t funny, Delaney,” he said, and came back, spinning her around and pinning her to the wall so quickly, she sucked in a breath. Gone was the playful man he’d been before the Zane’s arrival. This was the fierce Ander who’d taken her from that alley against her will. “I’ve asked you before and I’ll ask you again. Are you trying to get yourself killed?”

  “Of course not.”

  “Then stop baiting the people who could easily take your life.”

  “It’s fine,” she insisted. “You heard him. He thinks my change in personality has to do with five years spent on Earth, and he wouldn’t be wrong. The Olena you’re describing, the meek one who couldn’t kill someone? Yeah, that’s the same one who did this to me.”

  He opened his mouth to argue, but she pressed a firm finger to his lips. His eyes widened, but he didn’t try to speak again.

  “Would you want to be married off to a tyrant like Trystan,” she asked, “or would you rather be dead? Olena found an option around those two. Pinning her misfortune on me is every bit as bad as if she’d attempted murder. I’m not just the wrong person, aka not her; I also happen to be human. One who knows nothing about your culture or your language, or your planet for that matter. I was just the girl she happened to bump into.”

  She took a deep breath. “I’m doing the best I can, Ruckus, but I’ve got to do this my way. I’ll go crazy if I don’t.”

  He squeezed his eyes shut and thought it over for a moment. It was obvious he was torn between being frustrated and understanding.

  “Promise me you’ll at least attempt to be more careful,” he mumbled. “I can’t get you home safely if you’re dead, Delaney.”

  “If I die, there’s war, right?” She waited until he’d opened his yellow-green eyes again and latched them on to her once more. “So I won’t die. Wars are never fun.”

  He pulled back with a humorless grunt and ran a hand down his face. Sunlight streamed through the window to his right, and his shadow splayed across the soft carpet, stretching all the way to partially climb the opposite wall.

  “What the hell is wrong with me?” he said, though it seemed to be to himself and not her.

  Still, she frowned. “What do you mean?”

  “Nothing.”

  “Got any ideas on how to get me out of dinner?” she asked after a moment of silence.

  “No,” he admitted, “but I’ve got a few on how to get you out of that skirt.” At her look, he moved for the right-side door a second time. “I meant, I’ve got a more appropriate outfit in mind. Unless you want to wear that skimpy thing in front of the Zane again?”

  She groaned and followed him, noting it led to a massive closet. “Has it really only been a day?”

  “An eventful one, that’s for certain.” He started riffling through the outfits that were hung up, clearly seeking out something specific.

  “Have you gone through her clothes before?” she asked. Why did that make her uncomfortable?

  “I’ve gone through all her things
,” he replied. “It’s my job.”

  “But you didn’t go to Earth with her?” There was a round white ottoman situated in the center of the room, big enough to seat five. Going to it, she sat as she watched him move around the room like it was his instead of Olena’s.

  “The whole point of a denzeration is to go alone. That way there’s no pressure from an outside force.”

  “Okay,” she drawled, “but she’s the princess. One who had no say in whether or not she actually got to stay at the end of her five-year trip, so wouldn’t her situation have called for different rules? You on a ship staying in orbit doesn’t seem like enough. I mean, what if the Kints had gotten her?”

  “We were in a shaky peace with them already when she left,” he said. “And we had weekly face-to-face check-ins. She lived in secure buildings with guards, and had a phone I could connect to whenever I wanted.”

  “If not the Kints, what about the Tars?” She leaned back on her arms, getting comfortable. “You had to think there was a chance they’d make it to Earth and try something.”

  “It’s not as easy to get to your planet as you believe, Delaney.” He smiled over at her. “Not even the Kints allow unauthorized personnel into space, and if they happened to let a group of Tars through, they’d easily be found out. It would have meant war.”

  “Why don’t the Kints want war again?” She’d never really been told. Seemed to her if they wanted Earth so badly, they wouldn’t just roll over. “Trystan despises Olena, and he really doesn’t like the fact that he has to marry her. Why would he agree to that?”

  “Because his father told him to,” he explained, as if the answer were obvious. “He’s the Rex, remember? As a Kint, you don’t defy your Rex, even if you’re the Zane. Especially then, really.”

  “Okay.” She could buy that. “So then does Trystan have any siblings?”

  “No, why?”

  “Then he’s the heir?”

  “Yes…”