My confidence grows as I speak, turning to address the entire room, making eye contact with each council member. “We must be strong and defiant, as Taisha was defiant. When she escaped Romon-3. When she engaged in the mission for us to get the discs. When she helped us make an ally in Marshan, in the Wark. The serum she helped us create. She is far more valuable to us as an ally than a pawn to trade.”
King Zander holds up his hand. “We are not considering her a pawn to trade. We are here to determine policy. We knew this day would come. That the Ocretions would get wind that the humans we keep here are not slaves held in chains. They’re not kept as property. They are integrating into Zandian culture.
“We knew it could pose a political problem with the Ocretions. It could also pose problems for our planet. If too many humans get word and escape to Zandia, we may not be able to grant them all asylum. We could easily face the situation of having more humans than Zandians here. I won’t allow Zandia to lose our identity. So we require policies for handling human immigrants. A policy for answering to the Ocretions.”
A beat goes by and then Master Seke speaks. “Captain Drayk is correct. We should never capitulate to the capricious demands of the Ocretions. This is a test; they are checking to see if we are cowards who may be bullied with threats.”
Relief washes down my back. I squeeze Taisha’s hand.
The king puts up his hand. “Taisha is indeed valuable to us for her contributions. And we will not make it a policy, ever, to return a human to slavery. It is not Taisha’s fault that she lies at the center of this controversy. Lamira’s visions show her as the harbinger of aggressions, but returning her would do nothing to help us.”
Taisha goes slack by my side and closes her eyes—relief? Overwhelmed with emotion?
I tuck her closer to my side, grateful when she leans into me. “It’s all right now,” I whisper.
The king looks at his council. “So what are our options?”
“We can play dumb,” Erick muses. “Continue to pretend humans are slaves here. They can’t definitively prove it’s not true. There’s no public Zandian law that says differently. And we can tell them Taisha’s new slave owner refuses to relinquish her, but as a concession, he’ll pay her previous owner the normal fee for an ag slave.
“Or we can make an out-and-out stand now. Declare humans are free on our soil. But I’m not sure we’re prepared to deal with the influx of humans we may get.”
King Zander turns to his mate, who sits quietly beside him. She is known to have extra-human psychic abilities. “Any insight?”
“Playing dumb feels like the lightest possibility. But they will come at us again. And soon. You require a battle strategy for when they challenge you directly.”
The king nods. “Erick, use your diplomacy. Seke, prepare for war. Council dismissed.”
The beings in the chamber all spring into motion. I tug Taisha toward the door. As soon as we’re outside the council room, I stop and face her, making the rest of the beings exiting move around us.
I cup her face. “Taisha, please forgive me for deceiving you.” I look down at her. “It was wrong, and it took me time to realize how much of a travesty it truly was.”
She blinks rapidly, but doesn’t answer.
“I did not mean to toy with your emotions, or to string you along. I just…” I hesitate. “I wanted to have you, but didn’t think I could. Or should. So I let it go on.”
She makes a little noise. I can’t tell if it’s a happy sound or not, but I continue. “I didn’t think I could be an effective judge for Zandia if I let my mind be clouded with emotion. Then I learned that a little emotion lets me use my rational mind in the most useful way. And even more importantly… I love you.”
My eyes feel strange. A little wet, for some reason. No matter. I can ask Dr. Daneth to check me later for a possible infection, if need be. Perhaps it is dust. “I love you, Taisha. I want you to be my mate. I will spend the rest of my life making up my mistake to you. Proving to you that I care about you and trust you. Give me a chance.”
For a long moment I think she’s going to say no. Repeat that she hates me.
But then the best thing in my life happens. She leans into me and puts her hands on my face. “Drayk, I’m sorry I said I hated you.” Her voice is soft and sweet. “I didn’t mean it, I was just hurt. I never stopped caring.” She smiles and the beauty of it makes my whole body go numb. “I do love you. And yes, I would like… to be your mate.” She flushes and dips her head, then looks back at me.
And I don’t give a single veck who sees and what they might say about me and whether I can be impartial for Zandia. Now that I know Zander is behind me and my decisions, that he agrees with me that Taisha is to be kept on our planet, it’s like everything is coming together.
I kiss her, pulling her head to mine, tasting her sweet lips, wrapping my arms around her.
Scattered applause breaks out, some laughter, some cheers. It seems beings welcome the chance for a little frivolity in the midst of our planetary dilemma.
Zander approaches me and Taisha. “We have work to do,” he cautions. But then he places a hand on my shoulder. “Still, there is time for you to formalize your agreement.” He smiles at me and nods. “A contented warrior who fights for love back home is the most ferocious in all of existence.” He raises an eyebrow. “A formal ceremony later, after this aggression is warded off, Drayk. But you must take the time this planet rotation to complete your private vows.”
I bow my head. “Yes, my lord. Thank you.”
He gives me a knowing look. “It is as I predicted.”
I am not sure I like being so predictable. On the other hand, a ruler who can read us so clearly is the right leader at our helm as we must decipher how to handle the Ocretion threats. Our king is wise beyond measure.
“I will take adequate time,” I promise him.