She smiled. “That was so thoughtful of you. What’s in it?”
The older Zandian beamed. The crust is made with flour and butter, the inside is egg, cream, cheese and vegetables. He waited with anticipation on his face, for her to take her first bite.
She picked up the utensil and popped a serving into her mouth. “Mmm...it’s...absolutely delicious,” she said, still chewing. “Thank you so much!”
Barr smiled. “My pleasure.”
She ate quickly, partly to show Barr how much she loved it and partly because she didn’t want to be late for her curfew. When she’d eaten every last crumb from the plate, she stood. “Thank you again. Really. I am touched by your efforts. You’re wonderful, Barr.”
His skin turned a darker purple and he ducked his head. “Have a good day, Lamira.”
“You too, Barr.”
She headed back to Zander’s room, running down the hallway in case she was late.
Zander stood outside the door to his chamber, listening to Master Seke tell him something. Their heads were bent together and Zander’s forehead wrinkled.
He threw her a distracted look and opened the door. “Go in your cage.”
That was it? He was trusting her to go in the cage on her own. Her heart picked up speed as she contemplated disobedience. To be safe, she crawled up into the cage and swung the door mostly shut but stopped before the lock clicked into place. There. If he came in and secured it, that would be that. If not...would she dare leave it during the day? Would his servants know and report her?
Well, she could figure that out after he left.
She listened for the sound of the door opening, but it never came.
As always, she closed her eyes to shut out the closeness of the bars. An image immediately flooded her mind.
It showed Zander’s ship docking somewhere—a huge complex—the United Galaxies headquarters, perhaps. The moment it arrived, the dock blew into smithereens.
She gulped for air.
No.
Oh stars, no. Zander.
Kicking open the cage, she scrambled out and ran for the door. For a moment, she feared Zander had locked it so she couldn’t leave, but it slid open.
She raced down the hall, her bare feet digging into the luxurious rugs. Where would he be? Had he already gone? Remembering the direction of the dock from Gunt’s tour, she charged through space.
There.
At the end of the corridor, surrounding by a group of guards and advisors, about to step out into the docking platform.
“Zander!” she screamed.
He whirled around, a frown creasing his brow.
Ah stars, what would she tell him? She couldn’t say what she’d seen.
But she had to stop him—had to.
“What are you doing out of your cage?” he demanded.
“My lord—you can’t go!”
She reached him and gripped his forearm, tugging at it. Of course, he was completely immovable. Her heart beat wildly in her chest, the image of the explosion still burning her eyes.
“What in the Zandian moons are you doing? Why aren’t you in your cage?”