Page 13 of Captured By The Alien (Starbound #2)
Vahn took a deep breath. The communications array surrounding him was sophisticated and powerful. Once his words were recorded and translated, they would be sent towards Earth’s galaxy at a velocity approaching light speed. Then they would be bounced off the planet’s own satellite system to reach every home and office.
He had spent the last ten hours debating what to say. His own people had been apprised of the plan to pursue peace – now it was time to deliver the message to the people of Earth. But that was the easy part.
Vahn knew his choice of words and facial expressions would be scrutinized closely. His body language would be analyzed and judged. His sincerity had to be beyond question when he announced the Vraxian ceasefire and invited humans to follow suit. He had to make it so the President was forced to respond.
Only by truly believing his offer of peace would the human race put pressure on their leaders to accept.
He nodded at Ela, the only other person in the room.
“I am ready.”
“Are you sure about this?”
“It’s the best chance we’ve had to end the war in two decades. We have to try.”
“And what if the human female is hurt or injured in the shaa’baara contest? You think her mother will accept your peace offer then?”
“You will tell the other contestants no harm is to come to Kara,” Vahn said sharply.
“Don’t be ridiculous. I can’t control what happens during the challenges. What if she fails at the first hurdle?”
“Rhyn and I will devise each test to ensure she has the best chance.”
Ela’s eyes widened.
“Vahn, no. You can’t fix the competition, it’s unethical. The contestant’s families will not stand for it. You’ll end up with a civil war as well as a galactic one.”
“Then what do you suggest, Ela?” he snapped. “You list one problem after another, but where are your solutions? Is it the integrity of the contest you’re worried about, or the fact that I might end up marrying a human?”
Ela’s scales darkened in anger.
“I’ve known you since we were hatchlings. Long enough for you to have the decency to listen to me, even if you don’t like what I say.”
Vahn sighed.
“I apologize. Please, speak your mind.”
“I’m worried about you. I’m worried your efforts to end the war will mean you end up in a loveless marriage shackled to a human. It is a noble gesture but you don’t have to sacrifice your happiness, Vahn. Why not just appoint her as an Ambassador? Or give her some other political role to facilitate peace with the humans? Surely that would be symbolic enough?”
Loveless marriage. Vahn looked down at his hands.
Ela was right – they had known each other for a very long time. If he couldn’t be honest with her, he couldn’t be honest with anyone. He took a deep breath.
“I want to tell you something. But it cannot leave this room.”
“Of course. You have my word.”
“You won’t like it. It may change how you think of me.”
“Vahn, you can tell me anything. You know that.”
“The truth is I want to marry Kara.” He paused a beat. “She is my kalehsha. ”
The general thought she’d misheard.
“I beg your pardon?”
“It happened on Minerva-6. The physical reaction was unmistakable. And she loves me. Or at least, she did before she found out who I was. So you see, marrying her is not just a pathway to peace. It is what my heart desires. It is what my whole being desires.”
There was silence.
Ela had never experienced kalehsh . Oh, she had made vastra with plenty of strong and athletic males but she had never experienced that mating bond, that deep mystical connection, with any of them. She had always thought that when she did, it would be with Vahn.
But in the years she had quietly loved him, he had never returned her feelings. And now he never would. A deep sadness took hold of her, one she was careful to hide.
“So back on the planet, when you told me you had captured the human, that was a lie?”
“I didn’t know what else to do. I thought pretending she was my prisoner would buy me time to figure out a solution.”
She drew in a breath, trying to loosen the shackle round her heart.
“I did not think it possible one’s fated mate could be another species.”
“I didn’t either. But it is real, believe me. Kara has to win shaa’baara, not just for the sake of our planet, but for the sake of my happiness.” He touched her shoulder. “No-one else knows this, Ela. I told you because I trust you more than anyone.”
You trust me but you don’t love me. She swallowed down her pain.
It all made sense now. Vahn’s insistence on making peace with the humans. Kara’s determination to win shaa’baara.
She wanted to scream at the unfairness of it. She was the one who had loved him her whole life. And he’d fallen for a human?
But what was done was done. She couldn’t fight fate. And he needed her help. However much it hurt, she wouldn’t turn her back on him. She tried to think logically.
“If Baelon found out, he would use it as a sign of insanity. He could challenge you for the throne.”
“That is why you must keep my secret and help Kara to win. Can I count on you?”
“Let’s take it one step at a time,” she said briskly, side-stepping the question. “Shall we record the message for Earth?”
He nodded.
“Yes. I know exactly what I’m going to say.”