Page 7 of Captured By The Alien (Starbound #2)

There was a stunned silence. Kara’s jaw dropped but she wasn’t the only one. Ela spoke first.

“Your Majesty, did you just say you were going to marry the human?”

Vahn lifted his hand.

“Hear me out. Rhyn gave me the idea.”

“I did?” Rhyn met the others’ gaze. “Don’t look at me, I don’t remember saying anything about marriage.”

“You spoke of unification. Of bringing people together. And you were right.”

“I was talking about our people!”

“But the principle still applies.” Vahn tried to explain calmly. “We want to end the war with Earth. But a peace deal forged through extortion and torture, through threat of violence towards a helpless prisoner, is not worth the paper it would be written on. We have to ensure any agreement is solid and permanent. I intend to unite our planets through marriage.”

Kara stared at him. Her heart was pounding so hard she was surprised no-one could hear it. Marry Vahn? It was nuts. Pure madness. It could never work.

Could it?

It would make her the wife of the Zhaal of Vraxos, ruler of the Vraxian Empire. And the Earth’s President would be the Zhaal’s mother-in-law.

It was so surreal she almost giggled. She clamped her lips shut.

“It’s a ridiculous idea,” Ela said, her voice dripping with disbelief. “How in the name of Ayanlesh would that force the humans to surrender?”

“Simple,” said Vahn calmly. “We would surrender first.”

There was an immediate outcry. Everyone started speaking at once, their voices getting louder and louder until they were shouting to be heard. Through it all, Vahn’s eyes never left Kara.

“Quiet, everyone,” he said eventually, his voice cutting through the hubbub. Silence fell. “I have considered all the angles, and the plan is simple. Vraxos will use the coronation to announce a new era of peace by laying down arms. To demonstrate its good intentions, it will present Earth with a shipment of energy crystals and a generous trade agreement. As a further mark of mutual respect, and to cement the union of our people, I will take a human wife.”

“This is lunacy, Zhaal Talvahnax,” Baelon spluttered. “You have spent too much time away from your own kind. I see now that being trapped for so long with nothing but a gemlek Terran for companionship has warped your mind.”

“Have a care, Baelon,” Vahn said sharply.

“I am shintu and I will not be silenced. If you are not fit to rule, it is my duty to say so.”

“My efforts to end the war make me unfit to rule? I hardly think so.”

“You are intending to marry a human. It is insane. The people will never accept it.”

“So what is your solution, Baelon? Let the war go on forever?”

“I would look at alternatives. Such as using our most powerful weapon to silence the humans forever.”

“We will never use the Vastos Bomb,” Vahn said sharply. “Not while I’m in charge. Do you not see, Baelon? I’m proposing a real opportunity for peace here.”

“You think Earth will lay down its arms just because you want to take that vermin into your bed?” Baelon’s eyes flickered to Kara. “Maybe when you were stranded and had no choice it was acceptable to drek with a…”

“Watch your tongue!” Vahn was on his feet, eyes flashing dangerously. “I am still the Zhaal, you will speak to me with respect.”

Baelon’s fists were clenched so tight his knuckles were white. But he bent his head with a muttered apology.

Rhyn cleared his throat.

“May I say something without you biting my head off?”

Vahn retook his place on the throne.

“I make no promises.”

“It’s a bold plan, but why do you think the humans would ever agree to it?”

“There have been many instances in Earth’s history where ruling families have formed alliances through marriage. It is a familiar concept to them.”

“But you understand the reaction you’ll get?” Rhyn tried to frame his words diplomatically. “You were trapped for months with Kara. People will say the experience has unhinged you. At the very least her mother will accuse you of forcing her into marriage and that could have the opposite effect. It could galvanize the war.”

“You make an important point,” said Vahn. “And this is where we need Kara’s co-operation. The plan doesn’t work without her consent.” He cocked his head. “You have been unusually quiet through all this, human. What do you say?”

Kara moistened her lips.

“You want to me to marry you? Of my own free will?”

“That is the long and the short of it, yes.”

“And you think that will end the war between Vraxos and Earth?”

“That is the hope.”

“But you can’t just say yes,” Rhyn interjected. “You have to believe in it. You have to want this union to succeed, and you have to convince both Vraxians and Terrans. Can you do that?”

Kara deliberately avoided Vahn’s gaze.

Ten days ago it would have been no problem. Spending the rest of her life with Vahn had been her one desire. Now everything had changed. Her feelings had been eclipsed by anger and betrayal. But that didn’t mean they’d gone.

The plan being presented to her wasn’t perfect. It didn’t mean she’d be back on Earth any time soon. But it was a chance for peace and she couldn’t turn her back on that.

And let’s not ignore the fact that you’d be married to Vahn.

She ignored the sneaky little voice in her head and contented herself with a quick nod.

“Yes.”

“You understand the stakes?” Rhyn persisted. “What you have to do? You would be ending any hope of having a relationship with your own kind. You would – in name at least – be the Zhaalini of Vraxos.”

“Blasphemy,” muttered Baelon under his breath. Kara ignored him.

“Yes,” she said, her voice stronger. “I understand the stakes.”

“This is ludicrous.” Baelon was unable to contain himself. “Will this be a symbolic marriage only? Or will we see half-breed monsters vying for the throne? Assuming the human can even bear offspring, that is.”

“All that is for future discussion,” said Vahn quickly. “I think you’ve made your dissent clear, Baelon. Rhyn? What say you?”

Rhyn was silent for a long moment. His yellow eyes rested on Kara and she had the feeling he was trying to see into her head.

Vahn waited in trepidation. He wished he could tell his friend how he really felt about Kara – that marrying her wasn’t just about making peace, it was also about his happiness.

But he knew that would be a revelation too far. So he forced himself to stay quiet until Rhyn made his mind up.

“I share many of Baelon’s concerns,” he said at last. “But I trust your judgement. I will support you.”

Vahn exhaled in relief. As ruler he could implement any plan he wanted without question, but having the support of one of the ruling clans would consolidate it.

“Thank you, my friend,” he said. “Ela, I think we can remove Kara’s handcuffs now.”

The general stood to attention.

“I know my opinion isn’t relevant here,” she said tartly, “But you seem to have overlooked one glaring detail.”

Vahn frowned.

“And what’s that?”

“The fact that there are currently twelve other females who’ve been chosen to compete for the honor of being your Zhaalini. Or had you forgotten about shaa’baara ?”