Page 3 of Nanny for the Alien Prince (Alien Recruitment Agency #4)

3

AMELIA

I couldn’t believe what I’d done.

I couldn’t believe I had stood up to Nath, who was a giant, colossal monster that more closely resembled a vampire than a living creature.

I couldn’t believe I had stood up to the heir of the freaking Ulsen throne, with untold, almost limitless power, who could have ordered any kind of punishment on me and no one would have done a damn thing to stop him.

Instead — and this was the most unbelievable thing of all — I had gotten the better of him.

At least for now.

I couldn’t believe I had stood up to Elijax’s official legal guardian and come out on the other side with a good deal.

As I hustled through the long corridors, momentarily getting lost on my way back to Elijax’s bedroom, I wondered how things would play out from here.

Would Nath keep to his word? Or would I have to wrench every last morsel of his word from him?

It was an open question and one I wasn’t altogether consumed with. The only thing that mattered right now was returning to Elijax.

Finally, I came to a hallway I recognized and I barreled down it, almost crashing into a servant carrying a tray of bright shiny things.

“Sorry!” I gasped before turning and continuing on my way.

All the servants seemed to carry trays in this place for some reason.

I turned into Elijax’s bedroom and came to a stop in the doorway. I peered at the room but Elijax appeared to not be there. For a moment, panic set in.

Had someone taken him? The nephew of the crown prince of the Ulsen empire would surely be worth a lot in ransom.

I tried to calm myself — I’d only been gone a few minutes! — and turned to head back the way I had come to speak with the servant I’d almost knocked off his feet. And that’s when I spotted him.

There was a slight, tiny movement behind the mound of cuddly toys. As I peered closer, I noticed Elijax hiding among them. He wanted to play, so I didn’t let him know I could see him.

I stood in the middle of the room and scratched my head as if confused by his disappearance. “I wonder where Elijax got to… Maybe he’s under the bed?”

Elijax snorted with joy as I got down on all fours and peered under the bed.

“Nope. Not under there.”

I moved across to the strange alien board games and books written in unfamiliar languages piled high like miniature skyscrapers. I peered behind them.

“Nope. Not behind those either. ”

I came back to the middle of the room and heard Elijax snickering under his breath.

“I wonder where he got to…”

I stepped in front of the cuddly toys and ran my eyes over them all, making sure not to make eye contact.

“Hm…” I said. “Maybe he vanished like Nightcrawler…”

I spotted him out of the corner of my eye and noticed his eyes were shut. I quickly crept to one side so I was out of view.

When he opened his eyes again and peered around, he couldn’t see me as I was standing still behind him. His tiny ass stuck out from the cuddly toys and he continued hiding for just a moment before giving up. He backed out, his hair sticking up at all angles.

“Mom? Mom? I’m right here! Here I am! See?”

He turned to move out from the cuddly toys and came in contact with my shoes. He looked down at them, and it took him a moment to recognize them as mine, before looking up at me. His eyes broadened and his mouth formed an O.

I immediately fell on him, tickling his belly, gripping him hard, cuddling him, and squeezing him tight.

He giggled, screamed, and cried out but there would be no escape.

“I found you, you little gremlin!”

“No! Mom! No!”

He squealed with delight.

There would be no escape from my love. Especially now.

The deal with Nath — assuming he kept his word — meant I would never leave Elijax’s side ever again.

And after Elijax stopped giggling and squealing, I held onto him tight. The wall of cuddly toys collapsed on top of us and I sniffed him, kissed him, and felt the tears stinging my eyes before I even knew they were there .

They came at the thought of losing him. It’d come so close…

Too close.

We would be together.

I would always be there when he needed me.

Just as I would always need him.

For now.

I looked up and saw M’ra observing us from the doorway. She had a big smile on her face. No doubt we reminded her of her own memories of taking care of kids.

“It’s time I show you where you’ll be staying,” she said.

M’ra led me through the maze-like corridors that I thought I would never get the hang of and gave me the Cliff Notes version of the building’s history. Elijax had been taken to meet his new tutors and I felt his absence from my side keenly.

“This castle has been in the royal family name’s possession since the Second Cycle.”

“The Second Cycle?” I asked.

“The Second Cycle is the second of three eras where a new branch of the bloodline takes over the throne. There’s often much bloodshed, much disorder, much angst and pain, but usually, it works out for the best.”

Works out the best for who? I wondered. For the family that succeeded in taking the throne? Or the everyday people whose blood was shed in order for them to take it?

I knew better than to ask. Nobody liked having their traditions questioned.

“It’s a heavy burden, becoming the royal family,” M’ra continued. “People think it’s all beautiful buildings, traveling the empire, doing good deeds… but they don’t think about the duty involved. The fact that your children have been signed up, whether they want to or not, in carrying out the same duties as you. They have little choice in their destiny.”

It was then that a thought occurred to me that hadn’t before: “What kind of duty will Elijax have?”

I had barely even thought about the fact he was a member of the royal family — except for the fact it would make it more difficult for me to raise him.

I didn’t care about the big homes, the fancy shuttles, the respect from other cultures and dignitaries…

I cared only about Elijax’s well-being.

“Well, that really depends on him,” M’ra said.

“Will he be expected to perform royal duties?” I asked.

“Possibly. It depends on Prince Nath.”

Him. Again.

No conversation M’ra shared with me seemed to veer far from him. It always seemed to encircle him in some way.

Like a watery vortex.

I shook my head of the doom and gloom. It was the standard way of thinking with the human race these days — especially since our species was on the brink of extinction, when factions turned against factions, tearing each other apart, creating worse bloodbaths than anything these Ulsen had endured even during the handover of one royal family member to another.

“And even if he does have duties, it won’t be until much later, right?” I said. “He’s only a boy.”

M’ra took another corner. I’d already lost count of how many and there was no chance in hell I’d be able to find my way back alone.

“Royal duties begin from the moment of birth. There are naming ceremonies, opening ceremonies, statues carved in his honor, all kinds of events where the citizens wish to show their respect.”

Statues? Ceremonies? “But Elijax isn’t a full-blooded Ulsen. Won’t that make a difference?”

I hoped it would make a difference. Just because Elijax had been born half-royal didn’t mean he had to live with it his whole life… did it?

“I doubt that will make much difference,” M’ra said, smiling over at me as if she’d just given me good news.

My hopes collapsed at the realization that I might not be able to educate him the way I wanted. It sounded very much like I was going to have to share him — and not only with Nath and the royal family.

But with the entire Ulsen.

“Ah. Here we are.”

M’ra opened the door and hobbled inside. She held the door open for me.

I felt uncomfortable letting her open the heavy doors but she seemed to handle them much better than I did — even with my much younger bones!

The room was surprisingly large and well-appointed, with views over the nearby forest of pink and purple trees that I still couldn’t wrap my head around. And there, the silver-blue lake that carved through the countryside, coiled like a snake.

A beautiful place to live. A beautiful place to grow up.

“You’ll be pleased to learn the nanny of the royal family commands a certain level of respect,” M’ra said.

“Respect? What kind of respect? ”

“You’ll be considered an upper level servant in the household. Due to how close you will be to the royal family on a daily basis, your status is elevated. You’re at a similar level to the head of the household.”

“Head of the household?” I said, confused. “Like, the butler?”

M’ra pursed her lips. “Butler… It’s a crude translation but it is close enough. The hierarchy of the servants is very complex. As a non-Ulsen, you will not be expected to understand its intricacies.”

“That’s a relief. I don’t want power over anyone. Only raising Elijax. That’s all I’m here for.”

M’ra nodded and peered around at the rooms, a distant smile curling her lips. “I lived in these rooms myself for many years. I can assure you that you will be very happy here.”

I don’t want to be happy here! I wanted to snap. I want to be at home with Elijax!

But I held my tongue. It wasn’t M’ra’s fault I had found myself in this position. Still, there was something that had been rattling around in my head ever since I spoke with Nath earlier and now seemed as good a time as any to mention it.

“You had some part in this, right?” I said. “In Nath—”

“Prince Nath,” M’ra corrected.

“Right. Prince Nath. You helped him accept that I should be part of Elijax’s life, right? I don’t believe he could have come up with it on his own.”

M’ra wore a strange smile that made her eyes twinkle with mischief. “Prince Nath has many other things on his mind right now. Sometimes we must… encourage him to make the right decision when it comes to family matters. ”

Which was another way of saying that she absolutely did have an influence on Nath’s decision.

I placed a hand on the elder Ulsen’s shoulder and gently stroked her arm.

M’ra eyed it with curiosity.

“Thank you,” I said. “Thank you for your help. For the past two weeks of knowing that I had to come here, that I had to drop Elijax off—” Also known as abandoning him. “—I’d been so focused on the logistics of it all that I didn’t want to think about the moment I would finally have to leave him here. I’m sure I would have broken down and made a real idiot of myself.”

M’ra chuckled. “We all make idiots of ourselves for the ones we love.” She waved a hand dismissively. “Think nothing of it. And by the way, touching among the Ulsen is… something to be wary of.”

I retracted my hand as if she was suddenly burning hot. “Be wary of? Why?”

“Because the Ulsen is not a touchy-feely kind of race. They are warriors, fighters. Beneath all of the fancy clothes, the shiny jewelry, and the well-spoken tones of voice, they’re still the same hotheaded, red-blooded warriors who wish to die in the heat of battle. Touching is something they consider personal and that should only occur between those very close to them. A single touch on the shoulder like this could mean a great deal more than you thought. A hug is something done between very close and personal friends.”

“Thanks for telling me. I had no idea.”

“Neither did I when I first came here.”

I looked M’ra up and down. “You’re not an Ulsen?”

She shook her head. “I am from a distant planet, taken under the wing of the royal family during our Time of Turmoil. ”

Time of Turmoil. That sounds familiar.

M’ra’s admission that she was of a different race surprised me as she bore many of the same features as the Ulsen. But now that I considered it, she was slimmer and more delicate than the Ulsens I had seen so far. I’d put it down to her older age but maybe it was a difference in DNA instead. Her horns were twisted but were not as thick as those of the Ulsen either. And they weren’t as long.

“We have a shared ancestor,” she said of my look. “But different cultures and histories.”

Her expression became distant as she spoke, recalling a moment that, unless I missed my guess, was not very pleasant and might have rivaled my own back on Earth before I escaped.

Finding that we had more in common than I thought, I wrapped my arms around her and embraced her tightly.

She looked uncertain.

“Then we are sisters,” I said, “divided only by generation. You’ve looked out for me and I will do the same for you should the need ever arise. I feel comfortable touching you because I feel close to you already.”

I hoped my smile looked as genuine as I felt.

Slowly, a smile began to spread across M’ra’s face and she nodded her head. She embraced me back.

“Yes,” she said. “I can see that we will be very good friends.”

My eyes drifted toward the open door, and with them went the thoughts of Elijax.

As if reading my thoughts, M’ra said: “It’s lunchtime. You should be reunited with your dearest one.”

And with that, she turned and led me out of the room.

Elijax looked tiny set in his dining chair. Even straight-backed, he could barely reach the tabletop. He could hardly reach his plate, never mind his drink.

I wished M’ra was there as she would have noticed the problem instantly the same way that I had.

“We need a booster seat,” I said to the nearest servant. “Do you have a booster seat for him?”

“I believe one is being brought now,” the servant said.

Of course it was. Elijax wouldn’t be the first child they’d had to cater to here. There were probably many children of the various royal branches and Elijax would be expected to play with them.

I took my seat beside him and kissed him on his chubby cheek.

A servant was quick to point out: “Your seat is on the other side of the table, Madam.”

The other side of the table? But that put me further from Elijax…

“I’ll eat here,” I said, reaching over and taking Elijax’s tiny hand in mine and squeezing it.

“Tradition dictates that the royal family’s nanny sits—”

“I don’t care what the tradition is,” I spat. “Elijax is on this side of the table, so I will be on this side of the table.”

The servant’s eyes drifted over to the setting that had already been laid out for me before nodding. “As you wish, Madam.”

Madam? Madam? I was no damn madam! How old did these guys think I was?

The servant murmured something to an underling who hastily gathered up my utensils and brought them over to my new place.

I let go of my angst and the breath I didn’t realize I’d been holding .

“So, how did it go?” I said. “How was meeting your tutors?”

“Good. They’re going to teach me history. Lots and lots of history. About the Ulsen culture.”

I nodded. I expected as much. Judging by what M’ra had told me about the royal family and the Ulsen, they were a proud species that liked to look back as often as they like to look forward.

“Any other subjects you think you might be interested in?”

Elijax frowned and it looked out of place on such a young face. “They’re going to make me learn their language.”

That was to be expected as well, I thought. After all, his life was going to be lived at least as much with the Ulsen as it was with humans. Probably more.

“You’re young. You’ll learn fast. You wait and see. Do the tutors seem nice?”

“They’re okay.”

I was reading every line and frown on his face, trying to pick up on whatever signs and meanings he was attempting to keep hidden from me. I was a master at reading his mood.

And I was worried.

I was his mother in all but name. How could I not worry? But I reassured myself that money would be no object as far as his education was concerned and he could get new tutors if he wanted them.

The big door at the top of the room opened and Nath floated into the room.

The servants visibly stiffened, growing at least an inch in height. I could hear the squeak of their uniforms.

Nath marched toward the dining table. A servant was there to ease the chair back and push it forward once he took a seat.

Then the servant picked up his serviette, snapped it with a crack, and placed it on the crown prince’s lap.

Another two servants reached for our serviettes and began to do the same for us.

“Oh!” I said, taken by surprise.

They moved so fast I didn’t have time to notice what they were doing until they were done, otherwise I would have insisted on doing it myself.

Then the servants standing around the room moved toward us with their shiny platters as yet another servant poured wine into Nath’s glass. He waited for his reaction — a barely perceptible nod — before moving around the table to my cup.

“No, thank you,” I said, placing my hand over my wine glass.

The servant had already begun to pour and it spilled over my hand and across the tablecloth.

“Oh, I’m sorry!” I said.

“I apologize with the heat of a thousand suns,” the servant said, reaching for my serviette.

But I was already on my feet and dabbing at it myself. He pulled back, unsure quite what to do, and peered over at another servant, who came rushing over.

“Please accept our deepest apologies,” the senior servant said. “We will ensure that it never happens again. Your server will be punished accordingly.”

He glared at the servant still holding the wine bottle, who lowered his eyes to the floor.

“Punishment?” I said, horrified. “No! It’s my fault, not his. I just didn’t want any wine. On Earth, we place our hands over the cup which means we don’t want any. If it’s anyone’s fault, it’s mine.”

The senior servant’s jaw grew tight and his eyes flicked over to the crown prince before he bowed his head and shepherded the wine servant out the door.

A new tablecloth was brought, the items on the table replaced, and everyone took a seat again.

But there was a tension in the room now, and it was all-encompassing and seemed to come from every corner of the room at once.

Nath just sat there, swirling his wine in his glass, as if nothing had happened at all.

Elijax sat in his chair and fingered a silver fork inlaid with sparkling jewels. His fork clinked against the plate and Nath instantly froze. He glared at the plate and then at Elijax, who hastily pulled his hand away and tucked it in his lap. He lowered his eyes and that annoyed me more than anything.

Once everything was reset, the meals were brought over and placed in front of us. My eyes widened at the mass of meat swimming in a thick red soup. No vegetables. No carbs.

I was grateful when a plate of bread rolls was placed in the middle of the table. At least there was something I could eat!

I reached over and broke one in half. It snapped like cardboard. I watched as Nath dipped his “bread” into his soup. It absorbed the liquid like a sponge and swelled three times its original size.

I did likewise and placed the sodden bread to my lips. I lurched back in shock.

The soup was cold — ice cold!

Even worse, there was a very strong iron tang to it and I immediately recognized it even though I had never tasted it before in my life.

“Is this blood?”

Nath nodded. “From the windswept flatlands of Greeliz, high above the Sherian mountains. It is a delicacy, reserved for special occasions.”

This was for special occasions?

My eyes found Elijax’s which were as wide as mine.

“Don’t you have any vegetables?” I said.

“Vegetables?” Nath said, cocking his head to one side. “We stopped eating vegetables many years ago.”

“But they’re healthy. Healthier than meat.”

“We used to spray our vegetables with chemicals to kill parasites and bugs. When we discovered they were absorbed by the food, we stopped using them.”

“Right,” I said. “Organic. Do you have any vegetables that aren’t sprayed?”

“All vegetables are sprayed. Even organic ones.”

“Sure,” I said, persisting. “But they’re sprayed less than normal vegetables.”

Nath turned his head to one side. “Poison is still poison. It’s better if there is less poison than no poison? Perhaps Earthlings do not use chemicals.”

I ground my teeth. How could an advanced alien race not get this? “Meat is pumped full of antibiotics. It’s even more harmful than pesticides—”

“Not our meat. It is allowed to roam free.”

I pushed the plate away. “Well, we can’t eat this. It’s not even cooked. As a human… I’m not sure if our digestive systems can take it.”

“We have fake meat if you wish?” Nath said. “It’s grown in science labs. Usually, we feed it only to our pets.”

Pets? “Is it food-grade? ”

“Of course. But the best food is reserved for Ulsen citizens, not the animals.”

“That sounds fine,” I said.

The servants must have been listening as another silver platter was brought over instantly and replaced the original bloody soup.

Thank God for that, I thought. The smell of it was already beginning to make me dizzy.

The platter was removed and revealed the plate underneath.

I was shocked once I saw just how normal the meal looked. The vegetables were freshly washed and cut, the meat cooked thoroughly. There was even a small boat of gravy on the side.

“Does this meet your dietary requirements?” Nath asked.

“It does,” I said with a nod, surprised to find myself smiling over at him.

Elijax looked between my meal and the bloody mass of meat and blood.

I leaned in close to him. “Don’t worry. You don’t have to eat it.”

“Perhaps the boy should try it before refusing it,” Nath volunteered.

“Thanks,” I said. “But I know what Elijax likes.”

I emphasized his name so he might try to use it himself.

“You know what a human child likes, not what an Ulsen does.”

“He’s half-human,” I countered.

“He’s also half Ulsen.”

“Well, Elijax can’t eat this. He’s never eaten raw food before, certainly never blood.”

“It’s a typical Ulsen diet. ”

“I understand that but he’s not a typical Ulsen.”

“He will adapt.”

“Maybe,” I said. “But not all in one go. He should take his time, make sure he doesn’t get sick.”

My eyes met Nath’s. This was about much more than a meal. I could see that he knew that. It was about influence.

Nath tore his eyes from mine and focused on Elijax. “Do you think you’ll get sick from eating this food?”

Elijax stared at his plate and nibbled on his bottom lip. “I… I don’t know…”

“Do you at least want to try it?” Nath asked. “See if you like it? If you don’t, I’ll have whatever you want cooked especially for you.”

It seemed fair. After all, I knew Elijax was squeamish with his food and would hate this meat monstrosity. When he looked over at me for permission to try it, I gave him a nod.

“Just a small piece,” I said. “I don’t want you throwing up.”

Elijax reached for his spoon and, with a heavy sigh, dipped it in the blood. I already felt sick to my stomach. He raised it to his lips and took a sip.

His tiny hand froze in place, his head bowed over the bowl.

He’s going to be sick! I knew it!

I glared at Nath and placed the palms of my hands on the table to shove myself up and take Elijax to the bathroom…

But then I heard noises. Slurping noises.

Elijax scooped one spoonful after another of the congealed red mass into his mouth, building in speed faster and faster. He spilled droplets on the tablecloth. This time, when a servant stepped forward to replace it, Nath raised a hand, stopping them.

He even wore a victorious smile on his lips.

Then he made that irritating swirling motion with his wine glass and stared at me over its rim.

The challenge was clear: he knew Elijax’s natural Ulsen tendency better than I ever would.

And there was a part of him that would always know Elijax better than I ever would.

And he knew how much it irked me.