Page 29 of Survivor (A Space Pearl’s Treat #2)

Vraxxan

Becoming king wasn’t as much fun as one might expect. It took work. A lot of work.

Arriving back at the castle, the first order of business was to depose all those still loyal to the queen and her ways.

Thankfully, we managed this without much bloodshed, discovering there were only a handful of individuals who had been truly loyal and not just browbeaten into submission.

We put those few in the damp stone cells beneath the castle while our healers worked tirelessly to reverse my mother’s cruel conditioning.

My first decree as king was to outlaw the shifting of scales by force of will.

As long as I lived, I would never forget the thunderous cheer that erupted through the cobblestone streets when the announcement came, echoing off ancient buildings and reaching even the farthest corners of the kingdom.

We discovered that many courtiers who claimed to be able to shift had painted their scales black in a desperate attempt to hold on to their privileged status.

I outlawed that deception, too. Under my rule, it became a crime to shift one’s scales.

That sacred power would rest solely in the hands of the goddess.

My second decree as king was to make Zarpazia a haven planet for humans and announce Lucy as my mate and queen.

The proclamation didn’t go over as smoothly as my first decree, as expected.

But in the time since we’d returned to Zarpazia, Lucy had wormed her way into my people’s hearts as easily as she’d found her way into mine.

Strangely, only a few reacted badly to her scent.

It seemed only those individuals who forced shifted their scales found the human aroma offending.

To most of my people, much like me, Lucy smelled an alluring mixture of sweet and spice. An altogether pleasing fragrance.

I’d rid the council of all the curmudgeons who shared my mother’s vision of Zarpazia and replaced them with those who supported my desire for peace and freedom.

My first appointment was to place my father, with the wisdom he had earned through years of ruling, as the Counselor of State, the king’s right hand.

The second was to make Diarvet, whose loyalty had never wavered even in his darkest hours, Commander of the Zarpazian army.

Yet, with all the strides I’d made as king, there was one duty that still made my scales itch beneath my royal garments.

Politics.

Although today’s meeting wasn’t as bad as most.

The throne room was still a bit gaudy for me, with its gilded pillars and ostentatious tapestries.

I’d tasked Lucy with turning it into a more welcoming space.

Until my mate finished redecorating, I spent the days in the library, often surrounded, as I was now, by Lucy, Vysar, and Diarvet—my inner circle.

The holo-screen in front of us shimmered with blue light, showing the Alliance Prime, Chieftain Khaion of the Bardaga , Lucy’s former bosses, Jala and Praxxan, and Jala’s human assistant Merrilee.

Lucy and Merilee had worked together for a short time at the Space Pearl’s restaurant on the Ardeese Valout.

Their greeting consisted of high-pitched squeals of excitement that echoed through the room, bringing smiles to the faces of all present.

Chieftain Khaion had been the first to receive my encoded message and took immediate action.

My mother’s departure from Zarpazia, though partly motivated by vengeance, had mainly served to avoid the Alliance armada headed her way.

Khaion and his crew aboard the Bardaga had been a tremendous help in restoring order to Zarpazia upon my return.

Not to mention, the human females onboard his ship were a blessing in helping Lucy settle into her role as queen.

“I finished reading the report on several of your royal assents, and I must say, I am pleased.” The Alliance Prime pinned me with her penetrating golden eyes.

She was Vaktaire, like Chieftain Khaion, a warrior species like Zarpazians with the most unique blue-gold eyes that seemed to shimmer with wisdom.

“Thank you, Lady Prime.” I inclined my head in a gesture of respect while Lucy squirmed in her seat beside me, leaning closer until our shoulders touched, her warmth radiating through my scales.

While I wore the royal purple robes denoting my status, Lucy had chosen an emerald gown for today’s meeting, knowing how I like the way the color made the green in her eyes sparkle.

“And the people of Zarpazia, are they accepting of the new edicts?”

I knew she spoke of the new laws against the shifting of scales, a practice that had torn our society apart.

“Overwhelmingly, yes,” I answered. “Most of my people cannot force a shift, and those who can disdain them. We have a few dozen citizens in our cells and have our healers working with them daily to undo the queen’s brainwashing .

” I used Lucy’s word to describe the insidious control my mother held over these individuals, even after her death.

“Our healers have discovered that forcing a shift not only alters one’s body chemistry but brainwaves as well,” my father added, his voice grave, deep lines etching his weathered face. “It makes one crueler. Our healers, of course, are looking for a way to undo this change, but it will take time.”

Jala shifted in her seat, worry creasing her brow. “If that is the case, I wonder if humans would be safe there?”

I did not take offense to her words. I knew Jala was extra protective of human females. Jutuk, her brother, mated with the human female who founded the Space Pearl’s restaurant.

“Of course they will be,” my mate insisted without offense, her delicate human features animated with passion. “The Zarpazians have welcomed me with open arms. They are a lovely and kind people.” It made my heart swell with pride to know she felt this way about my once-feared race.

“I have dealt with those who would threaten my mate and others,” I reassured.

While we were trying to help many overcome my mother’s conditioning, there had been some whose crimes were so execrable there was nowhere for them other than a prison planet, condemned to live out their days under the harshest of conditions.

“In fact, I was thinking of a way to make humans even more appetizing to the Zarpazians,” Lucy said, her eyes twinkling like distant stars. “What if we open a Space Pearl’s restaurant here. I’ve always heard the way to someone’s heart is through their stomach.”

While I loved my mate’s excitement, I did not think her words were correct. The stomach? For humans, perhaps, but for Zarpazians, the pleasure center was decidedly a bit south.

Jala laughed heartily, the sound echoing through the chamber. “Pearl’s recipes have turned many a heart and mind in my experience.”

“I think that is a wonderful idea.” The Prime agreed, her regal posture softening slightly. “Plus, a new restaurant would give displaced humans a place to work and feel useful on your planet.”

“Then consider Zarpazia in agreement,” I announced, shooting Lucy a wink that made her cheeks flush a delightful pink.

The Prime laughed again but sobered quickly, her ancient eyes reflecting centuries of wisdom. “I am truly glad to see the Zarpazian people become again as they once were.”

“Thank you, Lady Prime.” I nodded at the compliment, knowing the Prime spoke of a time when Zarpazians were a joyful, prosperous, peaceful culture, as in my father’s legends. Before those with the same darkness as my mother took power.

I cast a glance at Diarvet, who nodded almost imperceptibly.

The subtle movement of his head was barely noticeable to anyone but me.

We had discussed this earlier, and while it needed to be said, my cousin also knew I dreaded to say it.

The weight of diplomacy hung heavy on my shoulders.

“We are looking forward to a more productive relationship with the Alliance as well, although I have concerns.”

“Concerns?” The Prime’s golden eyes widened slightly, her elegant features showing intrigue rather than the offense I had feared.

“Commander Diarvet, in his position as the queen’s guard, was witness to instances that give us concern,” I explained carefully, watching every face on the holo-com crease with worry.

From his seat at Lucy’s side, Diarvet cleared his throat and straightened his broad shoulders.

His military posture was impeccable. He had recovered well from his torture and injury at my mother’s hand and returned to his peak, physically.

Although his deep-set eyes sometimes held shadows, memories that I knew not how to help him overcome.

My mate understood my worry. Lucy had gone out of her way to help Diarvet with something she called PTSD , a human condition that seemed to afflict warriors across species.

“Lady Prime, I was privy to several conversations between the queen and an Alliance official that reeked of collusion,” Diarvet explained, his voice steady but grave. “The conversations always seemed to concern Earth and abducted humans.”

“Do you know who?” Protectiveness rolled off Khaion in waves, his massive frame tensing visibly. Not only was the Lady Prime his leader and friend, but she was also the mother to his first mate, Charick. And Khaion himself was mated to a human female.

“Unfortunately, no,” Diarvet’s shoulders sagged, the weight of responsibility evident in his posture as he took personal blame for the lack of intel. “I never heard her mention a name, only something called a consortium .”

“Consortium?” Praxxan tapped his chin with a long, elegant finger.

As owner of the Ardeese Valout space station, he was a great man in his own right.

But his brother Siemba controlled the Alliance spy ring.

I held no doubt that by the end of the day, Seimba would have his operatives working on gaining information about whatever the consortium might be.