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Chapter Three

VOLAN

“H ow many times have I told you to stay away from the pits?” King Valnu roars. My father’s normally light-grey skin is dark, and his markings are pulsating with an intensity that makes me want to squint my eyes.

Dare I say spittle comes flying from his mouth? I’m pretty sure remarking upon it would not please him any further.

Of course, the courtiers standing nearby don’t comment either. I might be able to get away with the taunting phrase, but most of them won’t survive questioning their king. Or they might, but will live to regret it. Of course, each and every one of those males has found something else to be looking at with untold interest, studying the intricate decor and glistening metal detailing on the throne room’s walls and ceilings. Not one of them will take the risk to stand beside their future king, even if it means earning their current king’s displeasure.

“The outsiders cannot be trusted. All it would take is for one of those warriors to get ahold of you and…” His words die off. He stares down the tiered platform towards me with hard eyes, and just a hint of fear.

My own grey skin darkens as guilt washes over me. I glare down at the solid, gleaming tile beneath my feet. All he asks is that I don’t place myself in danger. I wish I could say that it’s because he doesn’t want to see his only born son hurt… but it’s simply because I am the future leader of our people. We’ve never exactly had a caring relationship.

I watch my father shift on his gleaming metal throne. He drags clothing around him, covering up his markings. Unlike me, he can’t control them through willpower. They reflect every one of his emotions. So he hides them. He hides himself. On days like this, I fear the distance that has grown between us.

I cannot believe that one of the fight pit warriors would simply attack unprovoked. I’ve walked among them. Sure, some males are aggressive, but many are also friendly - or at least indifferent.

“Not all outsiders are vile,” I argue with the king. “In fact, there was one male that was quite happy to chat. Just before Tanis came, we’d been-”

“I don’t care,” Valnu says in a sharp tone. “Thoughts of these outsiders are corrupting your mind.”

“I’ve removed you from leading the security patrols,” my father states, as if commenting on the weather. “It’s no longer your concern.”

My stomach drops at his casual dismissal. I had worked hard to earn that position, to prove myself capable of protecting our people. But I push the hurt aside - he must have his reasons. Perhaps he truly believes I’m not ready for such responsibility.

I just desperately wish I could prove myself. After all the work I’ve done… can’t he see that I’m ready?

“I swear that’s not the case,” I beg him. “Perhaps I can find this male and introduce you both. Then you’d see that-”

“No.”

I scowl at the male that is my king and my father.

When is he going to let me prove myself? I am correct in this matter, I know it with all my heart. It’s like my very soul demands this. I thought that I could just bide my time, after all, it’s only a matter of time before my father cedes rule to me. I am of age. Only the old male doesn’t believe I am ready.

“If you’d only listen to me,” I argue with him, “You’d see that I could make some changes around here. The light needs to shine!”

Cycles ago, my people feared the darkness. On our home planet, monsters lurked in the darkness, preying on the unsuspecting. The light - the very light our bodies emit - was our salvation. Here, my people have come to fear those that walk in the light instead.

From somewhere behind me, a courtier male hisses his displeasure. Time and again I’ve argued that our fears are holding us back in the darkness, using our own religion as proof that we must seek the light. It’s a sore spot for many who are still devout, even if we haven’t felt the soil of our home world beneath our feet in generations.

“Talking like this… how do you expect me to believe you are ready to lead our people?” My father sneers at me.

“I’m not afraid to seek the light. But perhaps you are,” I declare loudly for all to hear. A hum of voices fills the air at my proclamation. I’ve always toed the line, but I’ve never outright spoken against my father. Not like I am today.

Behind me, Tanis, my ever-faithful guard, shifts on his feet. I sense his movements more than I can hear. I can imagine Tanis flexing his fingers, wanting to reach for the comfort of his weapon.

I flash my markings slowly, showing that I am relaxed and calm. I’m not. It’s more for Tanis’ benefit than my own, to calm him. Without a doubt, he’ll put his body between mine and danger. I fear what might happen if he draws his sword. If this situation truly escalated, I’d order him to retreat. He’s my subject. He’s mine to protect, not the other way around.

“Let me prove my worth!” I demand. “It is beyond time for me to prove myself to the people that I can be their king and lead them to victory.”

I half expect the courtroom to break out into a frenzy. A prince should never, ever, demand his challenge. It’s ungainly, a sign of impatience. But I am done with waiting. My father is leading our people deeper into the darkness, retreating from any hope that we may one day return home to where we belong. I can’t let him do this.

Instead, the room is deadly silent. Only the flashing lights of skin pulsing in shock confirm that time is still moving. I’m pretty sure that no one even dares breathe right now.

My father lounges in his throne, watching me with narrowed eyes. He breathes deeply, in and out through his nose as if he’s just holding himself back from an outburst. With slow, deliberate motions, he drapes his clothing artfully around his body, ensuring that not one of his luminae markings is exposed.

“I will cede my rule…”

My eyes bulge at his words.

“If, and only if, you can complete this one challenge,” King Valnu finishes.

“Perhaps then you’ll understand why we fear outsiders,” my father adds, his voice softening. “Some truths must be experienced rather than merely told. You’ll see for yourself why we keep to the darkness.”

I bristle at his tone, at how he speaks to me like I’m still a youngling needing to learn harsh lessons. But isn’t that exactly what I’m asking for - a chance to prove what I know to be true? To show him that there’s nothing to fear in the light?

Of course. I knew there had to be a condition. There always is.

“You believe so strongly in these outsiders and their good faith. You’ve spoken in the past about a new tribe settling in the land above, these humans… I want you to go to that tribe, and bring back a female. She must return unescorted.”

My mouth drops open, and my skin blazes with my suddenly erratic emotions.

“A female!? How in the light am I supposed to do that?” I demand.

All around us the courtiers are mumbling their own questions, the deathly quiet around us now broken.

“You know that no tribe will willingly just give up a female.”

It’s a ridiculous request! My mind races as I try to figure out just how to obtain a female. A princely challenge must always be achieved by oneself, with no support from his allies. I won’t exactly be able to march into the new tribe and declare myself a prince in search of an alliance through mating. If I’m not killed immediately by their own warriors, then I am guaranteed to be laughed at as a fool.

“A female returning with you, willingly, will prove that you have convinced this new tribe of your strength and cunning as a ruler. And their trust.”

I stare at my father in shock, belatedly remembering to close my mouth. I had expected, hoped, for a challenge such as killing a vicious Tangler - there’s been enough of the beasts about. But this, this is just madness.

“I can’t do this,” I stammer. “There is no way… It’s just not possible! A female? Besides, what is to stop this new tribe from slaughtering me as soon as I try to enter? We know so little about them.”

I scowl. Is this what my father wants? Should I truly want to walk to my death? All so he can retain his power and title? Does he care so little for me, his only son?

“I have given you your challenge, Volan. Prove to me that outsiders can trust us, and in return be trusted, and I will cede my title,” King Valnu declares loudly enough for all in the courtroom to hear, making it official.

My wide-eyed gaze meets Tanis’ panicked one. It wasn’t supposed to be like this. I am supposed to become king. I am supposed to lead my people to peace, not walk to my death.

Well, fuck.