Page 29 of Wayfinder (The Outlander Book Club… in Space! #5)
The bustling merchant booths of level six on the Ardeese Valout space station were a vibrant and chaotic scene.
Species from across the galaxy proudly displayed their wares, ranging from intricately woven fabrics to advanced weaponry, all under vibrant awnings that provided a rainbow of shade and light.
The scent of exotic spices and the hum of alien chatter saturated the air.
Shoppers weaved through the narrow aisles, eager to peruse the unique offerings from different corners of the universe.
It was a sensory overload, with bright colors, enticing scents, and a constant barrage of sights and sounds.
Pearl’s warm body pressed close to mine as we strolled along the bustling thoroughfare, her face aglow with joy and excitement. Her eyes darted around, taking in every detail of the lively scene that she likened to a place on Earth called Marrakesh.
I’d borrowed one of Jala’s cloaks, its soft fabric draping over Pearl’s small frame and concealing most of her pale, creamy skin.
Despite this, I noticed the curious stares from other shoppers.
After news of the contest, the lone human on the space station held celebrity status, but thankfully, most of the glances received were only curious in nature.
Most came to this level as we did, to shop.
I watched Pearl as she flitted from booth to booth, vibrant energy and curiosity radiating off her.
I was relieved to see her in better spirits.
I couldn’t blame her for being angry at the idea someone would use her skill in the kitchen to harm another.
But now, that fury had transformed into an unwavering determination to beat the Baron at his own game.
We moved from booth to booth, finally coming upon a bustling spice market owned by a Targulani—a species known for impressive merchant skills and recognizable by their large, slimy bodies and thick, pale green skin.
Pearl’s cheeks flushed with excitement as she eagerly sampled each seasoning offered, her laughter ringing out when a particularly potent scent caused her to sneeze.
Pearl was in her element, and she’d never been more beautiful.
Silently, I sent a prayer of gratitude to the goddess Valana for the blessing of having her as my mate.
Pearl handpicked dozens of exotic spices and herbs.
Her keen eye and nose examined each for quality and freshness, often arguing with the Targulani as to the best application for each distinctive taste.
I played my part, standing nearby and scowling at the shopkeeper to ensure we secured a fair price.
Pearl was spending the Baron’s money, but I just couldn’t stomach the thought of anyone taking unfair advantage of my mate.
After completing the purchase, we watched the vendor pack up the treasures for delivery to the Baron’s kitchen. Pearl watched each move with curious intent and often rearranged the vendor’s packaging to prevent crushing the delicate leaves and seeds.
Once Pearl extracted the vendor’s solemn vow that the shipment would arrive unscathed, we wandered to the next booth.
We found ourselves bombarded with samples of vibrant fruits and verdant vegetables.
This merchant was a small pale lavender species with a broad head and wide green eyes.
I couldn’t recall the species’ name, but he seemed tickled at Pearl’s interest, plying her with sample after sample.
Some she eagerly savored, while others elicited a wrinkled nose and gagging reflex.
But her eyes lit up at the sight of one particular item, her expression transforming into one of joyous surprise as though she’d discovered a hidden treasure amidst the colorful wares.
“Holy shit, are those eggs?”
“Yes, my lady.” The shopkeeper gave a pleased bow. “These are the eggs of the aakbar. They are very creamy and hold a briny flavor.”
Pearl glanced at me, her nose crinkling.
“The aakbar is a sea creature,” I explained.
Pearl considered for a moment, tapping a finger on her chin, obviously creating some delicious recipe in her wonderful mind. I perused the offerings. The eggs ranged in size from small round balls to long thin cylinders in colors from pale gray to deep brown.
“I need something with little taste but a creamy texture,” Pearl said, following my gaze.
The merchant’s deep purple lips rolled into a pout as he considered. “I believe ikklak eggs might work for your taste.” He removed a small pale green square with rounded corners and cracked it against the side of his table, pouring the contents into a small dish.
Pearl’s face flashed with delight as she noticed the orange center surrounded by a translucent liquid. Tentatively, she touched the tip of her finger to the plate, lifting a small amount of egg to her tongue, her face flashing with delight.
“I’ll take two dozen. Can you have them delivered to the Baron’s kitchen?”
The merchant looked near to fainting. “Of course, my lady.”
Pearl twirled with glee, her arms outstretched in a graceful arc.
With a joyful leap, she landed in my arms, planting a delicate kiss on my cheek.
Her brownish-red tresses bounced around her face as she beamed up at me, her bright blue eyes sparkling with happiness.
A warm feeling of contentment spread through my body as I held her close, cherishing the moment.
“Happy?” I asked, brushing a strand of hair from her cheek.
“Very.” She grinned up at me, her face so beautiful it stole my breath. “Do you know what this means? I can bake the Duke a birthday cake now.”
“This is good?” She’d mentioned this cake before, but without so much joy.
“You can’t have a birthday party without cake.” The happiness in her gaze flickered, replaced by curiosity. “Don’t tell me you’ve never had cake before.?”
“I have,” I assured her. “Orzon, the chef on the Bardaga, makes an excellent cake from behia blood and grains.”
A flash of revulsion crossed her face, and she shuddered. “You’re in for a treat, then.”
“Speaking of treat,” I murmured, glimpsing a booth a few feet away. Wrapping her small hand with mind, I led her forward.
“What’s this?” Pearl surveyed the small booth, which was decked out in a rainbow of colors, and featured an Ardeesian female behind the counter.
“Ardeesian ices. They are very good.”
I ordered two and handed Pearl the creamy dark red treat, which was sitting in the center of a deep-fried pandor crust.
Like everything, she tasted it without fear, her eyes going wide as her tongue made contact with the ice.
“It’s like tomato sherbert sitting in the middle of a sweet fried tortilla. Yum!”
I had no idea what half the words she just said meant, but the joy flickering across her face as she ate made my heart dance. Pearl felt it, too, one hand going to the spot between her breasts as she smiled up at me.
“Hey.” Her voice was soft. “I just realized... this is our first actual date.”
“You mentioned this dating before… as a prelude to kissing,” I recalled.
Pearl’s giggle told me I was on the right track.
“And as a prelude to marriage… or mating.” She grinned. “People who are thinking about mating. They go on dates to see if they are compatible before deciding whether they want to be mated.”
My snort was harsher than I intended. “Sounds like it takes a long time.”
“It can,” she agreed.
“I knew the minute you threw the knife at my head that you were mine.”
“You know I missed on purpose,” Pearl said with a teasing glint to her eye. Pearl’s gaze found mine, the affection I saw shining in the blue depths both exciting and humbling. “I did, too, if I’m being honest. On Earth, we call something like that love at first sight.”
“I like that,” I murmured, my arm curving around her waist.
“Me too,” she sighed.
I tucked Pearl securely against my side, our bodies moving in sync as we made our way toward the next booth.
The vibrant colors and enticing smells of the marketplace surrounded us, distracting Pearl as she got lost in the array of wares.
I watched her, enjoying her exploration, until a prickle of awareness shot up my spine.
We, Vaktaire, considered it a warrior’s sense, the recognition of the shift in the air that meant danger lurked nearby.
Pearl informed the Baron earlier that she would visit the market and that I would accompany her as protection.
He hadn’t seemed to care, especially after she promised to concoct the grandest feast in the universe.
I doubt he was having her watched, which made me perhaps more affectionate than I should be, especially since we wanted to keep our mating a secret from the Baron.
But I just didn’t seem to be able to keep my hands off her.
It was a rather wonderful affliction to suffer.
I kept a hand on Pearl’s arm, maneuvering so I could assess the crowd without appearing obvious. I noted every noise and movement. My senses were on high alert for any sign of danger.
It didn’t take me long to spot them.
Kerzak.
Three massive beings, their muscular frames and intimidating presence, caused a stir among the smaller creatures nearby.
Four Aljani guards flanked them, weapons at the ready.
At first glance, they seemed to do nothing more than peruse the wares like other shoppers.
Closer scrutiny revealed their strategic positioning.
Two of the Kerzak had moved into a flanking formation, while the Aljani advanced ahead in a squad ambush configuration.
While I could easily dispatch the Aljani, known for their lackluster combat skills, taking on the ruthless Kerzak would prove a bloody and dangerous battle.
The thought of Pearl being caught in the crossfire sent a shiver down my spine.
The only option to ensure her safety was to make a quick escape.