“No, and we never will know now—since he’s already been burned in state and the ashes scattered in the desert above,” Ellina said, frowning. Her kingdom was entirely underground, burrowed deep under the vast, shifting dunes that covered the upper world. And that was where Guffin’s ashes were now—mixed with the green sands—irretrievably gone.
When Kikbax, the High Priest had offered the old guard such a splendid funeral, which was usually reserved for nobles and royalty, Ellina had agreed gratefully. She loved the idea of a common guard being so honored, so that everyone could know his true worth—including the snotty, self-centered nobles who surrounded her in daily palace life. Guffin had been worth more than all of them put together, as far as Ellina was concerned and it pleased her to see them have to go to his funeral, though he had been considered beneath them in life.
Now, though, she wished she hadn’t been so hasty to agree to the rites. Maybe a more thorough examination of her old bodyguard’s remains would have revealed something—though she could barely stand to think so. Something she ought to know…
“You’re letting your imagination run away with you, my child,” her grandmother scolded through Lor. “You must stop being so paranoid and looking over your shoulder—trust the new guards the Kindred sent to us. Remember that I told you the Kindred will never hurt a woman—they revere all that is feminine and worship a female deity. They are consummate warriors too—you are safe in their hands and they will not leave until a new personal guard has been trained and vetted for you.”
“Yes, Grandmamma—I know you’re right,” Ellina said dutifully. “It’s just so difficult to trust someone I barely know. This new guard—this Commander Ty’rial—is nothing like Guffin. He’s so cold—so businesslike. I know he’s bound to fulfill his oath to keep me safe at all costs, but it seems like he doesn’t care if I live or die.”
“Of course, he cares, child! And as for being businesslike, he’s just doing his job,” her grandmother said through Lor. “I spoke to the head of the Kindred High Council, Commander Sylvan, myself and he assured me he was sending his best and most deadly warrior to defend you personally and train your new guard. You need have no fear while the Kindred is with you.”
“I suppose not,” Ellina sighed. “But he’s just so cold. So stiff and—”
A brisk rapping at her door interrupted her and then it opened and the very male she had been talking about was revealed in the doorway.
Ellina’s heart jumped nimbly into her throat and she wondered if he had heard her talking about him. It was impossible to tell from the stern, implacable expression on his face.
“Your Highness,” the tall Kindred warrior said, bowing respectfully, if coldly to her. “The people are all assembled to see you drink the Cup of Wisdom. The High Priest and his helpers are in place and I and my squad are prepared to move to the balcony. Are you ready to go?”
As always, Ellina found herself somewhat tongue-tied around the tall Kindred. And it wasn’t just his cold demeanor that tripped her up—it was his appearance.
Though she had never expected to have any kind of an attraction to an off-worlder, Ellina had to admit Commander Ty’rial was the most beautiful male she had ever seen.
Which was odd, because he looked so different from anyone she had ever encountered before.
His skin was a tawny caramel color without even a hint of blue in it and his eyes…well, Ellina had yet to decide what color his eyes were. They were pale and reflective and sometimes seemed to be blue, sometimes green, and sometimes even a pale amber. His hair grew all over his head instead of in a thin, narrow strip like most Chorkay males’ hair did and it was a deep midnight black instead of being green or blue, as was proper.
He didn’t even have a third eye, Ellina thought, which should have rendered him completely repulsive. Instead, the smooth, empty space between his arching black brows where a third eye ought to have been—would have been on a Chorkay—only somehow rendered him exotic and more beautiful than ever.
But the tall Kindred’s beauty was purely masculine, Ellina had to admit. He had a straight nose, high cheekbones, and the longest eyelashes she had ever seen on a man. His mouth was a study in contrasts—the top lip was thin and serious but the bottom lip was lush—betraying some innate vulnerability the rest of his stern but handsome features concealed.
Of course it was ridiculous to think so much about her temporary personal guard, Ellina told herself. Commander Ty’rial was only here until the guards he had chosen from among her own people could be properly trained and vetted. Then he would go back to the Kindred Mother Ship and she would most likely never see him again.
Which was as it should be.
“Your Majesty?” he asked again and she realized she’d been standing there, staring up at his perfect features like an idiot without saying anything. “Are you ready?” he asked her, a touch impatiently, she thought.
Ellina opened her mouth to say of course she was ready in the most imperious voice she could manage but instead she heard herself say,
“I’m frightened.”
Chapter Two
“Frightened?” Commander Ty’rial frowned a little, not as though he was angry, but as though he didn’t quite understand. “Why would you be frightened?” he asked, taking a step towards her. “I’ll have my entire squad surrounding you all the way to the balcony and once there, we have a translucent, bomb and blaster-proof screen erected. But the people won’t see it—they’ll only see you, their new Potentate—drinking from the Cup of Wisdom in order
