“So they did,” the High Priest snapped, frowning. “And if you don’t have a chewchie of your own the next time you go anywhere in public, the people will say that the Potentate is ungrateful and ungenerous not to grant you one.”
Ty found himself in a quandary. He didn’t want anyone saying such things about Ellina, of course, but he also didn’t want to take on a pet that would be a lifelong responsibility. Most of the missions he went on for the Kindred Elite Espionage Corps weren’t exactly pet-friendly.
He had an instant flash of what it would be like—him sneaking up behind an enemy agent, intending to take him out when suddenly the chewchie sitting on his head started screeching…No, no—it would never work! He tried to think of a graceful way to refuse.
“You must know how honored I am,” he began carefully, looking at Ellina. “But what will happen to the little, er, creature once I leave you and go back to the Kindred Mother Ship?”
Ellina’s face paled noticeably at the mention of his eventual departure, but she lifted her chin and spoke coolly.
“Well then, you’ll have something to remember me—us—by. To remember your time on Helios Beta.”
“But…but I can hardly take it with me on my next mission,” Ty tried to protest, but Ellina was rising to take him by the arm.
“Commander Ty’rial,” she said firmly. “I am afraid this is an honor you cannot refuse. Not if you wish to remain by my side and guard me, anyway.”
Ty looked down and saw steel in her gaze—clearly she meant it.
“This really means so much to you?” he asked, searching her eyes with his and ignoring the frustrated and impatient huffing coming from the High Priest.
Ellina nodded.
“It means everything to me. Please, Ty,” she went on in a softer tone. “You have no idea how beneficial you having your own chewchie would be. It’s possible that Lor could establish a link with it, even though it won’t be Sacred Blue. And then we could communicate, even…” She swallowed hard and her eyes were suddenly suspiciously bright. “Even after you’re gone,” she finished almost in a whisper.
Ty suddenly understood. He had heard much of the Chorkay method of long-range communication and seen for himself how Ellina was able to have entire conversations with her grandmother, the old Potentate, using Lor. Would the same be possible for them? Would having a chewchie of his own really ensure that he would never lose contact with the curvy little female he felt so possessive and protective of?
If so, he had to have one.
“All right,” he said nodding. “Take me to the, uh, egg that’s about to hatch. But only if the way is safe and it’s not in a public place,” he added, keeping his eyes on Ellina. He wasn’t about to risk a repeat of yesterday’s near disaster.
“Don’t worry, Ty—the royal chewchie hatching grounds are private,” Ellina assured him.
“And while we will have an audience, they will be behind the blaster-proof glass,” the High Priest said. “Don’t be alarmed,” he added quickly when Ty frowned at him. “For while there will be some common folk watching, they have been hand-picked and carefully screened by Commander Yorn, one of your own Kindred guards.”
Yorn was a steady, dependable Beast Kindred—someone Ty trusted implicitly. He nodded reluctantly.
“All right. But I don’t see why we need an audience at all—it’s just going to be me watching an egg hatch.”
“Being matched with your chewchie is so much more than that,” Ellina exclaimed.
“And as to why we need an audience, we must make certain that the people know the law is being followed,” Kikbax said sourly. “Since the story of the Potentate saving the little flower girl and you saving them both is all anyone can talk about today,” he added.
Ty definitely got the idea that the High Priest wasn’t happy about this at all. And it wasn’t just the fact that Ty, an off-worlder, was getting his own chewchie. He also didn’t like the fame the events of the day before had brought to Ty, or the adoration of the common people it had brought to Ellina.
He still remembered the way she’d looked, bathed in sunlight with the gold dust shimmering in her hair and on her Sacred Blue skin…
Truly like a Goddess, he thought. Who could help loving her after her bravery in shielding Tutti with her own body when it looked like a boulder was going to fall on them both? Who could help wanting to worship her after seeing her standing straight and strong and speaking so calmly to her people even after the traumatic and frightening events that had just taken place?
She’s beautiful, he thought, looking at her as they walked down a private corridor which apparently led to the royal chewchie hatching grounds. But so much more than that. She’s courageous and selfless and loving and intelligent…
Careful, Ty, whispered a little voice in his brain. You’re sounding very much like a slave imprinting on his Mistress right about now. Don’t forget your DNA and how vulnerable it makes you.
Ty pushed the thought aside uneasily. Surely it wasn’t just his DNA making him care so much for the little Potentate. She had so many good qualities—he was just appreciating them, that was all.
Right?
Before he could fully answer his own question, he and Ellina and Kikbax reached a tall stone door covered in elaborate carvings showing chewchies and eggs and Chorkay holding both the eggs and the chewchies which hatched from them. This must be the place.
There was a Chorkay guard posted outside the door but when he saw Ellina he bowed low.
“Goddess in the Flesh,” he said humbly. “You honor us with your presence.”
He
