The Falcon Prince

Unless it was all a scam?

But why scam Ria? Money? No, she didn’t have a whole lot. Not that Kristor would know that.

But Ria did have her own business. A thriving business.

Carly had read about men who took advantage of women, stole all their money, then left them practically suicidal, and wondering what they had done wrong.

She came to her feet and marched into the kitchen. She jammed the ice cream back into her apartment- size freezer, and dropped the spoon into the sink. If Kristor was scamming Ria, Carly planned to out him. No one messed with her friend. She went back to the living room, grabbed her wine, and headed for the bedroom where her computer was set up.

New Symtaria. If anyone could find out about this place, it was her. She wasn’t a travel agent for nothing!

Chapter 16

Ria opened the door to her parents’ house and called out, “Mom, it’s me.”

She hadn’t seen her mom since the night of her parents’ party. Sheesh, she was neglecting everyone lately. But her mom had sounded cheerful when Ria phoned earlier. Still, she decided to drop by and visit.

“In the kitchen.” Her mother’s words traveled to the front of the house.

Her mother was always in the kitchen. Maggie Lancaster had once told Ria that it was her sanctuary. She could think better with flour on her hands.

Ria walked in, then stopped and closed her eyes as she inhaled the aroma of…she sniffed…homemade rolls. Her mother made them from a starter mix that had been passed down from her mother.

The starter was the most godawful smelling stuff. Once, Ria had been about to throw it out when she was cleaning the refrigerator and her mom walked in. Her mother almost had a heart attack. Ria had been about fourteen at the time, and even now she couldn’t understand how something that smelled so bad could make the most mouthwatering rolls.

“Want one?” Maggie asked as she pulled the pan from the oven.

Ria grinned. “Do you even have to ask?”

“Get the butter then.”

She opened the refrigerator and grabbed the tub, then a knife from the drawer.

“I’ve always imagined that when I die and go to heaven, it will smell like your bread, Mom.”

“Kris ate six of them last time so I thought I’d make another batch. That’s the way to thank a cook, eat what she puts on the table. And he’s such a nice, single young man.”

Her mother was so subtle—not! “I don’t think you’ve ever had a problem with people not eating what you set out, Mom.” Ria decided to ignore the innuendo.

Maggie was thoughtful for a moment. “True. I’ve always thought everyone had something special they can do in life. For me, it has always been cooking. With you, it’s your grooming. You’ve always had a way with animals.”

“Except Sukie.”

“That’s because Mrs. Miller spoils the mutt as if Sukie was her own child. The dog is cute, but rotten.”

Ria spread butter on her roll, watching as it slowly melted. She had to tell her mom sometime. This wasn’t something she could keep to herself. And she didn’t want to, if the truth be known.

She and her mother had a close relationship. Ria had always told her everything…most of the time. And maybe she needed her mom to give her a reason to stay. Kristor was giving her too many reasons to leave.

“Have you ever wondered why I’m good with animals?” She didn’t meet her mother’s gaze.

Her mother took a bite of her roll, a look of rapture on her face. “The best batch ever.”

“You always say that.” Ria smiled.

“Because I’m always right.”

Maybe today wasn’t the day to mention she was part alien. Maybe no day would ever be good. Did she really want her mother to think she was crazy?

“You’ve always had a special way with animals,” her mother said, picking up the conversation. “Remember that little parakeet we bought right after we brought you home? You were only three so you might not remember Fred.”

“Fred?” Ria sat straighter. “Yes, I do remember.”

“You used to point at him and say bird talk. Sometimes I wondered if the bird actually did communicate with you. It was strange.” She chuckled, shaking her head. “Nonsense, of course.”

But Fred had talked to her. There had been silent communication between them, but she had heard the bird’s thoughts.

“When that bird died, you cried for hours and hours. It nearly broke my heart.”

“It did talk to me, Mom.”

Her mother’s eyes widened with surprise, then she visibly relaxed. “I’m sure you thought so. Little kids love to play make-believe.”

Ria knew there was no turning back. She had to say it. “I’m part alien.”

Her mother drew in a sharp breath, then slapped a floured hand to her chest, creating a little puff of flour. “I…oh, my…”

She suddenly grabbed a dishtowel and wiped at the flour on the front of her shirt.

“Ria, you know better than to say something like that. For a moment, I thought you were serious. I mean, really, what am I to think when you blurt out something like that? I’m sure—”

“Mom,” Ria interrupted. “It’s true. I’m an alien. At least, part alien.”

“It’s okay. There are doctors in Dallas. I knew we should’ve taken you there sooner, but I just didn’t want to admit there was something wrong with you.” She sniffed, then wiped her eyes with the hem of her apron.

“No, Mom, I’m not crazy. I really am part alien.”

Her mom looked around as if hoping it would all go away. Then she said, “I don’t think I feel very well.”

Ria hurried around the counter. “It will be okay, Mom. I’ll explain everything. And don’t worry. I’m not crazy.” Now that Ria thought about it, crazy might be better.

She took her mother by the hand and led her to the sofa in the living room, then made her sit. Ria continued to hold her hand while she explained everything.

“Kristor is from New Symtaria, a planet of shapeshifting aliens. He’s a prince, and I’m a princess, but we’re not related. The voice in my head…”

Her mother drew in a sharp breath. “I thought you said you didn’t hear it anymore?”

“I do. Shintara is my animal guide.”

“Shintara?” She sniffed. “You’ve named it?”

Ria pulled some tissues from the box on the end table and handed them to her mother, who dabbed at her eyes before blowing her nose.

“You said you stopped hearing the voices years ago.” Her mother’s voice quivered.

“Just one voice, Mom. Shintara is my animal guide. A hawk. That’s why I could communicate with the parakeet. And it did talk to me, in its own way.”

“My poor baby, we’ll get you help, I swear.”

“I don’t need help, Mom. I really am part alien. I shifted into a frog. Which wasn’t the best experience in the world, but I did shift.”

“I thought it was a hawk?”

“No, I’m still afraid of flying.”

Her mother waved her arms. “Of course, you can’t shift into a hawk because you’re afraid of flying. It makes perfect sense to me.” Her words caught on a half sob. “Why is your father never around at times like this?”

The front door opened and Kristor walked in. Thank God. Now maybe her mother would believe her. She had hoped to break the news to her a little more gently, but had totally screwed everything up.

But Kristor would make it right. “Tell Mom I’m an alien, part alien, that is,” she told him.