When the afternoon sun is at its hottest, a silvery speck appears in the sky. The gardeners are sent away and Lord Sir straightens his robes. I obediently stand a few feet behind him with the scientist and a few others, watching as the speck grows larger and the sound of a spaceship fills the skies. It's a sleek little thing with long, long wings and a fat belly, and nothing like I'd pictured it. As Lord Sir steps forward, it lands on the designated spot, and then guards pour out, these in deep blue uniforms edged with pale yellow. I notice that all of them are mesakkah, not a single one with bright red clone skin. Interesting.
A moment later, an austere, regal-looking mesakkah comes down the ramp, his steps precise and perfect. His head is held high and he doesn't wear the trappings and jewelry that Lord Sir does. His robe is pale yellow all over, with black embroidery of various symbols at the hem. His horns are beautifully polished, but not nearly as fancy as Lord Sir's, as if he doesn't need all that nonsense. He turns his head, and I see long, silky hair that falls all the way down his back, clasped into a tail that rests against his tail. Huh.
He holds a hand out and helps a dainty woman from the ship.
As she comes down the ramp, I try not to stare too hard at this “Milly.” It's the first human I've seen for a while, and my first thought is that she's ugly. I've seen aliens faces for too long—her features look impossibly tiny, her skin a pale, freckled gold, and her hair is a sunny orange-red. She wears a flowing dress that matches her husband's robes, belted low on her belly and showing off the bulge of her pregnancy. And she smiles in delight at the sight of Lord Sir's home, her face wreathing in a smile.
"Oh my, it's so warm here," she calls out cheerfully. "Isn't that lovely?" She looks around, smiling, and I could swear her gaze lands on me for a hot moment, then flicks away. "What a beautiful home! Darling, I want a jungle home, too."
"We shall see," Lord va'Rin says in that oh-so-polite tone of his. He holds her hand carefully, as if she's the most delicate creature possible, and I have to admit, they're an odd couple. I get the impression that he's older and doesn't have time for bullshit, and Milly looks very much like she brims with bullshit. Her face is full of eagerness, and I get the impression she's not too bright. Weird, but then again, she probably makes him happy in bed. Maybe this is the alien version of May-December romance, and Milly's a fortune hunter who married her sugar daddy.
And really, if that's the case? Props to her. It's hard out here as a slave. Lord va'Rin isn't treating her like she's just his whore, though. He's holding her arm delicately and gazing down at her with such obvious affection that it makes me ache deep inside.
"It is an honor to host you," Lord Sir says, coming forward. "Please, let me know what you would like first. A tour of the grounds? Perhaps to enjoy a sparring match amongst my gladiator stable? Refreshments? Or would you prefer to go to your rooms for a time? My home is open to you." He bows, his tone so obviously saccharine and fake I'm surprised no one calls him out on it. I also can't help but notice that he's addressing his comments to the lord alone, ignoring the man's wife.
"My heart?" Lord va'Rin asks, glancing down at Milly purposefully.
"I should love a tour of the grounds," she gushes. "I want to see everything!"
"Charming," Lord Sir says with a thin smile. "Come, then." He gestures that they should follow him and then glances in my direction.
I trot forward like the dutiful little human plaything I am, smiling.
"This is my human." Lord Sir pauses, and then continues. "Her name is Rina." I don't correct him, just keep smiling brightly. Guess I'm Rina now. "I hope you will find her company as amusing as I do."
"I'm sure we will," Milly gushes, smiling over at me. Lord va'Rin just blinks in my direction and turns his austere gaze to Lord Sir, waiting.
I fall in line behind all the others, staying close to the guards as we walk the grounds. I tune out of the tour guide, because I don't care how much the buildings cost or how long it took for them to have the materials shipped here. It's all babble that has nothing to do with me. Instead, I look for signs of Crulden. He's not in his cell, and when we tour through the gladiator barracks, he's not there, either. It makes me wonder if Lord Sir is hiding him for some reason. Is Lord va'Rin not supposed to know that Lord Sir has him?