“Uhh, no. I don’t really feel like riding,” I say, feeling awkward. “Oh, here…I asked the footman tonight for an extra piece of that cocoa fantasy cake you love,” I say, handing her the small box.
“You are my favorite Etharian, Kricket!” Aella says, happily taking the treat from me.
“Well, you’re Sergen’s favorite Etharian. When I told him that it was for you, he tried to give me the whole top tier of the cake.”
Aella blushes, looking delighted. “I’ll thank him tomorrow. Good night, Kricket.”
“Good night, Aella,” I smile, watching her place everything in a hover courier and program it to transport the cargo for her.
As I lie in my bed, I try to take my mind off the events of the evening by flipping mindlessly through the programs on the hologram vision. But, I keep focusing on the fact that things are getting entirely too scary to ignore. Seeing the alarm in Manus’s eyes tonight when I told him about the Peney ambassador’s lie regarding the breakdown in talks with the Alameeda over their renewed interest in the Tectonic Peninsula has me worried, too.
I’ve learned that the Tectonic Peninsula is a strategic area of land owned by Peney. It would be integral for mounting an offense against Rafe because it would allow Alameeda a staging point for their troops through its ports and airspace. If Alameeda secures it, then they eliminate the protracted resupplying of those troops.
After an hour of tossing and turning in bed, I throw my blanket aside with a huff. Getting up, I creep down to the first floor and head to the back of the house where the kitchen is located. I nearly collide with Drex and Fenton. They’re patrolling the halls of the manor with large weapons that look like machine guns, but can shoot projectiles, lasers, or electricity, depending on the need.
“What are you doing up, Kricket? Do you know what time it is?” Fenton asks, with a cheeky grin, eyeing my pajamas.
“I’m going to the kitchen…I mean the ‘keuken’ to see if there’s any venish left or if Wayra ate it all,” I say, smiling at him.
“He ate it,” Drex and Fenton say in unison.
“Oh,” I sigh disappointedly, “figures. Can I bring either of you back something?”
They both look at each other and grin. Drex says, “Ah, no. We have to patrol the perimeter, but we’re playing fritzer later, if you’re interested.”
“Didn’t I already take all of your money, Drex?” I grin, backing down the hall.
“Yeah, you knob knocker, she already skinned ya. You want to keep bleeding coin, keep trying to best a priestess,” Fenton insults Drex. “She can probably see right through your cards.”
“Can you?” Drex asks, looking intrigued.
“I’ll never tell,” I reply, putting my finger to my lips before turning and walking toward the kitchen.
Going directly to the commissary unit, located on the kitchen wall, I browse through the pictures of entrée’s still available.
As I pick up the plate of savory pheasant, I nearly drop it when I turn and see Kyon sitting at the long, black soapstone table with his feet up on it. “Kyon!” I gasp, “You scared me! What are you doing here?”
“I had to see you. You’ve been ignoring me,” he replies, looking relaxed as he pulls his feet off the table. He sees me look toward the entrance to the kitchen and says, “Please sit. I came to talk to you.”
I set my plate down on the table across from him and sit down. “How did you know I’d be here?” I ask him, suspicious.
Kyon’s blue eyes meet mine. “Em Quinn said you didn’t eat much at dinner this evening. I took the chance that you’d be hungry later,” he smiles at me. His blond hair is pulled back from his face and the soft light makes it look darker—more golden.
“That’s interesting. Does the ambassador of Peney often spy for you?” I ask, feeling uneasy that Em Quinn is passing information about me to Kyon.
He relaxes in his chair; his massive shoulders block the seatback from sight. “When the need warrants it and it costs him nothing.”
I grasp my fork more tightly. “Interesting. So, why are you here?”
“I’ve come to talk to you about the growing tension between the houses. There is unrest. We’re on the brink of war, Kricket,” he says honestly, watching my reaction.
Fear threads through me with icy fingers. “Can it be avoided?”
“No.”
“Why not?”
“Alameeda is meant to rule Ethar,” Kyon replies. “You’re a part of that, Kricket. You’re of Alameeda, too.”
“Do you know how ridiculous you sound?” I see Kyon’s eyebrows draw together. “That sounds like comic book crap. Only complete morons want to take over the world.”
“The Brotherhood has a vision, Kricket. They want a peaceful world for their people.” His words chill me.
“Their people, but not all people,” I say. “What happens to everyone else?”
He shrugs, “I don’t know, but I’ll protect you when that day comes.”
Goosebumps form all over my body. “I can’t be a part of any of that, Kyon.”
“You’ll feel differently when the house of Rafe falls. I came here tonight to tell you that I have to leave Rafe. I want you to come with me.”
“I’ll take my chances here, thanks,” I reply, feeling myself growing paler by the second.
“You know that they’re just using you for your gifts.”
“And it would be different with you, how?”
“It would be different with me. I care for you,” he says, looking annoyed…but honest.
“I’m staying here. My friends need me,” I reply.
Kyon leans toward me calmly, setting his enormous hands on the table. “He doesn’t need you, Kricket. He’s going to commit to someone else and when he does, you’ll be dying to be anywhere but here.” The truth of his statement knocks the breath out of me.
“That’s not your problem,” I say, looking away from his piercing blue eyes.
“It is my problem,” Kyon replies with menace in his voice.
“I don’t want your help.”
“With your upbringing, I’m sure you’ve already seen that want and need are two very different things,” he states, rising from his chair at the table and pacing the room. “Rafe and Comantre can’t possibly hold out against us this time. You’re on the losing side.”
“What makes this time so different from last time?”
“Last time, there was a neutral house.”
“Peney? Peney is siding with Alameeda? Are they going to relinquish the Tectonic Peninsula?” I breathe, feeling panic rush through me.
“They will,” Kyon replies, frowning. “It’s war, Kricket, the likes of which you probably can’t even imagine…yet. Alameeda only needed a sign to rally around to get us here…and that’s you, Kricket.”
“Me?” I feel ill.
“Yes…the Brotherhood believes that you are the one spoken of in the prophecy. The priestess born of two houses that will bring about the demise of one, leaving one house to rule Ethar,” he replies grimly.