Alien Chronicles 1 - The Golden One by Deborah Chester Read Free Book Online Page A

waiting.”
    Only now did the Kaa allow himself to believe their assurances. He was flooded by a mixture of overwhelming relief and exasperation. “Where is she?” he demanded sharply, not certain whether to be angry at his daughter for slipping away from him or at this fool, for having let her do something so unwise. “Why did you not return her to us? Why have you left her insufficiently attended?”
    Fazhmind bowed again, wilting beneath the Kaa’s anger. “Forgive me, sire. I thought this area well-guarded and safe for—”
    “Bring her forth now,” the Kaa commanded.
    Fazhmind hesitated, wringing his hands. “She will not come.”
    “What!”
    “She will not come. The Imperial Daughter is captivated by the newborn abiru she has found in the shop. She cannot be enticed away.”
    “Do not entice her! Command her!”
    Fazhmind’s gaze lowered. He seemed unable to breathe, and a pulse jumped rapidly beneath his ear dimple. “Forgive me, sire,” he said in a soft, frightened voice. “It is not my place to command the sri-Kaa.”
    Even before he’d spoken, the Kaa had realized the absurdity of his order. Israi knew she answered to no one but him. As sweet and delightful as she was, she could also be extremely stubborn when she chose. The Kaa hoped this was not going to be such an occasion.
    Drawing a deep breath, he tried to restore his inner calm before striding to the shop in question. People parted before him, making way with deep bows. Someone stopped the clowns from their antics, and even the musicians ceased playing.
    The Kaa realized his expression was thunderous. The way blood was pounding through his rill, he knew it was dark crimson and at full extension. The Kaa was not supposed to expose his emotions so openly, but at this moment he cared not. When they returned home to the palace, Israi would have to be punished. She would learn that correct public behavior did not involve coming and going where she pleased. Especially not when she was in the abiru quarter of the city. Gods, what if he had truly lost her? He needed wine for the shock, but he did not glance back for his cupbearer.
    Instead, he quickened his pace. The two guards accompanying him had to run in order to reach the door of the shop before he did. The door stood ajar, and the guards thrust it open with a crash against the inside wall.
    “Attention!” one of them thundered at the occupants. “The Kaa is coming!”
    By then the Kaa was ducking his head and stepping over the threshold. The interior of the shop was low-ceilinged and dim, especially after the glaring sunshine outside. It took a moment for his vision to adjust, and his nostrils crinkled at the smell of damp litter, pungent cedar shavings, and tepid milk.
    Repulsed, he twisted his head aside and closed his nostrils. Then he glimpsed his daughter sitting happily on the floor of this humble establishment, heedless of the dirt streaking her silk indigo court gown. She held something furry and small in her arms, and she was rocking back and forth, crooning to the creature. Her whole being seemed absorbed in what she was doing. She did not glance up even when the Kaa crossed the shop and loomed over her.
    A flustered Lady Lenith—richly gowned and wearing perfumed skin oil—bowed and backed away, looking grateful that someone else might take charge.
    The shop owner—a masked Gorlican with glowing orange eyes and bare arms covered with thick gray scales instead of skin—hastened forward, but one of the guards shoved him behind his counter. “Bow to the imperial presence,” the guard ordered gruffly.
    With an inarticulate sound, the shopkeeper lowered himself awkwardly. The shell encasing his torso made it difficult for him to bend in respect, but no Viis cared.
    Ignoring them all, the Kaa stared down at his daughter, who paid him no notice as she sang, rocked, and stroked the back of the tiny creature in her arms.
    Part of the Kaa had to appreciate the picture she made, his