The Ninth Orb by Kaitlyn O'Connor Read Free Book Online Page B

disappointed when they realized the aliens were one sex and needed no males.
    For his part, he thought it was just as well. From what he’d seen they were fragile creatures. They would have produced poor offspring even if they had been suitable in other ways. Better to do without than breed an inferior colony.
    Inwardly, he sighed his own disappointment, trying to ignore the moisture beading his skin and trickling down his back from the heat of the life star as he stood waiting for the queen of queens to return.
    He was almost sorry now that he’d petitioned mother queen for an audience. He hadn’t felt comfortable ignoring the request of a queen, though, even an alien one.
    Regardless, he had a very bad feeling about this. The mother queen had been disturbed by the news. They had believed this world unoccupied and now feared they had offended. It seemed likely the kzatha would be expected to make restitution or find another place for themselves. Neither possibility was particularly appealing.
    Anger and frustration flickered through him briefly, but he sought atha and disposed of the unacceptable emotions. There was no choice, really. The queens would decide. They always did and even if he were not kzatha, that would be no different.

    Chapter Five

    Surprise flickered through Baen when the queen of queens returned, and then anxiety. She had covered herself. She had noticed that he had looked and it was obvious that that was as forbidden among her kind as it was his own. He didn’t know what had come over him--except that he had been so long away from Xtania and the meznook that he had forgotten his manners.
    A coldness swept through him when he realized the potential magnitude of his transgression. It didn’t help his feelings at all that she had said nothing--yet.
    He knelt at once, bowing his head. The skin along the back of his neck prickled as if he could already feel the pinchers. “Most humble apologies.”
    “What?” Eden asked blankly.
    “I should guard my eyes.”
    The comment confused her more, not less. “Uh--I guess so,” she responded doubtfully.
    “Will you require restitution?”
    Eden stared down at the soldier, completely at a loss. Finally, realizing that he was waiting anxiously for a response, she managed a faintly apologetic smile. “I’m sorry. I don’t understand what you’re talking about.”
    Surprised, he glanced up at her, his own expression confused. “I am allowed to look upon you?”
    Eden felt her face redden. “Our customs obviously differ a great deal, and the translator is only a little helpful. We will share knowledge and learn each other’s customs, yes?”
    She could tell by his puzzled expression that the translation had only been partially successful, but he seemed to relax. Straightening, he glanced around as if looking for something. “You go without soldier guards?”
    Eden’s brows rose. “Do I need them?”
    The concept seemed to be enough to throw him into complete disorder. It strengthened her certainty that the males dominated in their society. Females, apparently, were not allowed to roam without guards.
    “I offer service,” he said finally, as if he needed to do something to correct the ‘problem’.
    “Thank you. Shall we go?”
    The question sent him into disorder again. Apparently, these aliens were extremely formal. “On feet?”
    “Didn’t you walk over?”
    He gaped at her. “Yes. But I am soldier,” he responded, recovering himself. “You are queen.”
    Eden studied him for several moments. “I have no desire to distress you or flout your customs, but we’re going to have to agree that you have yours and we have ours.”
    He went rigid. After a few moments it dawned on Eden that it was something in the nature of a salute.
    She thought.
    Shrugging mentally, she struck off toward the alien encampment. After a few moments, he fell into step behind her, following, she supposed, at a respectful distance.
    Her head ached after a few moments