Mate To The Alien Primal: A SciFi Romance

Chapter 1

Teyvan

The view outside shows a crisp, clear day. Leaves are just starting to turn golden and russet, the sky a vivid backdrop of lilac-blue. Perfect for a stroll. Or a hunt. Something, sadly, I will have to forego as today is another busy one. My phalanx of advisors walk ahead of me, all business.

Walking swiftly from my chambers to the meeting halls, I try to enjoy what I can of the fleeting view before being shut up in endless meetings and tasks. Being King has its benefits but also many responsibilities.

My Forest Domain, Janiver, always looks extra breathtaking at this time of year, and I only hope I can find time in my schedule this week to get outside and hunt. One of the few solitary activities allowed for a King.

Sometimes, however, I feel like I run the entirety of the Forest Drokan. Hard to believe there are six other Kings that run the other Domains. But, it seems, the work is never-ending. In fact, it seems to be getting more burdensome every day.

I hear a throat clearing near me and discover Unado, my ever faithful assistant. It is impossible to tell how old he is, and while he is slowing a touch, I dare not ask him about retiring. I don’t think he’d know how to relax even if I commanded him. 

“Unado, good morning.”

“Good Morning, Your Highness.” Though I only see him from my periphery, I can see his small hands wringing in nervous circles.

“You look troubled, Unado. Tell me, what’s on your mind?”

A look of sadness crosses the old Drokans face. Though he’s had this job almost his entire life, he has never become accustomed to breaking bad news. Something, unfortunately, that happens a lot when you’re in the royal line of business. 

“Your sister, Your Highness….she has…left the palace.”

A stab of anxiety and anger enters my mind. 

Not now. Please not now, I think to myself, my mind going into hyperdrive.

“Has she left, disappeared or been kidnapped? Those are all very different things.”

“Unclear, Your Highness, but kidnapping does not seem likely…”

He trails off, not saying what we both are thinking. Alya, my younger sister and, now due to my parent’s death, my charge, has been in an odd place these past few months. 

“When was she last seen?”

“After dinner last night, Sire. Her lady-in-waiting saw her close her chamber doors but that is the last anyone saw of her.”

I try quickly to think of the last time I saw her and, with shame, have to admit, it was some days ago. It seems we barely speak nowadays.

“Send a squad of Royal Guardsmen to look for her. Check the usual places, but tell them to also get creative. Has anyone visited her rooms?”

By now, I reach the end of the long hallway and am about to enter the meeting hall. But finding my sister is urgent business so I must attend to it now. Urgent private business. I instruct my advisors to wait for me as I stand outside the door with Unado.

“Ah, yes, Sire. They are neat and orderly. Her lady-in-waiting reports that her rooms are tidy and that a large number of clothes are gone. It would appear…”

“That she has left of her own accord, yes. Thank you, Unado. Get that squad in action and keep me updated.”

“Yes, Sire. Right away.” 

With that, Unado disappears down the hallway.

I indulge in a few seconds to collect myself. Ayla has been, in the last few months, not shy in hiding her dissatisfaction with her life. My gut tells me she left Janiver of her own accord. The moodiness and secretive nature of her behavior lately have become, I’m ashamed to say, annoying to me, and I soon hoped she’d overcome it.

It seems she has not. Perhaps she believes that leaving the safety and comfort of her kingdom will bring her some sort of happiness. I can only hope she is safe where she is and does not fall prey to any shady characters. 

Resting my hand on the handle to the door, another thought hits me. 

The children. 

Ayla has, in addition to leaving with no note or notice, left me with another mess on my hands. 

Not long ago, she had worked with authorities in Psowi, a neighboring kingdom, to foster two children, on my advice.

An increasingly common practice, fostering children between Forest kingdoms has become a solid way to build strength among the communities. In the past, relations between Janiver and Psowi have been rocky, and my hope is that fostering children in need will bring about some much needed goodwill. 

When I had mentioned it to Ayla, she had, for once, perked up out of her malaise and said she would be willing to look after the children, who arrive shortly. 

Today, in fact.

And now she’s gone and disappeared when I actually need her the most. My hand clenches the door handle. I have never asked much of my sister and I would like to believe I have been a kind and attentive brother, always trying to make her happy.

The least she could have done was honor her side of the bargain.

I need to summon Unado back to me. A nanny must be found, and quickly too. The children, minor royals of the Psowi line, are expected this afternoon and cannot be left unattended. 

Cascading thoughts of the grueling day ahead crash down on me. Who knew this development with my sister could have such an effect?

My head throbs with frustration and a sense of being powerless.

Not an easy feeling for a King…

Sighing, I push open the doors to find my bevy of advisors looking at me, each with an agenda behind their eyes. Just looking at them makes my headache even more.

Summoning a servant, I instructed him to bring Unado back to me as soon as possible. Nodding, he flies out the door. My sister could not have left at a more inconvenient time.

You are the King. They will work around you.

Setting my jaw, I approach the top of the large table made from ancient and sacred fallen woods from our trees. Resolving to cut this day off short, I will hunt this afternoon. It’s the only thing that will keep my head clear.

Sitting down, my advisors soon follow suit.

Rubbing my temples, I look at the assembled group. “All right. Meeting to order. Let’s make this as quick as possible. Your King has other business to attend to. Outdoors.”