Page 63 of Zinnia and the Zombie
“Are you joining us?”
“I’m afraid not. Please give Ella my apologies, but we’ve been away from Sherae too long. We’ll bring the children for a long visit in a few months.”
“I am sure she will look forward to your visit,” Tanaca said politely, and bowed to Faith. Completely ignoring Athtar, he indicated that she and Jaxx should come with him, but she turned to give Faith a quick hug first.
Faith hugged her back.
“We’ll stay in touch,” she whispered. “You’re not alone in this anymore.”
Athtar and Jaxx clasped each other’s arms as well, before Athtar gave Tanaca a mocking salute and swept Faith back on board.
She gave Tanaca a nervous glance, expecting to see the icy look on his face, but instead he looked almost amused.
“You’re not angry?” she asked impulsively.
“No. I knew he was bringing the Grorn ship and I expected to pay for it.”
“You were playing with him?”
Tanaca shrugged.
“I saw no reason to make it easy for him. Although I should have anticipated the threat to blow it up.”
“You believed him?”
He raised an eyebrow. “You didn’t? Lady Faith is a very dangerous female.”
She was still trying to decide how she felt about that when he turned to lead the way into the palace.
They passed through a series of grand halls, each more impressive than the last. An astonishing variety of aliens moved through the halls, all of them arrayed in elaborate finery and she breathed a silent prayer of thanks for Faith’s foresight. No one stared openly at them, but she caught a number of curious glances from the corner of her eye.
Finally, they reached a set of massive doors carved from some pale, luminous wood. Intricate patterns flowed across the surface—constellations, she realized. A map of the known universe, rendered in breathtaking detail.
Two huge bull-like aliens stood guard on either side. Their bodies were covered with short brown fur and large horns added to their already impressive stature. She did her best not to stare as she shrank a little closer to Jaxx.
“The Emperor is expecting us,” Tanaca said, and one of the guards bowed and opened the doors.
Several more corridors followed and she was beginning to wonder if they would ever reach their destination when they stopped in front of another set of doors and another guard.
They stepped through into a large room with an enormous inlaid table dominating the center. Chairs were arranged around it, but no one was sitting at the table. The three other people in the room were standing by a window opening onto a formal garden. An exquisitely manicured vista of moss and rock and a few perfectly placed flowers that was both beautiful and intimidating.
“Emperor Karthajin, Supreme Leader of the Kaisarian Empire, Defender of the Nine Gods, Chosen of Napisten, and Ruler of the Crystal Throne, and First Consort, Lady Ella of the House of Perrault,” Tanaca announced. “Your Majesties, may I present Commander Jaxxlariat t’Semon and Lady Zinnia of the House of Chase.”
Emperor Karthajin was not what she had expected. He looked exactly like the Earth image of the devil complete with red skin and small black horns peeking through dark curls. Other than an elaborately embroidered robe, he didn’t display any signs of his position, but he carried himself with an air of unquestioned authority. He was younger than she’d expected, and extremely handsome, but she found herself holding her breath as he studied them, suddenly aware of how much power he wielded.
“Welcome to Kaisar,” he said in a deep pleasant voice. “I’ve been looking forward to meeting you both.”
She panicked, unable to remember if she was supposed to bow or courtesy or some other gesture. Before she could decide, Jaxx stepped forward and bowed politely.
“Your Majesty,” he said. “We are grateful for your hospitality.”
The Emperor smiled. “And I am delighted to know that the Zathix still exist.” His gaze shifted to her. “You have traveled a long way, Lady Zinnia.”
“Not entirely by choice,” she admitted, then bit her lip, wondering if honesty was the best policy.
“I am sorry about that,” he said, surprising her. “My First Consort is also from your planet.”
Shocked, she looked at the small woman standing quietly next to him and her eyes widened. The First Consort was also much younger than she expected, a very pretty human woman with big blue eyes and an innocent face.
