Page 77 of Stolen Fire

“Correct,” the king said. “It merely recognizes what the stars have put in motion and…solidifies it.”

Blaize clutched Cifer’s arm to his body. “Good.”

“Now we celebrate.”

The smiling couple led the way to a banquet room filled with people. Bodi hesitated at the doorway.

“What’s wrong?” Blaize dropped Cifer’s hand to take Bodi’s shoulders. Her wings were fluttering, and beads of sweat had appeared on her forehead.

“I have to go back to the ship. You go ahead. I’ll be fine.”

Cifer wrinkled his brow. “The transporter, or The Treasure?”

“I have to get out of here. I should have stayed on our ship.”

The others had emptied the chamber. Cifer led Bodi to one of the benches that flanked the perimeter. “Sit. Breathe.”

Blaize sat beside Bodi, drawing her down. “What is going on? You’ve been nervous since we found Cifer on the ship. What are you worried about, Bodi? What are you hiding?”

Bodi slid her hand into a pocket of her coveralls, retrieving her data pad. She tapped a few times and handed it to Blaize.

Blaize read, scrolled, and read some more. This continued long enough that Cifer shifted on his feet. Blaize’s face took on the same expression as when the engine was doing something she didn’t like.

“Oh shit.” Blaize looked up from the data pad. “Why didn’t you say anything?”

Bodi winced. “At first, I thought my mother was trying to manipulate me. Then I thought it would blow over when we were on the long legs of the journey to Kolben and back to Cassan. Since no one tried anything on Cassan, I figured it was a joke. One of my sisters stirring the pot, maybe.” Bodi’s wings fluttered so fast they blurred, and a buzzing sound filled the cavernous room.

“But they think we’ve kidnapped you.” Blaize stood and took a position in front of Cifer. “They think Cifer was sent to kill you, and you didn’t disabuse them of that notion.” Blaize stomped her foot. “How could you?”

“It’s not him they’re accusing. In fact, I’ve told them we have extra protection. There have been calls too.” Bodi dropped her head into her hands. “I’m not ready for this.”

“Ready for what?” Blaize asked.

Bodi held out her hand, and Blaize responded by giving her back the data pad. Bodi tapped and swiped a few more times before thrusting it back into Blaize’s hands.

Cifer peered over Blaize’s shoulder. An image of six males of varying shapes and sizes, all well-built and arguably handsome, wearing uniforms draped in medals and other accessories, filled the screen. “Who are they?”

Bodi grimaced. “My…um…royal guard.”

“Your family’s mad because you left without your security detail? That doesn’t seem like that big a deal.” Cifer wasn’t sure about a normal family’s reaction, but Bodi’s fear seemed exaggerated.

Bodi shook her head. “My royal guard are my future hive. My…mates?”

“Oh.” Blaize gave Cifer a wide-eyed glance. “And they think we kidnapped you because you didn’t take them when you left the planet with us to be the communications officer.”

Bodi nodded, her wings slowing to a flutter. “And if I don’t agree to meet them on Cassan, they’re coming after me.”