“I’ve actually met Rekna, if that’s who you’re referring to. He offered to teach me about your medical technology.”
Surprise lit up Trex’s eyes. “You wish to study medicine...here?”
I nodded my head and smirked. “Why does that surprise you? Do women on your planet not study medicine?”
“There are few females left on my-” He paused briefly, frowned, and then resumed speaking, “on Alara.”
I winced. “Oh. I apologize. I had no idea.”Way to put my foot in it.Being nervous made me talk a lot. It was just one more thing I disliked about myself.
Unsure if it was appropriate to ask about the females I held off on saying anything further.
He looked at me with a kind smile. “Tell me aboutyourhome world?”
18
Trex
GRACE TOOK A DEEP BREATHbefore admitting that her home world was not a desirable place to live.
“Thriving is a struggle because there’s not enough of anything. It used to be very overpopulated, but not anymore. Within the span of one-hundred years, millions of people departed and settled in our solar system.
Our colonies on the Moon, Mars, and one of Saturn’s moons were already in place when we made initial contact with the Orisians. Based on what I’ve heard, they aided us in our journey deeper into the galaxy.”
She shrugged. “It still amazes me that humans have settled so far away in their own colonies. I never imagined it could be true.”
I had knowledge of the Orisians. Their planet had been destroyed, and now they were scattered like stardust across the galaxy. However, I had yet to encounter any of them.
“Why did you not leave?” It was evident she did not enjoy living on her home world.
Her cheerful expression faded, replaced by a solemn look. “It’s not as straightforward as it seems. The high cost of off-planet transportation makes it a privilege limited to the wealthy. The rest of us are left behind, grappling with the challenges of making a living in order to stay alive.”
It was no wonder she didn’t want to go back to a place that sounded so desolate and bleak.
“Do you have anyone back on Earth?” I asked, as my heart raced with an inexplicable hope.Please say no,I silently pleaded, hoping she was not secretly pining to return but afraid to tell me.
“No,” she replied, the word heavy with a tinge of sadness. “My family is all deceased. There is nothing to return to there.”
I felt a pang of sympathy and guilt, while also being flooded with relief.
Trex, you grik,I admonished myself.
I reached out to soothe her. My fingers brushed against the soft waves of her hair, and I felt her body sway toward me before she caught herself and pulled back.
She glanced up at me. “What about you? Do you have siblings or family back on Alara?”
I glanced down, pressing my lips tight. When I met Grace’s eyes again, they were filled with kindness.
“My mother died when I was sixtenris.Much to my Father’s disappointment I am his only child.” I frowned. “I was sent away to receive my education. Once I became old enough, I trained to become a warrior.”
I didn’t speak about being the future King and the challenge of living up to my father’s expectations while always being in his shadow.
Shrugging, I found myself admitting. “My father is a bitter and selfish man. I hope to never become like him.”
Grace gave me a look filled with compassion rather than pity.
“I am sure you won’t. The fact that you are aware of his flaws will help you avoid them.” She paused before changing the topic. “Can I ask you more about Alara?”
I stepped away and motioned for her to sit on a cushioned seating area, then I joined her.
