The day after the museum dedication, normal business resumed, which meant royal duties claimed Jaryk’s attention. As per her routine, after morning deportment classes, Kismet and her sister went exploring—after several forays, they still hadn’t seen the whole palace—and then ate lunch together. Today, they were lunching in Karma’s suite. Much as she admired the grandeur of Jaryk’s apartment, she preferred her sister’s cozier but still elegant space. It seemed silly and awkward for two people to sit at a table stretching the length of a humongous dining room.
A servant wheeled in a cart with their meal. “May I get you anything else?” she asked.
“No, thank you. This is great,” Karma replied with a smile. The servant bowed and departed.
“I could get used to this.” Her sister removed the cover from a dish and released delicious aromas into the air.
“The food is phenomenal,” Kismet agreed. “I keep forgetting to ask the names of things. I want to request some of them again.”
“True that, but I meant getting the royal treatment.”
“Oh, that.”
“You don’t enjoy it?” Karma looked at her.
“It’s nice, but I don’t need it—”
“Well, I don’tneeeedit—”
“And I didn’t earn it.”
“So, who did? Earth to Kismet, Jaryk and Falkor didn’t earn it. They were born into it. As were the king and queen, and the monarchs before them, and before them…”
They do earn it, though.The stability and protection the benevolent monarchs provided enabled people to thrive and achieve their goals, dreams, and wealth, albeit on a smaller scale.
They fostered many worthwhile projects—like the Museum of Alien Horticulture. She’d overheard attendees talking—they loved Jaryk, and they raved about the exhibit. His interest in horticulture had bloomed into a “boo” that would draw visitors from all over the globe and the galaxy, who would then spend money at hotels, eateries, shops. Those business owners would benefit, and they would spread their money around to the benefit of other citizens. Besides that, the museum served as a learning tool, feeding the quest for knowledge and fostering curiosity about other worlds. And that was just one “pet project.”
She’d been impressed by the whole exhibit and how much the people loved and respected Jaryk. Their regard enhanced her opinion of him. She would have been proud to have him as her husband—for real.
“And besides—” Her sister warmed up. “Youdid kind of earn it. You are enabling Jaryk to escape a fate worse than death.”
“I don’t think he views the prospect of marriage to Alia as quite that,” she replied drily, but she got the same pang as when she’d had the epiphany that she could be considered an invasive species.
“Well, marriage to you is his path to freedom.”
He did desire freedom. So, it was pointless to wish for more, wasn’t it?
I need a chance. A fair chance. I don’t want to be discounted just because I’m human. I want him to be open to the idea of a real marriage.
“Just don’t fall in love with him.”
“Why would you say that?” Her cheeks heated as if her sister had caught her at something.
Karma’s eyes narrowed. “Because I know you.”
“You’re the one who falls in and out of love with the day of the week,” Kismet pointed out. “I’ve only had a couple of serious relationships.”
“Because you don’t put yourself out there—if you were less guarded, you would fall in love more. Mom says we have very tender hearts.”
“Oh, well, if theseersays it, it must be true.” She loved her mother, but she was a serious space cadet.
“What if he goes back to Alia?” Karma asked.
“He can’t gobackto her—he’s never reallybeenwith her.”
“You know what I mean. Mom foresaw heartbreak and a love triangle in your future.”
“You should have told me thatbeforeI left Earth, not after I got here and got married,” she said wryly.
