Bride for the Space Cowboy (Match Made in Space #2)

6. Kayden

Chapter Six

KAYDEN

Helena eyes me, hands on her hips with her sharp tail twitching. “This is how it has to be. You serve the royal family. Your wedding is important.”

I bite back a sigh. “Fine,” I grumble. “I just thought?—”

Helena doesn’t give me time to say anything else. “You know better. You thought you would never experience the infinity pulse, so you didn’t plan on getting married.”

I press my tongue into my cheek as I chuckle. “Just tell me what to do, then.”

“That’s my job,” she says tartly.

Only three more days are left until my wedding. Every time I see Nadine, all I can think is that I can’t wait any longer. Yet I’m waiting.

Someone swipes my tail as I walk out of Helena’s office. I glance over my shoulder to see Asher leaving his office just behind me. He grins.

I turn to face him. “Yes?” I ask, my tone dry.

The list of people who tease me by swatting at my tail is short. It consists of Asher and a few of our friends among the group of families who protect and work directly for Asher’s family.

“Based on the look on your face as you came out of Helena’s office, I’m assuming she gave you a little lecture about how the wedding will be handled?” he teases as he falls into step beside me.

“Exactly. I presume you received the same information around yours?”

“In my case, Helena told me exactly how it would be before we even took the journey to Earth. I didn’t have time to wait. Are you ready?” he prompts as we exit the hallway and enter the main entry area for this building.

This large building has many windows looking out over the royal city. We stop in front of the view. You can hear the hum of ships landing nearby in the docking area. A distinct blue haze blankets the mountains in the distance. The rising sun shimmers over the lake.

I love our planet and our town. “As ready as I’ll ever be,” I belatedly answer. I feel Asher’s gaze and turn to face him.

“We have a meeting today with Honnell and the judicial council,” he begins, referring to one of the men who’ve been making noise about the royal succession in another town. “I’d like you to come with me.”

“Of course I’ll be there.”

That afternoon, we land on the other side of the planet. We walk into the meeting place in this town. Until the past few decades, things have been quiet, politically speaking, on our planet. Then a new family rose to power over here. They don’t have the support of the majority in their area, but they are loud and pushy. They create the impression that they have more support among their people than they do.

They’ve been grappling to topple Asher’s family from the royal leadership after they push their elected leaders out of power.

Since the scare with Jane, they’ve lost significant influence, and things are much more unstable here.

We wait outside. Asher leans close, his tone low. “We’re only meeting to clarify the guidelines around the upcoming trials. Nothing more.”

“Understood.”

A few moments later, we are ushered in. The judicial chiefs oversee our entire planet. They meet in whatever town events occur.

Jane’s kidnapping, in my opinion, was unforgivable and should have serious consequences. Yet it remains to be seen how they will handle it.

The town’s leadership is seated. Things have been unsettled here ever since the kidnapping. Some want to have new elections in their town. Others are willing to wait and see what happens with the trials.

Once we are seated, I glance over. Asher’s fists are curled tightly.

“You okay?” I murmur, sliding my eyes toward him.

He nods once.

Those who have been arrested for Jane’s kidnapping are brought in. The next hour involves jostling over what evidence can be submitted. The uprising faction behaved as usual, loud and complaining. When our representatives finally speak, they outline our people’s history of government, how our planet has been protected and led safely by Asher’s family for centuries, and how we support democracy and the people's voice. They draw a contrast to the leadership in this town and how they are trying to destroy all of that.

We’ve already agreed that Asher will not speak to prevent his emotions from overtaking him. I’ve seen the infinity pulse before, but witnessing it with him is something else altogether. His feelings for Jane are intense and can override his usual calm state.

That said, I now understand how he feels. Nadine feathers along the edges of my thoughts most of the time.

One of the judges, a powerful woman, glances around. She quietly studies those who had orchestrated the plot to kidnap Jane and hold her until she gave birth.

“Regardless of the arguments about royalty and leadership, and whether there should be mating with other peoples, you harmed a woman, and our people have revered women since the inception of our planet. Bringing harm to a woman is your greatest crime. We have heard the evidence and will consider it, but in the meantime, you will remain held,” she says, her tone clear and firm. “We cannot trust you not to try to harm women again. We also know our people have been mating with other races for centuries.”

Quiet descends on the courtroom as the men are escorted away. Because of what this small group of people have done within this league, they have even fewer women for mates. Women are fleeing this area. No one wants to be a part of it. These men aren’t savoring them and protecting women as they should.

I know the struggle will continue, though. The small group has a hold on some. Until we can break their hold, we will be dealing with their mess.

After we leave, Asher turns to me. “We must fix this.”

I pause. “Fix what?” I think I know what he means, but I’m not sure.

“Repair the damage they’ve done. It isn’t just them, but how they have poisoned others.”

I study him for a long moment. “Understood, but it will not be easy.”

When we leave, we encounter an elderly woman from this league. She gestures for us to come over to where she stands, waiting a ways outside the judicial building.

“Yes?” I say when we stop in front of her.

Asher is flanked by his team of guards. Although it would be unspeakable for someone to try anything here, I don’t trust anyone.

“Your Prince,” she says with a dip of her head.

Asher tips his head to the side. “Yes?”

“What is it?” I press.

She glances around before looking back at Asher. “All of those who are actively involved in the planning have been arrested,” she says, keeping her voice barely above a whisper. “But you must know we are still concerned. Honnell’s father, who started this whole mess, is still grumbling. He’s stirring the pot, upsetting people with lies. I know you all have tried not to take over leadership in this league, but I think you need to get more involved. Without it, they’re going to keep doing this.”

After a long moment, Asher nods. “We appreciate your feedback, but we cannot interfere with the democratic process.”

“You must ensure that they don’t intimidate people regarding voting. That is how they won,” she says. “We are ensuring that more women make their voices heard and that more women vote. They continue to try to intimidate and create problems. I think your people should come here more.”

“We are your people,” Asher clarified. “There is no separation.”

Concern lingers in her eyes. “I know, but many have forgotten that.”

After we depart, Asher is quiet on the transport home. When we land, I glance over. “Jane should travel there. She’s not afraid. Her life on Earth has prepared her to deal with strife.”

Asher considers me for a beat. “That’s a very good point. All of the women from Earth are prepared for conflict. I imagine any of them would be happy to accompany Jane here.”

“Nadine will.” My voice is confident.

I know she will. She’s fearless and bold.