He led her away from the spilled fruit.She walked blindly, her cheeks burning.
They found a café tucked into an alcove on the upper level.It was quieter here; the clientele seemed to be mostly high-ranking warriors who knew better than to gawk, though they still gave her a wide berth.
Thyaar secured a perimeter near the entrance, allowing her a semblance of privacy in a corner booth.She collapsed onto the seat, pulling her knees up to her chest, heedless of the silk.
"Rough morning, Your Highness?"
She stiffened.Wiping her eyes quickly, she looked up.A woman stood at the edge of the table.
A human woman.
Short, curvy, with a riot of bright red curls pulled back in a messy bun, she wore a simple grey tunic that marked her as an LMP candidate, and she was holding two steaming mugs.But it was her face that stopped Emily.There was no deference or fear.Either this woman hadn't learned the rules yet, or she'd decided they didn't apply to her.
"I saw the fruit incident from the balcony," the woman said, sliding into the seat opposite without asking.She pushed one of the mugs across the table."Nice attempt.Form was good, execution a little lacking."
Emily stared at the mug.It smelled like chocolate."Who are you?"
"Lucy," the woman said, taking a sip of her own drink."Lucy Galloway.Unit 44, Intake Group B.Or, as the locals call me, 'Potential Breeder Candidate Seven.'"She rolled her eyes."Catchy, right?"
A laugh bubbled up in Emily's throat."Breeder Candidate?"
"Oh yeah.They love their labels.You got the jackpot, though.'The Emperor's Match.''Her Grace.'"Lucy made air quotes with her fingers."Must be exhausting carrying all those capital letters around."
Emily wrapped her hands around the warm mug."It's a nightmare.I tried to help the guy with a cart.Just help him.And he looked at me like I was going to execute him."
"Yeah.The pedestal is high, honey, and the air is thin up there."Lucy shook her head, her expression sobering."We're not people here, Emily.We're like antiques or collectables.Very expensive, very fragile, and definitely not allowed to roll around on the floor with the help."
"I hate it."
"I know."Lucy leaned forward, lowering her voice."I was a nurse back home.ER.I spent twelve hours a day elbow-deep in trauma.Now?I have a bot that follows me into the bathroom to make sure I don't slip in the shower."
"No."
"Yes.I’ve called him Kevin.I hate him."
Emily laughed again, and this time the tightness in her chest loosened, just a fraction.
"I have boots," she said, lifting her foot to show the scuffed leather."I put them on this morning because I needed to feel...I don't know.Real."
Lucy looked at the boots, then at the silk robe, and grinned."It's a look.'Post-Apocalyptic Princess.'Very chic."
"My mother signed me up," Emily blurted out."I didn't know.I was at work, and then I got a notice, and then..."
"Then the giants showed up."Lucy winced."Yeah.My ex-boyfriend sold my genetic profile to a broker to pay off his gambling debts.Romantic, right?"
"God."
"We're all trapped in the same gilded cage, honey."Lucy reached across the table and squeezed Emily's hand.Her grip was warm, solid, human."But hey.The coffee isn't bad.And the view is spectacular, if you ignore the fact that we can't leave."
"Can't we?"Emily whispered.
Lucy glanced toward the entrance where Thyaar stood like a statue, back turned to them, scanning the corridor.When she looked back, her gaze was sharp and calculating.
"Some people think so," she murmured."But that's a conversation for another time.Right now?You need to drink that, take a breath, and remember that you're still you.No matter what fancy dress they put you in."
Emily squeezed back.Her eyes burned again, but this time it was relief."Thank you."
"Don't mention it.We humans have to stick together."
