Page 12 of Jorhee

Wag, wag, wag.

I glanced over my shoulder at the ambassador and the guy I decided must be his aide. “You said they brought all his stuff? Any idea where his treats are?”

“If you’ll give us leave to enter, I can show you where I placed them,” Rishka said.

“Huh? Oh, yeah.” I stood up and stepped inside, holding onto Buster's collar so he didn’t decide to go check out the hall or something like that, because, you know, dog. "Come on in.”

The pair entered cautiously, and the door slid shut behind them.

“I put them here, in a sealed container on your table,” Rishka said, going over to a sort of dining nook. I panned my gaze around the rest of the space, noticing only now how downright luxurious the space was. Rich pile carpeting, fancy carved bedposts and headboard on an enormous bed that held a lot of pillows and had a very expensive looking bedspread on it, a plushly upholstered sofa with no back, and a wing backed chair that I had the sneaking suspicion was purchased and brought aboard just before I arrived, as its blue didn't quite match the rest of the space which color coordinated perfectly. Dining table and chairs, with low backs and legs that were as ornately carved as the bed, and of the same sort of wood.

I licked my lips. “Who exactly am I mated to?”

Ambassador Helkhor sighed. “Perhaps you should sit down.”

I swallowed, taking a seat in the rather comfy looking armchair. Nothing good ever followed those words; that was for sure. Buster followed me, placing his head on my knee.

“There’s no other way to say this, so I’ll just come outright and say it. I know it will be a lot for you to process, but you have several days to grow accustomed and for us to coach you on your arrival.”

I frowned. Why would they need to coach me?

“You were matched to Prince Johree, the King’s youngest son and fourth in line for the throne.”

“Well, fuck me.”

It was a damned good thing I was already sitting down, as I probably would have fallen over.

Goddamit! A prince? There’s no way they’ll let me ranch now.

Bitter disappointment filled me. Some folks would be happy to be a real life Cinderfella. Not me. I just wanted a nice little spread with a few head of cattle and my horses, and some acreage to grow silage and maybe some veggies for my own consumption. Maybe even an orchard.

So much for the matching program being infallible. Leave it to me to be the first screw up it’s ever made.I sighed, fisting my hands.A prince is bound to have stables, right? Maybe he’ll still help me get Socks and Meadow while we straighten this mistake out.

Buster placed his paws on my lap and licked my face.

Damn it, I was crying. I decided I didn't care. I’d been through so much and now this? I’d earned every damned one of these tears.

8

JOHREE

My early arrival aboard the CorsairWinged Gloryhad been an excellent judgement call. I arrived to find the spaceport administrator, Kaelor Vesh, in a tizzy, struggling to get two freighters unloaded with goods ordered by the current colonists, materials for the general store to keep on hand for the 3D printer to use for building, and to get several kilt-ha loaded onto a transport to go to auction off world.

“Your Grace!” he said, hurrying over to greet me. “Sorry to keep you waiting. As you can see, we’re short staffed still, so I must assist where needed, regardless of capacity.”

“Indeed,” I replied with a smile. “Well then, you’ll no doubt be happy to hear that I have brought the new Mylos AI with me, who will be able to take on some of your administrative duties as well as his other various tasks throughout the colony.”

“Oh, thank the stars for that,” he breathed. “Working without one has been difficult, and the two Tyridium engineers we have have been insisting we need one. I kept telling them we were waiting for one from the Mylos, which they’ve been very excited about.”

As if on cue, two of the blue skinned beings scurried over to stand at his side.

“Administrator Vesh! Is the long awaited vessel bringing Their Eminence?”

I fought back a laugh, knowing they were not talking about me, but rather the AI we were bringing. Having met Bob as he’d been installed within the Corsair that would serve as my colony flagship, I knew they would find him beyond interesting.The rest of the crew and I certainly had.

“It is,” I interjected. “His name is Bob, and he is awaiting permissions so he may populate throughout the colony’s systems.”

The one who’d spoken, who had a pale blue tone to his skin and silver eyes which matched the silver tips of his mop of electric blue hair, raised the palms of all four hands skyward. “Praise be, for Bob is among us!”