Page 10 of Breaking Ties

Her escort cleared the space, and she looked around with a smile. It was the size of an expensive hotel room. Big bed, plenty of room to move, a wardrobe, and a screen and com unit.

She didn’t have anyone to call, but she sat at the screen and started learning as fast as her fingers could move. It was just like being at the largest library she could imagine, but now she actually had a chance to learn about worlds that she would never visit.

She pulled up the etiquette courses and began learning how to greet a grand duke during a spring festival with his wife next to him.

Aubrey grinned and realized that without the disappointing family and threats against her, she could really enjoy herself.

She laughed and kept going.

When her guards knocked, she lifted her head, and her stomach reminded her that it had an agenda without her consent.

After her meal, they brought her to a private dance class, and she learned how her new balance affected her movement. It was humbling, but the instructor was appreciative of her efforts.

A meal after the dance made her laugh. The restaurant that had fed her the first two times was now serving a different cuisine, with different staff.

She sat again and was served interesting food with a fancy spork. She smiled and ate the food as the server pointed to the different dishes and explained them.

Once she consumed her food, she returned to her quarters, where a call was waiting.

“That’s new.” She sat at the desk and answered the call.

A gold statue was staring at her. Aubrey was looking at the woman until she blinked. “Holy shit. You are alive.”

The woman chuckled. “I am. My name is Harwin, and my Hmrain is Ra. He owns Earth. If you talk to any Terrans who are with Hmrain, we tend to talk to them as if they are the collectibles. It annoys them, and we reap the benefit.”

Aubrey was smiling. “Funny. So to what do I owe the honour of this call?”

“Ah. Well, Ra wanted me to call because he tends to freak people out. He looks like he walked off the wall of a pyramid; besides, he’s watching our son.”

“I see. Congratulations.”

Harwin grinned. “Thank you. Now, you are creating a lot of buzz.”

“I aim to cause a fuss.”

“Hah. There are unattached Hmrain heading toward you, and if a decision isn’t made fast, there is going to be a fight.”

“I see. That sounds bad.”

“Star systems going to war? Yes. Now, I have heard that you know which Hmrain is yours?”

“Sure. Silver skin, hair like old blood, and silver feathered wings. This is his icon.” She drew it with her tablet and sent it into the chat.

“That is really helpful. Did you know you don’t have pupils?”

“I had a feeling. Apparently, my eyes have turned a weird pearly colour. I can still see fine.”

“You are good with this?”

“I am eight inches taller, and my ears are pointy. My eyes are the least of my issues.”

Harwin tilted her head. “Well, if we can get a hold of your mystery Hmrain, that will settle a lot of things. You are known as the Oracle, by the way. It’s in Hmrain texts.”

“Oracle?”

“Yup. Oh, here’s the man and my little buddy.” A baby was lowered into her arms, and she tilted her head up for the kiss that was bestowed on her.

When the gold man lifted his head, Harwin said, “Ancient Ra, this is Oracle Aubrey. She’s new, but she gave me the glyph of the Hmrain she has seen for herself.”