the door. It didn’t sound like Ador.
She went to the sideboard and grazed while the footsteps got closer. Bots were stripping the bed, and she walked around to work the stiffness out of her lower extremities. When the woman wearing the gold and crown entered the room, her nose wrinkled at the heavy scent of sex that hung in the air.
Tydella curtsied. “Your Majesty.”
The woman paused. “Who the hell are you? He was supposed to be with Lady Marquad, but she has returned to court and stated that she wasn’t required.”
“Tydella. Your son and I ran into each other leaving Zathura Station, and after I interfered with his gate jump, he offered me a chance to pay my debt to him.” She gave the older woman a slight smile. “The means of payback was his choice, but I only agreed to four days.”
The queen spluttered. “What kind of woman are you to simply trade sex for transport?”
She shrugged. “There was nothing simple about it, but at this point, I only have two days left, so once that time is spent, I will be on my way.”
The queen stared at her and narrowed her eyes. “Why are you not grovelling?”
“I beg your pardon?”
“Most of the harlots that my son has brought here have bowed constantly. Why are you standing straight?” The queen came up to her and glowered at her, her white and black markings quite striking.
“Protocol dictates that I only need to genuflect when you enter the room, or when I leave it. There is nowhere for me to sit in here; therefore, I cannot lower myself in your presence.”
The queen paused. “You know protocol.”
Tydella shrugged. “On a world, a great distance away, I was raised in a royal court.”
The queen looked her over. “You? How many human royals are there?”
“Not many. The rankings are better left to the more specialized species. Folk like me are a dime a dozen.”
The queen nodded. “Well, my son would never keep one of your kind around. He needs a proper lady, a proper princess. As soon as this rut is over, he will have his pick of the women.”
Tydella cocked her head. “He will?”
“Yes, of course, they will have to prove their status, but I am sure that a true princess can manage it.”
Tydella chuckled. “They usually can prove themselves one way or another.”
The queen snorted. “Don’t be so smug, young lady. It is unbecoming.”
“Apologies. I am under the influence of a lot of endorphins right now.” Tydella smiled.
“You aren’t even our kind. If you were a proper candidate, he would have...” she lunged forward and yanked at the collar. She staggered back, appalled at the puncture marks that were still healing.
Tydella straightened her robe, and she covered up the bites again. “I have never said I was only human.”
The queen was standing with her hand over her mouth, trembling. “You... could be pregnant.”
“Yes, it is possible.” Tydella chuckled. “Don’t worry. If I am, the child will be taken care of. Nothing need trace back to Ador.”
The queen was scandalized. “If you are pregnant, the child will remain here.”
“Well, it is a good thing that I do not consent to any further exams.” Tydella was serious. “The moment the fourth day has been completed, I will leave, and that will be the end of things. I will be a distasteful memory for you and return to my travels.”
“What about Ador? What about what he feels?”
Tydella pinched the bridge of her nose. “What do you mean? He and I have an agreement, and a prince keeps his word, even here, does he not? We are not romantically entangled. This is a moment. That is all.”
The queen looked relieved. “Well, that is good. But if you find yourself pregnant, please let us know so that we can send support for the child. It may be a bastard, but it will still be blood.”
Tydella inclined her head. “Understood.”
The queen nodded. “Good. Just make sure that you leave when you say you will. I do not want my son distracted by someone like you.”
“That is also very clear.”
“Right. Well, as you were. My son will return shortly. I just wanted to see what he considered more attractive than one of the loveliest widows in the kingdom.”
Tydella extended her arms to her sides. “Here it is. I can strip if you would prefer.”
“Why did he get you a white robe?”
Tydella sighed. “Because I don’t look good in green. It’s a joke.”
“It’s not a joke, Mother. I was her