Testing Truth (Cyborg Space Exploration #6) - Cynthia Sax Page 0,51

consort.” Valentin, Claude and Marthe stepped forward.

The snooty looking male craned his head, attempting to look behind them. “And will His Royal Highness, the prince, be joining the princess also?”

His Royal Highness, the prince, and his Palavian mate were no longer on the ship. They had exited from the cargo hold and were running at human speed in the other direction.

“The princess and the prince rarely occupy the same space.” Truth’s female’s voice was stimulatingly cool. “That royal protocol was relayed to the princess solar cycles ago by the queen’s private secretary, and the princess has adhered to it when at all possible.”

The snooty looking male’s rigid stance eased a little. He must be the queen’s private secretary.

“Much of the information the queen’s private secretary has imparted has been appreciated and valued by the princess.” She granted the male one of her carefully manufactured smiles.

Truth preferred the smiles she granted him. The skin around her unusual eyes creased. Her face glowed with happiness. Her lush lips parted.

But the queen’s private secretary reveled in her more-fabricated response. The male’s eyes shone with pride. “The princess and her entourage will follow the queen’s private secretary.” He snapped the heels of his shiny boots together, turned, and strode toward the palace.

Truth’s princess didn’t follow the male. She lifted her right index finger, signaling to wait, and tilted her head. Her forehead furrowed with thought lines. “Does one hear that? It sounds like…cheering.”

“They’re cheering for the princess.” One of the males lining the route offered that information. He was clad in a brightly colored military uniform that would make him an easily-seen target on any battlefield. “We are all so happy the princess has returned to us.”

A female in a slightly fancier uniform frowned at him.

The male hastily straightened. ‘We are.” He mouthed those words behind the female’s back.

“They’re cheering for oneself.” Truth’s female sounded surprised.

Truth wasn’t at all astounded that Royaumes cheered for their princess. Every fully functional being who met his female adored her. She’d even won over the Palavian.

“One should meet with one’s subjects.” She pulled him in the direction of the cheering.

“Princess, is this wise?” Valentin hurried after them.

Claude and Marthe trailed behind him, appeared as concerned.

“This is very wise.” Nancy drifted toward the ornately decorated gates. She gripped Truth’s arm.

He covered her gloved hand with his. “This is also fun.” He grinned. “We’re having another adventure, you and I.”

“We are having an adventure.” She said that at a level only he could hear, maintaining her serene smile. Only the sparkle in her eyes conveyed her joy.

Truth reveled in her delight and he reveled in the chaos before them.

Humans of all varieties pressed against the metal fence. There were females in gowns fancier than the one his princess wore, males with soot on their smiling faces, offspring waving pieces of glittering cloth.

Their cheers grew louder as their princess approached them.

“Open the gates.” She gave the guards that order.

“There are too many beings, Princess.” The fancily dressed warriors hesitated. “We can’t keep the princess safe if Her Royal Highness ventures outside the palace grounds.”

“I’ll keep our princess safe.” Truth moved his palm to the small of her back.

“Her consort truly is a cyborg.” A female positioned outside the gates yelled that fact to the others. Her voice held excitement, not fear as he’d projected. “He’s a big beast of a male. And he’s protecting our princess.”

The crowd cheered.

“Open the gates, Luc.” Truth’s female addressed one of the guards by name. “One will see one’s subjects.”

“Yes, Princess.” The male reluctantly obeyed her, opening the gate wide enough to allow them to pass through the gap.

The crowd closed around Truth and his princess. He held out his arms, creating a tiny circle of space between them and the beings.

“We saw the footage, Princess.” A female with thin, gray hair and a creased friendly face gazed down at Truth’s female. Caring and reverence shone from her eyes. “We saw how you tried to keep us safe from those bad Humanoid Alliance beings during the occupation.”

“And we know you’re coming back just now from rescuing two of our own.” A male smelling of engine grease bobbed his head. “We couldn’t see the poor bastards. They were blurred out. But they were Royaumes, and you risked your life to save them.” He reached out to touch her.

Truth’s princess clasped the male’s hand.

The male shook it. Vigorously. “We’re damned proud you’re our princess, Your Royal Highness, damned proud.”

She appeared a bit stunned. “How did you know…? Valentin.”