Tarjen Read online

  “Can I tell him?” Maggie asked.

  “Of course, seska.” The prince smiled and nodded to his human mate. Tarjen envied them their closeness but having been there at the beginning of their relationship, he knew it had taken work to get to here.

  “Star-Crossed has located a match for you on Earth!” Maggie was almost vibrating with excitement as she shared the news.

  Tarjen’s heart skipped a beat. “What?” He couldn’t speak more than a single syllable, but inside his head, his thoughts were whizzing around like a meteor swarm. The Gods had granted him a mate! Flames and fury, it didn’t seem possible.

  “You have a potential mate waiting for you on Earth. Her acceptance of the match only came through this morning. Her name is Aria. She’s even from Vancouver, the same city where Joran found me. I’ll send you her file as soon as you’re off duty.”

  He blew out a breath and looked from Maggie to Joran. “A human female? For me?” He was still struggling to believe it. He had come to accept that he would never experience the joy of the mating bond. Female births had diminished to the point that the Pyrosian species was at risk of extinction. Even after the discovery of potential mates on the distant planet Earth, he hadn’t expected to claim a mate. Only the prince and a handful of young males from rich, powerful families had been permitted on that first desperate journey.

  Joran came over to stand in front of him, all decorum forgotten as he slapped Tarjen on the shoulder as if they were both fellow soldiers again. “Congratulations, my friend. I hope you are as happy as I am with my Earth-born mate.”

  Maggie laughed. “And I hope you have a better first meeting than when Joran met me.”

  “I’m not likely to ditch my guards and run off to meet my match before I was supposed to. When I make a plan, I do not deviate from it.” He gave his friend a playful smile. “Unlike a certain prince we both know.”

  “It worked out in the end,” Joran protested.

  “Only because I am a patient, forgiving woman.” Maggie joined them, slipping her arm around her mate and leaning into his side.

  “I would ask a favour of you, if I might, Princess?” Tarjen asked.

  “Please tell me you’re going to ask me for dating advice. I would love to help you woo your match!”

  Her response didn’t surprise Tarjen. Maggie had a kind and generous spirit that had won over even the most doubting minds among his race. “I would appreciate any help you could give me. I intend to broom this female off her feet and give her every reason to accept our bonding.”

  “You mean you’re going to sweep her off her feet,” Maggie corrected. “My first bit of advice is to refresh your English language skills with more cognitive augmentation, especially the idioms and slang terms. We’ve prepared new programs for all the males heading to Earth to meet their matches. This time, everyone will be better prepared, and the females will know better what they’ve signed up for.” She frowned slightly. “But they won’t know everything.”

  Joran hugged his mate. “You know why it has to be this way.”

  “I do. That doesn’t mean I agree with it. You’ll still have some explaining to do, Tarjen. Be gentle with her."

  He nodded, already starting to make plans. There was so much to prepare for, and not much time to get it all done. “I’ll do that tonight, once I am off-duty. In fact, I will make a list of everything that I need to do before we depart.”

  “I’ll have someone over at Star-Crossed send you an information package. It should help,” Maggie offered.

  Tarjen saluted again, his chest swelling with unexpected emotions. He was going to be a mated male! “Thank you, highnesses. You have no idea what this means to me.”

  “I think I do, my friend.” Joran squeezed his shoulder again before stepping away.

  Tarjen glanced at Maggie, who was smiling at Joran like he was the center of the galaxy. One day soon, he would have a female who looked at him that way. “Thank you. It’s thanks to you and your friends that males like me are now permitted to seek matches with the females of your planet. To be one of the males matched…It is an honour and a gift without price.” He bowed his head. “I will be forever in your debt, Your Highness.”

  Maggie’s expression softened. “If you want to impress Aria, all you have to do is say things like that.”

  “I can do that.” He’d do whatever it took. Tonight, he would memorize her file to learn everything he could about her. Her likes and dislikes, her favourite foods, her hobbies. Then, he’d formulate a plan. She may be his destined mate, but Tarjen intended to give Aria every reason to choose him willingly. He’d seen firsthand what happened when human females were denied a choice, and he had no intention of repeating the mistakes of the last mission. This time would be different.

  Chapter Two

  Aria was surrounded by women. Some of them were eagerly bouncing in place, peering about, trying to catch a glimpse of the aliens they had come to see. Others looked uneasy, tugging at their clothes and toying with their hair or their jewellery. There were very few men around, and most of them were wearing security badges and uniforms. It didn’t make her feel any safer.

  “There’s an awful lot of security here.” Haley was surreptitiously snapping pictures with her phone as they stood in line, waiting for their turn to show their identification and invitations.

  The invites had arrived in the mail two weeks ago, a simple but elegantly embossed white invitation for Piper, and a more ornate, crimson and gold one for Aria. They were both marked with a barcode, and from what Aria could see, the guards were scanning each one and comparing names to a list before allowing each guest to pass. Aria gripped her invitation tight and asked herself the same question she’d been asking since they had arrived. What the hell am I doing here?

  “Yeah, it’s probably because of the anti-alien sentiment,” Piper said. She had Melody in a baby sling and was distracting her with funny faces as they waited in the summer sunshine.

  “What anti-alien sentiment?” Aria demanded. “The news hasn’t mentioned anything about that.”

  Piper rolled her eyes. “You really need to spend more time online and less time reading the dead-tree scrolls delivered to our door every morning. It’s all over Twitter. There are groups that are totally against human women hooking up with aliens and leaving the planet. Unsurprisingly, they’re mostly made up of men who couldn’t get a date to save their lives but have somehow convinced themselves it’s because aliens are stealing all the women.”

  “Hey, I work for one of those dead-tree scrolls, you whippersnapper. Show some respect for the newspaper industry, will you?” Haley retorted.

  “You only work for your dad’s company because you haven’t decided what you want to be when you grow up.” Piper said, then turned her attention to Melody. “You’re not going to have that problem, are you? You’re going to be a chef when you grow up, right, sprout? You’re going to be just like your Aunt Piper, only with better luck picking places to work.”

  Sensing a much-needed distraction, Aria turned to look at her sister. “What’s wrong with your new job? I thought you didn’t even start until next week.”

  “Not anymore.” Piper managed a lopsided smile that didn’t reach her eyes. “I got a call while you were getting ready. There was an issue with the new wiring they installed. It caused a fire. A big fire. There’s nothing left of the Root and Vine but rubble and ash.”

  “Oh no! Will they rebuild? Do you still have a job? Why didn’t you say anything sooner?” Aria wrapped her sister in a hug, being careful not to squish Melody in the process.

  “I didn’t say anything because I knew you’d do this.”

  “Do what?” Aria asked.

  “Overreact,” Piper hissed the word as she pulled away.

  “I’m not overreacting. This is terrible news. Do you need to talk about it?”

  Piper held up a hand. “Ri, stop it. I’m fine. Well, no, I’m not fine, but I will be eventually.”

&nbs
p; Aria ached for her sister. Piper had worked hard to get to this point in her career, and to have it literally burn down around her was so unfair. Aria wanted to be there for her, but Piper was already pushing her away. It was a dynamic they couldn’t seem to shake, no matter how hard Aria tried. This wasn’t the time to talk about it, though. She redirected the conversation instead. “What happens now?”

  Piper shrugged. “The owners are still trying to figure things out. They sunk everything they had into this renovation. I guess it all depends on their insurance. And yeah, they said I’ve still got the job as head chef if I want it, but they don’t know when, or if, they’ll be reopening.”

  “Do you want me to ask around and see if anyone knows of an opening for a chef?” Haley asked.

  “That would be great, thanks. It’s too early to know what’s going to happen, but it can’t hurt to start putting out feelers in case it’s a worst-case scenario.” Piper smiled at Haley before looking straight at Aria and raising a finger in warning. “And that’s the last I want to hear about me. This is your day, not mine.”

  “You mean it’s my day to tell an alien who travelled light-years to meet me that it’s all a mistake because I hit a button I shouldn’t have?”

  Piper’s eyes narrowed. “You’re still determined to say no? What if you two have that spark thing they mentioned?”

  “There has to be contact to initiate the Spark. Once we meet face to face I don’t think that’s going to happen. You’ve seen Tarjen’s picture. He can do so much better.”

  Haley grumbled under her breath, then reached out to flick the sleeve of the cranberry red sundress Aria wore. “If that’s how you see this going, then why did you go all out? Hair, make-up--you’re even wearing your only pair of non-sensible shoes.”

  “It was an excuse to dress up. I don’t get many of those anymore.”

  Haley arched a brow. “Uh huh. I don’t believe that’s the only reason. Your sister’s right. Don’t be too quick to say no. You deserve good things, Aria. Believe that.”

  “I have Melody. That’s enough.”

  “You deserve someone who will make you and Melody the center of his world. Good. Kind. Caring. All the things that Danny pretended to be but wasn’t.” Haley said.

  “You’re always taking care of other people. Me, your patients, your daughter. You should have someone in your life who wants to take care of you.” Piper grinned and tossed her hair, making it shimmer blue-green in the sunlight. “And no, I don’t count. Though I am the world’s most amazing sister.”

  They kept to lighter topics after that, and before long they were just a few feet from the security checkpoint. Once they passed through, Piper and Haley would be directed toward the seating area, while Aria would be sent to join the other matches. “We’re nearly there. I should take Melody.”

  Piper sighed. “Are you sure you don’t want me to keep her? It would make your meeting less awkward.”

  “I’m sure.” Aria held out her hands and Piper expertly transferred both baby and sling over to Aria. It took a few minutes to get everything in place, and by then, they were in front of the guards. She and Piper offered their invitations, which were scanned and cross-checked. Haley produced her driver’s license, verifying she was the person named as Piper’s plus one. No one said anything about Melody.

  She’d half-expected them to turn her away right there and then, but instead they waved her through and directed her toward a group of women, all wearing some sort of official badge. “One of the guides will escort you, ma’am. Good luck today.”

  Haley stopped to hug her. “Keep your heart open,” was all she said.

  “I love you. Be fierce. Trust your instincts.” Piper gave her a one-armed hug and then grinned at her. “Go get yourself an alien hottie.”

  A moment later they were gone and she was standing in the entryway to B.C. Place Stadium with her daughter, a diaper bag, and a strong urge to bolt back out onto the street.

  A bright-eyed blonde wearing one of the badges appeared at her elbow and smiled in welcome. “Hi. You’re one of the lucky matches, aren’t you? Why don’t you follow me and I’ll take you to your seat?”

  “I uh, yes please.” She snuck a peek at the woman’s badge. “Thank you, Eva. I’m feeling a bit lost.”

  “You’re not alone. I’ve seen the same expression on a lot of faces today.” She glanced down at Melody. “You just hang onto your little girl and remember to breathe.”

  “I’ll try.” Aria followed the pert volunteer along a series of hallways. The bustle and hum of the crowd outside fell away, but soon she could hear a different noise coming from up ahead. They went through a wide tunnel and stepped out onto the floor of the stadium.

  “Wow,” she muttered as they stepped into the huge, sunlit space.

  “You think this is wow, wait until you meet the Pyrosians. They’re gorgeous. Every single one of them.” Eva gave a wistful sigh and touched a spot over her heart. “And they’re so eager to meet their matches, it’s enough to make your heart melt. I know you’re nervous, but from what I’ve seen, these guys are worth the risk. I’d give almost anything to be able to try for one of them.”

  “Why can’t you?” Aria asked.

  “They need to rebuild their population, and I can’t have kids.” Eva reached over to stroke Melody’s cheek. “I’m not what they’re looking for, but you are. Whoever your match is, I bet he can’t wait to meet you and this little sweetheart.”

  The truth tumbled out of her mouth before she knew she was going to speak at all. “He doesn’t know. About Melody, I mean. I signed up before I knew I was pregnant. There’s no way…”

  “You think this is going to make one of them change their minds? Oh honey, no. I’ve been working with these guys for days setting everything up. Trust me, your match is going to be thrilled.”

  Eva checked her tablet as Aria looked around. She’d been in B.C. Place Stadium before, but only for concerts. Standing in the middle of everything, with the roof open overhead and the sunlight streaming into the vast space was a very different experience. Broad awnings shaded the tiers of seats that ringed the stadium, keeping the sun off the spectators. Large white, open-walled tents had been set up over the seating for the women, and there were enough floral arrangements around the tents and the dais to evoke the image of an outdoor wedding.

  “Got it. You’re in the front row, just over here.” Eva was almost bouncing as she led Aria to her seat. “You’ll have a perfect view of all the proceedings from here.”

  There were only a few spaces left in her section, and all the women already seated were giving her nervous smiles of welcome. “Thank you.”

  Eva patted her arm. “Good luck today. I think your match is a lucky man -- er, alien.”

  Aria took her seat and settled her daughter on her lap. A quick check of her phone told her there were still about thirty minutes before the event was scheduled to begin. More and more of the stadium seats were filling up as she watched. After a few minutes, men in black uniforms started moving around the stage, checking equipment and talking to each other in a language she didn’t recognize. Were they Pyrosians? They looked human enough, but then again, so did Tarjen, at least in his picture.

  Was he here already? He must be, but so far, she hadn’t seen more than a few of his people around. She felt a pang of guilt. Eva said the men were all eager to meet their matches. Until now, she’d managed to convince herself that Tarjen wouldn’t want this any more than she did. What if she was wrong?

  She bowed her head over Melody’s. “I have to do what’s best for you, sweetheart, but right now, I’m not sure what that is.”

  Melody tugged on a lock of Aria’s hair. “Bit!” she announced.

  Aria couldn’t help but laugh. “You got that right.”

  Tarjen wasn’t used to being away from his prince at events like this. He was part of Joran’s honour guard, sworn to protect and defend the future ruler of his planet. He should be at Joran’s s
ide, ensuring that both the crown prince and his princess were safe. Instead, he was with the other matched males waiting impatiently for their cue to enter the stadium and begin the Gathering.

  This wasn’t a Gathering in the traditional sense. The days of bringing together hundreds of young Pyrosians to meet in hopes of initiating a Spark and finding their true mate had ended generations ago. As science advanced, the matching process had become a matter of comparing information in a database and sending the results to the pair destined to be mates.

  Maggie and the other human females wanted to bring back some of the pageantry of those long-ago days. When he’d asked Joran why, he had learned it was less about nostalgia and more about appearances. The governments might have agreed to exchange Pyrosian technology and information for human females, but not everyone on Earth agreed with the decision. This entire event was designed to foster goodwill and acceptance.

  It was also the moment that his entire life would change.

  “How much longer?” someone muttered from behind him.

  “Too damned long,” someone else responded.

  He agreed with the sentiment, even though he understood the need to wait. They wouldn’t start the procession until the shuttle holding Joran, Maggie and the rest of the high-ranking guests were in position and had final clearance to land. Until then, the matched males were waiting in several rooms and staging areas around the arena. When they got the signal, they would march to their seats in formation as the shuttle descended into the arena via the open roof.

  It had been Maggie and Gwen’s idea for all of them to be wearing matching garments made for this occasion. It was similar enough to his usual uniform to feel familiar, but it lacked something important. He was unarmed, and the lack of a weapon made him uneasy. He’d included almost every other item in his usual kit, but he’d been ordered not to bring his sidearm. Not that he expected to need it, but what if something went wrong? He’d been to Earth before. The inhabitants were volatile and occasionally violent. Many humans were still ruled by their fears.