The Talamute Prince
Chapter 2

I had let go of him for more than a minute as I peek at the others waiting not so patiently. I take a deep breath and turn back to him. I have no intention of returning his words. I stare at him in such a way it motivates him to break the silence.

"Despite all I've put you through, you still have so much kindness in you. With the losses you've faced, the tertiary of your own mother, and everything else you're trying to move forward. Even though you're furious at me you would not hold an entire people responsible for my stupidity. I know you won't harm anyone here." He has a hint of arrogance in his smile as he looks into my eyes.

"I won't be so easily fooled by you from this point on." I turn away hiding the confusion at his kiss behind the forced smile. I regrip his arm and we finally move out to be with the others.

"Your majesty." The guards bow slightly as we join his sisters on a round platform. Both Katherine and Melena are dressed in flowing gowns with their hair and makeup done. I had become accustomed to their ship uniforms and they appear royal now. I'm beginning to feel majorly underdressed although Patrick seems to like the dress. He keeps looking me over when he thinks I don't notice. Once it would've made me blush with the intensity in which he seems transfixed, but now I feel a slight twinge of disgust. I glance at Melena who is looking at the two of us with a gentle smile upon her face.

"You are beautiful as always, my queen." She bows her head slightly then turns back facing the directions as the others.

"Are you ready my love?" Patrick asks.

"I guess I'm as ready as I'll ever be," I say trying not to sound abrasive. My fear of meeting his mother has now taken over my entire being. Patrick nods to the man at the controls as the doors below the platform open. I grip tightly to his arm as the platform moves down to the cities floating floors. There is no railing or walls to keep us safe just a floating platform with a single extending arm to the back of us. I glance over the side to see what appears to be the huge bird from before. It really is massive. It is closer to the trees then to us but appears to be as big as the platform we are on. As I stare, I notice something on its back, but it vanishes from sight before I can make it out.

I return my gaze to the platform ahead of us. There just within sight is his mother waiting ever so patiently to greet her children with a much younger woman dressed just as extravagantly at her side.

"Why did we dock here instead of above?" I ask in a whisper as I don't want to seem ignorant. I wasn't up to speed on all his people's technology, or customs. I could not help myself from asking questions.

"As a precaution, some of the buildings are quite large. A ship this size might cause damage to the buildings unintentionally. It also tells us if a ship is friendly or not as those who do visit know our procedures. Those unfamiliar are hailed and if they don't respond measures are taken to ensure our peoples safety. Knowing a friend from foe is highly important when you have such secrets in technology that others wish to steal." I look up but I'm unable to see much from this point of view. I look down fascinated by the colorful planet below. I keep hoping to see the bird.

"Are you implying you kill them?" I'm still not speaking loudly.

"If need be. We do escort them down to see if maybe there is a communications error, but we won't hesitate to react to any hostile response." I'm not sure I like that idea. I don't recall ever being so aggressive on my own planet.

"Why does your city float?"

"We have developed an antigravitational device that keeps it at a certain distance from the ground. We can also shield it and move into space to relocate if necessary."

"That's not what I meant."

"What did you mean?"

"Why haven't you built a city on the surface?" By this question we were within earshot of his mother.

"The surface is dangerous. There are several plants that produce neurotoxins, Beast that would swallow you whole, and an indigenous people who are hostile against our kind. By staying afloat, we avoid all of those which also allows for them to keep their way of life and not interfere with ours." I can feel a bit of hostility in her voice as she speaks to me.

"I'm sorry, your majesty. I meant no disrespect."

"I'm sure you're just curious. My son should have allowed you to study our city more."

"Of course, mother."

"Welcome home my son." she says as she out stretches her arms and he release me to receive a welcome hug from his mother.

"My queen, Laoonica." He stretches his hand in my direction as I only slightly look up at her. I can feel so much tension as she steps forward and gives me a hug as well. I only lightly touch her back in the awkward embrace. She releases me and goes to our side giving her other children a hug and a welcome home.

"She doesn't like me." I whisper looking down as I tilt my head slightly towards Patrick. I'm not exactly sure why or even if it bothered me. I simply wanted to make it known that I felt her true expression of emotions towards me and not the faked smile she had held upon her face.

"I don't think she actually likes anyone. She's not a people person, but don't worry she'll love you once she gets to know you." Patrick says. I glance back over the edge. I feel so strange looking down to the surface. I need to know if it's simply my curiosity that pulled at me from below or something more as my mind drifts to thoughts of my father's riddles. How I wanted answers and not more things to make me doubt the truth of my being here.

"Such niceties are not needed I assure you. I'm not actually sure if I care I just wanted you to know I can feel her true intentions through her actions. It's refreshing actually." I try to get a feel for the metal beneath my feet. It is different than the ship. There is a strong gust of wind and Patrick grips me firmly as it almost pushes me over.

"How is my mother's hostility refreshing?" He gives me a strange look.

"Unlike you she is easier to read." My statement makes him smile with a hint of what seemed like pride at the fact I couldn't read him. More reason for me to want to throw a fire ball at his head then and there.

"I'll work on that. I'll do anything you ask." I lock eyes with him but only for a second. I look over my shoulder out into the emptiness between the platforms. I feel like something is watching me sending a cold chill down my spine.

"Can I ask you something?" I can't help but feel a bit freaked out. My tiny hairs on my arm stand on end as I feel unseen eyes upon me.

"Of course."

"Is it possible for anyone to be unseen in your city?"

"What do you mean?"

"I wouldn't put it past my mother to attempt to kill me again."

"I assure you my queen, no harm will befall you here. Anyone who attempts to get close to you in such a way will be killed." I'm not sure that was much comfort either. I would want to know who sent them and killing them wouldn't result in any answers. He watches as I glance back again. He turns to the same direction and then whispers to one of the guards who dismisses himself.

"Where is he going?"

"To do a perimeter check to help you relax. Even if it's just nerves, it's better to be safe." I grip his arm tightly as another gust of wind blows the skirt of my dress. The others don't seem so phased by it. I guess since they grew up here it was normal for them. "Don't worry, the top side isn't as bad. The windshields raise up and block the air flow." He holds me firmly not allowing the wind to drag me away.

"Good." Just as the queen does, I force the fake smile back upon my face and we head forward with a parade of armed guards surrounding us. I glance back once more but the feeling is gone. Perhaps it's just the new surroundings that have me so jumpy and out of place.

The group of us gather onto a round platform slightly raised from the rest of the ground. There is a control panel to the side where a rounded, bald man is standing awaiting his que to press the button. The queen nods at him and we are sent upward. I grip Patrick with both arms gasping a bit as it takes off. He laughs gently at me, but he isn't the only one smiling at my reaction.

"I'm sorry, I wasn't prepared for this to be so fast." I say blushing. I had become accustomed to the enclosed elevators aboard the ship and although I am sure they moved as fast being able to see the movement made it terrifying.

"It is a bit different, and it does take some getting used to. Especially when you are not raised around such technology." He gives a glare to all who seemed to delight in my embracement. They instantly stop smiling and return to the stern still statuesque positions they were in before. I still had a death grip on Patrick's arm as we went up into the flooring and out to the top side of the floating city.

"Relax Laoonica, you will get use to our ways. It will take some time, but it could be fun as well." Melena looks back at me smiling. We step off the platform standing in a straight line as something approaches us.

"It seems like an awful lot to become accustomed to." There wasn't any wind up on this level just as he had said. I loosen my grip and study my surroundings. The buildings where beautiful and sleek. My own home had been made of stone and wood, but these were the same as the spaceship.

"Give it time, Melena will help you when I can't." It does seem she has forgiven my outburst aboard the ship, which is comforting as somehow, I trust her more so then her brother. I star past his sisters to see some strange looking devices. There are three half bowls floating in front of us now. They look like giant cereal bowls with seats in them one on either side from the other. One guard step up to each and opens a door that seems to appear from nowhere.

"What are they?" I ask.

"Royal transports." Patrick says. We split into groups of two with the queen at the first one with her youngest daughter at her side. Melena and Kathrine are at the middle and Patrick and I are last. I start to climb in when I see the youngest sister heading toward us. I see the queen looking at me and an uneasy feeling hits my gut.

"Laoonica, would you be so kind as to join me. It may not be an enormous journey to our destination, but it would most please me if you would." The queen says. I can tell she doesn't intent for it to be an option. I look at Patrick more nervous than ever as there are only two seats in each.

"Don't worry my love, just answer her questions. Remember to leave out the part about your powers, but at the same time be honest. She is equivalent to a lie detector." I stare at him with fear in my eyes. I'm not exactly the best person in the world at hiding certain emotions especially since I found out the truth of his people.