Queen of the Savages - Complete by Lisa Lace Page A

side of the carpet.
    Rev led the way, holding Tracy's hand as they descended the stairs. Tev followed behind closely. Feeling land under her feet again felt strange, and Tracy realized that she felt heavier than on earth. She stumbled.
    "Easy," said Rev. "The gravity on this planet is heavier than what you are used to, but we know from experience that you can adjust with time."
    Though it was a short walk to the end of the carpet, Tracy felt exhausted. With Rev on one side and Tev on the other, they met a line of finely dressed people. They knelt in unison.
    "You may stand," said Tev.
    "My lords, A-Teven, A-Reven, we are pleased you have returned home so quickly after the tragedy."
    "Pa-Kregan," said Rev, "I am pleased to present to you my mate, Tracy Walsh of Earth. She is a brave woman of noble blood."
    "My lady," said Pa-Kregan. Tracy did not detect any warmth in his words. "We are pleased that one of our princes has taken a mate. This will weigh heavily in the Council's decision."
    "Decision? What decision?" she said.
    "Why, who should sit on the throne of Kerdos, of course."
    "I see that the head of the council once again presumes to step into the emperor's place." said Tev sourly.
    "My lord," protested Kregan.
    "We have much to discuss," said Rev. "In what shape is the palace?"
    "It is badly damaged. I've taken the liberty to secure the mountain lodge as temporary quarters."
    "No," said Tev. "It is too remote."
    "I agree," said Rev. "We'll take the palace as is."
    The counselor looked like he had swallowed a lemon.
    "There are a number of security concerns."
    "I'm sure the security staff can deal with them," said Tev. "Let's start for the palace now."
    The counselor bowed. "As you wish."
    Rev, Tev, and Tracy were led to a ground transport that reminded Tracy of the cars back home except for one thing. It floated freely over the ground. Other ground transports lined the road ahead of and behind their car.
    "Your transport." said Pa-Kregan. Pa-Kregan tried to keep his face neutral, but Tracy sensed tension in him. He did not like them here on Kerdos.
    Tracy wondered just how much.
    "Counselor Pa-Kregan, please do us the honor of riding with us to the palace," said Tracy. "I have much to learn about Kerdos, and I'd appreciate it if you were my guide."
    Pa-Kregan had a shocked look on his face. "My lords, explain to her that this not done."
    "You know what, Kregan," said Rev. "If she wishes it, then it is so. It is done on this day; you will accompany us to the palace."
    "Yes, my lord," said Kregan uncomfortably.
    "Please get inside," said Tev.
    Kregan had no choice but to obey the direct command. Tev looked back at Rev and Tracy and nodded his head.
    "Well," said Tracy to Rev under her breath, "you did not tell me there was intrigue in your own palace."
----
    ONE WEEK LATER
    Tracy laid on her bed of sheets. She had a big smile on her face. These sheets were softer than silk.
    She was in the palace of Kerdos, absorbed in a task she had given herself. In her hand was a computer.
    She was reading the history of the Aligned Worlds. Spending so much time learning was an act of self-preservation. In the week she'd been on Kerdos, she had never felt so completely lost.
    On her second day, she had attended the funeral of the royal family. She had discovered that funerals were the same no matter what planet you were on. Lamentations and cries of despair had filled the air.
    Tracy wore a borrowed robe in funeral colors of black, gray, and white. She stood with Rev on a platform where council members gave their eulogies and praised the remaining princes Ar-Teven and Ar-Reven, who were both home from their duties in the Enforcement Wing.
    No one mentioned Rev's dishonorable defection from his former employers, stealing a spacecraft, or showing up at home with a woman he mated with illegally against the laws of the Aligned Worlds. Not a single person spoke of this tragedy being brought on by the criminal Quargan's revenge against Rev