Read Online Alien Chronicles 1 - The Golden One by Deborah Chester - Free Book Online

priceless vases. But of course, it would never come to that. By the time Israi went to bed tonight, the Aaroun would be forgotten, just another discarded toy. Still, for the sake of parental authority, he felt he should give her a lecture on responsibility. “You will not forget to instruct your slaves to feed her. She is a small, helpless animal, very dependent on you and the care you give her. She is not like a Viis infant, able to take care of herself straight from the egg. The abiru folk are inferior to us in that way, as in many others. It must be your responsibility to think of her special needs.”
    “I understand,” Israi said with a serious nod. “I won’t forget.”
    The Kaa sighed. Chunenhal promises: solemnly given, yet as enduring as puff-seeds blown by the wind.
    Outside, standing in the dappled shade of a tree, the old chancellor leaned on his staff of office and bowed low to the Kaa, who paused.
    “A wise decision, sire,” Gaveid murmured without moving his lips. “An abiru, however humbly placed within the palace and within the private circle of the imperial family, can only bring renewed love from the Imperial Father’s humblest subjects.”
    The Kaa frowned. In Gaveid’s professional rhetoric, humblest subjects was a euphemism for abiru slaves. Although the Kaa had not indulged his daughter’s whim in order to curry favor from the lowest ranks of the unwashed, he realized that his action would increase his popularity.
    Their eyes met with perfect understanding.
    “Father,” Israi said, tugging on his sleeve for attention. “Will the guns fire over the city to celebrate my hatchling, like they did today for yours?”
    Behind them, Fazhmind gasped audibly in outrage, but the Kaa’s heart swelled with pride. Truly his daughter was growing imperial. Already she reached for the privileges that could not yet be hers.
    Holding back a smile, the Kaa said patiently, “No, the guns will not salute your pet, precious one.”
    Israi’s green eyes flashed. “Why not?”
    “Because that right is reserved for the chunen of the Kaa only.”
    “But I am sri-Kaa!”
    “That is not the same,” he said with more firmness.
    Israi stamped her foot. “I want a salute. I want to be just like you.”
    He placed his hand gently on her head to urge her forward. “One day, our daughter. But we are the Kaa now, and you are not.”
    Scowling, she opened her mouth to protest further, but the Kaa’s patience was over. He changed the subject as they walked toward their waiting transportation, saying, “And what will you name this pet of yours?”
    Distracted from an imminent tantrum, Israi smiled up at him. “Ampria. For our Goddess of Gold.”
    The Kaa blinked and behind them someone gasped in affront. “Perhaps the name of our sun-goddess is a bit grand for such a small pet?” he suggested gently. It did not matter, of course. People named their pets after the lesser panoply of gods all the time, when it was fashionable. Presently, it was not. “Perhaps you should not offend the goddess in that way?”
    Israi frowned, thinking it over.
    They had reached the imperial litters at the outskirts of the marketplace. Beyond, the squalid streets of the abiru quarter twisted and turned in a maze of poverty and degradation. Guards ringed the litters, which floated above the pavement in readiness to go. The Kaa barely glanced around at his ugly surroundings. He was relieved to depart. He promised himself he would not return to this section of the city. Nor would Israi. She was too young for exposure to such grim conditions.
    The Kaa climbed aboard and settled himself upon the crimson cushions. Israi was lifted in beside him. She snuggled close, with the Aaroun cradled in the crook of her arm. One of the golden animal’s tiny feet dangled perilously, and the Kaa himself showed her how to hold the creature correctly.
    “I shall call her Ampris,” Israi said, holding up the Aaroun to blow gently into her small face.