The Felinites

Chapter 18

Chapter 18

Dexter's POV

The next day I seek Abby out immediately after I wake up. I find her in her room, still asleep, as I should have expected since she needs more rest than Felinites do. Several minutes pass, with me silently waiting in the corner, before she stirs.

She blinks slowly to clear the remainder of sleep from her eyes. "Hey," she says with a gentle smile as her eyes land on me. "You sure are up early." She stretches and yawns.

"I think you overslept," I reply truthfully.

"It is not completely my fault. Not everyone can be a being that needs nearly no sleep at all," Abby grumbles.

"Actually everyone on this planet is supposed to only need four hours of sleep," I tell her.

"I know," she says.

"Well, we should go get some food," I suggest as I help her to her feet. "The cooks always have a divine feast for breakfast in the kitchen for the servants and guards. You can come with me instead of eating in the dining room with the royal family if you want," I offer. Abby's nose wrinkles in disgust at the mention of Felinite food. "You don't like our food?"

"Not particularly. It is quite unappetizing," she complains.

"What do you eat then?" I ask. Abby shrugs in answer. "You have not eaten anything while you have been here?" I ask in astonishment.

"Priscilla brought me food once," she replies.

"That is not enough," I tell her and force her too take a plate when we reach the dining room. Abby glares at the plate, repulsed, as I lead her to the table I always sit at in the kitchen. Shyanne is already sitting across from us as well as the two other male guards who tend to join us for meals.

The other two guards look at Abby curiously, but Shyanne does not say a word to us. The female guard turns all her focus to the other two, diverting their attention from me and Abby.

Once we have finished eating, Abby and I walk around the castle with no specific destination in mind. I spend almost the whole day talking to Abby, who seemed like a stranger and possible enemy only days ago. Mostly her favorite subject is other planets' histories and presents, especially Earth's. She tells me about things that she remembers from her home planet, usually places. I learn that she seems to have a preference for history. She also enjoys working with electronics and is brilliant at repairing them.

Not long into the day it already felt like we have known each other for ages and I can tell that Abby misses her home planet, even though she never says so. It is nearly obvious that she will do anything to return and I will do anything to ensure that she does.

Eventually, Abby and I have to go to Princess Cleo's room so I can guard her. I take up post by the door and Abby sits by the princess. I try not to listen to their conversations, which isn't hard since they either talk about things I already know or is not interesting. Abby tells Princess Cleo the same stories about Earth that she has already told me and the time flies by.

"Oh, Dexter," Princess Cleo says suddenly when there is only a few more minutes left in my shift. "I wanted to know if you still will be moving to Satera with me and Prince Cornelius after the wedding ceremony."

Abby's head jerks up. I have not told her about Princess Cleo wanting me to be her personal bodyguard on Satera. I did not tell her because I do not plan to go to that horrible planet at all anymore. It is too dangerous for me since the prince and King Iago both want me dead so the information I found cannot be spread. Even if I tell Princess Cleo 'no' she will make me go anyway.