When Worlds Collide (MxM)

Chapter 10 - An Envoy

Kade leaned away and glanced at Aino. The inventor was scowling menacingly at the intruder, but the man wasn't paying attention as he unabashedly grabbed a lock of Kade's black hair and ran his fingers through it.

"What do you say? I could give you much better accommodations than this." The redhead brought a lock to his lips and smiled.

Kade put on an awkward smile and backed away, pulling his hair from the Terran's grasp and folding his arms. "I'm sorry, who are you?"

The intruder's eyes dilated. "That's an unusual accent."

Finally, Aino came between them. "King Nyx. Welcome. I was not informed that you'd be coming to the lab."

There was a strain to Aino's voice, either from his usual irritation, or something else. But he resisted openly glaring at the man, so Kade felt like there was more going on than he was aware of.

"Hello, Mr. Royal Inventor. I did not announce my visit since I knew Toca wouldn't want me to see your project before tomorrow. So I thought I'd sneak a peek myself." His eyes focused back on Kade. "But it looks like there's something else to peek at."

"This is Royal Inventor Kade." Aino reluctantly introduced him, and Kade nodded a brief greeting.

"Royal inventor?" Nyx tilted his head. "I had no idea that Toca had hired another one. But that is good news. It means he should be able to spare one of you now."

Aino's arm raised defensively. "That would be something to discuss with his majesty. For now, both of us are busy."

Nyx turned toward the lightbulb, which was starting to dim as the wind-up engine slowed. "I can see that. Very impressive work, both of you. I look forward to taking you back home with me."

The man walked out with a swagger, leaving the two inventors to their thoughts. Aino let out an audible breath as his ears twitched in irritation. "That man..." He pinched his brow.

"You seem to be particularly...Affected by him. Who is Nyx?"

"King Nyx is from a neighboring kingdom. There's an alliance that's been upheld for centuries and sometimes the two kings will visit each other's domains."

"Does everyone from the other kingdom look like that?" Kade asked. "The doctor said that teeth were a good way to tell apart who is a Terran and who is not. But Nyx's teeth were nothing like mine or yours."

"That's because he's a carnivore. And thus why our alliance is tentative. They kill and eat the flesh of other creatures."

Kade was fascinated to learn that there was a whole other breed of Terran. Now he felt even more frustrated that he hadn't traveled a lot before coming to the castle.

"Hmm...." Aino was deep in thought, staring at the ground.

"What?"

"He mentioned taking one of us back with him. I might need to ask Toca what he was talking about."

"I know he's a guest, but can he forcefully take someone like that?"

"Not at all. Even as an allied king, he has no power to abduct anyone. But he is a carnivore, so they tend to be a bit more savage than most people."

Kade wanted to learn more about the carnivores. As a scientist, he knew the most reliable information would come from the source, but right now that source seemed a little too interested in him.

"Tiner!" Aino called, summoning the servant girl from the hall. "Keep an eye on him. And come find me if anyone from the Carnivore Kingdom shows up."

"Yes, Master Aino." She took her usual spot at Kade's side as the inventor rushed out.