Page 88 of Stripped By the Alien

Morr’ak frowns and turns to look at the Queen. “Majesty?”

The Queen tries to straighten, dislodging a dozen cushions. “I have decided that this shall be my last Harvest. After its completion, I shall leave this throne to a newly hatched female and she shall be your Queen.”

The chamber is stunned to silence. Even the servant creatures freeze.

For a moment I can’t believe what I’m hearing. The Queen is going to step down? It’s hard to believe - she seemed eternal, and she must have been on the throne for hundreds of longcycles. But even she can’t live forever, and some Queens do step down before they die.

Morr’ak’s’ shoulders seem to slump, and it’s as if he shrinks in front of us. Yes - he will no longer be a Royal Mate.

“I have already found the new Queen,” the old Queen continues. “She will soon emerge. For the first longcycles of her reign, she will be helpless, and so she will need a Royal Mate to rule in her stead until she comes of age and can take control herself.”

She doesn’t need to say much more - we all know that the First Royal Mate becomes the most powerful being in the Brood, because he must fill the Queen’s functions until she has fully matured and can rule the Brood on her own. Such First Royal Mates often become legendary. To think that such an event would take place in my lifetime! And also while I’m the youngest Chief Harrower in the Brood, one of the Queen’s favorites! Clearly the Harrower who finds a ripe target for the Harvesting has an excellent chance of becoming the Royal Mate of the next Queen! Oh, the power of such a position…

Everyone is stunned, except for the Inquisitor. He’s still looking at me, and I swear a little smile is crossing his face.

Ah. Of course. He knew.

This is why the Queen appointed an Inquisitor: to make sure everything in this succession process goes smoothly. And to assure that the next Royal Mate is worthy of that position.

But now the Inquisitor is leaving the Nest and coming with me.

That can only mean… I am being considered as the next Royal Mate!

I have to support myself with one hand on the floor. The prospects are dizzying.

I glance again at Nora, who’s also looking at me. How much of this does she understand?

For one uncomfortable heartbeat I wonder what a Royal Mate's life actually looks like, and whether there is room in it for an alien female who refuses to kneel.

“But that’s neither here nor there,” the Queen says. “Bring me a target, Chief Harrowers. The Harvest is approaching. Remember that any male is judged by his accomplishments. Now go. I expect a juicy target for my last Swarm.”

Judged. Yes, she’s clearly evaluating candidates for the next queen’s Royal Mate.

Everyone scrambles to leave, except for the Inquisitor and the old Royal Mate, who is hunched over and steadying himself on a servant creature.

I take hold of Nora and walk backwards a few paces before we turn and walk out fast.

Outside I have to stop and take a breath. “That’s all extremely concerning.”

"What was that?" Nora asks, rounding on me the moment the chamber doors seal shut behind us. "You told her you'd find a planet nobody's ever found, that might not even exist, or she'll feed us to your own ship?"

“A ruler should know how to motivate,” I say weakly. “That was always one of Queen Szum-zic’s strengths.”

“She just threatened to kill us,” Nora points out. “And is that other guy coming with us?”

“The Queen has ordered it,” I state, gathering myself together. “He may be helpful in our search.”

Nora stares up at me. “He’s coming along to kill us!”

“Only if I fail,” I remind her. “And I won’t fail.”

“There must be a way out of this,” she insists. “We can’t just bring our own executioner with us!”

“The Queen has commanded,” I state. “We must obey. And so must the Inquisitor. Come, let’s see how far Lucius has come–”

“Oh, Chief Harrower,” comes a call from behind us.

I set my jaw as I turn to face him. “Yes, Inquisitor Brax’tok?”