Alien in the House

great warrior, Kitty Katt, from the Royal Family of Beta Twelve.” She straightened up.
    The shorter one now bowed at the waist. “Our mother, Queen Renata of the Free Women, sends her regards.”
    “I am Princess Rahmi,” the taller one said when the shorter one had straightened up. “And this is my younger sister, Princess Rhee. We are here to help you celebrate the first annual of the future ruler’s birth.”



CHAPTER 58
    T HAT SAT ON THE AIR FOR A BIT. “Wow. Today’s just full of fun surprises. So, before we go down this rabbit hole, let me ask something—is this your mother’s idea of a joke?”
    The princesses looked shocked. “No!” Rahmi said. “We are here on business of state.”
    “Uh huh.” Thought fast and furiously. “Um, Chuckie? I need you to clear out anyone who doesn’t have the highest security clearances.”
    “That would be me and Nathalie,” Vance said. “And trust me, we know what’s going on.” Nathalie nodded. She looked worried.
    “Okey dokey. Girls, first off, you are scaring the nice lady you think you’re ‘protecting.’ Let her out of your force field so she can be with her husband. Do it now. I will consider noncompliance to be an act of war.”
    Rahmi shrugged. Nathalie ran to Brewer, who hugged her. “Thank you, Kitty,” she said. “They wouldn’t listen to me.”
    “No, I’d imagine they wouldn’t. You’re not a warrior.” Heaved a sigh. We needed this like Jeff needed a hole in his chest. “Thanks, girls. Now, I want the two of you to listen very, very carefully to my words. If you hurt anyone in here, men especially, I’m going to break both your necks.”
    They looked shocked and both mouths opened.
    I put up my hand. “Every man here is someone I care about. We have a lot of male operatives and every damn one of them had better be treated nicely by you, and with respect, my husband in more than particular. You are trespassing in my home, and if you ever slam someone I don’t want you to slam again, my husband in particular, as I said, necks will equal broken. Got it?”
    “Yes,” Rahmi muttered.
    “Yes,” Rhee said, sounding hurt.
    “Now, that that is out of the way, let’s get onto the next fun facts. Your mother knows I’m married, who I’m married to, and that I’m not the one ‘in charge.’”
    “She said you would say that,” Rhee replied. “She said that you were modest.”
    Heard Chuckie, Reader, Tim, and the flyboys making coughing sounds behind me. Clearly they were crazed with the new power of not getting smashed. Ignored them.
    “No, what I think your mother actually believes is that I’m smart. I know your mother’s smart. And I also know that she didn’t send you here for the reasons you’ve told me. They may be the reasons she told
you
, but that’s not why you’re here.”
    The princesses looked confused. “Would you explain?” Rahmi asked slowly. “We have told you why we were sent.”
    “Yes, yes, and my daughter’s birthday is coming right up.” Considered a bit more. “Who else knows you’re coming for a visit?”
    “The Planetary Council, and the rulership of Alpha Four,” Rahmi answered promptly.
    “Why are you the only representatives coming? If this is such a big deal?”
    “Oh,” Rhee said with confidence. “I understand. You’re offended that the others are not here.” She stepped closer and handed me a letter. “This is from Councilor Leonidas, extending everyone’s well wishes and explaining why they are unable to attend in person.”
    Took the letter, didn’t even look at it, just held it out. “Chuckie, this is for you. Have a read, I’ll want to know contents in a bit.”
    “No, it’s for—” Rhee started.
    “No, it’s not. You are not here for the reasons you two think you are. Tell me, do you have Rite of Passage tests and such on your planet? Things that prove that you’re able to rule?”
    Rahmi nodded. “Yes. We have both passed all of them with flying colors. Mother is pleased with our progress.”
    “But neither one of you is able to represent your mother and your planet on the Planetary Council yet, are you?”
    They both looked just slightly ashamed. “No,” Rhee admitted. “We are not experienced enough yet in the ways of diplomacy.”
    “Oh, are you kidding me?” Jeff muttered. “This is their damn training mission? Tell me I’m wrong.”
    “Nope, I think you got it in one. Chuckie?”
    “Oh, it’s all that and
more
. I could read the