by Lil Gibson
"You promise all that, do you? Well it certainly is a tempting offer. Does this include scrubbing out my clean room when it strikes my fancy and arranging my favorite foods in order of preference? Oh, and do not forget my trans-unit, does this mean you will never borrow it again? Yes, very tempting indeed."
As Zorroc continued to catalog a growing list of requests, she stilled and grew uncharacteristically quiet. When he took a quick glance down, he saw just what he had hoped for. She threw him back on the bed and began tickling him as only she could get away with and the two of them laughed like children enjoying the moment of frolic.
"Now," he ordered when the two caught their breath. "You will get into your prettiest clothes, I will get out of this wrinkled attire, and after we have something to eat we will go visit your sister and make her wake up. She has rested long enough, do you not agree?"
"I love you, Rocky."
"And I love you, Dizzy. I will meet you in the dining nook off my chambers." Zorroc left feeling that all would be well; he would accept no other outcome.
After the first full meal either had had in three days, they made their way to the main med-quarters. Three sets of smiles greeted them and Zorroc knew the news was good. "Is she awake, is she better?" he burst out as he moved quickly to Cat's side and grabbed her hand.
"Angel and I believe she is surfacing so I want you to reach her through mindspeak and bring her the rest of the way out, would you like to try?" Carpov grinned at his ridiculous suggestion.
Zorroc eased in and all but staggered at the force of her frustration. "It took you long enough to get here," she messaged with impatience.
"How long have you been awake and why have you not let your friends know, they have been frantic with worry," he scolded.
"I've only been awake for a little while, I think, but I could tell the room needed a boost so I decided to wait for you to stage my wake-up scene. Kiss me," she demanded.
Zorroc turned around and looked at the room full of anxious faces and smiled weakly before turning back to his mate. "Why do you want me to kiss you, are you sure you are awake?"
"I'm awake, I'm awake! Kiss me so I can open my eyes, damn it, I'll explain later."
"Okay, my sleeping princess, come awake." He leaned down and gently caressed her lips with his.
"You know this one," she accused as she opened her eyes, smiled mistily at him, and then stretched and whispered hoarsely. "And Sleeping Beauty awakens to true loves first kiss. The beginning."
After three seconds of stunned silence, everyone began laughing, talking, crying and congratulating one another and in general, acting as if she had left the room.
"Water, please," she croaked, completely ignored.
"Water," she asked again even louder. Nothing.
"Zorroc, water now!" she blasted into his mind. He finally rushed to do her bidding.
* * * *
"Where did you find her?" Zorroc demanded. He could not remember the last time he slept and now he had been summoned to direct the interrogation of Zana.
"In the Women Dorm, she had not been expecting us; we found her inflagrante delicto with Sandra," Prolinc commented with a cynical smirk. "I consider you most fortunate for escaping that one."
"Both of them, you mean. Why did it take so long to capture her?" Zorroc asked.
Prolinc shrugged and admitted, "We have held her for three days deciding she could wait, while Catarina could not. Now that she is out of danger and your heir is safe, your judgment and questions will be wiser."
He was right of course. He almost looked forward to his final confrontation with the House of Tinz.
"Ah Divo, I see you are ready to greet your former betrothed. And how is our little Nadia?" Zana sneered expectantly.
"She does not know," Zorroc mindspoke to Prolinc.
"She knows nothing," he confirmed.
"You tried to kill my sister but like the warped quiver you are, you missed your target. As a result you caused no ones demise but my fathers…and your own," he conceded sardonically.
Zana started. She had expected rage, tormented accusations and dementia, anything but his calm façade of relaxed control. She grew enraged but continued to smile. "You should thank me, Zorroc, for making you Divo. Of course, that had not exactly been my plan, my father should have succeeded yours, but I was not quite fast enough with his demise while you, my betrothed, proved too fast. I did not realize the inroads you had made in assuming your father's duties. In truth, I considered you no more than a pampered boy. No one was more surprised than I when you ascended to Divo. I should have finished your father a full year earlier but I did not want the poison detected, a small miscalculation but one that would have been easily remedied with our mating. You see, as soon as I had conceived an heir, you would have met with a fatal accident, leaving my father as temporary Divo until my child could inherit the title." She expelled a sigh, "I guess it is too much to ask that your mouse of a mate was the one who ingested the poison; that would have been truly lovely."
As Zorroc began to lunge, Prolinc telepathed, "It is just what she wants and, the only stinger she has left. Do you want to swell with her barb?"
Zorroc immediately drew back, once again grateful for Prolinc's timely intervention. "Do you have any last words before your execution?"
"You may have killed my father but I cannot die," she stated, with insane certainty. Before he could react, a fireball of kinetic energy came hurtling toward him only to disappear inches from his face with Zana's incineration.
Zorroc turned and stared open mouthed at his friend.
Prolinc shrugged and crossed his arms in front of his massive chest. "She was not immortal, after all," he stated smugly, then smiled and added, "I believe your mate is awaiting you and I too am expected elsewhere."
Chapter Twenty
"How far out are they?" Zorroc demanded as he entered the makeshift Strat-room. He had been sleeping soundly with Catarina on his mat, where she belonged, curled into him like a kitten when the alarm sounded.
In the week following her staged awakening, Cat rapidly gained the weight needed to nourish their offspring and with it, the return of her color and energy. She demanded answers about the poison, the health of her offspring and the status of Zana. She guiltily admitted relief upon hearing of her demise and expressed surprise that Nadia had been the target. Who could harm someone so sweet natured and intrinsically kind? Zana had been like a termite infested tree looking fine and healthy on the outside but completely rotted inside. Nadia, he confided, did not seem to garner that she had been the intended target and Zorroc refused to bring the point home to her. In the end it did not matter, the threat to her had disintegrated.
The most profound revelation shimmered to life the night before, as the family gathered for the evening meal. Dressed in a gossamer iridescent gold and silver, floor length gown—slightly resembling a pregnant candle flame—Catarina delivered her coup de grace.
"Has it occurred to anyone that your father, in fact, did not die of a broken heart?" She paused to ensure she had his attention. "And that his love for your mother did not cause or even hasten his decline and death but, rather, his love for you both kept him anchored here fighting to remain with the children he adored?" she proposed and took a sip of her soup. "Umm, this soup is heavenly, what's in it?" Before anyone could utter a sound, she amended. "No, scratch that question, it's better if I don't know. So what do you think?"
"About the soup or the bomb you just leveled," Zorroc managed.
"I thought it more in the way of a torpedo, you know, the heat seeking kind that follows you around until it finds its mark," Cat volleyed back.
"I would describe it more along the lines of a Sleeper," Nadia added conversationally.
Zorroc indeed felt gutted. Everything about his father's death and his relationship with his mother, their love, his devotion to his children and Zorroc's own conclusions on their relationship instantly came into question. He sighed, "I concede that my
father did not die of a broken heart."
"And," Cat prompted.
"And that the love he had for her did not weaken his will to live."
"Therefore," she suggested.
"Therefore, we will leave my sister and our aunts to finish their meal in peace while we explore and analyze your latest juxtaposition."
"Umm, juxtaposition, I don't think you've taught me that one yet," she whispered quietly, only to hear him growl in response.
He smiled at what transpired next…
"Zorroc," Prolinc enunciated for the third time, finally breaking into his friend's thoughts by both mind and voice. "Zorroc," he continued in a more sedate manner, "I assume that the question you asked a moment ago really did expect an answer, so if you are through mind-drifting about your mate, if your rapturous expression is anything to go by, then heed me," he finished with exasperated blatancy.
Zorroc flashed him a sheepish grin before assuring Prolinc that he now claimed his undivided attention. "The Dargons are about seventy-two hours out and our screens indicate a massive invasion that will make the last one look like a Choc-bean tea gathering.
"Is everything prepared?" Zorroc asked; thinking of his own plans to keep his family safe.
"Yes, we will be more than ready for them this time and our neighbors on all sides have been contacted and are battle ready to assist us." He shook his head in wonder. "It is strange; we expected their cooperation but not this level of participation. It may be a positive beginning for our planet; working together as a united front. Even the Nefari have condescended to support us. Apparently, some of their females were effected by the virus so they are anxious to retaliate against those responsible."
"Have Carpov and Angel completed preparations for the Dargon virus and are we sure it will be effective against them and not us? Have all of our females and women been vaccinated against FIS in case they decide to spray the agent again and has everyone been informed of probable hot spots for attack and made preparations to stay well clear of those areas?"
"Yes, yes, yes and yes," he drawled, opting for the short answer instead of the long explanation. "Sycor, Bandoff, Carpov and Rosik are due here in thirty minutes to go over what we have in place so far, and a meeting with our allies is scheduled for eleven tonight. We expect it to last long into the night."
"Is there extra serum available for the Nefari females? This is the first I have heard of them being affected.”
"A team of our Med-techs were immediately dispatched to Nefar to take care of the inoculations," Prolinc responded. "How is your mate," he ventured, changing the subject. Dee had confided that Cat seemed healthy and very well pleased with her impending motherhood. "Is she back to normal? I mean aside from her considerable paunch that expands daily," Prolinc teased dryly.
"You risk your private parts with your less than flattering phraseology, Prolinc. I would try again if I were you, keeping in mind that Dee would be on my side and revenge could take many forms," Cat advised as she strode into the room.
"You look ravishing, little flame," he acknowledged with a Gattonian nod.
"Um, better. I assume the Dargons are about to pull a Darth Vader?" she asked matter-of-factly.
"I am not familiar with that maneuver but we have less than seventy-two hours before they enter our air space," Zorroc informed her, vaguely wondering how much she knew of earth battle stratagems. Had he underestimated her again? "Things will happen very quickly. Have chambers been prepared for our guests? I think it would be best to show them to their rooms before the meeting commences for it will most likely stretch into the middle hours of the early morning."
"Yes, everything is prepared and I've memorized pertinent names and locations. Nefar, the province to the north and closest to us are sending Prince Sherem, the oldest son and next to rule and, from what I am told, a pain in our posterior; Kerr lays to the southeast and are governed by Queen Thanasa who is older than dirt and respected by all. Tena located due west, will be sending the head of their military named Qetu, a friend of Rosik's," Cat recited, a little nervous about entertaining the high level dignitaries in her first official capacity as Divitta.
"Very good, my cream, a clever Darth Vader, to memorize the names and geographical locations of our guests."
A bark of laugh escaped before she could stop it. "Zorroc, Darth Vader isn't a stratagem, he's a bad guy in my favorite science fiction movie called Star Wars. Actually, now that I think about it, the Empire and the Dargons have a lot in common, both exist to conquer and destroy worlds. You could learn a lot from earth movies. I find your education sorely lacking in a number of critical areas," she scolded with mock gravity.
"I will endeavor to improve," he whispered sexily and then caught himself, cleared his throat and lifted his shoulder in a rueful shrug, aimed at his friend. "Now, have you and Dee familiarized yourselves with the Magic Caverns," Zorroc challenged.
Endless tunnels and catacombs crisscrossed deep into Ganz, with the only known access under the House of Ra. The Magic Caverns, as a much younger Zorroc and Prolinc had dubbed them, contained numerous springs and luminescent minerals imbedded in the walls that provided natural lighting. Cat had been both delighted and horrified at seeing them. Delighted, because it looked like a world fashioned by gnomes and fairies and horrified, because if she wandered down there alone she would be lost for all eternity. Nadia had displayed child like exuberance in showing off the secret hideout that Zorroc and Prolinc had discovered as children, and the three knew every nook and cranny. It, however, remained slightly terrifying for someone unable to traverse a simple parking garage to an exit.
"Yes, she showed us. Just tell me the tracking device on my wrist will be strong enough for you to locate me when I become hopelessly lost and disoriented," she pleaded tapping down her growing panic as she pictured herself isolated and alone fleeing all those gnomes turned goblins.
"There is nowhere you could go that I would not find you," he vowed, pulling her into the circle of his arms and kissing her lightly on her forehead. "But if you are really apprehensive about the tunnels I will have Nadia take you down every day until you can find your way around blindfolded. Will that help?"
"Yeah, stuck within the pages of the Hobbit for a month; that would help immensely."
He chuckled then looked up and greeted Rosik and Sycor. The meeting would begin in earnest with the arrival of Bandoff and Carpov. "I need to get to work, there is still much to plan and from now on I think it would be wise for all of you to stay within House grounds; no doubt there will be added disquiet and panic when the invasion is announced province wide."
Thus far, the people of Gattonia had taken the news of an impending attack from the Dargons with controlled optimism. They were well prepared, and with the assistance of the other three provinces, plus the help of two off-world allies, in addition to the advanced warning not afforded them last time, they were ready to vent the rage that had been building for two years.
Rosik, Bandoff, Carpov and Sycor were briefed on the players set to join them at eleven. "The province of Kerr is sending Thanasa. Although approaching her one-hundred and fiftieth year, she remains the finest negotiator on the planet and has the closest relationship with the other provinces and the Leader of Jasper, Queen Heptshu. We are counting on her to successfully mediate between our off-world allies and the provinces of Ganz. Tena is sending their highest ranking military leader, Qetu, and the Prince of Nefar, Sherem himself, will be gracing us with his guidance," Zorroc had continued speaking over the groans.
Sherem was proud, arrogant and a renowned warrior known for his uncompromising dealings with enemies and allies alike. The relationship between Gattonia and Nefar had always been strained. "Our other off-world ally is Mesper, whose military head is Arisi. Representatives from the three provinces will be here in person while our off-world friends will be linked into the meeting through Video COM."
Sherem dreaded the hours to come. For one, he did not like being under the roof of a
leader with little worth, who, most likely, had embroiled them all in a confrontation of unnamed proportions. For another, he was not adept at socializing with figureheads not worthy of the thrones they sat on, with the exception of Thanasa. In addition, he chafed at the inevitable wasted hours of bombasting protocol and arse licking when they should be preparing for the inevitable battle. Of course, it might not be that bad, his friend Rosik COMd that he would be in on the planning sessions and Sherem wondered how he had come to the attention of Zorroc. Rosik and Sherem had met the three years before on Jasper and found immediate rapport. They had similar battle strategies and both liked to celebrate as hard as they fought. In the past year, they had formed a strong friendship and shared females, drink and stories. It had been a few months since they last met and he looked forward to fighting by his side.
He pressed the ornate entrance panel announcing his presence to the House of Ra and checked the time. He figured arriving an hour early would allow him ample time to settle in and gather his patience and resolve.
The panel slid soundlessly open to reveal the most exquisite sight his eyes had ever beheld. She had shimmering amber hair clasped back with the ends still visible on either side of her slim waist. She was tall and willowy with golden sheened skin, and high cheekbones above pronounced dimples, as well as large amber eyes that shouted her innocence. Her mouth, however, told a different story; it begged him for his attention with rapt hunger and moist promises. It did not matter who she was or whom she belonged to because from that moment on, she belonged to him. She was obviously a servant of some kind, maybe even a Chosen One to Zorroc. No matter, he would buy her contract, and she would leave with him on the morrow for Nefar.
