by KD Jones
He then picked up the thing that looked like an iPad. “This is our digital tablet. It functions similar to your computers. We have more applications that we can use on it. One of those is the IHI, instant hologram imaging. It allows us to see 3-dimensional images.”
JadEN demonstrated the IHI by waving the medical scope over the patient’s stomach. He then attached it to the digital tablet. A 3D image appeared above the digital tablet, displaying the infant.
“That is incredible!” Kat exclaimed. She checked the gestational age listed on the digital tablet and frowned. “She is not healthy.”
“No, she is not. Our security detail in the ballroom could tell the female was sick. That is why we needed to bring her here to implant the nanos.” JadEN went to a cabinet to retrieve something in a small, metallic case.
“Nanos?” Kat asked. She kept her eyes on JadEN, watching his every move.
“They are biologically engineered nanotechnology devices used to help repair internal damage to the body. I will program these to help direct nutrients to the female and to her young.” He opened the case so that she could look at the nanos.
“Fascinating. May I watch?” Kat asked eagerly.
“Of course, Doctor Morris.”
Excerpt from HeVan Sent
Nephilim Series Book One
by Lucy Kelly
Prologue
They murdered her Ankida, the three men she’d been mated to for the last one thousand, seven hundred years. Oh, she was told it was an accident; she didn’t believe them.
Ishnam, Supreme Queen of the planet HeVan, turned away from the window and slowly made her way back to her bed. She could feel the poison wending its way through her body. She only had a few hours left now. Still, she had time to finish one last act to prevent her enemies from succeeding in all of their traitorous plans.
She looked around her room; it wasn’t overly opulent, for a room in the palace. She gave in to a show of grandeur in the throne room, with its mirrored walls and gold and red tapestries framing the windows. Beautiful crystal chandeliers hung from the tall ceilings, lighting every corner. The marble floors had a plush red runner leading up to the ornately carved gold throne. It sat on a dais, with three steps leading up to it.
The throne had been in her family for centuries; it had been a gift from the people, but she’d always thought it was horribly uncomfortable. Her Ankida had ruled by her side so she’d had three additional chairs carved out of hardwood. They had been inlaid with rare woods and precious metals from every province on HeVan. She’d personally selected the cushions covered in the colors of her House. At least they could sit comfortably while she handled matters of State. She often requested their opinion on various problems and had found their counsel to be wise. She missed them with her whole being.
Here in her bedroom, only the size of twenty feet by twenty feet indicated wealth. The bed was large enough for her and her three mates to sleep comfortably. She reached over and picked up the pillow next to her and breathed in the scent of her Ankida, barely lingering there. Her heart broke a little more at the loss; she would be with them soon.
She looked over at the curved, wide couch where they all sat together so many times. It was covered in white and gold brocade, with beautiful multi-colored pillows for added comfort. She remembered lounging there in the mornings with her Ankida, having their breakfast, or in the evenings during story time with the children.
News had arrived about her successor ─ her only daughter was missing and presumed dead, her ship tossed into hyperspace by a jump gate malfunction. She suspected this accident was also no accident. Now, since she herself was facing death, she realized the betrayal went further than even she had realized.
The Queens of HeVan had been blessed with a special gift. They shared a link with the planet HeVan itself, as well as with the people, keeping the world in balance. This power affected all aspects of life on HeVan. The Supreme Queen, known as the Nam-Nin, was the physical representation of Mother Earth for them all.
Only the Queen knew the secret place from where the first Nam-Nin had joined with HeVan and received the power to link all living things together and keep the planet in harmonious balance. As Queen Ishnam lay back in her bed, she decided she wasn’t beaten yet. The power she held had been passed from mother to daughter in an unbroken line going back for millennia. The location of the place of Joining was passed along in the same way, lest it be forgotten.
She thought back to a month ago. Merél, her friend and confidant for many years, came to her and told her the time to pass her powers was approaching.
Merél was a powerful Seer of the present and past. On rare occasions, usually regarding things of great importance to their people, she would get a vision of the future. One such vision, she said, had prompted her to speak with the Queen.
Ishnam knew now Merél had not really had a vision. Yet, Merél’s warning had caused the Queen to make the one decision which would give the planet hope and allow Ishnam to pass from this world with less fear for the future of her people.
At the time, still believing in her friend, Queen Ishnam wasted no time. Her three Ankida had recently been killed in an explosion. Her grief was great; she thought her own end would come soon. Her only daughter, Tamiel, was scheduled to leave for an Interstellar Conference. She should already have left but delayed her departure due to a volcanic eruption in the northern region. So the Queen took advantage of the delay to take her daughter into her private chambers.
Her power, which linked her to the planet, she passed on to her daughter that very day. The action she had taken and the one she would take now would, with the blessings of the Goddess, save her people. Since she’d received word her daughter’s ship had malfunctioned while traveling in hyperspace, she began putting her plans in motion.
Queen Ishnam, known as the Nam-Nin to her people, was also dying. It was another betrayal.
She heard footsteps approaching. She looked over at the alcove, where a small sunroom was located. The curtains were tightly drawn – good, she thought. She sat up in the bed as best she could, and leaned against the pillows with the lingering scents of her Ankida.
Without even a knock, the door opened and Merél entered. Striding in behind Merél was the Head of the House of Purgat, Lady Morda Purganth.
“The time has come to pass on your gift, as I have foretold. Tamiel is lost and your grief is killing you. You must pass on the power to Lady Morda. The House of Purgat must replace the House of HeVanth as the ruling line; you have no other daughter,” said Merél.
“Entering my room without knocking? No questions of my illness? This is insolence. You have betrayed me, Merél. At least you have ceased your pretenses. We have been friends since our girlhood. What has turned you against me? Why would you do this to our people?” Ishnam asked.
“You could have joined me to Ankida of my own, Ishnam, and you never did. It was in your power. I had to watch you have love and children while I was denied both. Lady Morda has promised me I will finally have my match,” answered Merél.
“Yes, you will have your match,” said Lady Morda, “and the power of HeVan will finally belong to the House of Purgat, where it belongs. For the sake of HeVan, you must pass your power to me now. You have no choice, Ishnam.”
Ishnam looked over at the woman who lusted and greedily desired to step into her place. There was an almost gleeful note in her voice. She was quite young, only a few years older than her own daughter, Tamiel. She was also quite beautiful ─ or she would be, if the gloating expression on her face hadn’t twisted her features into an ugly mask. She turned back to Merél.
“I’m sorry, Merél. I thought I was doing the right thing and obviously did not. Your true mates died as children. I didn’t know how to tell you. I thought you were happy. If you had found love with another, I would have joined you to them,” said Ishnam.
“It’s too late for your promises now,” Merél sneered. “Pass on your power to Lady Morda b
efore it’s too late.”
“Though I do grieve, it’s not grief that’s killing me. I’m dying so quickly because I’ve been poisoned. Do you know anything about it? I’ve been feeling ill since we shared our midday meal together.”
The Queen fell back against the pillows, struggling for each breath and yet wanting to remain strong for as long as possible. She reached over to the table beside the bed and took a drink of water. When she had collected herself, she continued.
“It’s already too late. I passed my power to Tamiel before she left. I am no longer part of HeVan. It is time I was reunited with my Ankida,” said Ishnam.
“You fool! What have you done?” shrieked Morda.
“Tamiel still lives. I would have felt it if she had died. She is the true Queen now. Was it you who poisoned me, Morda? You have always resented the fact the royal line lies in the House of HeVanth.”
“No, I did not poison you. I had another take care of that task,” said Morda, her eyes sliding towards Merél. “You do not deserve to rule, Ishnam. You are soft and weak! I will create a true dynasty and HeVan will become a power to be reckoned with in the Galaxy,” she proclaimed.
“I am not so weak I didn’t see through your plots, Morda. I’m surprised, Merél, you let yourself believe her lies. Killing me will not give you the happiness you seek,” the Queen panted out.
It was getting harder for her to breathe.
“Tamiel is dead and soon you will be too! Then I will get what I deserve!” said Merél spitefully.
The Queen dismissed her with a look and turned her head to look at Morda.
“You will have to act as Regent only, Morda. The Senate Council of Houses will oversee your rule until the true Queen returns to HeVan. Your tasks and those of your descendants will be to keep our people going until she arrives. With your powers of authority limited, hopefully you will not damage our planet or our people in any significant way in the meantime,” said the Queen.
“You can’t know whether she lives or not, Ishnam,” argued Morda. “You have to tell me where the source is. Now Tamiel is dead, a new line will have to become one with HeVan for our people. You must tell me, you must!”
“I see into your heart, Morda, and it is black. It is not for you to know the secrets of the Ancients. I passed the knowledge to the one who needs it. Find what pleasure you can in acting as Regent.
“You have no more power than what I give you, nor will your descendants. My daughter is pregnant with sons. We would have healed the breach between our Houses with a marriage ─ your descendants to mine. You have prevented this from happening. Your actions mean the House of Purgat will never rule HeVan,” finished Queen Ishnam, before falling back on the pillows in a faint.
The curtains in front of the alcove flew open and the Queen’s six sons stepped into the room. Both Merél and Morda paled at the look in their eyes. Remaining in the alcove were the heads of four other powerful Houses. All had been witness to the scene. Lady Narva, Head of the House of Celestia, moved to the front of the group and faced Morda and Merél.
The Queen’s eldest son, Arden, hurried to the bed to check on his mother. Realizing she was passing away, he motioned to his brothers. They all rushed to the bed, surrounded her, holding her in their arms as she drew her final breath, and passed to the next plane.
“Our mother is dead,” announced Arden to Lady Narva and the room at large.
He and his brothers laid her down and smoothed the coverlets over her body. They then stood in a line between the Queen and the others in the room, allowing none to see her in death; she would be remembered as she had lived in life. After Merél and Morda were dealt with, they would perform the death rites.
Lady Narva stepped forward and turned, saying, “Merél – Royal Seer of HeVanth, you are under arrest for High Treason and Murder of the Queen. You will be taken to a place of execution. Due to Queen Ishnam’s many years of love and friendship for you, you will be given two options. You may choose to take the same poison you gave the Queen or the death of a thousand cuts.”
She waved her hand and two guards came and stood beside Merél, in position to escort her out of the room.
“Lady Morda, you’re the one in power; save me!” she wailed, as they took her away.
Morda didn’t even spare her a glance; she was worried about her own future. Her crimes were so much greater than anyone had guessed.
How much do they know? She wondered. Do they know I arranged it all? The explosion that killed her Ankida, as well as the malfunction of the ship, to permanently get rid of the sickeningly sweet Princess Tamiel?
“Morda, the people must have a leader and your House is next in line. For the remainder of your life, you will act only as a figurehead.
“All the ruling power will lie with the Senate. Because of the treachery against the Queen’s family, she passed several laws in her last remaining hours. Queen Ishnam’s sons have all been given seats in the Senate and will act as Advisors, as will any of their male descendants. You will be restricted to your home and will not be allowed to travel the planet for the remainder of your life.
“You also have a choice: you can remain a figurehead until your death or ─ when your daughter comes of age, you can pass the title of Regent to her. Your line will act as Princess Regents; however, the Senate can overrule any law enacted of which we do not approve.
“Also, the power to make Joins comes from the planet or from the Queen. Without this power, only those perfect matches, signaled by the eruption of the mating wings, will take place. Any authority previously belonging to you to approve Joins or make political matches is hereby revoked.”
At this point, Narva took a deep breath. She was feeling a great many emotions and was desperate to hold on to her anger until Morda had been dealt with. Then it would be time to grieve.
“There is more but I am too angry to deal with you now. I need to calm myself before setting eyes upon you once again.”
She gestured to another set of guards.
“These guards will escort you back to your home. The Senate will convene and send you our Summary Judgment. You are not worthy of our race. If I could order your death, I would,” she finished.
She dismissed Morda by turning her back.
Morda allowed the guards to escort her from the room, fuming about many of her plans not producing the results she had intended. She did not allow failure, she immediately began plotting.
Her daughter, as young as she was, did not show signs of the intelligence needed to be a strong ruler. She would make a good puppet though, Morda decided.
As soon as her daughter came of age, she would relinquish the Regency to her and then guide her actions. Her daughter would be granted greater powers, not having committed any crimes. Morda could use that to her advantage.
I’m younger than these old fools, she thought. I’ll hold on and act the penitent for now; my time will come. You are wrong, Ishnam, you are dead and I’m still here. My house will rule HeVan.
After Morda left the room, Lady Narva turned to the Queen’s sons. “Do you believe your mother, the Queen, was correct and Tamiel still lives?” she asked.
“Yes,” said Arden, the eldest son, “she would have felt it if Tamiel were dead, as all of HeVan would have felt it. Tamiel is now linked to HeVan. However, her ship must have been thrown far off course. Even now, we have been unable to send or receive a signal.”
Arden had difficulty speaking calmly. He and his brothers wanted to wreak vengeance on those responsible for effectively bringing down the House of HeVanth. With no females in the direct line present, and none of the sons yet Joined, there was no ruling female. Men were not allowed to lead.
“Your mother suspected Morda was planning something. She called in those Members of the Senate she could reach on such short notice.
As you heard me tell Morda ─ by Royal Decree, the six of you now have Seats on the Senate Council as Advisors. You will not be forced to join against your will to any
House. You are free to find your own matches, the ones which cause your mating wings to erupt. You will effectively rule the House of HeVanth until you are joined. Let me know if any females of lower station object to this,” she said.
“Mother was beloved by her people. I do not believe any in our House would go against her final wishes,” he said.
He hesitated. Seeing the look on his face, Lady Narva urged him to continue.
“It will be up to us to prove ourselves. No one will object now, while grief is still fresh. Over time, in the years to come, there may be dissention. I pray to the Goddess we find our perfect mates before there is unrest,” he concluded.
“You show much wisdom, Arden. I and those with me here,” she gestured to the three House Leaders behind her, “will continue to support you and your brothers. Until your sister is recovered, you and your progeny to come are our only hope.
“For now, we must mourn your mother. She was much loved by the people. I know she preferred simplicity. In this instance, I feel we need to display our grief. As sad as it is, your people need to see the love you had for her,” said Narva.
“Thank you, Lady Narva, my brothers and I will begin the vigil. From this day onward, we vow to watch and wait for a sign from our sister. We will bring Tamiel home to HeVan,” said Arden, his brothers all nodding their heads in support.
They were full of anger, rage and an overwhelming sadness. Within so short a time, they’d lost their fathers and their mother. Now their sister was missing. Arden could tell some of the Senate also believed her to be dead, no matter what they said now. They would have to be vigilant. He also didn’t believe the threat posed by Morda was done; she would bear close watching.
He prayed Morda’s young daughter didn’t prove to be a match to any of them.
***
Princess Tamiel was thrown against the corridor wall as the ship shuddered. As soon as she felt able to maneuver, she began making her way to the Bridge. She wanted to know what was happening.
