by Imogene Nix
“She’s safe for now and so is Danni. Unfortunately Emily is deceased. I’m taking Jessa back to the ship and Danni has already been sent on.”
“Yes. I will personally escort you to the ship.”
Jessa couldn’t remember the man ever sounding so tense or on edge, but the ache in her head was finally subsiding. Galan carried her out of the offices and to the vehicle. He was careful but she was still jostled. She moaned as her uncertain stomach reminded her of her current state. He pulled her against him. She heard the doors closing, wincing a little at the loud sounds. The car rocked, started and the feel of movement lulled her into a twilight state. Each time she almost dozed off, Galan would call her name.
The ride seemed interminable, the chants and jeers from beyond the car irritated her and she wanted to scream. Can’t these people see this is what humans have done? Not mine. Mine are pacific and calm. Only doing what had to be done to keep us safe.
They pulled up next to the eli-pad and Galan carefully lifted her out. They climbed aboard the disk. It slowly rose. The ship was almost silent as they traversed the corridor. Galan finally arrived at their cabin, setting her down carefully.
“Now you are safe.” She opened her eyes at his grim tone.
What did he mean by that? She wasn’t sure she liked his tone at all. “What are you going to do, Galan?” She could hear the peevish sound and didn’t care.
“From now on, you will work from the ship. You will be protected at all times. I can’t go through that again, so don’t even bother asking.”
She wanted to argue with his words, but heard the underlying fear beneath. Her head ached and she really didn’t want an argument. She didn’t think there was anything she could say that didn’t sound like an agreement to his terms.
The healer entered the room and Galan stepped aside.
He held a small spray applicator against her neck and a cooling sensation followed. Her head began to settle and as a result her stomach did too. She made to rise but the healer held a hand flat against her shoulder.
“You must lie still for at least three hours while the medication takes effect. I can’t give you anything stronger as we don’t wish the babe to be harmed.”
She moved her hand to cover her still flat belly. “It’s…” She stopped and gulped as concern flooded her system. “It’s okay, isn’t it?”
“For now. But we must look after you and that child… All children are precious.” He bowed deeply.
She saw how his face paled as he left. “Did he lose someone too?”
Galan nodded. “His wife and three babes.”
She gulped realising finally just how much they had all been hurt by the results of the experiments. The planet must have drowned in tears. “Can I…?” She stopped.
Galan dropped to the bed beside her. “Tell me what you want and if it’s in my power, I will do it.” He whispered the words as he carefully moved the strands of hair from her face.
“I want to see my parents.”
He frowned. “I won’t take you to them.” His voice firmed and she finally understood.
“No. But can they come here though?” She waited. Knowing that she was carrying a child made her realise just how much it might be hurting them.
He nodded slowly. “I will arrange it.” He pulled her close, against his chest and she sighed. Her body hurt but right now she was safe and so was Galan. And so too was their future child.
* * * *
Galan waited, tense and alert, watching as the vehicle carrying Jessa’s parents drove through the gate. He had been aware of how they’d reacted so didn’t wish to allow them aboard the Princess Gospah. Instead, he had arranged for them to meet at the facility where he had first met Jessa.
She was comfortable in that environment but close enough to their temporary home, should she need any assistance. Seth had also made it clear that Jessa’s mother could be difficult. He wasn’t aware of all the reasons Galan had become so protective of her, but agreed with his planning.
The vehicle pulled up and he retreated inside, so they wouldn’t see him before he was ready.
The woman alighted, smoothing her blonde curly hair down against the ravages of the wind. Her face was drawn and pale and she was tall, almost as tall as he was, Galan thought. Her curls sat tight around her head before disappearing into a tight knot at the back of her head and while she was thin, and no doubt perfect to many, she carried an air of brittleness around her like a cloak. He tensed sensing a formidable foe.
On the other hand, Jessa’s father, Peter was round and shiny. With a bald spot on the top of his head and the wisps of grey hair looked natural. Far more so than the determinedly bright shades of blonde that Helen sported. He smiled but the woman at his side frowned in response.
They moved to the door and were met by several of his team, one stepped forward and Peter indicated the car and headed for the boot. Galan didn’t stay to watch what they retrieved but hurried back to wait by Jessa’s side.
“Are they here yet?” She shook a little with nerves and he grabbed her cool hand.
“Yes. Are you ready?” Jessa nodded and stood upright.
The door opened and her parents entered. Jessa moved forward and her father opened his arms. “Daddy. I missed you.”
Galan relaxed a little.
“I missed you too, Jessa. I should never have… Well, it was wrong of me to say what I did.”
Galan saw the fierce hug she gave her father.
Then she turned to her mother. “Mum?” She obviously meant to advance but the woman only returned a quick “Hello,” and Jessa stilled.
Galan frowned seeing the hurt on Jessa’s face, even though she covered it quickly. “Mum, I wanted you to meet…”
“The alien creature you‘ve taken up with.” Her voice was cold and forbidding and Peter looked at her, shocked.
“Helen… There’s no need…”
Helen swung around and sneered at Peter. “Of course there is. Your daughter is abandoning her own race for this…” She waved a pointed finger at Galan and anger built. “…this creature.”
“Mum! Galan is not an alien creature. You won’t talk about him this way.” Jessa retreated while Galan grabbed her hand, pulling her close to his side. Peter spun around and was about to say something when Helen spoke again.
“She’s as bad as you. All pipe dreams and lovey dovey. No idea about realities and life and working. No, instead she got mixed up with that Jace and broke the law. It was bad enough taking her back after that. All my friends talked behind my back for years afterwards.” She twisted back to Jessa with a spiteful look on her face. “But I knew the truth. You didn’t even have the decency to leave home. No, instead you sullied the name you were born with and kept bringing it home with you.”
Galan had heard enough. “Stop. Right. Now.” He took a menacing step forward and Helen shrank back. She was like any other bully, looking to attack someone weaker and less able to defend herself. But she had taken on the wrong fight. No one spoke to Jessa like that.
“If you don’t wish to be here, then leave. Jessa wanted to take the opportunity to bid you farewell, because she cared enough to say goodbye.”
The woman watched his face, nervously licking her lips as if she realised she had gone too far.
“Either you say you appreciate her gesture and accept it for what it is or you leave.”
He didn’t need to say any more. He knew his physical stature and position was enough to cow her. So he used it to advantage, staring hard at her until she agreed in silence and scooted for the door, moving with a jerky action as if trying to rein in her panic.
Peter stepped forward. “I need to apologise for my wife…”
He looked at the man, an air of sadness shrouding him.
“You should never apologise for your wife.” Then he indicated the chairs where they could sit and talk.
* * * *
Peter stayed and talked for several hours before rising in read
iness to leave. He reached for Jessa and gave her a long hug. “Promise me you’ll come back and see us.”
Galan dipped his head in assent to Jessa’s father, feeling pity for his obvious sadness at seeing Jessa leave. “She will. But it will be as my consort.”
The man nodded slowly and shook his hand. He spun around and left the room slowly, glancing over his shoulder once and Galan detected the sheen of tears in his eyes. He and Jessa moved hand in hand to bid him farewell, watching as the car sped down the drive.
“Thank you, Galan. That was a great deal more difficult than I expected.” Her voice was husky and he knew she was on the verge of tears once more.
He pulled her into his arms. “Your father is a good man. I wonder if he would accept an invitation to join us for a while on Hesparia.”
She laughed and clutched at him. “I hope so. I really do.”
* * * *
Vehicles rumbled into the compound and women in giggling groups clambered down the steps in twos and threes. From the eli-pad Jessa watched as they made their way towards the pad.
Security teams darted here and there unloading the bus trailers of suitcases and boxes that were necessary to these new Hesparians. Some looked with shining eyes to the hull of the Princess Gospah. Others shook and shivered, pale and ill taking this final step. Jessa stepped forward with a smile, feeling supremely confident in her role. She’d done this a number of times now and had her spiel down, almost pat.
“Welcome to the Princess Gospah. My name is Jessa and it’s my honour, as the consort of Prince Galan, to welcome you aboard.” She moved among them, nodding to Joras to begin grouping them by the symbols on their official badges.
“Once we have you on-board, we will complete stowing away your items and get you settled. The initial transportation will only take around twelve hours and then a number of you will be transferred to the ship that awaits you.”
Galan stood quietly watching from the shade of the Princess Gospah as he usually did, during the welcoming proceedings. She smiled at one young woman who seemed so lost. It was a good thing all these women spoke English or she’d have a difficult time translating.
A car made its way up the drive and pulled in. Agent Foley climbed out and shook the hands of the driver then headed to the boot. What on earth is he doing here now?
The sound of so many voices, engines roaring and creaking wheels was incredible so she didn’t hear Galan as he approached. “Who’d have thought? So he decided to accept my invitation.”
She glanced over her shoulder, startled. “You asked him to come with us?” She searched his face looking for a clue as to why.
“I did. Actually I think it has more to do with the fact that his superiors thought he was totally compromised during his time with us. They wanted to dispense with his services.” Galan’s voice was filled with a mixture of glee and happiness.
She watched the giant of a man making his way towards them, pulling a small fold down trolley with a suitcase and several boxes carefully stacked on it.
“Prince Galan… Jessa…” He looked at them and smiled. “I’m ready.”
Jessa bit her lip. I’ve made no allocation for him aboard. Where on earth can I stash him? Then she pulled herself up. Where on the Princess Gospah? She giggled just once at her thought then stopped and stepped forward to peck Foley on the cheek. He blushed slightly and she grinned.
He was welcomed enthusiastically, well enthusiastic for the mild mannered Joras anyway, and Agent Foley accepted the praise with a small smile.
“Call me, David,” she heard Agent Foley exclaim to Joras and grinned, snuggling back into the quick embrace Galan offered.
“David. His name is David.” Jessa smiled. Somehow it suited him. The odd man joining their motley crew of migrants and runaways would fit in just fine, she suddenly realised.
She looked back to the ship, noting that the crowd had now dwindled. The eli-pad dropped back down and the women stepped up, some looking back and others she guessed were looking determinedly to the future. It rose quickly from sight. Jessa and Galan started walking back to the ship.
This time when the eli-pad descended she and Galan, David, Joras and the last of the women stepped aboard. Once they reached the corridor she headed to the meeting room and took her position at the front. She instructed the women on how to fasten their safety belts and settle in. A loud rumble filled the ship and the room turned silent. She smiled, knowing Galan had headed directly to the bridge to assume his position overseeing their ascent.
The walls glowed and Jessa pressed a button. “Ladies, I warmly welcome you to the adventure of a lifetime.” A viewing window, previously hidden from their sight emerged and she heard gasps. On a screen, they watched as the ship left the ground, where the Princess Gospah had rested, now, showed only darkly burnt patches.
Some of the women started weeping softly and Jessa understood their distress. Yet others smiled and she shared their excitement. Gravitational forces pulled at them, shoving them back in their chairs. The view changed, showing the earth falling away and gradually the screen the women had been watching turned darker as did the scene outside the carefully reinforced window. Once freed from the atmosphere they were free to sit upright and she unbuckled before standing.
“Okay then, let’s discuss billeting for all of you once we reach the other ship.” She smiled and looked around. Soon they would be joined by the diplomats and those due to spend time on Hesparia. But these women would be her sisters and family.
Epilogue
Jessa lay on the bed, tired no doubt and pale but utterly delighted. In her arms lay twin babies. One girl and one boy. Both with the berry deep skin of native Hesparians, but with her green eyes and red hair.
His heart was full of hope and joy.
Since her arrival, she’d worked tirelessly to settle the earth women on Hesparia, acting as an intermediary, counsellor and even, in some cases pseudo older sister. It hadn’t been easy for anyone but she’d handled herself with grace at all times, Galan had told her.
The citizens of Hesparia had been overjoyed when they had announced the impending arrival of the children not long after landing and now the streets were decorated with bunting, as the entire planet celebrated the birth of the twins. The men had wept, but this time with happiness, to know that the genetic anomaly which had so nearly brought their planet to its knees would be arrested and overcome.
She looked up at him and his heart swelled. “So, I did okay, right?”
He grinned, as if unable to contain his reactions. In fact she knew he didn’t even attempt to mitigate them. “You know you did well.” She laughed at his words and winced as her body protested slightly. He smiled and sat down on the bed next to her and she handed him his son.
“Here take him. He’s just fed and will go to sleep soon. Actually, take your daughter as well for a moment.” He watched as she rose slowly then lifted the light wrap. She slipped it over her sleeping gown then cinched it lightly around her waist. “I’ll take her now.”
She beckoned him with her head. “What do you want?”
She laughed. “Well not that!” She laughed happily and moved to the window. “Open the shutters.”
For an instant confusion filled him. He cradled his newly born son but nevertheless flicked them open. She lifted their daughter. “This is your home, Gelina. Say hello to Hesparia.”
Now he understood, raising his son, facing him towards the town laid out below their window. “This is your home, Peter. Say hello to Hesparia.”
She looked back and Galan smiled at her just as the door opened. His father, white haired but still tall and proud joined them. His pale eyes glowed with happiness as he touched each babe with a soft finger. Her daughter yawned and turned towards the touch.
“I bring news.” Galan’s father spoke quietly.
Galan waited, knowing he meant the results of the genetic tests that had been run on the babies in their arms, her heart stuttering in her chest. “
And?”
“The genetic abnormality does not exist in the babes. They are free of the taint.”
Jessa grinned broadly and the ache that had grown in his chest on seeing his children for the first time abated. Their children would live a normal lifespan and her daughter…their daughter would be able to grow and marry. To bear children. As it was always meant to be. A glance at Galan showed his elation at this knowledge.
“My daughter, you have done very well indeed.” A warm wave of pride filled Galan as he reflected on the positive relationship she and his father had formed.
“And you, my son, have a fine and good woman.”
Jessa blushed slightly but Galan looked out of the window, remembering the actions of the people. Every time they saw her they smiled and waved. No query was too big or too small. And every day she saw another aspect in the transformation of their dying culture. It had a new vibrancy as men smiled and laughed.
In the next few days her father would arrive from Earth with the diplomats who had come to take up their positions on Hesparia, the Hesparians having left some months before. Sadly her mother could not and would not set aside her bias but she banished that thought, focusing on the positive. Her father would meet his grandchildren. Children that would grow and flourish under the many suns of Hesparia.
As if there wasn’t enough to celebrate, Seth and Danni would be making their commitments before their king tomorrow, the first of many that had been scheduled as men and women found their bonded partners.
But right now, all he could focus on was his own small family. And the knowledge that they would be happy, knowing Hesparia’s season of tears had passed.
Also available from Total-E-Bound Publishing:
The Blood Bride
Imogene Nix
Excerpt
Chapter One
Hope hauled the last heavy box up the stairs of the manor house, occasionally catching glimpses of the way her midnight black hair shone in the sunlight, when she passed the window in the living room of her apartment. “Thank heavens this is the last one,” she muttered to herself, sliding the box down to rest on the floor, before straightening and rubbing the nagging ache in her back. She could have had help, all she needed to do was ask, but now that she was an adult she needed to stand on her own two feet, she reminded herself.
