by Lucy Kelly
“I’ll try, Addie. I think I’ll do better after we reach HeVan. I think my gift is meant to help our people. It’s possible I didn’t get a read soon enough because either the plans were new or because the duke’s plans were only peripheral to us. His main objective was taking over the throne of his own people,” Cassandra said.
“You may be right,” said Kylan.
“I noticed they carried Natalie in on a chair; where did they get the idea to do that?” asked Addie.
“Oh, that was Glynnis; she got it from an old Elizabeth Taylor movie. Cleopatra is the one she mentioned,” said Kylan. “Glynnis said she wanted Natalie to arrive in style—well, as good a style as possible and still keep the surprise.”
“Actually, that chair is giving me ideas. Cassandra, I don’t want you to worry anymore; we’re all fine now. Why don’t you go and check on your mom? I understand she’s still feeling a little under the weather,” said Addie.
“Okay, I’ll do that,” she said with a giggle. “She keeps teasing me that it was much easier to have me,” she said, thinking of her adoption.
But she knew her mother didn’t mind having morning sickness because it was another reminder she was actually pregnant after nearly twenty years of infertility.
“I’ll see you all later, okay?” she said, as she got up to go.
“Okay, sweetie, give your mom a hug from me, too,” Addie said before she left.
After Cassandra was gone, Kylan turned to Addie. “I know that look in your eyes, Addie; you have a plan.”
“Yes, I do. I know Arjun and Rune are dealing with the king and making sure there are no more possible threats. So would you go and ask Granny Mac and her Ankida to come by after Natalie’s celebration?”
“I will go after I have someone else here to be with you. You know you can’t be alone,” he scolded.
“Oh, please, you have so many guards watching me now I can barely go to the bathroom alone. In fact, I can’t go to the bathroom alone. Send one of the warriors on the door to come in and sit with me. You should probably go to the celebration anyway, as my representative,” she said.
“Grace and Glynnis are your representatives. I’m staying here. It’s not much of a delay,” he said, placating her. “Why don’t we watch the movie about the archeologist? We only watched the first three. Grace told me there was a fourth,” Kylan said.
“Okay, but I want some popcorn if we’re going to see a movie and some other snacks, too. The girls are hungry again,” she said, pouting a little.
“As long as you agree I’m not leaving our quarters, I’ll make you anything you like,” he said, getting up.
“You’ll make anything? I heard a rumor about lasagna.”
****
“My personal physician says there is nothing he can do that you have not already done. I can only pray she will survive. I was against her marriage to the duke, but our father overruled me. He wanted to find a way to join our two clans as did the duke’s father, the previous duke. He never accepted her. It was always his clan and his people. She tried very hard but when he showed his people how indifferent he was to her, they followed suit. She never complained,” King Ben KowLer said to Arjun in a low voice as he sat by his sister’s bed.
“What does it mean for BianCa’s future? Will she go back to your clan or does she remain in her husband’s?” asked Arjun, as he leaned against the wall.
He wanted Ben to be thinking of BianCa recovering and not dying. BianCa had been injured protecting his people. The Nephilim would do whatever it took to make this right for her.
“It is her choice, of course, but I won’t force her the way our father did. It would be best if she could marry again. Someone strong enough to lead the clan while at the same time be a force for peace. The problem is the clans are constantly jostling for power. With the duke’s attempt to overthrow my clan, I need the LucenTio clan to come in line and fast. The duke didn’t succeed in killing your queen but he did succeed in turning almost every other clan on KowLer against his,” explained the king.
“Would your people allow BianCa to rule the clan?” Arjun asked.
“No, our world is not like yours. As there is no heir, either her new husband becomes heir or she can abdicate and return to my House. Then the clan would be fought over by the surrounding clan leaders. The people would be absorbed into whichever clan or clans took the land. Clan LucenTio would cease to exist,” explained Ben.
“If I may make a suggestion?” asked Arjun.
“I will be happy to hear your point of view. I understand you’ve had difficulties of your own to overcome,” said the king, as he stood and then bent over to give his sister a kiss on her forehead.
He stepped out of the room and gestured Arjun to follow. He needed to stretch his legs. If he looked at her still, pale form for a moment longer, he knew he would lose his composure. Now was not the time for grieving; she lived and he would do all in his power to keep her living. Taking a deep breath, he forced himself to think of other things.
“How is the pilot doing? The one who was injured coming through the Gate?” asked the king, as they walked down the hall.
Arjun pointed to a room where they could have some privacy. They walked in and Arjun walked over to the work station in the corner. He remembered Rapha kept a bottle of Seraphian brandy in the back of a cupboard. To his knowledge, the king hadn’t eaten since his sister was injured. This was a lounge for the medicals to rest in; there was bound to be something in the replicator. Looking at the menu of ingredients, he programmed something hearty. As he completed these mundane tasks, it gave Ben a chance to pull himself together. Arjun had seen the tears in Ben’s eyes. It also allowed Arjun the time to think of how to present his idea to Ben. Bringing the plates to a round table in the corner, he spoke.
“You need a strong ally and you also would like to keep the KowLer people and the Nephilim on the good terms we have forged together over the last two weeks. BianCa’s selfless acts have cemented this relationship for as long as Aditya remains queen. I may have an idea which would help us both. I would suggest, if BianCa is willing, that she join with a Nephilim. I have someone in mind. The highest ranking Nephilim, who is not joined, is Lord Commander Thors. He is currently commanding the Venger. My understanding is that his three elder brothers were joined and he was the last child born to his parents many years later. The chances of him finding a Nephilim join are very low because he is one and we are currently still forced to have many males to one female. This would help your people and also help a very loyal, trustworthy, and brave warrior. In the time she has visited here, I have seen an intelligent woman held back by circumstance. Taking a Nephilim as a mate would mean she would have a measure of independence. She would rule with her husband while, at the same time, he would die to protect her,” Arjun explained quietly.
“I won’t force BianCa into another marriage. She must be in agreement to any plan. However, I’m willing to meet with this Lord Thors and take his measure. She had no love in her last marriage and it is the sort of thing many women want. I would like her to have love in her second mating. And remember, she may not wish to wed,” said Ben, as he distractedly began eating the food in front of him.
Arjun noticed and began to talk again to keep him eating.
“Addie is not only the Goddess of Fertility; she can also influence, to a certain extent, the relationships of those who wish to join. A Nephilim male is born with wings. They don’t appear until he meets the one perfect soul to tie to his own. If a Nephilim falls in love, the queen has the ability to tie their souls together. This causes the mating wings to erupt. The wings lie under a membrane of skin and are covered with a mating pheromone which releases when they break through the skin. This pheromone is so strong—both mates feel an incredible pull toward each other. Of course, with Addie in the vicinity, a baby will follow in due course. Once a Nephilim takes his mate, he lives only for her and would protect her with his life. I think BianCa deserves that, don’t
you?” he asked.
Once the king started eating, his appetite caught up with him and he quickly cleaned the plate Arjun had put in front of him while he listened. Having finished eating before Arjun had finished talking, he leaned back in his chair while he listened, sipping the drink he’d been given. He soon realized it held quite a kick.
“I still want to meet this Lord Thors,” he said.
“I thought you might. I’ve had him shuttled over from the Venger. But I haven’t mentioned to him anything regarding what we’ve talked about. In fact, I propose we don’t say anything to either Lord Thors or BianCa. Let’s have Lord Thors become her personal guard, and see what happens. While we need to continue our voyage to HeVan, I know Addie will want to make sure BianCa is well before we leave. Between the two of us, I would be happier if Addie could be safely delivered of her babies before we arrived home. She could enter labor at any time but for the children to be fully developed, she should wait another six weeks. Shall we go and greet Lord Thors and take him to see BianCa?” he asked.
“Alright, I agree with you that neither of them will be told of this plan. We shall see what fate has in store for them both,” the king said before leaning back in his chair and sipping his brandy.
They both remained there, in companionable silence. They kept any further thoughts to themselves as they finished their Seraphian brandy.
“By the way, what was the food you gave me?” Ben asked. “I found it to be quite tasty,” he said as they left.
“I understand the kitchens were able to make it from the stores you provided. Aditya says it’s called lasagna,” answered Arjun.
They made their way to the lounge where the king was shocked when he saw Lord Thors. He’d become accustomed to being surrounded by these large men. All of the warriors he’d met so far spanned from his own height of six feet tall to close to seven.
This Lord Thors was at least seven and a half feet tall. His immense shoulders were as wide as his own sword was long. He wore his black hair long, intricately woven at the temples and pulled back. Piercing eyes saw and evaluated all around him at a glance—a true warrior’s thousand-yard stare. The color of his eyes was also startling. They were a blue so light it was like looking into blue ice, with the rim a darker blue. He had a broad forehead and sharply defined features. His form-fitting Nephilim uniform was different from the ones worn by the warriors he had met so far and similar to the clothing worn by the Ankida of Lady Glynnis. Then he remembered this warrior was from the new ship and there was over two hundred years difference in styles. This new uniform showed every muscle and looked as if it allowed for greater freedom of movement during hand-to-hand battle.
“Lord Thors, thank you for coming. I’d like to introduce King Ben KowLer,” said Arjun. He waited just long enough for the two men to nod to each other before continuing.
“Walk with us, please,” he said, turning back into the medical complex. “I’m sure you’ve heard of the heroic acts of Lady Natalie and Princess BianCa in defeating the treachery of Duke LucenTio.”
“I know of Lady Natalie’s actions. I was not apprised about Princess BianCa. What part did she play in her husband’s plot?” Thors asked in a deep gravelly voice.
“My sister’s mating was not her choice,” interrupted the king.
He went on to relate his sister’s story about honoring her father’s decision. He told of her unhappiness in her mating and the abuse she suffered from her husband, to stepping in front of the shot, which would have killed Natalie. Instead, it had given Natalie the time to save them all.
“The Nephilim queen owes her life just as much to my sister as to Lady Natalie. Unfortunately, there are many who see her as an enemy or a betrayer,” Ben concluded.
“The king must return to KowLer; there is much to be done. He must find the duke’s co-conspirators and make sure there will be no more rebellion. Will you consent to making sure the princess remains unharmed? Even now, she fights for her life,” said Arjun.
By this time, they had arrived at the critical medical bay. There were two occupants, each in their own room. Warrior Makor and Princess BianCa, Duchess of LucenTio. She lay on the healing table, covered from neck to hips in healing gel. Special nanos had been injected into her chest cavity to try to repair her heart. If too much of the muscle were destroyed, she would need a replacement. They were growing one in the lab, just in case.
To protect her modesty, the gel had been colored, and a sheet was pulled up to her hips where the gel stopped. Even so, every dip and swell of her womanly body was visible to the eye. Her long, hip-length hair was in a thick braid and draped down her right side. Lord Thors was instantly struck by her beauty, to her finely drawn features and small frame.
“She is so small; is she a child?” he asked in a quiet voice.
“No, she has always been of a shorter stature, like our mother,” Ben explained about his sister’s five foot two inches height.
Lord Thors then turned away from the beautiful creature and looked at Arjun and the king. “I will guard her with my life. No one will harm her,” he said emphatically.
“We will leave her in your care, then,” said Arjun, taking Ben’s arm and getting him out of the room. To his eye, Lord Thors was halfway in love already.
Arjun escorted the king out of the room. Addie wanted to meet with him again before he returned to KowLer. He would still be coming back every couple of days to check on his sister.
****
The next morning, Natalie woke up in the medical bay. She managed to get herself to the bathroom to shower and took care of her morning routine. She had just returned to bed and was deciding if she could ride out the pain she was starting to feel or call for another dose of pain reliever. The door opened and Jennifer and Marta came in to keep her company for a while. They had passed the guards on duty outside her door. They looked back at the warriors before turning toward the bed. Jennifer shook her hand at the wrist.
“Hot—they’re smokin’ hot! I’m looking forward to meeting my soul mates. I’m so jealous of you, Nat,” said Jennifer.
“I’ve stopped being nervous about it. When I’m healed, I am going to jump their bones,” she said with a giggle.
“I’m glad. I have to say, all of the women are really happy. It’s nice to know there is someone who will always love you. I mean―I haven’t heard of a single argument. Is that even possible?” asked Marta.
“No, it’s not,” said a voice by the door, which turned out to be Grace. “My Ankida and I have had more than one disagreement. Because we love each other, we work through our problems. Usually, they can get me out of a bad mood with lots of sex. And I can do the same with them. The main thing is—I had to make them agree never to gang up on me. Three against one is hardly fair. We also agreed never to go to bed angry.”
“Huh, I didn’t think of that. I’ll have to make Peet and Reeko promise not to gang up on me either. Did you forget something you wanted to tell me?” asked Natalie.
“Two things―I wanted to get your recommendation for your replacement while you’re recovering. Also, I wanted to ask if you wanted to join with your mates on KowLer. When King Ben was informed of what a joining entailed, he offered. There isn’t any place on board the ship big enough for them to be able to fly. They don’t really have to fly but I thought you might enjoy watching them. They only have the opportunity once in their life, as they shed their wings after you join,” Grace explained.
“If it’s possible, I would love to see them fly. I don’t want to put on a live sex show for anyone so we would have to be guaranteed our privacy. As to the other, I think Cassandra should take over for me. Jenner and his brother and Evoxan and his brother can take turns as her guards. If she had shaken hands with the duke in the docking station, she would have had her vision sooner. I’ve noticed her visions are sharper if she’s met the people, especially if she’s had physical contact with them. Don’t tell her I said that; I don’t want her to feel guilty. We can’
t place the burden of always knowing about everything in time,” Natalie said and then waited for the others to agree.
Before anything else could be discussed, Catherine entered the room.
“That’s enough visiting. Natalie needs her rest if she’s going to be fully healed in just two days,” she said, shooing them all out.
Then she checked over Natalie’s healing wound and gave her some pain reliever, along with an update on her mates. Natalie was already closing her eyes when she left the room.
Chapter Ten
Glynnis and her Ankida approached Addie’s rooms with Cassandra, who was flanked by two large warriors. When they got there, they found all three of Addie’s Ankida standing in the hallway. They didn’t look happy about it, either.
“Why are you standing out here? Is Addie alone?” asked Glynnis.
“No. Against our wishes, Addie asked us to leave so she could speak to the king privately. She’s been cooking up a plan in her head and she’s not sharing,” said Rune.
Rune was especially hurt because while Arjun and Kylan often left their quarters to take care of important matters around the two ships, he had chosen to always be by her side and care for her every need. He had shared many conversations with her and felt he’d become a close advisor. That there was something she wouldn’t share with him was distressing.
Before anything else could be said, the doors opened and the king came out. Glynnis, having seen the hurt in Rune’s eyes, marched right past him to have a word with her granddaughter. Turning, she spoke to them. “Please stay here a few minutes longer. I need to have a few words with my granddaughter,” she said, as she waved them to remain.
“Highness, if you’ll come with me, I’ll escort you to your shuttle,” said Cassandra with a smile.
King Ben KowLer took in the forbidding looks on the faces of the queen’s Ankida and agreed now was not the time to have a discussion with them. He nodded and they began walking down the hall. They had nearly reached the shuttle bay when Cassandra spoke again.
