Cherished by Two

by Morticia Knight

  Lasar put a hand to his forehead and breathed even, steady breaths as he fought to keep from swaying. He couldn’t remember having felt like that since he’d been a young warrior in the academy. His stellar training as both commander and Ahna had left him with almost perfect control. But the horror unfolding before him in the aftermath of the Earth takeover wasn’t something he could’ve ever prepared himself for.

  He inhaled deeply then tore off his mask, squinting his large eyes against the onslaught of the piercing rays from the sun. He fixed his gaze on the startled Rah. “Do not dare to question me again or you will suffer the consequences of your insubordinate behavior. Perhaps the Nall will send disobedient Rahs to that same land mass as the humans. Perhaps the unrestrained humans won’t appreciate having an Orshana Rah living among them.”

  If the Rah swayed any more than he was, Lasar feared he would topple over.

  “Forgive me, Rahna! I’m at your service, whatever information you need, I’ll give it all to you.”

  Lasar followed the suddenly friendly and cooperative Rah into the darkened tent. His vision adjusted, the dimmer lighting much more comfortable for him, and he was able to hook the mask on his belt until he’d need it again upon his return to the outside. He observed the various enclosures, scanning the lethargic humans in the hopes of finding Chris’ family. Many of them were unconscious or sleeping—he wasn’t sure which. The remainder were sluggish from whatever sedative they’d been injected with.

  Lasar had visited the sex slave cages a few times as part of his follow-up when they’d completed the invasion and had begun the sweeps for the remaining humans still hiding. The cages were luxurious compared to the deplorable conditions of the enclosures. The males and females, old and young, were being kept together in a large wire pen that comprised the majority of the inside of the tent. Beds had not been provided, nor blankets or any other comforts. Animals that the Alasharians raised to be eaten had better accommodations.

  This has to change.

  He’d never once considered his race to be cruel. On the contrary, they’d always been the peaceful species, only ever fighting to protect their planet and loved ones. Yet something had shifted, something dark and frightening, a poison infecting their souls. If he and his mates didn’t fight back, Lasar feared that some unnamed evil would overtake what he’d assumed would become a bright, new future for him and his fellow Alasharians.

  After strolling around the wired cage several times, occasionally asking one of the guards to turn over an unconscious slave so he could get a better look, Lasar determined that he’d once again failed to find Chris’ mom and sisters.

  “Orshana Rah, show me the list of slaves that were taken from here.”

  Much to Lasar’s dismay, the Rah began swaying again. He sensed he wouldn’t like what the slave master was about to say.

  “Please forgive me, great Rahna. But advisors Roma and Sory told me all I needed was an amount of those that were taken and weren’t sex slaves. I have the capture locations, characteristics and ages of the four males. Then there were sixteen servant slaves removed, but there isn’t any other information on them.”

  Lasar growled. Even if Chris’ family wasn’t involved, the record-keeping was shoddy. It was true that they hadn’t kept beings as slaves until they’d invaded Earth, but they had held war prisoners. He’d never encountered such ineffectual management before.

  “Then I hope you have a perfect memory, because you’re going to make out a record for each one right now. You’ll describe them in detail and note which advisor took them, understand?”

  “But…” The Rah moved to-and-fro with more intensity. “I didn’t notice much difference between them. How soon do you need the report?”

  Lasar glared at him. “Right now. I suggest you get busy.”

  Lasar whirled around then marched outside, whipping his mask free from his belt in order to shield his eyes. After notifying his pilot that they’d be at least a parcel of time longer, he hiked up one of the dirt and rock slopes until he reached a crest near a group of the spiky trees he loved. In Chris’ vision of the home they’d all share one day, he’d mentioned the Alasharian rya trees. Perhaps Chris would enjoy some of these trees, as well? Lasar let his mind wander to happier thoughts. Living with his mates in a home they built together as three would bring him complete satisfaction.

  A high-pitched whistle sounded from the Rah, interrupting Lasar’s ponderings. It was the indicator that the slave master had completed his task. He hurried down the incline, anxious to see if there were any positive results. It was already much later in the day than he’d anticipated staying out, and as it was, he’d have to notify Nary that he wouldn’t be on time for their evening meal. He wasn’t typically as anxious to get home but he was still suffering the physical repercussions of the recent soul match. His body still craved rest and his mates.

  “You finished the report according to my specifications?”

  The Rah seemed much less nervous, and Lasar surmised that focusing on the task had calmed him. The unstructured way the advisors had handled the exchange had likely unsettled what was probably a very efficient Rah, and Lasar’s unexpected arrival and inquiry had probably pushed him over the edge.

  “Yes, Rahna, I have.” The Rah appeared inordinately pleased with himself as he presented his file chip to Lasar. He accepted it then touched the device to his communicator screen. The report instantly appeared on his device and he glanced it over. Lasar sucked in a sharp breath.

  One small, yellow-haired, mid-aged female with two female children given to Advisor Hallosh. Originally captured in mountains above human town of Palm Springs in western desert sector twelve.

  Chapter Four

  Nary counted slowly, holding each breath in for five beats before letting it out for the same amount of time. He focused on nothing else, only the counts, until even that faded away. Then he was nothing but spirit, free to travel anywhere in the universe, not bound to any physical plane.

  Lights pulsed and ebbed, capturing his attention as his spirit soared through space before the next burst of radiance would draw his gaze. The session filled him with calm the way it always did, but his existence had changed. Circumstances had become more unsure than he’d ever thought possible. Subterfuge lurked, and the fellow Alasharians he’d always trusted without question no longer seemed safe or moral.

  “Be the center.”

  Nary’s eyes filled with tears. They trailed down his cheeks as a surge of emotion coursed through him, yet he felt no sadness. Only love. Peace. An anchoring.

  “You are both.”

  Nary’s spirit rushed back into his physical self and his eyes flew open. That’s the answer. I must embrace my role as two parts, as both the one dominating and the one submitting. It’s up to me to keep the balance between the three of us.

  Chris moaned next to him, wavering as he sat cross-legged on the mats they used for meditation. He had been doing much better at stillness since the meeting with his cousin. Morgan still wouldn’t speak to Nary and had hidden when he’d entered the room to retrieve Chris, but his mate assured him that Morgan seemed much less angry about everything.

  Nary didn’t move or make a sound. Instead, he remained quiet as he observed Chris work on casting his spirit to the stars for the second time that day, or ever. When they’d returned from visiting Chris’ cousin, Nary had planned to begin their evening meal, but then Lasar had communicated to him that he’d be later than expected. Nary had used the opportunity Lasar’s lateness had given him to work on his physical body by performing his strengthening and form-building exercises.

  However, Chris had seemed restless. He hadn’t wanted to exercise with Nary, but hadn’t wanted to do anything else, either. Once Nary had spent a full parcel of time training his body, he sought out Chris in the main room. He’d found his mate pacing back and forth, so Nary had suggested he try seeking guidance from the stars again.

  “No!”

  Nary was jarre
d back to the present by Chris’ loud cry. Chris launched himself forward, flying off the mat as if attempting to either grab, or possibly, escape something. He landed with a thud on the thinly carpeted floor, breaking into sobs before rolling up into a fetal position and holding himself.

  “Chris!”

  Nary rushed to his side then gathered him in his arms, cradling him onto his lap. Chris was so hysterical that Nary couldn’t understand a word of what he was babbling.

  “Shh, Chris, my pet, please calm down.” Nary caressed him, kissing his head repeatedly. “I can’t help you if I don’t know what’s wrong.”

  Chris continued to shake, the hiccupping cries not stopping. Be the center.

  “Nasha, look at me now.” Nary grasped Chris’ shoulders and held him still so they faced each other. He’d never uttered such a forceful tone. “Use your counts and breaths. Keep your eyes on me, breathe.” Nary inhaled and exhaled exactly as he wanted Chris to do until he seemed coherent again. “That’s it, that’s my good pet.”

  Nary scooped up Chris into his arms, then carried him to the bathroom. Without consciously deciding to, he perched on the edge of the large tub that made bubbles and ran the water. It occurred to him that his new role as Chris’ Ahna was becoming more natural to him.

  Chris remained nestled on Nary’s lap, but he’d wrapped his arms around Nary’s neck, clinging to him the way he had earlier that morning. The bath had filled partway, so Nary carefully began lowering Chris into the soothing warmth of the water.

  “No! Oh God, Nary, it was so horrible, don’t let me go!”

  Chris’s pain was so gut-wrenchingly real to Nary that he climbed right into the water while still wearing his robe. He pulled Chris into the vee of his legs and wrapped his arms around Chris’ shoulders, cocooning him, encasing Chris’ body with his thighs. Nary held his mate secure, waiting for him to calm down enough to connect with Nary’s spirit.

  Several mini parcels of time passed as they remained still. He didn’t want to question Chris about what had happened until he was ready to speak. Nary merely held him while focusing all of his love on his small mate.

  Chris sighed mournfully. “You and Lasar, all of the Alasharians, you saved mine and Morgan’s lives. My mom and sisters too, at least at the time of the invasion. We’d all be dead otherwise. All of us.” Chris’ voice remained oddly calm.

  A ball of dread filled Nary’s gut. Chris had been given knowledge that Nary couldn’t sense the way he could with almost everything else his mate felt. Nary knew Chris was in pain, grasped the depth of it, but had no idea what the origin might be. And Chris’ words made no sense. The Alasharians had also killed members of Chris’ family, so how could Chris possibly believe the invasion had been good?

  Nary pressed a kiss to the side of Chris’ head. “Can you talk about it, pet? Or is it something the Healer or the stars meant only for you?”

  “I have to talk about it.” Chris inhaled a shuddering breath. “I can’t keep this inside. Can’t carry this alone and I can’t tell Morgan right now.” Chris twisted as much as he could in his tight embrace, so Nary loosened his hold a bit. “That’s what you guys meant, though, right? To give my worries to you?”

  “Yes, pet. That’s what we meant.” It would be Nary’s first experience as the keeper of fears in a soul match, but he’d already embraced his new dominant role and wouldn’t fail Chris.

  Chris settled against his chest, then wrapped his arms over Nary’s. “Good. Thank you. Then you should know that Earth was doomed already. It was set to suffer some cataclysmic event that wiped everyone out. I can’t see what it was exactly, maybe a meteor, maybe a war, I’m not sure. However, the invasion changed the outcome of that possible future. If you hadn’t come here, we would’ve been toast.” Chris grunted. “Literally.”

  Nary swallowed hard. He wasn’t sure what to make of Chris’ vision. “So, there are multiple destinies that can be set in motion, not just one?”

  “I guess?” Chris sighed. “Again, I just don’t know. This vision-destiny stuff is waaaay out of my realm.”

  “I would disagree, pet.” Nary planted more soft kisses on him, hoping they would continue to soothe his mate. “It would seem that being the conduit for what the future holds for both of our races is what you’re meant to do.” Nary squeezed him a little tighter. “And that’s fine. As we keep reminding you, and as the Healer said, Lasar and I are with you in this. You are not alone.”

  Chris squeezed him back. “Okay, you’re right. I need to suck it up.”

  Nary frowned, Chris’ statement confusing him. “You need to suck what up?”

  Chris muttered but his voice was too quiet to understand. “Sorry, I’ll come up with something else to use as a descriptor that isn’t the word ‘suck.’ What I’m saying is that I can’t keep melting down over what’s happening to me. It’s certainly not going to help me or anyone else. I just have to deal with it and push forward.”

  “You’re a very brave Nasha, and you make me so proud. And I’m sure Lasar feels the same way.”

  “Thanks.” Chris rested his head on one of Nary’s arms. “It was such a scary thing to see, and it was like I was right there as it was happening. The fire…” Chris choked out a sob. “But you saved us.”

  Nary wished that he’d been the one to see the vision instead of Chris. Not because he wished to know more than Chris, or that he wanted to be the one who had visions, but because he ached for his mate. Nary would take the agony of the images away from Chris if he could.

  “Can you tell how it was that the Alasharians changed things? Why the invasion kept it from happening?”

  “I’d be guessing, but maybe there was going to be a war between countries, but obviously the invasion would’ve put a stop to that. As far as anything else, just the fact that you guys traveled through space, were hanging out there for a while, waiting to invade… Who knows what you affected by doing that?”

  Nary pressed his lips together. “Very true. And had we not left our planet, the void would’ve wiped us out as well. No more humans, no more Alasharians.”

  “Wow. That’s intense.” Chris shivered in his embrace. “Instead, we’re bonding now as two races. I mean, at least the three of us are. But maybe there’ll be others too? Maybe this is the only way that what’s left of us can survive.”

  They sat in silence while Nary pondered Chris’ words and what it might mean for their future, if it related to anything else that was going on. Another thought occurred to Nary. “Were you shown anything else regarding what the void actually is?”

  “Nothing specific. Everything seemed to revolve around how humans and Alasharians have been changed because of the invasion. It was that same vibe I had when the Healer was here, as well as those couple of dreams I had about all of us together. That we’re doing the right thing, right here and now.” Chris tensed in Nary’s hold. “It’s like, so far everything we’ve done—meaning you, me and Lasar—has been spot-on, leading us on that correct path. So, you guys being a part of the invasion, you coming and getting me and Morgan, bringing us here, the three of us bonding, all of those actions were good and what we were supposed to do in order to follow our true destiny.”

  Chris let out a rush of breath, his voice animated as he continued. “Other stuff not involving us? I have no idea what everyone else is doing, what choices they’re making and whether or not they’re the correct ones. So, I can only surmise that the blackness, or void, is either preventing me from seeing, or causing whatever it is I can’t see. That’s the missing part of this puzzle right now.” Chris groaned. “I think. Maybe. Who the hell knows?”

  Nary was stunned by how in tune Chris was with his spirit when it was only his first day trying. “That’s a lot for you to have gleaned from that session. You have a powerful spirit, Chris. That’s why the Healer chose you.”

  Chris shook his head. “No. That’s why you guys, your spirits chose me. By ourselves, we’re cool and all, but the three of us together? All
of our souls combined? We totally kick ass.”

  Nary chuckled at the visual. He was beginning to understand the difference between when Chris meant to say something as it was, and when he was using one of the strange human expressions. “That was funny, pet.”

  Chris chuckled as well and Nary let out a relieved sigh. The awful vision might come back to haunt his mate later, but at least for the present, he’d been able to put it to the side.

  “Can we get out of the bath now, Sir? My skin is getting wrinkly.”

  “Yes, we should. Lasar will be back soon, and we should get the meal prepared.”

  Nary helped Chris from the tub, the sodden robe that clung to Nary’s limbs almost tripping him up a couple of times.

  Chris winced as a rush of water splashed on the floor from the soaked fabric. “Sorry.”

  “No, Chris.” Nary shook his head vehemently before struggling out of the garment in order to dry off. “You needed me and that’s why I’m here. Don’t ever apologize for that.”

  Chris gave him a smile. “Thank you, Sir. I think this is all beginning to fall into place for me. And…” Chris glanced down and took in a few deep breaths before raising his head again. “I can’t believe I’m about to say this, but thank you for invading Earth. Thank you for giving at least some of us a chance.”

  Nary fought his own tears. “Not nearly enough, I’m afraid. There were still so many senseless deaths.”

  Chris stepped forward and laid his palms on Nary’s chest. He tilted his head back as he gazed intently into Nary’s eyes. “And many who lived.”

  A hum sparked between them, but remained one of love and affection. Nary had absorbed so much of Chris’ worry—and he would gladly do it every time—but he needed his Ahna, too. Yes, I’m the center. I’m beginning to understand my place too.