by Viola Grace
“Then, one day, a guardian of Rai brings a woman here. A Terran. She is from the same world that the Admaryn people tried to destroy centuries earlier. But, the Terrans draw in the Rai, as they drew in the Admaryn. The women are beautiful, and the men are handsome. So, the Lord of Rai agreed to hide the Terran from those who wanted to use her power for stealing, and in doing so, he fell in love. She fell in love, and they started the next generation.”
Daku looked down at his wife and smiled.
“Then, one day, the Rai were asked if they would take in another. This woman could see the power in the grasses and grains, worth in the most basic servant. She could also see the power and the heart of those who wielded it. She walked on Rai and found those who wanted to touch the stars. She looked into the eyes of strangers and helped them to heal themselves. She was a busy lady until she ran into the lord who was home from his travels and weary in his soul.
“He made her laugh, she made him laugh, and they decided that they were a good match. He helped her, she helped him, and when they were done helping, they found that they liked each other a lot. So, they got married and had you, which is the best order to do things in, by the way.”
Daku watched as Kyna pushed herself upright, pawing her hair back. “I wondered how it happened.” She chuckled. “Did the yokai really invite the Admaryn?”
Ageka nodded. “That is where we get the ears. The yokai and the early settlers had the golden skin.”
She smiled. “That makes sense. Terra has a vast assortment of pigmentation and configuration.” She looked at her son, and Lady Ageka brought him over.
“I am very happy that he looks like Daku but also delighted that he seems to have my eyes.”
Daku held her and propped her up. “He has your nose, my mouth.”
She looked. “My ears.” She chuckled. “I am guessing that the changes were more than skin deep.”
“I am delighted that we are both represented.”
Lady Ageka left the book and slipped out of their room.
Daku kissed her, sending his shadow to seek out the hot spots. She healed slowly. It had been a harrowing delivery, and he was not in a hurry to have it repeated. They would discuss subduing her body for another three years when she was feeling better.
The baby was eating, so he held them both until Dakyl was done and burped. Daku found the tiny warm body strange to handle, but he was happy he had gotten a briefing on the first few weeks from Akutan. Being nervous about dropping the little one wasn’t an issue. Being worried that the child was too tiny was.
Kyna got to her feet and walked to the door to the main walkway. She slid the door open and listened to the rain.
She turned back toward him and beckoned with her hand. Daku got up with their baby in his arms and went with his wife to watch the rain.
Little moon fox was treated to his first summer storm.
Author’s Note
Whew. If I had had my way, the story would have ended in chapter ten. Well, lengthwise. So, this is the second reset, and that leaves three in the set. The occupations are a living archive for those who refuse to write things down, a guardian dispatcher in the busiest star system in the imperium, and the Terran ambassador to the Nyal Imperium.
Where were these job options when I was trying to find a day job?
Thanks for reading,
Viola Grace
About the Author
Viola Grace (aka Zenina Masters) is a Canadian sci-fi/paranormal romance writer with ambitions to keep writing for the rest of her life. She specializes in short stories because the thrill of discovery, of all those firsts, is what keeps her writing.
An artist who enjoys a story that catches you up, whirls you around, and sets you down with a smile on your face is all she endeavours to be. She prefers to leave the drama to those who are better suited to it, she always goes for the cheap laugh.
In real life, she now is engaged in beekeeping, and her adventures can be found on the YouTube channel, Mystery Bees Apiary. Just look for the cartoon kittens.
