by M. K. Eidem
They had fallen in love. Kim and Wray. Then Kim had gotten pregnant and that was when the Tornians started to search for Earth. Kim hadn't told them where it was because she hadn't known. Just like none of them would have been able to tell them how to get back to Earth.
No, it was Lisa's male, King Grim that had found Earth. He was responsible for them being there, but he would make it right for them she had said. If they would let him. Lisa was honest with them. She had told them how there was no way to stop the Joining Ceremony, that they all had to go through it, but that didn't mean they had to 'Join' with a male.
No one had understood and Lisa had run out of time to explain further, for the Guards had come to take them to the Joining Ceremony. Lisa had begged them to listen and to trust that Grim would protect them. They all found it hard to believe, but even Lisa's children, Carly and Miki, had told them they could trust Grim… because he loved them.
Abby didn't think any of them had been prepared for what happened next. The Assembly of Lords was intimidating enough with everyone sitting above them and twelve large warriors standing across from them, all watching them with hunger in their eyes.
No, that had been bad enough, but then King Grim had walked in and Abby had thought she would pass out. He was massive! The other males were big, but he had to be at least seven feet tall and his face... half of it was covered with massive scars. He looked beyond grim as his eyes had traveled to the group, he looked positively frightening as he gripped his sword, his eyes cold. None of them could believe that this was the male Lisa had Joined with. The one she wanted them to put their trust in.
Then Carly and Miki had broken away from the group and run directly for Grim. When Lisa had called out, Grim had immediately turned and seeing the girls he had dropped to his knees and wrapped them in the protection of his massive arms. All that fierceness had immediately softened into love as he kissed the top of each girl's head reassuring them. It was then that Abby had begun to believe things would work out and they had.
So much of the Ceremony was a blur to Abby. She had been so scared and she hadn’t understood what was going on. Rebecca had. Rebecca had been the first to leave the circle and while she had paused in front of Callen, she continued walking until she stood before King Grim and she requested his protection until she could find a male she found worthy, and Grim had agreed to protect her. He had agreed to accept and protect every female that asked.
That was what had brought Abby back to the floor of the Assembly today. She had been in the rooms assigned to King Grim’s House and heading for the gardens when she had heard his voice. Her mystery man. She had hidden behind a potted plant trying to catch a glimpse of him and what a glimpse she had gotten.
He was the most handsome male she had ever seen. Tall, easily six foot five with the long dark hair all Tornians had. However, his skin was different, most were strong colors, red, blue, green, yellow. He was more a pale rose, as if he was the perfect blend of two strong individuals.
She had wanted to make her presence known, to see if he would acknowledge her, but Grim had led him away before she found her courage. She decided then, that she would wait and see if he petitioned to come to Luda. If he did, then she would introduce herself.
Watching him be named a Lord earlier had filled her with great pride and crushed her at the same time. It let her know that she wasn’t the only one that thought he was an amazing male, a fit and worthy male. It also meant that he would not be coming to Luda anytime soon. He had been given the daunting task of turning around a House that had been ruled by a truly evil Lord. He wouldn’t have time for her and that was if he would even want her.
Lisa and Lady Isis, who Abby discovered was Ynyr’s mother, demanded to know what was wrong when they found her crying in the female’s garden, sitting next to ‘their’ hedge. After a great deal of prodding Abby had finally told them and it was Isis’ turn to cry. She was so happy that Abby had chosen one of her males.
When Abby had tried to argue that he wouldn’t want her Isis had quickly dissuaded her of that notion, telling Abby that her male offspring would want her.
So here she was, walking across the short distance to House Rigel, a distance that would change her life and prayed she wasn’t making a mistake.
Abby recognized the first male. He had been one of them standing across the room at the Joining Ceremony and while he was handsome, he wasn’t the male for her.
The next male was lighter in color than the first, but still so similar they could have been twins.
The third was much younger than the first two, maybe even younger than her twenty years. His body wasn't as developed as the others and his eyes while serious held a glint of amusement as if he found this all fun and exciting.
Then she was in front of Ynyr.
He was even more handsome up close than he had been from behind a plant. He, of all of them, was a blend of his parents who stood behind them. Massive like his manno so you never doubted his strength, but with a gentleness in his eyes that she knew came from his mother, assuring her he would never harm her.
There was no gentleness in those eyes right now. Right now they were totally focused on her and filled with questions... and with desire... but was it for her?
So much had happened to him this day. Would he be willing to accept her now that he could have any female he wanted?
She wanted to turn to Lisa, to ask her advice, but she knew she couldn’t. Ynyr was now a powerful Lord. If she was going to be his Lady then she must be able to stand, for him and for herself.
“Hello Ynyr. I’ve missed you." She whispered softly for his ears only and watched his eyes widen before they closed.
∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞
Ynyr closed his eyes. He couldn’t believe it. The Goddess had answered his prayers. This was his little female. The one he had dreamt about when he rested. The one that had captured his heart through a hedge. She was his little hunaja, the female he had desired at first sight. They were one and the same. They were Abby. His Abby.
“Abby." He whispered, letting her name cross his lips for the first time. “My Abby." He said, stronger this time and his eyes opened, blazing into hers, full of possession and desire.
“If you want me…” She said, unable to keep the doubt out of her voice but she didn’t look away.
Ynyr’s eyes narrowed at her. Why would she say such a thing? Of course, he wanted her. Every male would want her. She was beautiful. He saw she was waiting for his response and finding he was unable to speak he nodded instead.
Unable to turn away from him, Abby untied Grim's House cape and let it fall away, along with his protection. When it did, she saw the panic enter Ynyr’s eyes. Why?
“I…” Ynyr looked to his hands. He had no cape.
“Here." Isis said, stepped forward, removing her cape. “Use this until you have your own.”
"Thank you mother," Ynyr gave her a grateful smile, then moved to claim his Abby.
∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞
"Stop!" The order froze everyone and Abby spun around shocked that Lisa had stopped the ceremony.
"Lisa..." Ynyr saw Grim frown down at his Queen.
"I have several demands to make before I can allow this." Lisa stepped forward, her eyes never leaving Ynyr. "I believe you to be a worthy male Ynyr. If you weren't, the Emperor would not have chosen you as a Lord. Grim would not have been willing to remove his protection and Abby would not love you so." She began. "But you know nothing about dealing with an Earth female. I've been told we can be most 'irritating.'"
Ynyr didn’t understand the look the Queen gave Grim or Captain Alger’s cough as he tried not to laugh, but he didn’t really care. He just wanted his Abby.
"I realize your manno and mother have an unusual relationship, at least by Tornian standards,” Queen Lisa’s attention returned to him, “but you are still going to have questions. Questions that your manno is not going to be able to answer for he has no experience with Earth females. I ask th
at you contact either Wray or Grim when these questions arise."
Ynyr felt his eyes widened at the thought of contacting either of these males regarding this. What would they think of him?
"Misunderstandings will arise Ynyr," Lisa told him softly. "Misunderstandings that can cause great harm when none were intended. Part of protecting Abby will be to make sure that doesn't happen and the only way to do that is to speak to those who have been there. Isn't that how you became such a worthy warrior?” She asked, tilting her head questioningly. "You listened and learned from those who came before you then applied what you learned. This is no different."
"My Lisa is correct Lord Ynyr.” Grim placed a hand on Lisa’s back. “Much of what we have been taught, what we have assumed does not apply to these females. I would be honored to share what I have learned with you, for the benefit of your female, if you find you have a need."
"I too, Lord Ynyr would be honored to assist you." The Emperor informed him from his seat.
"Can you do this Ynyr?” Lisa questioned him. "To protect Abby."
"I can do this." Ynyr immediately replied.
Nodding Lisa looked to Abby. "Abby, you are going to have questions too. You will misunderstand things Ynyr does, for Tornian males are very different from ours. Which leads me to my final demand," Her eyes returned to Ynyr. "I wish to be allowed to communicate with Abby, for her to be allowed to communicate with me. You will find that we are very social creatures Ynyr and enjoy interacting with both males and females."
Abby was surprised when Ynyr frowned. Lisa spoke to males. Why couldn't she?
"It is our way Ynyr and something the two of you will have to work out, together. Abby will have questions that only another female will be able to answer for her. Problems only Kim and I will be able to help her with because we have both been in her position, have been alone in a strange new world. What we can't help her with your mother can for not only does she know you, she understands the Tornian way as Kim and I don't. Can you agree to this Ynyr?”
Ynyr looked from the Queen of Luda to his Abby. She was asking for his permission to make sure his Abby was happy, happy with him. She was trying to assist, not only Abby, but also him in making sure this Joining was permanent. Something he realized he greatly desired.
"Yes. I can agree to that." He told Lisa.
Nodding Lisa stepped back to Grim's side and Ynyr wrapped his cape around Abby. Pulling her close, he felt his universe shift.
Chapter Two
Abby was struggling to keep pace with Ynyr as he, his entire family and their guard escorted her out of the Assembly of Lords and to Lord Oryon’s personal chambers. Their stride nearly double hers and with the weight and length of his mother’s cape Abby was having a difficult time. In her attempt to keep up her foot caught the edge of the cape and it slipped out from under her. Feeling herself start to fall, she gave a startled cry.
Ynyr was immediately there, pulling her close as he steadied her.
“Are you alright?” He asked gruffly barely suppressing a groan as her soft curves pressed against him. Looking down, he realized her cheeks were flushed and her breathing was coming out in rapid pants. His only thought when leaving the Assembly was to get her somewhere safe as quickly as possible before someone thought to challenge him for her. So many changes were happening so quickly that he was not going to take any chances, not with her. He had not considered that their quick pace would be difficult for her, yet she had not complained.
“I’m fine. I just slipped.” She gave him a tentative smile. “Your mother is slightly taller than I am.” Easing away from him she fisted the excess material of the cape and lifted it so she wouldn’t trip on it again. “Ready when you are.”
Ynyr looked to his manno who nodded his understanding before he looked back down at Abby. “It’s not much farther,” he told her and keeping his arm around her guided her down the hallway at a much slower pace.
The slight smile of thanks that Abby gave him made Ynyr feel as if he were the most powerful male in all the known universes. All because of one small smile. Goddess what would he feel like if she gave him a full smile. What would he be willing to do to see it?
“No Oryon.” His mother’s voice had his gaze turning to see his manno had stopped in the first room of their chambers. “We will use the inner chamber.” Isis said and pushed the next set of doors open herself. “Come Abby,” Isis said, giving her an encouraging smile. “I am anxious to introduce you to my family. Aad open the Rigel wine so we can all celebrate this joyous occasion.” She ordered and Ynyr watched Abby take in Aad’s response. Aad looked to Oryon waiting for his nod before he did as his Lady had ordered.
His mother could barely contain her happiness that Abby had chosen one of her males, that she now had a ‘daughter’. An Earth word that he now knew.
∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞
Isis could barely contain her happiness that Abby had chosen one of her males, that she now had a ‘daughter’. An Earth word that Isis had come to love. Daughter was so much warmer than ‘female’.
As the glasses were filled Isis let her eyes travel over her family and thanked the Goddess for her many blessings. She waited until the guards had left, closing the door before speaking.
“Abby.” Isis smiled at the younger woman. “I don’t know that I have the words to express to you how happy I am to have you become a part of our family. All my life I wished for and dreaded having a female… daughter.” Isis’ eyes went to Oryon. “While many pray to the Goddess for a female I always prayed for males because I knew that if I gave Oryon the female he so desired that I would be forced to leave him.”
“Isis…” Oryon began moving closer to her but she cut him off.
“I have never been naïve Oryon.” Isis told him. “After all these years we have been together you think I have not been aware of what you have had to tolerate.” Her eyes traveled over her children, resting longer on Ynyr and Zev. “What all of you have to tolerate because of my choices.”
“Mother.” Ynyr took a step towards her, but she waved him off.
“My only regret is that because of those choices you,” she gestured to all her offspring, “might be seen as flawed by Tornian females and therefore not considered for Joinings. Abby has proven that false.” Isis gave her a wobbly smile. “Abby, you have seen my Ynyr for what he truly is without ever seeing him. The ultimate test of a female’s belief and trust in a male.” She looked to Oryon and saw understanding in his eyes. “I want to welcome you to our family and introduce you to my other males.”
Ynyr felt the slight tremor that ran through Abby’s small frame at her mother’s words with the hand that still rested at the small of her back but before he could speak, his mother continued.
“This is Zev, our youngest.” Isis said nodding to the male to her right. “He is but seventeen years, but thinks he is older. He is an irreverent young male that finds humor in the strangest of things.”
“Like my brother becoming a Lord when we all know he owes all his skills to me.” Zev said, laughing.
“Zev, you know that is an untruth.” Oryon told him, frowning at his youngest before looking to Abby, concerned that she might believe him.
“I can tell you are going to be trouble when you grow up aren’t you Zev.” Abby found she couldn’t help but smile at the young male. He reminded her a great deal of her younger brother. Davy had looked at things differently too, and had found humor where others had not. Some had found it irritating. Abby had found it enlightening.
“I hope so.” Zev told her giving her a full-blown smile that had Ynyr stiffening when Abby returned it.
“This is my second male, Vali.” Isis interrupted the tension that had started to grow between the two brothers. “He is my quiet, serious one, always watching and listening.”
“Hello Vali.” Abby spoke first.
“Lady Abby.” Vali replied, bowing slightly.
“And my first male, Ull.” Isis said, her eyes clouding sligh
tly at how stiffly Ull was holding himself. She knew that look in his eyes. It was the one he always had when he was trying to cover his hurt and disappointment.
“Hello.” Abby found she wanted to say more, but the intensity of Ull’s stare had her hesitating. His eyes were so dark and cold as they looked at her.
“How could you ‘see’ Ynyr without ‘seeing’ him?” Ull demanded.
Ynyr moved to step in front of Abby shielding her from his brother’s angry gaze. He had known Ull was hurt and upset at not being chosen during the Joining Ceremony but he had not expected him to direct his rage towards Abby.
“You will watch the way you speak to my Lady.” Ynyr growled at his brother.
“I demand she answer!” Ull growled back, taking a step towards Ynyr.
“You are in no position to demand anything from me, Warrior Ull.” Ynyr would not back down from his older brother. “I am no longer your younger brother that must adhere to his future Lord’s wishes. I am now a Lord and you will not question me.”
“You may be Lord, but if you somehow tampered with the Joining Ceremony to obtain a female then I will file charges.”
“Ull you will stand down!” Oryon ordered of his first male gripping his shoulder. “I am sure your brother has done no such thing and will explain what Isis meant.” Oryon turned hard eyes to his third male.
Just that morning, Ynyr would have cringed if his manno had turned that look on him, a look that demanded answers. However, now Ynyr was a Lord, no longer a third son that had to answer to manno and Lord. Yet he couldn’t bring himself to disrespect him either by not answering.
“As mother has said, I never saw Abby until the Joining Ceremony.”
“Yet she knew you. Recognized you. Chose you.” Ull spit out.
“Yes,” Ynyr agreed. “Because I had spoken to her. Never seen. Never touched.”
