by Ava Ryant
“Ambassador.” He said in a low voice and it took her a minute to realize he was speaking to her. She was also an Ambassador. Right.
“Admiral. When do you think we might launch a rescue for my sister.” She gritted out as politely as she could. He stared silently at her, face blank and serious.
“There is a difficulty, I’m afraid. I received this directive from the Laren Conclave...right before we located you.” He said in a slightly suspicious tone and held out a data pad to Ambassador Lyric. The Ambassador took it with a frown and she didn’t have a good feeling about this.
“This is an arrest warrant!” Ambassador Lyric said with shock.
“For whom?” Ryhs asked in surprise.
“For you.” He growled out, reading the pad.
“This charges you with conspiring with a foreign agent and committing treason.”
“What!” Ryhs grabbed the pad from his father.
“This demands that the fleet take me into custody and escort me back to Sarienne for questioning, along with witnesses and...my supposed mate/accomplice.” He said in an astonished voice, looking up at Alexa.
“This will not stand.” Ambassador Lyric said in a deadly voice, his face growing hard and for once Alexa understood why this male was the long-standing Ambassador for his people. Underneath his jovial demeanour and graciousness he had a certain ruthlessness about him. She could see his determination and fury and didn’t envy the persons he would come up against.
“What about my sister?” Alexa asked determinedly. The Admiral looked back at her and said in a musical voice filled with serenity sending shivers down her spine, what a voice!
“I can’t ignore the order to take La’Ronne Ryhs into custody but the Conclave has no authority over you or your delegation no matter what the order dictates. You are the Ambassador for your people and have diplomatic status with the Coalition.” He paused and continued after a slight hesitation,
“I have four battlecruisers here, I can take you and your delegation to search for your sister while Ryhs and Ambassador Lyric return to Sarienne.” He finished with aplomb.
Alexa froze. Ryhs came over to her and drew her to the other side of the room, away from the others. He could feel her panic and repudiation of this suggestion.
“Don’t.” She said in a tight voice. Alexa knew what he was going to say and it was not an option.
“We should consider it.” He said in a low, concerned voice. His hand at the base of her neck, stroking over her skin in soft, gentle circles. It was doing little to ease her.
“You can’t want to…” She started to say.
“Of course not!” He interrupted her.
“We’ll go find Anabel then we’ll go to Sarienne and face these charges.” Alexa bit out determinedly. Ryhs just stared at her silently, his face grave. She growled at him in anger. No. NO! This could not be happening. They stood like that for several minutes as Alexa felt like she was being torn in two. She couldn’t...couldn’t be separated from Ryhs. Couldn’t be worlds apart from him. She would not survive it. Just the thought drove shards of glass into her. But...Anabel...her sister. It felt like she had to choose...and god-save-her but Alexa couldn’t...couldn’t...she choked back a heartbreaking sob. Turning her head towards the wall so the others couldn’t see her breakdown. Ryhs closed in on her back, offering her comfort and solace but it barely helped.
“Do you trust this Admiral?” Alexa whispered.
“Yes. I served under him when I was in the fleet. He is also apart of my Ainm.” Alexa’s mind stuttered for moment - wait - Ryhs had been in the fleet? And the Admiral had been his commanding officer? But more importantly he was a part of Ryhs and the Ambassador’s family clan. She could feel Ryhs’s trust and respect for the Admiral and that decided it for her. She looked into Ryhs’s mesmerizing eyes and nodded. Alexa took his hand into hers and went back to the group. Stiff-backed and stony-faced. She saw her team and nodded to Ryker and Justine, waving them forward. They stepped towards her, both were grim.
“Admiral…” Alexa took a deep breath before continuing.
“I will be accompanying my Mate back to Sarienne to face these...absurd charges. You will take two of my delegation to search for my sister in my stead.” She gritted out forcefully. Alexa saw the Admiral’s lips lift for a bare second at her demand before returning to his stoic expression as he nodded his assent.
“It will be as you order Ambassador.” He turned away from her to his people, giving them orders and Ryker and Justine came to her. Ryker giving her a concerned look.
“Don’t worry, we’ll find the little imp.” He teased and she choked back a sob. He pulled her into a tight hug and whispered in her ear.
“She’s my sister too. I will get her back.”
“Stay safe.” She whispered back, praying that he would.
Chapter 20
“Not again.” She said looking at a bio-pod, this time on one of the Laren battlecruisers. There was a definite difference in comforts on the battle cruiser verse the Ambassadors vessel, the cruiser was designed for war and it showed in function and design. It was easily ten-times the size of the Ambassadors ship and it’s crew was strictly military. As evidenced by the Laren all wearing that neck-to-toe black armor, same at the Admiral.
“It is the only way.” Ryhs winced as she glared at him.
“What about them?” Alexa ranted and waved to the armored Laren in the room.
“This is a battlecruiser! Surely they can’t be in bio-pods when they travel!”
The Laren were giving her astonished looks, staring at her circumspectly but not interfering in their conversation, i. e. fight.
“They are wearing nanite armor. When we go to warp the suit covers them completely and minimizes the danger. They are trained to withstand the physical and psychedelic effects.”
“Why can’t we wear the armor too?” She demanded. Ryhs fought a grin at her tantrum and she scowled at him. This was not the time to be amused.
“Nanite armor is individually grafted with liquid synth-Ayllianite, a kind of synthetic metal engineered with nanites, and a control-implant is inserted into the brain. They don’t have the facilities or resources to graft nanite armor for us.” He said in a calm voice and she wanted to stomp her foot like a toddler and scream. Why her? The very last thing Alexa wanted was to get into another of those bio-pods.
Ryhs came up to her and she growled at him as he tried to soothe her. She didn’t want to be soothed, damnit. She wanted to rant and rave. All this stress and worry was getting to her, she usually was pretty calm and collected. Alexa was at the end of her rope and the last thing she wanted was to spend weeks in a bio-pod, especially since that meant she wouldn’t know what happened to Anabel.
The other battlecruisers had already left with Ryker and Justine. It had taken everything she had not to go with them. Not to carry Ryhs on the departing battlecruiser and say fuck-you to the Laren Conclave. She was willing to bet she could’ve taken on the fleet soldiers who tried to stop her. Bad thoughts, Alexa! She wanted the Human/Laren Alliance to succeed and that would have been a very bad way to start things off. Ryhs and the Ambassador assured her that the Admiral was a formidable and trustworthy male, that once he set his goal, nothing would stop him. His goal was now rescuing Anabel. She took another deep breath, trying to calm herself.
“I know. I know you hate this. I can feel how much you hate this. I’m not wild about the idea either but there is no other alternative.” Ryhs said with a grimace. She closed her eyes in defeat and nodded. There was no point to throwing a tantrum, nothing would change.
She redressed in the gray wetsuit and climbed into the green jello silently, going through the whole process once again. Ryhs attached her mask and said in a soft voice.
“When you awaken we will be at Sarienne.” Sure they would. She’d believe that when she saw it. Alexa took a breath in and...unconsciousness descended.
Alexa stared through the view screen as they descended i
nto the atmosphere towards the vast turquoise colored ocean below. It was breathtaking. Apparently, the docking station for all battlecruisers were located at a military hub in the ocean. Alexa watched in fascination as she saw the exquisite planet come closer and closer. It was full of brilliantly colored plant-life and pearl-colored stone buildings in an ancient greco-roman style expertly interwoven together. They dipped into the sea and headed towards a massive underwater structure where they docked. Ryhs came up beside her, a hand at her back.
“The Laren Conclave has contacted us, we are to be transported to the Parliament for interview.” He bit out angrily. Alexa nodded numbly. They had awoken three days ago as they came up to the planet after exiting the nearest gate. The Laren had security protocols in place that wouldn’t allow any vessel to approach an faster than what felt-like a snail's pace. She had asked immediately about Anabel but...there was no word. No communications from the Admiral in all that time. Two weeks had passed while they were in stasis and all she could think about was what was happening to Anabel. Was she still alive? Even asking herself that question sent painful grief through her. Her Tk beating at her control.
“Will we be separated?” Alexa asked in a monotone voice and Ryhs grimaced.
“Yes, but my La’Ro will be with you the entire time. He has contacted our Ainm for assistance, several of them are Advocates, they will be with me during questioning.” He assured her but...she wasn’t assured. At all. She couldn’t lose him too. Fear choked her as she gazed unseeingly out the window.
“Do not worry, my Spark. Everything will be fine.” He soothed her, rubbing her back up and down.
“Don’t patronize me. This is serious.” She gritted out as anger sparked inside her.
“I am not. I do not want you to worry unnecessarily. You are already at your threshold with concern for Anabel. The charges are unlawful and will be dismissed.” He said forcefully and she leaned into him, her anger fleeing. He was right, she was at her threshold and was taking it out on him. Her head fit into the nook at the base of his neck and he wound his arms around her.
“It pains me that you suffer. I would give anything to stop it. I swear once this is over, if there is still no word from the Admiral we will go search ourselves.” He promised, hugging her tightly.
The ride into the Laren Parliament was lovely. Despite her tension, she couldn’t help but notice the sheer aesthetic beauty of the capital city, Rouien. The buildings were all made of a pearly white stone that had a slight sheen to it and intricate markings. The architecture was similar to ancient Greece but the Laren raised their city to a living work of art. Everywhere she saw ornate carvings, delicate statuaries and colorful plant-life expertly intertwined into the city landscape. It was almost like stepping back in time.
Once they reached the large Parliamentary building, a huge domed structure, guards descended on them, weapons drawn and pointed. Ryhs immediately tucked her behind him, blocking her from view. Alexa snorted in disapproval. Afterall, she was quite able to take care of herself, but Ryhs wasn’t having it. He tightened his hold on her and pushed her firmly against his back. She sighed and didn’t fight his hold. It was kindof a nice gesture - protective - even if it was completely unnecessary. Alexa couldn’t really criticize him, she would do the same if their positions were reversed. Hell, she would have already crushed those guards into flat pancakes.
“What is the meaning of this?” He demanded but the guards didn’t speak. No, they dragged him forward and placed thick metal cuffs on his wrist. Now that made her mad. If not for the Ambassador grabbing her and shaking his head, she didn’t know what she would have done to them. Probably tossed them a mile away with great relish or even pancake time. Her Tk was straining her hold but she grimly held onto it. They then reached for her and a part of her was eager to see them try but Ambassador Lyric stepped forward, directly in front of her. What was with these Laren males? His graceful movement belied his mood because his face...his face was the image of deadly fury. It was a bit frightening to tell the truth. It reaffirmed her theory that he was not just a amiable, courteous fellow. Thankfully, he was on their side.
“Do not touch her. This is Ambassador Alexa of Earth. She is under my protection and a guest of the Laren.” He said in a fierce voice that made the guards pause. Alexa saw them look at one another as if unsure what to do before obviously deciding to back away. Good decision, because she had no intention of being placed in handcuffs. However, they didn’t release Ryhs and Alexa felt her Tk tearing against her hold to lash out. She didn’t like seeing him in cuffs and being escorted like a criminal.
She walked silently next to the Ambassador as they entered into a large oval-shaped amphitheater. Raised about ten feet at one end was a court-style bench with twelve Laren behind it, they must be the Conclave members. As Alexa looked around she saw the auditorium filled with Laren and they were all staring down at them, whispering and watching, some were even pointing at her. Great, they were the entertainment of the day. The guards pulled Ryhs towards the center of the room onto a raised dais. Two unknown Laren came up next to him and gave Ryhs a nod. She felt Ryhs’s relief and she realize these must be the Advocates from his Ainm.
“La’Ronne Ryhs of the Erielle Ainm, you have been charged with counts of treason and conspiracy.” One of the Laren male conclave members barked out immediately.
“Principal Devin these charges are highly unusual, as is this public forum. The guardsmen have not even conducted any questioning to La’Ronne Ryhs regarding these absurd charges and yet here we are...at a full-court Conclave session.” The Laren female next to Ryhs said in a sarcastic tone which cause a tittering in the crowd.
“We have Ambassador Lyric’s own report as well as Healer Simin’s medical exam to support these charges.” Principal Devin said in a hateful voice. Alexa felt Ambassador Lyric stiffen next to her as she glanced to her left. He was glaring at the male and she felt there must be bad blood between them.
“You mean these reports.” The female said waving around a data pad.
“There is nothing treasonous about these reports. They simply confirm that La’Ronne Ryhs experienced the Mating Spark with a human female, the current Ambassador of Earth.” She said to the absolute stunned silence of the audience. Then there was fervent whispering that grew louder and louder until one of the Conclave members stood and called for silence.
“Silence! Silence!” This was a different member, a female this time.
“La’Rianne Caraline, would you please transfer those reports to the rest of the Conclave. Some of us were not aware of their existence and have not had the chance to review them. We were only told that there was a matter of great urgency and importance to discuss.” She said looking over at the male Conclave member to her right, Principal Devin, with disdain.
La’Rianne Caraline gave the female a smug look and did something on her datapad. Alexa watched as the other members of the Laren Conclave picked up a pad and looked over the reports as Principal Devin scowled and fumed.
“Ambassador Lyric this report states your son has Mated with a Human. Is that correct?” The female Conclave member asked, her gaze fixed on Alexa. Alexa smirked and pushed up her sleeves to her elbows and crossed her arms over her chest. Her glittering silver and azure wrists on display to the room. She heard gasps and whispers again but the female raised her hand and silence abounded in the crowd. Ambassador Lyric stepped forward and spoke, his voice ringing out.
“Principal Loridanna as you can see for yourself, both my son and Ambassador Alexa bare the Mating marks typical of Mates.” The Ambassador said gesturing to her and Ryhs, who was now wearing a small smirk.
“Lies! Lies! Laren do not mate with other species!” Principal Devin roared out, standing up and pointing at the Ambassador who stood stone still.
“I can assure this Conclave that my son and Ambassador Alexa share a true Mating Bond, typical of all previous Laren Matings.” Ambassador Lyric gritted out in a dangerous voice. There wa
s a moment of nervous silence in the amphitheater before quiet whispering again. Alexa got the feeling that her new father-in-law was...well...a major badass. She held back a giggle at the thought. Ryhs gave her an amused look from the dais and she realized he must have felt her internal laughter. She gave him a smirk and bit her lip. His swirling gaze of quartz and ebony heated and a shard of...desire shot through her. It wasn’t hers. He liked it when she bit her lip, good to know.
“He only wants to get his Alliance approved! This is a false mating. Humans are an inferior species! It is an insult to suggest that any Laren could mate with them!” Principal Devan spat out, drawing her attention again. He had resumed his seat and was scowling at her with obvious menace. She was starting to get pissed off with this guy. How dare he say her mating with Ryhs was false!
