The two boys’ looks of astonishment were now focused on her. They all started to splash her and each other. The tension was finally broken, and she swam to the shore to be with the younger children. Realizing everything was right again, Cloray took up his post and watched over the boys for any danger.
Several of the younger boys were having a fun time making structures out of the sand near the water. She helped make sand castles with the children for quite a while, until she heard the hum of a transport coming near. All the boys and Cloray came to her side. The younger boys gathered around her for comfort, while the older boys and Cloray were by her side to protect her.
She looked to Cloray. “What’s the matter?”
“You were the first visitors we’ve had in over five years. People do not deliberately come to places like this.”
“Could it be the royal family?”
“No. The royal crest would be on the bottom of the transport, but from the looks of it, whoever it is comes from credits, because it’s an expensive transport.”
The transport landed and three people, who she was unfortunately acquainted with, descended the platform. There, standing at the end of the landing with their noses turned up at them, were Lian and Lyon’s parents, Uri, Councilman Roweq, and Councilman Gav.
Cloray stepped forward in greeting, bowing to the threesome. “My name is Cloray and I am the head master of this facility. How may I be of service to you?”
Uri scoffed, “You could be of service by fetching my sons.”
“Who are your sons, mistress?”
Sloane waded through the boys, putting them behind her in protection. “They’re Lian and Lyon.”
Uri’s glare shot to her. “You!” she sneered. “This is your fault. My sons live in squalor because of you!”
Sloane knew she looked like crap. Jumping into the water with everything she owned on probably wasn’t the best decision. Her sun-dried hair was now frizzy and sticking out in places. Her clothes, hands, and face were marred with mud from playing in the dirt with the children. She’d dealt with people like Uri her entire life and knew it didn’t matter if she had on a beautiful gown or a paper sack, they’d find fault with her. So, she decided to soldier on, “I didn’t make them do anything. They’re full-grown men who make their own decisions. They obviously didn’t want you to know what they were doing, or they’d have told you before they left the palace.”
Cloray cleared his throat. “Arenians do not speak to females in such a manner.”
“Well, it’s a good thing I’m an Earthling, because she needs to know her place, which is not here.”
Just then, Lian and Lyon burst through the foliage in a dead run, stopping in front of Sloane, facing their parents.
Sloane looked around to see the boys’ eyes on her, apprehension evident in their faces. Even Coyak was clinging to her thigh like moss. For some reason, she caught Uri eyeing Coyak with a quick, sorrowful look on her face. It was there just as quickly as it left. Sloane ruffled Coyak’s hair and smiled at him before meekly speaking, “Cloray? Can you please take the children back to the house?”
When Cloray was about to gather the children, Councilman Roweq sneered, “Don’t move. You’ll all hear this.”
Coyak clung tighter to her thigh. She finally bit out, “Take the children, Cloray.”
“Sloane, with all due respect, he is a high councilman,” Cloray said in defeat.
Sloane saw the smile on Uri’s face at the slight toward her. Unable to stomach looking at the woman, Sloane directed her attention to Cloray. “It’s my understanding that Arenians adhere to a matriarchal society. Since I am the only female to live in this home, that would make me the matriarch of this facility.”
“Those aren’t your children,” Uri spat.
With cold eyes fixed on Uri, she spoke, “I never said they were, but I’m the closest thing they have to a mother and I’ll not allow you or anyone else to degrade them.” Sloane eyed Cloray. “Being matriarch, I expect you to take the children, please.”
This time, Cloray didn’t hesitate. He picked up Coyak and carried him as he gathered the children and headed down the trail toward the house.
When everyone had left, Lian and Lyon stepped toward her to check and see if she was all right. The action infuriated Uri. “Sons! I’m your mother and demand to know the meaning of this!”
Sloane could see the turmoil in their eyes. She could tell they wanted to be with her, and yet they had a duty to their family. She didn’t want to be the cause of a fight with their family. She smiled and slowly nodded to both men, letting them know she was fine.
They both smiled back at her, then turned to their parents. “Mother, Fathers, what are you doing here?”
Uri pressed her hand to her heart, feigning shock. “This is all you have to say for your actions? Not: ‘we’re sorry, Mother, we meant to tell you,’ or ‘we made a mistake and are headed back to the palace right now.’”
“Mother, we are not children. We made a decision and are happy with it. The orphans need strong male role models and we hope to help fulfill that need with Sloane by our side.”
Uri glared at her. “So, this had nothing to do with her?”
“Of course, it had something to do with her. She’s our ayah.”
Sloane didn’t know what to say to that, so she didn’t say anything. It apparently didn’t matter, because all eyes went to her as her scent said it all for her.
Uri started to laugh. “From her scent, your female doesn’t hold you in the same regards. Have your fun with this Earthling, then when you’re done with her, I demand you stop this foolishness and return to the palace where you belong.”
Sloane watched the men’s stance straighten even further as they said in unison, “No.”
Uri stepped back like her sons had slapped her. Both councilmen grabbed each of her arms to steady her. “This job is beneath you. What’s your intended going to think? We didn’t go through the expense of putting you through the best schools for you to live in a place like this.”
Lyon spoke up, “We’re glad you see the deficiencies these males are faced with. We, as Arenians, have pushed these children to the side like garbage and it’s gone on way too long. It took a kind Earth female, like Princess Jessie, to point out our mistakes as a society. It took another Earth female with a heart as big as the sun to feel outrage for these children and choose to live like this to correct it. Lian and I are in talks with Princess Jessie and Prince Looch and Leigh to correct these inequalities as soon as possible. We’ll see this through, Mother.”
Tears freely fell down Uri’s face. She looked to Sloane and whispered to her husbands, “Take me home.” With that, the councilmen helped Uri back up the platform to the transport. When the doors shut, the transport immediately took off, leaving herself, Lian, and Lyon in silence.
Chapter 12
They all watched the last vestiges of the transport fade into the horizon. Sloane noticed that Lian and Lyon still had their backs to her. Now, they weren’t in their usual tall, proud stances, but slightly hunched in defeat. Although she didn’t actually do anything, she knew she hurt them. She just didn’t know what to do to make it up to them. She took a step toward the men in supplication. “I . . .”
She was immediately silenced by Lyon’s hand shooting up to stop her. Still not looking at her, Lian sighed, “We better get back to the orphanage.”
She was confused; she thought they’d want to talk about it or try to reason with her at the very least. “Aren’t we going to—”
“Don’t,” Lyon shouted.
Her breath hitched at Lyon’s salted declaration. She looked to Lian as she noticed he was now facing her, but still not making eye contact. Lian waved his hand toward the path leading back to the orphanage, his expression grim. She opened her mouth to plead with Lian and shut it again as he just shook his head from side to side. She didn’t know what else to do except start up the path toward the facility.
Their
walk was in silence. She could only hear the footfalls of the men and her own breath as she walked. She needed to calm her mind and emotions before she reached the children, so she started running up the path. She ran as fast as her feet would carry her, because she knew if her thighs burned and chest heaved from exertion, she wouldn’t be thinking about the heartache she’d caused Lian and Lyon. She could hear the men running behind her, giving her space and yet staying close enough to protect her.
When she finally cleared the path to the small play field behind the orphanage, she noticed Cloray holding Coyak, waiting for her return. Coyak wiggled and squirmed to be let down. When Cloray complied, Coyak ran to her with open arms. She smiled as she ran toward him. When she reached him, she picked him up and swung him around in a circle.
“Again, fara, again!” Coyak squealed.
She did just that. Round and round in a circle she hurled Coyak and herself, until she was too dizzy. She playfully collapsed on the ground with Coyak. He chuckled, but then crinkled his nose and a serious expression crossed his face. “You smell funny, fara.”
She looked up at him. “What do I smell like?”
“I don’t know. Are you sad?”
Sighing, she answered, “it’s complicated.”
“So is your scent. I can’t seem to pinpoint it.”
“I’m fine, Coyak. Don’t concern yourself with it. Did you have a good time today?”
“I did until the mean lady came.”
Sloane stroked his hair. “She’s not mean. She’s just trying to protect her children.”
“Lian and Lyon? But they’re grown!”
She smiled and nodded. “You see, that’s what parents should do for their children, no matter how old they are. They protect them with every ounce of their being.”
Coyak’s big blue eyes bore into her, then he turned shy. “Sloane?”
“Yes, Coyak?”
“Can you be my parent?”
She tried to blink back the tears as she answered him, but failed miserably. “Sweetie, I would love to be your parent, but I’m not sure if I’m allowed. A female here at the orphanage is a new thing for the Arenian people. No matter if I’m your parent or not, I’ll love and protect you with everything I am. Can you understand and accept that for now?”
With his slow nod, she could tell he wanted a better answer, but she didn’t want to promise him something she couldn’t deliver. He’d been disappointed too many times before. Cloray stepped into the sunlight, casting a shadow over the two of them. “Come, little one. You have chores to do.”
“All right,” Coyak whined.
Cloray shuffled Coyak toward the door but turned back to her. “Are you all right?”
“Yes, Cloray. Thank you for asking. Go ahead, I’m sure you have better things to do.”
Cloray chuckled, “It’s true I have many duties to attend to, but I cannot in good conscience leave you alone.”
“I’m not alone; Lian and Lyon are right over . . .” She looked around for the pair, only to find that she and Cloray were alone. “I guess I was mistaken,” she whispered.
Cloray extended his hand to help her up. She took it, and with his help, she rose to her feet. “May I be direct?”
“Of course, Cloray. I value your opinion.”
Cloray sighed. “Give them time. You’ve wounded their male pride. When there’s a true bond as there is between Uri, Roweq, and Gav, their loyalty and protection extends to their children. For Lian and Lyon to go against their mother’s wishes is unheard of. They risked a lot by stating their intentions with you. With all due respect, when you denied your bond, it was a huge insult to them.”
“Believe me when I say that I feel bad enough over the whole ordeal, but I didn’t deny anything.” Collecting her thoughts, she asked, “What’s a true bond?”
“A true bond is when a male has found his ayah. The mark is replicated naturally on the female, because she’s open and willing to accept her males. When a male or female hasn’t found their mate, their elders may broker a deal for procreation purposes. Their marks are then artificially replicated onto the female. Although there’s nothing wrong with such an arrangement, their bond is not as strong as it could be. Because of this, some females never connect well with their offspring as they would have if they’d found their true bond mates.” Sighing, Cloray looked at the orphanage with anguish in his eyes. “This is why we have so many orphans.”
Appalled, she screeched, “So, you’re saying that if Lian and Lyon bond with the female Uri picked for them, they could possibly send their children here because she doesn’t have a connection with her child?”
Frowning, Cloray continued trying to placate her. “In their specific case, most likely, no. Uri, Roweq, and Gav would never let something like that happen. They wouldn’t want their bloodlines tainted with a grandson in an orphanage, but yes, it’s always a possibility with brokered bondings.”
Sloane was trying to digest everything Cloray just told her. “You make it sound like a business transaction.”
“In most cases, it is. I suspect that is what type of arrangement has been made for Lian and Lyon. Alliances are forged, or credits are exchanged,” Cloray said with a shrug.
Just then, Moloky came out from the back door. “The afternoon meal will be ready soon, Cloray.”
Sloane pasted on a fake smile as Cloray waved his hand for her to go into the house. When inside, the boys bombarded her, talking, showing her things they’d made, and genuinely wanting to know about her home planet. She was so engrossed in her time with the children, she hadn’t noticed Lian and Lyon weren’t present. It wasn’t until they all sat down to their meal that she noticed the two empty seats they’d sat in earlier. She looked at Cloray for some type of confirmation they were still here. He locked eyes with her and gave her a soft smile before nodding slightly. She smiled back in thanks.
Later that night, she was in her room, reflecting on the day’s events. She didn’t see hide nor hair of the two men since their less-than-savory encounter by the water. She thought for sure that when she opened her door to her room, they’d be there, but the only things that adorned the room were their belongings. Her chest was hollow with their absence. It was something she hadn’t felt in a very long time.
She got ready for bed, tucked herself in, and started reading the last book in one of those long, almost never-ending fantasy series, which had over a hundred books.
When she first was diagnosed with ovarian cancer, it was a huge shock. At the time, she was only twenty-two years old. She thought she had more time to settle down with a husband, have kids, the whole nine yards, but it wasn’t in the cards for her.
She had to fight for everything else she wanted in life, so why wouldn’t her health be any different? Two days after her life changing news, she was on an operating table having her ovaries removed along with her uterus. Her doctor was fairly aggressive with her treatment to give her the best fighting chance. She started chemo not even two weeks after that.
At her first treatment, she brought the first book in the series and continued to read the novels throughout all the ups and downs of her fight with cancer. The books were almost a mind game she made up to keep fighting. Whenever she got bad news, her hair fell out for the first time, or she couldn’t keep any food down because of her treatments, she read. Not only were the books a needed distraction from her reality, but for some reason, she had it in her mind that if the series never ended, then maybe her life wouldn’t either.
She was an only child from a wealthy family in Seattle. Brad and Karen Sullivan were horrible people, let alone parents. She always called them by their first names, because Mom and Dad would imply some type of bond with the two people. When she was about to go into surgery to have basically her entire reproductive area removed at twenty-two years old, she called Karen. Karen seemed like she couldn’t care less and just asked her what she wanted her to do about it.
Sloane knew she shouldn’t have been surpris
ed with Karen’s uncaring demeanor, but for once, she needed someone in her life who cared whether she lived or died. She chuckled. She now had two caring men who thought the world of her and she’d crapped all over it.
Chapter 13
The next two weeks went on without any incidents. Lian and Lyon came to bed as usual. They didn’t try to engage her in conversation. They answered her with mono syllable words. During the day the men kept away from the activities she was helping with, in favor of fixing things around the orphanage.
Today, though, was the day everyone—including the queen and kings—were coming to check on their progress. Sloane had the younger children make pictures and crafts for the royal family. The teenagers made small masterpieces out of wood, canvas, or food.
Sloane would, of course, encourage the boys, but she was so impressed with the skills of the children. They seemed to excel at everything they did. She could tell Moloky was proud of the food he’d made for the royal family, as he should be. She knew Lian and Lyon had counselled Moloky on the queen and kings’ preferred meals.
Moloky tried to show his skill by making an array of appetizer-type foods. Of course, he couldn’t do it without the help of the other boys, but he was always grateful for their help.
Sloane turned to Cloray and smiled as she heard the hum of the transport drawing near. “Sounds like they’re here.”
Cloray nodded, not as excited as her. She knew his defiance in not training the children could land him in hot water with the queen and kings. What Sloane hadn’t known at first was that it was their right to sentence him to death for his disobedience. She didn’t think the queen and kings would go to such an extreme, but it was always a possibility.
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