by M. A. Church
“Long live King Consort Neo!” Keyno bellowed.
The answering roar, just as loud as it was for Hamza, brought a smile to his face.
When it died down, Hamza spoke. “This may not be part of the formal ceremony, but I’m going to do it anyway. Neo, I once told you that you saved me from myself.”
Neo blinked. Then he grinned. “I remember. I said that I will always save you. You’re my life.”
“As you are mine. So again I will ask you, in front of those gathered—will you walk this path with me as my equal?”
A sudden silence descended in the hall.
Neo rapidly blinked back tears. “Yes, my king, in front of our people I say that I will walk this path with you as an equal. I love you.”
“And I love you.”
This time the roar shook the hall.
Rising, Hamza offered his hand once more. The witnesses filed out except for Doc, John, and Jolak. Everyone else was escorted to the royal ballroom, where a meal would be served shortly.
Together, they left the stage, Doc, John, and Jolak following. Once outside, they were greeted again with the royal guards who lined both sides of the path. But this time, each knelt, a fist resting against their chest.
Once inside the palace, servants cheered as they moved past. Even from the back of the palace they could hear the crowds cheering from outside. Two palace guards held the massive doors to the front of the palace open. When they stepped outside, Doc, John, and Jolak remained behind them.
Neo and Hamza stopped at the first step. When the ecstatic celebration didn’t show any signs of dying down, Hamza finally lifted his hand, and the happy cries tapered off.
“My people, it is profoundly comforting to be assured of your sympathy during this time of sorrow. King Duran was beloved, of that I have no doubt. The grief of his loss is shared among us all. Be it known that even though my heart is heavy, I shall work, as my dabba did throughout his reign, to uphold Tah’Narian law and to advance the happiness and prosperity of you, my people.”
More cheers broke out.
“King Duran was murdered in a senseless attack upon our world. We lost our king. I lost my dabba. My atat lost his mate. My people were injured. Many were killed. I feel your grief. Your anger. Your sadness.”
Mutters ran through the crowd.
“But I stand before you now with a promise. The leadership that sought to harm us will pay. My vengeance will rain down on only those who orchestrated this, though. Being known for the deaths of innocent Ne Reynian males is not the king I want to be. They were not responsible, and they will not know my wrath. But the females of the Ne Reyn who brought this war to me will suffer greatly. That I promise. They know not what they have unleashed.”
The cheers of ‘long live King Hamza’ were deafening.
The carefully crafted speech that highlighted who was responsible, and who was not, touched Neo deeply. His pride in Hamza left him shaking… because it could have been so very different.
Hamza slammed his fist into his chest, then extended it. Throwing back his head, he roared. The massive crowd roared back. Yes, this was the Hamza he knew. From the ashes of his grief, Hamza had risen to be a king worthy of his name.
AS SOON as Hamza’s speech was finished, the public was allowed into the Great Hall for King Duran’s laying in state. He and Hamza went straight to the Grand Ballroom to attend the formal meal. The white and silver theme still ran true. Numerous tables draped in white cloth with a silver overlay were situated throughout. Massive white and silver flower arrangements stood in the middle of each.
Seated at the tables were the same guests as had been present at the crowning. A longer table shaped like a ‘U’ was arranged for their royal visitors and themselves.
Keyno and Dale, along with their young and their youngs’ mates, were seated at the royal table. All of Hamza and Neo’s other close family and friends were also there. Hamza and Neo sat with John, Doc, and Jolak at the head of the table.
They wined and dined their guests, and Neo tiptoed through the convoluted minefield called conversations with the visiting royalty. Jolak had taught him, and taught him well. Still, a headache threatened by the end of the meal, which took hours. But on the whole, he thought his first foray as king consort went very well.
The visiting royalty retired to their suites, and Hamza and Neo invited their family and friends to their quarters for a brief nightcap. While Dale used the reduplicator to serve champagne, Hamza and Neo ducked into their bedroom.
The very first thing Hamza did was remove his formal crown and place it on the dresser. “Gods am I glad to get that thing off.” He scratched vigorously at his scalp.
“It is rather….” Neo frowned at it.
“Heavy. It’s damn heavy. I’d much rather have something like yours. It’s much sexier.”
Neo touched his crown. “I almost forgot it was there.”
“See! That’s what I’m talking about.” He gestured toward his. “Trust me, there’s no forgetting that’s on your head.”
“Well, I won’t be wearing mine if you aren’t wearing yours.” Neo slipped his off. “I wonder when we’ll get the everyday ones.”
“Atat told me we have to design the circlets ourselves. They’re supposed to be personalized to fit our tastes. That’s why atat’s has a lavender gem in it.”
“Well, that and it matches his hair and eyes.”
“That too. It is his favorite color. Dabba’s was a lot like atat’s but had a clear Tah’Narian crystal instead.”
“So when do we do that?”
“I’ll ask. Probably tomorrow. I think there are books we can look at too.” Hamza started to pull his ceremonial tunic off, but Neo laid his hand on Hamza’s arm and shook his head.
“No?” Hamza asked.
“No. Later tonight, when I’m making love to you, I want to feel your legs wrapped around me, in those thigh-high boots, squeezing.”
Hamza cleared his throat. “Now that’s a pretty picture.”
“I thought so. Come on, let’s get back in there before they start on the champagne without us.”
“Good idea.” Hamza pushed Neo toward the door. “Otherwise we won’t be joining them at all, not with that picture you just put in my head.”
Laughing, Neo allowed Hamza to herd him back to the living area. Everyone was sitting around, chatting quietly, a glass in their hand. But it was the two flutes sitting on the living room table that caught his attention.
“Oh, those are lovely!” Neo hurried over, picked one up, and held it out to Hamza. He took the remaining one for himself.
“My gift to you both,” Jolak said, standing. Everyone else stood also. “They’re handmade flutes crafted with a quirky design. I saw them in a shop window several unit months ago and had planned to give them to you for your upcoming mating anniversary. I decided to give them to you now instead.”
Neo admired the tapered waist that descended into a pleasingly statuesque and weighty base. A playful swirl of Tah’Narian crystals seemed to ascend upward on the stem. Filled with champagne, the effect was beautiful. “Thank you. These are simply gorgeous.”
And very, very expensive. Good grief, he’d forgotten their anniversary, but no way was he going to admit to that. Hamza would harass him endlessly if he knew. It had been ten years since they mated. It was hard to believe that they were both only twenty-eight in human years.
“Thank you too, atat. You didn’t have to do that, although I have to admit we have nothing that compares to these. They’re wonderfully unique. I like them.”
“I know you like things that are out of the ordinary. If you want more, I can give you the name of the shop.”
“Please. I’d like to add to what we have.”
“I will. Now….” Jolak lifted his glass. “A toast, my young. Always remember to forget the things that made you sad. But never forget to remember the things that made you glad. Always remember to forget the friends that proved untrue. But neve
r forget to remember those that have stuck by you. Always remember to forget the troubles that pass by. But never forget to remember the blessings that come each unit day. Long live the king!”
“Long live the king!” everyone yelled, taking a drink.
“May the saddest day of your future be no worse than the happiest day of your past,” John said. “Long live the king!”
“Long live the king!” everyone yelled, taking another drink.
“There are old ships. New ships. There are metal ships, ships that sail the sea of space. But the best ships are friendships, and may they always be,” Keyno added. “Long live the king!”
“Long live the king!” everyone yelled, taking a drink.
John hiccupped. He frowned into his glass. “Hmm.”
“You can always tell the starship captains, can’t you?” Chad leaned against Gibor, whispering loudly to him.
Dale laughed.
“Long live the king!” Kia exclaimed, taking a drink.
“Oh, no,” Dale tittered “That really wasn’t a…. Oh, to hell with it. Bottoms up guys.”
Everyone took a drink.
“May you have the hindsight to know where you’ve been, the foresight to know where you are going, and the insight to know when you need to ask for help,” Doc said. “And by that, I mean ask Neo. He’s known to have the more level head of you two. Long live the king!”
“Long live the king!” everyone yelled, taking a drink.
Hamza snorted. “Some of the time he has the more level head. Some of the time,” he stressed.
“My turn!” Dale exclaimed excitedly. “I would rather be here, with the people in this room, than with the best people in the world! Long live the king!”
“Long live the king!” everyone yelled, taking a drink.
“The best are in this room!” Chad slurred. “I’m here, after all.”
Everyone laughed.
Jolak was busy trying to scratch his nose. He ended up with his circlet crooked.
“Long live the king!” Kia shouted again. “Take a drink!”
“Oh good lord.” Raiden shared a grin with Dayo, Szin, Takeo, and Laken. “They’re drunk.”
“Me too,” Dayo agreed.
“I’m not as think as you drunk I am,” Chad proclaimed. “They drunk. All we are. Are we all. Shit.”
Szin took another drink.
Takeo made sure he had a good hold on Szin.
“May misfortune follow you the rest of your life, but never catch up,” Ti said. “Long live the king!”
“Yah, papi, that’s deep.”
“Bruising for a cruising, aren’t you?” Dale frowned. “Wait.”
“Always.” Cielo winked at Dale. “More hooch!”
“More hooch!” everyone yelled, taking a drink.
Szin slapped his hands over his ears. “Nope, nope, nope. Not listening to you talk about your sex life. Takeo! Do something with your dad!”
“To toasts!” John snickered as he drained his glass. “Long live the king, and holy shit, what is in this stuff?”
“Long live the king!” everyone yelled, taking a drink.
“I….” Dale giggled. “Kinda spiked the pagnecham, I man the champagne… I mean the champagne.”
“A toast to those who wish me well, and all the rest can go to hell. Long live me!” Hamza laughed hysterically.
“Long live me!” everyone yelled, taking yet another drink.
“Holy fuck, w-what the hell did he stuff this put in?” Neo peered into his glass—his very empty glass. “I appear to be out. I need more. More bubbly stuff!” Neo bellowed.
“Here, here!” Dale sang out.
“Hear, hear who?” Laken asked.
“Huh?” Dale asked, gazing at Laken. “Stop moving around, man.”
“No, Who’s on first!” Chad shouted.
“What?” Laken asked.
“What’s on second!” Chad fell against Gibor, snickering uncontrollably.
“I’m confused. And I’m not moving,” Laken pointed out. “Is this some sort of Earth slang?”
Dale took another drink then sneezed. “Yay for bubbles!”
“Bubbles? Who’s bubbles?” Laken rubbed his nose. “Why is my nose numb? Hey! Numb nose, numb nose!”
“Is that the same as numb nuts?” Raiden mused.
“You’d know,” Szin hooted.
“Who’s on fist! I mean first. Aw jeez!” Chad wheezed, holding his sides.
TI STOOD, and he made his way to the door. Hysterical laughter sounded behind him as he opened it. One of the royal guards stepped forward. “Can I be of service, Captain Ti?”
“Triple the security around this area. And could you comm the Royal Nursery and inform them that neither Dayo nor Szin will be stopping by to pick up their young tonight? They will be by at some point in the morning. Hopefully.”
“Is everything okay in there?”
More hysterical laughter floated out the door.
“They are fine. Just a little drunk.”
The royal guard hiked an eyebrow.
“Okay, so more than a little. Dale spiked the liquid they’re drinking. I think he called it champagne. But for whatever reason, I am not affected. I’m going to assume it’s because I don’t have Tah’Narian DNA, unlike everybody else in the room. Who knows?”
“It’s not Who Knows! It’s Don’t Know,” Chad called out. “He’s on third.”
“As I was saying, they are not going anywhere tonight, so increase the guards.”
The royal guard smirked. “I will. And good luck in there.”
“Thank you.” Ti sighed heavily. “I believe I am going to need it.”
Chapter Nineteen – Hamza
HAMZA GROANED. Loudly. “Holy shit, my head.” Why was there a pillow over his face? He knocked if off. Sunlight seared his eyes, and he scrambled for the pillow again.
“Stop yelling,” Neo snarled.
“Jesus fuck,” Dale gasped. “Both of you shut the hell up.”
Someone giggled. Then moaned.
“I’m not yelling,” Hamza whispered. “You’re yelling.” The smell of something cooking drifted in from the kitchen. His belly rumbled forbiddingly.
“Hangover cures are ready. I suggest everyone use them. It is already in glasses and ready to go. I would hurry if I were you,” Ti spoke from the kitchen.
“The fuck?” Dale snapped. “Why isn’t he flat on his ass like the rest of us?”
“Very little can take down an Onfre warrior,” Ti called from the kitchen. “Point in case.”
Cielo snickered.
“Ohhh, I think my head is broken,” Chad swore.
Hamza sat up, ever so slowly. Speaking of heads, a drum beat inside his. Someone moaned again, and he tried to focus on where the sound came from. That was when he noticed the living area was an absolute disaster. There were bodies draped across the couches, curled up on the floor, slung over various chairs, and yeah, even laid out on the coffee table.
“Holy shit,” he muttered.
“I’m never drinking again,” Dayo swore. “Fuck, and I’ve gotta swing by the Royal Nursery and pick up Ajax. Thank the gods Ti thought to take care of that last night.”
Raiden rubbed his forehead. “Guess he could tell we weren’t in any condition. None of us were.”
“Yeah, I need to get Alton too, and no, I wasn’t in any condition to do much of anything,” Szin whined. “It’s been a while since I drank like that.”
“Having a young does kind of cut down on such things,” Takeo said. “But to be fair, I think it was more of what Dale added to the champagne than the champagne itself.”
Everyone, in unison, turned to glare at Dale.
“Hold on now. It was just an additive,” Dale complained. “It was supposed to enhance the effect, maybe add to the alcoholic content just a little. A little bit. It wasn’t supposed to do what it did. Holy crap, that packed a punch.”
“This additive, was it something that could be adde
d to Earth alcohol?” Keyno asked.
“I specifically asked that. I’ve been living on Tah’Nar long enough to ask stuff like that, you evil alien. Trust me, I’m going to have a word with that salesclerk. That stuff did more than add a little kick.” Dale’s grin was suddenly evil. “Wait until they find out it put the king on his ass. Bet they’ll shit themselves.”
“Oh my gods, no!” Hamza pointed at Dale. The very idea horrified him. “That does not leave this room!”
“Aw.” Dale poked his bottom lip out. “But it could be fun.”
“No. No, no, no. I have an image to maintain, and that isn’t it.”
“Stop yelling,” Neo snarled again. “And don’t tell me that wasn’t a yell that time!”
“It was a yell,” Kia huffed. “If he does it again, I’m going to sic his atat on him.”
“I may be too busy in the bathroom,” Jolak whimpered.
“They’re going to have to do some more research into adding that sort of additive to Earth-type alcohol because that could have been dangerous,” Dale said.
Laken’s bells chimed as he sat up, and everyone cringed. “Sorry, guys.”
“I suggest we try Ti’s hangover cure. What do we have to lose?” Gibor asked.
Cielo snickered. “Yah, remember you said that.”
One by one they trooped into the kitchen where glasses full of green liquid awaited them.
Dale held a glass tentatively, studying the content. “Oh my God. What the hell is that? Do I even want to know what’s in it? No, no, I’m pretty sure I don’t. I’m not sure I can drink this.”
Keyno grabbed the glass, tipped it up, and chugged it.
“Showoff,” Dale complained, picking up the next full one.
Raiden and Takeo, not to be outdone, chugged theirs. They promptly turned as green as the liquid.
Dale laughed, even if he did have to hold his head.
“It does have an unfortunate taste,” Keyno mentioned. He patted his chest, then burped. “And so does that.”
“Gross.” Dale sniffed his. “Aaaand it smells as bad as it looks.”
Cielo downed his and wiped his mouth across the back of his hand. “Tastes like ass.”
Szin almost snorted his drink. “Jeez, give a guy some warning, will you?”
