The Ithaden’s Slave

by Daniella Wright

  Turns out, the guards did neither. As if Sid and Kate weren’t even there, they ran toward the windows and positioned themselves in a way that they could defend the room from the Xerrks if it came to it. The route to the throne was completely open to Sid and Kate. The colors around them now swirled like crazy, making it difficult to see clearly. Suddenly, Sid stopped running.

  “My King Father, my Second Sun,” he said, loudly enough for the king to hear him over the clamor of the battle. “Thank you for taking care of our nation in my stead. I have returned to resume my duties as the lawful ruler of the Ithaden Empire, until my son comes of age. I present to you, Johnassan of Ithaden and Earth. The Third Sun.” Gently, Sid unstrapped the baby from Kate’s sling and lifted him up for the king to behold.

  The color swirls became so intense that swallowed reality itself.

  Kate blinked. It was very hard to reconcile her inner self-image with her current reflection in the mirror.

  She remembered that, when she was a little girl, her dad used to call her princess. She liked it, mostly because it was coming from him, but she never had that whole “I wanna be a princess when I grow up” other girls her age had, playing with tiaras and tulle dresses.

  “Well, life once again proves stranger than any fiction” she muttered to herself. Because although her dress was made from Ith and not tulle, there was no mistaking that tiara.

  It took some convincing to get Kate to wear the traditional Ithaden royal wedding garb. A hybrid between dress and armor, its impossibly long trail was only outmatched by the impossibly pointy spears that emerged from its shoulder-pads. It looked like the Ithaden throne had gotten up and started walking. Thankfully, Xuff and Theth (who ever since they helped Kate giving birth seemed to be close once again) worked their magic.

  This version of the dress was much more toned down. The spears had all been removed, save one that was weaved together with her hair in an impressive up-do. They had to keep the long trail as it symbolized the long reign of the Ithaden, but they shortened the front so that Kate could actually walk in it and not trip on her way to the temple. The temple…

  Soon, Kate would walk out of the bridal preparation room and slowly march in front of all the Ithaden royal court, toward the ceremonial temple where Sid, her soon-to-be husband, was waiting for her.

  Even now, she had to pinch herself. Going from abduction victim to science experiment and government property, to valuable team member of a spaceship… to giving birth to a future Emperor and ruling an alien nation. And the fact that most people didn’t remember all that, made it even more strange.

  When Sid accepted his destiny as the Ithaden ruler and presented his son as his heir, the Quantum Reset went fully in effect. Not a moment too soon, as Xuff and the others back on the ship were getting hit hard by the Xerrks. But as soon as the Quantum Reset happened, time started rearranging itself — and people’s memories along with it. Sid, Kate and the rest of the team on the ship were now the only beings in the whole universe who knew how close they’d gotten to total annihilation…

  In this reality, there was never any prophecy for a Third Sun, or secret experiments on humans to ensure his birth took place. The Earth was never destroyed and humanity flourished in space — there were in fact several human settlers on Ithaden, some of them now part of the royal court. They were beyond thrilled to have a human queen on the throne.

  Some things never changed of course, even in this reality. Young prince Sid had still refused to marry a young Xuff and left the Royal Palace to work at the Time Agency. He’d still convinced Xuff to join him, assembled the same team and went on important missions through space and time. And in one of those missions, on planet Earth in the year 2018, he accidentally bumped into Kate. Kate, who was very successful at her firm but also very lonely. They fell in love and, after much thought, Kate made to follow him on his home planet.

  Sid’s parents actually opposed the romance at first, being sceptical about having a non-Ithaden daughter in law. But when she managed to successfully get pregnant, they saw a great political opportunity to unite two races. Their wedding, a highly publicised affair with millions of guests, was scheduled for thirty-three days after Kate gave birth.

  That day was today.

  “Are you having second thoughts, friend? I could always find Sidanav another bride…” Xuff joked, seeing how Kate seemed lost in thought.

  “Never, friend” Kate turned around and walked toward Xuff and Theth, her best friends in the whole damn world. Part of her wished the Ithaden ceremony involved the human custom of throwing the bridal bouquet at the end, because she had half a mind of throwing it to both of them.

  For now, Kate took her friends’ hands. With a big breath, she let them lead her out of the room and to her wedding ceremony.

  “I do,” Sid whispered in Kate’s ear.

  He’d said it many times during that night, their wedding night. He was only trying to honor the human custom, after Kate had shown him videos of Earthen weddings. She didn’t explain he only had to say it once because frankly, she couldn’t get enough of hearing him say it.

  “I do,” the Ithaden king said again, his lips now grazing his wife’s neck.

  Kate stretched contently on the bed, her eyes slowly getting accustomed to the morning sun. Their room had high walls and ceilings (in case one of its inhabitants ever accidentally turned into a dragon, Kate suspected), with huge windows that allowed the light of the Ithaden sun wash every corner of the place. Everything was perfect. Well, almost.

  “When can we get the baby back?” she asked, hugging him.

  “Soon, Ith-rassil,” he promised.

  Kate wasn’t really worried about their son. She just missed him. Sid held little John throughout their wedding ceremony, as it was the Ithaden tradition and, when it was time for the after-wedding festivities, Xuff and Theth volunteered to babysit.

  “To give the royal couple privacy on their wedding night,” Theth had said with a graceful bow, followed by a slightly irreverent wink.

  Kate and Sid had definitely made the most of that privacy. Many, many times that night. But now she felt all loved up and was ready to hold her son in her arms again. To have her whole family together…

  “Something the matter, my wife?” Sid asked, concerned about the sudden change in Kate’s expression.

  “Sid, do you think the Earth is safe? From the Xerrks, from all of it? Is it over? Or will they try again?” Kate asked after a pause.

  “No, they wouldn’t. Right now they don’t even know they have a reason to, anyway. Once our son becomes the Emperor and gains power, it is inevitable that the Xerrks and other races like them will rise up against him… But although I can’t promise you his whole life will be conflict free, I can definitely promise you the Earth cannot be targeted again. I’ve assembled a special task force at the Time Agency that will be making sure of that.” Sid frowned, realizing there was still something more troubling her.

  “Tell me what’s really on your mind. You know there’s nothing I wouldn’t do for you, Ith-rassil,” he said running his fingers through her hair.

  “Sid would you consider… wearing your illusion shield and have dinner with me? At my parent’s place in 2019? I want to go back to the day I left them that note and show up for dinner. I don’t want them to worry.”

  A sigh of relief escaped the Ithaden king’s lips.

  “That’s all? I thought it was something serious… Ith-rassil, of course! I have no idea what we’ll tell them and how we’ll explain this whole mess or if we even should… but I should be honoured to meet your parents. Tonight? If Xuff and Theth don’t mind babysitting again?”

  Kate nodded, happily.

  She was wrong all along, she realized. It wasn’t about Europa, or that cabin in the woods. It wasn’t about the street smells of New York, their private room at the ship or the Ithaden palace. She could have many homes, in many planets, in many historical periods. As long as Sid was with her and they co
uld watch their son grow safe and happy, the whole Universe was home.

  More By Dany

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  Get It Here

  "There are private auctions, held by the wealthy elite of this city.

  It may be your only option for a better life for you and your daughter.

  But I have to ask, are you still able to bear children?"

  The chills run through my spine.

  But what other option do I have?

  A single mom.

  A convicted, abusive ex-husband.

  A world that is crumbling.

  What else can I ask for?

  I will keep my daughter safe, no matter the cost.

  "OK", I said.

  "Sign me in."

  Four days later, a letter shows up in my mailbox:

  "Dear Mrs. Robson,

  It is my pleasure to inform you that you have been purchased by Mr. George Armitage, Esq.

  Mr. Armitage is a pillar of the Chicago community, and is the CEO of Armitage pharmaceuticals.

  They are an extremely wealthy household, and I am sure you will settle in very nicely there.

  As for what services you will be providing, Mr. Armitage is looking for..."

  But I couldn't read anymore.

  Oh Lord...

  What did I get myself into!?

  Four Daddies’ Secret Twins

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  Now I'm pregnant and don't know who the father is.

  It was all an accident.

  When my own father found out, he locked me up to give birth in a bunker...

  No prince charming is coming to my rescue.

  Or princes, in this case --they are royal, after all.

  But none of that matters right now...

  Does it?

  It's been so long I'm not even sure they remember my name.

  Or the night we spent together.

  And who would have thought...

  I am carrying not one, but two of the only heirs they'll ever have...

  What would they do if they ever found out?

  Copyright

  © Copyright 2019 by Daniella Wright - All rights reserved.

  In no way is it legal to reproduce, duplicate, or transmit any part of this document in either electronic means or in printed format. Recording of this publication is strictly prohibited and any storage of this document is not allowed unless with written permission from the publisher. All rights reserved.

  Respective authors own all copyrights not held by the publisher.