by I. T. Lucas
“Yes, ma’am.”
“After breakfast, I will take you to see Steven, our doctor. I want him to examine you before the induction.”
“That’s unnecessary.” David got out of bed. “I had a physical done about four months ago, and I’m in perfect health.”
Sari pulled her slacks on. “Nevertheless, I want Steven to give you a checkup. Can you do that for me? It’s for my own peace of mind.”
“If you put it that way, then I have no choice but to say yes.”
56
Sari
“I like what you have done with the assembly hall.” Kian climbed the stairs to the stage.
Sari followed him and turned on the overhead projectors. “I figured the place needed updating for the ceremony. I didn’t want to look at the recording and cringe because the fabric on the chairs was faded or torn.”
The castle was old, and the assembly hall was part of the original structure. It had been updated several times since, but after Kian and half of the clan had moved to America, there hadn’t been much use for it, and it had gotten neglected.
But as soon as Kian and Kalugal had agreed to hold the signing ceremony in the castle, Sari had decided to spruce up the assembly hall. The seats had gotten new padding and upholstery, the walls had gotten a fresh coat of paint, and the old light bulbs had been replaced with LEDs.
The entire clan and all of Kalugal’s men would witness the signing of the accord. Her arm of the clan would have the privilege of being there in person, while the others would gather at their respective assembly halls and watch the live broadcast on big screens. Kalugal didn’t have a dedicated hall, so his men were going to use a classroom that was big enough to accommodate all of them.
Mounted on rolling racks, three large screens were going to show the people assembled in the other centers. Those in the village, those in Annani’s sanctuary, and those in Kalugal’s house.
Kian pulled one of the heavy chairs out and sat down. “I think that Amanda and Alena should sign the document as well.”
Leaning against the massive table, Sari crossed her arms over her chest. “I considered that, and I don’t think it’s wise. They don’t hold any official posts, and having them sign the documents only because they are Annani’s daughters might cause resentment. As it is, there are murmurs about us not being elected leaders, and that the clan is not really a democracy but a monarchy of sorts.”
Kian snorted. “If anyone is willing to take over my job, they are welcome to it.”
“Really?” Sari arched a brow. “And what would you do?”
“Take my wife on a proper vacation, relax, read a good book.”
“And after that?”
“More of the same.”
She laughed. “You’d be bored out of your mind.”
“I know. I wish I could find a comfortable middle ground, but I’m too driven for that, and I’m also a control freak who is not good at delegating.” He smiled up at her. “You are much better at that.”
“That’s because I don’t have your huge ego. I know that I can’t do everything better than everyone else, and I choose good people as my assistants.”
“I have Shai, members of the council, and Turner. They are all talented people who I trust to do a good job, but they can’t take over for me in most things.”
“What about Syssi?”
“She works with Amanda and often helps me with her wise insights and observations, but we can’t work together.”
“Why?”
He smiled sheepishly. “We tried, but it was too distracting. I barely managed to get anything done, and Syssi feared that she might inadvertently cause the clan’s business empire to collapse.”
“That bad, eh?”
“Or good. It depends on how you look at it. We were a new couple, and we couldn’t keep our hands off each other.”
If Sari had harbored hopes that she and David could work alongside each other, Kian’s story dispelled them.
Besides, at the end of his sabbatical, David would probably want to go back to his teaching position at Stanford, and that would be a major problem. She couldn’t leave Scotland and come live with him, and there were no fine universities in her area for him to teach in.
Would he be okay with becoming a full-time author?
“I think that David and I could manage to keep our hands off each other during workdays, but I don’t think he will want to be my second-in-command. He’s a smart guy, but running a community and several business enterprises is not his cup of tea.”
“I see that you’ve taken my advice.”
Sari lifted a brow. “I don’t remember you giving me any. Could you refresh my memory?”
“I told you that I knew Syssi was the one for me from the first moment I saw her, but I wasn’t ready to admit it because I’m a rational guy, and I didn’t believe in insta-love. So, I looked for flaws that would prove me wrong, or conversely attributes that would justify the way I felt.”
“That’s not advice, that’s your personal experience, and my relationship with David is not the same as yours and Syssi’s.”
“So how come you are already planning for him to join you at the helm?”
“I’m assuming the win. If I believe strongly that he is my fated one, chances are that he will transition successfully, and I will get my happily ever after.”
Kian waved a hand in dismissal. “Tomayto, tomahto.”
57
David
David stayed in bed long after Sari had left to make last-minute arrangements in preparation for the accord signing ceremony. They had been supposed to have breakfast together, but he’d been too tired to get up, and she’d let him sleep.
Her bed was heavenly comfortable, the linens were hotel quality, and he was still tired and languid after their morning lovemaking. In fact, he was severely sleep-deprived, but David didn’t mind in the least. He was perfectly fine with sacrificing shuteye on the altar of his goddess.
Except, her butler was due with his luggage, and staying in bed while the guy put his things away in her closet would be disrespectful.
He’d already sampled her shower, and not just for washing, so he only had to put on the change of clothes he’d brought with him.
Hopefully, Sari had a laundry machine and a dryer tucked somewhere in her apartment, so he could put in a load while waiting for her to return and take him to see the doctor. Maybe he would even get a chapter or two done as well.
Her apartment was much more luxurious and modernized than his tower room, but it wasn’t ostentatious. Given what she’d told him about the clan-owned enterprises, she could afford to live like a queen, but she’d chosen to live modestly.
The living room was spacious enough to accommodate small gatherings, the bedroom was average-sized, and her closet contained a modest selection of conservative clothes. There were a couple of evening gowns hanging in the back, and he wondered whether she was going to wear one of them for the ceremony.
Hopefully, it wasn’t going to be a formal event because all he had was a sports jacket and matching slacks. Now that Sari had decided to treat him as her official partner, he couldn’t embarrass her by showing up dressed inappropriately for clan functions.
Shaking his head, David walked out of the closet and headed to the living room. She had a small kitchenette, just a stretch of counter with a sink, a fridge, and a coffeemaker, but it was enough.
She’d even brewed a fresh pot for him before leaving.
He poured himself a cup and took it to the couch.
Only two days had passed since his arrival, not even that, and his entire world had been turned upside down. He’d found out he could be a carrier of godly genes, and he was falling in love with a demigoddess who wanted him as her mate.
Life was stranger than fiction and, in his case, better than anything he could have imagined.
He was falling in love, or had he already fallen?
Two days were not long enough for love, bu
t Sari had inspired him with her speech about assuming the win and not letting fear lead him astray.
Why fight something that was so unbelievably wonderful?
Caution was just a euphemism for fear. He’d been hurt before, and to protect his heart, he’d basically closed it off. Sari had managed to break down his barriers, not because she was perfect, but because she was not.
Seeing her vulnerabilities, her insecurities, even her jealousy made her seem more human to him, and it called to his protective side. If she were perfect, she wouldn’t need him for anything other than sex, and in the long run, that wouldn’t have been enough no matter how great it was.
When the butler opened the door and entered with his luggage, David rushed to relieve him of his burden, but the guy stopped him with an indignant expression on his face.
“Allow me to do my job, master.” He took the suitcase to the walk-in closet.
David followed. “Are there laundry facilities hidden somewhere in the apartment? I couldn’t find any.”
“No, master. If you need things laundered, I will take care of that for you.”
“That’s okay. Just point me in the direction of the communal laundry. Do I need coins to operate the machines?”
The butler huffed. “That would not do, master. I shall do your laundry, iron it, and bring it back to you in pristine condition.”
Apparently, the guy thought that David was questioning his laundering skills.
“I’m sure you would do a much better job than I can, but I don’t want to burden you. I’m just a guest.”
The butler glanced through the open door at the bedroom, then back at David. “It is no burden, master. I shall make the bed now.” He marched into the bedroom and got busy.
He still hadn’t asked Sari why the butler and his clones who served Annani looked older than the other immortals.
Perhaps he could use the new phone she’d given him to call her? Nah, she was probably busy. But he could send her a text, and she could answer at her convenience.
Back on the couch, he opened his briefcase and pulled out the device. Finding her number was easy. It was at the top of the favorites list with her gorgeous face right next to it.
David typed. Are you busy?
She called right away. “Hi, I’m afraid that I won’t be able to take you to see Steven. Miranda is on her way, and she’ll escort you. I hope that you don’t mind.”
She sounded rushed and stressed.
“I don’t need Miranda to take me. I’m sure that I can find the clinic myself.”
“It’s next to the dining hall. Do you know how to get there?”
“I do.”
“Wonderful. I’ll tell Miranda to head back to the office and call you as soon as I’m done.”
58
Kalugal
Kalugal pulled a tie from the drawer and held it next to the suit he was going to wear for the accord ceremony. “What do you think about this one?”
Jacki shook her head. “Too loud.”
He pulled one more. “How about this one?”
“Nope.”
So far, she’d dismissed every tie he’d shown her, and he was down to the last one. “Okay, I hope that one does it.” He pulled out a solid red one that was his least favorite from the modest selection he’d brought with him. “If you don’t like this one either, I will have to borrow a tie from Rufsur, and I doubt you are going to like any of his.”
“That will do.” Jacki plopped down on the bed. “I thought that immortals didn’t suffer from jet lag.” She groaned. “I can’t keep my eyes open, and I’m getting a headache from trying to stay awake.”
It was the middle of the night in California, and he was feeling a little sluggish himself, but it was nothing a strong cup of coffee couldn’t fix.
“Perhaps you should take a nap. The ceremony is in two hours, so you can catch a little shuteye.”
“I can’t. I need to get dressed. Callie is waiting for me to do my hair, and Amanda wants to do my makeup. It’s like the wedding all over again.”
She didn’t sound enthusiastic.
“Was it so bad?”
“No, of course not. I loved having all of them fussing over me. But the accord signing is about you, not me. I don’t know why they are putting so much effort into making me look pretty. It’s not like I’m going to be on the stage signing the parchment.”
Was that what was bothering her?
Kalugal sat on the bed and took Jacki’s hand in his. “What’s the matter, my Jacqueline? Do you want to join me on stage? Because that can be arranged. We can ask Syssi to join us as well.”
“As what? The pen bearers?”
“That is a lovely idea. You can hand me the pen to sign the document.”
“It was a joke. Besides, it’s not fair to Sari, who doesn’t have a mate. Not yet anyway.”
“I’m sure David would love to be Sari’s pen bearer. And as for Annani, perhaps Alena can carry the royal seal for her.”
Jacki put a hand over her forehead to shield her eyes from the overhead light. “Does she have one?”
“I don’t know. But if she doesn’t, she should have one made. How else is she going to put her seal of approval on the document?”
“Good point. But since the event is going to be witnessed by every clan member and all of your men, a seal is not necessary. Maybe it’s a good idea to have witnesses up on the stage though. Syssi and I can sign a separate document stating that we saw you, Kian, and Sari sign the accord.”
“I think that Alena and Amanda should participate in the signing ceremony as well.”
“Why would they? They don’t hold any official positions.”
“They don’t need to sign the accord. They just need to be on the stage when Kian, Sari and I sign it, and serve as witnesses.”
Jacki closed her eyes. “It’s probably too late to make changes. Sari already made all the arrangements.”
“I’ll call her. It’s not a big deal. Annani can officiate over the ceremony with Alena and Amanda on one side, and you and Syssi on the other. A most lovely escort.”
With a sigh, Jacki leaned up and kissed his cheek. “You are an awesome husband.”
He smirked. “I know. But you still don’t look happy. What’s going on?”
“I’m just feeling meh because of the jet lag. But I appreciate you wanting to include me in the signing ceremony.”
Snaking his arms under her, he pulled her onto his lap. “You are the most important person in my life. Of course, I want you with me up there. Besides, it’s going to be recorded and televised, which is a great opportunity to show off my beautiful wife. Not only that, when we show our future children the recording of this historic event, I want them to see their beautiful mother taking part in it.”
“Then I really need to get going and let Callie and Amanda make me look my best.”
He kissed her cheek. “You are beautiful as you are. You can take a nap, wake up, brush your hair, get dressed, and you’ll be perfectly fine.”
“Yeah, but I want to be more than fine.” Jacki pushed out of his arms. “You need to call Sari before it’s too late to make changes to the ceremony.”
“Right away.” As Jacki collected the garment bag with the outfit she was going to wear for the ceremony, he pulled out his phone and scrolled through his contacts until he found Sari’s.
She answered after several rings. “How can I help you, Kalugal?”
“I would like to make a minor change to the ceremony.”
“How minor? It’s only two hours away, and everything is set.”
“I’m aware of that, but what I have in mind doesn’t require any preparations. I want Jacki, Syssi, Amanda, and Alena to be on stage while we sign the accord. They can be Annani’s officiating retinue, flanking her on both sides, and serve as additional witnesses to the accord signing.”
“I like it. Kian suggested that Amanda and Alena sign the document as well, but I like your idea better.”<
br />
“Naturally. Mine are always the best.”
She chuckled. “You are not going to win any modesty awards, that’s for sure.”
“True, but I’m going to win all the others.”
59
Sari
After taking care of the last-minute changes Kalugal had requested, Sari glanced at her watch and realized that, one, she was running out of time, and two, she’d forgotten to call David.
Never mind. She was heading back to her apartment anyway. She still needed to change and fix her makeup, but most of all, she needed a few quiet moments to rest after all the running around she’d done.
She found David sitting on the couch with his laptop propped on a pillow on his knees.
“I’m sorry about not calling. It was a crazy day.”
“I figured.” He patted the spot next to him. “Come sit with me.”
Plopping down on the couch, Sari put her head on David’s shoulder. “I’ve talked with Steven. He said that you are in perfect shape and that you seem healthy. He’s still waiting for some of the blood test results, but he’s not worried.”
“Are you less anxious now?”
“A little.” She took his hand. “Thank you for agreeing to do the physical.”
He kissed the top of her head. “I don’t want you to be stressed.”
“It’s part of my job description.” She sighed. “Kalugal requested some last-minute changes, which demanded not only coordination, but also convincing some of the participants. He wanted Jacki, Syssi, Amanda, and Alena to participate in the ceremony. But Syssi didn’t want to. I had to go over there and convince her, and that was after running around all morning.”
David wrapped his arm around her shoulders. “Why don’t you put your feet up?”
