by Kali Argent
“I don’t have a mother.” He didn’t flinch, and he didn’t sound upset. He was merely stating a fact. “She ran away because she didn’t want us.”
The casually spoken declaration broke her heart, and it took her a moment to find her voice again. “Us? Do you have a brother?”
Maacon shook his head sharply. “A sister. That’s why I needed to see you, so I can ask you to meet my sister. Malia loves princesses.”
“Ah, I see.” If Malia was anything like her brother, Jael couldn’t fathom why anyone wouldn’t want them, let alone their own mother. “You must be a very good brother.”
“Malia is my family. We stick together. We take care of each other.”
He repeated the words as if reciting them from a book. Clearly, someone had taught him the importance of family. If not a mother, then perhaps his father.
“Hey, buddy,” Luke said, kneeling down beside Jael. “Where’s your sister right now?”
“At the cupcake place.”
“The bakery,” Luke explained in hushed tones.
Funny enough, Jael had worked that much out for herself. “Is she by herself?”
“No.” Maacon shook his head so hard his hair whipped against his face. “She’s with Miss Isla.”
Luke’s brow furrowed. “Isla Cadell?”
“I dunno.” The boy shrugged adorably. “I guess.”
“If your sister wants to meet a princess, we should probably go find her.” Rising from his crouch, Luke offered the child his hand. “Lead the way, kiddo.”
Instead of taking the hand, however, Maacon pointed past him. “There she is!”
“Maacon!” A pretty female with hair the color of flames rushed toward them, carrying a youngling who looked just like Maacon. “Oh, my stars! Maacon, what did I tell you about wandering off on your own?”
“Uh.” Ducking his head, he peeked up at her through long lashes as he scuffed the toe of his boot over the slab of stone. “Don’t do it?”
“Hey, Isla,” Luke said, turning to greet her. “He’s okay. He just wanted to meet the princess.”
“I’m not a princess,” Jael mumbled, pushing to her feet and motioning for Xi to do the same.
The female’s eyes widened, and her mouth fell open. After a couple of seconds of looking back and forth between Luke and Jael, however, the expression morphed into a wide grin.
“Hey, Luke,” she said. “I guess congratulations are in order.” Placing her free hand on Maacon’s shoulder, she pulled him against her leg and held him there. “Thank you for staying with him.”
“No problem.” Luke leaned sideways, looking around her. “Where’s Cord?”
“With his fathers. Thank the stars. These two are hard enough to keep up with.”
Luke made brief introductions, and Jael nodded when he said her name. There were a lot of people mentioned that she didn’t recognize, but she got the gist that her mate knew the female from his brief time as commander of Alpha Station: X4.
“What are you doing in Light City?”
Resting her hand atop Maacon’s head, Isla ruffled his hair, making him giggle. “Dropping off a…” She trailed off, her eyes darting around the group. “A package.”
“Ah, gotcha.”
Jael stood quietly, trying her best to follow along, but she didn’t know what they were talking about or why delivering a package needed to be so secretive. Instead, she decided to focus on the female child who kept sneaking glances at her from behind a curtain of ebony hair.
“Hello,” she greeted, keeping her voice quiet and gentle. “You must be Malia.”
The girl bobbed her head. “Are you a princess?”
Jael had no idea what it was about her that made these children think she was royalty, and she struggled with what to say. She didn’t want to lie, but she also didn’t want to disappoint them.
“Sorry,” Isla said with a wince. “They’ve been watching this old vid about a princess who looks a lot like you.” She glanced at the side of Jael’s head and tapped the shell of her own ear. “You know, like an elf.” As soon as the words were spoken, her eyes rounded, and she shook her head. “Oh, wow. That was rude. I’m sorry.”
“No, please, don’t apologize. I’m not offended,” she hurried to assure the female. In fact, she was ridiculously flattered that stories—even fictitious children’s stories—existed that depicted her race as heroes. “I’m so happy to meet all of you.”
“Same. Sorry to cut this short, but I better get these two back to the ship before the crew mutinies. We promised them cupcakes.” Isla glanced down at Maacon. “Isn’t that right, leelan?”
Jael jerked her head up, her eyes wide. “Why do you call him that?”
“Oh, I…” Mirroring Jael’s expression, the female took a step back, pulling Maacon with her. “I guess I just heard it somewhere. Probably on a space station or something.”
She was lying, but it was just as obvious that something had frightened her. Before Jael could say anything more, Luke’s arm wound around her waist and squeezed, effectively silencing her. He met her gaze with a small shake of his head, just a minute movement that conveyed a whole lot without a word being uttered.
So, she let it go. That didn’t mean she wasn’t going to badger him for information later, but for now, she smiled and told Isla again how lovely it was to meet her. When the female visibly relaxed and heaved out a shaky breath, she knew it had been the right thing to do.
After another round of goodbyes, Isla thanked them once more for looking after Maacon, then turned to leave the way she’d come. She didn’t make it far before Xi called out to her, forcing her to turn back.
“Where will they go? What will happen to them?”
“We’re taking them to a sanctuary on X4 for now.” She seemed perplexed by the question. “Why do you ask?”
“They’ll be looked after there?”
“Yes, but it’s just temporary. My mates and I converted my old house into a sanctuary for children in Jade City, but we can’t stay, so it needs a guardian. We’ve asked a few people, but nothing has panned out yet.”
“A sanctuary for children?” Luke nodded as he rubbed his chin, a wide grin spreading across his face. “You’re saying you need someone to live in this sanctuary and take care of orphaned children?”
Isla frowned. “Uh, yeah, that’s what I’m saying.”
“How many?”
“Eight right now, including these two. All under the age of ten.” Her scowl slowly morphed into a crooked smile. “I have a feeling you might know someone who wants the job.”
In answer, Luke turned to his sister. “What do you think, chipmunk?”
“Me?” Cami jerked back as if he’d physically assaulted her. “You want me to take care of all those kids?”
Luke shrugged. “Well, I mean, if you don’t think you’re up to it, I’d understand. You really should think—”
“Yes!” Cami shouted. “Oh, my stars, yes!” She took a wobbly step toward Isla. “I mean, that is, if you think you’d want me.”
“You might want to talk to Tariq about it first,” Luke reminded her through his laughter.
She waved him away. “He’ll be fine.”
Jael didn’t doubt it. She had no idea if Tariq liked children, but she knew how much he loved his mate. There wasn’t anything he wouldn’t do for Cami, including moving to a new city to care for a multitude of younglings.
“We’re here for a few more days. Luke has my info.” Isla grinned as she began backing away. “Talk it over with your mate, and if you’re still interested, contact me. We’ll talk.”
“Yes, thank you. I’ll be in touch.” When Isla and the younglings finally disappeared back into the bakery, Cami spun in a big circle, arms outstretched, her yellow sundress fanning around her knees. “Best. Birthday. Ever!”
Still laughing at his sister’s antics, Luke took Jael’s hand and started walking again, leaving Cami and Xi to follow after them. “Isla is really protective
of her son Cord,” he said about half a block later, seemingly out the blue. “He’s Xenon, and while I don’t know the whole story, I know it wasn’t safe for him to stay on Xenthian.”
Jael gasped, then slapped a hand over her mouth to stifle it. She knew the story. The rumors of Elder Meadowlark’s abandoned child had spread like wildfire across the entire planet. There were some who pitied the youngling, but just as many feared him, worried that a product of darkness would turn out just as evil as his father.
She really hated those people.
“I’ve heard,” she said once she’d regained some of her composure. “He didn’t even have a name.” That poor, sweet boy. He hadn’t asked to be born, and he certainly hadn’t had any control over who had fathered him. “You’re right. He wouldn’t be safe on Xenthian.”
Maybe one day, but the wounds were still too fresh. It cut her deeply that her own people could be so narrowminded and judgmental, that they could take out their distress and bitterness on a youngling.
“He’s a sweet kid. If you’d like, I think I can convince Isla to let you meet him.” He blew out a breath and rubbed a hand across his nape. “I think it would be good for him, especially since his power is already starting to present itself. Isla and her mates are amazing parents, but they can’t help him with magic.”
“Luke, you don’t have to convince me.” Ultimately, it was Isla’s decision, but she did very much want to meet the child. “If his parents will let me, I’d be honored to teach him.”
“It goes without saying, but don’t mention this to anyone. Like I said, she’s really protective.”
“With good reason.” She squeezed his hand and bobbed her head. “I won’t say anything.” Speaking of children, however, she did have another question. “Those are Tarin youngling, correct? Maacon and Malia?”
“They are.” Sadness tinted Luke’s voice as he told her of the conflict on Tartarus.
Jael knew Xenthian had become something of a haven for Tarin females who couldn’t or wouldn’t stay on their own planet. So far, most were being housed in Sommervail, with a few migrating to the Eastern Isle. As such, she’d yet to meet one, but she’d learned a little of their history. From what Luke was saying, it was so much worse than she’d imagined.
“Still,” she demanded, “how could a mother abandoned her children?”
As they rounded the bend in the walkway, Luke brought their joined hands to his lips and pressed a kiss to her knuckles. “Don’t judge their mother too harshly, beautiful. Everyone has a story.”
He made a valid point. Everyone had a past, herself included. Staring up at him, she wondered how he’d feel if he knew he was mated to a female whose parents had systematically slaughtered an entire village.
Luke’s tone lightened, and he pulled her close to kiss her temple. “Are you ready to try your first taco?”
“I am shaking with anticipation.”
“You’re really getting a handle on sarcasm, aren’t you?”
Probably not, but she was trying. “Thank you.”
He poked her ribs, tickling her and making her giggle. “Okay, smartass, I hope you’re hungry.”
“Starving.”
When he looked away, she let her smile fall and chewed her bottom lip. She couldn’t hide her secret from him forever. He needed to know. It was only right.
Soon. She glanced up at him—so handsome, even in profile—and sighed. Just not today.
CHAPTER TEN
For the first time in years, the mansion was filled with conversation, laughter, and music. Luke didn’t know half the people milling about his house, and he didn’t care, either. The look on Cami’s face when they’d returned home to resounding cheers of, “Happy Birthday!” and “Surprise!” was absolutely priceless.
He’d been a little shocked that they’d actually managed to pull it off considering his sister’s ability to pluck the thought from their minds. Or maybe they hadn’t, and she was just an amazing actress. Either way, she looked happy, and that was all that mattered.
The southern ballroom—yes, his family was pretentious enough to have an actual ballroom—had been transformed into something straight out of a fairy tale. Sashes of pink and silver had been draped over everything that would stand still. Tables filled with food from every planet and culture lined the two longest walls, all of them groaning under the weight of such a feast.
At the front of the room near the doorway sat a single, square table stacked high with brightly wrapped packages and glittering gift bags. Next to that was a seven-tiered cake so lavishly decorated it looked more like art than food. Silver beads, black roses, and white feathers stood out in sharp contrast against the pink, marbled frosting, and every embellishment was completely edible. It was a cake befitting a princess, and he reminded himself to thank Cyrin again. The female really had outdone herself.
“Oh, this is amazing!” Jael laughed as he twirled her in a circle on the dance floor. “I can’t remember the last time I’ve had so much fun.”
Honestly, he couldn’t either.
He spun her back into his arms, pressing his hand to the small of her back to hold her close. She’d changed into a sparkling, strapless dress that matched the color of her eyes for the evening, and her dark hair fell around her face in soft curls. She was an absolute vision, and he couldn’t take his eyes off her.
Bending to accommodate for the difference in their height, he pressed his lips to the shell of her ear, smirking when she shivered against him. “You look stunning tonight.”
Her breath stuttered over his cheek. “Thank you.”
“Every person in here is watching you.”
She laughed, the sound a tad too self-deprecating for his tastes. “They’re just intrigued because they’ve never seen a Xenon before. That’s all.”
Some of them, maybe, but Luke had seen the lustful glances directed her way. “They want you, beautiful.” Wrapping her in his arms, he straightened, holding her off the floor so that they were eye to eye. “I don’t blame them, but you’re mine.”
She responded with a kiss, just a slow, tender melding of their lips. “I could say the same about you, neelum. You look very handsome tonight, and you seem to be drawing quite a bit of female attention.”
For the occasion, he’d donned a black, button-down with matching slacks. Nothing too fancy, but he admitted he did look pretty good. “What females? There are other females here?”
Jael smirked. “Good answer.”
Their lips met again, and he groaned at the zing of power that was becoming synonymous with disaster. Focusing on his mate, he tried to push the sensation away, but the harder he fought it, the stronger it seemed to grow until the energy pulsed through him like a living thing.
With great reluctance, he broke the kiss and slid Jael down his body until her feet touched the floor again. “How about a drink?”
Or two. Or twelve.
Smiling in understanding, she took his hand and linked their fingers together. “Yes, please. I think I’d like to try the green wine.”
They made it exactly half a step before they found an older gentleman with a bushy mustache blocking their path.
“Commander Brighton, I was wondering if you had a minute.”
Luke didn’t know him from the man in the moon, and he didn’t appreciate being interrupted. Opening his mouth to tell the guy to piss off, he stopped short when Jael squeezed his hand, then released him.
“Stay,” she insisted. “I’ll get us drinks.”
“I’ll come with you.”
She was already backing into the crowd, though. “It’s okay, neelum. I’ll be back soon.”
Once she’d disappeared, he turned to glare at the male. “You have two minutes. Start talking.”
Two minutes turned into twenty, and by the time they’d finished speaking, Hart Pharmaceuticals had itself a new biochemist. Marshall Wayne wouldn’t begin his position until the labs reopened, and he was just one man, but it was a start.
Tucking his hands into his pockets, he looked out over the crowd, searching for his mate, but instead, he found Tariq. Or it might have been more accurate to say that Tariq found him.
“Have you seen Jael?”
Tariq jerked a thumb over his shoulder. “She was by the bar a few minutes ago.” Then he held his arms out and grinned. “So, what do you think?”
“I think it’s perfect. How the hell did you do all of this?”
Tariq shrugged. “Magic.”
“Jael? She was with me all day.”
“Nope.” Tariq’s smile grew wide enough to reveal the tips of his canines. “Xi.”
“Shut the fuck up. No way.” On their walk home after lunch, Xi had disappeared, telling his sister that he’d meet her back at the mansion. Since he wasn’t the most sociable male, Luke hadn’t thought much of it. “You’re serious?”
“What can I say?” Tariq puffed his chest out, and his smile turned cocky. “Everyone loves my angel.”
“Clearly.” Luke scanned their guests again. “Who are all these people?”
“Mostly people who were either Cami’s friends from the Academy or friends of your family.” Chuckling, he reached up and rubbed the back of his neck. “Since everyone thought she was dead, it wasn’t easy to convince them this wasn’t a joke.”
A year ago, Luke would have said that no one in the universe loved his sister more than he did, but he was happy to be proven wrong. “Thank you, Tariq. This is perfect, and I don’t think I’ve ever seen her so happy. I’m glad she has you.” His gaze darted to the stage at the back room, set against a canopy of twinkling lights. “Seriously, though, how in the cosmos did you get Ayla D’Nye here?”
The D’Aire female was as lovely as the angels her race had been nicknamed for, and there was a kindness about her that drew everyone into her circle. Pacing back and forth on the dais, she belted out a catchy, upbeat tune, one of her new songs if Luke wasn’t mistaken. Fairy lights gleamed off her silver hair, and during every pass, she’d point and wave to the crowd with a smile that lit up her shimmering blue eyes.