by M. K. Eidem
"We've been able to board two Zaludian ships. Both deleted the data before we could stop them."
"Zaludian?" Wray couldn't hide his shock.
"Yes, it seems the two are continuing to work together."
"For what purpose?"
"It is our belief that they are trying to shift the balance of power between our people. If they are able to supply you with females and us with food then we will become reliant on them instead of each other."
"Treyvon?" Jen looked to him in surprise. "You never told me that."
"It is something Liron and I have been considering since we recovered the food supplies from Earth."
"You still should have told me," Jen mumbled grumpily.
"I do not inform you of everything Liron and I discuss, Jennifer. Just as I'm sure you don't tell me of all the amazing things you can make with your chocolate."
"There..." Wray began only to have Kim interrupt him.
"Wait! Did you say chocolate?!" Kim's eyes pinned Treyvon, and while they were not the beautiful blue of his Jennifer, he found himself just as compelled to answer her.
"Yes, Jennifer has made many enjoyable things with it. Brownies, bars, cookies."
"With chocolate?!!"
"Of course," Treyvon gave her a confused look then turned to Jennifer. "Can they be made with anything else?"
"Yes," Jen said hiding her smile, she'd forgotten what a big chocoholic her little sister was.
"Kim, what is this... chocolate?" Wray questioned.
"Only the most amazing substance in all the Known Universes!" she exclaimed.
Wray looked to Treyvon who nodded his agreement. "That is truth. Even Liron thinks so."
"Wait! Are you telling me that the Emperor of the Kaliszian Empire gets to have chocolate?!!" Kim's eyes blazed at Wray. "While I, your Empress, the mother of your female offspring, doesn't?!!"
"Now, my Kim," Wray tried to calm her. "You know that I would have gotten you this chocolate if I had known you wanted it."
"Then why didn't you?"
"Umm, Kimmy," Jen tentatively intervened, "Wray couldn't have gotten you chocolate because they don't have it."
"What?!!"
"At least I haven't found its equivalent in the food supplies that the Kaliszians have."
"Seriously?"
"Seriously."
"But you have it." Kim wanted it confirmed.
"Yes. One of the Zaludian ships was filled with food supplies from Earth. That's where the chocolate came from."
"Oh, well, okay then." Kim turned and looked to Wray. "I forgive you for not giving me chocolate when I was with offspring."
"Thank you, my Kim," Wray said trying to look contrite.
"But I'm not giving you another one until you have a supply on hand!"
Jen tried but failed to stop the laugh that escaped when the Emperor of the Tornian Empire's jaw dropped open in disbelief.
Treyvon had better control and cleared his throat to cover his chuckle. "Perhaps we should get back to discussing more serious matters."
"Is there really an OB/GYN on Luda?" Jen questioned.
"Yes, she delivered Destiny," Kim told her. "Rebecca really is amazing, Jen. You'll like her. We'll get her here so she can check you."
"I would appreciate her checking me." Jen looked to Treyvon. She hadn't told him that she'd been feeling queasy the last few mornings. "But she's going to need to come back to Pontus with us."
"Back to Pontus?"
"Yes, Mac is going to need her."
"Mac, who’s Mac?" Kim questioned.
"She's the guide that was with us when the Ganglians took us."
"Oh, my God! I never realized 'Mac' was another female. I thought she was a man."
"Well she's not, and I owe her my life, Kimmy. I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for her."
"Tell me."
• • • • • •
Hours later after many tears had been shed between the sisters as Jennifer told her story, with Treyvon telling the parts she was trying to gloss over, the males were finally able to convince their females to rest. Arrangements had been made for Jennifer and Treyvon to rest within the royal residence, and after making sure both females were sleeping, they returned to the sitting area.
"The Ganglians are only going to get bolder," Treyvon informed Wray, taking a deep sip from the glass of whisk in his hand.
"Truth," Wray agreed. "Unfortunately, my warriors are becoming desperate."
"I understand. We have the same problem with our inability to feed our people. There are those that will do unworthy things to make sure they survive."
"Yes," Wray agreed. "So what are we going to do about it?" When Treyvon seemed to hesitate, Wray realized it was up to him as Emperor to begin.
"General Rayner, there have been things in the past that we have... disagreed about."
"This is truth."
"Things we had different ways of settling."
"You mean by threatening my people with starvation if I didn't allow you to abuse a female?"
"I never abused Kimberly!" Wray surged to his feet, his fists clenched.
"You allowed Fala and Gyula to attack her!"
"That law has been revoked. Had I known it was being used in that way, it would have been done sooner."
"How could you not know?!!" Treyvon demanded.
"You are the Supreme Commander of Kaliszian Defenses. Do you know everything your warriors do? Exactly how your orders are followed?"
Treyvon understood what Wray was saying but didn't agree. "I am not an Emperor. I am not the one that can install or remove a law. I am just a Warrior doing the best he can for his people."
"Stop blowing star dust up my ass, Treyvon." Wray sat back down and gave him a questioning look. "There is more upsetting you here than our petty disagreements. What is it?"
"You made me compromise my honor for the sake of my people."
"And what would you have done?" Wray demanded. "If Jennifer tried to leave you? If she had asked for protection from another male?"
"I would have ended him," Treyvon immediately told him.
"Yes, but I do not have that luxury. I am the Emperor. I am not above the law I must uphold. Lucan thought he was and it caused the Great Infection."
"I am no more my ancestor than you are," Treyvon told him.
"That is truth too, but things have changed now because of the females, the sisters we love."
"We now have a common goal."
"Yes, to make sure they are safe and happy, to make sure our offspring have a better future than our mannos gave us. Our Empires are once again joined."
"Did you know there was a time when all the universes were one?" Treyvon asked. "That we lived in peace. Perhaps it is time we try to make it that way again."
"And how do you suggest we do that?" Wray asked.
• • • • • •
"You want to do what?!!" Jen and Kim asked both, giving their own male a dark look.
"It is the only way, my Kim. We must reach out to your Earth, telling them what is happening, and offer them our protection," Wray told her.
"How is that protection?" Jen demanded.
"Would you prefer the Ganglians just take your females?" Wray demanded.
"Wray!" Kim exclaimed then turned to her sister. "I'm sorry, he's not used to being challenged."
"Really?" Jen asked. "Are you saying that you don't challenge him when he gets overbearing, dominant and well, just plain stupid?"
"Of course I do, and of course he does, and I have to admit I totally enjoy it when he gets overbearing and dominant, in private." Wray started to snicker until Kim continued. "But when he is just plain stupid, he sleeps on the couch." That shut him up.
Treyvon pretended to look out a window until Jen slapped his shoulder making him look at her. "You agreed with this."
"It is the only way I can see for us to not only protect the females of Earth, but to begin reuniting the universes as they once were."
"Kimmy?" Jen looked to her sister. "What do you think? You know this world, these universes, better than I do."
Kimmy couldn't believe her older sister was looking to her for guidance. She'd never done that before. "In truth, I think Wray is right. The Ganglians know where Earth is. The only way we can protect the people there is to make contact."
"And you believe this Ull is the best person to do that?" Jen asked.
"That I don't know. I don't really know Ull, but I know Wray and I trust his judgment. If he thinks Ull is the right male for the job then so do I."
"Then I guess I agree," Jen said. "Ull goes to Earth."
About the Author
Michelle has always loved to read, and writing is just a natural extension of this for her. Growing up, she always loved to extend the stories of books she'd read, just to see where the characters went. Happily married, she is the proud mother of two grown children and with the house empty has found time to write again. You can reach her at [email protected] or her website at http://www.mkeidem.com. She'd love to hear your comments.
• • • • • •
Additional Books
Cassandra's Challenge: The Imperial Series, Book 1
Victoria's Challenge: The Imperial Series, Book 2
Jacinda's Challenge: The Imperial Series, Book 3
Grim: Tornians Book 1
A Grim Holiday: Tornians Book 1.5
Wray: Tornians Book 2
Ynyr: Tornians Book 3
Oryon: Tornians Book 3.5
Nikhil: Kaliszians Book 1
Kirall’s Kiss