by Lexi Ander
"You—"
Dargon cut Sohm'lan off. "I know when I first met Zeus, I said things because of the horrors I had seen while rescuing the Fal'Amoric. But, it only took a couple of hours of interaction with him for me to realize he was not like the Humans. I ..." Zeus listed to the side, almost toppling, and Dargon grabbed him to prevent his fall.
"Zeus!" Dargon watched as Zeus’s eyes fluttered closed. What happened? One moment, Zeus was wide awake and the next, he leaned heavily against Dargon.
Sohm'lan went quietly to the guards at the entrance. Dargon hoped he called for a medic, but within moments males began carrying in large items. With each piece brought into the tent, Dargon's temper flared.
Sohm'lan turned from the now-finished sleeping platform, his blue reptilian gaze focused on Dargon. "There is nothing wrong with Zeus that rest will not cure."
"He was fine moments ago and now he is unconscious," Dargon snapped. Zeus remained a heavy weight against his side.
"No, he was not. He was exhausted before he took the booster. Now, with one or more noble houses attempting to unseat the Emperor, he would find another excuse to put off the rest his body desperately needs. He would run himself into the ground to protect his family."
Dargon narrowed his eyes in suspicion. "You gave him something."
Sohm'lan simply stared back at Dargon, no trace of apology in either his expression or stance.
"Dargon, stop." With his ire peaked, he had not noticed Alpha roused from sleep. "You did not see him and Canry. Zeus has been running on false fuel for longer than is healthy. You and I have both seen how Sohm'lan cares for Zeus. I would have done the same thing myself, if I could have arranged it. Be thankful that Zeus is well-loved."
"My duty is to protect the prince, even from himself." Sohm'lan would not know Alpha argued on his behalf.
All the anger seeped out of him when Alpha again shared a piece of his memories, showing Dargon how Zeus’s body had been heavy with fatigue, but he continued to push himself long before the booster had been administered. "I see." Even to his ears, the words sounded forced.
Thanking Sohm'lan, but refusing his help, Dargon undressed Zeus and tucked him under the covers. He was unsure who he was more upset with: Sohm'lan, for slipping something to Zeus to make him rest, or Zeus, for pushing Sohm'lan to make the call. He still could not believe he had heard Zeus referred to as nothing but a useless animal without anyone—not even Zeus—batting an eye. Dargon shook himself when he realized he was growling. He would make inquiries before they moved the kits to Atlainticia. He would not remain silent, nor stay his hand if anyone dared to disrespect his Marked in his presence again.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
Ashari quickened her pace, her bodyguards easily keeping stride with her as she followed the path leading up to the landing pad. She could have taken a skimmer, but there were already too many vehicles waiting on the road to pick up the soldiers coming in with Zeus. She would not be forced to to wait any longer to see her son. She could have commanded all to move from her path, but that was not how she or her mate, Valdor, led their people.
Her beloved Valdor, along with Azaes and Mestor, had been stuck meeting with the Council of Neighn and the Galactic Emperors for the last several days. The space over Valespia was secure for the moment. Galactic Patrol had boarded dozens of Terren battleships. The V'Saar attempted to flee, but they could not escape capture. And somehow it seemed all of her young had become embroiled in the conflict. This new information they brought with them regarding the Terrens and V'Saar would be invaluable, allowing the Galactic Emperors to move quickly and decisively in the coming months.
The incline grew steeper and she slowed her steps, placing a hand on the hilt of her sword to stop it from slapping against her leg. While she had travelled to Valespia, her attendants tailored several uniforms for her. She would not stand by and watch her family go to war without her, but could not fight in her usual clothing. Gone were the flowing red and gold royal robes, the baubles and bracelets. Her scales were polished until they gleamed a darker black than the armored uniform she wore. The red tips of her barbs licked like flames along her spinal column, and a bulbous, spiked mace-head had been fitted to the tip of her tail. Ashari would be ready to stand tall with her family when the time came. The fight was not over yet. They still had traitors to ferret out.
Reached the top of the ramp, she stepped on to the landing pad. Four ships sat upon the blacktop, ramps lowered, allowing people to disembark. She sensed him, as any Mar'Sani mother could. He was close, so close, and yet she could not see him. Ashari searched the crowd, looking for a familiar face or form. The majority were Monticore, but she noticed the robotic forms she had come to know as the Feteine, and others who were not Mar'Sani. They must be crew from Zeus’s ship. Strangely, no one made their way to the waiting vehicles, but seemed content to wait instead.
From the closest vessel, a group of Monticore bristling with weapons strode menacingly down the ramp, fanning out at the bottom in a semicircle. Their posturing caused her own Basilisc guards to go on alert, closing in tighter around her. She watched their hand signals, looking for an indication that they guarded her son. A noise at the top of the ramp drew her attention.
Warlord Sohm'lan strode down the ramp, followed by six males shouldering long poles, bearing an oblong capsule made of mother-of-pearl and encrusted with barnacles and shell fish. Behind them came another six males, bearing Zeus aloft on a stretcher. Worried, Ashari's breath caught and hesitantly she moved forward, then with determination she quickened her stride.
Two. Two sons so close together that her ties to them blended, hiding the presence of one. Ashari blinked rapidly at the sudden burn behind her eyes. That they were being carried out did not bode well. Her mind supplied dozens of scenarios of what could be wrong with her young before she had taken two steps. Ashari did not care how many turned to stare at her and her bristling Basilisc guard. Sohm'lan called a halt to the procession, meeting her at the edge of the Monticore guard.
"Your Highness, it is a pleasure to see you again." Sohm'lan bowed deeply. He appeared haggard, but whole.
"My sons?"
"Are tired, but unharmed."
Ashari slipped through the line of guardsmen and stopped next to the capsule to place a trembling hand against the smooth, cool side. She had never dared to hope to see him again in her lifetime. She had resigned herself to be content knowing Canry was alive. Would he remember her? Did he want to see her? Was he angry because she had not found him? Ashari pushed the tumble of questions away and pressed her trembling lips together.
"Warlord, how is Canry?" She hated that someone else knew her son's wellbeing better than she did.
"He is whole in mind and body, and he has grown to become a unique treasure to our people," Sohm'lan replied. When she gave him a questioning glance he said, "It is his and Zeus’s story to tell, although I believe their exploits have already made it to the capital."
Ashari nodded. Overhearing whispers from among the guards, she hoped the more outrageous exploits—at least half of them—were untrue. She strode towards Zeus’s litter and came face-to-face with a fierce male with flashing, green eyes and golden, feline features. A single line of copper hair stood up straight—like a bristle brush—and he had dark stripes on either side of the line of hair. His teardrop-shaped ears were lined with golden hoops and dangling gemstones. Most interesting of all, about his collarbone rested a symbiote of dark green, the color almost as dark as the robes the male wore.
"Empress Ashari, I would like to introduce you to Prince Zeus’s Udens Mahte'lan, Captain Dargon Kal-Turak from the Dar Massaga planet of Hedisa, and his symbiote Alpha."
Valdor had told her of Zeus’s mating, but excluded the males' identity for the safety of the younglings they carried. Dargon's wary expression told her he was unsure of the reception he would receive. Ashari would discover why later, but for now she held her hands out. "Dargon, I have heard much about you already. I wo
uld like to welcome you and Alpha into the family."
He grasped her hands lightly in his. "It is a pleasure to meet you, Empress. Zeus will be overjoyed to see you when he awakens. He has been worried for your safety, and even though he received word you had reached Haven unharmed, he will not believe it until he sees you with his own eyes."
She matched Dargon's polite smile. He seemed to be having an internal discussion with himself and when he met her gaze next, she knew he had made some sort of decision. Retaining the grasp on one of her hands he led her to the head of the litter. The guardsmen gently lowered Zeus so she could see him.
"Zeus overtaxed his body. He simply rests now," Dargon said as she cupped her son's pale face.
His hair had been shorn short, his thick dark lashes rested against his cheeks. Ashari could make out the dots from the warrior's dye still faintly staining his skin. Tenderly, she pressed her forehead to his. She had missed him terribly; a part of her heart had been set adrift in space when he left. Hopefully, he had found what he had been searching for. Glancing back at Dargon, she noticed the loving way he gazed at her son, and thought Zeus may have found more than he bargained for.
Stepping away from the litter, Ashari took Dargon's arm. "Thank you both for taking such good care of my son."
To his credit, Dargon accepted her proprietary hold without a second glance. "It is he who has taken care of us, Your Highness. Our mission would have failed without his assistance."
There was a story there, but Ashari did not press. There would be time enough for tales later. "You seem uncomfortable. Are you uncertain of me, or is it something else altogether? I would have you speak frankly, Dargon. You will soon be mated,"—she glanced at him out of the corner of her eye—"I guess in a way you already are, but soon your union will be official. You will become a part of House Vondorian, and I would have us start out on the right foot."
Dargon seemed to contemplate her words before answering. "I agree, but this is not a conversation for public consumption. Warlord Sohm'lan bid me hold my tongue until he could sit down with your family."
Ashari glanced at Sohm'lan, who kept the customary half-step behind her as they walked to the edge of the landing pad. Valdor informed her earlier that there was urgent news Sohm'lan refused to give over the open airways. She turned her attention back to Dargon. "Valdor has set aside time later today. When we get back to the city, we will meet with him and hear this news of yours."
When they were halfway across the tarmac, a group of riders on strange beasts bypassed the vehicles waiting to transport the Mar'Sani to Haven. Ashari heard the rumors of the returned Valuzial Guardians, but had yet to see them. The Fal'Amoric people stayed in a temporary camp outside the capital, which meant that the guardians did not venture into the city.
Six creatures loped toward them. The beasts were hairless, striped with varying shades of brown and black. The tail curved over the back of the creature, the bulbous tip spiked. Intelligent, violet gazes searched the crowd, but they never wavered from their path toward Zeus.
Their leader rode in the center. The female, who resembled Zeus, did not slip Ashari's notice, drawing out an instinctual possessiveness she struggled to contain. Valdor had warned her that the Fal'Amorics had identified Zeus as one of theirs. He had also attempted to reassure her all would be well, telling her it might help Zeus to know where he came from. She understood, truly she did, but Zeus was her youngling. She would do what was necessary to ensure he was happy, but she would not stand by and allow people who threw him away to try and reclaim him.
The guardian reached a hand-like paw up and assisted the female to the ground. Her dress of black feathers caught in the wind to billow about her, resembling a flock of birds taking flight. The lavender corset sparkled with gems that contrasted with the layered, boned necklace and the wood-and-horned headdress. No matter how Ashari viewed the ridiculous outfit, she did admire the quiet strength she saw within the female.
The Monticore allowed her through their line without question, which caused Ashari to scowl.
"Dargon! Is Zeus hurt?"
"No, Athena. He is sleeping," Dargon replied.
The female, Athena, gazed affectionately at Zeus, but when she attempted to touch him, Ashari hissed a warning. She met Athena's surprised gaze with the narrowed eyes and a stern expression of slight aggression. She would not bare her teeth in challenge—yet.
Ashari straightened her shoulders as Athena gave her an assessing look. Dargon stepped forward, placing himself slightly in front of Ashari, not that she needed the protection. But Athena would.
"Princess Athena, I would like to introduce Empress Ashari Vondorian."
The corners of Athena's mouth tightened as if she tasted something sour. "Then you must be a part of his adoptive family."
"You are mistaken. On Atlainticia, we do not adopt people as you would adopt a pet. We take people into our families. They are as flesh and blood to us as those we have birthed. Zeus is my young, he suckled at my breast, he bears our name, and he swims where none but the Mar'Sani can."
Athena's ice-colored gaze blazed with anger. "You believe he will not return to his people?"
Ashari felt Dargon's gaze on her. When she turned her attention to him, his stance said that her answer was important to him. "We raised our son to be good, brave, and just. He has a noble heart. He knows what he wants and does not hesitate to go after it." She turned back to Athena. "Make no mistake, I may have raised my son well, but I will drop all accoutrements of civilization and morality to protect my young. I know every detail of what was done to him by his people before Poseidon laid him at our doorstep. He has a forgiving heart. I am his meme: I do not forget."
Zeus twitched, cutting off any retort Athena would have given. Ashari hurried to his side when he called her name.
"Meme?" Zeus rolled his head in her direction as if he knew exactly where to find her. "You are upset, I can feel it." The hoarseness of his voice concerned her.
When she reached his side, she ran a hand over his hair, the bristly texture tickling her palm. "Everything is fine. I am with you now. You need to rest." Zeus’s eyelids fluttered closed at her touch and soon he dozed again.
"Let us get him inside to comfortable accommodations." Dargon courteously placed her hand in the crook of his elbow. His posture was not as stiff as before. What did she say or do to cause such a changed in his behavior toward her? "Zeus once told me he was so well-loved by his family that he never questioned who or what he was."
Maybe she was foolish to worry another would lay claim to her son and attempt to steal him away from his family. She looked at the capsule where Canry rested. It had been done once; it could happen again if she did not stay vigilant.
Dargon patted her hand in a reassuring manner as they moved away to make room for the brothers to be placed on the transport. "I have not met Canry, but Alpha has. He says Zeus is fond of him, and as protective of Canry as he is of the twins. In their own way, your sons fought well in battle. You and the emperor would be proud of them."
Dargon's kind words eased the pang in her heart slightly. She desperately wanted to reconnect with Canry and yet she feared facing him. She had lost him as a youngling. How could he forgive her for that?
The ride down the mountain went much smoother than the walk up. Ashari escorted Dargon to the suite he would share with Zeus, and temporarily with Canry as well. She had to leave her sons for a brief time to meet with Warlord Sohm'lan and the rest of the family.
Rounding the corner to the meeting rooms, she came upon Athena, and her own set of bodyguards, who apparently awaited her. Ashari's footsteps slowed as she approached, unsure what the princess of the Fal'Amorics would want of her other than an argument.
Athena bowed low from the waist. "Empress Ashari, I would like to apologize for my brash words and quick temper earlier. I can understand how you would feel about my family after finding Zeus. Since meeting Zeus, I, myself, have questioned my parents' thoughts and motiv
es and I cannot come up with an answer that would not make me despise them for what they have done. I will not forgive their actions, either. This does not change the fact I grew up hoping I would see both my brothers again, nor does Zeus’s,"—Athena's eyes glistened and she blinked rapidly, turning her head away from Ashari—"denial of family ties cause me to adore him any less. Even though it hurts, I understand. I do." The princess turned back to face Ashari. "The Mar'Sani, House Vondorian, have given him what the Fal'Amoric could not. For that, I will be forever grateful. As the de facto ruler of the Fal'Amoric, since the elders have not been found, I offer a treaty of alliance to the Mar'Sani. Maybe, hopefully, you will allow me to visit the beautiful planet Zeus cannot stop talking about." The wary hope in the female's eyes ...
Ashari released a pent-up breath before bowing in respect to Athena. "I will speak to the emperor regarding your offer. I think he will be agreeable to such an alliance. And ... you would be welcomed to visit Atlainticia."
"After my coronation, I will have the papers drawn up. Thank you for your generosity—with everything."
Athena spun on her heel and strode away, but not before Ashari glimpsed the trembling lip or the silent tears.
"Empress, all have arrived." Sohm'lan stood in the meeting room doorway. Behind him, she glimpsed the Galactic Emperors and the Crown Princes. It seemed they waited only for her.
Ashari unbuckled her weapon's belt and handed it to the guard at the door. She needed this meeting to be over quickly so she could return to her two youngest sons. Judging by the expressions she glimpsed when she stepped through the door, she would not get her wish.
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
Zeus groaned when he rolled over. His muscles felt stiff and sore, as if he had slept in the same position for far too long. The sleeping platform seemed softer than usual. He cracked an eyelid, not ready to rise, but the muffled voices stirred his curiosity. He could not imagine where in Dargon's cabin someone could be that he would not be able to hear them clearly.