Preening a bit Queen Carolyn rocked back and forth on her heels. “I must admit that I did not consider that.”
“The bottom line is not everyone can be queen and we are well satisfied helping in other ways.”
Wrapping her arm around Hel’s, the queen began guiding her through the throngs of Maruvians and their newly acquired queens. “And help you will, my new friend. We have assembled all our closest allies to celebrate our good fortune.”
“That was not necessary. We are but your humble servants.”
“You’re getting good at speaking like a Maruvian.”
“As are you, my majestic and regal queen.”
Laughing, the woman responded, “It’s easier if you happen to enjoy the role you’re playing.”
Grinning, Hel quipped, “I’ve always imagined myself as a great general, wearing a grand uniform, and matching wits with alien enemies. I could grow into a role like that.”
Giving her a knowing wink, the queen acknowledged, “I’ve been meaning to sort out new uniforms for our troops. It would also be nice to have someone to coordinate our different scouting and military divisions.”
“Beware, my queen. You are in danger of creating a monster.”
“As long as you have no interest in taking my throne, I’m sure that won’t be a problem.”
“Heck no. Being queen is my little sister’s dream.”
“She is very cute. In fact, here she comes to take my throne right now.”
Turning to look, Hel saw something very concerning.
Penny was moving towards them with a group of Golugua at her back. “Shit, stay behind me.”
Stepping forward to meet her sister, Hel asked cautiously. “Penny, what are you doing?”
“Zadon wishes to offer the service of his line to the Maruvian Queen.” Laughing, she teased. “What did you think I was doing, coming to take the place over?”
“Maybe.”
“Screw that. I’ve had enough action and adventure to last a lifetime. Besides, I’ve got my eye on the queen’s little actionator. Where did that man go, anyways?”
Queen Carolyn stepped forward. “I believe he is intent on having a redhead.”
“Well, he’s about to get a brunette and he’s gonna love it. Anyways, I’m supposed to introduce you to the ancient line of Zadon the Fierce and Loyal.” Leaning forward, she whispered, “That’s their real name by the way. They told me it ages ago.”
Stepping back from the startled queen, Penny spoke with a formal air. “The line of Zadon have a long and illustrious history of standing sentinel for the Maruvian queens. Since this is their first opportunity to choose their own queen, they wish to serve the undefeated queen herself. What say you, Queen Carolyn? Do you accept their offer to become the guardians of your line?”
The king leaned in and they whispered together for a long moment before she pulled back. “We do accept the Zadon line. May you be now and forever linked to the royal line. My home will become your home. We will spill blood for each other in the never-ending quest to preserve our lines.”
Turning on her heel dramatically, the folds of her gown swirled around her slight form as she stalked towards the great hall. Two large Zadonian males leapt from the small pack, landing on each side of her, stuck their noses in the air and followed at her heels.
Squinting, Helena could barely make out Penny chasing after a small purple wingless drone.
Rubbing her temple, Hel mumbled under her breath, “Could this day get any more ridiculous?”
A feminine voice sounded off over her shoulder. “You have no idea. That sister of yours is about to get herself squashed by me if she doesn’t stop chasing after my drone.”
Looking the adolescent up and down, Hel thought that even with her classic red hair she didn’t look quite old enough to chase drones. “It’s nice to meet you, my name is–”
Propping what could only be described a gigantic beetle of some sort on her hip, the teen interrupted. “I know who the heck you are. My name’s Emily Jordan and I’m a real princess, so tell that sister of yours to lay off my drone.”
“Emily Jordan, zip your lips this instant.”
“But–”
“That means you are to stop talking, daughter of my heart.”
A male and female stepped forward. The male was clearly Candorian. He had a fin running from front to back on the top of his hairless head. His large dark eyes had two sets of eyelids that blinked in opposite directions. For all the aquatic qualities the man was a real hottie. The beautiful human redhead was slightly older and had a full rounded belly. Running her hand over it soothingly, she spoke. “Please forgive my daughter. Once she gets her mind set on something, she can be quite tenacious. My name is Elain and this is Prince Koal from the Sylon home world.”
Bowing her head slightly, which was considered polite in Candorian culture, Hel spoke. “Thank you for agreeing to allow a human colony on your home world. I still can’t believe that humans now have hope of survival.”
Koal answered sincerely. “That was actually my Elaine’s idea. Her daughter had a hand in it as well.”
“How are the colonists doing?”
“We built the beginnings of a modern city already. So far, there are about eight major sky scrapers and about fifty other buildings.”
“Wow! That was fast.”
Emily interrupted, “May I go now?”
“No more chasing Talon.”
Hel chimed in, “It’s for the best. My sister has her own Goluguian sentinel.”
“Big hairy deal. I’ve got a dragon.”
“Armon can cut someone’s head off with a flick of his claw.”
Suddenly, the girl was all kinds of interested. “I think I saw some of them earlier. They look like gargoyles, don’t they?”
Nodding, she cautioned, “Do not mess with them. They aren’t used to dealing with humans.” She ended up shouting the last part since the girl skipped off in the direction of a cluster of them.
Koal’s tired voice sounded off. “Christopher.”
Hel jumped back, bumping into Raec, when a drone moved and she realized he had been standing there the whole time but somehow blended into his surroundings to the point of not being seen.
“If you would, please keep her out of trouble just one more time? I would be forever in your debt.”
“As always, it is my honor to be of service.”
Elaine shook her head. “He’s never going to have time to mate if we always have him chasing after Emily. He’s been a good big brother. We need to let the man live.”
Intrigued by the strange insectoid, Hel offered, “If you like, I would be happy to introduce him to some of our family units and the females we brought with us.”
Elain smiled at her. “Honestly, it couldn’t hurt.”
Koal spoke softly, “We must be seated. The food is about to be served.”
Making their way to the table, they took the seats Queen Carolyn motioned to beside her.
“General Helena, I would like to introduce you to Prince Shar Jalon. He is our closest ally and responsible for helping us increase our biological diversity through cloning. His lovely mate is Keiko. She sits upon the council of rulers for the Shardon home world.”
“It is my great pleasure to meet you, General Helena. Your military exploits have been noticed by the alliance and the Galactic Council. The manner in which you disposed of the Maruvian queen will probably go down in history as a military maneuver to remember.”
“Necessity is the mother of all invention, I’m afraid. We do what we must to survive.”
Queen Carolyn continued smoothly, “I would also like to introduce you to Prince Korban. His exploits are almost as discussed as your own.”
Hel smiled broadly. “I can tell you them all by heart. He is the one who discovered human women were biologically compatible with aliens after abducting his bride from Earth and convincing her to be his one true love. Then he decided to share his planet with t
hree other species, including humans. I dying to know if I’m even close. I heard that story over and over before leaving Earth and it was almost too fantastic to credit as being true.”
The red-headed seated beside Korban leaned forward leaned forward. “It’s all true and more. I honestly thought I was losing my mind when I decided to stay with him, but you know better than most that heart wants what it wants sometimes.”
Catching Raec’s eye, Hel smiled. “Speaking of the Maruvian queen, do you think she has any chance of getting off that planet I marooned her on?”
Korban spoke, “I would say none.”
Shar Jalon chimed in. “I can’t see how it would be possible, unless someone ignored the biological hazard beacon. No one would be that foolish.”
Carolyn asked curiously, “I am told her former queen maker decided not to attend our dinner tonight. Is he well? The Shardon have excellent healers and I am certain they would be willing to take a look at him.”
Raec’s voice sounded deep and hard, when he answered. “My brother suffered much at the hands of our former queen. He hates and fears queens, for he cannot see that not all are like Kabelda. He prefers to be secluded with only his young to focus his attention on. He even avoided the beautiful queens we rescued. I think we just need to give him time to recover from all he has been through.”
Carolyn looked ashamed of bringing it up. “Of course he will need time. Anyone would. Please know whatever he needs, it would be our honor to provide.”
Raec lowered his head slightly. “Our father will be pleased to know of your generosity.”
Carolyn teased, “He must be something special. You named your vessel after him and the females flock to him.”
Glancing down the table, they saw Vraden surrounded by females young and old. He chatted amiably, making them laugh.
Hel glanced at Raec. “Vraden is born of a long line of queen makers. He has eleven sons aboard our ship and dotes over his grandchildren like they are little gods in their own right. With any luck, Raec’s eighteen will only add to his obsession with them.”
“I have heard that queen makers carry a larger number of young in addition to carrying females. Do you yet know if any of this spawning will be queens?”
“I am told one is female.”
Lifting her glass in an old fashioned toast, Queen Carolyn sang out cheerfully, “Let us drink to our mighty queen maker. This Maruvian queen will be our first. The hatching party for you first batch of young will be like nothing our world has seen.”
It was difficult not to get caught up in the moment with their new queen. She was strong, sure of herself, always said the right thing and made them feel welcome.
Chapter 17
~ Arac ~
Music Mix
Arac tossed and turned in his sleep. Much like every night, he suffered from delayed onset of sleep, nocturnal waking, and horrible nightmares. Tonight sleep was proving to be an elusive goal. Forcing himself to still, Arac closed his eyes and slowed his breathing. He thought of lying in the tranquil oceans of his home world. His water board felt warm and wet beneath his back and the pale pink sun beamed down on his chest. Slipping his wings out, he allowed them to push him through the water. It was his favorite memory of being on his home world before he was called to serve aboard his mother’s ship.
The skies suddenly grew overcast and the sensation of it being a dark harbinger of things to come settled over him. A familiar feeling crept forward from the dark recesses of his mind, seeming to take hold of his will. The crystal clear waters turned dark in an instant and began to swirl around him, creating a strange funnel that began pulling him under the water. As he felt the water pouring down his throat, a face flashed through his mind. Kabelda leaned forward whispered in his ear. “You belong to me. Never think to escape my power again.”
The scrape of a familiar claw down his back brought him back to reality in the blink of an eye. Jerking himself up, he realized he was already standing. His hands were tied above his head, just like they always were. His head spun as he woke and he wondered if he’d invented a fantastical story of the ship being rescued by three beautiful queens.
“Wake, my queen maker. You have yet to give me queens.”
Swallowing thickly, Arac opened his eyes to see his cruel queen standing before him the flesh. The ache in his neck told him that he’d been injected with a tranquilizer while he slept. Finding that no only had Kabelda managed to escape from the prison planet but that she’d managed to track them turned his stomach.
“Finally, you are awake. I would have you witness my greatest victory and know you are forever in my service.”
“What are you talking about, my queen?”
“You have led me to a new home world. I intend to challenge the weak human queen and raise my drones to their former glory.”
“None want your rule.”
Backhanding him across the face, she sneered. “Think you that I give a care for what drones want? The deciding belongs to queens. You know this, Arac. Who has poisoned your mind against our ways?”
“You have taught me to hate our ways as I hate you.”
Grabbing his antenna, she jerked it roughly. “It matters not. I will kill the queens, take the new queen maker, and force your brother to give me what you will not. You will die in the worst possible way as an example to all who consider turning against me.”
“In death I will find the kind of freedom being your breeder could never hope to offer.”
Blowing a hole in the top of Queen Carolyn’s newly built sprawling palace, the shuttle dropped down inside. As the drones with her moved to open the doors and spread their force field, Arac noticed they appeared to have the blinking disks attached their necks. They were hidden by the clothing, but nothing else would explain the gently blinking light visible beneath the garments.
He jerked in his restraints, knowing full well there was no hope of getting free. If only he could somehow warn the others. Kabelda cut his still bound hands from above his head and dragged him from the shuttle by the root of one wing. The pain was almost unbearable. Her drones had caught the lightly armed group by surprise. They had Raec and King Igor before anyone could organize any real resistance.
Dragging the two drones behind the force field, she baited the Earth females. “I am the only person in the ‘verse with the technology to slip through your defenses. Did you actually think that I had culled ships and drones at a time when I had so few resources at my disposal? I held them in reserve. They picked me up just microns after you left.”
Hel stepped forward, eyeing Raec. “Perhaps you are a bit more clever than I gave you credit for, however coming here was just real stupid. These drones are going to kill you the moment you drop your shield.”
“These drones now belong to me. They will submit to whoever is victorious in this battle. My only true enemies here are a handful of weak Earth females who don’t deserve to be called queens.”
“Aren’t you going to tell me all about how I’m going to die horribly and who am I to think of challenging you? Come now Kabelda, I know you love saying crap like that.”
Laughing, the strange clawed lashes whipped around her. Arac knew her well enough to know it was a trap. “Stay back, she’s planning something nasty.”
Motioning to her drones, they tied all three of their captives face first against the ship. Their shirts were quickly ripped open before the drones backed away. Arac knew what was coming next. It wasn’t the first time he’d been lashed by her.
“I’m going to have some fun with my new breeders. My shield is set to allow only human females to step through. Anything not biological that is over a tricon thick will be burned away.”
Arac watched Hel step immediately forward. Sure enough, the shielding burned away her thick uniform leaving only the thin bands Earth women were used to wearing under their clothing.
Kabelda used one of her lashes to tear into Raec’s back. Two more women walked through. Queen Carolyn and
Alexis stood at her side. Penny and a red haired young female blew through the shield. Then there was another redhead and someone holding back a very pregnant redhead. The ones with fire-colored hair must be fierce on the human’s world. A tiny human with black hair walked through. Where did the small ones get such bravery?
Digging her lashes into the king, Arac felt the sting of her bite as well. He tossed his head back to scream and saw dozens of Golugua had crawled up the force field and where clawing and scratching their way through it. Drones were circling the entire area. The looks on their faces told him if the shield came down they were taking their shot. He saw three men walk up to the force field and begin shooting some kind of huge plasma weapons at it.
Kabelda was shocked and, before she could react, something dropped from the ceiling, clanging to the ground. The Golugua had opened a small hole in the top of the force field and dropped long spears through the tiny opening. As they worked to make it bigger, he could see people passing weapons of every shape, size and caliber up to them.
Kabelda had seriously underestimated how the drones would react her return. Grabbing the weapons, the women circled around her. Lashing out at the humans proved to be a futile effort. The humans were lithe and light on their feet, easily dodging out of her way. Several even sliced through her lashes, causing her to squeal in pain.
To Arac’s amazement, more women moved through the force field. With everyone moving and Kabelda’s attention on them, the small dark haired one crept to his side and cut his bonds with her spear. “Help me disconnect the force field.”
Pulling her into the shuttle, he searched the controls for the defense weapons. Glancing out the huge back door of the shuttle, he could see the fight was heating up. Her drones had joined the fight, as had more human women. The strange part was as women fell others stepped forward, pulled them to safety, and returned to fight in their place. Women who didn’t know them were laying down their lives to save drones. It was humbling.
Just then, Kabelda spun around and shrieked her rage when she saw he was attempting to disconnect her protective shield. The moment Kabelda began moving towards him, the dark haired woman moved forward to meet her. Arac ran to help her fight the queen, but realized a moment too late that she had no intention of engaging with the vicious woman. She slammed her hand against the panel and the door slid shut, but not before Kabelda caught her in the midsection with one of her lashes.
Queen Maker's Bride (Alien SciFi Romance) (Celestial Mates Book 6) Page 11