She frowned and glanced up. “How do you know so much? You’re bedridden and have only been awake for less than a day.”
The corner of his mouth ticked up. “I have my ways.”
“And let me guess, you’ll only share them once I’m your bride?”
“Perhaps. It depends if you promise to stay out of trouble until after our child is born.”
Our child. Warmth bloomed in her chest at Keltor’s words.
And yet, there was something more important she needed to discuss first. “I think the bigger question is whether I can still become your bride or not, given recent events.”
“Of course you will become my bride. The Sulanis haven’t reneged, according to my sources. Besides, they have been granted exclusive rights for the announcement. Everything is already in place.”
She blinked. “What are you talking about?”
“Look inside the drawer next to the bed and see for yourself.”
As much as she didn’t want to leave Keltor’s side, her curiosity was stronger. Sitting up slowly, so as to not jostle the bed, she finally opened the drawer and extracted a large, rectangular package.
The paper was striped in gold and lavender, the colors reminding her of Keltor’s and Azalyn’s skin tones respectively.
She carefully unwrapped the package and revealed a wooden box. The royal seal was stamped into the black wood with a green-tinged gold inlay, the official color used for all royal seals.
Taking a deep breath, she released the latch and opened the lid. Inside were two ceramic mugs, glazed in a shimmery white. In the center of each was a face—one hers, with the words Queen Azalyn, the other Keltor’s, with the words King Keltor. Emblazoned on the inside lid of the box was a date about two months in the future, coupled with a few sentences:
The claiming ceremony of King Keltor tro el Vallen and Azalyn Sulani will be broadcasted exclusively in Sulani Merchant shops around the planet. Join us for the celebration and activities to commemorate the happy event.
From her decades working for the Sulanis, she immediately recognized a marketing ploy when she saw one—never before had there been merchandise related to the monarchy for sale, not even for the coronations. “They’re going to make a fortune off the merchandise.”
Amusement tinged Keltor’s voice. “I suspect so. The announcement sets are due to go on sale in a few weeks. Both Ulrick and I are confident that the first publicly broadcasted claiming ceremony of a king and his bride will be too good to overlook. Not to mention the public support of the Sulanis selling wares related to the palace will make quite a few think twice about rebelling.”
The Sulanis were the exclusive vendor to many establishments around the globe, not to mention many corporations had loan accounts with them, too. “Let’s hope so.”
“Azalyn.” She met his gaze again. “It will work. Even if I have to use a hover chair to attend a ceremony in an underground bunker, we are going to be married on that date. After all, that’s the anniversary of when we had our real first kiss.”
A long ago memory, of stealing a kiss under a tree, flashed into her mind. “How did you remember that? Not even I could tell you the date after decades.”
“It was important to me, zyla. It was the date a female stole my heart for the first time, and I never seemed able to forget her, no matter how hard I tried.”
Gently placing the box on the shelf next to the bed, she slowly moved until her face was just above Keltor’s. “I love you, Keltor tro el Vallen.”
Reaching up, he cupped her cheek. “I love you more, Azalyn Rippak Sulani.”
She raised an eyebrow. “So, this is to be a contest, now?”
“Not until I’m healed. Then we can try to outdo each other in the bedroom.”
Snorting, she pressed her forehead against his. “You may be king, but you’re still just a male.”
He smiled slowly. “A fact I will remind you of often.”
She felt something warm against her abdomen and looked down to see Keltor’s hand. Without hesitation, she laid hers over his.
For a few moments, they remained that way, their hands protecting their unborn child, as if to ward off any threats that may come in the future.
And for the first time since learning of her pregnancy, Azalyn began to think that everything would work out.
Well, until the door slid open and all hell broke loose.
~~~
Even with his hand over Azalyn’s abdomen, it was still sinking in that he was going to be a father.
Again.
If not for his damn leg, he would’ve lifted Azalyn into the air, twirled her around, and shown her how grateful he was for the news.
But the moment was ruined by the door opening and a teenage female with golden skin and dark blue hair raced into the room. Close on her heels was Toralyn.
Toralyn growled, “You were told to wait.”
The teenager somehow managed to keep enough distance from Toralyn so as to avoid capture. “He’s my brother. I have every right to see him.”
Keltor frowned and put the female’s looks and words together. “Kasarra?”
At her name, she turned her head.
And Toralyn promptly tackled the girl to the ground.
With a sigh, Keltor mustered as much steel into his voice as he could. “Let her up, Toralyn. If she went to this much trouble, then she’s earned a few minutes with me.”
If looks could kill, Toralyn’s would’ve sliced him in two. But she obeyed, and the female who was his half sister rose to her feet.
Dusting her skirts, she stuck her tongue out at Toralyn and Keltor immediately felt a headache forming behind his eyes.
Thankfully the teenager looked back to him and said, “Yes, I’m Kasarra.” She stood tall, although it didn’t help much since she barely came to Toralyn’s shoulder. “And you are my brother Keltor.”
He resisted a laugh at her words. “Yes, that is me. What is it you wish to discuss?”
“I—” She paused before finally saying, “I don’t know. I just wanted to see you.”
Toralyn muttered some choice words, but Keltor ignored them. After all, Kasarra was only sixteen. “Well, you seem fortunate to share my good looks. There’s no denying we’re related.”
Regaining her composure and standing tall, she said, “I’m not so sure about that. Apart from my hair, I take more after my mother.”
At the young female’s firm tone, Keltor had to admire her.
It also reminded him of his father’s long-hidden female and his multitude of secrets.
An older female rushed into the room. Short, with golden skin and magenta hair threaded with silver, she stopped at Kasarra’s side and grabbed the girl’s bicep. “Kasarra Mayven, you were told to wait.”
Looking between the two, Keltor saw the resemblance. “You must be Jalarra.”
At her name, the older female met Keltor’s gaze. “Yes.” After a second, she quickly bobbed her head, as if remembering her place. “Your majesty.”
“No need for formalities. Keltor will do. I must thank you for allowing us to stay at your retreat.” When Jalarra remained quiet, he added, “My father spoke highly of you to my bride.” He gestured to his side. “This is Azalyn.”
As if on cue, Azalyn moved to stand in front of Jalarra. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Jalarra.”
Jalarra studied Azalyn’s face before replying, “So, you found a way after all.”
“Pardon?” Azalyn asked.
Shaking her head, Jalarra took a step back, taking her daughter with her. “Nothing. We should leave the king to rest.”
“I hope we can talk more later, if you have the time,” Azalyn said with a smile.
“Perhaps.” Jalarra took another step back. “Congratulations on your upcoming claiming ceremony.”
With that, Jalarra exited the room, her daughter in tow.
Toralyn spoke up. “I’m going to watch her more closely this time.”
And before Kelt
or could say a word, his daughter left, too.
The room was almost too quiet. How quickly he’d grown accustomed to chaos with his ever-growing family.
Azalyn sat on the edge of his bed and took his hand. “You know what you need to do.”
He smiled at his female. “Yes, I know. As soon as I can maneuver into a hover chair, could you arrange a meeting with my father, his lover, and my sister? Toralyn and Kelzal should be there, too. I only wish Korjal could join us, making the Kelderan-arm of my family complete.”
According to reports, Korjal had disappeared. Keltor had a few of his guards searching for his brother, but until they could return to a newly rebuilt and secured palace, most of his resources were spent protecting the retreat complex and searching out more of the antimonarchist leaders.
Squeezing his hand, she said, “Of course. But I must say, I already like your sister.”
“I figured you would say that,” he drawled.
Azalyn laughed. “Well, you did say how you hated being alone and isolated. It now seems you have more family than you know what to do with.”
He smiled. “Yes. As much as it will turn my hair gray, I wouldn’t have it any other way.” After kissing the back of her knuckles, he added, “But I think we should share some of the…boisterousness with Kason. The doctor said I could move about with a hover chair in a day or two. If we schedule a meeting with my father and his other family, and then a video one with Kason about fifteen minutes after that one begins, we can all talk to him and his bride. Kason will make sure that Kalahn is there, too.”
“I still think Kalahn would be a better watch guard for your other half sister on Jasvar, Kajala, than Kason.”
He grunted. “Kalahn can barely keep herself out of trouble. How is she supposed to do it with someone else?”
“You should at least give her a chance, Keltor. The responsibility might be good for her. Not to mention she and Kajala are only a little under four years apart; they have the greatest chance of bonding with each other. Because as much as I love my older male, two of your children are older than your half siblings.”
“Did you just call me old, zyla?”
“Older, your majesty. There’s a difference.”
Tugging her hand, Azalyn leaned close enough so that her lips were only a few scant inches away. “I can’t wait until I’m healed enough to leave this bed and show you just how many years young I still am.”
She ran a hand down his body, under the sheet, and lightly brushed his semihard cock. At her light touch, he turned to stone. “I look forward to it.”
He kissed her, stroking the inside of her mouth, and lightly nipping her bottom lip. No matter that he’d had Azalyn dozens of times over the last month or so, it wasn’t enough.
As he groaned at her taste, he decided no amount of times would ever be enough.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Two days later, Azalyn walked alongside Keltor’s hover chair and took strength from his firm hand holding hers.
Somehow she’d managed to convince Jalarra, Kastor, Kasarra, Kelzal, and Toralyn to all be in the same room at the same time. Since Kasarra lived to irritate Toralyn, and the pair of them made Kelzal shake his head and run for his ad-hoc research lab, it was no easy feat. “I still say my job was harder than yours.”
Keltor had been responsible for setting up the meeting with Kason.
Her male chuckled. “You say that, but remember, Kason had to first locate Kalahn and then practically lock her in a room for a day so she wouldn’t go wandering again.”
“I somehow think Taryn will have a different story as I believe Kalahn is taking some lessons from her warriors.”
“Perhaps, but she’s also exploring caves and waterfalls, if the reports are accurate. So much so that it’s delayed Syzel and Ryven’s return trip home with the colony transport ship because of them having to search for her.”
“Maybe one of them should remain and watch Kalahn clandestinely. I’m sure Kason’s carefully vetted elite warriors can help protect the colony ship.”
“We shall see. Depending on how he acts for the video conference, I will either make it easier or harder on my brother. As it is, our sister Kajala refused to attend.”
According to Kason’s messages, Kajala rarely left her quarters, apart from when her duties required it. “Give it time, zylar. I have faith that everything will work out in the end.”
Her words implied more than just with his family. Information had started flowing in about disgruntled Barren thanks to Vala’s contact. On top of that, Xerla had begun a secret investigation into the Sulanis. One day, Azalyn and Keltor hoped to be rid of their current partnership.
They arrived at the conference room, which was guarded by Xerlig and Ervan. Azalyn smiled at each of them. “Any injuries yet?”
Ervan grunted. “If so, Toralyn will be at fault.”
She bit back a smile. “Is everyone else here?” When Ervan gave a brief nod, she looked to Keltor. “And so it begins.”
Shaking his head, he entered the doors once they opened, taking Azalyn with him.
Kastor lay in a hover bed, with Jalarra on one side and Kasarra on the other. She noted that each female held one of Kastor’s hands, which probably meant that they had made peace with the former king.
On the other side of the room, Toralyn sat on the edge of the table with her arms crossed over her chest. Kelzal sat at the table, taking apart a portable replicator machine.
Toralyn was the first to speak. “You’re late.”
She resisted a sigh. “Actually, we’re on time.”
Her daughter shrugged. Ever since Azalyn had explained that Dolvia Sulani wouldn’t be allowed to see her until she passed a thorough background check, Toralyn had become more difficult than usual.
At least she hadn’t tried to run away.
Keltor’s voice filled the room. “I appreciate you all coming, especially you, Father.”
Kastor gave a small smile. “I should be the one thanking you, Keltor. You’re going to bring most of my family together today. I will forever be in your debt.”
If Keltor were standing, Azalyn guessed he’d have shifted his feet. Praise from Kastor was never easy for him.
She lightly squeezed her male’s hand and he continued. “The reason I wished to gather you all here, beyond allowing Father to see everyone, is to let you know what lies in our futures.
“As you know, Azalyn and I will be married soon. Provided it goes as planned and the planet mostly remains at peace, I intend to formally recognize Kasarra and Kajala.” Jalarra’s eyes widened. Keltor continued before she could speak. “As for Korjal, once he’s found and hopefully can be swayed to accept us, I will work toward acknowledging him as well.”
Azalyn jumped in. “Which brings us to our next point. Jalarra, with your permission, we’d like to make this retreat a permanent royal residence. That way, you and Kasarra can be protected but will still also have your home.”
Jalarra frowned. “But what of my business?”
Keltor answered, “We’d still like to use it for international visitors and royal guests. If some of my plans are successful, we might be having more humans come to the planet. I think this would be an ideal place to welcome them, what with the forest and mountains in the distance.”
“Will I still have full control of how this place is run?” Jalarra asked.
Azalyn was starting to see why Kastor adored his female—being royal meant little to her, in terms of ceremony.
She nodded. “For the most part, yes. Although the dietary requirements of humans can be slightly different. I hope you’ll allow suggestions.”
Bowing her head, Jalarra said, “Of course.”
“Good.” Keltor swung his head toward Toralyn and Kelzal. “Azalyn and I hope that both of you will attend the claiming ceremony.”
Kelzal never looked up from his machine. “Of course.”
Toralyn merely stared at her and Keltor. She held her breath.
“Always the one to negotiate,” Keltor drawled.
“Well, it’s hard not to. What with my merchant upbringing and half of my genetics coming from a king.”
Azalyn forced her voice to not sound overly eager. “We shall try, although with recent events, you must understand why we’re being cautious with regard to inviting guests here.”
“You know my terms,” Toralyn stated. “Whether I attend or not is up to you.”
Part of her admired her daughter’s ability to stand up for what she wanted, and another part wanted nothing more than to scowl and order her to heed their request.
In other words, she felt like a mother.
She resisted placing a hand on her lower abdomen. Now wasn’t the right time to share the secret.
The video screen flashed with a transmission request. Keltor glanced around the room. “That will be Kason, his bride, and Kalahn. The line is secure, so feel safe to speak freely.”
As Keltor clicked the Receive button, Azalyn pasted a smile on her face. She had yet to meet Kalahn, either in person or via a video conference. And for some strange reason, she wanted Keltor’s sister’s approval.
~~~
Keltor may have survived the meeting thus far, but tension was thick in the room. For once, he hoped his sister Kalahn could act the part of a royal sibling and display at least some semblance of restraint.
Not that he wanted to change her completely, but the truce among the factions of his family was tentative at best. If she could avoid saying the first thought that entered her mind, it could save him a lot of trouble.
Kason, Taryn, and Kalahn’s faces appeared on screen. Kason sat between his bride and their sister. Taryn was the first to speak. “Hello everyone. Greetings from Jasvar.”
While accented, his sister-in-law managed to get the words correct in Kelderan. “And similar greetings from Keldera.”
The Heir Page 24