“Are you saying they could have footage of us in our rooms,” Lydia asked.
“No. No, ma’am,” Frank said. “I had security check, and the server the room footage is on was not breached.”
“I feel violated,” Lydia said. “I feel like I can’t do anything here without being spied on.”
“There’s a suite on the top floor,” Frank said. “It has limited cameras in the rooms. You have control of them. We could move you to that suite.”
Mycos rubbed her shoulders. She’d made love to him, but after getting out of bed it hit her again. “Tell me what will help,” Mycos asked.
“It’s all of it,” she said. “They go after the girls. Now they’re practically in our bedroom.” She pressed her face against him to hide her tears. “I don’t know.”
“Do you want to change suites,” Mycos asked scowling at the manager.
“You decide,” Lydia said. She tried to curl into him so no one could see her.
“We will move,” he said. “If this move leaks, we will leave this establishment.”
“Of course, sir,” Frank said grateful they were staying. “Would you like a maid to come pack your belongings?”
“Why so they can sell information on our clothing or our…” Lydia stopped took several deep breathes. “I’m sorry. It’s been a rough few days. Thank you for the offer but we’ll handle our own packing.”
“Of course, madam,” Frank said. “I’ll send a hover cart up in an hour?”
“Thirty minutes will do,” Mycos said. “I want to know the result of your investigation.”
“Of course, sir,” Frank said.
***
“The new suite is nice,” Mycos said coming to stand behind her as she stared out at the skyline of the capital city.
“Do you think I overreacted,” Lydia asked looking over her shoulder.
“You were right,” Mycos said. “You were assaulted by the bastard. It has been repeated ad nauseum in the news. No. You did not overreact.”
“We haven’t heard from Angela or anyone from the director’s office,” Lydia said. “Maybe we need to return fire.”
“How,” Mycos asked. His com chimed and he pulled it out.
Sir, Justinian appeared on his com. You need to turn on the news. Doctor Wykes is holding a news conference.
“Thank you, Justinian,” Mycos said. “Now what?”
“Turn it on and let’s see what other damage we have to deal with,” Lydia said. She went to the twelve-foot long sofa and sat in the corner. Mycos sat next to her and turned the television to the all-news station.
Alexander Wykes appeared in a room at the hospital. He frowned as he stood before the press. I’ll make a statement. I will not take questions. Senator Weatherton has made many claims about the Hylatian devices and more inflammatory statements about Lord Mycos and Lady Lydia. In all good conscience, I cannot stand idly by while these two individuals and these visitors to our world are so outrageously maligned. Lady Lydia helped Saint Catherine’s hospital, one of the poorest hospitals in the poorest neighborhood in our city, by offering the scanning and healing devices for us to test. She grew up not far from here, lived on the streets in this treacherous neighborhood, and despite the daily horror she faced, she generously donated these machines to help the poor.
Senator Weatherton questioned her moral character. I think he did not know of whom he spoke. Lydia Witter has a medical history worth discussing. Lydia Witter, the daughter of Aubrey and Michael Witter - on the lower right of the screen id photos of her parents flashed - was in one of the death wards. She was brought in with her parents during the height of the plague. Every person on the floor died, but at twelve, Lydia Witter, now Lady Lydia Hylat, survived. When it was discovered she survived, a thorough examination of her and her blood was done. From her blood, a vaccination was developed which stopped the plague. This is not a woman of questionable character.
He stared at the media, met eyes with many of them to make sure they took down the information he provided. This is a woman who has not only survived the plague but saved our world. As a child, she protected six other children who were discarded by our society. She protected them while they struggled to survive on the streets and continues to provide for them now she has risen in our society to her current position. The slanderous statements by the senator are in error. I’ve been inside their home multiple times and met the girls. They are charming if a bit skittish of strangers. To question the guardianship of these two generous and loving people is wrong. The devices the Hylatians offer are beyond what we could hope to achieve in the next hundred years. The government needs to stop jerking around and make a deal before they decide to take their technology and leave. Alexander Wykes stepped away from the podium under a barrage of questions, none of which he answered.
“Why would he do this,” Lydia asked. “I know it’s exactly what we talked about but why come out so strongly in our favor?”
“Do you mind he announced to the world you saved them,” Mycos asked smiling at her confusion.
“I didn’t do anything,” Lydia said. “I lived. I didn’t want to at the time.”
“I am glad you did,” Mycos said.
“Do you think this will turn the tide,” Lydia said. “Oh no.” On screen they saw themselves coming out of the hotel when Lydia stopped and scolded the media.
Lady Lydia Hylat was quite firm in her assessment of the Hylatians. One wonders what Senator Weatherton is hiding.
“It might,” Mycos said. “Your com is chiming.”
She reached for it. “It’s news agencies,” she said. “There are at least a dozen of them.”
“And yet nothing from the director,” Mycos said.
“What do I do about all of these,” Lydia asked.
“Do you want to go on them,” Mycos asked.
“Will it help,” Lydia asked.
“Should we get Sally and Gregor on the line to discuss it,” Mycos asked.
***
“Lady Lydia,” Teryl Duncan said. “You’ll be introduced and go sit in the chair right across from Donna Lester.”
“All right,” Lydia said tightly holding Mycos’ hand.
“Lord Mycos, are you willing to join them,” Teryl asked.
“This is about Lydia,” Mycos said.
“Mycos,” Lydia whispered his name, her eyes begged.
“It is about the good you have done,” he said taking her into his arms.
“Without you,” she said. “None of it…”
“You are the star,” he said kissing her temple.
“Please,” she asked.
“As you wish,” Mycos said feeling her tremble. “You will be amazing.”
“How long,” Lydia asked.
“Not long,” Teryl said. “Let me get you in place.”
Mycos stood with her while Donna Lester did her introduction. He held her, kissed her, and encouraged her. Donna called her name. Lydia made a little squeak but smiled as she stepped out.
“Lady Lydia,” Donna said stepping forward to take her hand. “Should I bow?”
“It will make me blush, if you do,” Lydia said.
“Have a seat,” Donna said smiling. “Thank you for joining me today.”
“Thank you for having me,” Lydia said.
“There’s been a lot of contradictory information smeared all over the news about you and Lord Mycos,” Donna said. She turned to look at a screen behind them - quotes from the Senator, Alexander Wykes, and herself.
“There has,” Lydia said glancing at them.
“What’s the actual truth,” Donna asked.
“I don’t know where to start,” Lydia said. “If I refute the senator’s statements, it will sound defensive.”
“Tell me your story,” Donna asked, stepping away from the stock questions for this type of interview.
“My parents died in the plague,” Lydia said. “I was on the death ward.” Her breath hitched and she took a sip of water from the
glass sitting next to her.
“It’s hard for you to remember and talk about this,” Donna asked.
Lydia looked down, stared at her hands. “Before the plague, I lived with two parents who loved me. I had two sets of grandparents who adored me. It was idyllic.”
“It sounds like it,” Donna said.
“The plague took everything from me,” she said. “My family, my sense of safety, my trust. The horror of that ward.” She shook her head. “It’s the start of a nightmare existence.”
“You were put into care and sent to a foster home,” Donna said.
“I ran away from it, when I realized the man in charge hurt the children in his care. It didn’t matter boy or girl, none of us were safe from him,” she said. “I took to the streets and hid. It was a difficult existence. But there were people who helped me. Older homeless people gave me tips, watched out for me in the beginning. Then I met Nic and we looked out for one another.”
“In fact you gathered up girls,” Donna said.
“Six of them,” Lydia said. “I’m not discussing their stories. They have the right to privacy.” She looked fierce and protective, like any mother.
“How did you meet Lord Mycos,” Donna asked.
“I ran into him in the street,” Lydia said.
“Just walking down the street and ran into him,” Donna asked.
Lydia laughed, “No, I ran into him. I was being chased by some boys from the street gangs. As I ran down the sidewalk, I rammed into him.”
“What a unique meeting,” Donna said genuinely charmed. “Did your eyes meet and that was it?”
Lydia paused, considered. “No, he followed me,” she said. She explained about the boys and fighting them off.
“What an adventure,” Donna said.
“It was terrifying,” Lydia said. “I had to make sure the boys didn’t follow me so the girls were safe.”
“What was his impression of you,” Donna asked.
“I can’t speak for him,” Lydia said blushing.
“Perhaps we could convince Lord Mycos to join us,” Donna asked. Another chair was brought out and set next to Lydia. Mycos considered telling them no but knew she was still nervous.
Donna stood, shook his hand and indicated the chair. “The two of you have had an intriguing start to your relationship,” Donna said. “What were your first impressions of her?”
“Your audience cannot really find this interesting,” Mycos said.
“But they do,” Donna said.
“I thought her a pretty girl,” he said. “She was in my arms for a few seconds. As soon as she was gone, I knew she was my mate.”
“How does that work,” Donna asked.
“It is a knowing, a calling of soul to soul,” Mycos said.
“Did you sweep her off her feet,” Donna asked.
“I wanted to,” Mycos said. “Instead, I ordered my men to guard the seven of them while I made arrangements to have all of them gathered up.”
“All seven of them,” Donna asked. “If she was your mate, why take the others in.”
“It is the only way she would have come,” Mycos said. He kissed her hand.
Lydia and Mycos told the story of their beginning. Donna leaned in, listened intently.
“Do all Hylatians kidnap their mates,” Donna asked.
“He did it to protect us,” Lydia said. “I know how I sound but we were skittish and afraid of everything. If they had come for us, we would have fought harder and it would have caused a problem with the authorities. Instead he had the authorities pick us up and gave us choices.” She explained about the clean clothes, the food and how the men ate everything before they would eat. “His men tend to us, care for us. They’re sweet and fierce.”
“Some would consider you under his influence so your defense of him only condemns him,” Donna said.
“They can think what they want,” Lydia said. “When we first met, he was all you are my mate and you will submit.”
“I was very arrogant,” Mycos said. “She held her own and kept saying no. We admire strength in our women. She made me proud.”
“I was injured,” Lydia said.
“I thought you were dead,” Mycos reminded her. She put her hand on his cheek. “I thought her dead and knew I would wait until she was ready before we solidified our connection.”
Donna asked, “Why would you confess to this somewhat shady beginning to your relationship?”
“If we lied and I considered it in order to protect him,” Lydia said. “Someone would have produced proof of how we came together. Did he do everything the right way in the beginning? No but he was new to our society and trying to work within a system he didn’t quite understand.”
“You maintain these men treat your girls better than humans,” Donna asked.
“I came home after an appointment with one of our doctors to find Mycos and Gregor sitting with the girls,” Lydia said.
Mycos shook his head.
“You don’t want her to tell this story,” Donna asked.
“It is less than masculine,” Mycos said.
“But it’s sweet,” Lydia said. “I came home and discovered two of the girls painting Mycos and one of his men’s fingernails. How many men would allow their sisters to paint their nails?”
“Oh Lord Mycos, I think your approval rating just skyrocketed,” Donna said. “It may not be masculine, but it is definitely sexy and sweet in ways most men won’t understand.”
“It shows he will do anything for our girls,” Lydia said.
They talked about their growing relationship. Donna steered the conversation around to the current issues. “Why is Senator Weatherton against the two of you,” Donna asked.
Lydia moved closer to Mycos, he put his arm around her. “We do not have to,” he murmured.
“He assaulted me,” Lydia said. “We invited him along with other people to our home for cocktails and conversation. We wanted to talk about all the good we’ve been doing with the educational programs and the medical options. He spoke with Alexander Wykes, Carol and Trinity Giese for the medical devices. He never saw them work. At first he made suggestive comments, but Mycos equated he and I being mates to my being his wife.”
“In learning about your society, it is the closest thing you have,” Mycos said. “But on our world, being a mate is something deeper. We mate for life. We are always faithful and spend our entire lives tending to our mates.”
“Later in the evening, Senator Weatherton bumped into me, asked me to go on the patio, which I refused,” Lydia bit her lip. “He made some very unpleasant remarks. I don’t want to…”
“It is all right,” Mycos said soothed her.
“He assaulted me,” Lydia said. “He grabbed my wrist. He yanked on my hair, tried to grab my breast. I fought him off, but Mycos got there before I had to do anything drastic. He pulled him away from me.”
“On my world, this action would be met with swift and severe punishment,” Mycos said. Lydia took a drink of water. Her hands shook but she swallowed and calmed down.
“Mycos was angry I didn’t let him follow through with his customs,” Lydia said. “He thought I was protecting Senator Weatherton, but I wasn’t.”
“She was protecting me,” Mycos said he held both her hands and kissed them. “She knew it would be a political nightmare. She knew all the progress we've made would be lost if I followed through.”
“What is the punishment for interfering with a mate on your world,” Donna asked.
“Death,” Mycos said calmly.
“We had our security put him in a transport back to his hotel,” Lydia said. “I hoped it would be the end of it.”
“But it hasn’t been,” Donna said. “You’ve been hounded by the media. In fact hotel security footage was illegally obtained.” On the screen behind them, the video of them in the hall played. “Speculation has been you were reluctant to return to the room because you were being forced.”
Lydia laughe
d, “I was complaining about my feet hurting. He picked me up so we could get in the room faster.”
“Should I ask why,” Donna asked. Lydia blushed prettily. The video stopped at the moment when she took his face in her hands.
“It was an intimate moment,” Lydia said. “Mycos looked to make sure no one else was around before he picked me up. He’s very careful with me.”
They chatted for a little while longer and Donna did her sign off. When they were clear she stood to shake their hands. “This must have been difficult for you,” she said.
“Everything has been private,” Lydia said. “No one needs to know and it’s awkward to share so much personal.”
“I’ll give you my card,” Donna said. “I know you probably have more interviews.”
“No, we are returning to the hotel until later when we have another appointment,” Mycos said.
“I only wanted to tell this once,” Lydia said.
“You picked me,” Donna said. “May I ask why?”
“You have the best reputation for being fair,” Lydia said. “Hannah likes your hair.”
“Thank you,” Donna said touching her hair. “Take my card. If you want some positive PR, I’ll come help you exploit whatever your next charitable event is.”
“Thank you,” Mycos said.
“It was nice to meet you,” Lydia said.
As they walked away, Teryl joined Donna. “This interview will earn you awards,” he said. “It’s already trending.”
“Yes but the credit goes to them,” Donna said.
***
“I’m not wearing those impractical shoes,” Lydia said. “My feet still hurt.”
“Did you bring practical shoes,” Mycos asked smiling at her grumbling.
“I hope so,” Lydia said. “Hannah and Abby did a lot of the picking.”
“At this point we do not have a meeting,” Mycos said sitting next to her and rubbing her feet.
“Oh. That feels nice,” she said. “If they don’t make an appointment, we’ll make love until tomorrow. We are ordering in.”
“So you do not have to wear impractical shoes,” he asked.
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