by Beva John
“Thank you.” I wish I had his confidence. I don’t know what the next day will bring, but as long as Lottie is doing better, I will not complain.
He bows in farewell, but I stop him. “One moment, please. I have a question. You mentioned bonds earlier. Sexual bonds used for political means. But what of mind bonds? Is that a myth? Do you know of anyone who has a mind bond?”
Serat looks down the hall to make certain it is empty before replying. “Yes. I and my dear wife shared a mind bond, although she has been dead now nine years. That is the hardest part of the bond, that it doesn’t last beyond the grave.”
I am touched by his honesty. I know nothing of his family or his private life, having only known him for his position in the government. I say, “If it is too personal, you don’t need to tell me.”
“No, it is good to talk of it.”
“What does it feel like?”
Serat smiles. “Do you think you might have a mind bond with your human?”
I should not expect to keep any secrets from him. He is too observant and an expert at interrogation. “I don’t know. Initially I thought about her all the time. And now, sometimes I feel like I know what she is going to say before she says it.”
Serat says, “For me and my wife, it was like whispers at first, sharing our inner thoughts. I had to pay close attention to understand her.”
“Does the mind bond get stronger over time?”
“Yes. And by the way, congratulations, Your Highness.”
CHAPTER TWENTY
LOTTIE
When Prince Magnar walks into my hospital room, I feel as if the sun has come out from behind dark clouds. He smiles and approaches my bed. “How are you feeling?”
“Much better now. The doctors have been miracle workers. I truly thought I was dying and now, thanks to something called nanites, I feel marvelous.”
He sits beside me and holds my hand. “I am so glad. When do the doctors think you can leave?”
“They say I can go home in the morning. They want to observe me one more night to make certain my digestion is working properly.”
“Excellent. And the baby?”
“Thriving.”
I am so glad to see him; I can’t keep from smiling. I think of our last conversation, when I told him that I didn’t want to die without having kissed him.
He beams at me and says, “I promised you a kiss, didn’t I?”
I look around. Although there is no one else with us in the room, there are many people in the hallways, and they can see us if they look. “Do you think that’s wise?”
“Why wouldn’t it be?”
“People will gossip.”
“Let them,” he says. He sits on the edge of my bed and leans towards me.
I put a hand on my hair. “I must look a mess.”
“No,” he says in a low tone. “You are beautiful.”
I am stunned silent by the look of adoration in his eyes. He cups the side of my face with his large blue hand – a gentle caress – and then his lips are on mine.
Good heavens. His lips are soft, yet persistent.
I clutch the sheets with my hands as he proceeds to kiss me a second and third time. All sweet, tender kisses that make me want to swoon.
He pulls back a few inches to look at me, reading my reaction in my eyes. I know he loves me. I can trust him. Then he kisses me again, nibbling on my lower lip, urging me to open my lips.
I open my lips and his tongue slides within.
I groan, as the pleasure of that touch reminds me of my morning sessions with the assistor.
He may be kissing my mouth, but my body reacts as if he is kissing me elsewhere – between my legs, making my lower lips throb.
I gasp and pull away from him, breathing deeply.
He gives me another peck on my lips. “Well? Was that the best kiss of your life? I know it was the best kiss of my life.”
My heart is beating rapidly. I say archly, “I don’t know. Technically, that was several kisses. I am not sure which was best.”
He smiles at me, amused. “I don’t mind trying again.”
“Neither do I,” I say. “But perhaps later, when we aren’t in a public place.”
“Are you shy?”
“A little.” I also wonder about Jing. I love Magnar, but it feels wrong to kiss him when he is engaged to another.
He looks at me sharply. “I am no longer engaged to Jing.”
I am relieved to hear it, but I don’t know why he told me. “I didn’t say anything about Lady Jing.”
“No, but you were thinking in here –” He taps my forehead with his finger. “You are thinking, and I can hear you.”
I don’t believe him. “Is this a parlor trick?”
“No. It’s a mind bond. A telepathic connection between two people who love each other. It’s a gift that some Brunes have.”
“But you’re half Brune.” I whisper so no one else can hear us.
He smiles and raises my hand, kissing my open palm. He looks up at me under his dark brows. “Then perhaps I will only hear half of what you are thinking.”
“Good heavens, you are serious about this.”
“I am.”
“All right then. Tell me what I am thinking now.” I close my eyes and put my hands over my face so that he can have no clues from my expression.
After a moment, he says, “Something about a shower?”
I drop my hands and peer at him closely, still not sure if I should believe him. “That is so strange. I was thinking about a shower. After being in the hospital, I am looking forward to going home and getting completely clean again.”
“I am glad you think of the palace as your home.”
“But how do I know you can read my mind? What if that was just a lucky guess?”
He grins. “I will let you know what I am thinking.”
“All right.”
I have a sudden image of myself in the shower, but instead of being my myself, Magnar is with me. We are both naked and water runs down our bodies. He stands behind me, his hands cupping my bare breasts. One of his big blue hands slides down between my legs, his fingers separating my folds. One of his thick finger slips inside my swollen sheath.
“Good heavens.” I am flustered and I shake my head, trying to clear my mind of that arousing scene. I feel my face blushing and I shift my legs, feeling a sudden warmth between them.
“Now do you believe me?”
“I do. But does this mean I will never have a moment’s privacy again?”
“I think it will be a conversation, but there is much more to learn.”
I look forward to that. “Have you ever felt a mind bond with anyone else?”
“No one. You are my one and only, Lottie.”
I can feel his love for me like a quilt wrapped around my shoulders.
Then Magnar glances at his data screen. “Pardon me,” he says abruptly. “It is Serat. I must speak with him.”
I understand. As the Crown Prince, Magnar has many obligations and I will never complain about his fulfilling them. He walks over to the side of the room to communicate with the head of the intelligence agency. As they speak, I can see that Magnar looks shocked and I sense not only fear, but a weight of concern and responsibility on his shoulders. He comes back to the bedside and says, “Lottie, I’m sorry. I must go immediately. The Queen has died.”
I’m astonished as well. “How?”
“A stroke. Apparently, she has had several mini strokes in the past year, but today, she had another and this one killed her.”
“I did not know she was so ill.”
“Neither did I,” he says, and I can tell that there is something else that concerns him.
“What is it?”
“The Queen and I argued earlier today. I can’t help but think that our argument may have triggered the stroke and led to her death.”
I take his hand in mine. “I think that is highly unlikely.”
He says, �
�I’ll never know, but whatever the cause of her death, I must move forward. I must speak to the Prime immediately.”
“I understand.”
“The next few days will be hectic with a Royal funeral and preparing for my coronation – assuming there is a coronation.”
“What does that mean?”
“In our argument, the Queen said she would prefer Chell to succeed her.”
“Good heavens, was she serious?”
“I don’t know. She was angry with me because I didn’t want her to pardon Jing.”
I am completely confused now. “What has Jing done?”
“She poisoned you.”
“What? I thought I had stomach flu.”
Magnar says, “Yes, I should have told you right away, but that is all in the past now. Jing will never be able to harm you again. And hopefully, I will still become King. But that is why I must talk with the Prime. And there will be matters I must take care of myself. I can’t delegate them.”
“Yes, of course. Do what you need to do.”
He smiles at me. “You are the most understanding woman in the five galaxies.” He leans over and kisses me briefly on the lips. “You know that I love you, right?”
“Yes.”
He smooths my hair back from my forehead. “And I will take care of you and protect you. But someone else may have to take you back to the Palace tomorrow morning.”
I nod. “That’s fine.”
He walks quickly to the door but pauses for one moment in the doorway before leaving. “If I do not become King, will you still love me?”
“Yes, perhaps we can find a hut in the woods.”
He smiles and I have another wave of feeling in my mind. No words, but a sense of appreciation from him, humor, and a sadness that we must part.
Mind bonding is astonishing.
And then he is gone.
WHEN I RETURN TO THE Palace the next day, I am accompanied by six bodyguards. And the Palace Manager informs me that in the future, all my food will be scanned and tasted before it reaches me.
In the mid-morning, I watch a public announcement by Magnar and the Prime which is recorded in the Queen’s private chambers and broadcast across the five galaxies.
I assume the chambers will soon be called the King’s private chambers.
The Prime addresses the planet first. “We regret to inform you that Queen Erdene died last evening. She died peacefully, in her sleep, having suffered a stroke that caused her heart to stop beating.
“I speak for the Assembly, expressing our sorrow for this great loss.
“Today is a sad day, but we must not fear or panic. We will follow the natural succession to the throne, following our ancient laws and protocols. Within a week, there will be a public funeral for Queen Erdene and a week after that, there will be a coronation for Prince Magnar, where he will become King of Allathone and all our colonies.
“We will provide more information in the coming days.
“And now, Prince Magnar has a few words to say.”
Magnar stands and faces the recording device. He looks so tall and solemn, and I know that this presentation is difficult for him. He says, “My beloved people. Together we are all united in our sorrow at the passing of Queen Erdene.
“She was a loving, dedicated leader and she spent most of her life, supporting and working with her husband King Tormag.
“With her death, the weight of responsibility, the crown, falls on me. I hope to follow my father’s example and be a good king for all the people of Allathone and our colonies, whether they are Brune, Namvire, Katoll, Human, Teek, or whatever species they are.
“My goal is to be a king for everyone.
“And, in an effort to be open and honest with my people, I must tell you that although I will always respect and honor Queen Erdene, she was not my biological parent. We have no blood connection.”
Good heavens, I never expected Magnar to tell the world this. I thought he would keep his ancestry a secret to his grave, but I underestimated him. He is not afraid or ashamed anymore.
He continues, “I am the offspring of King Magnar and a Human woman.
“Genetically, I am half-Human.
“But this does not change my loyalty and obligation to the Crown. I will do my best to serve you all my days.
“In addition, I am no longer engaged to Lady Jing. She will live elsewhere, on one of our outposts.”
I notice that he didn’t say that she would be incarcerated, but perhaps that is too much honesty. I am glad that she will not be around to cause more trouble.
He says, “Instead, I will marry a human named Charlotte Jamison.”
What?
“More information on all these matters will follow later. Thank you.”
The Prime speaks briefly again, assuring the planet that The Assembly and the Military fully support Prince Magnar as our future leader. “Rest assured, we are all united.”
My cynical nature cringes. When a politician says “rest assured” one should be prepared for the worst.
At this, the viewing stops and then the news media explodes with comments and commentary.
Prince Magnar Half Human the viewings cry.
Who is Charlotte Jamison?
Who is Prince Magnar’s biological mother?
Much of the media is critical, saying that Magnar took the wrong time to share his secrets, taking the focus away from the Queen. But I can understand why he did so. He did not want to take the Crown under false pretenses. If the planet cannot accept him, it is better that he learns this before taking power.
The response from individuals around the galaxies is overwhelming. There are talks of protests and civil unrest. From what I can tell, it looks as if Allathone is equally divided between those who are horrified by a mixed species heir to the throne and those who believe that it is “about time.”
Scientists provide data about how mixed species are genetically stronger.
Journalists reach out to me, wanting to interview me, but I refuse to talk to them until I know what Magnar wants me to say.
Magnar comes to my suite late in the evening, well after dinner. He looks exhausted, but he smiles when he sees me. “Hello, my love,” he says and walks into my open embrace.
I hold him in my arms, hugging him, wishing that I could take the weariness from him.
After a moment, he sits down in one of my chairs.
“Have you eaten?” I ask and he shakes his head.
“It doesn’t matter.”
“Would you like me to order something?”
“No, I am too tired, but I wanted to speak with you before I went to bed.”
I wait.
He says, “Are you all right? The media has exploded and there are protesters outside the palace.”
“I am fine,” I tell him. “But I do have one complaint.”
“What is that?”
“You announced our engagement today without asking me first.”
He frowns at me. “How can that be? I thought I already asked you.”
“Not in so many words. All I knew was that you loved me, and you wanted to protect and keep me.”
“Isn’t that the same thing?”
I smile at his confusion. “No,” I tell him. “This human female wants words. An actual question that I can remember.”
Magnar smiles as well. “My dearest, most wonderful Lottie, please forgive me for not asking you before. Will you now agree to become my wife and goddess willing, to become my Queen?”
He is sincere, but I can also hear the amusement in his voice.
“Let me think about it.”
“Lottie!”
I laugh. I would tease him further, but I can tell that he is tired.
I walk over to his chair and sit on his lap. I put my arms around his neck and kiss him. “Yes. I will marry you. Because I love you dearly.”
“Good.” He yawns and covers his mouth. “Do you want to marry now or when the baby is born?”
“I think there will be enough excitement over your coronation without adding a wedding. We can marry when the baby is born. After all, that is the Brune tradition.”
“Excellent. Thank you.”
I would ask him more about the preparations for the Queen’s funeral, but Magnar is too exhausted. We kiss once more and then say good night.
After he leaves, I hug myself and consider the future.
All my life, I have been a proponent of democracy. And now it seems, I will become a Queen, but only because I love Magnar and want to be his wife.
Does that make me a hypocrite?
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
LOTTIE
I don’t see Magnar during the next few days, but I can often hear him in my mind – telling me that he loves me. Sometimes the shared thought is like a whiff of smoke – him telling me that he’s very busy and he would rather spend time with me.
Soon, I tell him.
Not soon enough, he responds.
Princess Emjer and I spend several days preparing our clothes for the funeral. Brunes do not wear black for funerals, like Humans in Boston did. Instead, they wear robes that are a bright orange, which is very dramatic with their blue skin. I am afraid that orange will make me look sickly, but I will follow the tradition.
The Prime’s secretary has already spoken with me, telling me that although I can attend the funeral, I will not be sitting near Magnar. “We don’t want you to be a distraction.”
I do not want to cause problems, so I agree.
While we are waiting for the funeral, I try to keep abreast of the political developments. I watch an interview with the Prime who says that he has been talking with Prince Magnar over the past few months about future legislation. One of Magnar’s goals is to release all sentient species who are currently in stasis. As the Prime says, “Obviously, this can’t be done immediately. We can’t flood Allathone with them all at once, but we can create a schedule to release a percentage systematically every year until they are set free. And we will create an infrastructure to help these people – of all species – become active, productive citizens.”
When I hear this, my eyes fill with happy tears, thinking of all the women like me who will finally have a chance to live again. And the government of Allathone will be there to help them, thanks to my future husband.