by Lisa Lace
“Priya, you can’t leave me.� Allex’s loud voice echoed through the empty landing bay. I glanced nervously at his father. “You know I love you. I’ll face them and explain everything. Stay here.� His voice sounded anguished.
I don’t know what sort of apology I had expected from him, but a few sentences were enough for me. His only option was revealing everything. In an instant, I had forgiven him completely.
The door burst open, and Allex charged in. He stopped immediately after seeing his father and me in the middle of our intimate conversation.
“Hello, Father.�
“Allex, I believe you have some explaining to do.�
ALLEX
What was Priya doing with my father?
I wasn’t mentally prepared for this. When I realized Priya had left, I contacted Gwen immediately. She had been talking with Priya last night and had some idea of where she was.
Gwen had caved immediately, telling me everything about the plan they concocted. She felt that if I was prepared to tell everyone the truth it was better than Priya leaving me.
The mere thought left me shaking in a cold sweat. I had run all the way to the docking bay, hoping I could stop her. I couldn’t lose her again. We were supposed to be together, and if I had to confess things to my family, I was ready.
I tried to catch my breath and figure out what was going on, but there were too many things to think about. Sometimes the simplest approaches were best. “What are you doing here, Father?�
He tilted his head to the side and watched me. “I wanted to talk to your stowaway.�
I was still out of breath from my run. I preferred to avoid confrontation, but not if it meant losing Priya.
“She’s not my stowaway.� I moved beside her and took her hand. I closed my eyes for a second, gathering my courage, then looked my father straight in the eye as I spoke. “She’s my bond mate, and we’re getting married.�
Priya’s head shot around. The marriage was news to her. I held up a titanium armband which I hoped to clasp around Priya’s bicep.
Father’s eyes darted to the band I held. “I didn’t think my son could be so irresponsible.�
I didn’t know what I had expected for being honest with him. I was prepared to shout back at him, but before I could speak, Priya had stepped forward and started defending me.
“Excuse me?� Her dark eyes flashed. “Who do you think you are to talk to him this way? From what I know of Allex, he’s the most responsible of your sons, next to Arnon.�
“That’s true,� Gwen murmured behind us. I had forgotten she was here.
“He’s always done what you asked without making waves. Now he’s done exactly one thing for himself, and you can’t handle it.� She poked him in the chest. “It’s bullshit, and you know it.�
My father looked like he was going to explode, but unexpectedly started laughing and couldn’t stop. I had never seen him like this before. When he regained his composure, he spoke. “Miss Bhatt, I realize why Allex likes you.�
Priya wasn’t going to be deterred by his sudden charm. “I think you owe someone an apology.� She crossed her arms over her chest.
My father smiled as if she were joking before realizing she wasn’t. I thought I saw his eyes getting misty. Was he about to cry?
“It has been so long, I’d almost forgotten how wonderful women could be.� He straightened and looked me in the eye. “Allex, I’m sorry for insulting you and your fiancée. Please accept my apology.�
I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. Was my father doing something just because Priya told him to?
“If I could, I would right every wrong I’ve committed since your mother died.� His voice choked up. “Especially to you, Allex, the baby.� He looked me in the eyes, his face filled with sorrow. “Your mother made me a better man. I have missed her every day. The pain ruined me, but you boys banded together and refused to be knocked down.� His eyes were empty and lonely. “You left me out of your little circle, but maybe that was for the best.�
“I never knew my mother.� The old pain was returning, and it felt worse than ever. “I never knew my father, either. I think losing you was harder. You were right there, and I couldn’t have you in my life.�
There were tears in his eyes. “I’m sorry, Allex,� he whispered.
What was I supposed to do? I glanced at Priya, and she nodded her head at my father. I looked at the old man, worn out from the pain. We had left him out of the family because he had hurt us so much. It seemed cruel in retrospect.
I knew how hard it was to be without Priya and I had a window into his pain. Could I leave him hanging and keep fighting old battles?
I couldn’t. “I forgive you, Father.�
I imagined I could see a weight lift off of him. He looked lighter, happier, and younger. A sense of relief came over me.
“Bless you, Allex.� My father came to me and hugged me. I couldn’t believe he had realized his mistakes and apologized. I felt as though I had been waiting my whole life for this moment. I had no illusions that all the years of neglecting me could vanish in a second, but it was a start. After a move in the right direction, we might someday be a proper family again.
“Priya, I apologize for the pain you suffered at the hands of the prison authorities. Bless you for your honesty and sharp tongue. Call me Crindol. All my other daughters-in-law do.�
I snorted, and she grinned.
He climbed out of the ship. “I believe a shotgun wedding is in order.�
Chapter Twenty
ALLEX
Avren sat across the table from me. I didn’t know if I could believe what he was saying.
I had one hand on Priya’s flat stomach. She still didn’t show any sign of the child we both knew was there. We had been married for two weeks, and the baby was two months along.
Priya had healed completely after the debacle on Grayndelle. It hadn’t been as hard as I imagined to tell everyone about our bond. Arnon hadn’t been disappointed in me at all. There had been an ocean of difference between how I thought they would react and how they had actually reacted.
Instead of going to Father’s usual planned gathering, we had invited him to Sunday dinner instead. It was awkward and would take us a while to adjust, but I felt it was a step in the right direction to get our family back on track.
At the dinner, I came clean about everything and told everyone to stop bossing me around. After a few laughs, they said they would try and hadn’t realized what they were doing to me.
My thoughts were drawn back to the conversation as Arnon spoke again.
“Long story short, I think we can do some genetic engineering which will be active within one generation.� Avren nodded his head.
Arnon glanced at Jayne. The twins played quietly on the floor nearby, mumbling something to each other in their private language. “And after you make the changes, we won’t feel anything when we take our wings out?� He looked skeptical.
I didn’t say anything. If Avren could perform such a miracle, why didn’t he ever talk about it before?
Avren looked up at the ceiling. “I’ve been mulling over the idea over for a while, but when I saw Allex on Grayndelle, I became extremely motivated.� He launched into a complicated explanation that made my head hurt. Our eyes started to glaze over. He finished by saying something we could all understand. “I believe I can make it work for adults, but the most important thing is to alter the genetic code in all the fathers.�
Anders’ eyebrows flew up. â
€œThat way our children will never experience the pain we’ve had to go through.â€� He took Gwen’s hand, and she smiled broadly at him.
“Exactly.�
“Do you think you could start now?� Arnon frowned. “You could have said something about this a long time ago.�
Avren shook his head. “I don’t know how to do it. But I think I know someone who does.�
I had a question. “Would it be possible to modify the genes in the womb?�
“I don’t know about in utero, but once the babies are born, we can treat them before their wings emerge.�
Avren looked from Priya to Gwen to Elle and finally glanced at Jayne. They were all pregnant, three of them for the first time and Jayne for the second. The women were but a microcosm of the ship’s inhabitants, and Auxem was well on its way to repopulation.
Even so, Avren’s proposal created unbelievable possibilities. We loved flying, but it came at a cost and had been a very hard sell when we wanted women to have our children.
“What’s the guy’s name?� Ayrie had an innocent look on his face. Avren looked mildly uncomfortable. It seemed like he was blushing.
“Well, she’s a woman. She’s from Earth, but she’s been teaching at the University of Susohn.�
“Do you know her?� A suspicious look crept over Ayrie’s face.
“Who cares if he knows her or not? I hope he does. The real question is, will she come work with you?� Arnon exchanged a look with Ayrie.
“Hang on, you guys. Avren, what’s her name?� Anders sounded curious.
Avren hesitated for a moment. “It’s Vanessa Dwyer.�
There were groans from around the table. Avren must have expected a reaction like this from us.
“Anyone but her. She’s never going to help us.� Anders looked dismayed. “Do you think she has the answer to all our problems?�
“She’s the best molecular geneticist in the galaxy.� Avren shrugged.
“Who’s Vanessa Dwyer? She seems to be more than a geneticist to you guys.� Priya looked confused.
“Avren used to date her, but he dumped her when they were both still in school.� Ayrie glanced at Avren while trying to stop himself from laughing.
Avren shook his head. “You’re oversimplifying things. It wasn’t like that at all.�
“Maybe I am. But do you really think Vanessa’s going to leave a life on Susohn to help you? I mean, help us?�
“If she resists, I’ll have to change her mind. I can convince her, don’t worry.� I could tell from the tremor in his voice he wasn’t overly confident in his powers of persuasion.
Identical looks of disbelief passed around the table. I noticed Priya was giggling as she traded glances with the other women.
“I’m leaving soon to talk with her.�
“You’re going to Susohn in person?� Ayrie couldn’t hide his longing to go there. Ayrie had always wanted to finish his degree in oceanography on Susohn but never had the chance.
“Face-to-face communication is still the best. Vanessa will never agree over a video call or hologram.�
Anders grinned. “Is your plan to work your charm on her in person?�
Avren pushed his hair off his forehead. “I wouldn’t put it that way.� He was trying to keep his face expressionless. “I’m going to give her the facts. She won’t be able to resist the glory of discovering a cure to a crippling genetic problem.�
I heard some bitterness in his voice and wondered how badly things had ended between the two of them.
More groans came from both the men and women.
“Don’t mention the facts.�
“Call it charm. Charm her!�
“Maybe it would be best if you groveled.�
“Try getting down on your knees.�
Avren ignored the teasing. “You don’t know her like I do. She wants her name in the history books, and I have the perfect way to get it there. I’ll convince her.�
“If you manage to succeed, you’ll be even more responsible for saving our race than these lovely ladies.� Ayrie gestured at the women. “That’s saying something.�
“You’d be my personal savior,� I whispered, staring at my brother.
Avren nodded and looked back at me. “That’s the point.�
Jayne sniffled, tears falling from her eyes.
The silence which followed was broken when Gwen asked if anybody wanted to play a game of cards. We all joined in, but everyone was thinking about Avren’s proposal and what it would mean for our race.
PRIYA
Allex and I lay next to each other in bed, cuddling in the dark. I felt happy, safe and content. We married soon after we explained everything to his father while we were in the shuttle. We were going to have a baby. His father seemed to be realizing the mistakes he had made with his sons and was working to repair their relationships.
I wanted my child to grow up with a grandfather who was present, active, and enthusiastic. It didn’t look like we would be returning to Earth terribly often, but our baby needed to meet my parents. There were always holograms, but that wasn’t the same thing as seeing someone face-to-face. We would need to resolve the issue at some point.
Avren’s plan sounded fantastic. It wasn’t a certainty by any stretch, but if our child could avoid the kind of pain the Madellan brothers had endured, a terrible burden would lift from my shoulders.
“Allex, what do you think about Avren’s proposal?� I kept my voice to a whisper. I knew he wasn’t asleep.
“I don’t want to get my hopes up, but I can imagine what it would mean for our people. I don’t like hyperbole, but this would truly be something that changed our lives forever.�
“So, you’re not sure he and the other scientist can figure it out?�
“Well, the problem has affected the Auxem throughout recorded history. It would be quite an accomplishment.� He took a deep breath. “Even if it’s possible, they’re going to have problems with each other. Ayrie spoke with me after dinner. He said he had never seen two people in love with each other like that before.�
“Are you sure? What about Arnon and Jayne? Elle and Ayrie? Gwen and Anders?�
“What are you trying to say? Avren’s relationship happened before all of ours. Before Ayrie knew what was happening, it was over between them. Avren wouldn’t talk about it. All we know is that the breakup was not amicable. Avren hasn’t spoken with Vanessa since.�
“This is starting to sound worse and worse. How can Avren convince Vanessa to work with him?�
“I have no idea, Priya. It seems like a long shot. Maybe they’re different people now.�
“People never really change, Allex.�
“Maybe he can get her to come work with him. I don’t know. It’s Avren’s problem, not mine. I’m not going to hold my breath — I would be too disappointed if they didn’t solve anything. I’m not going to think about it. How are you feeling?� Allex deftly changed the subject to one thing we were endlessly fascinated with —pregnancy.
“I’m tired, but I feel good. There’s no nausea.�
He kissed me sweetly on the lips. “We’re lucky that everything worked out, Priya. I love you so much.�
“I love you, too, Allex. Nothing’s ever going to keep us apart.�
“Never.�
�� He pulled me to him and kissed me until I couldn’t think straight. “We’re going to be together forever now.�
Everything was perfect.
Avren
An Auxem Novel
Chapter One
AVREN
I didn’t expect Vanessa to answer the door nude.
Practically nude. Vanessa’s strawberry blonde hair curled down past her shoulders. Her thigh-length kimono made from royal blue silk wasn’t tied shut, revealing a matching panties and bra set. She wasn’t wearing anything else. I barely noticed her wide, green eyes.
What a way to greet me. It took me a minute to find my voice. “Do you always answer the door this way?� I could hear the thickness in my voice from being incredibly aroused. I couldn’t control the way my body reacted.
I suddenly realized it was a terrible plan. It wasn’t going to work. I couldn’t be around Vanessa.
She didn’t appear to be as shocked by my appearance as I was by hers. “Avren Madellan. I never expected to see you here again.� She sounded angry.
I peeked past Vanessa’s luscious, half-naked body. Her apartment looked like it hadn’t changed much since the time I attended university here on Susohn. I saw the same red vase she had made when she was sixteen in a pottery class. The furniture looked newer than the old pieces she had used as a student, but it was in the same style.
The living room was spotless. There was no smell of food in the air — Vanessa never cooked if she could help it. I could see a couple of awards on the wall which were probably from her work as a molecular geneticist. Being one of the best in the galaxy came with accolades.
She had left me because she had wanted recognition for her accomplishments. I should have been glad she found what she was looking for, but I didn’t take any pleasure in it.
Vanessa hadn’t made a move. We were still standing in her doorway, and I didn’t know what to say. I felt paralyzed.
“What do you want, Madellan?� Her tone was curt.