The relationship between Caligastia and Indra had always been complicated. In matters of war and conquest, Indra was quite predictable. The only thing predictable about Caligastia was his predilection to follow his own indulgences.
Kuko knew it was all but impossible to determine ahead of time what Caligastia might do when the wars against the Azakamani began in earnest. She could not even fully count on him to follow his indulgences. He was quite capable of resisting his urges for some time if he thought delay of gratification would bring him even greater indulgences in the future.
“Hello Kuko,” Queen Amphitrite said as she gave Kuko an unhurried kiss on each cheek. Kuko well knew that no Caligastian, Amphitrite included, cared about godly names. “You looked so lovely and elegant during the ceremony. But you always have looked lovely on stage.”
“Thank you, Queen Amphitrite,” Kuko said. She subtly dipped her head and spread her arms, exactly the way the Caligastians greeted royalty. “I cannot express how delighted I was to see you today. There were so many in the audience who were clearly displeased with Lord Smigyl’s selection, so it put me at ease to look upon your beautiful face and warm smile.”
Amphitrite was actually not that beautiful. Many were far more beautiful than her. But it always put Amphitrite in a good mood to hear she was beautiful. As much as they were pathetic as warriors, the Caligastian royal family, irrespective of what planet Lord Smigyl stationed them on, always figured out how to remain extremely wealthy. So, if you really pissed them off, which was quite easy to do as they were fussy and could easily become insulted, they could hire enough mercenaries to make your life miserable.
Kuko had made an in-depth study of Caligastian history and culture — and not just their history while on Eden. Since the Queen was considered the wellspring of all things Caligastian, it was Kuko’s detailed understanding, and clear exuberant appreciation and respect, along with her flawless command over the Castile language that had won over the royal court. Kuko still received invitations to perform in Caligastian plays, which she accepted whenever possible. If not possible, Kuko always handwrote the most eloquent letters in reply to apologize for her inability to accept the honor. She had Salecia hand-deliver them whenever possible.
For several minutes, Caligastia and Amphitrite took their time casually speaking with Kuko, for the Caligastians were never in a hurry to do anything, especially when food and wine were involved. Their many servants hovered around them, ensuring their wine glasses remained full and the flow of hors d’oeuvres remained constant.
For awhile, Kuko wondered if Caligastia would bring up the sudden disappearance of his Meur Creatures stationed in the Celestial Waters around Eden. Indra’s information services suspected the Valkyrie had finally tired of having their ships attacked and their passengers raped and killed by the lust-filled, vicious Meurs. Caligastia did not mention it, either because he did not know or more likely because he did not care.
The other delicate diplomatic issue was Chef Vohu Manah, who by now, along with his three master chefs was encased in a nasty, sewer-filled shipping container on their way to Justice Lycurgus. Kuko had carefully crafted a letter of explanation and apology, as that was the polite thing to do. She knew the letter had been delivered to the Caligastian royal court but she had heard no reply.
Finally, Amphitrite gave Gwenith a delicate nod. Gwenith almost leapt on Kuko, instantly grabbing and kissing her, her mouth blabbing about everything simultaneously. Kuko was one of very few in the Creation who could keep up with her multiple, simultaneous stories.
Kuko listened effortlessly, keeping her full attention on the young Princess without becoming bored or aggravated. Caligastia and Amphitrite took a few polite steps back, with Caligastia keeping himself entertained by an occasional puff on his pipe full of the forbidden Soma plant, while casually commenting on every minute aspect and delicate flavor of the wine and hors d’oeuvres.
Amphitrite kept her eye on the dynamic between Kuko and her beloved daughter. Of course, they had met before. Yet, this was the first time the Queen had seen how Kuko interacted with Gwenith. Amphitrite quite literally fell in love with Kuko as she watched how she opened her heart to Gwenith, and maintained her full attention on her, asking just the right questions, keeping her beloved Princess flowing with joy rather than shutting her off, shutting her down the way her brother, Sloot always did.
Kuko noticed Gwenith sizing up a Nazz lieutenant — a handsome young man — one of Rickey Reinhardt’s personal assistants. Gwenith was filling in another detail about her latest shopping trip to Glamoria when she stopped mid-sentence. Her face turned red when she saw this handsome Nazz warrior walking toward her with Rickey.
“Prince Caligastia.” Rickey Reinhardt bowed. “Queen Amphitrite.” He bowed even lower. “Please forgive my interruption, but a matter has emerged which I must discuss with Lilith.” He took two steps back, remaining at full attention, looking straightforward, and not speaking to Kuko until spoken to.
Kuko gave a polite gesture to Gwenith to pause their conversation, even though Gwenith was quite distracted by the handsome lieutenant and had completely forgotten what she was talking about.
“May I be allowed to introduce to you our Captain of the Guard.” Kuko bowed to Caligastia and Amphitrite. “This is Colonel Richard Reinhardt.” Reinhardt took two steps forward, clicked his heels in pure Nazz fashion, bowed at an exacting angle, straightened, and then took two steps back.
“Colonel Reinhardt, I would also like for you to meet this lovely young lady. This is Princess Gwenith Castile, the daughter of Prince Caligastia and Queen Amphitrite,” Kuko continued. “Gwenith, this is Rickey. And this is his second in command, Lieutenant Douglas Franziska.”
Actually, Douglas was not second in command of anything, but Kuko thought it sounded better than errand boy. She knew in five minutes Gwenith would completely forget about rank and titles. She would be doing well if she remembered her own name.
Rickey gave another sharp bow, then smiled as he saw Gwenith’s attention fully on Douglas. When Douglas bowed to Gwenith, he gazed directly into her green eyes. As he straightened and just before returning his attention to full forward, he gave her a suggestive little wink that made her tingle.
“Lieutenant Franziska. Please keep our distinguished guest entertained while Colonel Reinhardt and I speak,” Kuko said.
Douglas relaxed. He actually knew of Gwenith and immediately asked her a couple of relevant questions. A few seconds later, Gwenith opened up and the sparks began to fly. Caligastia was primarily focused on his conversation with his new master chef, but Amphitrite saw the entire process. She had seen Kuko’s eyes follow Gwenith’s to Douglas. She saw Kuko give some surreptitious, complicated hand signals. She had no idea what she had communicated, but as soon as Reinhardt and Franziska walked over, she quickly figured it out. Now she watched as her daughter went into full flirt mode.
In general, Amphitrite detested the Nazz, with Kuko being one of the very few exceptions. She did not like the idea of her delicate Gwenith with a rigid, war-obsessed, crude Nazz warrior. But at seeing how relaxed and charming he became, she decided she would not break it up until necessary, which was usually right after Gwenith became bored and moved on to the next pretty face. With Gwenith, boredom typically set in somewhere between a month and ten minutes after her first encounter.
One time, a remarkable young man with a beautiful face had captivated Gwenith for a full year. It was he who cruelly broke it off by intentionally letting Gwenith find him in bed with one of her beautiful rivals, a rival with lily-white skin who considered Gwenith inferior because her skin was light tan. Moreover, the wealthy family of this remarkable young man did not even bother to apologize. This displeased Prince Caligastia. Within six months, that family found fate had suddenly turned against their wealth.
A year later, they tried to immigrate to Azakaman but found their unpaid debts made it impossible to gain an exit visa. Shortly thereafter, they were destit
ute on the street where they remain today, finding themselves unlucky victims of a continuous flow of terrible acts and brutalization. Now, their lily-white skin was more frequently black and blue.
The remarkable young man found himself in the middle of a series of high-profile crimes. He told the judge he had been kidnapped by criminals and was forced at gunpoint to comply with their larcenies. Of course, all the ‘real’ criminals swore the remarkable young man was in fact the mastermind.
The judge laughed at the remarkable young man’s preposterous defense, citing his parent’s long list of crimes as proof of character flaw. The judge gave him a choice between prison and joining the army. The day after completing his basic training, he was at the front lines of a bloody battle. The remarkable young man survived but was living in an old rundown veteran’s center, in a wheel chair with most of his beautiful lily-white face blown off. Since then, he had less luck getting dates.
It was unwise to displease Prince Caligastia, especially when his darling little girl was involved.
“Look at Gwenith over there, throwing her sex onto that mindless Nazz brute. I’m telling you. That’s what dirty brown skin does,” hissed Ziminiz, Satan’s Demigod in charge of the Cardinals on Eden. “Slut.”
Two of Gwenith’s brothers, Sloot VanCaste and Golab Mastema, both of them Caligastia’s Demigods looked over.
“Well, I don’t know if he’s mindless or not, but he can be a brute with me any day he wants,” Golab said.
“Well, don’t get your hopes up. He’ll surely go down with the rest of these Nazz animals,” Ziminiz boasted. Cardinal Ziminiz gestured to General Borgia, his top military commander. “Are all your troops in place?”
“Yes, your worship,” General Borgia replied slyly, making sure he abased himself just the right amount.
“Good. I’ll go talk to the Nazz General of Fornications — the green whore of whores.” A foul taste formed in Ziminiz’s mouth at even thinking the name ‘Lilith’. “After I leave, Sloot and Golab will charm her into a nice, pliable state. Attack five minutes after Sloot and Golab leave. That way, the mindless Nazz won’t be able to implicate them. And make sure your best archers take out Whore Kiena. While you’re at it, dispatch that little whore Gwenith, too.”
Ziminiz’s mind boiled as he replayed all the insults Kiena had thrust upon him and his great God, Satan. His fury amplified when he saw Gwenith, who had insulted him so cruelly after he magnanimously told her to service him and she declined.
“Did you memorize the list of those to destroy and those to spare when the Nazz clods are out of the way?” Ziminiz asked.
“Yes, your worship,” General Borgia replied slyly, making sure he abased himself just the right amount.
“Good. Then when the Nazz are subdued, slaughter all those other dirty little whores, like the fornicating, lust-filled-filth they are,” Ziminiz added, infuriated how so many of the girls and young women he had seen today had insulted him so obscenely by not immediately offering themselves to his greatness.
“Yes, your worship,” General Borgia replied slyly, making sure he abased himself just the right amount.
Reinhardt stepped back and Kuko motioned to Lieutenant Franziska. Franziska put his ear to her mouth. “Protect that precious one with your life. Do you understand?” Kuko said, motioning to Gwenith.
Although Queen Amphitrite had finally pried Prince Caligastia’s attention from his Soma, they could not understand anything Kuko and Reinhardt said. All they could hear were a few cryptic words and see equally cryptic hand signals. Nor could they hear what Kuko had just said to the handsome Lieutenant Franziska.
The lieutenant strolled over to them, Gwenith stuck to his side. There was a sparkle in his yellow eyes.
“Prince Caligastia, Queen Amphitrite. Your daughter has expressed an interest in a tour of Elysium. With your honor’s permission, I would be delighted to perform that function.”
Prince Caligastia was distracted by his lovely little girl’s beaming smile, but Amphitrite looked at Kuko. Kuko’s appearance had changed. Kuko gave her a subtle but firm nod.
“Why yes, of course,” Queen Amphitrite said, suspecting something was afoot as she watched the intensity of silver boiling under Kuko’s green eyes and skin.
As soon as the lieutenant started walking toward the door with Gwenith bouncing at his side, Kuko whispered a few words to the Prince and Queen. The Prince and Queen casually strolled in the direction of their own guards, only looking back once to see Ziminiz approaching Kuko. His arms were clasped together across his solar plexus, completely concealing his hands under his robes in order to protect his hands from any contamination.
Kuko took the opportunity to flex her fists and stretch out her arms and legs while working up some saliva. Although she was not being terribly subtle, she knew Ziminiz was far too lost in his own prideful self-regard to even notice.
“Why Madame Kuko. I just wanted to…”
Kuko spit right into his mid-sentence open mouth. “Oh, shut up, you pompous ass,” Kuko shouted.
Ziminiz was stunned. The only individual who had ever spit on him was his great God, Satan. “Why you dirty whore.”
“Oh that’s rich. Whore of whores,” Kuko hissed, while grasping the hilt of her sword. “Get the fuck out of my sight.”
Multiple preplanned snickers arose. It seemed to Cardinal Ziminiz everyone was staring and pointing at him. He knew there was only one way to recover from this humiliation. His Borgia, the greatest of all generals, was about to give the order.
He stuck his nose up in the air with a huff and took three steps toward the door. Much to his shock, he found the toe of a black jackboot up his ass. He landed on his face but quickly jumped to his feet and stormed away without looking back.
Kuko scanned around, but only halfway around since she knew Castor Mayhew was already at her back. Although they had a few more minutes before the attack, she saw Indra and Smigyl assuming their positions. From the other direction, Lakshmi walked toward her, looking radiant — her face full of resolve — her face full of beauty — pulsing with a light that quickly approached violet.
Neither Lakshmi nor Kuko gestured to each other in any way. About the time she reached Kuko’s side, they heard the shout of a young female voice. “What the fuck did you say?”
They turned just in time to see Sloot VanCaste smashed to the floor by a fierce right cross delivered from a small green female fist.
“How dare…” Golab Mastema started to say, when suddenly he felt a second open-handed slap from another little green hand.
“Oh, I’m sorry. Was there something you wanted to say?” the second young female sarcastically yelled.
“I am a GOD,” Golab shouted.
The young female only became more aggressive, shoving him hard against his shoulders. “Oh yeah? So what. To me you’re just a fat little faggot.”
Golab took a swing at her, but she easily ducked. In one fluid motion, she swept Golab’s feet and landed him hard on his back. Then, she delivered a knockout punch to his head. A few seconds later, while Sloot was trying to get up, the other young female gave him a front snap kick to the side of his head. Sloot flew through the air, his head landing on Golab’s stomach.
“Awww, isn’t that sweet? Don’t they look so peaceful now, lying there together?” Lakshmi said sarcastically.
The two young females quickly tied Golab and Sloot’s hands and feet, and then stood side by side. Dressed in black Nazz warrior shirt, pants, and jackboots, they gave Kuko delicate curtsies as if they were two prissy ballerinas.
Lakshmi twisted her head and studied their faces. They were about a head shorter than Kuko but had the exact same bright green skin. “Identical twins. They’re yours, aren’t they?” she asked Kuko.
“Oh, yeah,” Kuko said, sounding exasperated.
“Indra’s the father, isn’t he?”
Kuko only nodded, trying to get the attention of her two youngest daughters so she could introduce them t
o Lakshmi. Of course, they were no longer paying Kuko any attention and were now flirting with Nazz Lieutenants Alexus Luel and Guziel Shidler, two handsome male admirers.
“Well, what did you expect with you as a mother and Indra as a father? Mush?” Lakshmi laughed. “What are their names?”
“Erin.”
“Erin and?”
“Erin and Erin,” Kuko said, her voice becoming clearly agitated as the girls refused to stop flirting. When Guziel saw the impatient look on Kuko’s face, he quickly gave the girls a hand signal toward their mother.
“You gave identical twins the same name?”
“Oh, no. I named them Patricia and Vilecia. Like that lasted beyond the time their sassy little mouths started to work. They both insisted on being called Erin. And since then, they have refused to answer to anything else.”
“You tried to name those two little warriors Patricia and Vilecia? What were you thinking?”
“Well, they came out looking so delicate and feminine. I thought for sure I had finally created some real girly-girls.”
“Couldn’t Indra do anything?”
“What? That cream puff. You should see his face with his babies on his lap. It’s pathetic.”
By then, the twins were in front of Kuko. After seeing the aggravation on their mother’s face, they came to attention. Then, with perfect coordination, they spoke as one while saluting, the fist of their right hands briefly touching their hearts, then throwing their arm straight out with their open palm facing their mother’s face.
“Hail great Madame General. Lilith of Eden. Oh wonderful mother of ours. How may your loving daughters be of service?” They tried their best to keep a serious face, but giggles threatened to erupt.
“I see what you mean,” Lakshmi said quietly. “And I thought Karolita had a respect problem.”
Lilith: Eden's Planetary Princess (The Michael Archives Book 1) Page 54