by Terri Lane
“Of course I do hope that starting with a peace treaty, our planets can eventually form an alliance. Such an alliance between our two worlds would only be strengthened with the birth of my child, who is of both worlds.” Kohl finished his statement and simply waited. He watched as the leaders spoke to those on either side of them, in front, and behind them.
“Prince Kohl…we are aware of the stipulations in UAP regulation regarding sister planets. So we must ask…did you impregnate Maya Lu for the sole purpose of linking Earth and Ve’dras, regardless of this summit?” one of the leaders asked.
“No. The child was by chance, the happy product of our mutual love. I had no intention of using Maya as a pawn and I certainly would not do so in such a way. You do not have to take my word for it. You may ask her yourself, if you wish. Now, it is still up to the UAP’s admission committee to grant Ve’dras a seat. It is up to you all in whether you’d like to be on peaceful terms with Ve’dras. There is no provision in UAP regulation stating that sister planets should be on peaceful or allied terms. But after I rule Ve’dras my child, half human, will be heir to its throne and Ve’dras would be therefore linked to Earth. All I ask for is for peace and safe travels.”
“Well…we will need some time to decide on granting this peace treaty. We must discuss it, and then a vote must be called,” another leader said.
“Very well. I can give you twenty-four hours,” Kohl said. He knew the leaders would take all year to decide if he let them.
“Tomorrow at this time we will have an answer for you,” she said with a nod.
“Very well, thank you for having me,” Kohl said before promptly heading towards the exit.
Chapter 8
Maya
Maya had been bored all day while Kohl was gone. Tilly was ‘working’ which reminded her of her own job back at the Hotel Grand Potomac. She’d called to find that she’d been given extended time off in light of her ‘ordeal.’ After that she’d been debating on simply quitting. If she did, she would have one less thing to tie her to Earth, and might end up going to live on Ve’dras, but she still couldn’t imagine living there.
Then again she loved Kohl and wanted to be with him. She didn’t think she could manage raising the baby mostly on her own while he was far away, ruling Ve’dras. Realistically, he’d probably only be able to spare short visits now and then. All that thought had led to Maya sitting by her phone for much of the day.
“Maya…” Kohl’s voice drifted through from the front door. A second later he strode into the living room.
“Hi,” she smiled at him and held her arms out. He approached her with a kiss and sank down onto the couch, pulling her into his lap.
“I told the UAP representative and all of Earth’s leaders of your pregnancy today,” he said. Maya looked at him with wide eyes.
“Well what did they say?” she asked.
“They wondered if I impregnated to improve my diplomatic negotiations,” he chuckled.
“Oh…well I guess you can’t blame them for asking,” she said. Kohl smiled ruefully.
“I couldn’t. But I am hopeful of a peace treaty with Earth. Same for gaining a seat on the UAP, though Alora was relatively tight lipped on her opinion of that. It could go either way,” he sighed. “How was your day?”
“Not too exciting…Hey if I were to live on Ve’dras, I wouldn’t just be sitting around all the time would I? Like I wouldn’t be your ornament, right? I’d need a task, or something,” she said slowly.
“I would not want you to be unhappy. If you found something you’d want to pursue I would encourage and help you to do it,” he said earnestly.
Maya stared at him for a long time. She took a deep breath and then just said it, “I’ll live on Ve’dras with you Kohl.”
“You will?” he asked excitedly and studied her expression intently. “Do you really want to? Because we can figure out a way if you truly wish to remain on Earth…”
“No, Kohl I want to be where you are. I want our baby to grow up with his or her grandparents around. With you around every day. And if the peace treaty goes well and travel becomes less restricted between Earth and Ve’dras, I can always visit here,” she said.
Kohl simply blinked at her and then the brightest smile spread across his lips. He didn’t say anything. He just kissed her. He stood up, carrying her against his chest, and hurried up to the bedroom. Kohl hardly let her catch her breath once he set her on her feet. He kissed her senseless, biting her lip and licking into her mouth. While his hands practically tore through her clothes before he got her onto the bed. His mouth was everywhere then. From her neck to her breasts and stomach. He even kissed her feet and nibbled her toes.
When Maya attempted to sit up and reach for him, he actually held her wrists over her head. He kissed her neck and murmured against her skin, “let me love you.”
She couldn’t argue with that at all. But her fingers itched to touch him. She wanted to feel his warm erection in her hand. And she wanted to be the one making him crazy. As soon as Kohl slid his fingers into her though, all thought fled her mind. She gripped his shoulders as she rode his hand. He made her come twice before finally replacing his fingers with his cock. Maya lost count how many more times she climaxed after that. Eventually she fell asleep, exhausted and satiated.
*
Maya woke up to a dark and empty room. She stretched and detangled herself from the sheets before getting up for a shower. Afterwards she went in search of Kohl. Downstairs she found only Rowe and Jaye out front talking.
“Hey guys…” Maya stood just inside the door way.
“Good evening my lady,” Jaye said with a small bow. Rowe followed suit.
“Where is Kohl?” she asked curiously.
“He has been called back to the Union of Earth Nations building. He said to tell you that he’ll be back by morning and that tomorrow we would likely be returning to Ve’dras,” Rowe informed her.
“Oh, okay then,” she said and wondered what time it was. She had to say goodbye to Tilly. She thanked the Jaye and Rowe for filling her in before she went back inside in search of her phone. It was only eight when she checked, so she called hoping Tilly wasn’t with Jack Russo or anything.
“Hey Maya, what’s up,” Tilly said after answering on the first ring.
“Are you home? I kind of wanted to hang out,” Maya said.
“Sure, yeah, come on over,” she said. “Are we just shooting the breeze or…?”
“I’m going back to Ve’dras with Kohl tomorrow…to live there,” Maya told her. There was a long pause over the line before Tilly let out a deep breath.
“Yeah, come over,” she said in a small voice. Maya knew she had a tearful goodbye ahead of her.
Chapter 9
Kohl
“Are you ready?” he asked her. Maya glanced up at him and smiled.
“Yep, I’m ready…” she said without hesitation.
“Before we board…I have something to show you,” he said and gestured to Kelhan. He came forward with Kohl’s copy of the peace accords he successfully struck with Earth’s leaders the night before.
Kelhan handed Maya the portfolio and she opened it to read the certificate inside.
“It’s called the Maya Accords?” she said, pleasantly surprised.
“Yes, without you there would have been no such thing,” Kohl chuckled. Maya’s smile grew and she threw her arms around his neck for a hug.
“You know…I think you’ve turned into a hopeless romantic,” she said. She took his hand in hers and led him towards the waiting spacecraft.
“I have indeed,” he admitted with a wry chuckle. “Only for you,” he added.
“Why of course,” she said, winking at him. Once they boarded the craft, they were followed by their guards and before long they were ascending into the sky.
“I had a dream last night that our baby is going to be a girl,” Maya told him. Kohl looked at her with wide eyes and she nodded sagely. Maya said, “I was
walking in the gardens at the palace. And a little girl who looked like both me and your mom came running up behind me and took my hand. Then I just had this gut feeling, like that would happen in real life. And I woke up.”
“A girl?” Kohl couldn’t help but smile at the thought.
“Yeah, one who’ll grow up to be really attractive. We have to have a game plan for keeping the boys away starting now,” Maya said, making him laugh, though he couldn’t deny the sliver of anxiety that entered his chest at that thought.
“Perhaps we should simply keep her indoors until she turns sixty?” he suggested, making Maya laugh.
“That’s not a bad idea…” she said. “Hey…if we do have a girl, can we name her after my mother?” she asked tentatively.
“What was your mother’s name?” he asked thoughtfully.
“Lea,” she said.
“That is beautiful and exotic,” Kohl said with a smile. Their child had just become very real to him in a way he was hardly prepared for. A great wave of emotion swept through him.
“You okay there?” Maya asked, a smile in her voice. He nodded, recovering before anyone else could witness his momentary lapse.
“I’m fine…I am looking forward to starting our life together,” he told her. “We should get married as soon as we land,” he added.
“What are marriage ceremonies like on Ve’dras? What is everything like on Ve’dras?” she asked with a chuckle.
“I will teach you our culture and ways. A Ve’dran marriage ceremony is not so different from Earth’s in reality,” he assured her. Kohl grew excited thinking of the road ahead of them. He would always ensure her happiness and that of their daughter.
“So do you think the UAP will grant Ve’dras a seat on the alliance?” she asked him slowly.
“I am hopeful for it, even more so that we have the Maya Accords with Earth,” Kohl smiled at her.
“So once you manage to have a seat on the UAP, then what?”
“It is like having insurance. We’ll have military backing if needed, we’ll have access to patented medicines and technologies shared amongst UAP member planets. And we will have assurance that none of the UAP allied planets will act aggressively towards us,” he explained.
“Oh…I see, so it’s sort of like being a part of a worker’s union,” Maya mused. Kohl chuckled.
“Precisely. Trade will also be a benefit. It is a common side effect that allied planets of the UAP tend to be wealthier than non-allied planets,” he said.
“I see why joining is such a big deal now…” Maya murmured.
“Yes, soon over fifty percent of the galaxy will be under the UAP umbrella,” he said.
“Sheesh…” Maya was thoughtful for a long while.
After a long flight, they landed on Ve’dras. A crowd awaited them, amongst them being Kohl’s parents.
“What a welcoming,” Kohl smiled at the gathering. Once the craft landed, he and Maya exited behind Kelhan, Jaye and Rowe, the few other guards filing out behind them.
“Welcome back son, and welcome Maya. We are very glad you chose to return,” Avira greeted them. She gave Kohl a kiss on the cheek and embraced Maya. “The child grows,” she said with bright eyes as she touched Maya’s stomach.
“Yep she’s in there…” Maya chuckled.
“A girl? Have you had dreams?” Avira asked. Before Maya could respond Omrin cleared his throat.
“Welcome Maya, Kohl. It is good to have you both back,” he said gruffly. Omrin kissed Kohl on the cheek as well as Maya. Kohl smiled, appreciating his father’s acceptance of her. Once it was seen that Omrin had welcomed Maya, the small crowd cheered and welcomed them back to Ve’dras. Kohl, Maya, and his parents were escorted to the palace. Where Kohl was surprised to find Alora as well as a few other UAP Representatives gathered with her in the throne room.
“Well…this is a surprise,” Kohl muttered to himself, though Maya heard.
“Welcome back Prince Kohl, Maya Lu. We’ve been awaiting your arrival here,” Alora said.
“How long have you been on Ve’dras?”
“Shortly after our meeting I left for here to gather with the UAP’s admissions committee. We often visit a planet up for admittance into the alliance before making a decision. And we have made our decision…” she said slowly.
Kohl stepped towards Alora and gestured her and the rest to follow him.
“We should discuss this in the King’s Study,” he said. The throne room was a public place, often visitors to the royal campus entered to and fro. Kohl led their small party to his father’s small library. When they passed through he felt Maya’s unease, saw her shiver absently as she glanced around the room. Kohl would make a point of creating good memories in the room for her once he was made king.
“So what is it your committee has decided?” Omrin asked. Kohl glanced at him briefly before looking at Alora. She took no offence in Omrin’s gruff manner. Perhaps she’s had time to become used to it while on Ve’dras.
“The rulers of Earth signed the Maya Accords, which was a positive step. We then observed the ways of Ve’drans and how this planet is governed. We also took into account your approaching coronation and the eventual birth of your child with twined background. Having considered all these things, we thus decided to grant Ve’dras a seat on the UAP,” Alora said finally.
“Thank God!” Maya said in relief, after a beat of silence mostly everyone laughed. Relief was heavy in the room. Kohl simply smiled in satisfaction and took a deep breath.
“There are many documents that must be signed of course as well as an official ceremony. Though all of this will happen once you have taken the throne here on Ve’dras Prince Kohl,” Alora said.
“Consider that done,” Omrin weighed in. “We planned the coronation for tomorrow if you all would like to extend your stay,” he suggested.
“If we can get everything done in three days’ time then we would certainly stay,” Alora said.
“Perfect,” Kohl smiled, he glanced at Maya who grinned happily up at him. Avira took over then, she invited the representatives to all the coronation festivities. Kohl held Maya to his side as most everyone filed from the room. Apart from she and him.
“So?” she said, looking up at him expectantly. “Everything is set up for a pretty good life huh?” There was nothing but optimism, excitement and love in her eyes. Kohl saw that love, and he felt it. Radiating from her pores the love that had saved him and ensured a bright future for his people.
“I owe all of this to you Maya,” he said sincerely. She blushed and stepped into his arms.
“Well Kohl I think you had something to do with it too,” she said with a smirk.
“Without you none of it may have happened.”
Maya fell quiet and nodded once. “I love you and I’ll always be your driving force,” she said simply. Kohl bent his head and kissed her for all their love was worth.
THE END
= Bonus Book 3 of 20 =
Forever Yours
16th September 2016
Another day, another dollar, I thought morosely as I forced myself out of bed. My head hurt like hell, I had an ache pounding right through my whole body, so much so that it actually took me a few moments to realize that I wasn’t in my usual surroundings. My crappy apartment had somehow transformed into one of the much plusher staff rooms at the hotel where I worked, bringing all the memories of the previous night crashing back over me.
I had staggered home after an extremely long shift at the same place I’d worked ever since leaving high school, just to find a burst pipe in my apartment, and water everywhere. Absolutely everything was damaged and I was nowhere near in the right frame of mind to tackle it. I was far too tired, I’d done my usual housekeeping shift, followed by an unexpected stint in the bar, and all I needed to do was go back to sleep.
It had seemed like a really good idea to come back here for a bed at the time, but now waking up here made me feel totally claustrophobic. It was one thing
to know that I’d stayed in the same town my entire life, that I hadn’t moved on in the ten years after school, despite my so called ‘potential’, but to have to actually live here for a while was on another level entirely. I didn’t need reminding that I was still ‘just a housekeeper’. Maybe I should’ve been a track star, that was what everyone always thought I would become, but my running dreams had died on the last day of high school, and that was the end of that.
I hated my apartment, but I was going to have to get the plumbing fixed sooner rather than later. Being there was much better than being here. One night was just about my limit!
I grabbed my cell phone and put in the call to the local handyman right away. I knew Luke well, he was another one of the guys who stayed behind here when everyone else left. The only problem was I couldn’t really compare our lives; he was happy, married, in love, I was just... existing. He seemed pleased to still be here, whereas to me it was as if my life was left in limbo, that I was in a bubble that I couldn’t seem to pop.
“Hey, Luke,” I murmured sleepily into the handset the second that he answered. “I’m really sorry, it’s Jenna Smee. My pipes have burst again, only this time it’s wrecked everything. The bathroom and the kitchen are totally flooded. I didn’t even have the heart to check the rest of the place. It’s probably a real mess, I’m so sorry.”
“Okay sure, I know where the spare key is,” he replied, proving just how often I needed him for things. “I’ll take a look today, see what I can do.”