by Shae Mills
Chelan cleared her throat. “I know this is hard for you, Annya. I know little of your culture, but I do know that it is light-years away from what you are immersed in now. I am sure that Fremma has told you how I came to be here?”
“Yes, my Lady. Over the years he has relayed much to me, including the story of your abduction.”
Chelan nodded. “Well then, you know that my integration has been a long and drawn-out process, not without its hardships and its tragedies. You and I are immersed in a warrior nation, in which everything is settled by the sword. I know you will have a lot of fears and a lot of questions. So whenever we are in one another’s company, I want you to know that you may approach me at any time with your worries or just everyday questions or concerns. I will help you adjust as best I can.”
Annya nodded. “That is much appreciated, my Lady. You are most gracious.”
Chelan stood. “I should get back to the Command Center. I am sure Fremma will be along shortly.”
Annya stood quickly and seemed to hesitate before speaking. “I am honored to have you as my friend, my Lady. I know this must be difficult for you.”
Chelan was temporarily speechless. “As it is also for you,” she finally managed to utter. “But we will both manage. My culture is similar to yours, from what I can tell, and I will not do anything to hurt you or your relationship with his Lordship.”
Annya’s eyes watered and her hands twisted in the fabric of her dress. “Now that he is back as he is meant to be, I feel... I feel I am unworthy of him.”
Chelan stepped up to her. “Oh no, Annya. Never feel that way. Fremma loves you, cherishes you. I know the man very well, and I know his heart. You are more than worthy.”
Annya looked up at Chelan as soft tears ran down her cheek. Her voice was but a breath. “Before we became one, he spoke of you all the time. I know what is in his heart for you.”
Chelan felt like she was a fly trapped in a spider’s web, just waiting for the killing bite to take her. She took several badly needed breaths. “Fremma will get his command. And he will take you with him, and all will settle into place.”
Annya quickly wiped away her tears. “Thank you, my Lady, for what you are saying, but I love my husband... and...”
Chelan felt her nerves begin to fray. “And...?”
“And, though it pains me, I do not wish to deny him his one true love. Taking that from him will kill him in the end, and he will come to resent me.”
Chelan felt like she needed to sit back down, but instead she steeled herself. “You underestimate him, Annya. He is stronger than that.”
Annya sniffed and she forced a faint smile. “You know him better than me, my Lady. I hope you are right.”
Chelan smiled back and touched her on the arm. “You will see. All will be well.”
Annya nodded, and Chelan turned and headed to the door. Once there, she looked back at the pretty woman. “Fremma can show you how to contact me at any time. Never be afraid to come to me.”
“Thank you, my Lady. That means everything to me.”
Chelan stepped through the doors and then stopped, her heart wrenching in her chest over Annya’s words that she would not deny Fremma his wish to be with her as he once had been. Overwhelmed, Chelan glanced at her security as the doors closed behind her, wishing she could be alone with her thoughts, but it was not going to happen. She took a deep breath and turned down the corridor, only to halt in her tracks once again.
Fremma stopped just in front of her, staring at her in silence.
Chelan brushed hair back and tried to smile, but she was hopelessly addled as she soaked in the visage before her. Her gentle warrior was back in all his ebony splendor, and yet, for everyone’s sakes, he was ultimately lost to her.
Fremma finally took another step toward her, the alabaster beauty clad in white tugging at his heart. “Thank you for looking after Annya.”
Chelan nodded. “I will help her adjust as much as I can.”
He smiled. Then he reached out, his fingers almost touching her cheek like a whisper in the wind. But he retracted his hand at the last moment, his fingers so close, seeking... yet so far... so desperately far. He took a step back. “You, my Lady, will always be deep within my heart. I will always honor you, protect you, love you, and cherish you. But I will not jeopardize what you have with Dar and Korba, nor will I hurt my wife. You and I share a past than can never be erased from my soul, and even if I could wish that I could have you once again, I cannot. And so, though I am back with the Empire for you, because of you, we are to remain apart.”
Chelan felt her knees weaken and her eyes burn. She bit her lip to stop it from trembling. “You taught me everything, my dear Fremma. You showed me what love and passion were, and you were there for me when no one else could be. You too will always be in my heart and in my soul, but you are right. We must part.”
Fremma looked down at the floor between them... a chasm forming that could never be bridged as much as he wished it to be. Then he ran one ebony glove through his thick blue-black hair.
Chelan watched him, and when he next looked at her, she saw his tears. “Ohhh... No, Fremma. Please, no...”
In an instant, he took her in his arms and hugged her as if clinging to life itself. He buried his face in her hair and inhaled all that she was. “I will always want you. I will always crave you, and should anything ever happen to me, I want you to know now that I would give you the galaxy if I could.” He drew back, his voice hoarse. “But I also know that, for now, I have to follow a different path. One day I hope that path once again crosses yours, but until then, I have to keep my pledges to another.”
Chelan whimpered, clinging to his shroud, his long-lost masculine scent infusing her soul like a powerful drug. “I feel the same for you, my gentle warrior. Though over these months I have tried to bury my feelings and deny my love, it too is no less intense. But you are right: we have different avenues to take for now. I also know that the future can change in a heartbeat, and though I know this may be the wrong thing to say given the circumstances, I hope with all my being that, one day, our paths do cross again, in the most intimate of ways, our destiny together in every manner, assured. But I also know that this may never happen. And so for now, we are warrior and Empress, bound by our past, forever entwined by love, but always separate.”
Fremma took her hand in his and raised her fingers to her lips. “Just before RIBUS 7 died, one of my last acts was to send out a message to you on Earth. With some of the Telesians’ help, we created a tear in the fabric of space and sent a message as an ever-repeating wave form. It was attuned to your physiology so that it could not be picked up by any known receiver technology. I was sure that I was dead. But through it all, after everything was settled, I wanted you to be able to find RIBUS 7, no matter her final state. Somehow, some way, I wanted her to be my final gift to you.”
Chelan slapped her hands over her mouth to stifle the sobs taking her forcefully. “Oh. My. God. The mystery has been solved! That is what I could feel on Earth.”
Fremma nodded. “The subspace beacon was spherical, sent out in pulses as long as RIBUS 7 had a spark of life, but the main intensified beam was directed to Earth. In our final moments, I knew you were there, but had you been anywhere in the galaxy, the message would have eventually reached you.”
Chelan nodded. “And it did, my sweet man. I felt it many times. I suspect it even caused me an issue once during a jump.”
Fremma frowned. “It could have. If you were hit with a pulse as a ship surged forward, it could have hit you hard. And I am sorry that it did.”
Chelan shook her head. “Never be sorry. It led me to RIBUS 7, and in the end, it led us to both you and Dar. Nothing could have made my life happier.”
He smiled. “Good.” He went to reach for her again, but then thought better of it. With her tears, if he touched her again, he would never let her go. “You make sure your men treat you right, my Lady, or both of them will answer to me.”
&
nbsp; Chelan nodded and forced a smile through her tears. She stepped back from him, breaking all chance of contact, and then signed to her security. Instantly she was swept away.
She walked down the corridor for what seemed an eternity, then suddenly, she stopped and turned around. The sea of black surrounding her parted, and she looked back down the corridor. He was still there, his back to her, head hung, unwilling to move until he was once again able. Her breathing hitched. “Good-bye my gentle warrior,” she whispered... and she continued on her way to the Command Center.
Taking a moment to compose herself outside the doors, she nodded to her security and then stepped inside. Korba and Dar stood slowly, watching her carefully.
Korba finally spoke. “Are you okay, my Lady?”
Chelan looked at the concern etched on both their faces, and she smiled. “I am fine. We are all fine. We have the Empire once again, we have our ship back, and the three of us have one another for all time.”
She squared her shoulders and floated down the stairs with regal grace. As she stepped between the two men, they automatically folded about her, hugging her to them.
Pressed between her Warlords, she sighed with contentment. “And most importantly...”—she looked up at them—“we have our children, our beautiful children, and with them, all is perfect, the future assured.”
Hands began smoothing over her body, soft kisses were given, and she released herself to them. There were no greater feelings to be had than to be loved and cherished by two such powerful men, and as their caresses feathered over her body, the universe achieved perfect harmony.
Epilogue
FOUR YEARS LATER
DAR LOOKED UP AT THE ceiling and groaned. He dropped the report on the floor in exasperation.
Korba sat in front of him, his fingers drumming on the arm of his chair. “Well?”
Dar slumped forward. “I hate this negotiation nonsense.”
Korba chuckled. “Sorry, but it goes with the territory.”
Dar sat up straight and peered into Korba’s eyes. “I think we should just say we have negotiated, send RIBUS 7 in, and blow them to bits.”
Korba roared with laughter. “Ah, a fine Emperor you make!”
Dar frowned. “I may have to rethink this deal.”
“Ah, no, my good man. We share all: the Empire, the title, the Palace, the role of Warlords, and our woman.”
Just then the doors opened and in strode a very handsome eleven-year-old boy. His shroud surrounded him regally, and his silver-blonde hair feathered to his shoulders. “Lethiason says all the Palace perimeter shielding is secure.”
Dar smiled. “Good job, my son. Hopefully, someday very soon you will be Emperor and Korba and I can retire.”
Jason grinned. “Uh oh, let me guess—Mom was right again?”
Korba began to laugh once more. Jason pulled up a chair and sat down next to Dar.
Dar stared at his son deviously. “So, you know about the Alna negotiation too, hey?”
“Yes, sir. Mom said you two halfwits would push them too far and blow it.”
Dar’s eyes narrowed as he looked to Korba. “Halfwits, are we?”
Korba nodded. “So it would seem. She was right. If we had followed her plan in the beginning, this mess could have been averted.”
Dar huffed as he peered back at Jason. “Maybe your mother should take this whole damn thing over.”
Just then the doors burst open again, a raven-haired beauty of six rushing in and leaping into Korba’s lap. “Dad, may we go to the festival today? Mom says it is okay if it is okay with you.”
Korba stared into beautiful emerald eyes. “Well, does she...?”
“Yes, she says you or Commander Dar can take me.”
Korba’s brows raised. “Oh really?”
“Yes, she says—”
“Shanna!” shouted Jason.
Shanna twisted in Korba’s lap and scowled at her brother. “What?”
“No, it is all right Jason.” Korba interjected. “Shanna, what did Mom say?”
Shanna smiled smugly. “She says you two halfwits will never figure out how to handle the Alna affair, so you might as well both take the day off and go to the festival.”
Korba chuckled. “Oh, did she?”
“Uh-huh. And she said to tell Commander Dar that he is not allowed to blow them to bits.”
Dar groaned and hung his head.
Jason patted him on the back. “It is okay, Dad. If worst comes to worst, you could order Zane to do it.”
Dar rolled his eyes. “Bloody hell. Is there anything that woman does not know?”
Just then the doors parted once again, a squealing three-year-old bounding down the stairs, two harried Iceanean women hot on her little heels. One of the women skidded to a halt and bowed to the Emperors. “My Lords. I am sorry. Emma seems to have escaped us again.”
The little black-haired terror bolted into Dar’s lap, her azure eyes burning. “Daddy, Mommy says you are taking us to the fair.”
Dar tried to smile. “Yes, so I have heard,” he stated dryly.
Emma turned to Korba, “Daddy, what is a halfwit?”
Shanna piped up. “Oh, that is when—”
Jason growled. “That is enough.”
Emma looked her brother. “What is the matter?”
Jason smirked at his sister. “Shanna and I have already relayed Mom’s thoughts on the matter. I will explain the term—”
Suddenly, three small yapping dogs came tearing through the still-open doors. Dar stiffened and reached for a lazgun. “Damnation, what are those?”
Korba pinched the bridge of his nose and winced. “Scottish terriers, I believe. Chelan had some delivered to Cleos recently, plus three here for the children.”
The dogs ran in circles and the two girls screamed with delight.
“What the hell are Scottish terriers?”
Korba released Shanna as she took after the pups. “Something acquired to put me in my grave. Chelan calls them ‘pets.’ You should know all about them. They are an Earth craze, I am informed.”
“I know what pets are. Fortunately, none of my contacts during my time on Earth had an affinity for such things. Nor did I study up on the various species.”
Korba sighed. “Well, it was all news to me. But Chelan thought the children would love them, and they do, pains in the ass that they are.”
Dar finally laughed. “The terriers or the children?”
Korba grinned. “Both, at times.”
One of the pups ran about Dar’s legs then snatched up the report and ran off with it. “Hey!” Dar boomed.
The two nannies cringed. “We are sorry we disturbed you, my Lords. We will gather the children and leave.”
“And take the pets!” Dar said loudly.
Jason struggled with one of the little dogs until the report was shredded. Dar was in a state of shock. The women, with Jason’s help, corralled the dogs and helped usher Shanna and Emma out. Dar’s mouth finally snapped closed. He looked in bewildered awe at Korba. “I think we were just attacked.”
Korba chuckled. “I would say so, and by the look of that report, we lost.”
“Is this typical of family life throughout the realm?”
Korba shook his head slowly. “No, I do not think so. Most families are probably a great deal more sedate.”
Dar grinned. “Their mother’s genetics, no doubt.”
Korba chuckled again and looked up just as Chelan strode in.
“Did the nannies find Emma?” she asked nonchalantly.
“Yes,” replied Korba. “One of these days that child is going to disappear for good.”
Chelan sat down, pulling at her gloves. “That would not surprise me one bit. She is just like her fathers, always running off terrorizing some poor soul.”
Dar leaned toward her menacingly. “I will have you know that since I gave up my command of the new RIBUS 8 and transplanted myself here to Iceanea, I no longer terrorize anyone. And by t
he way, about the term ‘halfwit’...”
Chelan giggled. “Oh, I see I was right. Botched the Alna negotiations, have we?”
Dar’s mouth was agape again. Chelan shrugged. “Told you so. Have you sent Fremma and RIBUS 7 to blow them to bits yet?”
Dar closed his eyes. “Very soon I will, if this does not clear up,” he informed her indignantly.
“Um... pretty heavy handed for a fair and equitable Galactic Emperor.”
Dar smiled deviously. “Always a Warlord first, my Lady.”
Chelan licked her lips seductively. “And a magnificent conqueror at that.” She looked to Korba. “Two of the best, I must say.”
Dar started out of his seat, but Korba’s boot planted in his midsection pushed him back down. “Patience, my good man. We have work to attend to.”
Chelan snickered.
Dar grinned. “Careful, my Lady, or you will once again find yourself pregnant.”
Chelan’s grin left. Then she looked to Korba. “Speaking of pregnancies, are you ever going to order any genetic testing on Emma?”
“No.”
“Why not?”
“Because it does not matter which of us is her father. She is beautiful, and she is ours.”
Chelan smirked. “Neither of you wants to take responsibility for producing such a little hellion. That is it, I know.”
Korba smiled warmly. “Regardless, my Lady, you will have to take the hellions to the fair if you wish to go. Dar and I have to finish with this Alna debacle.”
Chelan nodded. “I suppose. But it is just such a daunting task keeping the two girls together, even with the nannies and the guards—especially Emma. It is as if she continually plans escapes.”
“You will manage, I am sure. Take a platoon with you if need be.”
Chelan jumped to her feet. “I guess. I have a few free hours until it is time to leave. Do you need any help with the Alna affair?”
“I think we can manage,” Dar informed her.
“Oh good.” She backed up from them. “If you realize in the next few moments that the solution is elusive and best left for another day...” She looked at both men, and bit her lip. “Then come see me. I will be in the spa taking a long soak, because I know at least one thing you are both good for.” And she turned on her heel and left.