by Regine Abel
“Oh Goddess,” Valena said, placing her hand over her heart. “That’s amazing news!”
“Yes.” Minh smile didn’t reach his eyes. That sobered me. “I cannot keep these findings secret. You know what that means, Zhul.”
“The Council may finally give in to turning us all into lab rats.”
Fear crept back into Valena’s eyes. I couldn’t blame her. After a lifetime of slavery, the last thing she needed was to have her newly found freedom taken from her before she could even enjoy it.
“Yes. The Tuureans won’t allow any Veredians to be made captive again,” Maheva said, “but the more you two are willing to collaborate, the easier it will make negotiations.”
“Of course,” Valena and I said simultaneously.
We looked at each other and smiled.
“The Tuureans will be all the more protective of the both of you because of the other good news,” Maheva said, eyes sparkling.
I held my breath, knowing what she would say. I didn’t understand how, but I knew.
“Your twins got their first heartbeat this morning, while you slept,” Minh said. “Identical twins. Though my equipment can’t confirm it at only four weeks, Maheva is one hundred percent confident that they are males.”
Valena covered her mouth with one hand, her stomach with the other. I pulled her from her chair and onto my lap. She trembled against me, the same fear eating at both of us.
“I know what you’re thinking,” Maheva said, “but don’t be afraid. The fetuses are both strong and healthy. They feel exactly like Amalia’s son felt during her pregnancy and how Vahl’s Geminate currently feels.”
“You’re not just saying that?” I asked.
She held my gaze without flinching. “I wouldn’t. Not about something like that.”
“We don’t know if being Geminate has any part in this,” Minh said, “but one thing you helped clarify is that abundant consumption of fresh ryspak before pregnancy is required. I also believe the Veredian female needs to be in her season.”
“But why in season?” Valena asked.
Minh’s face heated. “Zhul mentioned you seemed particularly insatiable during that first pregnancy, even though your season had not started.”
Valena gave me the ‘I can’t believe you’d share that look’ before turning back to the doctor, her cheeks crimson. I squirmed in my chair. I didn’t kiss and tell. This was relevant information.
“I think the baby needs high levels of oxytocin in your bloodstream to thrive as is the case during your season,” Minh said, plowing through our collective embarrassment. “During your first pregnancy, your levels were normal and, therefore, too low. I think your urges meant to rectify that problem.”
“So, they’re going to be fine?” Valena asked with a small voice. “Our babies are going to be okay?”
“Yes, dear,” Minh said. “We have every reason to believe they will be.”
CHAPTER 27
Zhul
We gathered in the Situation Room of Khel’s military compound. Who in the Goddess’ name would have ever imagined me here? Stranger still, I now sat across from my former nemesis and he didn’t look at me like he wanted to chew on my bones. There was something uncanny about being mutually cordial with someone you had spent years convincing yourself you despised.
The other people sitting with us at the table included Valena, Amalia, Lhor, Maheva, Minh, Admiral Lee, Kamala, First Officer Ghan, and Detective Gravhin.
Stealing another glance at Khel, I couldn’t believe how much he’d filled out since his first public reappearance eight days ago. Maheva’s healing ability was truly remarkable. Aside from his one crooked crihnin ridge, the General was almost back to his old self. Whatever Gruuk’s feelings about her may have been, Maheva’s talent alone made her invaluable. People would covet such power. Keeping her hidden, therefore, made sense, but what kind of life was this? Her words to Valena about secrets and the burden it represented became clearer.
Khel rose from his chair to address us. Although he didn’t have Lhor’s irresistible charisma, the General possessed a presence that commanded respect and attention. In a way, I missed him in the Council Hall. Messing with him had been a lot of fun.
“First, I want to thank all of you for your tireless efforts in not only saving my life but helping rescue my family and our two guests,” Khel said making eye contact with everyone before resting on Valena and me. “As you can guess, the lab’s explosion hasn’t gone unnoticed. Councilor Jormhon is beside himself and the media is hounding us for answers.”
I barely held back a snort of amusement. The colorful Councilor of the Xelhon District would no doubt pop a vein once Khel confirmed that even his virtuous region hadn’t been spared Varrek’s corruption.
“We must present a united front in our response to the Blood Houses, the abductions, Fhara Zirthen, and former Councilor Nhed Dervhen.”
My heart constricted in my chest at the mention of my father’s name. He wasn’t an evil person, but he’d seriously fucked up. Those who’d suffered because of his actions, even though indirectly, deserved reparation.
“Behn, if you will?” Khel said, before resuming his seat.
The Capital District detective nodded at Khel.
“By all accounts, the Blood Houses on Xelix Prime are at last a thing of the past. Our interrogation of the Guldan and Xelixian captured in last night’s raid has provided us with the identities of a number of customers and other guards who we’re already in the process of rounding up.”
He tapped the controls on the conference table in front of him and a holographic display appeared in the center of the table. It cycled between the images of Fhara Zirthen, Whil Dervhen, Varrek Vrok and Nurse Rosthan. Above their heads, the word ‘WANTED’ appeared.
“These are the four key missing characters. These signs will be plastered across both the Western and Eastern Quadrants. We have a mole in our midst. Whether in the Council, police department, or military, we don’t know. But these criminals knew to leave when they did. That mole could have been Fhara Zirthen, but her mate didn’t know of the raid at the Convention Center so we believe the snitch is still on the loose.”
“What does that mean for Councilor Bhek?” I asked.
“He has stepped down from his functions. With his mate under investigation, he believes it inappropriate to continue his role.”
Though it didn’t come as a surprise, it still saddened me. Bhek was a respectable male and a great Councilor.
“But that brings us to the problem posed by you two.”
“Problem?” I asked, feeling the nerves at the back of my neck tense.
Detective Gravhin turned off the hologram.
“The people will want to know if you were safely retrieved,” Behn said. “Then they will ask if there were other prisoners. What do we tell them? So far, we’ve kept her existence secret. And the Tuureans…”
Admiral Lee interrupted him. “We’ll take it from here.”
Valena kept a neutral face but her hand found mine under the table. Our fingers interlaced.
“Greetings, Valena Rounis,” the Admiral said. “I apologize for not properly introducing myself yesterday. As you know, things were a little heated.”
Quite the understatement.
“A pleasure,” Valena said.
“As you probably know by now, a large number of your sisters benefit from our protection. We would like to extend the same to you.”
“And how do you plan on doing that?” I asked.
The Admiral’s faceless head turned towards me. I hated that I couldn’t see his expression or get any sense of what he was thinking.
“We have set up a haven for all Veredians. We want Valena to come with us, where she will be safe and amongst her own people.”
“Fuck. That.”
A discreet smile played on Khel’s lips.
He expected my reaction.
For some reason, I suspected he might have gone through the same
with his mate. It felt odd having a sense of kinship with him.
“That’s not your decision to make,” Lee said.
“Nor is it yours.”
“Correct, because it’s mine,” Valena said, giving both of us a hard stare.
She pulled her hand from mine and folded hers atop the table. A sense of dread rippled down my back.
“Amalia has told me much about what you have done for Veredians. I admit it sounds wonderful. And I want to go. It has been too long since I’ve been among my people.”
The pain that ripped through me felt like an acid bomb exploded deep within, tearing me to pieces. I stared at her, disbelieving. Hadn’t she just said she loved me moments ago? Had this all been a ruse from the start? Had I once again fallen for her guile?
Amalia’s hand covered her mouth, eyes wide. Khel’s initial shock turned to a look of pity.
That, too, hurt.
“But I’m not trading one prison for another,” Valena said, “however heavenly it can be. No one gets to dictate anymore how I live, where I live and who I live with. Not the Tuureans,” she said facing the Admiral, “not the Veredians,” she looked in turn at Amalia and Maheva.
She turned to me. My heart pounded into my throat.
“As much as I love you, and I do love you, not even you get to dictate my life. No one gets to decide for me ever again.”
“Go girl!” Amalia whispered.
What the fuck?
I leveled her with an angry stare. Amalia scrunched her face, bit her bottom lip, and lowered her eyes.
“We do not mean to control you,” Lee said. “Once settled among us, you will find…”
“I’m not settling with you,” Valena interrupted, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. “I said I want to go but only to see my sisters. I’ve been isolated for years and I miss that bond. That said, I have a mate now.”
She grabbed my hand and held it between hers on the table. Hope surged in my chest but I reined it in. Too much was still uncertain.
“We will make accommodations for him.”
Valena huffed with impatience, while I swallowed the urge to punch the Admiral. As much as I would enjoy knocking him on his ass, it would be quite the stupid move.
“You’re assuming we want to live there. Where Zhul and I settle down will be a decision he and I will make together according to what’s best for us and for our twins.”
“What?” Amalia said.
“Twins?” The words whispered with the Admiral’s synthetic voice made my skin crawl.
Beside Maheva and Minh, everyone else around the table stared at us in shock, even the ever-stoic Ghan.
Valena nodded. “Yeah, we’re expecting.” She cast an uncertain glance towards Maheva who beamed at her.
“Nana?” Amalia asked.
“It looks like poor Zharina will soon be overrun with testosterone,” Maheva said with a mischievous glint in her eyes. “Valena is preparing us another pair of boys.”
It didn’t take a genius to read the unspoken question Amalia’s wary look sent her great-mother’s way.
“They’re strong and healthy,” Maheva added. “In the next couple of weeks, you boys can start taking bets on which of these two will out eat the other. You better stock up on ryspak.”
“Oh Goddess,” Lhor said, looking at me. “I feel sorry for you. Keep reserves in your bedroom if you ever want to get a full night’s sleep.”
Amalia playfully slapped his forearm.
“It’s not a fair bet. She’s carrying two, I only have one. Of course she’ll out eat me!”
Of all the ridiculous things to argue about…
That said, the memory of the way Amalia gorged on ryspak the other day, nearly making herself sick with it, reared its head. I cast a wary look at Valena. Indeed, what would she do with two babies in her womb?
Congratulations erupted all around. I pulled Valena’s chair closer to mine and wrapped my arm around her. She leaned into me.
That’s when I realized both Tuureans had remained disturbingly silent, staring at Valena.
“Are we going to have a problem, Admiral?” I asked.
That seemed to snap him out of his daze.
“No. Of course not. This is amazing news.” He turned to Maheva and Minh. “Have you figured out how?”
Minh shook his head. “Not exactly, though we have some strong new leads and a couple of theories. Either way, we believe we’re now closer to the solution. We’ll give you all the details later.”
Lee gave him a stiff nod before turning back to Valena.
“Do you not see then how this is all the more reason for you to come with us? Surely you understand how important your children are.”
“No more and no less than Amalia’s own children,” she said, lifting her chin. My heart swelled with pride at my mate. “They will not only be Veredian, but Xelixian, too. If you ask me, Admiral, I would want my children to grow among others like them. And that would be right here, with little Vahl and his Gem.”
“Vahl benefits from the protection of the General and his army living on the estate,” Kamala intervened. “Zhul Dervhen cannot make such a boast. And – no offense to your mate,” she said, looking at me, “the Councilor is no warrior.”
That stung, even though it was true.
“You’re right,” I said. “I’m no warrior. Never needed to be. But I have the means to hire seasoned ones to keep my family safe. I’m sure the General will be kind enough to provide recommendations.”
Khel nodded his assent.
“What are you saying?” Lee asked.
“What we are saying is that we want to keep our options open,” Valena said. “There is no rush for us to make a decision right now. It’s not just about the babies and me. Zhul also has family here and responsibilities. All of this is happening too fast. Give us time to sort it through and come to the best decision for our family.”
“As you wish.”
Despite his gracious concession, it was obvious the Admiral wasn’t pleased with the outcome. But Valena was right. It never crossed my mind to leave Xelix Prime. If it was the only way to be with her, I would leave everything behind, but I hoped it wouldn’t come to it. We needed time to think things through.
“Which brings us back to Detective Gravhin’s last topic. How do we handle the media? What do we say about these two?” Ghan said, pointing at us.
“You celebrate the rescue of Councilor Dervhen and keep quiet about Valena, as we did with Mother,” Lee said.
Valena’s eyes snapped towards Lee. A strange look crossed her face.
“I just told you I don’t want to be caged. Living in hiding is the same. I want to claim my mate in the Fastening Hall and have our children registered in the Hall of Records. Wherever we end up living, my children will have roots.”
“This isn’t just about you, Valena Rounis,” Lee snapped.
Kamala placed a calming hand on his wrist.
“Careful how you address my mate,” I ground through my teeth.
The Admiral took in a deep breath and exhaled slowly.
This isn’t the behavior of artificial intelligence.
“Secrets are what keep Veredians safe.”
“Secrets are what keep Veredians lonely and trapped,” Valena countered. “Amalia told me how wonderful your haven is but also how there isn’t a single male there. Many of the sisters have expressed the desire to meet Xelixian males. But they are denied.”
She looked at each of us around the table before her eyes returned to the Admiral. I rubbed my hand encouragingly down her back, mesmerized by the strength of my mate.
“So yes, they are safe but also condemned to a life of loneliness.”
The Admiral stiffened at her words.
“I do not challenge the good you are doing for our people,” Valena said in a conciliatory tone, “but I would rather lead a risky life filled with the love of my mate and laughter of my children than a safe one filled with emptiness and silence.
I bet if you ask the sisters what they would prefer, you will be surprised by the results.”
“For what it’s worth, Lee,” Ghan’s deep voice said, “her existence isn’t so secret anymore.”
We all turned to face him.
“All the females in the Blood Houses obviously knew of her existence. While here, we were able to convince them to keep hushed about it. The minute they returned to their home worlds, a few of them started talking, some for ridiculously large amounts of credits from tabloids.”
The Admiral’s shoulders slumped. I felt an odd sense of pity for him. It was quite the burden for a single male to carry.
“Worse, they are starting to spread rumors that Xelixians and Tuureans are holding her captive and experimenting on her,” Ghan continued. “I’m sorry Lee, but in Valena’s case, I believe it is best we reveal her existence and dispel any rumor that could grow out of proportion and cause a bigger problem later.”
Ghan looked at Maheva. “As for great-mother Maheva, no one suspects her existence yet. However you both want to handle it, we leave to your discretion.”
“Thank you Ghan, and you Valena,” the Admiral said in a tired voice. “You have given us much to think about.” He turned to Detective Gravhin. “It appears you have your answer, Detective. The damage is already done. Proceed as you see fit and we’ll give you our support.”
“That brings us to our last topic,” Khel said. His purple eyes settled on me. “Ex-Councilor Nhed Dervhen.”
I swallowed hard and kept my mouth shut.
“By his own admission, Nhed Dervhen should be charged with corruption,” Detective Gravhin said. “The amount he received wasn’t that substantial. He believed V only wanted to import some questionable goods, namely dyed furniture for nobles and collectors. Had this been the case, and considering he confessed voluntarily, he probably would have gotten away with a misdemeanor, a slap on the wrist, and having his diplomatic immunity revoked or limited – had he still been a Councilor.”
That would be the best possible outcome. But with our luck…
“But, although it wasn’t his intention, he in fact enabled human and Avean trafficking, sex and blood slavery, all of which resulted in the death of many innocents,” Lhor said.