“Enough!” Jensen calls and the cameraman swings his lens towards us. Jensen carries Tauria's body to her supposed 'throne' and laying her on it. “There is the woman who says she would be queen! I could have killed her, you know that. But we need to be better than that. This war... it's over! Rebel forces, surrender. Lay down your arms, join us. There is a future for Tamaria, together.”
Jensen tells the cameraman to follow us as he puts shackles on Tauria and Imogen, then turns to me. “Kelbara....”
“My love,” I reply, going to him. He takes me in his arms, kissing me hard, and even though I can hear the cheers of the Rangers, all I can think of is him. And one more thing.
The war is over.
Chapter 25
Tauren
“So what's going to happen to the Rebel Lords and especially Imogen's territory?” Mogar asks two mornings after the battle as if everything is normal. There hasn't been any violence, it seems that Tamaria has at least temporarily lost the taste for it, but there's still a lot of tension in the air. With my speech scheduled for tonight, the whole planet seems to be waiting with bated breath.
“I don't know,” I reply honestly, taking a deep breath. “Start a study, determine what would be the best way to help the people with the dividing up of the territory and property. Obviously look at shuffling certain territorial Lordships to those the crown can trust, while at the same time... I want to reward those who fought so hard for the war. The Rangers, the Lancers, some of them at least. Look at what could be done to give them something, even if it's just a few acres of land that they can use to build a retirement cabin on in the woods.”
Mogar nods, tapping at his flexi. “I think I can come up with some ideas. When would you like them?”
I give Mogar a raised eyebrow, and he hums in understanding. “I'll say ten days then. In the meantime, I think you've got some other things to prepare for. Good luck tonight, Tauren.”
* * *
“That was one heaven and stars of a final image to showcase your victory,” I tease Jensen and Kelbara when they step off the shuttle, both freshly scrubbed and cleaned up after their operation. Tomorrow is the first of the memorial services for those who died in what the news is calling the Battle of Patpa, but right now is perhaps something even harder. “Some people are saying that the image of the human gladiator champion and the slaver's daughter kissing in the middle of Tauria's supposed throne room did more to finish off the Rebellion than the Lancers themselves.”
Kelbara blushes, tucking a hair behind her ear, then looks up, defiant and proud. “I love him, Tauren. And love's stronger than hatred.”
“I can agree with that,” I reassure her, giving her a hug. Kelbara returns it, and I step back, looking them over. “You know you two don't have to be here for this.”
“Are you kidding?” Jensen asks, slightly astonished. “We're a family, Tauren. When you told me about this idea on the way back from Patpa, I said you were nuts, but if you're going to be nuts, then I'll be right there with you. That's what we do. Besides, you look ridiculous in that stupid crown, and I can't pass up a chance to tell you that.”
“It does chafe quite a bit,” I agree, leading Jensen and Kelbara into the palace, where Audra is waiting. She's a day past due, so the doctors have said no going outside unless she has to, but she still greets her brother warmly with a hug, before giving one to Kelbara. When she steps back, I can see that she's nervous, but with the four of us together, she's brave enough to face the uncertain future. “Shall we?”
Audra nods, taking my hand as we cross the foyer towards the steps of the palace. The Royal Lancers on duty open the doors and I step out, facing the assembled group gathered in the courtyard below. I'm reminded for a moment of the night I took the crown and glancing over to the side, where Joren stands in his best clothes, watching me with quiet affection on his face, I can tell he feels it too.
The main difference is who the crowd is made up of. Last time, it was a mob, the people who stormed the palace with me, this time it's every remaining member of the Noble Council as well as the surviving Rangers from the Battle of Patpa. Sadly, only half of the men and women who dropped came out alive, and I'm reminded of that fact as I see the fifty sets of boots and ceremonial powerlances ringing the bottom of the steps.
Stepping forward, Jensen and Kelbara follow me before peeling off to the side, joining Audra in the position reserved for the royal family. I look at the camera, then at the assembled group before me, and I start to speak, my words going out over every frequency, every public news board, every communications channel on the planet.
“Eight months ago, on a cold night like this one in a lot of ways, my father passed me the crown of Tamaria, and I stood before you promising a new era for our planet. I knew even then that things would not be easy. The most worthwhile things are never easy. I believed that then, and I believe it now more strongly ever.
“I knew there would be thousands of years of culture to overcome when I announced full civil rights and citizenship for humans. I knew that it would prove unpopular with some people, just as I knew that it would be painful to let go of the hurt of the past when I granted amnesty to both humans and Tamarians for acts arising from the slave trade and Resistance prior to my taking the crown. I knew these things, but still, I pushed forward because sometimes the right things aren't always easy.
“At the same time, I had hope. I had the hope that was born from a heartfelt belief in what is right and wrong, that good can triumph. I hoped that every Tamarian, pink skinned or not, could see the bonds that unite us all. But at the same time, I knew that some people would not want to change, that change is frightening, and that some would rather fight than change. Sadly, my fear of that has proven far too true also, and that the source of the Rebellion would be far closer than even I could have anticipated.”
I swallow, looking over at Audra, who nods her head and gives me a supportive smile. I smile back, before blinking and looking out on the crowd.
“During the fight against the Rebellion, I have made mistakes. The first mistake was in not trusting in those who I should have trusted. I lied to not only the people of Tamaria, but the Noble Council, and even my own family. I lied when I threatened the use of Q-weapons against the Rebel areas. Let me set the record straight. I will never use Q-weapons against this planet. The horror of Q-weaponry is a genie that cannot be put back in the bottle, but just because we have it does not mean we must use it.
“The second lie was intentional as well. After a bombing at Lord Jensen's estate, evidence showed that the Lady Gwyndolen was the bomber, and I had her placed under arrest. However, that evidence was quickly found to be doctored, a lie to cover up the real culprit. I will reiterate, the Lady Gwyndolen is not, nor has she ever, been guilty of treason or terrorism.
“But this led to the second lie, this one to the Noble Council, where I intentionally misled them to draw out the true traitor and terrorist. I told them that I would order the execution of the Lady Gwyndolen on the very same steps that I am speaking to you now from. The Lady Gwyndolen agreed to go along with my deception to bring the fighting to a close quickly, but still....”
The Lancers at the doors to the palace opened them again, and Gwyndolen came out to the rumbling murmur of the crowd. She descends the steps, her head high and proud, as beautiful as a vision as she stops next to me and bows. I turn and get on my knees, bowing deeply to her until she rests her hand on my head, absolving me publicly of her right for revenge and forgiving me before I get back up. I offer my hand and Gwyndolen ignores it, embracing me before stepping back and joining Kelbara and Jensen on the steps.
I turn back to the crowd, waiting for the sound to die down before continuing. “For eight months, I have tried my best to be a good King. Still, I have made mistakes, and in lying to not only the Noble Council but the people of Tamaria, I have violated a sacred trust that is the foundation that our entire government is built upon. Therefore, I submit myself to the w
ill of the Tamarian people.
“I am calling a vote, to be conducted in one week. On the ballot, will be a single item, a vote of confidence. This vote will be open to all on Tamaria, man, woman, and child, from the lowest prisoner to the members of the Noble Council themselves. If the people vote yes, I shall remain as King, and serve you to the utmost of my abilities along with the help of my wife and my family.
“If the vote is no, I shall step down as King, and pass the crown to a new King, to be elected by the people in a separate vote to determine who they trust to be the leader of Tamaria. I vow now to not only respect the vote of confidence but to serve whoever is the leader of Tamaria as faithfully as I can.
“People of Tamaria, I place our future in your hands. Come together, as one voice, and I shall respect it. This is Tauren, out of Tauria by Joren, and I shall serve as you will it.”
I turn and walk up the steps to the shocked silence of the crowd, joined by Audra at the top, where the Lancers open the doors and let us go inside. My legs are strong until the doors close and I stumble, the weight of the past eight months resting on my shoulders. The thousands of deaths, the betrayals, the lies and the nights I've condemned myself over and over. Audra kneels next to me, placing a hand on my shoulder. My shoulders shake, and while I don't cry, it feels like my body is coming apart like I can't quite keep everything together the way it's supposed to. Audra rubs, her voice soft and comforting. “It's okay, my love.”
Her voice pulls me together enough to stop the shakes, and I raise my head to see her looking at me with understanding and compassion, acceptance. “Audra...”
“I know,” she says, and I hear boots approaching from behind her. Jensen and Kelbara approach, coming in by a side door, and Jensen offers me his hand while Kelbara helps Audra stand. Jensen and I grasp hands, and I feel the strength in his arm as he helps me to my feet.
“Good speech,” Jensen says, holding tight. “Whenever you need it, you have my help.”
“Thank you, my brother,” I whisper, embracing him hard. “Thank you. It's... it's so heavy.”
“Which is why your family is here,” Kelbara says. “We've got strong legs, strong backs, and even stronger hearts. Even if some of us are taller than the others.”
Audra starts snickering, and soon we're all laughing, and I know that Kelbara's right. Regardless of what the vote says, we'll be fine, since we're a family.
Chapter 26
Kelbara
It's quiet in the palace as we sit in Audra's library, waiting for the results of the vote. The enormity of the day weighs on everything we've done today, and it's even quieter as Tauren has given every staff member the day off. Other than the Royal Lancers who act as palace guards, the rooms are almost totally empty.
“So what does Joren have to say about all this?” I ask Tauren as he sits next to Audra, who's now a week past due and can barely do much more than lay down, gravpods strapped around her thighs and chest to help her maneuver. “I mean, he has to have some sort of opinion on all this.”
Tauren, who's holding Audra's hand, nods, looking over. “Joren and I talked this afternoon after he cast his vote. He says that he's thinking it's time for him to retire to what he calls Reybert's Estate, the island off the coast where an ancestor of mine was sent into exile. When I asked him why, he said that despite it all, he wants to spend the rest of his days with Tauria.”
“You're not sending them to Arklan Prison?” Jensen asks, and Tauren shakes his head. “I see. Well, probably for the best.”
“I did order the estate to be retrofitted, it'll hold a garrison of Rangers now, their headquarters will be in one wing of the estate while the other wing will be... well, a comfortable permanent retirement home,” Tauren says. “Tauria, Imogen, and Liston. They'll be watched very closely.”
“Hey, I had a question,” I ask, changing subjects. “This election thing.... was that all your idea?”
Tauren shakes his head, half-smiling. “No, actually I took part of something Audra told me, and some of it was Mogar's idea. I approached him with my concerns, and he helped me shape the speech some, but I knew what I was doing. The ultimate reward requires the ultimate consequences. It's not a game, but some of the ideas still apply.”
“And if you lose?” Jensen asks, and Audra laughs quietly. “What?”
“Tauren loses, and I'm nominating you for kingship,” she teases, before wincing. “Oooh, ouch.”
“What?” I ask, and Audra shakes her head. “No... what?”
“Just a little tightness, it's been going on all day,” Audra says, waving it off. “But what do you say, Jensen? We've had a human queen, what about a human king?”
Jensen shakes his head, taking my hand and pulling me into his lap. “No... no, I don't think so. I plan on spending the next few months, years, decades, whatever you want to use focused on one thing. My family and that includes Kel here and maybe seeing if we can make another human-Tamarian child.”
“Mmmm, you have such a sexy way of saying you want to go to bed with me,” I tease, and Tauren laughs quietly.
“I can appreciate that,” Tauren says, then grows serious. “Jensen, if I win, though...”
“You will always have my support,” Jensen says, looking over. “Family means family. I've already figured that when Kelbara and I get back from our honeymoon, we're going to be going right back to work at the estate, helping you do.... well, whatever it is you need help with.”
Audra groans again, her hand going to her belly, her eyes opening wide in realization. “Speaking of help... I think I was wrong. Tauren, it's time.”
“You mean?” Tauren asks, surprised, and I laugh as both big, strong men look flustered. Can lead an army, run a planet.... a woman goes into labor, and they're hopeless.
“Yes, Tauren. Now you two go get the doc, and I'll get Audra to the infirmary,” I tease, pushing them both out of the door before going to Audra and turning her grav pods up to where she only weighs about ten kilograms, enough that she can walk while I can help her easily. Helping Audra up, we start to walk slowly, her breath coming in short puffs. “How does it feel?”
“Soon enough you'll figure it out for yourself,” Audra says with a pained laugh. “But the best I can tell you is that it's like having one giant stomach cramp, but not quite. A cramp is uncontrolled; my body knows exactly what it's trying to do right now.”
“Well, we'll see. But yeah, I'll be happy to join you on the baby train soon as we can. By the way, our husbands seem to be clueless when it comes to delivery.”
Audra laughs and keeps walking, stopping when another contraction hits her body, her breath coming in short whistling hisses until it passes and she breathes deeply. “Speaking of which, how'd you react so calmly? Women aren't born with this instinct you know.”
“No.... but I spent plenty of free time over the past nine and a half months reading up on how to be a good delivery assistant. You know how many books there are on that available for download, or even in your own library? A lot.”
Audra smiled, taking my hand as we reach the infirmary and I help her lay down. “Thank you. You're right, by the way. No matter what, I want to stick with you too,” Audra says as I help her off with her panties and start easing her dress up. “I'm glad we're practically neighbors.”
I laugh, coming over and taking her hand again. “Just think, if Tauren loses, you could end up my houseguest. Or we could crash with Mom. She'd like the company at our family's estate, I bet.”
Audra chuckles, wincing and hissing as another contraction starts. She squeezes my fingers, relaxing as it passes. “I'd be honored to be your houseguest, sister. Still, I think I'd rather remain queen if you don't mind. The bed's bigger here.”
“Wanna bet?” I joke. “Unless Tauren's got a bed three meters across.”
“Three meters?” Audra asks, and I nod. “Who needs a bed three meters across?”
“Someone who has an athletic stud for a husband and who also likes to be tied up
sometimes,” I confide, smiling. “Three meters gives us plenty of play room. You know he got me all the toys I wanted for our wedding?”
“You still have to wait until after the delivery,” Audra says, gesturing me to lean in. “And I got you a toy too. One you can use on him. It's in a black box that's going to be delivered to your estate the day before you take off.”
“Oh really?” I ask, raising an eyebrow. “Naughty sister.”
“Yep,” Audra says, taking another deep breath. Before the contraction can start, the door to the infirmary opens again and the doctor comes in along with Jensen and Tauren, who both look on nervously. Jensen turns red when he sees that I've hiked his sister's dress up to help with the delivery, and Audra starts to laugh. “Come on Jensen, it's not like you haven't seen a woman's parts before.”
“Not yours,” Jensen says, turning around. “Ah... you guys mind if I at least just stay north of Audie's waist this whole time?”
“I don't know,” Tauren jokes, recovering his composure now that the doctor's here, “My son looks like he's going to be a big baby, we might need help catching him.”
“Heaven and stars,” Jensen mutters, and we all laugh before Audra whines, the contraction starting, and we go back to helping a miracle happen.
* * *
The sun's just starting to crest over the horizon when Audren, out of Audra by Tauren, is born to the world, cute and perfect weighing in at exactly four thousand, two hundred and twelve grams, a little on the big side but not too much. It takes a long time because he's Audra's first, and according to the doctor, Audren got a little tangled up in his birth cord around his upper thigh. The hardest part of it all for us was that Audra, with her unique body chemistry, couldn't take any pain medication at all. Still, she soldiered on, and now Audren's ready to be held for the first time.
Red Planet: The Rebel War (Tamarians Book 3) Page 22