Sloane’s heart sank. She was inept on Earth due to not being able to have children, and now here on Arenia because she wasn’t able to have their marks. She wanted to show everyone that Lian and Lyon were hers. “I see,” she whispered as she swiped at a tear falling down her cheek.
“Don’t cry, ayah. We didn’t tell you for you to be sad. If the mark isn’t on you, we’ll have it artificially replicated on you.”
“No! I won’t do that. It happens naturally or not at all,” she blurted with more force than intended. She remembered Cloray telling her about what happened to some of the women who had the mark artificially replicated. Some ended up not caring about their offspring. She worried it might affect her in such a way that she wouldn’t care about these boys.
“It’s all right, ayah, we’ll figure out a way. Don’t worry yourself. We just wanted you to know before inspecting your body that we love you and don’t care one way or another, because you’re ours.” With that, they each kissed her with reverence. “Ready?” Lian asked.
She nodded, and they lowered the sheet covering their nakedness. Lian looked down the side he was on, as did Lyon. She couldn’t look, she just couldn’t. She didn’t want to see the disappointment on their faces, so she screwed her eyes tightly closed. The men asked her to roll to her side. She rolled toward Lyon, so Lian could inspect her back.
When she did, Lyon was face to face with her. Trying to coax her to open her eyes, Lyon kissed the tip of her nose. “Look at me, sweet one.”
She eased them open to see Lyon looking at her with sympathy in his eyes. He slowly shook his head from side to side. She couldn’t help it. She started crying and wrapped herself around him, sobbing into his chest, “I’m sorry.”
As Lian covered them back up with the sheet, he caressed her back and kissed her shoulder. “Just because it hasn’t happened yet doesn’t mean it won’t. Again, ayah, it’s just a theory. Lyon and I could be wrong. Don’t cry, beautiful, it’s killing us.”
“I’ll be fine. I promise, I just need some time to process things.”
Lian and Lyon spent the rest of the early morning soothing, kissing, caressing, and giving her encouraging words of love. Somehow, Sloane fell back asleep. This time when she woke, she was alone in the enormous makeshift bed. She donned her clothes, threw her hair back into a messy bun, and went downstairs to find Lian and Lyon.
As she walked downstairs, she noticed the usual bustling activities of boys was gone. In its place were empty halls and rooms. When she reached the dining hall, she poked her head inside the door to find all the children in two long lines, from shortest to tallest. Each boy had a single flower in their grasp.
She looked down the aisle the boys had created to Lian and Lyon and returned the smiles etched on their faces. When she was about to ask what was going on, Coyak stepped forward from her left, presented her with his flower, and gave her leg a hug. “Lian and Lyon are going to marriage you. They told us Earth women walk down an aisle with flowers, so I’m giving you your first flower.”
She chuckled as tears freely trickled down her cheeks. “Marry, sweetie. They’re going to marry me.”
Cloray came up beside her and said, “Yes, fara. Today is your day. I would be most grateful to give you away to two honorable men.”
She was overwhelmed with emotion; the tears kept streaming down her cheeks and she reached up and kissed his forehead. “I’d like that very much, Cloray. Thank you, you sweet, sweet man.”
They slowly made their way down the aisle toward Lian and Lyon, stopping at each boy to her left and right to accept the flower they had. When they finally reached Lian and Lyon, Cloray carefully took the flowers out of her arms and gave them to Coyak, who she just now noticed was right behind her. Cloray came to stand in front of her, reached down, and grasped her hands in his. He looked down into her eyes and, while smiling a knowing smile, nodded at her. She nodded back, ready. Cloray took her clasped hands and spread her arms wide, bowing his head, and edged backward past Lian and Lyon and exchanging his hands with theirs.
They each kissed the back of her hand, then their attention settled on Cloray. Cloray somehow muddled his way through the words of what she’d consider a marriage ceremony. She was surprised when Cloray asked for the rings.
Lian and Lyon came to stand in front of her. Lian smiled as he explained, “I know this was a little unexpected, as Arenians don’t exchange rings as Earthlings do.”
Lyon continued, “In Arenian culture, males get nothing as a sign that we’re bonded. With these rings, we are marked as yours, as you’re marked as being ours.”
Sloane looked down to the three identical rings in Lian’s hand. Lian showed her the rings and the symbol they carried. The bands were wide, and their marks were embossed white onto the black surface. “They’re perfect,” she cried.
Lian slipped the ring onto her finger. She kissed them both for the loving gesture. She then picked up one of the identical rings, placed it onto Lyon’s ring finger, and then did the same for Lian.
Cloray smiled brightly and announced they were now married and bonded forever.
Chapter 19
Although Sloane didn’t get a honeymoon, Lian and Lyon made sure she knew she was precious to them. Touching, caressing, and kissing her during the day, and at night, she was their sole focus. Lian and Lyon both had taken her separately during the day. It was almost a game as to how many places they could get in a quick tryst without getting caught. They made her orgasm so many times, she was almost comatose every night when she went to sleep.
After three days of marital bliss, the shocking reality of why she was there at the orphanage hit her. Jessie’s friend, Dawn, arrived with her two bonded males. Dawn was a shorter woman, with a fit physique like her friend Jessie, but she could tell the woman had a rougher edge to herself.
Sloane was envious of the barely there baby bump she was supporting. Dawn stuck out her hand in greeting. “It’s nice to meet you, Sloane. Jessie told me a lot about you. These are my bonded, Bahdoo and Arock.” Dawn beamed.
“It’s nice to meet you, too. Jessie told me you would be coming. This is Lian and Lyon, my husb—I mean, my bonded. Sorry, I’m not used to everything yet,” Sloane said with a small chuckle.
Dawn smiled at her with confidence. “You’re fine, Sloane. I have to say, I’m really excited, but also really nervous about this.” Dawn’s bonded grasped her shoulder in support.
“So am I, Dawn. These boys have quickly become my own children, if you know what I mean. But I also know I . . . we can’t,” she stepped back and wrapped each arm around Lian and Lyon’s waist, “give all of them the attention and love they need or deserve. Since three of the boys left with the queen and kings the other day, we now have twenty-six boys here at this facility.” With a watery smile and a nervous laugh, Sloane continued, “I have to be honest, Dawn, I have no idea how to do this.”
Dawn came forward with a smile. “We’ll figure it out together. I don’t need to see them to know you’ve done an amazing job caring for these boys.”
Lian finally broke into the conversation. “The children are in the middle of their warrior training. If everyone will follow us, we’ll show you the way.”
Once outside, all the children stopped what they were doing and looked at the new triad. Lyon announced, “This is Dawn and her bonded males, Bahdoo and Arock. They’re here to visit for the day and get to know you. Please welcome them.”
The boys voiced their greetings and went about their training. Lian, Lyon, Bahdoo, and Arock went over to help the boys, leaving Dawn and herself as onlookers. After several minutes of companionable silence, Dawn spoke. “I know this is hard for you. But, Sloane, I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t really want this. Bahdoo and Arock are excited as well. Having a child—even someone else’s—is an honor.” Out of the corner of her eye, she could see Dawn stroke her stomach. “They don’t know it, but they’re having a son. I’m kind of thankful it’s a boy. I’m not sure what I’d do
with a girl.” Dawn gave a nervous chuckle.
Dawn slipped her hand into Sloane’s. “I made sure that no matter what, they’d love every child the same and as their own. I wouldn’t have done this unless I knew they’d treat the children the same.”
Her gaze swept to Dawn. “Thank you, Dawn. Every boy here is special in his own way. They just need someone to love them.”
Dawn swiped at her tears with her other hand. “Damned pregnancy hormones,” she said with a half-hearted smile. “Do you practice with the boys?”
“No, I’m not like Jessie. I’m just a garden variety lady who misses curling up with a good book and drinking her Earth coffee.”
Dawn laughed. “Oh, coffee, I do miss that. Why don’t we join in their cool-down exercise? It’s a great way to calm nerves and center your thinking. Once you get the motions down, you’ll want to do it every day with them.” With that, Dawn stood and pulled Sloane toward the boys exercising.
Sloane went along with it and was so glad she did. When she got the movements down, she closed her eyes and just focused. It reminded her of when she used to jog. She could block out everything and just feel. She could hear her breathing and the beating of her heart as she continued to go through the movements. She was lost in thought, when someone touched her arm. She opened her eyes to see Lian and Lyon in front of her with grimaces on their faces.
“What’s wrong?”
Lyon frowned but answered her. “It seems our mother felt this day was the best to visit you to talk about the fundraiser.”
“Okay, when is she going to be here?”
Lian had a sheepish look on his face. “She’s watching us right now from the facility.”
With a humorless laugh, Sloane said, “Of course, she is.”
~~~~~~~
Although she kept reassuring the men that she’d be fine with their mother, dread sat in Sloane’s stomach as they closed the door behind them to tend to their fathers, Dawn, Bahdoo, and Arock. Once the door snicked closed, she erected her emotional armor ever so carefully. She was ready for the battle that was about to ensue.
“I hope you’re happy with yourself. My sons are without an Arenian mate due to you. Since she was made to wait, Veena felt she was being played the fool and ended up attending a choosing and found her true mates.”
Alrighty then; the gloves were off . . .
“Uri, I know we got off on the wrong foot and I apologize for that, but I would like to at least be civil to one another for the sake of your sons.”
The regal woman sneered at her but continued her inquisition. “I see you have a triad here. Does this mean they will take over and you’ll give up this foolish job and let my sons return to their prestigious lives at the palace?”
“We need to get one thing straight: I don’t make your sons do anything. I didn’t ask them to come here, but I’m so glad they did, because they see the value in these children. Whether you like it or not, I love your sons, Uri, and I’m their ayah.”
Uri scoffed, “You’re not my sons’ ayah. You don’t even bear their marks.”
All of Sloane’s bravado waned. She inhaled deeply through her nose and exhaled through her mouth, her shoulders slumping in the process. “On Earth, we exchange rings as a sign of our bond.” Not meeting Uri’s eyes, she raised her left hand to show the wedding ring bearing Lian and Lyon’s marks on it. The older woman gently grasped her hand to inspect the ring. With sorrow coating her voice, Sloane spoke. “The truth is, I may never develop their marks.”
Releasing her hand, Uri asked, “Why?”
“On Earth, I had an ailment called cancer. When someone gets cancer, if possible, the best course of treatment is to cut out the body part that has cancer.”
Uri placed her hand to her chest in shock. “Your people cut out offending body parts to try to correct medical issues? How barbaric.”
Gaining her courage again, Sloane continued. “We don’t have healing units like you do here on Arenia. We did the best we could, but unfortunately, many people, including children, died of cancer and other ailments. In my case, I had to have my reproductive organs removed. Long story short, I can’t have children.”
Uri sat there for a moment, blinking back tears, and Sloane guessed processing what she’d told her. When Uri finally got a hold of her emotions, she set her shoulders back and thrust out her chin. “Well, that is very unfortunate indeed. I’m sorry for your loss, Sloane. Let us talk about the fundraiser for these children.”
That was a huge swing in topic, Sloane thought, but started to explain what a fundraiser was. She explained different ideas for food, entertainment, prizes, and auction items an Arenian may want to bid on.
After what seemed like hours, and just as they were finally finishing up, a knock sounded at the door. “You may enter,” Uri beckoned.
Coyak peeked his head in. “What is it, sweetie?” The little boy had a bout of shyness when he caught sight of Uri. “It’s okay, Coyak, come here and sit on my lap.” Sloane patted her thighs.
Coyak gave Uri a speculative look before charging forward to jump on her proffered legs. Sloane noticed Uri was inspecting the boy. She looked at him like she was trying to figure out a puzzle. “Coyak, is it?”
The boy nodded, and Uri continued her perusal. Looking back to Sloane, Coyak smiled. “I saw you doing warrior training, fara. Does that make you a warrior like me?”
“I wish. I don’t think I’ll ever be as good as you,” she cooed as she hugged the boy.
Out of nowhere, Uri blurted, “Child, what is your family name?”
Coyak looked to Uri and then back to her, a question in his eyes. “Uri, we don’t know his family name. He was found in the forest not far from here. All he knows is that he had two older brothers and a mother who was cruel to him. I just wish we knew so we could take his brothers away from the vile woman.”
Sloane didn’t know what happened, but Uri’s eyes went wide, and she shot up from the chair so fast, it almost toppled over. “Well then, I think we have covered everything we need to. I’ll start to make the preparations and I’ll see you with my sons in two weeks.” The words tumbled from Uri’s mouth so fast that Sloane was barely able to keep up with the woman.
“Uh, okay. Are you okay, Uri? You look flushed.” She stood and Coyak slipped from her lap, but he took a hold of her hand.
“You smell funny,” Coyak stated as he wrinkled his nose.
“Coyak, that’s rude. Tell her you’re sorry.”
“I’m sorry, Mrs. Uri.”
Grabbing a hold of her emotions a little better, Uri gave Coyak a soft smile. “It’s all right, child. I hope to see you at the fundraiser with Sloane and my sons.”
“Can I?” Coyak asked Sloane.
How could she tell this little boy no? “Of course. If Uri is okay with it, then so are we.”
“Yes, yes, then I’ll depart to make the arrangements.” Out the door Uri went, like the hounds of hell were on her heels.
Chapter 20
When Bahdoo and Arock saw Dawn falling asleep on a chair in the corner of the activities room, they decided it was time to go for the day. Lian and Lyon could understand their worry. They could tell the woman was exhausted from growing a strong Arenian child.
They watched as Bahdoo scooped up Dawn’s limp body. Arock made his way to them. “As this is a decision that can’t be made lightly, we’ll be back every day until we find the best fit for our family.”
Lian spoke, “Of course, Arock. We, too, want what’s best for the children. We are excited you’ve all taken an interest in their lives. Please excuse Sloane’s absence. She’s with our mother planning a party that benefits the children. Go, take care of your female. We look forward to seeing you tomorrow.”
Arock thrust his hand forward, as did Lian, grasping each other’s forearm as a sign of mutual respect. Bahdoo lifted his chin to say goodbye. Lian and Lyon notched their chins up at the man carrying his female.
When the triad left, Lian and Lyo
n looked to their fathers, still playing with the children, rough-housing and smiling as the small boys climbed over them and wrestled with their fathers.
Growing up, they both knew they were loved, but to see their fathers playing and carrying on with the children was a new sight. Councilmen Roweq and Gav were stern men who didn’t play, laugh, and show emotions.
When they stood there, still in shock, looking at their fathers, they couldn’t help but smile. Once Roweq and Gav caught sight of their stares, they straightened and let the children know they needed to speak to their sons.
Lian and Lyon couldn’t help it; they had knowing smiles on their faces as their fathers made their way to them. “The children seem to be well. They’re great warriors already. Even the younger ones. You both have done a great thing here. We are proud of you both.”
They stood there in shock. Their fathers never had expressed their admiration toward them. Just as they were about to say thank you, their mother swept into the room like the wind. Swiftly, she made her way to them and pulled first Lyon and then Lian in for a kiss on the cheek and a hug.
Lian could scent his mother’s distress, as he knew everyone else could, too. “Mother, what’s the matter? You’re upset. I assure you, Sloane is our ayah. We are bonded. She is—”
“Enough! I’m not upset over Sloane. I wish you the best with her.” Uri took a deep, cleansing breath. “She seems to have her heart in the right place, which is more than I could hope for, for my sons. Right now, I would like to go home and start planning for the fundraiser. I forgot to tell Sloane I would like all the children in attendance, not just Coyak. I’ll send a tailor to tend to you and the children’s clothing needs and to make a suitable gown for Sloane.”
Lyon stepped forward. “Mother, we thank you, but are you sure you’re all right?”
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