Alien Conquest
Page 31
Gran gave her a worried look. She was keeping Emily company while T’lan was off on one of his errands. “I’m concerned about you, Emily.”
“I’m fine, Gran. Just tired.” She sighed and stroked Tribs, nestled next to her on the couch. Although he had recovered completely from his injuries, he rarely left her side.
“You need to get out of this cabin.” Gran echoed her thoughts. “Why don’t you come and stay with me for a while? With T’lan, of course.”
“I would love to but even in Elmwood, we’re taking a chance on someone seeing the baby. I know things are more peaceful now.” All violent forms of resistance had been eliminated and the publicity campaigns were helping to reassure people and prevent more from developing. “But I’m not sure that the world is ready for a human-Yehrin baby yet. I’m afraid it would stir up more controversy just as things are settling down.”
“No, I suppose you’re right.” Gran sighed. “I’m going to have to go home myself pretty soon. I’ll miss you and the little angel, but I’ll come back whenever your commander can send a flyer for me.”
Emlan started to cry from the nursery.
“Little angel?” Emily asked as she started to drag herself to her feet.
“Be still, my L’chka, Elder Female.” T’lan appeared in the doorway and she sank back with a sigh of relief. He changed Emlan with his usual swift efficiency and tucked her into a little pink onesie before handing her over. Emily opened her top and nursing bra and the baby latched on. T’lan smiled at the sight, then frowned as his gaze traveled up to her face.
“You are too pale, M’lee.”
“That’s because she needs to get out of this cabin,” Gran said tartly.
“I know. I have been working on it.”
“You have? What does that mean—are you going to tell everyone?” Trepidation dampened her excitement. She wasn’t at all sure she was ready for the attention, or the consequences that would surely follow.
“No. The Supreme Council has agreed that it is best to keep the news quiet until after the Forbidden Cycle.”
“Oh.” She sagged back in her chair.
“I have a different plan. Once M’lan has finished nursing, we are going out.”
“Really?” Barely able to contain her excitement, she wiggled. Emlan gave her an angry look and clamped down harder. “Sorry, sweetie.”
While Emily finished nursing and burping the baby, T’lan made some quick calls. Tren appeared just as they were ready to go.
“Elder Female, you should come also,” T’lan ordered.
Gran’s eyes sparkled. “I must admit, I’m dying of curiosity here.”
With Tren leading the way, T’lan tucked the baby in one arm, put his other arm around Emily, and walked them briskly through the corridors. She quickly became aware that between exhaustion and confinement, her stamina hadn’t quite recovered and her steps began to slow. Tribs chirped anxiously at her.
“I apologize, my L’chka. I did not consider your delicate condition.” T’lan paused and called Tren back. “Will you carry my daughter?”
“Of course.” Tren opened his arms and Emlan went into them with her usual coo of delight.
“Protect her,” T’lan ordered.
“Always,” Tren responded solemnly, and something flashed between the two warriors.
Turning back to Emily, T’lan scooped her up before turning to her grandmother. “Can you keep up?”
“Don’t worry about me.” Gran waved a hand. “I do yoga every day.”
Resuming their rapid pace, T’lan and Tren soon brought them to his flyer. She gave it a puzzled look. “You’re taking me for a flight?”
“Yes.” He escorted her inside and buckled her in with Tribs curled on her lap. A lump rose in her throat as she watched Tren place Emlan in another chair that had been fitted with an infant seat. Everyone else took a seat and the flyer departed. As always, the sight of the Earth growing larger in the viewport filled her with awe. She decided that T’lan was taking her somewhere uninhabited where she could go outside without anyone around. The thought filled her with excitement, but then she winced. Because she had yet to go anywhere with Emlan, she didn’t have a diaper bag prepared.
“T’lan, did you bring supplies for the baby?”
“Of course, my L’chka. Do not worry.”
As the Earth approached, she realized they were headed back to the North Carolina mountains—the snow-covered North Carolina mountains. Despite being filled with a longing for home, she couldn’t help a shiver. As they flew lower, she lost track of her surroundings until they landed in a wide meadow overlooking a mountain view. Tucked into the trees on one side was a log cabin, light shining from the windows and smoke curling from the chimney. She could see rocking chairs on the front porch and a wreath on the door. The snow had been cleared from a stone pathway leading to the porch.
“It’s beautiful. Who lives here? Is it safe?”
“It is safe,” T’lan assured her as he unbuckled her straps. He handed a warm coat and boots to her grandmother and then dressed Emily in the same. Tren had picked up the travel seat and wrapped it snugly in a quilt. “Come.”
He helped both women out onto the cleared path and guided them up the steps. Tren followed with Emlan, Tribs dancing around his feet. Without pausing to knock, T’lan led them inside.
The cabin was more spacious than it had appeared from the outside. A tall river-rock fireplace dominated one end of the room, with large comfortable furniture surrounding it. At the other end of the great room, a low counter separated an open kitchen with cabinets painted a cheerful red from a big wooden dining table. Skylights brightened the vaulted ceiling.
“This is amazing.” Emily said, looking around with awe. “Who lives here?”
“We do.” He looked as anxious as massive horned warrior could look. “If you wish to live here.”
“I don’t understand.”
“I have procured this domicile for us. I have secured the boundaries and it is remote from other humans, so you and our daughter are free to explore. Elmwood is only a few minutes away by flyer so your grandmother may visit often.”
She looked around at the cozy space. Her grandmother gave her an approving nod and winked before bustling off to investigate the kitchen. Tren had unwrapped Emlan and settled into a seat by the fire with her. Tribs followed him, turning around three times before settling onto the rug with a contented chirp.
Already she could envision living here, adding her personal touches to the basic décor and making it into their home, but she also remembered how relaxed T’lan had appeared on the ship.
“What about you? About your work?”
“The Supreme Commander has appointed me to administer the Southeast Region. I will work from here.”
She cast a quick glance at the others, then tugged him into the small hallway at the back of the great room.
“Is that really what you want? You seemed so at home on the ship.”
“You are my home, my L’chka. You and our child.”
He opened one door to reveal a pale yellow nursery, then opened another to show her a pink bedroom with the biggest four poster bed she had ever seen, piled high with pillows. Her eyes filled with tears as she looked up at him.
“This is perfect.”
Green eyes glowed at her. “I wanted a place for us to be together, to be happy. And we will be happy here, M’lee, I swear it.”
“I believe you, T’lan. This is everything I ever wanted.”
He groaned and lifted her into his arms, devouring her mouth with frantic urgency.
“Canoodling,” Gran called.
But for once, she ignored her grandmother and gave herself up to the ecstasy of his kiss, his love, and his promise of a future. Together.
Author’s Note
Thank you so much for reading Alien Conquest! I hope you enjoyed reading this story as much as I enjoyed writing it! Whether you loved the book or not, it would mean the world to me if
you left an honest review on Amazon. Word of mouth is incredibly helpful for authors and I’d love to know your thoughts!
As always, there are so many people I want to thank. First and foremost, I would like to thank my readers - I am constantly humbled and gratified by your love and support! And of course, my author BFF, Bex McLynn, for always lending an ear and holding my hand! And last, but certainly not least, my awesome beta readers: Janet S, Tammy S, DeAnne T, Susan H, and Kitty S!
Coming up next - Alien Prisoner!
Find out what happens when T’chok is put in charge of the females on the ship - and meets a very defiant little human!
Alien Prisoner
For a glimpse at what happened prior to the invasion, Alien Selection tells the story of the first encounter between a Yehrin warrior and a human female! You can download it for FREE on BookFunnel or purchase it on Amazon for just $.99!
BookFunnel
Amazon
Other Titles
The Alien Abduction Series
Anna and the Alien
Beth and the Barbarian
Cam and the Conqueror
Greta and the Gargoyle
Deb and the Demon
Ella and the Emperor
Faith and the Fighter
Treasured by the Alien
with Bex McLynn
Mama and the Alien Warrior