representative blubbered and tried to go on the attack about the contract that had been in effect when Amylia had been taken.
Artruo stepped forward. “All contracts cease to hold effect when the employee is deceased. Both Guard Caxton and my wife, Kreatha, were technically dead on extraction from the court. We have the records and medical vids to prove it.”
Amylia had been treated to that bit of info the day before, so she didn’t go into shock, but it still felt weird. They saved her life and then tortured her. Messed up.
“So, Representative, you can see that I would never allow one of my subjects to be removed for an act of self-defence.”
“Of course. Please allow me to communicate with the high courts, and I will tell you what action we are taking.”
She smiled and knocked the entire contingent out.
She was crouched next to the representative when he woke and his men were down at the shuttle.
“So, just so you understand, everything I am is at the disposal of Rohul. I will defend this world and her people to the best of my ability, and if you have read my file, you know what that means. So, call your shuttle and get off my world.”
She stood and returned to her group.
There would be other altercations between the Imperium and Rohul, but today, she was drawing the line with plenty of backup.
The shuttle retrieved the man and took to the skies.
She smiled. “Well, I think I need to head back and talk to the other alpha. She will be driving Dorren crazy by now.”
Kreatha sighed. “I was hoping you could help us celebrate.”
“What are you celebrating since yesterday?” Gyrion wrapped an arm around Amylia.
“I have had a successful conception. We are waiting a few weeks before we announce it, but a micro scanner was able to locate it.”
“In one day?”
“I am lucky. Some try for years with no success, but my body was just waiting until someone took the burden of prime queen from it. Thanks, Amylia.”
Artruo wrapped his arms around his mate. “Thanks, Amylia.”
Gyrion chuckled. “I suppose she should meet Mother.”
Amylia was shocked. “She’s still alive?”
“Of course. She just had to go into hiding when she had us. I will explain it on the way.”
They walked to their riding beast, and he explained on the way. His mother could have been a queen, but she loved her mate and hid when her time came. She would simply be pregnant and there was nothing that the ruling consort could do. She didn’t want him, but he watched her like a hawk.
When she had two children in a keep with a queen, the ruler passed away and the consort was in search of the next queen. Gyrion’s father was talented but not a warrior, and when the challenge came, he died.
Rather than submit to the man who killed her mate, Yadora ran. She raised her boys outside of the keep system until she was beyond childbearing. She turned to the communities for support and finally retired to a house in the hills. Her talent for manipulating water was still in demand, but she didn’t need the funds, so she took on projects as she wanted to. For now, it was high water so she had time off.
They skipped the keep and headed for a small white stone cottage in the hills. Amylia could see it gleam from a distance.
The woman didn’t look old enough to have a son Gyrion’s age, but she patted him with the familiarity of a parent.
“So, you are the alien that the waters are whispering about.” Yadora scowled at her as she walked into the small yard in front of the cottage.
“Apparently.”
“And already the prime queen. You work fast. So, have you seduced my son?”
Amylia smiled. “No. He did all the work. I just didn’t run away.”
Yadora snorted. “I hear you can fight.”
“I hear you can cook. I am willing to take it on faith if you are.”
There was a chuckle, and the woman with midnight hair and laughing eyes rushed forward and hugged her. “Welcome, daughter.”
Gyrion looked relieved and gave her a
Fran Baker
Jess C Scott
Aaron Karo
Mickee Madden
Laura Miller
Kirk Anderson
Bruce Coville
William Campbell Gault
Michelle M. Pillow
Sarah Fine