Wray

  Reeve stood at the entrance of his House and silently raged as he watched the Emperor and female slowly walk towards him. They seemed to be talking! What could he possibly have to say to her? Why would he act as if he was interested in anything she had to say? Females like her were good for only one thing and that was relieving a male. Tornian females weren’t much better, but at least they could provide offspring. This one…

  When Captain Veron had contacted him yesterday to let him know that the Emperor would be arriving, he’d been shocked. While he didn’t have someone in Torino to keep him informed of the Emperor’s movements, Lord Bertos did and he kept Reeve informed.

  He had contacted him again less than an hour ago and informed him that the Emperor planned to stay on Vesta for an extended period. Captain Veron had ordered him to have rooms prepared and for the clothier to be available upon the Emperor’s request. He said nothing about a female.

  Wray had claimed she was his Empress.

  Impossible!

  Only a Tornian female could be Empress. One that was able to present fit offspring… Reeve stiffened as a thought occurred to him.

  No…

  It wasn’t possible…

  His eyes narrowed, as he looked at the female in a different light. If the Emperor had finally discovered a species they could successfully breed with, it would ruin all Reeve and Bertos had been working towards.

  He had to find out…

  He had to inform Bertos.

  Chapter Seventeen

  Lord Reeve found himself standing before the Emperor and forced himself not to shift his weight from foot to foot under the intensity of the Emperor's gaze. Not since his manno ruled had he felt so powerless in his own House. Reeve had been pacing the chamber from which he ruled Vesta.

  As soon as he left the Emperor, Reeve had tried to contact Bertos on Tornian, but had been told he was unavailable. Enraged, he left a message for Bertos to contact him immediately, then started to pace.

  If this female were truly breedable, they would have no chance of removing Wray. Replacing him with the one that was the true Emperor. The one that descended directly from Lucan. Bertos. And Reeve would be at his side.

  Now the Emperor was here… could it be he discovered their plot to remove him? Had he already disposed of Bertos? Was that why he was ‘unavailable’?

  Reeve was still pondering the possibility, when the Emperor suddenly threw open the chamber doors and entered as if it were his own. Without a glance in Reeve’s direction, Wray crossed the chamber and sat in the spot reserved for those who ruled Vesta.

  “I am ready to hear your explanation, Lord Reeve.”

  “My explanation…” Reeve asked slowly, trying to remain calm. “For what,sire?”

  “For why I am here.”

  “I… but sire… I have no idea why you are here.”

  “You don’t…” Wray raised a questioning eyebrow at him.

  “No, sire.”

  “How are the harvests, Lord Reeve?” Wray asked.

  “The harvests?” Reeve frowned, totally confused. “They are fine, sire. No problems.”

  “You’re sure, Lord Reeve?” Wray pointedly asked.

  “Of course, I’m sure!” Reeve immediately responded and felt his temper rising at being questioned. He knew how to run his planet. “If there was a problem I would have reported it to the Assembly of Lords as the Law demands.”

  “Then explain to me, Lord Reeve,” Wray said in a deceptively calm voice. “Why I had to personally go into the Kaliszian Empire and meet with Emperor Liron to discover that one of my Lords was failing in his obligation. An obligation I personally vowed would never be broken.” Wray’s voice rose as he did, his rage filling the room. “YOU… Lord Reeve… are failing to maintain the steady food supply to the Kaliszian people and have failed to report it!”

  “I…” Reeve now knew he was in serious trouble. Several months ago, his female had left to Join with another male taking with her a great deal of Reeve’s resources. Leaving behind only a male offspring that he doubted would survive. He needed to attract another female quickly and the only way he could do that was to restore his House resources.

  To do this, he had been diverting food supplies that should have been going to the Kaliszians and selling them to those desperate enough to pay his exorbitant price. He never expected Liron to notice. Let alone, for him to personally contact Wray.

  “I know of no problems with the deliveries to the Kaliszians, majesty.” Reeve said, lying through his teeth.

  “Really? Are you saying you do not know what is happening on your own planet?”

  “No! Of course, I know what is going on here! What I’m saying is that I have not been made aware that there has been a problem with any of the shipments… until now.”

  “Aren’t you the one responsible to make sure those shipments are sent?”

  “Of course! And I have! They were! The problem must be on the Kaliszian end.”

  “You are accusing Emperor Liron of starving his own people? Of him lying to me?”

  “No, Majesty, but there is a great deal to be gained if someone is diverting the shipments for their own ends.”

  “Explain.” Wray ordered.

  “Sire, from what I’ve been told, there are problems within the Kaliszian Empire with the fair distribution of food supplies. There are those that feel they are not receiving their share. It has created an environment where some are willing to steal food supplies so they can be sold for extreme amounts.”

  “Who is telling you this, Lord Reeve?”

  “No one, Majesty, as I said, I’ve only heard rumors. Had I any hard evidence I would have reported it to you.”

  “So you are stating here, to me, that the shipments leaving Vesta are full.”

  “Yes sire! Every shipment is inspected by one of my Captains before it leaves Vesta as is required by Tornian Law. It is documented.”

  “And your Captains will vow to this.”

  “Yes, sire.”

  “I want to see them, Lord Reeve.”

  “My Captains?”

  “Yes. Have them brought to me immediately.”

  “Yes, Majesty.” Reeve replied and with a slight bow quickly exited the room.

  ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞

  Kim stood staring out a large window, watching the shadows lengthen with the setting of the sun. Wray had been gone for several hours and she’d spent that time exploring their rooms. All twelve of them. Actually, they had been given an entire three-story wing, a wing that had surprisingly been mostly empty, its rooms dark and cold.

  Where was the furniture? The rugs to cover the rough stone floors? The cave had a warmer, friendlier feel than these rooms.

  At least their resting chamber had been warm and comfortable. It hadn’t been filled with the luxury she’d thought an Emperor on Earth would have had, but it did have large rugs covering the cold floors and in its center was the largest bed she’d ever seen, filled with plush pillows and thick blankets.

  A fire had been started in the large hearth, warming the stones to give extra warmth to the room as the sun lowered. Turning from the window, she went and sat on the oversized couch in front of the fire.

  ‘Okay,’ she thought, ‘oversized for me.’ and found herself smiling. It seemed like everything in this strange new world was oversized. She knew she would eventually adjust to all this, but right now she was tired. Pulling her legs up, she curled them underneath her and tipped her head back.

  ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞

  “You are adjusting well, little one.” The melodic voice had Kim turning to find herself once again in the presence of the Goddess.

  “I didn’t really have much of a choice, now did I.” she replied, facing the Goddess.

  “Everyone has a choice. You could have responded differently to what has occurred to you.”

  “Occurred to me… such a nice way of putting it.”

  “Would you prefer I go into detail? Describe every second of yo
ur time with the Ganglians?”

  “No!” Kim denied, paling at the thought of reliving that.

  “Good, because I do not wish to relive it any more than you do.”

  “Why would you relive it?”

  “You think because I am a Goddess that I do not feel what other females feel? That I haven’t experienced it myself?” The world around them darkened with the Goddess’ anger and pain.

  “Daco…” Kim whispered, her eyes searching the Goddess’. “Wray said warriors from House Berto saved you before you were forced to Join with him.”

  The Goddess’ voice said nothing.

  Her eyes said everything.

  Kim instinctively reached out, putting an understanding hand on the Goddess’ arm, suddenly realizing that she and this amazing creature had a great deal in common. “If they didn’t get to you in time, why did you bless them?” she asked softly.

  “Because it wasn’t their fault,” the Goddess said covering Kim’s hand with one of her own, “they did what they could. Just as your male did. There are those in every species who would destroy what they cannot have and there are those who try to prevent it. Those that deserve every blessing I can give them.”

  “But you withdrew it.” Kim reminded her. “It’s why I was raped, because you made them enjoy it.”

  “Yes.” Regret filled the Goddess’ eyes. “I was angry… I was… hasty in my retribution.”

  Kim opened her mouth to agree, to blame the Goddess. Slowly she shut it. How many times had she spoken without thinking? How many had she hurt by her actions? She didn’t have the power to affect an entire species, but she had affected the people she loved and that, to her, was worse. The people she loved should be the ones she never hurt, by word or deed.

  “Then correct it.” Kim whispered.

  “I cannot.”

  “Why?”

  “Because it was caused by how the Emperor treated his females then. It can only be corrected by how the Emperor treats his female now. By how Wray treats you.”

  “But…”

  ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞

  “Kim…” Wray sat down next to her on the couch and gently rubbed her leg. “Kim.” He said, trying again to wake her. He didn’t like that she wouldn’t wake. She never slept like this.

  He was confident when he’d left her that his warriors would be able to protect her… from anything. He had assured her she would be safe. Now…

  “Wray? What’s wrong?” Kim asked groggily.

  Her sweet voice had his eyes flying back to hers, finding them full of concern. “Are you alright?” He asked gruffly.

  “Of course I am.” Shifting, she sat up. “Why wouldn’t I be? You left nearly all your warriors behind to protect me.”

  “You wouldn’t wake.” Lifting her into his lap, he wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close. “I was worried.” He admitted burying his face in her neck.

  “I’m sorry.” She said, her fingers slipping into his hair. “I was just thinking about the day and must have dozed off.”

  “You need to rest more, my Kim.” He pulled back to tuck a piece of hair behind her ear. “I should have brought Yakar with us so he could monitor you.”

  “No!” Kim immediately stiffened. “I don’t want that male anywhere near me!”

  “Kim…”

  “No, Wray! I don’t like him…”

  “He would never harm you, Kim. He is a Healer and you are his Empress.”

  “I don’t care. I don’t want him touching me. I can’t explain to you why. It’s just the way I feel.”

  Wray studied her silently for several minutes, then slowly nodded. “If that is the way you feel, my Kim, then that is the way it shall be… as long as you are well.”

  “I am, Wray. My vow.” Kim waited for his nod before snuggling deeper into his arms. “So tell me what you discovered about the food shipments.”

  “Reeve claims they were full when they left Vesta.” Wray was surprised at how natural it seemed for him to share this with her.

  “And were they?”

  “It is what his Captains claim.”

  “That doesn’t mean it’s true.”

  Wray looked down at her surprised she would realize that. “No, but they vow it. Reeve is getting the documentation. He has suggested, that Kaliszians themselves, are stealing the supplies to make a profit.”

  “Is that possible?” Kim thought of General Rayner and couldn’t see him doing such a thing.

  “Anything is possible.”

  “So what are you going to do?”

  “I don’t know yet. I have Veron investigating further.”

  Kim silently gazed into the fire for several minutes thinking about her next question. “Wray?”

  “Yes, my Kim?”

  “Reeve said Tora was on Vesta.”

  “He is.” Wray said then answered her unasked question. “When a male reaches a certain age, his manno will send him to a warrior that has proven himself fit and worthy to be trained. Once he has completed that training, he will then serve that warrior and his Lord for five years. After that, he is free to offer his services to anyone he wishes. Every male does this. Every male except the future Emperor.”

  “He is treated differently.”

  “Yes. He travels and trains for a time at each of the twelve Houses of the Tornian Empire. It gives him a better understanding of the people and places he will one day rule. His final year of training is always on Luda and it is the King of Luda he will serve until his twenty fifth year or until, like me, he is crowned Emperor.”

  “You became Emperor before you turned twenty five?” Kim pulled back to look at him in surprise.

  “Yes. My manno was killed while on a hunt on Betelgeuse.”

  “I’m sorry, Wray.”

  “It was… unexpected. My manno’s blood brother, King Rask of Luda, helped guide me until his death. Then my blood brother, Grim, took his place.”

  “You care a great deal for your brother.”

  “Yes.”

  “And for your son, your first male, Tora.”

  “Of course.”

  “Will I get to meet him?”

  “You would want to?” Wray gave her a surprised look.

  “Why wouldn’t I?” Kim said, confused.

  “He is my first male offspring… from another female.”

  “I know.”

  “Most females shun other female’s offspring.”

  “But I’m not most females now am I, Wray.”

  “No, Kim, you are not and I am grateful.” Leaning down, he gave her a hard kiss. ‘When Tora arrives, I would very much like to introduce you to him.”

  Chapter Eighteen

  Kim’s eyes widened in surprise when the clothier entered their chamber. It wasn’t his appearance that surprised her. Although it should have. It wasn't every day she saw a male with onyx colored skin, shockingly blue eyes and rainbow colored hair that flowed over his shoulders.

  No.

  What surprised her was that following close behind the tall male was a female. The first Kim had seen since she’d been taken from Earth and she was just as striking as the male except she had long thin braids in every color. It should have looked ridiculous... but on her, it seemed… right.

  “You are in need of a clothier, Majesty?” The male asked with a voice that was as deep as the bow he gave Wray. The female silently followed suit.

  “Yes, for the Empress.” Wray said, gesturing for the male to rise.

  "The Empress?" The male couldn’t hide his shock and his eyes immediately flew to Kim then frowned at what he saw. Surely, the Emperor couldn't mean this strange tiny female beside him…

  “Yes.” Wray growled threateningly. He did not like the way the clothier was looking at Kim. He didn’t like how every male looked at Kim as if she were strange. She was his and she would have their respect. “This is Empress Kim, your Empress,” Wray’s eyes were as cold as his voice. “She is in need of coverings and you will produce them. W
hat materials have you brought?”

  “I have brought all that was available within House Reeve, Majesty,” The male's eyes quickly flew back to Wray and realized he had angered the Emperor, something no one wanted to do, especially an Auyangian. “But I’m not sure any of it is suitable for an Empress, sire.”

  “Why not?” Wray questioned.

  “Because Lord Reeve’s female left very little material behind suitable for a female's needs.”

  “Why hasn’t Lord Reeve had it replaced?” Wray demanded.

  “I would not know, majesty.”

  “Wray.” Kim puts a calming hand on his arm. “I’m sure whatever he has will be fine. It has to be better than what I have, which is nothing.”

  “You are the Empress." Wray growled. "You deserve the finest the Empire has to offer.”

  “And I do.” She said squeezing his arm. “I have you.”

  The clothier’s mouth fell open at Kim’s words. He hadn’t just heard what he thought he had heard? Had he? No, it was impossible. No Tornian female thought her male was the finest the Empire had to offer, not even the Emperor.

  Wray felt his throat tighten at Kim's words. She had always expressed her feeling to him, but it had always been in private. For her to do so now, even though it was only before an Auyangian clothier…

  “There is a bolt that might do.” A soft feminine voice spoke up. “I believe Lady Estee left it behind by mistake.” Three sets of eyes turned to the female.

  “Caitir!” The clothier rounded on the smaller female.

  “What is the material?” Kim asked, taking a step forward, stopping the argument before it began, between the male and female.

  “It is Himroo, majesty.” Carter said, bowing to her. “If I may?” she gestured behind her and waited for permission to move.

  “Please.” Kim said and followed her as she moved to the table in the outer chamber that had been piled high with the cloth they had brought. “Tell me more about the cloth.”

  “Himroo is made by hand in Aurangabad, majesty.” Caitir said, reaching for the bolt she wanted. “It takes a skilled craftsman a great deal of time to weave making it very sought after.”