Reaching underneath, Grim pulled out what he found.
"Careful, Manno, Prince doesn't know you." Carly's concern was easily heard. It was something else he was still getting used to. His daughters’ unconditional love and concern for him.
"There is nothing here to be concerned with, my Carly," Grim told her as he pulled out the now dirty, but empty, fur cape.
"He's gone," Miki whispered, her amber gaze going from her cape to Grim. "He didn't even say goodbye."
Suddenly, a loud screech filled the air above them, and every head looked up and found the Raptor sitting on one of the uppermost branches of the tree, staring down at them.
"My God," Lisa murmured quietly, taking in the size of the bird. She had pictured a much smaller creature in her mind, not one that seemed nearly as tall has her youngest. Its body was just as black and sleek looking as the one Gahan had created that now sat in Grim's Command Room. And while his wings rested against his body, there was no doubting he was as deadly as any Elite Warrior with his sharp, curved beak and long, lethal claws. Yet she could see the intelligence in the piercing purple of his eyes. No wonder he was the symbol for House Luanda.
Just the thought of her innocent daughters being near such a creature, let alone feeding it, sent a shiver of apprehension up Lisa's spine.
"Prince." Miki's little hands rested on her hips as she looked up and found him. There wasn't an ounce of fear in her voice. "What are you doing up there? You are supposed to be resting. We brought you first meal." Reaching into her pocket, she pulled out the piece of rashtar she'd saved from their first meal and held it up to him.
With a swiftness no one would expect from such a large, presumably injured creature, the Raptor swooped down to land directly in front of Miki.
Lisa gasped.
Ion and Nairn moved forward.
Grim drew his sword.
But the Raptor's intense, violet gaze remained fixed on Miki.
"Oh, you’re better," she exclaimed happily, unaware of the tension that filled the adults around her, and apparently unconcerned that a deadly bird nearly as tall as she was had just landed in front of her. "I'm so glad. Here." She held out the rashtar to him.
Lisa held her breath as the Raptor's sharp, deadly beak lowered toward the soft, unprotected skin of her youngest’s fingers. But it only bit at the rashtar, seeming to know it could harm Miki if he weren't careful.
"Prince, this is my mommy and my manno," Miki told the bird. She had watched her mommy and knew it was rude not to introduce people. "Mommy, Manno, this is Prince."
"I..." Lisa looked to Grim for a moment. She had never been introduced to a bird before, but this seemed to be important to her daughter, so she went along. "Hello, Prince," she said and bowed slightly to the bird just as she would for a real Prince. She was shocked when he returned the gesture, bowing deeper than she had, as a Prince would to a Queen. It then turned its intense gaze to Grim.
Grim was completely shocked by what was happening. While his bedtime stories about the Great Raptor had been filled with how the creature acted and responded just as an Elite Warrior would, they had been just stories handed down so a young male would know what was expected of him. No one actually thought them to be true, at least not once they grew older. But here his girls were, treating and talking to one, exactly as he had told them they should. And the Raptor was responding.
"Prince." Grim lowered his sword but didn't sheath it as he bowed his head to the creature.
The Raptor eyed the sword for a moment before it again seemed to bow to the King of Luda.
Suddenly, a deafening clap of thunder rolled across the land, and a curtain of rain began advancing toward them. With a great screech, Prince spread his wings and launched himself into the sky.
"Inside, now!" Sheathing his sword, Grim scooped Miki and Carly up, one in each arm. Then using his massive frame, he protected Lisa from the wind as he moved them toward Luanda. When tempests like this suddenly appeared, they were deadly.
Ion and Nairn held open the doors as Grim rushed his family inside, closing them just as a blinding flash of light lit up the garden. It had both girls screaming out in fright.
"Calm, little ones. You are safe."
"But Prince, Manno." Miki looked up at him, tears filling her eyes.
"He is safe," Grim reassured her. "This is what he does."
"Your vow?" she asked, her bottom lip trembling.
"My vow, my Miki."
∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞
Lisa found she was still somewhat shaken by what happened in the garden, and the rumble of the continuing storm wasn't helping to calm her nerves.
For her girls to have been so close to such a dangerous creature.
For her and Grim to not even be aware it was there.
For the tempest to appear so suddenly.
She had to fight against holding the little hands of her girls too tightly as they walked toward Grim's Command Room. She thought she'd been aware of all the dangers their new home contained, but every day she found herself learning something new. Like how a dangerous bird could be in their garden. Grim had understood that she needed to make sure her babies were okay and had gone ahead to meet the shuttle containing Ull, General Rayner, and Jennifer. Entering Grim's Command Room, she saw that everyone was there.
"I'm sorry we kept you waiting."
"It is fine, my Lisa," Grim reassured her, moving from behind his desk.
"Girls, this is Warrior Ull of House Rigel," Lisa began the introductions.
"I remember you," Carly piped in looking up at Ull. "You were at the Joining Ceremony."
Ull frowned as the taller of the young females spoke to him without permission.
"My daughter is speaking to you, Warrior Ull." Grim's deep growl expressed his displeasure at Ull's lack of response to Carly.
"I was," Ull stiltedly responded. He would never get used to these Earth females talking whenever they wished.
"You are Ynyr's brother," Carly continued, unfazed by the lack of warmth on Ull's face or in his tone.
"Yes, his older brother."
"Really? But he's already a Lord," she said giving him a confused look.
"And this is General Treyvon Rayner of the Kaliszian Empire," Lisa quickly went on, pulling Carly's gaze away from Ull. She knew from her conversations with Abby that Ull was still having trouble dealing with the fact that his younger brother had become a Lord before him. That, and that Abby chose Ynyr over him.
"Wow," Miki whispered, and letting go of her mother's hand, moved across the room coming to a stop in front of Treyvon. "You're almost as handsome as our manno."
"He is not!" Carly immediately defended Grim. "Manno is handsomer."
"I said almost," Miki spun around to argue with her sister. "Because Manno will always be much handsomer than any male in the Known Universes."
"It's more handsome," Lisa quietly corrected her daughters, while trying to keep the smile off her face. Especially when she saw the range of expressions crossing the males' faces.
Ull's was blank in shock. Treyvon's was obviously trying to hold back his amusement. But Grim's was the most expressive of all, at least to her. An unhappy frown had crossed his face at the thought that another male might rival him in Miki's eyes, but his chest had expanded with unadulterated pride at how both his daughters thought and spoke of him.
"That's enough, girls," Lisa said gently but firmly, knowing their argument would grow if she didn't stop it. "You both need to tell General Rayner you're sorry."
"Unnecessary," Treyvon began, but Lisa's piercing look silenced him.
"Yes, it is, General Rayner. Sometimes our girls forget their manners." Her gaze returned to her daughters. "Don't you, girls?"
"Yes, Mommy," they chorused together then turned to Treyvon. "Sorry."
Treyvon found himself trapped for a moment by their amber gazes before giving them a slight bow, letting them know he accepted their apology.
"And this," Lisa gestured to
Jennifer, who had remained silent next to Treyvon, "is Jennifer, General Rayner's True Mate."
"Oh, you're Kim's sister!" Miki clapped her hands excitedly as she looked to Jennifer.
"I am," Jennifer agreed.
"Welcome to the family!"
"What?" Jennifer gave Lisa a confused look.
"Carly pointed out at first meal this morning that we are now family since your sister is married to Grim's brother." Lisa looked to Treyvon. "Which means you are now family too, General. Our families and Empires are now forever linked."
A sharp bolt of lightning, instantly followed by a window-rattling crack of thunder, prevented anyone from responding.
Chapter Five
"Manno!" the girls screamed as the room went dark for a moment after the brilliant flash of light. Grim was immediately there, wrapping them up in his protective arms.
"Calm, little ones," he murmured. "We are inside. Remember? You are safe."
"But Prince..." Miki looked up at him with wide, fear-filled eyes.
"Is with his manno, who is protecting him just like I am protecting you."
"You're sure?" she questioned, her little chin trembling.
"I'm sure, Miki."
"Hey, how would you like Ion and Nairn to take you to Cook?" Lisa asked as she gently rubbed each of the girls' backs. "I happen to know that he is planning on making more cookies today."
"Truth?" Carly asked, her eyes hopeful.
"Truth."
The girls looked at each other for a moment, then wiggled in Grim's arms to be released. And after each kissing one of his cheeks, they were gone.
∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞
"What kind?" The chef in Jennifer had to ask, and she found herself pinned by the powerful gazes of both the King and Queen of Luda.
It was Lisa who finally answered. "The Tornian version of shortbread cookies."
"Really? I'd love to get the recipe."
"I forgot, you were a Chef back on Earth."
"She is a Chef here also," Treyvon growled. "Her skills have enhanced the lives of our people. Her cookies and brownies are highly prized."
Lisa put a gentle hand on Grim's arm, knowing he wasn't going to like the way the General was talking to her.
"Of course she is, General," Lisa pacified and gestured to the sitting area, something that had been added to Grim's Command Room since her arrival. "I meant no offense. As I said, I had just forgotten."
As they all sat, Lisa frowned at Jennifer. "Brownies?"
"Yes." Jennifer’s hand mimicked Lisa's, soothing her own mate. "One of the Zaludian ships Treyvon intercepted was carrying chocolate from Earth."
"Honestly?" Lisa's eyes widened in excitement, and for a moment she reminded Treyvon of her daughters.
"Yes, they seemed to have cleared out an entire baking aisle."
"So you have chocolate?"
Grim frowned at the way his Lisa stressed the unknown word. Her tone was filled with such awe and desire that he'd only ever heard before when she was in his arms.
"Yes. We have chocolate chips, chocolate chunks, chocolate bars, milk chocolate, bitter chocolate, dark chocolate, even white chocolate, and cocoa powder."
"What is this... chocolate?" Grim demanded. If it were something his Lisa desired so greatly, he would make sure she had it.
"It’s something incredible from Earth," Lisa told him, her eyes still fixed on Jennifer.
"That is truth," Treyvon agreed. "My Warriors never miss last meal when my Jennifer prepares something with it. Empress Kim has even threatened your brother that she will give him no more offspring unless he has a supply of it on hand."
"What?!!" It was Grim's eyes that widened this time.
"Totally understandable," Lisa nodded, rubbing her baby bump then demanded. "What will it cost me to get some?"
∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞
"Cook?" Carly looked up from the bowl she was stirring to the old Warrior who was helping her sister.
"What is it, little one?" Tagma asked, smiling down at Miki, letting her know she was doing a fine job even though he'd have to throw that mixture out, before turning his attention to Carly.
He couldn't believe how life had changed in House Luanda since the arrival of these precious little females and their mother. He'd been a bitter, old Warrior who the Goddess hadn't seen fit to bless with a female or with the glory of dying in battle. Instead, as his skills had waned with age, he'd had to return to the kitchens and use the skills his manno had taught him before he'd begun his Warrior training.
For years now he'd begrudged his position, seeing it as a stigma of his failings instead of a chance for a different, better life. And his life was better, thanks to these little ones. They looked at what he did with such awe and wonder that it filled him with pride that being a Warrior never had. They wanted to learn from him, and it made him see his position differently, made him a different male.
"What do you know about the Great Raptor?" she asked, setting her bowl aside.
"The Great Raptor?" he asked frowning slightly.
"Uh-huh."
"Doesn't Ki..." he broke off. He knew the little ones now called King Grim, manno. The news of this had spread faster than a solar storm through the Festival. It was yet another sign of how worthy these females found Grim. "Doesn’t your manno tell you about him?"
"Oh, yes. Manno tells us a new story every night."
"Really good stories," Miki added, not wanting to be left out of the conversation.
"Then why do you want me to tell you one?"
Carly just shrugged her little shoulders. "I just thought that maybe your manno told you different stories."
"My manno did tell me tales of the Great Raptor."
"Really?" Setting her bowl aside now, Miki plopped her elbows on the counter, her chin propped up on top of her hands, just like her sister had. "Did he tell you any about Prince?"
"Prince?" he gave her a confused look.
"Yeah, the Great Raptor's son," Carly replied as if it should be obvious.
"We met him in the garden," Miki told him. "He was hurt, and we helped him."
"What!?!" Tagma roared, startling the girls. The reflexes he thought had waned with age were never faster as he steadied them both on their stools. It also had Ion and Nairn rushing into the kitchen, swords drawn, until Tagma shook his head at them telling them that everything was fine.
"I am sorry, little ones," he continued, his voice lowering as he dropped to his knees. "I did not mean to frighten you."
"Wh... why were you upset?" Miki asked, her little voice trembling.
"I was just surprised. That is all." Tagma's mind was racing to find a way to explain his terror at the thought of these precious, little ones being so close to such a dangerous creature. "It is a very rare thing to see the Great Raptor, let alone his... son."
"Really?" Carly asked.
"Yes. My manno told me that it is a great honor for one to see... Prince."
"Really?"
"Yes. You see while the Great Raptor is out protecting the people of Luda, Prince stays behind protecting the Great Raptor's mate, his mother. Although it is said that she is as deadly as her mate, especially when it comes to defending those she loves."
"Like mommy is."
"Yes, little one, just like your mommy."
"They must have been so worried. Prince was in the garden for two days. Manno and Mommy would be if it were us."
"They would be," Tagma said, his throat tightening at the thought and as his gaze rose to Ion’s and Nairn's. They all knew that the King and Queen of Luda wouldn't be just worried if their little ones were missing for two days. They would be heartsick and enraged! Grim would tear all of Luda apart to find them.
"So others have met Prince?" Carly asked.
"I only know of one other." Tagma thought of a story his manno had only told him once. "My manno told me that there was once a Warrior who did as the two of you have done."
"Really?"
"Yes. He fou
nd, protected, and healed an injured Raptor. Because of this, the Raptor gifted the Warrior a piece of himself."
"What did he give him?" Miki whispered.
"The Eye of the Raptor. Here." Tagma held open his hand and pointed to an unmarked spot in his palm between his thumb and forefinger where two lines met and faintly resembled a bird's head. "It allowed the Warrior to sense evil, and have the power to destroy it, protecting those under his care. As the Great Raptor does."
"Wow..." the girls both whispered, then looked at their own palms that were as unmarked as Tagma's, and were disappointed.
"Do not worry, little ones. The Eye of the Raptor has only been gifted once in all of known time, but you were still honored by meeting Prince. It has been hundreds of years since anyone has been given that honor. Don't you agree, Ion?" Tagma looked to the younger Warrior for help.
"Many hundreds," Ion agreed. "So long ago that I cannot even recall the last Warrior's name."
"Wow, so we are the first females to meet him?" Carly asked, her eyes going wide.
"Yes."
"That's so cool," the girls whispered looking at each other.
∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞
“You believe this ‘recording’ will be enough?” Ull skeptically asked after Lisa had finished speaking.
“It will be a start, at least for Trisha. I have no doubt she’s been trying to figure out what happened to the girls and me. The problem is going to be you getting close enough to her to get her to listen to it, especially after the way the Ganglians took the last group of women.”
“That won’t be a problem.”
“You think you’ll be able to just ‘get close’ to the niece of the President of the United States? A female he considers his daughter? It would be like Grim allowing an unknown male close to any of our girls.”
That had Ull snapping his mouth shut because he knew how carefully King Grim guarded his females. That he was even allowed to see them had surprised him.