Chapter 29 #2
“Of course.” I kissed his chest. “In fact, I want you to get all dressed up as the Nova Cal director of research and sit next to me while I record the message. Be sure to look extra stuffy and serious and dragon-y. I’ll be introducing my mate the atmospheric scientist to my mother the heliophysicist.”
Our secure transmission to Fyloria received a response in just under three hours, which in itself was irrefutable proof of how much influence Dr. Hilda Disen could wield when she wanted to.
Ardruc and I spent the intervening time working in our own labs, analyzing samples and data and ensuring all our work was safely stored in caches off-planet.
In my heart, I believed we had to travel to Fortusia, both to confront whoever was behind Ardruc’s attempted kidnapping and so he could put his past behind him.
But the prospect of leaving Vorsa World made my stomach churn with worry—especially since its future and thus ours was so uncertain.
Ardruc and I loved this planet with all our hearts.
I wanted to be its caretaker-listener and spend my life here studying its wonders with my mate.
And we needed my mother, who I hadn’t spoken to in two years, and who had scoffed at my interests since I was little, to help us. I honestly didn’t know if she would come to our aid. But if she didn’t, I would never forgive her.
When her reply to my message arrived, I joined Ardruc in his lab to view it. Once we confirmed our identities via biometrics, the screen showed the seal of the university on Fyloria where my mother chaired the heliophysics department. And below that:
Sealed Communication for Dr. Elena Regis from Dr. Hilda Disen—Top Priority Delivery.
My heartbeat pounded in my ears. Ardruc squeezed my hand. I squeezed back and tried to breathe slowly and deeply.
My mother appeared on the screen, sitting in her university office with her hands folded on her desk. I had received numerous messages recorded in this same setting.
Two years had passed since the last time we’d spoken in any format.
The office looked the same, but my mother didn’t.
Her blonde hair—so like my own, except she kept hers shoulder length rather than long—was loose instead of held in a tight clasp at the nape of her neck like she’d always worn it, even at home.
She’d tucked it almost casually behind her ears. It made her appear softer.
Her furrowed brow and tightened eyes told me she was worried. About me?
“Elena.” Despite her obvious disquiet, she smiled. The expression was fleeting, but it seemed real and not forced. “And I assume Dr. Husiorithae—Ardruc—is with you.” She cleared her throat. “Hello. Hello to you both.”
I blinked. Was Dr. Hilda Disen…flustered?
My mother leaned forward. “First, thank you for reaching out to me about the situation on Hyderia—or Vorsa World, as you call it. The news about its native plasma-based life forms is astounding.” Her eyes lit up with excitement—an expression I’d never seen directed toward anything I’d studied or shown interest in.
“This discovery may change biology forever. Absolutely incredible. But clearly there are more troubling issues that need to be addressed.”
She took a deep breath. “At your request, I have spoken with a close friend at the Division of Planetary Governance under condition of extreme secrecy. They have convened a carefully selected group to begin the process of establishing the sovereignty of Vorsa World. As you said in your message, if the planet has intelligent life, it must be independent and no longer a possession of its sister planet, Nyvor.”
My stomach churned anew. Out of necessity, we had put something in motion that couldn’t be undone, and so much was out of our hands.
Just a week ago, I’d felt so secure here, other than worry the Ministry might not approve my request to extend my stay.
Now I was afraid of so many things: afraid for Vorsa World and its indigenous life forms, afraid this wondrous planet would be overrun, and afraid Ardruc and I might not be up to the mighty task the Vorsa had asked of us.
I was a mycologist, not a diplomat. Whether I could be the caretaker-listener the Vorsa wanted me to be, I wasn’t sure, but I was willing to give it my all.
Ardruc wrapped his arms around me from behind. He might have released some pheromones because my stomach settled almost immediately.
“While that process is underway,” my mother continued, “an Alliance diplomatic envoy is traveling to Vorsa World to meet with a representative of the Vorsa and should arrive at Nova Cal at around 2200 hours your time. That envoy is a very close friend of mine—someone I trust completely to handle the situation and protect the Vorsa’s interests.
She will work with you and the Vorsa to determine what steps should be taken next—most particularly whether the Vorsa wish to join the Alliance or exclude themselves from it.
I am including her dossier with this communication. ”
Between my mother’s confident expression and businesslike tone and Ardruc’s reassuring strength at my back, my anxiety lessened significantly. So far, my mother had accomplished everything I could have hoped when I sent my message, or at least found the right people to help.
“As for the Nyvorans’ alleged violations of Alliance law and illegal removal of resources…
” Now my mother’s expression turned almost ferocious, which startled me.
“I’ve been assured this will be investigated immediately by a team dispatched from Engaren.
They will arrive at the coordinates you provided within ten hours, around 2100 hours your time, just before the envoy reaches you.
If they find the allegations to be true, the consequences will be dire.
The Alliance division responsible for overseeing the protection of conservation planets will ensure the damage to Vorsa World is repaired as well as it can be, and that those responsible are held accountable. ”
She took a deep breath and bowed her head for a moment. When she raised it again, I was shocked to see tears shimmering in her eyes.
“Ell,” she said, and I nearly sagged into Ardruc’s arms at the sound of her trembling voice saying the nickname I hadn’t heard her use since I was little.
“I’m thrilled by your discoveries on Vorsa World and deeply troubled by the news of the Nyvorans’ theft of resources.
I want you to know I’m honored you asked me for help and I’m doing everything I can to make sure you and Vorsa World are protected.
” She blinked rapidly. “But what I really want to talk about is that you’ve fallen in love and chosen a mate and plan to marry.
That is wonderful. I’m so happy for you both. ”
And she was happy. Despite the tears in her eyes, she was beaming. I would have dropped into a chair if there had been one behind me and if Ardruc wasn’t holding me up.
“I hope I get the chance to meet you in person soon, Ardruc,” she continued.
Her smile faded. “If you’ve heard anything about me from Elena, I’m sure you don’t think much of me.
And you would be right to do so. I have a lot of regrets.
I have no right to ask for a chance to make things right, but it’s long past time for me to do exactly that. ”
It wasn’t an apology, and even if it had been I was a long way from feeling ready to accept one. All those years of disapproval and disdain had created a mountain of pain in my soul.
She might have done all this to try to earn my forgiveness. On one hand, as long as we got the help we needed to protect Vorsa World, I didn’t care about her motivation. But seeing rare unguarded emotion from my mother kindled a little flame of hope in my heart.
I had been prepared to hear a lot of things in this communication, from a refusal to help to more disdain, or even for my message to go unanswered. The one thing I hadn’t anticipated was an attempt at repairing the tattered mess of our relationship.
“If possible, I would like a chance to talk face-to-face,” my mother said.
“I can take a leave of absence from the university. I’m willing to meet you anywhere you would like…
including coming to Vorsa World. It would be a great honor to see its wonders for myself.
But I also understand if you would prefer I didn’t come. ”
She cleared her throat and seemed to gather herself. “Please stay in contact, and I will pass along any news I receive from my contacts at Alliance Headquarters.”
My mother raised her hand in a little wave.
“I love you, Ell. I always have, even though I’ve done a poor job of showing it.
I should have said that a long time ago.
When I got your message today, I thought maybe you might give me a chance.
” She took a deep breath. “Regardless of what you choose to do, I wish you and Ardruc every happiness. We’ll talk soon, I hope. Be safe.” The transmission ended.
I stared at the dark screen, utterly speechless.
“Trust a heliophysicist to move the heavens to help us.” Ardruc rested his hands on my shoulders and turned me to face him. “Are you all right?”
I blinked up at him. “I don’t know,” I said helplessly. “I’m happy she’s able to help, but…I’m stunned. And I don’t know how to react.”
“I am sure you do not.” He tucked loose hair behind my ear. “Even the people we think we know can surprise us. And I find it comforting to see people can change for the better.”
My surprise and gratitude for her help gave way to anger. I rested my forehead on his chest. He stroked my hair and held me.
“She should have said something,” I said into his shirt. “She could have reached out. I was always right here, just a message or a few days’ travel away. She could have told me she loved me instead of leaving me all alone.”
I expected him to coo. Instead, he continued to stroke my hair. “She could have,” he agreed. “She should have. Instead, she was afraid and ashamed, and you were left hurting. She made a lot of bad decisions and mistakes. Parents can be flawed—sometimes terribly flawed.”
And didn’t he know that the hard way.
“I don’t know if I can forgive her,” I said softly. “Or whether I should.”
“I understand.” He kissed the top of my head. “You do not need to decide now or even anytime soon. Your mother has come to our aid as you hoped she would and wished us well. I am supremely grateful for that, regardless of what happens next…Ell.”
“I haven’t been Ell for a long, long time.” I sniffled and looked up. “But I don’t mind it.”
With his thumbs, he gently wiped away my tears. “Elena suits you better, I think.” He cupped my face in his hands. “Little mate is of course my preferred name for you. Or…” He bent his head. “Doctor Regis,” he rumbled into my ear. “Who likes to be taught hard lessons.”
A shiver ran through my entire body. Maybe he was trying to distract me from all my tangled emotions about my mother. I didn’t mind, and I looked forward to my next lesson very much, but we had so much to do and no time for distractions, no matter how satisfying they would be.
“None of that now,” I said sternly. When his expression turned tragic, I remembered he was still experiencing the mating frenzy and relented. “Later,” I promised. “We need to talk to Ka and our guests and make plans for a trip to Fortusia first.”
“And then I need to be deep inside my little mate,” he said, his chest rumbling. “Where her dragon most likes to be.”