120. Chapter Twenty-Three
Chapter Twenty-Three
O ne month later…
Rynn
I’m getting stronger every day, motherfucker. I’m going to break out of here and kill you. Soon! My son, Dasteron, will figure this out. He’ll come for me and make you pay.
Valeris’s faction has conquered most of the planet. My generals tell me the rebels will overtake the palace soon. Frankly, I can’t wait. Kato’s constant threats and epithets are driving me crazy.
It’s been nerve-wracking sitting here, unable to communicate with Zar, Anya, or anyone from Valeris’s side. I’ve not only listened to my advisors, I’ve crawled through my own data and run thousands of scenarios. With each successive rundown, I’ve found ways the rebels might lose, then made corrections on my side to help Valeris succeed.
I’ve countermanded my generals and moved my armies to places they’ll be of less strategic value. Although initially I was loathe to do it, I’ve denied all leave time to weaken the army’s morale. I’ve done as much as I can to ensure Valeris wins back his crown.
I probably should have spent more time considering my own fate. When they storm the palace, I’ll be vulnerable. That is, if they overtake it at all and don’t simply bomb it into dust with me in it.
I guess it doesn’t matter. When I contemplate life after the overthrow, there’s really nothing I care to live for. I’ll be in this maniac’s body. He’ll continue his incessant shouting. That is, unless he escapes altogether and winds up in the command center with me.
I shake my head, unable to imagine that. Where Zar and I came to a truce, and then became soulbonded, Kato and I will never be able to get along.
The other option is just as repugnant. I could kill him. When I remember how fragile Zar’s lifeforce was when I approached him in his room, I realize just how easy it would have been to snuff Kato out. Although Kato’s grown stronger than Zar was when I found him, I could obliterate him, but it would kill my soul. I don’t have the heart to do that, although my wise mind tells me it would be the best choice.
So, I’ll either be killed in the initial overthrow, or sentenced to death after a lengthy trial. I guess either of those will be preferable to living with Kato’s perpetual, thundering threats.
Just wait, fucker. I’m going to —
BOOM!
Loud explosions pierce the silence of the palace, along with concussions that shake the foundations of the building.
“Your Highness,” one of my guards yells through my door. “The palace is being breached.”
“Stand down,” I order. “We’ve lost. Don’t risk your life. Get our enemy on comms. Announce our surrender.”
Finally. I can do what I’ve been telling my generals to do for weeks. We can stop losing more good soldiers to a lost cause. Let this moment be the first chance at peace this planet has had in thirty-eight annums .
Not long after, I hear boots marching down the hallway outside my door. I stand, arms raised in surrender, and wonder if they’ll be so bloodthirsty as to kill me on sight. They might. They certainly have a right to hate the male who lives in this body. He’s raped their planet of resources during his entire reign.
There’s something about the synchronized sound of boots marching that causes a spike of cold terror to slither up my spine. My stomach tightens and swift panting breaths rasp out of my throat.
I unlock the door and open it wide. Valeris will be sleeping here soon. No use having them break it down.
At the head of the inverted v of the invading soldiers is Zar, his brown mane held high, his golden eyes shining.
I’m glad it’s him who has come to take me into custody. When we’re face to face, he gives me a grin. Not just a small show of upturned lips, but a full-on smile flashing all four fangs.
“Kato!” his voice is full of hatred. “Our intel says there are a few cells in the basement. I’m taking you into custody.”
Anyone behind him would think he held me in contempt and couldn’t manage to hide his hatred. He’s still smiling, though, as he gently grabs my upper arm. His smile disappears as he turns and escorts me down the hallway.
“Though this male is our enemy,” he says loud enough for all to hear, “we owe him a fair trial. It’s the right thing to do, and the people of this planet deserve it. He is to be treated with the utmost respect.”
Instead of leaving me to his cadre of soldiers, he personally accompanies me through hallways, down staircases, and into the bowels of the palace. I’d never explored here, but his information was correct. There is a small cellblock with three ancient cells made of thick metal bars.
He tells me, “I’ll be back soon to speak with you personally,” then raises his voice to say, “Treat this male according to his highborn station.”
Zar
Finally, this fight is over. We’ve arranged for my father to be crowned tomorrow. It will be broadcast planet-wide over every type of media.
The coup, re-taking the planet, has consumed my time and energy as well as that of my crew. There is just one loose end, and it will be tied up before I lay my head on my pillow this evening.
After locking Kato in his cell, I spent the rest of the day conferring with my father and his generals, making sure the palace was safe for his return. Then I consulted my very soul. The decision I must make in the next few hoaras will affect me more deeply than any other of my life. This doesn’t just affect me. It touches the lives of two other people I hold most dear.
“Want to talk about it?” Anya asks as she dons a fine gown she chose for this occasion.
We’re in a guest room on the second floor of the palace. It’s even more opulent than the rooms at the palace on Algaron IV. My mother insisted Anya and I get clothing made to reflect our station. I’m standing in my closet choosing between many garments she’s had made for me. It still feels odd. I don’t know if I’ll ever feel as if I belong in them.
My father and mother are staying safely on the Fool’s Errand for one more night. We’ll quash any small uprisings before we risk their lives. We’ve done heat scans and conducted interviews. Every living being in this palace is a loyalist.
“Babe? We don’t have to do this. Ever. And we certainly don’t need to do it tonight. I sense you’re not sure. We shouldn’t make this commitment unless you’re all-in. It’s a huge decision. Bigger even than your decision to mate me.”
I tug her to me, mindful of not wrinkling her fine crimson dress, then I pull her even more tightly into my embrace. To hell with the wrinkles.
“It will change things forever,” I tell her.
“Yes.”
“It’s the right thing to do.”
“No,” she protests. “No, it’s not. I will not allow you to do this because it’s right. The only reason to do this is if it’s what your heart truly wants.”
“Anya,” I breathe into her fragrant hair, “why is it you’re always wiser than me?”
“That’s why you picked me. Right?”
We stand like this for a long time as I parse through my thoughts, considering pros and cons until they’re a whirling jumble in my mind. There are very few irrevocable decisions that must be made in a lifetime. This? This is one of them.
“It not only is the right thing to do,” I say as I pull away far enough to look into her beautiful green eyes, “it’s what I want. And it’s what you want, right?”
“Yes, Love.”
“Then what are we waiting for?”
I grab her hand and pull her through our door. On our way through the palace, I keep my arm snugged around her waist. As we approach the dingy door leading into the dank cellblock, I slow.
“Cellblocks don’t carry good memories for either of us, Anya. Are you alright?”
“The best present of my life came from a cellblock, my love. That’s where I met you. Tonight, I get another gift.”
It’s her happy, confident smile that gives me the final push to go through with this, the biggest decision of my life.
We stride down the small hallway that butts up against the cells, and stand in front of Kato’s cell. He’s only been in there a day, but it’s obvious he’s been struggling.
“We need to talk,” I say, knowing we’re on camera.
He rises from the small bed he was lying on and nods.
“We’re transporting you to a private room nearby.”
“My Lord,” the captain of the guard says, “we won’t be able to protect you. Let me advise you again not to take such a risk. Especially with your mate nearby.”
“Thanks, but I’ve made up my mind. I have my sword,” I say as I hold up an ornamental sword I’m wearing in a scabbard at my waist.
Just around the corner is a small, enclosed room, no nicer than the cells, but more private. Ar’Tok, who does comms on our sister ship and was part of the invasion force, came in earlier and swept it for recording devices.
This isn’t a nice room. Nothing has prettied it up. There are no pictures on the walls, no rug on the floor. There are simply ancient stone walls in the square room with a scarred wooden table and chairs in the middle.
“Sit,” I say as I indicate one of the chairs.
Kato lifts an eyebrow in question when Anya and I remain standing.
“It’s safe in here,” I say. “Private. No listening devices.”
“I’m honored you came to see me before whatever big event you’re dressed for. Zar, let me tell you how happy I was when Anya told me you lived. I never meant to cause you such pain. I’m so glad you escaped not only with your life and your beloved, but now you’ve found your family and you’re a royal prince. It’s a true fairy tale.”
If I had been wavering about my decision before now, his speech just clinched it. I’m about to make the best decision of my life.
“We’re not on our way to a big event,” I tell him as I allow myself to feel the joy building in my heart. “The big event is here.” I glance at Anya and ask, “Ready, Beloved?”
Her face brightens with a wide grin as she nods.
We both kneel on one knee in front of a very surprised sixty- annum -old Ton’arr male.
“Since you possess all the knowledge in the universe, I assume you’re familiar with Earther mating customs?” I ask, one brow winged up in question.
“U-um?” he stammers.
“It is customary for one party to bend on one knee to ask another’s hand as a mate. As always, things between us have been… unusual. Why should now be any different? Anya and I will be doing the proposing. You, my dear friend, will be listening. And giving us an answer.”
I wish there were cameras in here. I’d love to play the pictures back later, on our anniversary. We could have a good laugh at the shocked expression on his face.
“Do you want to go first, Beloved?” I ask Anya.
“Rynn, I’ve loved you for a long time. I’ve watched you grow from a self-consumed ass to a wonderful, giving person. The amount of times and the various ways you put others first has astonished and impressed me. You have a huge heart and a brilliant mind. I would be honored if you would take our hands in marriage.”
Rynn’s mouth is working, but no words are coming out. It’s just as well. He needs to hear what I have to say.
“I hated you, brother.” It’s only after the words come out that I realize how truly odd they are as opening remarks to a mating proposal. Probably equal in romance to Anya’s description of Rynn as a “self-consumed ass.” I refocus. “But I love you now. Anya told me your people call our connection soulbound. I couldn’t have come up with a better name.
“You’re more than a friend. You make me a better male. We’re a great team. I can count on you to always have my back. And I know you will always, always care for my beloved with all your heart and soul.
“I’m inviting you back in, my brother. To live together, love together, and work together.”
I’ve never seen a person’s face crumple as I see it now. It seems like every emotion a person can express is flying across this good male’s face. He’s shocked and touched and, if I’m reading him right, honored.
“Zar? You want to give up your independence? Your autonomy? What do you gain?”
It’s a good question. I’m not sure I have an answer until it flies at me hard and fast and with 100% certainty.
“I gain you, Rynn. I gain you.”
He rises and goes to hug me, but his hands are manacled.
“I guess you’ll have to wait until you’re back inside to hug me.”
“You guys can hug in there?” Anya asks.
“He never told you?” Rynn asks. “We can kill each other in there, too.”
He and I burst into laughter. Anya does not.
“Do you have an answer?” I ask him again.
“I would be honored.”
He’s touched, Anya’s crying, and I feel like I just came in first after running a marathon. It’s a good day.
“And Kato?” he asks. “His spark is alive and strong and vocal. So, like you, he will survive when I leave.”
“This is even better. We weren’t sure he was still in there. He gets to remain in that miserable body, be tried for crimes against the royal family and his people, and pay for his misdeeds.”
The three of us form a tight circle. Little Anya, who barely reaches our shoulders, and the two of us Ton’arr males.
Rynn can’t hug me, but Anya and I embrace him. “I love you, Rynn,” I tell him, then press my lips to his.
The melding is different this time. Where before it felt like an invasion, this time, because he came by invitation, it feels like a homecoming. Perhaps because we’ve traveled this path before, I don’t lose consciousness, nor does it hurt.
I feel him tinkering at the base of my brain, but more than anything, I feel him inside me. As I think the thought, he says it.
It’s like coming home.
Yes, brother, coming home. His embrace is whole-hearted and overflows my heart with joy.