Epilogue
Quin sat at the huge ornamental desk in the office that now belonged to him. He looked around what had been his father’s office — the official office of the Sovereign of Cruestace — and was flooded by memories of himself as a child watching his father as he guided the planet and her people to the best of his ability. In less than two hours he would take the oath to accept the mantle of Sovereign and all the powers and responsibilities that came with it. This was something he never thought he’d accept. In fact, he actively sought to avoid it, until Vivian came into his life. Since then his only goal was to keep her as safe and as happy as was possible. Ruling his own planet was a good way to do that.
A strong knock sounded on his office door.
“Come!” he called out, his deep voice booming resonantly through his office.
The door opened and Ba Re’ stepped inside. “You have a visitor, Sovereign.”
“It’ll be a few hours until that is appropriate.”
“Close enough. How are you feeling, Quin.”
Quin thought about it. “Calm,” he said curiously.
“That means it’s the right thing to do.”
“I suppose. Before you give my visitor entry, I wanted to speak to you briefly.”
“Of course,” Ba Re’ said, standing at a relaxed military position with his arms crossed behind his back.
“I was wrong to think you needed to be retrained by me. All you needed was time to find yourself. The you you are now. And you’ve done so, quite successfully.”
Ba Re’ allowed himself to give a flicker of a smile.
“After the Ascension ceremony, the majority of the Elite Warriors, along with Kol, Jhan, and Kron will be returning to the ship. It has not escaped my attention that you most thrive among them. If you are interested in joining them, I’ve prepared the orders to submit to Rokai so that you can rejoin the Elite teams aboard Command Warship 1. Elisha will of course be going with you.”
This time Ba Re’ wasn’t able to withhold his grin. He even quickly crossed the space between them to hug Quin. “Thank you! Yes, I want to go back to the ship! I really want to rejoin my team.”
“Consider it done. But I expect a visit whenever possible. I will miss you.”
“I’ll look forward to it.”
“Good.” He watched the male that had always been one of his best friends as he processed the information that he’d get to return to the ship and the job he’d come to love despite all he’d achieved prior to his abduction and felt the need to express a bit more of what he’d come to realize. “You’ve taught me a lot, Ba Re’.”
“Have I?” he asked.
Quin nodded. “For example, sometimes the absolute worst thing you can imagine, can be clearing the way for the best version of you to take its first breath. I’ve always known you, trusted you, loved you as a brother, but I’ve never known this part of you, and it seems that this is the truest you that I’ve ever met. You’ve found the purest core of yourself, and have become an even better version of who you were always meant to be. I’m happy for you, Ba Re’.”
Ba Re’, still grinning, nodded. “I’m happy for you, too. I cannot wait to see where you guide us.”
“How long am I going to wait out here?” Rokai yelled from the outer office.
Quin laughed. “Rokai made it!”
“He has. And, uh, remember that thing you said about being calm?”
“Yes,” Quin said, suddenly a little nervous .
“Remember that. Hold onto that calmness,” Ba Re’ said, chuckling to himself as he walked out of the office and Rokai walked in.
“Tell me that is not blood!” Quin shouted when he got a good look at Rokai.
Rokai laughed and heaved the bag up and onto Quin’s desk. It landed with a thud and Quin looked down at it. “What is this?”
“What do you think it is?” Rokai countered.
Quin sighed and sat heavily in his chair. “I don’t think I really want to know.”
“Sure you do.”
“No, I don’t. I remember the last time you delivered a blood-stained bag to Rosalita.”
“Yes! You do remember! Open it.”
“No.”
“Open it! You have to.”
“No, I don’t.”
“You do! It’s my gift to you!”
“It’s bleeding, Rokai.”
“Yes, it is,” he said, waggling his eyebrows.
Quin shook his head in disbelief, but stood and began to very carefully untwist the bag, then fold down the sides.
As soon as Quin recognized the head that stared up at him, a slow smile curved his lips. “You found him.”
“Did you think I wouldn’t?” Rokai asked.
“No. I wondered how long it would take, though.”
“Turns out he was in a hookah bar, inviting others to join his imaginary revolution so that he could become Sovereign and reward them all for their loyalty.”
Quin looked angrily up from Mir’ Ahn’s eyes, staring sightlessly up at him. “How many were interested?”
“None. They were all so out of their minds with the drugs, that they weren’t even aware that he’d spoken to the same male three times in the short time we were there. Each time it was as though they’d just met. It would have been comical had it not been so sad. Still, though, for the harm he’d attempted to bestow on our family, and the implications he’d left his own sister to face, I felt this was applicable and deserved.”
“Well deserved!” Quin agreed.
“Happy Ascension Day, brother. I am beyond proud of you. I have no doubt you’ll lead us to levels we’ve not even imagined, and I’ll be at your side when you do.”
“Thank you, Rokai. Say, how do you feel about being an official Sire of Cruestace?”
Rokai grinned. “You actually asked me if I wanted to be Sire. And you didn’t even pinch the bridge of your nose once!”
Quin smiled and walked around the desk to hug his brother. “I love you, Rokai. And I like you, too. I am proud to call you brother.”
Rokai pressed his lips together and blinked his eyes rapidly as he tried to fend off the sudden surge of tears that threatened to overtake him. It wasn’t easy, but he managed to get his emotions under control. “I like you, too, Quin. I always wanted to be you when I grew up. But I have never wanted to be Sire. I’d have to behave.”
“You’ll never grow up, Rokai,” Quin quipped.
“No truer words ever spoken. I don’t have any time to stay here with you right now. I have to catch a quick shower. I’m not sure you’ve noticed, but I’ve got dried blood all over me.”
“Better get cleaned up before Mother sees you.”
“Too late. She about had a fit,” he said, laughing. He remained where he was for only a second or two longer, looking at his younger brother. Finally he smiled. “I love you, Quin. This is what you were born for. It’s about time you accepted it. I’ll see you out there.”
Quin smiled and nodded, now trying to control his own emotions.
~~ ~
Rokai stepped through the doors of his own royal residence on the second floor.
“Dear, God, what did you do?” Rosalita asked.
“Rosie!” Rokai shouted and ran toward her, his arms out.
“No! No, no, no, no, no! Don’t touch me! I’m all dressed for the ceremony!”
Rokai stopped and grinned at her. “What are you doing here?”
“A few of us came for the ceremony. Ada Jane, and her boys, and Ginger. Oh, and Li’Orani packed all her things to bring with her. She and Vor are going to live here and Vor and Zahn are going to share leadership of Vivian’s guard so they still have time for their mates. I decided to come, too, when Vivian told me they hoped you made it back in time for the ceremony.”
“And what if I hadn’t?”
“Then I’d have waited for you as long as it took. I was bored up there without you. Besides, I knew at some point you’d have to come back here.”
“Why?”
“Because you had Jhan’s Ehlealah with you.”
“Damn. I was hoping that I was wrong and it was simply a fascination. They really think they’re mates?”
“Vivian and Quin do. Why do you care if they’re mates or not?”
“Because she’s as violent as Jhan is. I just know I’m going to have to save their hides at some point.”
Rosie laughed. “You’d love nothing more, and you know it.”
Rokai grinned. “Want to get in the cleanser with me?”
“No. I’m all dressed!”
“And you look spectacular. That color yellow makes you look delicious.”
“You mean beautiful,” she corrected.
“No, I don’t. I mean delicious. I want a taste.”
“Rokai! No blood on the dress!”
“Fine! I’ll be back,” he said mischievously, then darted for the cleansing room.
~~ ~
Jhan stood at the window in the second floor room of the officers barracks he’d been assigned since arriving. He was almost ready to head off in search of Rokai and Elspeth himself. It had been far too long and it was more than possible that they’d had some unexpected issue arise and were now waiting for someone to come save them. If that ended up being the case, he’d save her. Rokai, he might leave to rot in jail for having Elspeth caught up in the middle of his latest chaos, but he’d save Elspeth.
Despite the brightness filling the mid-morning sky, a flash of light caught his attention behind the palace.
At almost the same time someone knocked on his door.
“Yes?” he called.
Kol opened the door and stuck his head inside. “Hey, just got word Rokai asked for permission to land on the palace’s grounds again.”
“They’re back?” Jhan asked, rushing toward the door.
“Rokai is.”
“Is she with him?”
“He didn’t say she wasn’t.”
Jhan broke into a run.
“Hey! Check the guest suites on the second floor!”
Jhan ran as quickly as he could despite the dress uniform he wore. When he reached the palace’s front doors, he paused only long enough to speak to Ban Lo. “Rokai and the female, Elspeth, they’re back?”
“They are. Rokai is in Sovereign Zha Quin’s office. The female is in a guest suite on the second floor.”
“Which one?” Jhan asked, his voice almost a growl.
“Opposite end of the corridor from Rokai’s. Third from the end.”
“Got it,” Jhan said, setting off at a run again. He made it up the grand staircase in record time, then through the arch and to the left toward Rokai’s royal residence. He ran straight past it and toward the opposite end of the corridor. Doing a quick count, he stopped at the third from the end and took a moment to compose himself. Once he had the beating of his heart under control, he knocked on the door.
Almost at once Elspeth pulled it open. “Oh, it’s you.”
“I am Jhan.”
“Don’t suppose you brought me something suitable to wear to the ceremony?”
“Was I supposed to?” he asked.
“I don’t know. I was told someone would deliver something shortly.”
“How long ago was that?” Jhan asked.
“Six or seven minutes.”
“Oh, they’re probably working on it. I’m sure they’ll be here soon.”
“Okay. What do you want?”
Jhan wasn’t prepared for exactly that question. “I’m gifted at a lot of things, but not at small talk. I’m much better with direct conversation, and actions, for that matter.”
“I can do that.”
He nodded. “Good…” he said, preparing to explain why he was here.
“I hear you’re an assassin.”
His brows shot up almost off his forehead and he simply looked at her for a few seconds.
“Too direct?” she finally asked.
“Not exactly. Just unexpected.”
“Okay. I’m going to repeat myself since you didn’t answer. I hear you’re an assassin.”
“I am,” he said. “But that’s not common knowledge.”
“I find it fascinating.”
“You do?” Jhan asked.
“I do. Do you mind that I’m a warrioress?”
“Not at all, why would I mind that?”
“Many males are intimidated by it.”
“They’re fools. Weak fools.”
Elspeth grinned .
“Since you were comfortable enough to be so direct, I shall be the same,” Jhan said.
“Go ahead,” she encouraged.
“I believe that you are my Ehlealah. I intend to claim you, and bind you to me in every way possible.”
Elspeth smiled at him.
“Do you have no response?” he asked.
“I see you’re all dressed for the ceremony.”
Jhan looked down at his dress uniform. “Yes,” he said, somewhat confused.
“Shame, really.”
“Why is that?” he asked.
“Because I’m about to go get cleaned up. If you weren’t already dressed, you could join me.”
Jhan’s face went from surprised to positively intrigued and dominant. He unbuttoned his dress coat and stepped through her door, not waiting for her to move, instead using his body to force her to step back. He tossed his coat onto a chair just to the right of the door, then reached out and slammed the door. He pulled his uniform shirt out of the waistband of his breeches and tossed it to land beside his coat, then kicked his boots off. He unfastened and pushed his breeches down his powerful thighs and took one single step closer to her. “Would you look at that? Suddenly I’m not dressed anymore.” He hooked his thumbs in his under briefs and shoved them to the floor as well, leaving himself completely nude.
Elspeth not the least bit shaken, but more aroused than she’d ever been took her time looking him up and down. Finally her gaze came to rest on his.
“Run,” he said, his voice even and calm.
“What?” she asked.
“Run,” he whispered.
“Oh!” she said as her eyes widened. Then she turned and took off through the suite.
Jhan gave her half a step and was right behind her.
“I love this!” she screamed over her shoulder, just as his hand came down on her hair, his fingers curling into it from behind, causing her to stop her retreat. She spun to face him, expecting him to release her, but he didn’t.
He maintained his grip, pulling her face to his. “Good. It will help you get used to it.”
“Being chased. Being claimed. Being mine. Every moment of every day you are mine.”
Elspeth didn’t pull away from him at all, but her hand suddenly shot forward to cup his balls in her grip. She squeezed enough to let him know she could hurt him if she chose to.
His breath caught, but he didn’t break the stare they were locked in. His lips hovered right above hers, so close that neither of them was sure their lips were touching or not.
“You are mine every second of every day, and if you make me prove to you or anyone else that you belong to me… I’ll remove these and keep them in my pocket for safekeeping.”
One corner of Jhan’s mouth curled up.
“I’d have it no other way.”
“Nor would I.”
His lips smashed against hers and he adjusted his grip to hold the back of her head so he could guide her head in the angle he wanted.
“You’re mine, Elspeth.”
“Gladly. And you’re mine, Jhan.”
“Elatedly.”
“Is this always going to be a contest?” she asked.
“Probably.”
“This is going to be fun,” Elspeth said.
“So much fun,” Jhan seconded.
~~~
“…And by bearing the mantle of Sovereign and accepting the throne of Cruestace, you do hereby take under your protection and guidance every citizen of Cruestace to be valued and respected. Additionally, every particle of matter that makes th is planet, is now yours to reside over, to protect, to hold sacred and preserve for the people of Cruestace. Are you prepared to do so?”
“I am!” Zha Quin Tha Tel Mo’ Kok announced confidently, his voice strong and unwavering as he finalized his vows to his people.
“I bow to you, Sovereign Zha Quin Tha Tel Mo’ Kok. I am humbled to serve you,” Zha Tahl said, bowing before his son, having presented him with his royal cloak and emerald encrusted sword.
Quin inclined his head. He could at will incline his head to show respect for certain of the elders he might deal with in any government, but he’d only ever bowed to his father. That would never happen again. He was now the leader of his people.
Eula, Zha Quin’s mother approached as Zha Tahl stepped aside. She held in her hands a deep emerald green pillow, on which rested the royal necklace bearing the royal seal of Cruestace, created in gold and silver and set with sparkling emeralds. She bowed to her son and held the pillow out to him so he could take the ornate pendant and place it around Vivian’s neck, as he led her in taking her vows.
Quin lifted the heavy pendant and carefully slid it over Vivian’s head. Still holding it just above her shoulders, he spoke. “By accepting this necklace, you accept the responsibility of standing at my side in all things as we guide our people into the future. Their protection and safety are now in our hands. Are you prepared and willing?”
“Yes. I am willing and able to stand at your side in all things representing the welfare of our people.”
“So be it, Sovereigna Vivian.” Quin lay the necklace on her shoulders, and the weight of it caused it to slide forward, riding just in the cleavage of her bosom. Quin bowed to his Ehlealah. Vivian bowed back.
Quin turned back to his mother and gently took the royal cloak off of her shoulders, turned to Vivian and placed it around her shoulders .
He extended his hand to Vivian, who placed her hand in his. He turned to the crowd of people there to witness his ascension to the throne, and to the bank of vidcom filming this historic moment and beaming it out to their people anywhere they might be in the multiverse and raised their joined hands in the air. “We are Sovereign Zha Quin Tha Tel Mo’ Kok and Sovereigna Vivian Tel Mo’ Kok of Cruestace! Long may we reign!”
A deafening chant of ‘Long may you reign!” went up all around them, and even from the vidcom providing live coverage.
All their family and friends who were present were clapping and cheering, shouting their support and bowing to them.
Quin’s gaze fell on his many friends who’d attended, then on his friends still orbiting above them on Command Warship 1 and watching via the vidcom, and to Vivi’s family, Samuel, and Bart who stood with Mirilla’s hand in his as they watched the ceremony. Rokai and Rosalita, stood watching, as did Ba Re’ and Elisha and all cheered for him. Kol and Ada Jane, each with a little boy on their hips cheered as the boys shouted excitedly. And Jhan stood with his new mate beside him, their arms entwined as they both cheered and took the time to bow when they saw him look to them.
He watched as Au'revele who was standing with Zahn, and Li’Orani and Vor, and the rest of Vivian’s guard, all dressed in their new uniforms which bore the Sovereigna’s insignia, stepped forward with Alexandrus in her arms. She held him out for Quin to lift his sword and lightly tap him on each shoulder. “I declare you, Sire Zha Quin Alexandrus Tel Mo’ Kok of Cruestace. Next in line for the throne and Sovereignship.”
Au'revele handed him to Vivian then went back to join Zahn.
Alexandrus was very happy to be given to his mother. He cooed and grinned and drooled all over her pretty new Cruestaci emerald pendant.
Vivian felt a weight at her side and looked down to find Kitty lying on the hem of the overly long royal cloak she’d received from Eula. He lay perfectly still, like a sphinx, staring out at the huge impossible to count crowd before them and she grinned when she noticed the chain she’d carried for so long, wrapped loosely around his neck as a collar.
Quin held her hand in his and looked down at her. “Are you ready, Sovereigna?” he asked.
“I am, Sovereign,” she answered.
Quin let go of her hand, and placed her dagger, the one he’d given her the first time he ever saw her in her hand.
At the same time, they both raised their left arms into the air; Vivian holding her dagger, Quin holding his sword, and by doing so, vowed to all who watched and knew about anything at all, that they’d just sworn loyalty to the warriors and history of Cruestace.
A roar went up that continued for many minutes.
Quin looked down at Vivian standing beside him.
She smiled up at him with tears in her eyes. “I never dreamed the scary, red, horned warlord striding so angrily toward me that day would be everything I ever needed. Yet here we are. You’re my Haven.”
Quin grinned at her. “I knew without a doubt that the tiny, brave, human female who defied me when all I wanted to do was save her, would turn the tables and save me instead. From the moment I first saw you, you have always been my Haven.”
The End — almost. Keep reading for just a little extra.