Chapter Sixteen
Kim pressed her forehead against the glass of the shuttle window, trying to get a better look at the scenery below her. Vesta was amazing. She’d never known there were so many different shades of color, greens, purples, reds and browns. Wray had explained to her that the browns were lands recently harvested that were being allowed to rest and recover while the other colors were crops at different stages of growth. It reminded her of the beautiful patchwork quilt that had covered her bed back home. The one her grandmother had made.
“It’s beautiful , Wray.” She said, turning to him.
“It is.” He agreed but he was looking at Kim, not the scenery. Her eyes were clear and sparkled with excitement and happiness. He had been worried she might be frightened, traveling to yet another new strange place, surrounded by males she barely knew but she seemed to be taking it in stride.
Before they had left the Searcher, he had summoned the warriors that would be traveling with them and presented their new Empress to them. Traditionally, this would never have been done, a female, even the Empress, did not have direct contact with any male other than the one she was Joined with. If a male was there to protect her, it meant he had yet to acquire the means necessary to attract her, therefore he meant nothing to her.
Kim had already shown through her actions with Damir that would not be her way and word had spread through the Searcher of the respect she had given a male she did not know. She unknowingly earned their respect and because of that, he had no doubt they would protect her, Tornian or not but she didn’t. It was why he had summoned them, knowing it would show her they were not like Fala and Gyula.
E ven though he knew she was uncomfortable, she stood proudly at his side and acknowledged each warrior with a nod of her head as he introduced them. It was another action that a Tornian female would never have done, cementing their commitment to her. He had seen it in the eye of every warrior.
“ Will we be landing soon?” Kim’s soft question brought his thoughts back to her.
“Yes. ” He said smiling at her. “We will land within the grounds of House Vestoria then proceed directly inside. From there we will be escorted to our chambers. Once you are settled and secure I will meet with Lord Reeve.”
“I won’t be meeting him?” She asked.
“You would want to?” Wray frowned. Why would she want to meet the male? Females only requested to meet with a Lord if she were interested in Joining with him. He knew Kim wasn't, but still…
“Isn’t it expected? ” Kim frowned back at him. “I mean, if I’m your Empress aren’t I supposed to meet your Lords?” This was something they hadn’t discussed. What her actual duties would be as his Empress.
“Is it that way on your Earth?”
“Yes, at least from what I’ve seen. We still have some Kings, Lords and even an Emperor, but they only rule a country not a world or universe. Their spouse,” Wray’s look told her he didn’t understand the word. “The female they’ve Joined with,” she said and waited for his nod. “She normally travels with her male, is with him when they are greeted by their hosts. Some are even involved in their meetings.”
“It has nothing to do with her being interested in the other male?”
“No!” Kim immediately denied. “Why would she be interested in the other male? She is there to help and support her male… unless of course she is the one in charge.”
“What ?!!” Wray wasn’t the only male who looked at her in shock. “The female rules?”
“In several countries , yes. If she is from the ruling House and not the male, she rules. You’ve never had that in the Tornian Empire?”
“Only in ancient time.” Wray quietly admitted.
“You have that many females on your planet?” A stunned voice behind her had Kim turning in her seat to find twelve sets of eyes asking the same question the green-skinned warrior had.
“It’s Jaqua , isn’t it?” She asked and saw his shock that she remembered.
“Y…yes , Empress.” Jaqua couldn’t believe she’d remembered his name.
“ The answer to your question is yes.” Kim said, answering his question. “On Earth there are many females.”
Wr ay turned around and growled at Jaqua for daring to speak directly to Kim. Jaqua quickly lowered his eyes.
“Why are you growling at Jaqua, Wray?” Kim gave him a confused look.
Wray was saved from responding when the shuttle suddenly made a sharp turn, causing Kim to gasp and pale.
“It is fine , Kim.” Wray took her hand reassuringly. “We are just turning to land.”
“We’re not crashing?” The eyes that moments ago were clear and sparkling were now clouded with fear.
“No! Truth , Kim. This is normal.”
Kim closed her eyes for a moment and forced her racing heart to calm. Wray said this was normal. He wasn’t concerned. The warriors with them didn't seem concerned. Squeezing his hand, she opened her eyes and let him see she’d calm.
“Okay.” She said quietly , and gave him a small smile.
When the hatch opened, the smell gave Kim pause. It was the sweet smell of fresh cut grass that had always hung in the air after her dad had cut their grass. It was so familiar that she felt her eyes fill.
“Kim?” W ray looked at her concerned when she froze in the hatch of the shuttle. His warriors had exited first forming a protective front around the shuttle's hatch. Wray had followed, then turned to assist her down only to be shocked as tears filled her eyes.
“It smells like home.” She whispered.
“You lived where things grew?”
“Just grass.” She whispered. “And not like this.” Her eyes traveled over the vast expanse of a green so dark it was nearly purple that lay in front of her. Just over the rise, she could see what appeared to be a large castle and behind that, mountains. “But it smells the same.”
“Do you wish to return to the Searcher?” Wray asked. It wasn’t what he wanted, but if this was too much for her…
“No.” Kim immediately denied , her eyes found his and she took a calming breath. “No. I want to stay with you. It just surprised me. I just didn’t realize it might smell the same.” She reached her hand out to him, knowing Wray would take it.
“Emperor Wray!” A shout had them both turning.
Kim’s eyes moved to the group of males approaching the shuttle, a tall red male in front of the others. He had black hair like Wray but that was where the similarities ended. This male was smaller than Wray, his muscles not nearly as defined and of course, he wasn’t the beautiful bronze Wray was.
“Lord Reeve.” Wray responded and his warriors parted slightly, allowing Reeve to see the Emperor.
“ Sire, to what do I owe this unexpected honor?” Reeve asked.
“You were not informed I would be arriving?” Wray’s eyes watched Reeve closely knowing Veron had contacted him more than once.
“Yes. Of course I was contacted , sire, but I was not informed as to why.” Reeve’s eyes shot to Veron, his displeasure easily heard. “I wasn’t aware you had left Tornian.”
“ And who would keep you ‘aware’ of such things, Lord Reeve?”
“No one , sire!” Reeve swallowed hard realizing what he had implied. “It’s just…”
“Just what , Lord Reeve?”
“ It’s just that if I had known of your plans I would have made sure Tora was available to greet you.”
“As I plan on be ing here for several days you will be able to arrange that.”
“I… yes , sire.”
“The clothier?” Wray demanded.
“Is awaiting your summons, sire.” Reeve told him.
“ Good. Now I wish to get the Empress settled in our chambers. After that we will discuss what has brought me here.”
“Empress…” Reeve’s voice trailed off as the Emperor’s warriors parted further, revealing the small female at the Emperor’s side. Reeve frowned deeply, his confusion easily seen, as his eyes traveled over the strange female before him.
She was small, tiny, with flame colored hair and pale skin. She was obviously not Tornian making it impossible for her to be the Empress that meant she was usable. As small as she was, would she be able to take a Tornian male? He found he wanted to find out.
“Yes, this is your Empress. Empress Kim.” Wray ’s words pulled Reeve’s thoughts back to the present.
“But…”
“But what, Lord Reeve.” Wray asked, his voice deadly quiet.
“I…” Reeve hadn’t been a Lord for so many years without learning when to keep his silence. “Nothing sire.”
“Then show your respect to your Empress.” Wray ordered.
“Yes , sire.” With a hand across his chest, Reeve bowed slightly to the ‘Empress’, the males behind him following suit.
“Now you will lead us to the chambers you had prepared.” Wray ordered.
“ Me? ” Reeve’s voice squeaked slightly at the Emperor’s demand. He wanted him … a Lord … to act like a male from an insignificant bloodline and escort him to his chamber.
“Yes , Lord Reeve. You .” Wray knew he had just insulted Reeve and didn’t care. He'd seen how Reeve’s gaze had traveled over Kim. Fala and Gyula had looked at her the same way. Wray wouldn’t tolerate it. He may not be able to punish them under the law, but he could take his displeasure out on Lord Reeve.
Kim s tiffened, her fingers digging into Wray’s arm as she silently watched Lord Reeve’s skin darken to almost purple. She knew he didn’t want to bow to her, to ‘respect’ her as Wray had put it. His eyes had hidden nothing from her, not their disbelief at Wray’s words or the lust as they’d passed over her. It was the same look Fala and Gyula had given her. She now knew where they had learned it.
Wray felt the bite of Kim’s fingers as they dug into his arm. He knew Reeve’s response had upset her and he was done letting that happen.
“ Reeve! ” Wray roared, his left hand moving to his sword.
“Of course , sire! At once.” Spinning on his heel Reeve shoved the warriors behind him aside, quickly leading the way.
Kim watched Lord Reeve’s long legs quickly eat up the ground betwee n the shuttle and House Reeve and knew she would be running to keep up with him.
“No , Kim.” Wray said quietly and looking up, she saw he knew what she was thinking. “We are in no hurry. It is a warm day. Let us enjoy it.”
“It is nice out.” Kim said, smiling at him, grateful he understood. “I never thought I’d see the sun again. Never get to feel its warmth.” Tilting her face up, she soaked it up. “It feels wonderful.”
“Then we shall take as long as you want.”
“But Lord Reeve is waiting for you.” She said and looked to the rise where Reeve had come to an impatient halt.
“He is but a Lord . You are the Empress. Your desires come before his.” Covering her hand with his, he slowly led her towards Reeve.
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.