Chapter 6
GEMMA
“Twins. That is bad luck.” Dr. Kalen barely looked up from his tablet as he spoke. He had a plum complexion, a set of horns on his head, a white lab coat, and a serious attitude problem.
“Oh, fuck you and your tired old prejudices,” Gemma snapped. Growing up, she and Emry had been teased by other kids for being creepy, but the grownups had been worse.
“Oof, I wouldn’t want the hospital bill for that surprise.”
“Which one is the evil twin? Ha ha ha.”
“You know, in the old days, parents would leave the extra baby in the woods for the fairies to take.”
Gemma didn’t know about the authenticity of the last one. That morsel of wisdom came from their neighbor, Mrs. Cowen. Most of what she claimed as “tradition” was bullshit she invented.
“I am sick of other people having opinions about me and Emry,” she said. “And we’re not bad luck. I’m a fucking delight.”
The doctor looked up and blinked, as if surprised. “It is a simple fact. A Mahdfel pregnancy places a great deal of stress on the mother’s body. Twins are a complication. You are a twin. The likelihood of conceiving twins is increased. The situation is not ideal.”
The examination he performed had been brusque and cold, barely saying a word as he took a genetic swab, scanned her entire body, and tutted with disapproval over her booted ankle. Gemma wasn’t about to let him lecture her about the dangers of being herself.
Kalen must have sensed her willingness to argue and stole the wind from her sail by saying, “My apologies. I am told my bedside manner needs refinement. My mate insists on meeting new patients, but she is on leave with our child.”
“How is your son?” Zalis asked.
“I am pleased to report that Ramon has an astonishing lung capacity,” Kalen said, pride creeping into his voice. “He is also unfortunately resistant to a sleep schedule.”
Now that he said something, Gemma could see the dark circles under Kalen’s eyes. He had that haggard look of a sleep-deprived new parent.
Still no excuse for being rude.
Kalen must have misinterpreted the annoyance on her face for worry because he said, “If you are apprehensive, do not be. The warlord is a twin.”
Like that explained anything at all.
“Is the warlord bad luck?” she asked, making her voice falsely sweet, because what the fuck kind of statement was that? She swore she saw Zalis’ mouth twitch.
“The warlord’s mate successfully delivered twins because she had exceptional care from an exceptional medic.”
“Is that you, or do I have to go somewhere else for the exceptional care?”
The doctor glowered. Straight up glowered. He glanced at the tablet again. “You have a ninety percent compatibility with Zalis, which is far from ideal.”
And not legally enforceable. 98.5 was the magic number to take away her autonomy and force her to marry a stranger. “Is ninety percent allowed?” she asked.
She glanced at Zalis for any sort of clue on how he felt about the situation and got nothing. Behind that blank expression, he could be overwhelmed, unhappy, or reciting commercial jingles.
“Anything is allowed when you volunteer, but I must inform you of the risks,” the doctor said. He handed her a pamphlet.
Gemma clutched the glossy paper in disbelief. A pamphlet. That was so pre-invasion. No one used paper anymore. It was all digital documents or QR codes sent directly to phones.
“Ignoring your recent injuries, you are healthy. Conception should not be difficult,” the doctor said.
Another glance at Zalis for any sort of reaction. Did he want kids? Would he want kids with her? Did she want kids with him?
Nothing. Zalis remained an inscrutable lavender enigma.
The doctor continued his lecture. “However, the likelihood of experiencing complications is high. Closely monitoring your progress will be required.”
“No one’s knocked up yet,” Gemma muttered as she flipped open the pamphlet.
Nor would anyone become pregnant anytime soon.
Children was a topic she needed to discuss with Zalis.
Alone. Without the doctor. Just like they needed to discuss sex, expectations thereof, the whole surprise marriage thing, and basically everything they zoomed right past.
Fine, she did the zooming. Zalis was an innocent bystander.
Rather than dwell on her misdeeds, Gemma focused on the pamphlet.
A long list of complications filled the page: high blood pressure, gestational diabetes, depression, and preeclampsia.
In a slightly smaller font was another list of presumably less serious conditions: iron deficiency, severe nausea, and vomiting.
Delightful.
“In the case of twins, bedrest is required,” the doctor continued. “No exceptions. The risk to the mother’s life is too great.”
“Thanks. Consider me informed.” Gemma crumpled the pamphlet. Having a kid was hella risky and definitely one of those situations you shouldn’t stumble into.
And definitely something to be discussed with Zalis. Add it to the list.
“Wait, why is this in English?” She waved the abused pamphlet at the doctor.
“We have pamphlets available in the most common galactic and human languages. Sangrin, Spanish, Mandarin, and Hindi. Would you prefer one of those?”
“English is fine,” she said, suddenly tired and wanting to be anywhere else that wasn’t a hospital. She was sick of hospitals and that disinfectant smell. “Are we done yet?”
“Nearly. Now that you are informed, sign the marriage contract.” He shoved the tablet at her.
Gemma reared back, holding up her hands in self-defense. “Wait, just like that? Shouldn’t there be a ceremony or something?”
The doctor looked shocked. “That is a private matter.”
Gemma had no idea what she said that was so offensive. “I just need a minute.”
“I am very busy. You are well aware of the situation. Now sign so that I may spend time with my mate and child,” the doctor said.
Gemma turned, facing Zalis. “Is this what you want? Don’t feel like you have to go through with this just because—”
“I agreed,” Zalis said, finally speaking. He grabbed the tablet and signed without hesitation before handing it to her.
Zalis Layneno.
His signature was an inky black squiggle on the screen. She hadn’t even known his full name until that moment.
Gemma took a deep breath. She wasn’t going back to Earth. This was protection. Nothing else. She signed before doubt and, frankly, reason, stopped her.
“There. We’re married,” she said, passing the tablet back.
If Zalis felt some sort of way about their surprise relationship, he kept it to himself.
ZALIS
A mate. He had a mate.
When Kalen released them from Medical, he shot down the corridor, his pace quick and his posture stiff.
He needed to share the news with his parents.
His mother, Lyresh, would be overjoyed and ask questions he honestly did not know the answer to.
What is Gemma’s favorite color? Flower? Scent?
Food? All vital information she would demand to prepare a welcoming gift.
Perhaps a call to his parents could wait, at least until he could answer basic questions about Gemma.
He needed tea for the mating ceremony. And tea cups.
And quarters that were suitable for a female, not his cramped and cluttered cabin.
The mental list of supplies grew and spun out of control.
The quarters to be assigned to him and Gemma would be furnished with the tea and necessary supplies, which took those items off the list.
Warriors never had more than a few hours’ notification that they had been matched to a mate.
Zalis’ situation was not unique. While Gemma was in Medical, he could have used the time to make preparations.
Faced with the options of leaving her with strangers or making a poor impression, he stayed by her side.
The communication unit on his wrist vibrated with their newly assigned quarters. Helpful arrows appeared on the wall, guiding his path.
At least one task was taken care of.
“Hold up,” his mate called from behind. “I’m a slowpoke in this boot.”
Shame flooded Zalis. Mated for mere moments and already he had errored.
“Your ankle is broken.” He closed his eyes, mortified that he had forgotten such basic information.
“It’s fine.”
“It is not.”
Picking his mate up was easy. She weighed nothing. Holding her and the crutch was a different matter. Was his grip too tight? Not tight enough? Did he hurt her ankle? Would he drop her?
Gemma shifted in his arms, clearly uncomfortable.
Perhaps her metabolism had burned through the pain medication. He should have insisted that she accept another dose before they left Medical.
They arrived at the newly assigned quarters. The door opened as he approached, allowing him to carry her over the threshold and set her down carefully on a chair.
The cabin was a standard family-sized unit, furnished adequately but not comfortably.
“You live here?” Gemma scanned the room, not expressing approval or disappointment.
“No.” Not yet. He had several personal projects, in addition to his gear and other items. The projects had several small parts that would be too difficult to transport without damaging or losing components. He should complete them first.
“So, umm, we should talk,” she said.
Ominous. Zalis was unsure what to make of that statement. He said, “Tomorrow. You are tired and in pain.”
“It’s not bad.”
Her elevated heart rate and the tension in the body claimed otherwise.
“The cleansing room is through there,” he said.
“A water shower or another sonic mist shower? Not that I’m picky.”
“Water.” A hot shower would help alleviate some of her pain. He wanted to request a supply of medication but remembered the way she refused a pill. His mother swore that a certain herbal tea helped her aching joints. Perhaps the blend would also be effective for a human.
“Perfect.” She made her way across the room with the crutch.
Zalis followed, not trusting her to be steady on her feet. “Do you require assistance?”
“No, I should be good. That doctor said I can get the boot wet, so I’ll be fine.”
Zalis turned his back to the door but stayed nearby until he heard water running. Satisfied that Gemma had found all the supplies she required, he activated the matter reconstructor.
The appliance was notorious for printing tasteless food, but it could produce certain items well. It had a menu for basic pain relief, noting which ones were safe for human consumption. He requested the most popular options. While the reconstructor worked, he prepared tea for the mating ceremony.
He set the table, wishing for a cloth or candles or anything to mark the occasion. He would only experience the mating ceremony once. It had to be correct.
Could it be? No, that was a flawed assumption on his part. Gemma had chosen him out of necessity. The ceremony was meant to be a contemplative moment shared between mates. He could hand her a cup of tea, but its significance would be lost. The thought of a ceremony devoid of meaning held no appeal.
It would be better to wait.
Zalis dumped the brewing tea and prepared an ordinary herbal tea.
His next task took him to the mess hall. The cooks had added several dishes enjoyed by humans to the menu. Gemma should not take medication on an empty stomach. If he hurried, he could return before she finished her shower.
Unsure of her appetite or what she preferred, he was stymied by options.
A decadent slice of cake, thick with frosting.
A steaming bowl of soup, rich with a salty aroma.
Meat and rice wrapped in a bread so flat he was amazed it held together.
Several pieces of fish, cooked and uncooked, nestled on rice.
Vegetables fried. Vegetables in buttery sauces. Vegetables pickled in a vinegar brine.
Noodles. Noodles were safe. He had seen several human females consume noodles.
Unsure which flavor Gemma would prefer, he grabbed them all: spicy, seafood, poultry, and fermented.
“There you are,” Havik said, blocking his exit from the mess hall. His gaze dipped down to the tray. “I suppose a warrior your size has an appetite.”
Zalis bristled. The male did not jest. Havik was incapable of humor. He meant it in all sincerity, and that irked Zalis more than a gentle teasing. “My mate requires sustenance, and I am unsure of her preferences.”
Havik nodded, as if agreeing. “Wise. The warlord wants a briefing.”
Zalis looked at the tray.
“Now,” Havik said. “He is not in the mood for indulgences.”
“Yes. Understood.” He gave the tray to a bot to be delivered. He would prefer to spend the time with Gemma. They had much to discuss.
The part of his brain that always spun and refused to settle was thrilled. This was time to prepare and research, to be the mate that Gemma deserved.