Chapter 1 #2
“Yes, we know, but you and your family of krakens are no match for a battalion of warrior mer people in their own environment. It’s why I will insist on meeting in Aquila, the only city above ground, so that we can all be present.
” William crosses his arms and leans back in the chair he’s sitting in.
“I wouldn’t put it past them to throw her into the dungeon, and we’d never see her again.
Any perceived slight is dealt with harshly.
If they hadn’t appealed to the Galactic Council, I never would have agreed to take them as an act. ”
“But they are popular, even on other planets apart from Earth. The love story they tell always sucks people in,” John argues. “Adding Lila to the act was genius.”
“I’m pretty sure Nixie came up with the idea.
It’s so much more fanciful than I would expect from the Aquilians as a whole.
I’d like to know where she got the idea from,” I muse.
Nixie has a softer side to her than the others in their act.
I know apart from her and her brother, the others are an established pod, and they are not going to be returning to the circus once it resumes.
They are going to stay and give birth in their home waters.
I wasn’t sure if a new pod would be joining us or not.
“At least we will be able to demand a definitive yes or no about their act returning, but I’m guessing with this act of aggression, it will be a no,” Lila says, her head still resting against my chest, and I feel her exhaustion.
“I will miss Nixie, but then again, maybe we can offer her another position.” She looks hopefully at William, who frowns.
“We will have to wait and see how this plays out,” William tells her. “This is not exactly the act of an ally.” He stabs a finger at the viewing window.
“No, it most certainly isn’t,” I growl, and Lila shivers in my arms, but I can tell she’s turned on and not scared. “This is basically a declaration of war, and if war is what they want, then the warlocks will be happy to join your side. It’s been a long time since we had a good fight.”
Saxon smirks. “Yes, the Vilaxian army has been grumbling that they have become glorified security guards for our own planet. They will also eagerly join the fight against Aquilia. In fact, let them be stupid. I’m sure their blood is watery and gross, but I bet it flows fast when you rip their necks out. ”
Holy crap, our vampire general’s eyes are flashing red, and I have a feeling the soldiers aren’t the only bored ones.
Lila shivers again, and I can tell she is turned on by seeing Saxon this way.
Any normal person would be running in the opposite direction if they saw General Saxon looking like this, but not her.
“Now settle down.” John, ever the peacemaker, holds up his hands. “Let’s just wait and see how they respond before we start planning planetary annihilation.” The tension in the room eases, and I relax slightly. All those amped emotions were making me twitchy.
“Yes, that’s acceptable, but we will lock our tractor beams and cannons on you for the journey. If you try anything, we will fire,” the voice says over the intercom, finally giving us an answer.
“Pfft.” Bubby snorts and raises our own shields, protecting us from any fire.
“Just in case they get itchy fingers,” he says, and William nods his approval, but I’m not completely happy with that, so I add my own power to the shields, reinforcing them a hundred times.
I’d like to see the Aquilians get through that.
My own wave of exhaustion washes over me. Without my harem to feed from anymore, and without Lila’s intimate bond, I’m not feeding as regularly as I should to sustain my power levels.
“Xavier, are you alright?” Link comes over and peers at me in that all-seeing way of his. “You just turned a little pale. Would you like me to check over you?” He fiddles with the monitor built into his arm and holds his hand out, but I shake my head.
“No, my friend, I’m just a little down on energy. I’ll be alright,” I assure him, but now Lila has pulled away and is frowning at me.
“He’s right, you do look a little pale.” She raises her free hand to my cheek and rests it there.
I lean into it. It feels nice, but I feel her temper rise.
“Those blasted cans of tuna. How dare they get in our way? I’ll be having very strong words with the king when we get there.
This is ridiculous.” We all chuckle. Her outrage is kind of adorable, just as she is.
“What do you think it’s even about? Do you think it’s because I told Nikos to fuck off after what happened?
” She feels confused and worried and annoyed, and I hate those negative emotions from her. They upset me.
“Actually, I have a theory,” Link hedges, “but how about we head back to our rooms, get the kids some food, and put them down for a nap before we discuss it?”
Silac has been silently watching the conversation. “That sounds like a good idea. Tirrian and I will remain here and assist with the flight deck in case we do need to use our defenses. I’m sure someone can show us how to operate them.”
“That’s a good idea actually. If we show you, Brannock, and Tirrian how to man the defense systems, we won’t be completely blindsided if we need them.
I hadn’t considered that we would be attacked, but we usually have a full crew who knows what to do if we are.
” William nods his agreement, and I can feel the relief pouring off him.
“I would be more than happy to learn how to defend you. I can’t thank you enough for giving me a home after being cast off of Earth—a home that allows me to be myself.
” The Aaz’axian who is not wearing his glamour and hasn’t since it’s just been us on the ship bows his head, and I narrow my eyes.
This shiny spiky man is somewhat of a mystery to me.
He has his emotions under lock and key, and they only occasionally leak through, but even then, I can’t make heads nor tails of them.
The only thing I can make sense of is that he means none of us any harm, and I guess that’s all I can ask for at the moment, but I will be watching him closely just like I watch the snake and dragon.
“Alright, now that that’s settled, tell the ship to lead the way, and let’s get moving.
This delay is maddening, so let’s get it over with as soon as possible.
We will return to our quarters and feed the kids.
Let us know if you need anything,” Lila agrees, sighing.
“I swear I’m going to make sushi out of that damn merman when I see him. ”