Chapter 9
CHAPTER NINE
Lila
“Well, I really think that’s between your son and me.
” I bristle a little at the woman’s tone.
“Considering I knew nothing of any of this until we arrived on the planet, and then I was dragged below and tenderized a little until Tirrian helped me out, I would say I’m entitled to a moment to catch my bearings. ”
She continues to look at me like I’m the dirt under her bare feet. I mean, I guess I can’t blame the woman. Nikos is her son, after all, and she seems to care more about him than his father did, though I didn’t see her stepping in when that asshole was alive.
“Mother, give Lila a break. Her and Nikos’s relationship has been…
trying,” Nixie says diplomatically, giving her mother’s hand a squeeze.
“I’m sure we don’t know the whole story.
” There’s sympathy in her eyes when she turns her attention to me.
“All he would say is that you rejected him and wouldn’t give us any details. ”
I stomp my foot. “That damn can of tuna. I didn’t even know that him biting me meant he’d chosen me as his mate.
Like you said, our ‘relationship’ has never been particularly normal.
I only swam with him because he lured me with his song.
I was guarding my damn babies from predators, and we swam too far away from where I laid them.
If it wasn’t for Tirrian, they would have been eaten.
” I wave my hand at the dragon who has been surprisingly noncombative.
Shit, he even fed me in his human form. You could have knocked me over with a feather when I woke up and found my mouth latched onto him, sucking like he was my favorite Slurpee, but I don’t have time to examine the dragon’s newfound attitude at the moment.
I need to focus on the stupid can of tuna and his surprising news, and then hopefully go back to the ship and make my warlock happy.
“He mated you without asking?” Cronus starts to crackle with power. “That is forbidden.”
Nerissa straightens her back, bristling at his tone. “He would not be with child unless she was receptive of it.”
“Bullshit,” I tell her. “I didn’t do anything. His penis jacked my eggs. I just had three babies, I was not looking to add to my family just yet. What is it with males who can just steal eggs willy-nilly? This is bullshit.”
I’m angry now. It’s the second time in just a few weeks that this has happened.
I know Echo didn’t mean to, and I’m assuming Nikos probably didn’t either.
I don’t think it is something they can control—or that’s how Echo made it seem—much like a man can’t help impregnating a woman if he comes inside her, but surely they must have some kind of galactic protection to prevent this.
“If you consented to having sex with a male who is capable of this then you consented to possibly having babies with them. Ignorance is no excuse,” Nerissa retorts, and I want to use my lightning cat powers and strike her down, but damn it, the woman’s kind of right.
“But surely you have birth control. I’m not the first person Nikos has had sex with, and he hasn’t ended up pregnant before,” I argue, not even believing the words that came out of my mouth, but Nixie is biting her lip and screwing up her nose.
“Actually, you are. Mermen are very careful not to have sex in their Aquilian form unless they are ready to have children with their partners. Most sex is had in two-legged form. Swimming with someone is reserved for mates.”
Oh shit. Again, something else I hadn’t known.
That’s it, my ignorance is getting me into trouble.
I will be reading everything I can about all the males who I may be having sex with.
I need to protect myself better, and I can’t expect to put it on them.
First up, warlocks! Because who knows what will happen once I get my memories back and can feel the intimate bond.
Xavier did mention that there was some mystical process involved, so I think we’re okay, but it doesn’t hurt to read up.
I most definitely need some kind of galactic birth control, so Link will be my first port of call once I return to the ship. Hopefully he will be able to help me.
“Well, how was I supposed to know that?” I throw my hands up in the air, done with all this bullshit. “Look, for now, he will stay with us. He and I will discuss what is to happen because it is none of your damn business. How about you worry about getting your planet in line?”
I’m not willing to kowtow to this woman. She just completely benefited from the death of her husband, and only time will tell if she will do a better job than he did. For all I know, she’s as horrible as he was, or maybe she just wants revenge for how badly she was treated.
The queen gears up to argue, but I see Nixie reach over and grab her shoulder, squeezing it tightly and shutting her up. “That sounds reasonable, Lila. My mother and I will look forward to hearing what resolution you come to.”
“I take it you’re not coming back to the circus?” I ask her, feeling a little sad both for myself and for Majenta.
Her eyes glisten with unshed tears, and she shakes her head. “For now, my place is here with my mother. That may change eventually, but I will help her transition Aquilia into a healthier nation.”
“You will always be welcome. So will there be any Aquilians interested in performing in the circus, or should my grandpas replace the act?” I don’t tell them that I am in charge of finding the replacement act, and it seems like it may be the right choice.
Mentioning my grandparents causes a different reaction in the queen.
She shakes her head violently. “No, we will contribute a group for the act. Please allow us a week or two to ask for volunteers. Send my best regards to the Adams brothers. Having an Aquilian act in such a prestigious show has always been a point of pride for us.” Huh, well she wasn’t earning any brownie points by being such a cunt to me.
I wonder if she doesn’t even see me as the next generation circus owner.
“I can give you two weeks, but if I hear nothing by then, I will be looking for another act. My grandpas have put me in charge of hiring since I will be the next ringmaster of the Galaxy Circus and responsible for all that, but I can’t give you more time than that.
I was checking out applications, and there was an amazing warlock illusionist who applied.
He would make a good substitute. There was also someone who has an animal act that could work.
They were these adorable little sea creatures that had little sheepy faces, who jumped through hoops and played games.
” I break off as horror infuses her face.
I’m assuming she goes to say something nasty, because Nixie steps between her and me, blocking me from her view.
“Leave it with me, Lila.” I can see her pleading with her eyes, so I back down, but I am sick of people underestimating me, and I won’t be treated like trash.
“Can we go yet? I’m bored,” Cronus asks, yawning, and Xylene smacks his arm.
“Hush now.”
“But the killing and maiming is over. I thought it would be more exciting.” He pouts, whining like a toddler.
“Yeah, let’s go.” I don’t wait for Nerissa to allow us to leave, turning and hurrying back the way we originally came.
I can hear the other three trailing behind me.
Tirrian is a quiet, solid presence at my back while I mutter about arrogant Aquilians, and I can hear Cronus and Xylene bickering softly.
“I’m not sure she is going to be any better than her husband,” I say mostly to myself, but I feel Tirrian step up and walk by my side.
“No, you might be right.”
“If we have to kill her to get your friend on the throne, we can do that,” I hear Cronus call out, and I stop on the spot, whirling to face him. He startles backward slightly as I start to spark.
“We will not be killing indiscriminately.” I poke him with a finger in the chest. “Okay?”
He grins, and it’s so much like Xavier’s, I almost melt. “But if they insult you, can we?” he asks.
“Hmm, I’m not sure if insults are worth death.”
“The galaxy is not like Earth. Insults require action. Some people use stronger actions than others,” Xylene explains, and when I look at Tirrian for confirmation, he nods.
“Yes, that’s why I killed that idiot hurting you.”
I throw my arms up in the air and turn around, stalking toward the platform, muttering about trigger happy, teeth snappy aliens.
“Lila, I can just transport us back to the ship,” Cronus calls, and I keep walking, ignoring him.
“You know when I’m mad at you and just need some space?” I hear Xylene ask him.
“Is this one of those times?” he asks, and she replies with an affirmative. “Okay, I’ll be quiet. Hey, Tirrian was the Aquilian tasty?”
Oh my god. The man can’t just shut up.
“Actually, he tasted a little fishy,” Tirrian replies, and I hear Cronus chuckle.
“Of course he did.
“Lila, Lila.” I sigh with frustration but turn around to find my friend hurrying after us. Thankfully Xylene has some tact, and when Tirrian and Cronus stop to listen, she grabs both of them and drags them away.
“You know I’m still going to hear them over here,” Cronus tells his wife. She waves a hand, and a bubble surrounds them. The man stomps his foot childishly. I think I’m really going to like my mother-in-law, but I’m still on the fence about my father-in-law.
“Thank you for stopping. Can you forgive me?” she asks, and I really look at her. She’s lost weight, and her eyes have dark circles around them and look a little hollow, like all the life has gone from her.
“Why didn’t you at least send a message warning me about what your father was going to do?” I’m still hurt that we were blindsided.
“The minute I arrived back after Nikos called to tell me what happened between you and him and about his condition, my father put us on lockdown. There was no communication allowed except on planet. I tried, but I was punished.”
I make the split-second decision to forgive my friend. None of this is her fault, so how can I be mad at her? I wrap my arms around her and give her a hug. She sort of sags against me like it’s taken all her strength to stay upright. I feel her shudder and hear her start to sob.
I just give her the comfort we both need for a moment. I would love to be able to have a good cry too, but that’s not going to happen anytime soon.
When she finally pulls away and wipes at her face, she grabs my hands and gives them a squeeze.
“Don’t be too mad at Nikos. Despite all his bluster and ridiculousness, he is a big softy and is madly in love with you.
Although you rejected him, he was so proud to be carrying your baby.
We hid it from Father as long as we could, but once a merman starts to show, there is no denying what it is. ”
I think back to him floating in the tank, his large belly on display with shiny gold and pastel green scales scattered over it.
“I didn’t reject him so much as I had no idea about any of it. I was so mad at him because he put my babies in danger.”
“When mermen sing to their chosen partners, they go into a trance where nothing else matters to them until they finish the mating swim. He was horrified that he had endangered your children and was despondent because he thought you would never forgive him, let alone accept him and his child,” she explains with hope in her voice.
I shrug. “I’ve mostly already forgiven him, but he and I need to have a long talk. I’m certainly not going to jump in and give him a mating bite.”
Nixie’s eyes become shadowed. “The longer you don’t accept it, the sicker he will get.”
“Will that hurt the baby?” I ask, and she shakes her head.
“He is almost due to give birth, so it shouldn’t.”
“Seriously? It’s only been a month!”
Nixie smiles a little. “It’s one of the best things about being an Aquilian.”
“Do the women have babies as well?” I ask her.
“Yes, women can as well. It depends on the man. Someone like my father thought it was beneath him to carry his children. Most men consider it an honor to have their pod’s babies.”
“Your father had a pod? Were those the other women your mother dismissed?”
Nixie shakes her head. “No, they were his mistresses. He only became king by marrying my mother. She was the rightful ruler of Aquilia, and partners usually share the duty. He couldn’t take those women into his pod because she would have had to agree, and she didn’t.”
“Ah, okay, I think I understand, and now you are the crown princess. Where does that leave you and Majenta?” I ask, and Nixie sighs heavily.
“Nowhere. I will have to find a male partner whom I can have children with, and they will have to be Aquilian. We may be able to have a pod, but there must be a male in it to allow for succession.” I feel a pang of sorrow for her.
“I didn’t want this. I was thrilled that Nikos was crown prince and then when Father skipped over me for Raen, despite hating him with a passion, but I will do this because it’s what’s required of me.
I was never going to be able to choose my partner, so I made the most of it.
It’s also why I chose Majenta. She didn’t want anything serious either.
Don’t worry, she won’t be too upset. She has many lovers.
” She’s trying to reassure me, but I can see she’s lying—maybe not about the Majenta thing, but she doesn’t want to be Queen of Aquilia.
She loves the circus and traveling, but who am I to tell her she’s wrong?
She’s an adult who can make her own choices.
“Just know that you will always be welcome at the circus in any capacity,” I tell her, leaning forward and giving her a kiss on the cheek. “And if you need anything from me, just let me know.”
“Thank you, and be kind to my brother. He does love you, and I’m sure if you allowed yourself to, you would love him.
You’ve come so far since you were that scared human and embraced all your challenges with grace and dignity.
This is just one more challenge to embrace.
Send me photos of my niece or nephew when they are born. ”
She backs away, and without another word, turns and heads toward the palace.
I will miss my new friend. I hadn’t had all that much time to spend with her, but hopefully we can rectify that in the future.
After all, she is practically my sister-in-law.
It’s only one, sharp bite away from being a reality.
I turn and walk toward the platform. I hope Nikos doesn’t mind a bit of pain. If we mate, I’m going to make my bite count just for a little payback. I haven’t tested my shark teeth in Aquilian form yet.