Chapter Seven
“Grim?” Lisa asks as he turns from the fire, looking gorgeous.
“What my Lisa?” He moves towards her, they’d had no problem getting the girls to bed, with all the work they’d done and the excitement of their new room, they’d quickly fallen asleep.
“What’s got you so concerned about my safety?” If she hadn’t been watching closely she’d have missed it.
“It is nothing my Lisa.” Sitting next to her on the couch, he touches her glass.
“You haven’t tried the Kofi wine.” Obediently she takes a sip.
“It’s very good but you’re not answering my question.”
“You are my Queen, my heart, how can I not be concerned about you.”
“I understand that because I feel the same about you but that’s not what this is.” She sips her wine waiting but he says nothing.
“Is there a threat against the girls?”
“No!” He quickly assures her.
“Then what? I’m not some Tornian female Grim. I’m not going to run screaming at the first sign of trouble. I’m not going to break if you tell me the truth and I think I deserve that.”
“I know you are strong my Lisa, but I have the right to protect you.”
“I’m not arguing that. You do, and I want you too, but I also have the right to know what’s going on, especially when it affects not only me but also our daughters. I can’t protect if I don’t know there’s a threat.”
“I have no knowledge of a threat my Lisa.” He reaches out to play with a loose strand of hair.
“But you suspect.” She gives him a considering look.
“You suspect Luuken will try something again.”
“Yes.” He finally admits.
“He wants you Lisa, He wants what you have.”
“The girls.” She whispers.
“Yes. When he arrives on Tornian, he will go before Wray and petition for you to be brought to Tornian, you and the girls. For you to be presented to those deemed fit to join with.”
“But I’ve already chosen.” She tells him firmly.
“You, I’ve chosen you Grim.”
“He will challenge my right to you by stating you hadn’t been guided and didn’t know what you promised.” Grim warns.
“He can state all he wants, I will still choose you.”
“I will not be allowed on the floor, only those eligible are.” Setting her glass aside, she straddles his lap.
“It will be my choice and my choice will always be you.” Leaning down, she captures his lips, sealing her vow.
“How much time do we have?” Looking into the dying fire, her hand gently caresses his naked chest. Grim doesn’t pretend to misunderstand.
“The Searcher will arrive on Tornian tomorrow. It will take Luuken a week to file his petition and another before Wray will hear it. After that, it will depend on how much time Wray takes to make his decision. If he decides in Luuken’s favor, I will be required to present you to the Assembly so they can pass judgment on our joining.”
“Pass judgment….you’re telling me a bunch of strangers get to decide if I have the right to choose you?”
“Yes.”
“Let them try Grim.” She tells him her voice fierce.
“I will tear them apart if they try to separate you from us. No one separates me from my family.”
“No one will take your children from you my Lisa.” He quickly reassures her.
“I’m not talking about the girls Grim. I’m talking about you and our people, the people of Luda. They are my family now too and I will fight to protect them.”
Grim closes his eyes, sending up a prayer of thanks to the goddess, for putting this female in his arms. His life would be empty without her.
“Sleep my Lisa.” Grim tells her softly.
“Tomorrow will be here soon enough.”
“I love you Grim.” With the day catching up to her, Lisa is lulled to sleep by the beat of Grim’s heart.
“Who complained about serving my Queen, Montfort?” Grim sits behind his desk in the command room of House Luanda, early the next morning, looking at his long-time friend.
“There were grumbles sire but no complaints.” Montfort informs him.
“They don’t understand why they’ve been separated from you.”
“Do I explain my orders to warriors Montfort?” Grim’s voice is deceptively soft but Montfort knows better.
“No Majesty. Warriors follow your orders without question.” He tells her.
“That’s correct!” Grim fist strikes the desk causing it to shake.
“So who did Lisa hear?”
“It was Faber my King.” Montfort informs him.
“He hadn’t sufficiently cleaned the windows in the second room. The Queen entered when I was correcting him. She explained that she wanted them sparkling so it would reflect well on the House of Luanda and its contents. Faber replied that no one would ever see those contents.”
“He questioned my right to give to my Queen?” Grim growls.
“Her right to do with it as she pleases?”
“I don’t think he meant to Majesty, his frustration for his assigned task got the better of him.”
“He will be assigned to Oya from now on.” Grim’s tone is hard and cold.
“My King, isn’t that overly harsh for a moment of frustration?” Alger inquires respectfully. He has been training Faber to become a member of the Elite Guard, he is fierce in battle, and Alger hopes he will be so in protecting the King. Oya is in charge of the warriors guarding the walls and while an important job, it doesn’t carry the status of an Elite Guard.
“He was careless in the presence of the Queen Alger, nearly knocking her down. He has proven through word and deed that he doesn’t respect her position and her safety is unimportant to him, making him unworthy of consideration for Elite Guard status.”
“Yes my King I will see to it personally.” Alger bows respectfully.
“Do you know how much longer the selectees will be needed?” He looks to Montfort.
“Two more days for the King’s Wing, the Queen then wants the first level cleaned before inspecting the rest of Luanda.”
“All?” Alger can’t help but keep the shock from his voice.
“She intends to have the female level emptied and displayed throughout the castle.” Both men look to Grim for his reaction.
“She mentioned that it should be for all to enjoy.” He shrugs his shoulders.
“It pleases her, so she’ll have her way.”
“Yes my King.” Montfort replies.
“My King?” He asks hesitantly.
“Yes Montfort?”
“I would like to have the household staff start cleaning the other areas of the Luanda.”
“Without the Queen’s guidance?” Grim gives him a hard look.
“I feel I know what she wants done, she can inspect the work and if she feels it it’s not satisfactory we will work until it is. I feel, with the changes Queen Lisa is making, it will take several groups of staff, assigned to specific jobs, to see that it is done correctly and efficiently. Our males are very proud sire, if they do the initial job, understanding the results reflect on them, they will find efficient ways to complete their tasks.”
Grim leans back, thinking about what Montfort has proposed. It is logical that certain staff be responsible for certain jobs, specializing in that area. He is also correct that they will want to feel pride in their work, perhaps an elevation of status will even be earned.
“That will be fine Montfort.” Grim looks around the room and wonders what Lisa will think of it, what will she want to do with it? He can hardly wait to see. “Alger.”
“My King?”
“Have you narrowed your list of warriors for the Queen’s Guard?”
“I’ve chosen twelve for your approval sire, some will need extra training to reach Elite status, but there is time.”
“There may not be.” Montfort interrupts.
“What do you mean?” Grim’s eyes shoot to him.
“The Queen has requested a meeting with the clothier’s female. She would like coverings made for herself and the princess’.”
“Gossamer refuses to let his female leave their cottage my King. All males bring their females to her.” Montfort informs him.
“She will come for the Queen.” Grim tells him.
“Yes sire.” Montfort nods.
“Any other concerns?” Grim looks at the two warriors he relies on.
Putting the small statue in the middle of the table, Lisa steps back to observe her handy work. The curtains still need hung but otherwise she was satisfied with the results, the room looks comfortable and inviting, turning she’s surprised to find Grim watching her.
“Good morning.” She smiles, walking over to him.
“I thought you were gone for the day.” Stretching up she kisses him.
“I had an early meeting with Montfort and Alger. I meant to be back before you woke. I thought we could have first meal together.”
“I was letting the girls sleep in but I’d love to have first meal with you.”
“You should have rested longer also.” Framing her face in his hands, he sees fatigue in her eyes.
“You did too much yesterday.”
“I did no such thing. If I’m a little tired it’s because someone insisted on pleasuring me again and again last night.” She gives him a saucy grin.
“I will try to not do that again.” He tells her, keeping a straight face.
“You will do no such thing.” She gives his arm a playful slap.
“I’ll take tired any day.”
“You hold my heart my Lisa.” Capturing her mouth, he gives her a desperate kiss.
“You must take care of yourself, for I wouldn’t know how to survive without you now.”
“I will Grim.” She promises gripping his wrists.
“I promise. I’m fine.”
“You will let the males do the work today. They now know what you desire.” He demands.
“I’m okay with letting Montfort supervise your warriors Grim. I’d like to organize upstairs so when the rooms are done I’ll know what I want where.” Grim looks at around the room they are in.
“This is beautiful my Lisa. How did you make it so?”
“I studied interior decorating before Carly was born.” She says her gaze traveling around the room.
“Interior decorating….” Grim questions.
“Doing all this.” She waves her hand.
“Putting colors, fabrics, furniture, and little what not’s together in a pleasing way. I like doing it.”
“You do it very well my Lisa. I’ve never seen a room as beautiful as our girls'.”
“Thank you!” She beams at him and he suddenly realizes she really doesn’t care about the things upstairs, only in how she can use them to make their home more beautiful for everyone. How had the goddess known they needed such a creature?
“Grim?”
“Yes my Lisa.” He asks softly.
“I need you to do something with all the jewels upstairs. They are valuable and you need to take them.”
“They are yours.” He says stubbornly.
“Thank you but it is too much.” She denies.
“What would I do with them?”
“Females use them to purchase what they want.” He tells her.
“Then you can keep them and when I need something I will tell you.”
“You did not use jewels on Earth?” He looks at her in confusion.
“There are jewels but they are mostly used for decoration. Things people wear on their bodies.” At his confused look, she tries to explain.
“There are things called rings, they go around fingers and toes, stones are often placed in them, also necklaces, they go around the neck, earrings, she touched her neck and ears.
“You don’t have these to barter with?” He touches a jewel in her ear.
“No. Mark gave them to me the earrings when Carly was born and the necklace when Miki was.” She smiles softly at the memories.
“A gift for the gift of his offspring.” Grim says softly.
“Yes.”
“So they have meaning instead of value.”
“Yes, I would never sell them. Someday I’ll give them to the girls and they can give them to their daughters, something from their father.”
“A remembrance.” Grim says understanding.
“Yes.”
“Sire.” Both turn at the interruption.
“Seton?” Grim questions.
“Where would you like first meal to be served sire?” The red male asks.
“My Chamber.” Bowing Seton leaves to see to it. Taking Lisa’s arm, he leads her to their room.
Standing on the stone patio, Lisa tips her face the sun a contented smile on her lips. Opening her eyes, she watches the girls laugh and run through the well-tended garden. They’d accomplished so much this last week, Grim’s warriors and staff had Luanda sparkling like the diamonds Carly so admired.
There had been challenges on both sides. The men of Luanda couldn’t fathom that a female would be willing to display her treasures for all to see. They insisted on calling them hers no matter how many times she corrected them. Finally, she’d just given up trying to make them understand and just displayed them as she wished. Now the ‘females’ level is empty and Luanda is full.
Grim watched in silent amusement as his fierce and rough warriors were suddenly falling all over themselves to do her biding. They literally beamed when she complimented or thanked them, and she did it often, making sure each one knew she noticed their efforts. Then every night she rested with him, telling him what had happened during her day, inquiring about his, making sure he knew that he was the only one she wanted. How life has changed.
Watching her now, Grim can’t imagine his life without her. She turns at the sound of his footsteps, her pleasure at seeing him easily seen on her face.
“I thought you were training with your warriors this morning.” She says walking towards him.
“I was. Now I am with you.” He pulls her into his arms, leaning down for a kiss. Pressing even closer she deepens it. Laughter has them breaking apart to look towards the garden.
“I suppose I should go see what trouble they’ve gotten into now.” Lisa sighs but there is a smile in her voice.
“We will.” Grim informs her and turning keeps her close as they look for the girls.
“Montfort informs me you want new garments made.”
“Yes.” She’d forgotten about that until yesterday.
“He says that the clothier’s wife can make them.”
“She makes the females clothes. I will send for her.” He tells her.
“Oh, but I thought…”
“What my Lisa?”
“Well, Montfort made it sound as if I’d have to go to her.”
“She comes to you.” His tone is hard.
“But Grim….”
“You are the Queen, Lisa.”
“I know that and I understand but I was actually hoping to go to her.” She gives him a pleading look.
“I’d like to see more of Luda and it didn’t sound like she lives that far away. Would it be a problem to go there?” Grim frowns down at her.
“I think the girls would enjoy it too.”
“If that is what you wish then it will be arranged.” Grim says grudgingly.
“Really? It won’t cause problems?” She gives him a hopeful look.
“No. I’ll have word sent for them to expect you tomorrow. You can also decide what uniform you want your Guard to wear while you are there.”
“My guard?” He sees his confused her.
“As Queen you will have your own Guard. Alger has submitted names and I will finish approving them today so they can prepare for tomorrow’s outing.” At her silence, he frowns.
“What is wrong?”
“Your warriors…they’ve worked their whole life to be a member of your Elite Guard.” She’s learned enough this last week to know that being a member of the King's Elite Guard is a great honor. The male’s status is raised, increasing his chances of attracting a female. The only higher ranking is to be a member of the Emperor’s Elite Guard
“Yes.” Grim nods agreeing.
“It is important to them, that status. I don’t want them to have to sacrifice it to guard me.”
“You think they wouldn’t protect you?” Grim demands angrily.
“No! Your warriors are too honorable for that it’s just…..”
“You worry how it will affect their chances in joining.” He suddenly understands what has her so worried.
“Yes. They are good males Grim, at least the ones who’ve been working with me this last week. They deserve the chance to find someone. I don’t want to stand in the way of that.” Grim pulls her close, wondering if his warriors realize the champion they have in their Queen.
“They will be the Queen’s Elite Guards my Lisa. There will be no greater honor in all Luda then to protect my Queen and offspring. This will be known. They will not suffer by serving you.” The smile he receives is nearly blinding.
“Thank you Grim.” Stretching up she gives him a quick kiss.
“As for uniforms I have no idea what they should wear.” She frowns thinking what she’d seen his guards wear.
“I mean they’d need to carry their weapons and things right?”
Grim chuckles at her ‘things’ comment.
“Yes my Lisa.”
“And I assume that there will need to be ‘formal’ and ‘informal’ uniforms correct?”
“That is normal yes.” He says non-committal.
“Can’t they just wear what the other Elite Guards would wear? It’s your house colors isn’t it?”
“It is.” Grim raises an eyebrow that she’d realized that.
“It would make them effectively one unit.”
“Yes but there needs to be some designation.” Lisa is quiet for several minutes.
“Your men wear a black medallion that has some type of bird carved on it.”
“Yes. It is the Raptor, a bird of prey, the symbol of the House of Luanda.”
“So that’s what my guards should have but not in black….” Grim can see she’s thinking.
“That can be done, you just need to decide.” He tells her.
“I do?” She looks at him shocked.
“Yes they will be your Guard.” Grim stresses to her.
“Can I have some time?”
“All you want my Lisa.” He caresses her cheek with his knuckles.
“Mommy! Grim! Look where we are!” At the girls excited voices they both look around but only hear more giggles.
“No look up!” With a feeling of dread, Lisa raises her eyes up the large tree seeing her babies nestled in its branches half way up.
“Oh my goddess.” Lisa whispers her fingers biting into Grim’s arm. “Grim…”
“It will be fine, I will get them.” He walks towards the tree.
“What do you girls think you are? Raptors? You need to come back down.”
“Do we have to?” Miki asks.
“Yes. Right now.” Grim’s voice is firm but still gentle.
“Okay.” Lisa holds her breath as the girls descend, once they are within reach Grim quickly swings them to the ground.
“Carly Marie! Miki Renee! What did you think you were doing! You scared me to death!” Lisa rushes forward only to have Grim stop her.
“They are fine Lisa.” He reassures her.
“Fine!” She argues.
“They could have fallen!”
“But they didn’t.” Grim holds her face between his hands.
“Breathe my love. They are fine.” It twists his heart to see the fear in her eyes.
“Mommy?” Closing her eyes Lisa does as Grim says and realizes he’s right. The girls climbed trees back home, no they were home, back on Earth and she encouraged them, even laughing at their antics. But for some reason this…”Mommy…” The fear in Miki’s voice has her opening her eyes.
“It’s okay babies.” She kneels before them.
“I’m sorry. Mommy was just having a moment. So tell me, is it pretty up there?” She is not going to let her daughters be restricted by her fears. It is something she promised herself the day Carly was born. Her daughters would have no restrictions on their dreams.
“Come up and see mommy.” Miki encourages taking her hand.
“I’d love to baby, but I don’t think those branches will hold me.” She eyes the thin braches of the tree, trying not to visualize them falling from them.
“Oh.” Miki looks from the tree to Lisa and back again.
“I guess you’re right.”
Grim watches Lisa confront her fear, refusing to let it become her girls. He realizes it is something she’s done since they’ve met. She sees no limits for them but gives them rules. She gives them everything she can but makes sure they realize that it’s not a given, that they need to appreciate it, that they may even have to work for it as they had with their bedroom. She’s teaching them there’s nothing they can’t do. She’s giving them a mother’s true love.
“So did you see any Raptors?” Grim decides to pull their attention from Lisa.
“What are they?” Carly asks interested.
“Raptors?” Grim leads them to a large rock and sits.
“Raptors are the largest birds of prey on Luda.”
“Birds of prey…” He helps Miki, as she climbs up into his lap.
“Large birds that hunt.” He explains.
“They fly high in the air but can see everything below them. They only strike when they must. Only kill when forced too. They protect the skies of Luda.”
“Like you do.” Carly meets his eyes.
“You protect us. You and your warriors protect the people of Luda.”
“Yes, it is what we do.” He nods agreeing with her.
“It is why only the Elite Warriors of Luda are allowed to wear the raptor. It is a sign that they will protect those who can’t and kill only when necessary.”
Both girls watch him with serious eyes. Miki finally speaks.
“Are all raptor’s as…” She hesitates searching for the word.
“As handsome as you?” Grim can’t keep the shock from his face.
“I am not handsome.” He denies.
“I have scars.”
“But you got them in battle didn’t you?” Grim can do nothing but nod realizing that’s exactly what it had been, battle.
“Then they are a…” she looks to Carly.
“Badge?” At her sister’s nod she continues. “Badge of honor. They mean you didn’t quit when you could have, when it would have been easier too. Daddy didn’t.” Sad little eyes meet his. “I heard the nurses talking once. They said it would be better for everyone if he just gave up. I asked daddy what they meant and he told me they were wrong, that every minute he had with mommy and us was worth every second of pain he suffered. That there is no honor in quitting just because it is hard. So you’re the Raptor Grim, because you didn’t quit when it got hard, you protect mommy, us, and Luda.”
Grim carefully pulls the little girl into his arms. Soon Carly is there too. What had he ever done to deserve these precious gifts? When Lisa kneels beside him, he can’t stop the tears escaping from his eyes. Carefully she kisses them away knowing he doesn’t want the girls to see them, there is only so much a strong warrior can take. Wrapping her arms around her family, she thanks Mark and the Goddess for allowing this to happen.
“My King?” Grim stiffens at Alger’s voice.
“What is it Alger.” Lisa watches Grim’s eyes close up as he looks to the Captain of his Elite Guard.
“The men are awaiting you sire.”
“Time for you to go my King.” Lisa gives him a soft kiss before standing extending a hand to each of her daughters.
“Come on girls, Grim needs to go be the Raptor.”
“Alger, make sure they get inside safely.”
“Yes my King.”
“I will see you at for our last meal.” Grim gently touches her cheek, waiting for her response.
“We’ll be waiting for you.” She assures him. Giving her a quick nod, he turns and strides away.