Chapter 16 #2
"The ship will fly again, with or without me on board.
As to my childhood dream, I've achieved it.
I flew short trips as a crew member, discovering little oddities of the nearest portions of the universe for several years.
Now, I've gone into the vastness of deep space on the fastest spaceship Earth possesses as its captain.
There I discovered a new, uncharted star system and a species so valuable that it saved my planet.
I think I've far exceeded any childish dream.
My crew will welcome a new captain just as easily as they accepted me.
I told you; you've given me a new perspective.
I used to believe I had to prove my worth over and over because I'm a woman.
But you just accepted my authority without question.
I don't crave that kind of power anymore.
Being me is enough. Loving you and being loved by you is enough.
Living in the paradise of Talonia will be taking it over the top.
I want to come with you, if you'll have me. "
A look of hope was added to the fire in Hesher's smoldering red eyes. It was a beautiful sight to see. "Do you really mean it? You do not think you will regret it? If you ever find that you do, I will send you back to Earth, no matter what it does to me. I swear it."
"I won't ever regret it. My old dream was accomplished, and this is my new one. I want to spend the rest of my life with you on Talonia. Trust me, I've thought about nothing else for weeks. It's a relief to say it finally. I was so afraid you would turn me away."
"I am not that big of a fool," Hesher declared. "With your love, I can conquer my fear of opening myself to others and have a life as full as that of my friends. Daer will be pleased to have won his bet. You have slain this dragon once and for all."
His lips met Lydia's in a searing kiss that bound their declarations.
A shooting star streaked over the sky above the balcony adding heaven's approval.
They didn't see it, so intent were they on each other, but no one had seen the hand that controlled the asteroid either.
Providence or fate: does it really matter?
Coming up for air, Hesher suggested, "Let us open communication with Talonia right this minute. It is early morning there."
"Why now, when we have so much to celebrate together? I want more than just a kiss."
"We can celebrate in our own fashion, in our bed after I have spoken to King Acer.
I have no intention of wasting precious time once we are home to get a mating ceremony ready.
I want us mated immediately, with your agreement of course.
Shara will help him arrange it, I'm certain.
I want the ceremony done by him before he turns the kingship over to Maxxus," Hesher explained.
"You forgot one tiny little thing, my love," Lydia teased.
"If you are worried that he will not sanction a mating between us, do not. He will welcome it for he has come to realize human females are an asset to our society. "
"That's not what I meant. You didn't ask if I wanted you as my mate. You just assumed I do." She tilted her head and grinned as she watched the horror roll over his face.
"I do not mean to dishonor you. It was an educated assumption since you declared your love and are willing to leave Earth for me. We can live together unmated if you choose. But, it would please me immensely to be officially your mate. Will you honor me in that way?"
"Yes! I only wanted to be asked. It's a woman's biggest wish to be on the receiving end of a proposal." She jumped into his arms, wrapping herself around him. She was still bestowing kisses on his reddening cheeks when the king answered their summons.
"Well, I see Earth agrees with you, Hesher. I do not believe I have ever seen you blush or smile so big," King Acer stated.
"I am sorry to disturb you so early. You look very tired. Are you unwell?" Hesher asked.
"No, dear boy. I am doing wonderfully. Things have been very busy here tonight, so I have not been to bed.
Eveline went into labor, and it lasted forever.
Tae has been fretting, and it was left to me to calm him.
All other hands were needed to attend to Eveline and bringing forth two babies.
They are finally here. Two perfect daughters: one weredragon, the other human.
Poor Daer had his hands full. Shara had to leave the birthing as she could not contain what we first thought was an illness.
She hurried away the moment her stomach revolted in fear she would give the sickness to the babies or Eveline.
Daer could not leave to check on her because the second baby chose that moment to arrive. "
"What illness does she have? Did we bring it with us on the spacecraft?" Lydia worriedly asked.
"It was not an illness. We have just learned she is with child and has some of the more difficult symptoms to deal with. Daer is ecstatic, as am I. I am going to be a grandfather! How amazing is that?" the king replied .
"Congratulations to everyone!" Hesher shouted.
"Now, I have many reasons to tease both Daer and Tae.
It is about time I paid them back. Such news warms our hearts, and we would like to add to it.
Would you be willing to perform one more mating ceremony before you retire from kingship and can all be made ready so it can occur the moment we return? "
"Lydia is coming to Talonia to stay? Marvelous!
It would be my pleasure to perform the ceremony.
You are like my own son, and I shall rejoice in your mating.
I have hoped for many years you would find the right woman to love, one deserving of you.
Who would have imagined she would fall from the stars? " he replied laughing.
"I told you that you were loved and had a family," Lydia whispered to Hesher.
Scooping her into his arms and heading for the bed, he replied, "You always have to be right, do you not?"
*** Maxxus ***
Maxxus stood on the rim of the highest volcano and watched the celebration fires burn below.
The capital was alive with noise and color.
Hesher and his soldiers had returned as heroes, and every weredragon in the city had come out to honor them.
Somewhere down there, Hesher was being congratulated on his mating, Daer was passing around his newborn daughter, and Tae’s twins were being fought over by every female within reach.
Maxxus did not go down. He had never been good at celebrations, and this one felt wrong to him in a way he could not explain.
He should have been pleased. The alliance was signed.
The Xycon were gone. Earth was indebted to Talonia, and that debt would prove useful.
Everything had gone exactly as he had demanded.
And yet he could not stop looking at the horizon .
Something was out there. Not a ship. Not an enemy he could name.
It was more of a feeling—a faint wrongness in the air, like a note held too long.
The volcano beneath his feet burned as it always had, but the heat felt thinner somehow.
Less certain. He pressed his palm flat against the stone and closed his eyes.
The fire answered, but its voice was quieter than he remembered.
He opened his eyes and stared into the dark sky above the distant peaks. The others could have their celebration. He had a kingdom to protect. Whatever was coming, he would be ready.
***
I hope you enjoyed the book!