Epilogue
Blair
One Week Later
I stepped out of the shower, wrapping a towel around my ’fro before grabbing another to dry off.
Steam curled around me, fogging up the antique mirror across from the oversized clawfoot tub.
Fuck, I loved my house. I never expected the Biwban to actually follow my crazed instructions about a house on the beach, but they delivered and then some.
It was exactly as I dreamed: ornate woodwork, stained glass above the bay window, and a wraparound porch overlooking the beach where I could watch the most beautiful sunsets.
I tugged on a shirt, then shimmied into my pants, barely getting them past my hips when the front door clicked open. I smiled as Osid slid his arms around my waist, his lips pressing against the back of my neck in a way that left me shivering.
“Don’t you start,” I scolded, though there was no threat in my voice.
He’d been a busy man this past week, and I saw him less and less as he got his people settled in.
Construction on the new fortress had been slow, mostly because his men were constantly distracted, flirting with the women in the soft enclosure area.
I knew his work was important, but I missed having him all to myself.
Still, we had places to be and things to do, so I pushed his hands away.
“You know we have to meet the others at the great hall in half an hour.”
He let his fangs graze along the pulse in my neck. “A king is never late, everyone else is simply early.”
Damn, he makes a good point.
I had almost worked up an argument, but then he cupped the back of my neck as he found that spot just below my ear, and my thoughts dissolved into static. I moaned as he lifted me up on the bathroom counter and kissed me. Giving up, I opened my mouth for him as the kiss turned hungry, insistent—
A sudden green light washed over us.
We broke apart and Osid’s hand fell to the sword at his waist as the house’s sensor whirred softly. The screen materialized in front of the window, replacing the view of the ocean with bold, glowing text.
CONGRATULATIONS, SUBJECT 12!
PREGNANCY CONFIRMED.
YOUR CHILD WILL BE THE FIRST SUCCESSFUL HUMAN-SANKADO PAIRING.
Fireworks danced along the screen as the familiar Tamagotchi tune sounded off through the house speakers. Checkup appointment dates and instructions filled out the screen after the initial message faded.
For a moment we did nothing but stare at it.
My hand fell to my stomach; my voice came out thin, disbelieving. “What?”
Osid fell to his knees, eyes wide as he looked from the screen to my belly. His hand hovered over it, as if afraid to touch. “You’re…?”
Unable to process it, I shouted. “House, scan me again to be sure.”
The green light washed over me again, and the pregnancy announcements popped up on the screen along with its jaunty little tune.
“Holy shit,” I breathed.
A choked sound escaped him before he crushed me against him, kissing me so deeply I nearly forgot how to breathe. He kissed my cheeks, my forehead, my neck, my belly, his grin wild, disbelieving. “I’m going to be a father.”
I laughed, giddy, bringing his hands to rest over my stomach. “I’ve always wanted a daughter.”
“A little princess,” he agreed, resting his head against me.
I looked at the clock on the wall with a start. “Shit, we have to go.”
Osid groaned. “Fuck the meeting. I’ll task Hakri to do my work for the rest of the week. Spend the day with me.”
“No,” I said, using all my willpower to step away from him. “I want to tell the others. Dory is gonna lose her mind!”
He sighed, but the light in his smile was brighter than I’d ever seen it. “Fine. But after that, I’m locking you in the bedroom for the rest of the night.”
I laughed, helping him stand. “You won’t find me complaining.”
* * *
The female soft enclosure area was an entire town encased in a see-through dome.
To avoid predators, or so I was told. Dory had instructed all the humans and any mates they’ve been courting to come to the main hall at noon for an important announcement.
When we walked in, the hall was already a buzz of energy, a mix of humans and Sankado chatting aimlessly in clusters beneath the vaulted ceilings.
I spotted Sabrina by her green hair near the front as she waved us over, the lovestruck herder who acted as her shadow not far behind her.
“A-any idea what this is about?” Sabrina asked as we slipped into the seats beside her.
“I haven’t the slightest idea.” I was about to tell her the news, but Dory and Sol walked onto the stage. Whatever the announcement was, the duo were cheesing hard about it. After they hushed the crowd, the auditor we had met before floated onto the stage.
“Greetings, citizens of planet Waffles,” he began, voice crisp like a wind chime.
“For those unfamiliar, I am Auditor Yuulko from the Galactic Federation Department of Ethics and Resource Oversight. I was assigned to evaluate the Biodiversity Conservation Initiative’s use of allocated funds in the Sankado Repopulation Program.
What I have found goes far beyond financial discrepancies.
In fact, the mismanagement of funds is now the least of my concerns. ”
Murmurs rippled through the room. Osid’s thumb stroked my knuckles absently.
The auditor continued. “The program was initially approved under the classification that both humans and Sankado were class C species—non-sapient, with no demonstrated capacity for higher reasoning, language, or social ethics.
Essentially, what you might compare to local fauna—a deer or so, you could say.
“However, it has now been established beyond a reasonable doubt that both species exhibit markers consistent with class A sapience: self-awareness, linguistic capability, and social organization. In short, both species qualify as fully sapient under Federation Charter 956-Volak.”
A hush fell over the room. Sabrina and I exchanged confused looks as I felt Osid’s hand tighten in mine.
“To conduct behavioral experiments, invasive procedures, and long-term containment on a class A species without informed consent constitutes a category one violation under Galactic law. These acts—intentional or not—are considered crimes against sapient life.”
The auditor gave the room a moment to process the information before continuing. “All BCI operations have been ordered to cease indefinitely until this matter has been brought to trial.”
His gelatinous form seemed to straighten before his tone softened.
“To all of you who have been affected, please allow me to extend my sincerest apologies on behalf of the greater Galactic community. Normally, we try not to make contact with new species until they have successfully completed their spacefaring capabilities and are able to join the Federation after discovering the universe in their own time. Due to extenuating circumstances, the Federation would like to extend an invitation to those here on planet Waffles. Should you choose to accept, we will assign a representative to work with your leaders so that you may have a say with a seat at the Federation’s table.
“I understand that no declaration can undo what has been done. But justice, in all its imperfect forms, must begin with recognition. Furthermore, any individuals affected by the BCI’s malpractice are encouraged to step forward and share their story.
If the BCI is found guilty in the upcoming trial, you may be entitled to compensation.
Thank you, good day.” With that, the auditor squelched forward in what I assume was a bow, and exited the stage.
Beside me, Osid let out a dark chuckle. The king turned to me, the mischievous glint in his eye that I’d come to love so much on full display. “Wicked Thing, are you thinking what I’m thinking?”
I smirked back at him, already making plans to raid the BCI for all the tapes they had of us. “I’m thinking we take the sons of bitches for all they’re worth.”
“You are the greatest thing that ever happened to me.”
I grabbed him by a horn and pulled him closer for a kiss. “And don’t you forget it.”