Chapter Twenty-Seven
Sweet Child o' Mine
Zephyron's hand rested gently on my back as the medic injected the nanites. A cool sensation rippled through my veins, soon followed by a soothing warmth.
"This will speed recovery," Varek assured. "It's as safe and common as the dried Juka fruit and juice."
"Instant healing?"
"No. We use those only in wartime battles."
"Feels like I was in one, but thanks." My gaze went to the small wiggling bundle in Zephyron's arms. Varek likely figured a sweaty, exhausted Omega needed a minute. I longed to hold him, but he looked just fine, held by his other father.
A warrior's violet eyes softened as he noticed my stare. He gently placed our child in my arms. Oh! He's really here. Mine! Ours! I ran a finger along the delicate, smooth skin of his cheek. I inhaled deeply, taking in the slightly sweet scent of our kid.
He would have no flecks over his chest. The Emperor wanted people to know who to thank for their continued empire.
Yet once his eyes opened, I'd see some variation of purple on little, uh.
..? What do we call him? We never discussed names.
The chaos with Tydalos had been a distraction, but that excuse had run out.
"We should give him a Volardi name," I said. "One fitting for his life on Sudo."
Zephyron nodded. "It is expected. As the Third Father, you name the first child. When we find our Second, they will choose. I will name the third as is our tradition."
I swallowed, trying not to think of doing this again and again. Probably even a few times more. Months ago, a short, delicate man showed me kindness, and now lost out on this amazing experience. He deserved to live on. "Elai."
Zephyron stilled. The memory hung in the air between us, then he nodded slowly. "Elai... It is a fine name. It is perfect." His gaze turned wistful. "I hope our Second will choose to honor Pargith."
Our child, Elai, reached out and his little fist curled around my finger. A tear slid down my cheek. "We should let the universe meet the best-looking baby on Sudo."
Varek stared in awe. "Indeed," he said. "He is a beautiful child, and his features surpass even Baby Ricky."
Zephyron raised an eyebrow. "Who is Baby Ricky?"
"The infant from I Love Lucy," replied my doctor, his tone oddly reverent.
Parker whispered to his camera. With tears streaming down my face, I adjusted Elai, and we three faced the drone. Parker snapped extra shots with his old Human-tech phone. Soon, videos and photos would be broadcast to Earth and beyond.
Ryan hurried to the door. Dad stepped inside, and Zephyron stared at him in silence for a few breaths.
"It is customary," he whispered, "for the father's father to hold a newly arrived child.
" Zephyron carefully lifted Elai from my chest and placed him in my father's arms. For a moment, Dad stood still, just staring down at the small, fragile figure, then up at the man who almost killed him.
His breath hitched as he said, "Thank you. "
Down he looked into his grandson's eyes. "Just like all those years ago..." His voice broke, and he smiled through tears. "When you were born, Tommy, all of you were this small. Wyatt especially. Well, except for Joel, he came out built like a linebacker. But you... It's like I'm back there again."
He rocked the baby with surprising gentleness, humming a few bars of an old Merle Haggard country music tune. Then, eyes shimmering, he returned him to Zephyron and stepped back into the background.
Parker mouthed, "Three, two, one," then slipped into his documentary voice.
"The Volardi speak of Serendipity. A moment of unlikely events to birth something wondrous.
What you're seeing isn't just the start of a family.
It's the beginning of two cultures coming together amid a third to make something bigger.
Thomas. Zephyron. Surrounded by family and friends.
Yes, that's Thomas' father in the frame. "
From outside, the Sandari continued their melodic howls.
Zephyron and I exchanged a glance, a silent understanding passing between us. This moment wasn't just for us. It was for my dad, too. The healing had begun, and for the first time in a long while, the past felt lighter.
Parker's grin said he got it—the shot people would remember. Parker had been with us through it all: filming, documenting, never judging. I was lucky to have him.
I caught Wyatt's gaze lingering at the room's edge. His face was open and raw in a way I'd rarely seen. Ryan's hand rested on my brother's shoulder.
"Wyatt!" I rasped, "C'mere, Hon. Meet your nephew, Uncle. You too, Uncle Ryan."
Wyatt approached slowly, and his hands trembled. He bent forward, brushing a knuckle along Elai's soft cheek. "He's perfect," his voice barely above a breath. "Just... wow."
Beside him, Ryan gave a nod of approval and stayed respectfully back. He wasn't the type to intrude, but the look in his eyes said enough.
Wyatt's grin was crooked. "He's... perfect, man."
He said it twice, but yes. Yes, he was.
***
Across light-years, the interview played on a delay and projected on a smooth stone wall thanks to my two Simulacrum friends.
To be fair, I had kept my temper so far.
It might be the new father in me that gave me strength.
Tydalos had dressed in flowing azure robes and sat before an older, dark-skinned news anchor with snow-white hair.
His words were calm and musical, but they would soon have another insult.
"I personally handed an invitation for the third trial to Zephyron via a sacred scroll," Tydalos said.
"I anticipated another Soturi, or Alpha as Humans call us, would accept the more than adequate time and prepare.
Imagine my surprise when he forced poor Thomas to rip a Volardi child out early!
What would drive him to endanger a mate and child? "
"Oh, my god!" I pointed to his smug grin. "Nothing like that happened! Isn't there a way to catch him in a lie? You know, a tracker or something?"
Zephyron shook his head no as he softly patted our child's head. "We do not monitor our citizens. They have trust, until they do not."
"What if someone gets lost or hurt? We have cell phones on Earth."
"A Volardi citizen is expected to be able to survive and have the sense to not 'get lost.'"
I know I mumbled something about warrior culture and blasted a wave of insults to the calculating man on screen.
Zephyron's eyes narrowed as he referenced my words. "'What is lying through his teeth?'"
"It means oh... not having any shame while doing it."
He gave a quick nod. "We call it 'hiding intention in the tunnels.'"
"I don't follow."
"Nobody ventures into the tunnels, and thus no one can see you. Therefore, those dishonorable can do unseen acts. However, there are those above ground who behave as if nobody watches their dishonor, including lies."
"Mmmm... that makes sense."
Our baby stirred slightly in Zephyron's arms, and he soothed him with a hum of the Muppet Show theme.
He stared back at Tydalos. "I do not enjoy waiting.
If he were from Sudo, we would have battled already.
I do not understand this 'setting the mood' you mentioned.
A problem exists, and my nature demands I correct it. "
"We are fixing things. It's like a song."
He waited for more, and I should have used a better example. They didn't really get music, beyond liking it when played. "It needs a setup, so people remember the best parts later. Well, unless it's Sweet Child o' Mine. That guitar intro's killer."
He repeated my words as if they were an alien language because it was.
"Alright. Forget the music metaphor. Just trust me. There won't be smiles when this ends."
"And thus, no more lies sent through teeth?"
"Right or at least, people will know he's lying."
The anchor's deep male voice interrupted our conversation, "Many have questioned your claims, Sentinel Tydalos. Some say the induction was well within safety margins and that Thomas and his baby are recovering well."
The mask slipped for a second, a flicker of irritation flashing across his face.
"That is the official story, but let's not forget who holds the power.
Zephyron has isolated his mate in a harsh, remote world under the guise of safety from Zerlites, he could eradicate yet does not.
Abuse often hides behind grand gestures of love.
" He turned to the camera, prepping his sound bite.
"What Zephyron proclaims and does are two different things.
" After pausing, he continued. "Many in the empire, including our Human friends, say the same. "
"I'm so glad you brought that up," said the reporter. "Let's see what other people are saying about Zephyron, the man who gave up his title, wealth, and power to ensure Thomas could stay his mate. Something you were unwilling to do."
I leaned forward as Parker's familiar face appeared on the split screen. He adjusted his glasses before flashing his signature grin.
"Good evening," Parker said smoothly and continued before anyone else could speak.
"Let's clear a few things up, shall we? Thomas isn't isolated.
He's thriving on Sudo with his mate, family, and the Sandari who willingly offered their home.
I've recorded every step of their journey.
Abuse? Please! Zephyron has been nothing but protective and loving.
Something I'm sure anyone with eyes can see and will once we play some preview video from my upcoming documentary. "
Ryan appeared on-screen next, dressed in a suit.
"As CEO of Volardi Industries, I've worked with both Thomas and Zephyron.
They've shown resilience and leadership under immense pressure.
You want facts? I'll give them to you. Thomas went from a background extra to saving Alen, the first Volardi citizen on our planet.
He repurposed a mining suit to rescue several people, and when tragedy came in Hollywood, he stepped up.
If... if Zephyron is abusing him, Thomas has it in him to leave.
The man doesn't need help doing anything. "
I blinked, surprised by Ryan's defense. He'd always been decent, but I didn't think he thought that highly of me.
Parker's video came next. It showed life on Sudo, including the Sandari village, Karel's warm praise, and shots of Dad laughing while chopping wood.
The video ended with a clip of Zephyron sitting beside me, engrossed in The Muppet Movie.
He had sat cross-legged, laughing. "I was in error, my love. This Fozzie Bear is indeed humorous!"
The news anchor smirked. "Quite the monster."
Tydalos' face darkened.
Ryan leaned forward. "It's easy to sit behind a camera and sling accusations, but we caught you in a lie. Last I checked, deceit isn't exactly noble leadership."
"The scribe shows what he wishes."
Parker chuckled, shaking his head. "I'll be glad to release all my videos.
Say the word 'Tidy Bowl,' and it's done.
The camera can't capture what's not there.
I've seen Thomas and Zephyron up close. Day in, day out, while you're splitting your attention across planets and taking care of none.
Their love doesn't look like abuse, and I sure as hell didn't see anyone 'isolated.
' You, though? You're really selling that desperate ex energy, except you never had Thomas, did you? "
The anchor snorted and pressed his lips together before continuing. "You'd better hope you win the next trial, because that's the only way you'll get Thomas now."
Tydalos clenched his jaw, but stayed silent.
On Sudo, I turned to Zephyron as the broadcast faded to black. Solis and Axios stared at one another, communicating silently, but both seemed satisfied with what they saw.
"Well? What's your take?" I asked, still riding the adrenaline rush from watching that smug worm squirm.
Zephyron's lips curved into a smile, his hand firm on my shoulder. "You are my mate, and I am proud of your cleverness. There are many ways to destroy an opponent. You can unnerve, break their composure, and weaken them for the final strike."
"Sounds like there's more?"
His eyes darkened slightly, their violet color reflecting the flickering firelight.
"Your friends have done well, and his 'media victory' is no longer assured.
Tydalos is no longer seen as the obvious choice.
There are whispers from his kingdom of neglected borders and subjects left waiting and wanting.
He sees Earth not as an alliance, but as compensation for a province already slipping from his grasp. Now, he must win."
Zephyron's voice remained even, but there was a quiet steel behind it. "Those were not the eyes of a Sentinel. They were the eyes of a man pushed into a corner. I have worn that expression. Once."
His hand rested gently on my shoulder, grounding me.
"Desperation sharpens instinct, but it can cloud judgment. A man with everything to gain and lose does not think clearly."
Outside, the wind stirred the chimes again, scattering high-pitched notes.
"We shall see which path he takes," Zephyron said quietly. "You may have delivered an early victory."
He looked at our child, then me, his voice softening.
"Do not despair," said Zephyron. "There are possibilities still. We know his mind, and are prepared for it."
He paused, just long enough for the silence to stretch.
"We have each other and a growing family with many friends. We are stronger than before. Let him come."
The grin spread across my face. "Yeah, let him come. We'll be ready."
***