Chapter Twenty-Eight
“No.” Kim said, glaring angrily at Wray.
“Kim.” Wray was at his wits end. When he carried her back into their resting chamber she had nearly been asleep, exhausted by her ordeal. He laid her down, covering her with blankets and she gave him the most loving smile as she let her head sink into the pillows, then she saw Yakar… they were now at a standoff.
“No Wray!” Kim sat up, remembering only at the last minute that she was naked under the blanket and grasped it at the last minute. “He doesn’t touch me. He doesn’t look at me. He doesn’t scan me. Nothing!” Her arm slashed down to emphasize the ‘NO’ as her eyes shot angrily to the Healer. She hadn’t forgotten how he had treated her before. How he looked at her or his words. She would be damned if she let him near her now.
“Majesty, I hav e something that will calm her.” Yakar said in that ‘superior’ voice of his. “I can examine her then.”
“Did you not just hear what I said Yakar!” Kim demanded, her voice cracking as her anger grew. “You will not touch me! And don’t talk about me as if I’m not even in the damn room ! I do not need calmed !” she screeched her voice getting even higher. “Try it and you will be the one needing the repair unit!”
Yakar gave her a shocked look, then his eyes hardened and he reached into his bag.
“Wray!” Her eyes shot to his.
“Put it away Yakar.” Wray ordered his eyes never leaving Kim.
“Sire?”
“I said … put… it… away! The Empress does not wish to be treated by you so you will not treat her. Caitir find her some coverings.”
“But sire, I am the Imperial Healer.”
“Not for the Empress.”
“But sire… she needs to be treated. She could be severely damaged.”
“I’ll severely damage you if you keep talking about me like that.” Kim said, doing her best imitation of a ‘Wray’ growl, startling Yakar enough that he jumped.
“Emperor…” Yakar tried again.
“Th ere is another Healer.” The hesitant voice had all three heads turning to find Caitir standing just inside the door.
“What Caitir?” Kim asked, her voice quieting as she looked at her friend.
“There is another Healer you might find acceptable Empress.” Caitir said, her eyes moving quickly from the hard eyes of Yakar to Kim’s questioning ones.
“Impossible!” Yakar claimed. “ I would know. I know all the Healers!”
Caitir ’s eyes moved uneasily back to Yakar.
“Ignore him Caitir.” Kim said, giving the Healer an angry look then gestured her to come closer. “Talk to me .”
Keeping a close eye on Yakar, Caitir moved closer to the bed and the Empress. “His name is Curador, Empress. He is quite old…”
“Curador!” Yakar didn’t try to hide his disgust. “He hasn’t been an active Healer since I was in my training!” Yakar turned to the Emperor. “Sire, you can’t possibly be considering this.”
“Silence!” Wray ordered, giving Yakar a hard look and Yakar’s mouth snapped shut.
“Caitir?” Kim gave her an encouraging look.
“He is quite old Empress, but he is… kind. He lives just outside the walls and treats those Lord Reeve’s Healer refuses to.”
“What do you mean… refuses .” Kim asked and saw Caitir's eyes flash to Wray.
“Answer you r Empress, Caitir.” Wray ordered frowning.
“Yes Emperor.” Caitir looked back to Kim. “Lord Reeve’s Healer only treats members of House Reeve. Those that are not members he refuses.”
“Those like you and Jael.” Kim filled in.
“ Yes, Majesty.” Caitir said, lowering her eyes.
“He’s treated you?” Kim asked.
“Yes.” Caitir said, raising her eyes to Kim but in that simple word, Kim heard a great deal. She heard Caitir’s trust and belief in this male. Something Kim had never thought possible. If Caitir could trust him, Kim knew she could.
“Send for him.” Kim said looking to Wray.
“You will let him examine you?” Wray asked not trying to hide his hope or his surprise.
“As long as you stay with me , yes.” Kim told him.
“I would be no where else.” He told her.
“Emperor!” Yakar started, but with a look, Wray silenced him.
“ Veron!” Wray’s roar, had his Captain coming at a run. “There is a Healer called Curador. He lives outside the walls. Find him. Bring him here. He will treat the Empress.”
“ Yes, Majesty.” Veron responded, then immediately left to fulfill his Emperor’s order.
“Sire!” Yakar tried again , he had to make him understand. “Curador isn’t qualified to treat a member of House Reeve let alone House Torino!”
“That is not your decision , Yakar. The Empress decides who treats her and you are not it.”
“But sire … she is female .” Yakar spit out the word as if it was a disease that he might catch.
“Leave Yakar!” Wray ordered angrily , tired of the male's attitude towards Kim. “While you still can.”
Yakar paled at the Emperor’s threat and with a n angry glance at Caitir and Kim, backed out of the room.
∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞
Curador stomped angrily through the halls of House Reeve escorted by four, four warriors, as if he were some unworthy male! And he still didn’t know why he’d been summoned.
There was no respect between him and Lord Reeve. Curador thought he was a blight on what was once an honorable House but then he’d thought that of Lord Reeve’s manno too. Therefore, it wasn’t a surprise.
Curador had been a confidant and friend to Lord Reeve's manno's, manno Lord Shan and his trusted Healer. Shan had been a fit and worthy male, but his first male… he was so idiotic that he gave his first male the name of his House, Lord Reeve Reeve. Idiot!
“This way.” One of the warriors said, gesturing towards the guest quarters instead of Lord Reeve’s chambers.
Curador had had enough and stopped in the middle of the corridor. “Where are you taking me?” He demanded and gave the warrior who ran into his back a disgusted look.
“ It does not matter,” one of Lord Reeve’s warriors started, glaring angrily at the old male.
“The Emperor demands your presence.” Veron interrupted and Curador finally took a good look at the insignia on that warrior’s chest. It was the Emperor’s insignia!
“The Emperor is here? On Vesta? He is in need of a Healer?” Curador was shocked. How had he not heard this?
“Yes and he is waiting.” Veron told him.
“Then move!” Curador ordered shoving the warriors in front of him aside. “What are you standing there for? He demanded.
Veron couldn’t believe the gall of this aged Healer, but he said nothing. One who had lived this long would be shown respect. Even if Veron wasn't sure he deserved it. Was the Emperor sure he wanted this male treating the Empress?
Curador ignored the warriors standing in the outer chamber and move directly to the closed door of the resting chamber. His stride, showing none of his age as he shoved the door open.
∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞
Kim was shocked by the appearance of Healer Curador. Caitir had said he was old and while his red skin seemed to be slightly faded and his face was a mass of wrinkles, he still stood tall and proud, his hair was still jet-black, although it did seem to be thinning.
“You have need of me sire.” Curador said, bowing slightly and in his voice, Kim finally heard his age. It was rough and rumbled as if it had been tumbled over rough rocks and finally worn down.
“ Not me.” Wray corrected. “My Empress needs treating.”
“Empress?” Curador hadn’t heard that either and his eyes flew to the two females in the room. The one standing, he recognized as Caitir, obviously not the Empress so he turned his eyes to the female in the bed and didn’t even try to mask his shock.
“ Hello.” Kim said quietly and while she felt Curador’s eyes running over her, taking in everything at once, she felt no slight or insult, as she had with Yakar.
“Hello.” Curador replied without thinking.
“She needs to be treated Curador.” Wray said his patience at an end. “Now!” He ordered.
At the Emperor’s order, Curador immediately stepped towards the bed, pulling out his repair unit, then he paused to really look at the female. At first, he thought her to be a very young Tornian and had, for a moment, thought Wray was following the Emperor Lucan's path but now he could see she wasn’t Tornian at all.
“You ’re not Tornian.” He said shocked. She couldn't be the Empress unless she was Tornian.
“No. ” Kim said softly, meeting his stare directly. “I’m not.”
“What species are you?” He demanded, ignoring protocol that said he should be addressing his question to the Emperor. He was too old to worry about protocol.
“Human.” Kim told him.
“I have never heard of your kind before.” He said gruffly, then his eyes widened and shot to the Emperor. "You have found compatible females..." He whispered, knowing that could be the only reason he would take her as Empress.
"That does not matter!" Wray growled. "Treat her!"
" But, sire! I do not know if such a treatment would harm her or the offspring she carries.”
"I'm not pregnant." Kim told him quietly.
"What?" Curador's head whipped back to Kim. "Preg... what is that"
"With offspring ." Kim told him. "On Earth, we say the woman is pregnant. I am not and it's doubtful I ever will be." Kim gave Wray a regretful look.
"I told you that does not matter Kim." Wray said, moving to sit next to her on the bed, gently cupping her cheek. "I only want you." Turning hard eyes on Curador, he continued. "Kim was taken from her home world by the Ganglians. She was treated with the deep repair unit. It caused no harm. Now treat her!"
“ The Ganglians!" Curador spat out the word then turned stunned eyes to her realizing what that meant. Understood what the Emperor wasn't saying. How could someone so small, so fragile looking have survived that?
"I'm tougher t han I look." Kim told him, seeing the horror that filled Curador’s eyes and the sympathy. She had seen neither in Yakar's.
"You would have to be." Curador said , finding he was starting to respect this little female. Lifting his scanner, he began. "So how may I be of assistance to you Empress?"
"She fell into the river." Wray spoke for her. "She was not breathing for several minutes."
"What!" Curador nearly dropped the scanner.
"I wasn't breathing?" Kim asked, looking at Wray in surprise. "You didn't tell me that."
"I do not like to think of it little one." Wray said running a gentle knuckle along her cheek.
"Why was she ever allowed near the river after last night's storm?" Curador demanded his eyes full of condemnation. All females should be protected from harm as far as he was concerned. Tornian or not. That this one had not protected was an insult to all males.
"I was chased there." Kim spoke up trying to stop the battle she saw brewing between the two males.
“Chased?” Curador’s confused eyes returned to her. “Chased by who?”
“Fala and Gyula.”
“Fala and Gyula!” Curador spat, his expression hardening. “Two more unworthy males you’ll ever meet.”
“If you felt that way about them w hy didn’t you report it when they applied to my guard!” Wray demanded.
“Who would have paid attention to the opinion of an old Healer that his Lord doesn’t even recognize?” Curador countered refusing to back down. “You only ever consider the Lord’s opinion. He’s not going to tell you truth. He wants his House represented in Torino.”
Wray was silent and considered what Curador had said. He wasn’t wrong. Wray relied on his Lords to tell him who the most worthy were. He knew some would overstate a warrior’s qualification… but to outright lie… that he had never considered. “Perhaps you are right, but that no longer matters as they are no longer a threat.”
“You’ve sent them to Daco?”
“Yes.”
“Good.” Curador turned his attention back to Kim, who’d been following the conversation with wide eyes and his expression softened. “So where are you hurting, young one?”
Kim gave him a small smile, liking how he stood up to Wray but was still respectful and realized why Caitir liked him so much. “My throat's a little sore.” She told him.
“ Hmm.” Curador looked at her sharply as he ran the unit over the area and realized her throat had to be more than a ‘little’ sore. “Let’s see if I can’t fix that.”
It only took seconds for the rawness in Kim’s throat to disappear and she smiled at Curador. “That’s much better. Thank you.” She said her voice back to normal.
“You are very welcome Empress. ” Curador said, giving her a steady look. “You were very lucky the water was so cold.”
Kim nodded, understanding what he was saying. The coldness of the water had slowed her body’s need for oxygen and allowed her to live.
Curator moved on, speaking as he went. “Now I’ll just scan the rest of you to make sure there isn’t anything else.”
Kim held Wray’s hand, quietly watching Curador as he scanned her. Every now and then , he would make a sound and adjust the scanner. He was starting to remind her of a big, gruff, old teddy bear.
“ Are any of your offspring, Healers?” Kim asked quietly and Curador’s eyes shot up to hers.
“What?” he asked.
“Your offspring. A re they Healers too?”
“I have no offspring.” Curador told her gruffly.
“I… but why?”
“ Because I was never able to attract a female.” Curador told her shortly, his eyes hardening before they returned to the scanner, but not before Kim saw the flash of pain, he tried to hide.
She hadn’t meant to hurt him. She had been trying to give him a compliment. He was such a warm, caring male under his gruff exterior. She would have never even considered that a female wouldn’t choose him. Reaching out she gently gripped his wrist.
“I’m sorry. ” She said, hoping he would believe her. “I’m new to this world and still have a great deal to learn. I never meant… you have been very kind to me and I just assumed…”
Curador looked at the female and saw the honest regret in them. She hadn’t been slyly trying to insult him, as a Tornian female would. She hadn’t been questioning his worth. She truly believed him to be worthy and fit enough to have offspring. He found his throat tightening at the thought.
“It is for the best.” He forced the words past his lips. It is what he had always told himself. “I doubt I would have been a very good manno.”
“I don’t.” Kim ’s response was immediate. “If you can be this caring for someone you’ve just met, then you would be wonderful with your own offspring.”
“I… thank you Empress.” Curador said and felt his skin darkening as he looked back to his scanner.
Wray silently watched the exchange between Kim and Curador and realized Kim had surprised and charmed the old male with her honesty and caring. Just as she had his warriors with her treatment of Damir. None of them were used to a female acting this way, but it felt right.
“Are you hungry Kim?” Wray asked suddenly realizing just how late it was.
“A little.” She told him
“Caitir,” Wray looked to Caitir who was still quietly standing next to the bed. “Would you please inform Veron that food needs brought up for the Empress ?”
“Liquids only.” Curador cut in. “Some of the cook ’s sicin soup would be best. Not too hot and several slices of bread smothered in mansikka preserves.” He ordered frowning at his scanner.
Caitir looked to the Emperor who just nodded before responding. “Right away.” She said and started to hurry away when the Emperor's voice stopped her.
"Find a covering for her first." He said . If his Kim was going to be eating, he wanted her properly covered.
Caitir quickly did as the Emperor requested and helped the Empress into the night covering then hurried out of the room.
“You said the Empress had been scanned and treated before ?” Curador’s eyes went to Wray.
“Yes.”
“And there was nothing unusual in the scans?” He asked.
“No. Yakar would have mentioned it if there had been. Why?” Wray demanded.
“May I see them?” Curador asked instead of answering.
Wray stared at the Healer for several moments wondering what he wasn’t saying.
“Please sire, it would be very helpful. ”
“Is something wrong?” Kim asked.
“No Empress. I would just like to make a comparison to be sure.” He told her gently.
“Yakar .” Wray said talking into his comm. “Come in here and bring your scanner.”
Within seconds , Yakar was striding through the door a smug look on his face. “I knew you would come to your senses sire.”
Curador watched the Empress stiffen as Yakar a pproached. She didn’t even try to hide her dislike for the male.
“Give Curador your scanner.” Wray ordered.
“What?” Yakar looked at him stunned.
“Are you deaf male ?!!” Curador demanded as he spun around grabbing the scanner from Yakar’s hand. After punching a few buttons, he tossed it back. “Now leave. I won’t have you upsetting the Empress.” Curador told him, then turned his attention to his own scanner.
“I… what… You…” Yakar was stunned not only was he still not treating the Empress, but that this… male thought he could order him out.
“Yes Yakar , leave.” Kim echoed not even trying to hide how much she was enjoying the way Curador was treating him.
Yakar looked at the Empress and saw her smirk. A smirk! She was smirking at him? Him! He felt his anger grow. Who did this little, non-Tornian female, think she was. He was the Imperial Healer.
Wray watched the exchange between Kim and Yakar and knew something had to change here. Kim would never accept Yakar so another Healer would need to be found. He would not have her at risk. He watched Kim smile at Curador and realized the decision had already been made.
“Emperor.” Yakar’s voice brought Wray’s eyes back to him.
“You may leave Yakar.”
“But…”
“Leave!” Wray roared. He was done dealing with this male.
“ Yes, sire.”
Curador’s eyes went from the Emperor to the Empress unable to believe what the scanner was telling him.
“What is it Curador?” Kim asked, tightening her grip on Wray’s hand. “What’s wrong?”
“You said Yakar discussed these scans with you ?" Curador directed his question to Wray. “That he found nothing unusual?”
“Yes.” Wray told him.
“Any damage caused by the Ganglians was repaired?”
“Yes.” Wray bit out again.
“And there was no evidence that they had bred her.” Curador cringed slightly as he heard his words and Kim’s gasp. “Pardons Empress.” He said looking at her.
“I…” Kim’s shocked eyes flew to Wray. “I never thought… never considered it possible…” Her eyes filled with tears. “Are you saying that…”
“No!” Curador instantly denied , realizing what she thought. “No Empress! Of course not! Just the opposite.”
“ Then why did you ask!” Wray demanded not liking how pale Kim had become.
“Because I wanted to make sure Yakar had told you everything.” Curador turned gentle, caring eyes to Kim. “In all my years, I have never encountered another species so similar to our own. Kaliszians are very close and still we are unable to successfully Join with them.”
“That’s not true.” Kim argued back with a shaky voice. “You can successfully Join with one Curador. You just aren’t able to have offspring.”
Curador raised an eyebrow at her, realizing she was correct. For Tornians a successful Joining meant the successful presentation of fit and worthy offspring. It wasn’t necessarily the same thing.
“You are correct Empress and looking at the scans Yakar took, he should have realized that the chances were high that you and the Emperor could have offspring.”
“ Just as we could have offspring with Kaliszians, Curador?” Wray fired back angrily. Not liking how he was getting Kim’s hopes up. “That doesn’t mean we will and I don’t care. All I want is Kim.”
“I understand this Emperor, but things have changed.”
“What do you mean?” Wray demanded.
“According to the scan I’ve just done the Empress is with offspring. Your offspring.”
Curador’s words were met with absolute silence as both Kim and Wray just looked at him. Curador couldn’t help but chuckle at the stunned expressions on their faces.
“Congratulations.” He said.
“There’s no doubt that…” Kim turned fearful eyes to Curador worried about what he had said before.
“It is the Emperor’s, Empress. A thousand pardons that I could for even a moment have made you doubt that. I was trying to reassure you that it wasn’t possible, not the opposite. You have not been with offspring long, a week at most.”
“Wray?” Kim looked at him and found his eyes glued to her.
Wray couldn’t believe it. His Kim was with offspring? He wanted to roar it to the stars, but then another thought struck. “Is she at risk?” Wray demanded of Curador his eyes never leaving Kim.
“There is always a risk sire.” Curador told him, frowning. “Especially since this is the first offspring between a Tornian and a human.” Curador now understood his Emperor’s concern, it wasn’t because he didn’t care, it was because he cared so much. “She will need to be closely monitored as she is so much smaller than our females, but otherwise I see no reason for her and the offspring not to be fit.”
“You will accompany us to Tornian.” Wray stated, not bothering to ask. “You will be the Empress’ personal Healer.”
“It would be my honor Emperor.” Curador said, giving him a slight bow. “But what about Healer Yakar?”
“The Empress does not care for him,” Wray said looking to Kim. “So he will not treat her.”
“Thank you Wray.” Kim said, leaning over to kiss him, shocking Curador.
“You don’t need to thank me for caring for you my Kim. Your happiness is all that matters.”
“He will not take this well.” Curador warned quietly.
“ He will have to adjust.” Wray said dismissively.
“ Yes, sire.” Curador said and found a smile breaking out across his face. “This news will be celebrated throughout the Empire.
“Wray…” Kim said, her eyes turning uncertain.
“What is wr ong my Kim?” Wray asked, frowning. “Are you feeling ill?” He shot concerned eyes to Curador.
“No. I just…”
“What my Kim?” Wray slid closer cupping her cheek with one hand. “You can tell me anything. You know that.”
Taking a deep breath, Kim just spit it out. “I don’t want anyone to know I’ve conceived. Not yet.”
“What? ” Wray gave her a confused look. ”Why?”
“I…” Kim looked at him, not sure how to explain. “I just want there to be something that’s ours… at least for a little while. There’s already been so many questions, so many strange looks. When this gets out… we don’t even know if it will be healthy… fit.”
“My scan shows the offspring ha s no defects Empress.”
“You can tell that? Already?” Kim asked, her eyes wide.
“ Yes, Empress.” Curador said, smiling indulgently.
“You still don’t want anyone to know.” Wray’s eyes never left Kim and he could tell he was right. “You want time to adjust.”
“Yes. Is that okay? ” She gave him a beseeching look. “Am I asking too much? I know what this means to you… to your people.”
“ To our people and no you aren’t asking too much my Kim. It is never too much if it is what makes you happy.”
Curador looked at the couple on the bed in shock. Did they really mean to keep this a secret? They needed to find the Empress’ home world. Needed to see if more females were available because he had no doubt that this was the fir st of many successful Joinings.
Yet looking at them , he saw something he has never seen between a male and female before… true affection and caring… they spoke to each other not at each other. They discussed things and they… touched. He has never seen this before and seeing it now, he realized it wasn’t his place to question their decision. His place was to make sure the Empress and her offspring remained healthy.