| |
Planet Etteria
Royal City of Issneen
Xeus’s Office
“What in Alodon’s hell is going on, Cales?” Xeus ended the comm with Supreme Commander Ulriq and a Yithian Commander Pyo. Said Yithian was seeking an alliance for a rebellion against their king, Urio. “We are finding our Dar Eths, have formed an alliance with the Gika, and are assisting in a rebellion against Yithia.“ His body trembled. Each limb tugged downward as if weighted. His inability to find joy or energy thrust a fiery burn of anger along his veins. His impatience and intolerance grew with each passing day. As it was, he spent hours swinging his greatsword, hoping to stave off these volatile emotions. “I now have two daughters, and Maker willing, a new addition to our bonds will soon be announced.”
“Adopting Erox was honorable, but had I been the king, I would have killed her father, Xeus.” Cales stilled mid-typing on his O.D.I. “Such a male does not deserve life.”
“And what if Lady Erox held a little affection for her father?” Xeus shook his head. “I could not in good conscience bring further pain onto her.”
“Hence why you rule and I do not. Lady Ava has done wonders in reviving Lady Erox’s damaged spirit.” Cales flicked through the holographics hovering an inch above his arm.
“She has. I do hope what offspring Oriana births will carry the warmth and fortitude of the humans.”
“You want more offspring?” Cales raised his gaze.
“For Enyl, yes. Oriana’s test results were conclusive. Her human genetics are compatible with ours. It is possible for her to conceive, though the results couldn’t explain their unusual glow.” What had worn him down regarding the longevity of the Etterians had faded upon receiving the confirmation the Ethera would be successful. And yet, there was no relief for him, no ability to breathe easier, to wake up rested.
“Compatibility would mean any Eth with a human Dar Eth may sire offspring. Would you have another if you could?”
Xeus’s breath caught. A crushing pain held his chest captive. To have more offspring? I would, without a doubt, but with the void closing in, the Maker would never grant me such a blessing. “You know my time has gone, Cales.” He cleared his throat.
“What talk is this? You can still bear offspring.” Cales leaped out of the comfy to place his hand on Xeus’s shoulder and held him still, forcing him to meet his matching dark blue gaze. “Remember, I am as young as you. When you succumb to the void, so will I, my battle-bond.”
“That is unjust, Cales,” Xeus said, his voice rising. “You cannot place that responsibility on my shoulders. Remove it.” He threw all his authority behind the words, but it made no impact.
“Why? So, you can cease to fight the void without consequences? I will not.” Cales tightened his grip. “Previous kings did not experience this much change happening at once. None of your ancestors had to endure this, conquer so many obstacles as you, Xeus. Etteria needs you.”
Xeus grumbled his discontent, but he forced himself to admit Cales was correct. He couldn’t allow the void to consume him, not until Etteria was secure on all fronts. Perhaps, Maker willing, he could die on the battlefield in the war with Yithia. He squared his shoulders, refusing to succumb to the dark void threatening to overpower him. To feel is to fail, that was their Etterian creed, and it applied to negative emotions, as well.
“Thank you, Cales.” With a nod, he acknowledged the loyalty his battle-bond displayed. He stepped back, drew in a deep breath, and sank into the comfy behind his desk. “I am pleased that Ladies Jacqueline and Ava are secure. The repercussions of these Yithian incursions we have yet to realize.”
“These females have endured much, my king.” Cales released a long breath. “Lady Jacqueline had to battle a sogair, and Lady Ava was a gift for King Urio and bartered for like a crate of omeika.”
“Truth?” Xeus stilled. “Have you seen this?”
“No, Sub-Commander Nerx mentioned this in a report. He is serving on the Battleship Kushin.”
“Nerx? Tarx’s son?” Xeus asked to which Cales nodded. “His father was an unpleasant male.”
“Nerx commed a sec vid prior to Lady Ava’s teleporting. Interested?” Cales flashed Xeus a cheeky smile.
Xeus grunted and bounded up, striding to the extended display vid. He preferred this larger vid to the smaller one on his desk.
The vid played. A tall, sunlight-haired human female jumped into the shuttle with a blaster held in her hands. Her stance was military and vigilant. Cales paused the vid just as she peered into the camera. Xeus analyzed the features of Ulriq’s Dar Eth. After a few moments of silence, Cales activated the vid and continued until it fell upon a black-haired female who was Kanzo’s Dar Eth. Xeus’s sucked in a breath at the pain on her features, how she held herself tense, keeping her emotions to herself. No one in the shuttle had noticed her stillness. And when she screamed Kanzo’s name, her fear was palpable with her wide and exquisite green eyes.
The human male who had instigated this adventure was as pale-haired as his sister. And in the vid, there were two other females. One was tiny with white-blue hair. She clung to the human male. The other female shivering with fear had red-gold hair and brown eyes.
Protective instincts reared to the fore. A scared female shouldn’t sit well with a warrior, no matter her ethnicity. This shuttle had held two frightened females, and worst of all, none of his males had attended to them.
Xeus activated his O.D.I. and messaged Remi. Xeus needed him to reinforce their creed and the importance of tending to any female. Once done, he returned his gaze to the display vid and the tiny red-haired female.
Victoria, Xeus recalled, was Teric’s Dar Eth. That male now had two females under his protection. He was also the first Etterian intent on living on Earth, with his daughter and Victoria. Xeus had no intention of requesting permission from Earth’s authorities. Let Earth attempt to deny an Etterian male residence, and there would be hell to pay.
Page of 194
