Epilogue

Annika had picked her favorite dress, the blue velvet with the lace-trimmed sweetheart neckline and the full skirt. It was perhaps a bit childish, but she knew it highlighted the color of her eyes. How she looked mattered in particular, given that she was about to meet the rest of her hive. Mackie had braided her hair in the perfect Elsa style. She felt beautiful and, for some reason, that was important today of all days. No, not some reason. She knew why. She was meeting the last of her drones and she wanted them to see her at her best for this first meeting.

Her fathers stood beside her in the middle of the living room, both looking quite fetching in black pants and shirts, like matching book-ends. She couldn’t wait for them to make her a sister. With their similar coloring, they would create a queen far more traditional than she. That would be good. She wanted her hive to be happy and settled, whatever that took. It was sweet the way her fathers both acted as if she were in need of protection. That day would come eventually but not now. The males arriving from the garage at any moment would pledge their devotion to her. She would know if they were sincere or not, just as she had with the hybrid, Bran. And as with that male, any traitors would reveal themselves. They wouldn’t be capable of hiding it for long. Then her fathers would, as they’d already done, shield her from harm.

Father Damien leaned closer to her. “I bet you really feel like Elsa now, huh?”

She tried to frown at him but knew she missed the mark. Even after such a short time, she had grown very fond of him. They were often silly together, and better yet, Father Damien had the ability to get Papa to join in. Since they’d become a couple, happiness had entered into Papa’s life in ways that she could never provide. She would be eternally grateful that the human had not only accepted their alien culture, but he’d also embraced it.

“Do you think I’d freak everyone out if I broke into Let It Go?”

“That depends on how well you can sing it, sweetheart.”

“Papa! Was that a joke?” He winked at her. “Father Damien has made his mark, I see. I like it,” she added with her own wink.

Oh, this is what they’d lacked all these years—simple joy and the ability to find it even in the worst of circumstances.

“They have arrived,” the captain said to the room at large. Everyone was milling about, as if unable to keep still. Only she and her fathers appeared calm. “Val is bringing them in now.” That stopped everyone in their tracks. They all concentrated on the elevator doors leading from the garage, and a minute later, they opened.

They came in trailing the warrior—Val, three males, two human mates and two hybrids. They were loaded with bags, a testament to how they were prepared to stay for however long it took. Annika sincerely hoped that it wouldn’t take long. She was not a Queen who would require her hive to stick close to her. When it was done and her plan for Earth was in motion, these men could make their home anywhere they wanted. It would be helpful, in fact, that they had already spread out and established roots in various places. They and their families were the seeds of her hive.

One of the humans and his offspring had lovely dark skin, demonstrating that the blending of their species would produce interesting beings who were perhaps better than either of them separately. This was her hope for the future.

They all approached and formed a semi-circle in front of her, the humans and the hybrids being guided by their males. As one, they dropped their bags, then went onto their knees, hands clasped in front of them, heads bowed. It was all perfectly respectful and sent a thrill through her. The boy with the skin like milk chocolate sneaked a peek at her, mischief in his eyes. She wanted to look stern, yet she couldn’t help smiling.

These hybrids would make excellent consorts when the time came. And it would, sooner than anyone knew.