Page 59 of Claimed By Brothers

“We defeated Umok,” I reply. “We’ll crush anybody who tries to destroy our peace.”

I gently touch her belly, almost feeling the life growing inside her. It fills me with newfound hope and energy—the kind of energy that makes me want to move mountains and drain entire oceans if that’s what it takes for us to be safe and happy.

“We’re going to do everything in our power to keep you and the little ones joyous and healthy, thriving and building a better future. Because the future belongs to them. To Valen, and to this tiny thing in your womb.”

I kiss her again, putting all my love into this simple yet meaningful gesture. Her lips are warm and soft, her heart thudding against mine. I hold my brother tight for a while, too, reaffirming my unwavering love and devotion toward him. We need each other now more than ever. I don’t know how it will all turn out, but I am starting to notice the doubt in Amber’s friends. It’s growing with each passing minute as they realize they’ve just won a battle against seemingly unbeatable foes.

The bigger picture is coming into focus for Alicia, Cynthia, and Jewel.

And it’s not a pretty one if they’re still intent on going back to Earth.

I think they know now that the troubles will follow them there.

28

Amber

Once the Sky Tribe bodies are buried and the Fire Tribe fighters who were injured are ready for transport, we make our way back to the Sun River Plateau. It takes a while to get everybody across the river, but we manage. Safely home, we let the townspeople of the Mal and Hadana clans take the wounded fighters away to the medical huts where Cynthia, Alicia, and Jewel help clean wounds and change the dressings where needed.

It’s a slow and laborious process that lasts well into the morning, but once that’s done, we’re able to gather in the town square for a council meeting. The leaders of the Fire Tribe clans have stuck around, so a battle plan can be drawn for the future. Kai and Maur of the Hadana clan, Helios of the Tallas clan, Fadai and Yossul of the Kreek clan, along with many others join Binzen and Izzo around the massive campfire while the townspeople bring food and drinks for everybody.

I’m famished, so I spend the better part of an hour devouring enough meat, dried fruits, and honey water to feed two people—which is pretty accurate considering my pregnancy. At the same time, I’m listening to the leaders’ conversation as they try to figure out the next steps. Above us, the twin suns rise proudly and brightly with the promise of new but uncertain days ahead.

“Umok wasn’t the last to attempt this,” Binzen says. “We all know more commander generals will look to the sky for a solution to our problem.”

“And I should ask you again, why must we interfere?” Helios asks with a raised eyebrow. “More women for the Sky Tribe would mean more women for us, as well, regardless of where they’re from.”

Cynthia steps in, drying her hands with a towel after a thorough wash. She’s just finished tending to the last of the injured in our camp. “It’s not right,” she announces. “They’re not your women. We’re not your women. It’s not right for one civilization to plunder the other for this. You all keep droning on about how you’re better than the Sky Tribe, but something tells me you just want them to do the hard part for you. What if it was our people coming to take yours?”

Kharo, one of the Tallas tribesmen and a close friend of Helios nods in agreement. “She’s right, Helios. As much as we want to save our species, the fire of Sunna has always guided us in the better direction. It’s why we all built our Fire Tribe around it. Were it not for the repeated interferences of the Sky Tribe, we would’ve made greater strides in saving our species. They’re the ones who keep pushing the boundaries and abandoning all common sense.”

“I didn’t think you’d side with the humans on this,” Helios says, frowning slightly.

But Alicia seems delightedly amused. “Goes to show you there are still plenty of them left with common sense.” Her humor fades as she looks at Helios. “It’s not right, and you know it. Our civilization is different. Our defense systems are extremely aggressive. Sunna may have a handful of starships to use for rounding up our women, but don’t think for a second that Earth won’t have a response to such impunity. Technologically and economically speaking and despite your starships, we have nuclear weapons and fighter jets that can cause irreparable damage. The last thing we need on Earth is the idea that there are aliens out there who want to take our women.” She waits until he looks in her eyes. “Don’t be stupid, Helios. We could benefit from each other’s support, instead.”

“What do you mean?” Helios asks.

Jewel exhales sharply. “We know enough about our planet to help avoid a future war. And Cynthia knows enough about the medical field to help you folks develop a cure for the plague before the last of your women die. It may take a while, but we could work something out. Something that’ll keep Sunna away from Earth, at least for the time being.”

“If we’re to make true contact, it must be done correctly, peacefully, and politely,” Cynthia adds. “We are willing to do whatever it takes to help your species survive, provided you help us keep Sky Tribe away from Earth until a victor emerges at the end of this war.”

I give the girls a curious look. “Are you saying what I think you’re saying?”

“I guess,” Cynthia replies with a heavy sigh. “If anybody can do something to prevent this entire situation from escalating into an interstellar disaster, it’s us. We know what’s on the other side, and the Fire Tribe warriors know what the Sky Tribe is capable of. We need to put our heads together and nip this in the bud. Otherwise, it’ll lead to nothing but death and destruction, probably for both species.”

“On Earth, many of us dream of the day we’ll meet people from other star systems,” Alicia adds. “Most of the stories we’ve made up about it speak of alien invasions, of destruction, death, and colonization. We can’t let our first real contact turn into a horror story. We’re here and going back to Earth is too dangerous an endeavor for us to try at this point in time. So we’ve decided to stay, to fight alongside you and help you find peace and prosperity again.”

“We’re gonna have to get our hands dirty,” Jewel warns us.

Izzo gives her a cool smile. “You’re a capable strategist, Jewel. Your little tips and tricks have already given us a competitive edge. We can keep working together and plan future campaigns in a way that sees us earning a much-deserved victory. In return, you will always have our unwavering support and loyalty, and with a little bit of luck, you’ll build a family of your own here, too.”

“Let’s not get too far ahead of ourselves,” Jewel mutters, running a hand through her long, brown hair. She’ll spend half a day in the steam caves to get the dirt and the dried blood off, but at least we have them at our disposal. “Let’s focus on the next few weeks. We need to not only build stronger defenses but also to organize incursion missions behind enemy lines.”

“What for?” Fadai of the Kreek clan asks, his red gaze intently fixed on hers.

I’m sensing interest there, but it is far too early to tell. Besides, Jewel has yet to cozy up to the Sunnaites—not at the level I have, anyway. I do wonder what kind of family she’d have here. What would her children be like? What role would she ultimately play in their society?

“To make sure none of those starships ever make it back to Earth again,” Jewel says, “let the four of us be the only earthlings living on Sunna. Don’t let this happen to anyone else, and your future generations will regard you as heroes. You will have prevented an interstellar war. You’ll have brought peace back on Sunna, too. But you need to pick a side here. You can’t benefit from the Sky Tribe’s actions while also advocating for following in the path of Sunna’s inner fire. Even I’m smart enough to understand it’s not right or logical.”

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