Page 72 of Twins for the Barbarians

“We’ll have to figure something out,” Helios says, “something that’ll help us get the women out of there safely. And then, we’ll have no choice but to annihilate the Sky Tribe altogether. Otherwise, they’ll keep at this madness at the expense of your species.”

“We’re not there yet,” Kharo tries to assure me. “We’ll handle that when we need to..”

Yet. That’s the keyword.

Yet.

Epilogue II

Alicia

My happiness is a bit of a mixed bag these days.

While I take pride and joy in being a mother while also continuing to do my work as an anthropologist, the worst-case scenarios we’ve been foreseeing for the past few months are starting to inch closer and closer to a potential reality.

I’ve found love here and built a wonderful family. I’m loved by two handsome and fierce warriors who treat me like I’m the center of their universe, but the civil war rages on. We have no one on the other side who’s willing to listen to us or accept that there are other, better ways to end this.

Rey and Hyx are two months old now, and our affairs with the outside world no longer allow me to spend most of my time at home with them. My heart is heavy and anxious as I leave them in Amber and Cynthia’s care—I trust them. Obviously, I trust them more than I trust anyone else. I just wish I didn’t have to leave my kids in the first place, even if it’s just for a couple of weeks.

But Opal City has summoned us. And in these trying times, we must show up for our allies.

It’s been a while since I’ve been here. Anticipating our arrival, Solomon’s widows temporarily deactivated the labyrinth’s deadly defenses, allowing us clear passage. I reach the city gates with Helios and Kharo by my side. We’re greeted by a convoy of Kreek warriors and queens’ guards, then escorted through the city in a silent and respectful procession.

I do like what I’m seeing, though.

“They’ve fortified the tower defenses,” Helios notices as we make our way across the main square, the palace rising ahead with its obsidian-plated walls and gilded windows. Yossul says they mounted long-range automatic laser rifles up there, each capable of shooting down a jet in mid-flight.

“They’ve also renovated some of the buildings,” I say, allowing myself a hopeful smile. “I appreciate that the people are so devoted to protecting and improving their life here despite the turmoil going on outside.”

“What other choice do they have?” Kharo asks. “They never struck me as the types to give into despair. And neither should we, Alicia.”

We’re not getting any closer to finding those starships. Next week, the bells will ring at midnight on the first day of spring for Sunna, marking the beginning of a new year. We haven’t found any new supply routes, either, and Kreek intel hasn’t yielded any new information from the Sky Tribe’s comms channels for over two weeks.

I thoroughly loathe this silence. It fills me with dread and uncertainty. I am, however, lucky to have Helios and Kharo close and always ready to soothe my frayed nerves with words of comfort and countless hours of lovemaking.

Once we reach the top of the palace’s front steps, its magnificent doors open wide for us.

Sarin, Neya, and Leela come out to greet us. They’ve traded their mourning robes for vibrant green and yellow silk dresses again; each of their heads is adorned with the golden crown of a reigning monarch. Sarin’s bears diamonds and emeralds, while Neya’s and Leela’s are favored with pearls and rubies, respectively.

I smile and bow politely, following the city’s newer tradition of greeting the queens. “May the suns bathe you in their glory and golden light, Your Graces.”

“May the moons light your paths at night,” Kharo adds.

“And may the city’s walls keep you safe from every peril,” Helios says. “It is a pleasure to see Your Graces again. Allow me to say you all look fantastic. Leadership suits you well.”

Sarin laughs lightly. “Please, do not flatter us, Helios. You and your brother surely know we’re barely hanging by a thread.”

“It can’t be that bad,” I say, giving them a worried look.

“My sister likes to be a little dramatic,” Neya interjects. “It’s hard, I’ll admit. Too many things to do, too little time. Our husband delegated most of his duties to us, but now we have to cover his roles as well. Turns out ruling a kingdom isn’t the smooth sailing we’d hoped it would be, especially when our subjects are constantly worried about a potential Sky Tribe invasion.”

Helios, Kharo, and I exchange confused glances.

“Forgive me, Your Graces, but we haven’t received word that Opal City was even on their radar,” I say.

“Maybe not, but it doesn’t ease every mind in our care,” Leela sighs deeply. “The people are afraid despite our reassurances. That’s not why we’ve asked for you, however.”

“We came as soon as we could,” Helios replies. “Might I ask what this is about? You didn’t wish to divulge any information through the secure comms channel.”

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