Page 76 of Triplets for the Barbarians

“Eat up,” Kai tells Cynthia as he loads her plate with cheese and biscuits. “That baby needs to grow strong.”

She’s pregnant with her second child, a boy. Kala, their daughter, is thrilled to welcome a baby brother before the hot season ends, and she constantly caresses her mother’s generous baby bump whenever she gets a chance.

“Mommy, what if the baby doesn’t like cheese?” Kala asks.

“Oh, honey, trust me, he loves it,” Cynthia replies, grinning as she practically inhales what’s on the plate and prompting Maur to laugh as he gingerly refills it.

“I don’t like it,” Kala crinkles her nose but lights up like a firebug when Kai presents her with a fruit salad. “Yay, meli melons!”

Amber is quite busy herding her family back to the table, but she’s been getting consistent help from Valen, too—now a strapping young man who gladly fills in for his fathers if they’re busy. Tonight, Izzo and Binzen are hosting this dinner, so they walk around the table, clinking glasses and catching up with each of us.

“I can’t believe we made it,” Alicia sighs, leaning back into her seat. Rey and Hyx, her twins, each sit in their fathers’ laps, eager to try whatever Helios and Kharo are having. They’re both clearly partial to the roasted meats, particularly if they come with that dark brown, heavily spiced glaze on top.

As if able to read my mind, Yossul presents me with a plate of my own. “Thanks, babe,” I tell him, planting a kiss on his cheek before I dig in.

“It was touch and go there for a while, wasn’t it?” Yossul tells Alicia, almost laughing.

“I didn’t think we’d survive the siege,” she says, lowering her gaze for a moment. “They managed to get into the city by the time the message came about the ceasefire. I feared I wouldn’t see my babies again.”

“But here we are,” Helios says, eager to put the whole thing behind them. “It was rough, I know. But we cannot dwell on the past.”

“We can, however, learn from it,” Kharo replies.

“It’s a good thing the law enforcement procedures are a joint effort,” I say.

“Commander Garza has been true to his word, I’ll give him that,” Izzo replies. “By the way, I hear he’s made Opal City his permanent residence.”

“The widows insist on taking a single mate, much like they did with Solomon,” Binzen chuckles.

The guys laugh wholeheartedly at jokes about Garza’s eagerness to repopulate Sunna all on his own dart across the table. It’s banter, mostly, and ever respectful toward the former queens themselves, however.

“I can’t blame Sarin, Neya, or Leela for their choice,” I say. “They built their own traditions in Opal City, and if they have the freedom to do as they please, why not? It’s a new world, a new day.”

“And I’m feeling good!” Cynthia quips with a melodious tune, a song from Earth we used to love so much.

I miss our music, our customs, our movies, and our old lives. Yet what we’ve built here is more than I ever would’ve gotten back home. It’s a strange realm, but I’ve found true love, true happiness. I wouldn’t trade any of this for a free ride to Earth. Hell, I could get paid and still say no. I’m home—right here.

And I’m working up the courage to say something. Something I’ve known for a while and haven’t found the appropriate moment to say. We’ve been so busy, our days heavily loaded with logistical issues.

“New ministers will be appointed this fall,” Izzo declares as he returns to the table.

“Dad will be prime minister,” Valen says, beaming with pride.

“Which one?” I ask, raising a skeptical eyebrow as I look at the Mal brothers.

“Not me,” Izzo chuckles.

Of the two, Binzen has always been more balanced, calmer, quicker to focus on a solution, and smoother at bringing people together. “I’ll be working closely with Garza,” he says. He has already agreed to be my secretary of state.”

“Good. It sounds like a match made in heaven,” Fadai replies, one arm around my shoulders. His body heat ripples outward, filling me with a familiar warmth.

I can’t wait to lose myself between our silken sheets tonight. We’ve been at it like rabbits and still can’t get enough of one another. I’m surprised they haven’t noticed yet.

“Garza’s will be stricter. You’ll be the pacifist. It should work out all right,” Fadai adds.

“What about the military?” I wonder aloud.

Izzo and Binzen exchange lightly amused glances before they look back at us. “Would the Kreek brothers be interested in a joint leadership position for that ministry?” Izzo asks.

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