Page 69 of The Monster's Mate

Amos smiles kindly at his wives and they head off with Samantha and Leslie.

People are mingling much more freely this time.

“I brought you to Lucy and Skiden because they’re going to be working with the new prophet of the commune here. I figure you should all get to know each other,” River says.

“Any word about what he’s like?” Amos asks.

“Tessa met him,” I say. “We stopped by their village on our way here. The main portal is right on their beach and I guess Mikhail had brought him for a visit. She said he was very honorable and a nice guy. She’s a good judge of character.”

“She always was,” Amos says. “I hope she’s happy?”

I smile. “She has it all. Two best friends who are now her sisters, a devoted mate, an adorable little boy, and she’s pregnant again. Oh, and she’s a princess.”

He smiles and it’s happy and sad at the same time.

“What about the old prophet?” Skiden asks him, like he wants to change the subject. “How’s he feel about a new one stepping in?”

“Didn’t you hear? Prophet Josiah met his maker last month.”

“Oh! No, I hadn’t heard.”

In my ear, Skiden whispers, “Wonder which maker that was.”

I suck in a breath so I don’t laugh because this is a serious conversation that Amos is continuing with.

“Turns out, his brides weren’t provided for like some thought. That’ll be one of the new prophet’s first duties, dealing with what to do with thirteen brides, plus the retired crew.”

“Maybe the retired wives can teach?” I murmur. “While the younger ones might want more schooling. Or the chance to do something physical.”

“I think those are the ideas the prophet needs to hear,” Amos says. “Both Duke and Donald are in separate prisons. Just in time for all of the milk farms to be abolished. Even the last few that lingered at the prisons.”

“How are Donald’s wicked wives?” I ask in a low voice, knowing that River’s curious too.

She gives me a grateful wink.

Amos leans in and speaks quieter. “Gone. Sold his gold and diamonds and didn’t share anything among the community. Didn’t want to remain a family unit any longer. All three went their separate ways. I think that’s why the rest of the commune here is so open to suggestion, so willing for change. They saw how they had to share when they had any profit, but Donald himself was hording his own riches and his wives didn’t bother to think of anyone else in need. They were gone overnight.”

“Well, we can build up the farmlands,” I say, squeezing Skiden’s hands where they sit around my waist. “We met another clan at our last gathering. The Soans. I think they’d be willing to come to Earth.”

“That’s where I help out,” Amos says. “I’ll trade ideas with them, get to know them, learn about the cultural differences between our people. I’ll be the bridge between human men and them.”

“You might want to visit Eden, the city annexed from the government. The Britonians have set up farmlands, and a lot of the Adroki clan stay there,” Skiden says.

Amos nods. “I’ll do that.”

Epilogue

One Year Later

Lucibel:

My name’s been changed on Earth, legally. Back to what it was originally, the name given to me by my mother. Lilaina tracked down her friends and found out what it was.

Lucibel Marquis.

Though, these days, I’m simply called Lucy-my-love by a crazy alien I just adore. Skiden, who I once thought was a teen, is my whole world.

Isabel’s daughter, Vixie, was born and she’s the sweetest little thing. Bronan dotes on his females and has gotten Isabel pregnant again. Another girl, according to the medic, Calbin.

---