Page 33 of Lacey's Warriors

“No, I am sorry, you see—Orushel is my blood brother, and I tend to be a little defensive on his behalf.”

Surprised, she cocked her head, trying to imagine the much younger looking Wythe in a relationship with the older and nice, if a bit gruff, Orushel. “I am guessing he works for Lord Rell as well? Or did he just assist you because you asked?”

The dimple popped in Wythe’s cheek as he smiled. “Correct. Lord Rell is like…what is that song your daughter loves and makes me sing over and over with her? Ah, yes— Lord Rell is much like a spider. He has a vast web of resources and is always spinning plots within plots. Anything that happens in the Bel’Tan Galaxy eventually gets caught up in his web.”

All her interest in Kadothian politics fell away as she smiled at him. “You know Jillian?”

The corner of his eyes crinkled as he grinned. “I do. I am one of her personal guards on Kadothia. She is a very bright spirit, spreading happiness wherever she goes. She is a joy.”

Maternal pride glowed through Lacey as she smiled. “She was fussy as a baby, and for the first two months, she seemed to barely sleep. But once we got her reflux diagnosed and under control, she’s been nothing but smiles ever since.”

“There is much competition among the men to be a part of her guard. While of course our planet is filled with all kinds of female children from those who have immigrated over the centuries and become citizens, it is exceedingly rare for a Kadothian male to have a female offspring.”

Information about the Hive flashed through her mind, and her stomach clenched. “Because your DNA has been altered to only allow you to produce male heirs.”

“Correct.” Wythe’s sharp face grew grim then lightened again. “So having Lady Jillian in our lives is a rare blessing. Her grandfathers are certainly as proud and full of joy as two malehestraswith their flock of younglings.”

Again, her mind seamlessly supplied the information that ahestrawas a large bear-like creature that walked on two legs instead of four. When the males took the young out of the burrow for exercise, the big male’s chests would puff up, and they would indeed strut around their young. The image made her smile before it faded away.

“Tell me about my mom’s, uh— husbands.” She shook her head, a million questions racing through her brain that her crystal implant couldn’t answer. “Husbands. Shit, I can’t believe she got married! I thought I’d return back to Earth and find her freaking out because I was missing, not ruling a Territory in Kadothia. This is all too crazy.”

“Do not misunderstand.” Wythe gave her a stern look. “Your mother was beside herself with grief. We managed to keep the dire nature of your situation from Jillian, but we were all dreading the moment we had to tell her that you were missing, and you might not come back.”

Tears burned her nose as she hugged herself.

“Ahh, Lord’s Balls,” Wythe said a moment before he gave her an awkward pat on the back. “Do not cry, Lady Lacey.” A strange pulling sensation filled the pit of her stomach as Wythe let out a soft whistle. “We are now in Lady Tara’s Territory and should be arriving momentarily.”

Smoothing her hair and dress, Lacey wished she had a mirror so she could make sure she looked okay. Would Jillian recognize her? Lacey’s face had undergone subtle changes during her transformation. She was definitely taller, and her hair now hit her shoulders instead of her ears. Then again, her daughter had pink hair in the video message, so obviously she’d been taking advantage of the advanced cosmetic technology the Kadothian’s possessed.

Longing and anticipation filled her until all she could do was pace in a small circle, waiting for them to land.

The moment the door leading to the outside opened, she dashed out, momentarily blinded by a bright sunlight that had an odd gold tinge to it instead of blue. Holding her hand up to shield her eyes, she took a brief look around a large landing pad surrounded by what appeared to be giant trees the size of skyscrapers with deep greenish blue and shades of dark purple leaves.

Leaves the size of house.

Her crystal implant tried to supply her with information about Lady Tara Taylor’s Territory, but Lacey shut it down as the most beautiful sound filled the air.

“Mommy!” Jillian cried out from somewhere nearby.

Spinning around, Lacey’s heart leapt as she saw a pink haired Jillian sprinting across the smooth brown stones of the landing area. Ignoring the group following Jillian, Lacey met her daughter in a few steps, easily catching her little body as Jillian threw herself into her arms with a sob. Pure, overwhelming maternal love hit her so hard, she gasped, a strange keening noise coming from her that was a mixture of joy and sorrow.

Dimly, she registered that her daughter wore a pink sparkly dress that matched the pink streaks in her hair, and that the odd white and blue creature from the video was scurrying around her feet making a chirping bark, but it was the feel of Jillian in her arms that utterly absorbed Lacey. They’d been apart for long times before due to deployments, but the homecoming had never been this sweet. She felt like she glowed with love as she rained kisses all over Jillian’s giggling face.

“I missed you, Mommy,” Jillian said as she snuggled close, petting Lacey’s hair. “Your hair looks pretty.”

“So does yours, Jillybean.” Lacey smiled at her daughter’s pink head.

“It matches my dress!”

“It sure does.”

“Mommy?” Jillian asked, putting both her hands on Lacey’s cheeks to make her look right at her, tears filling the little girl’s big brown eyes. “Please don’t go away again, okay? Grandma said you don’t have to go back to your job in the military anymore. That we can stay together now, right?”

“Yes, baby,” Lacey managed to choke out. “I’ll never leave you again.”

Turning her head, she took a deep breath of Jillian’s hair, the usual mango scent of Jillian’s favorite shampoo missing, but the smell beneath was the same. On some deep, primal level her entire being relaxed as she finally held her daughter again. Jillian shook in her arms as she cried, and Lacey startled for a moment as another set of arms wrapped around her, holding her and Jillian both.

She looked up to find her mother, appearing oddly decades younger, giving Lacey a trembling smile.

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