Page 39 of Lacey's Warriors

“It’s hard to explain,” Lacey said, standing with her back straight and her arms at her side, every inch the Warrior, “but easier to show you. If I may?”

“Lord Rell,” Lady Elsin’s pink lips turned down in the faintest of frowns, “what is she talking about?”

“High Congress,” Lord Rell gave them a little bow. “It is far easier to show you Lady Lacey’s gift than to explain it.”

There was more arguing from the High Congress about the safety of such a display, but Lacey remained calm throughout. She also moved closer to Chel and Gwarnon, and her hand would have been brushing his if they were both physically in the same place. He tried to send her a message, but her crystal implant was closed off to him for the moment.

“I swear to you,” Lord Rell said in a loud, clear voice, “that none who remain will be harmed. The nature of her gift is not offensive. But, if you fear for your personal safety, by all means feel free to leave for the duration of Lady Lacey’s demonstration.”

“Well, now I am too curious to leave and be called a coward,” Lady Elsin’s husband said, and just like that, half the Warriors that stood to depart were once again back in their chairs.

“Clever old man,”Chel sent to Gwarnon.“He managed to give those that are truly afraid, and not just hateful of Earth Matriarchs, a reason to stay.”

Lady Elsin nodded to Lady Yanush who held out a graceful hand to Lord Rell. “By all means, please proceed with your demonstration.”

Everyone looked at Lacey, but her gaze focused off to the side, to one of the massive, shiny black guarded doors leading to the High Congress chamber.

When they opened, he stared in shock at the sight of a little girl who was clearly Lacey’s daughter. While the little girl’s hair was currently an all over vibrant purple that matched the streaks in Lacey’s hair, their faces held the same strong, broad features. The little girl’s brown eyes fearfully scanned the crowd until they landed on Lacey.

“Mommy!” the little girl yelled.

Crouching down, the embellishments on her skirt scratching over the stone floors, Lacey held her arms out. “Come here, Jillybean. I want you to meet some people.”

Right away, the little girl ran across the room, the fluffy skirt on her dress changing colors with each step. She was like a bright butterfly as she ran, her smile so like her mother’s that it made Gwarnon’s heart ache. This beautiful little creature was their daughter, and Gwarnon watched in awe as Lacey hugged her tight.

He was so focused on his bride and soon-to-be daughter that it was as if the High Congress and audience had disappeared. It wasn’t until he started to hear the gasps and other sounds of shock that he looked up. Starting with those nearest to Lacey, one by one the members of the High Congress reacted strongly to something he could not see or sense. Some wore stunned looks, while others smiled, and a few had tears rolling down their cheeks. Lady Yanush was one of the later, her tears mixing with an odd, trembling smile as she placed her hand over her heart. Next to her, Lady Yanush’s husband stood and placed a steadying arm around her waist.

Lord Rell, his face and voice softer than Gwarnon had ever seen, turned slowly so he spoke to the High Congress and the audience. “Love. That is how Lady Lacey and Lady Roxy defeated the Hive. When they were mentally linked and Lady Lacey and Lady Roxy were losing to the power of the Hive, Lady Lacey’s last thought was of her family, her daughter, and how much she loved them. Her gift amplified her feelings and projected them, forcing the Hive to feel a mother’s powerful love for her child. As you all know, the Hive is incapable of assimilating or understanding love. The very idea drove the members so insane they committed suicide to end the pain of feeling a mother’s love.”

Lady Yanush whispered a rather crude swear word as Lacey stood with Jillian in her arms, her gaze once again defiant.

At the other end of the table, Lady Elsin nodded, a faint smile still curving her lips. “Only the Hive would consider a mother’s love something to fear. I find there is a certain poetic justice here, the guiding hand of the Lord of Life.”

A scowling Lord Pompour and his Matriarch returned to the table, one of those who’d left out of fear of what Lacey would do. As the other members returned to their seats, the whispers coming from the crowd were loud enough to create an undulating hiss through the massive domed chamber. He could practically feel the gaze of the audience staring at him, even though it was physically impossible. They were more than half the galaxy away, yet that didn’t change the sensation that made the hair on the back of his neck stand up.

Nodding her head to one of the Warriors at the High Congress chamber, Lady Yanush said, “Lord Baildio, can you please share your assessment of Lady Taylor’s gift?”

The look he gave Lacey was kind, and Gwarnon’s tension eased a little as the older Warrior said, “Lady Taylor has the gift for projecting her emotions, as we all felt. It is different from the ability to make someone feel an emotion in that she is sharing her feelings, not forcing others to feel their version of whatever emotion she is giving off. When I felt her love for her child, it was Lady Taylor’s love I felt, not my own, as I have never been a mother.”

This got a few chuckles from the crowd, and even Lacey smiled as Jillian wiggled out of her mother’s arms to stand at her side.

“Thank you for your assessment, Lord Baildio,” Lady Elsin gave Jillian a smile that was warmer than any he’d ever seen. “Little one, it is time for the adults to talk now. Thank you for visiting with us.”

Gwarnon gave Lord Rell an admiring glance, seeing his mentor’s genius in the maneuver. By admitting what she had done, Lacey had taken the focus off Lady Roxy and her much more dangerous gift, giving them a valid reason for having won the fight. With a Truth Speaker in the room, any lies Lacey might have told would have been called out at once. If the High Congress had discovered that Lady Roxy possessed thedreshentah, the chances of her being allowed back on Kadothia would have been much slimmer. Now Lady Roxy would be able to come back to Kadothia without being interrogated about her involvement in the Hive battle.

Lacey knelt and gave Jillian a long hug before she passed her off to a waiting Warrior with red and purple short hair.

After the little girl was gone, Lord Rell moved forward in the circle, his cape shifting like liquid light as he stood before the High Congress. “As I am sure most of you noticed, you didn’t feel Lady Taylor’s emotions as she said goodbye to her daughter. Her mates have taught her the basics of controlling her bond. She has command over her gift and is no danger to Kadothia.”

“That is all fine and well,” Lord Pompour said as he stood with an imperious tilt to his chin, “but the fact still stands that Warrior Gwarnon and Healer Chel broke our laws by going to the Baladium. I am as sympathetic as any other Kadothian male to their plight, but the facts remain that they didn’t know their bondmate was at the Baladium. We have many cases to see today, High Lady Yanush. I move we take a vote on the men’s punishment.”

Lady Yanush reluctantly said, “This is true. No matter the circumstances, or how sympathetic to them I may be, the fact remains that these men broke a high-level law. I will convene with my fellow High Congress members until we come to a decision.”

Turning away from the High Congress, Gwarnon stared at hisalyah, aching to reach out and touch her. He had a million questions, chiefly among them why she abandoned them and why she didn’t contact them to tell them she was all right. He’d been going out of his mind with worry and bitter depression.

“Remember,”Lord Rell sent to him,“do not object.”

Lady Elsin’s cold voice cracked the silence like a whip. “We have come to a decision. Warrior Gwarnon and Healer Chel, your Territory is hereby stripped from your holdings on Kadothia. You may not own land on Kadothia for the term of one hundred years.”

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