Page 47 of Alokar
My father settled a warm, reassuring hand on my shoulder, giving me a squeeze and a knowing look that conveyed volumes as we watched the two most important women in our lives embrace each other.
Jordan chose that moment to kick me in the ribs, her tiny foot connecting with surprising force as she demanded attention. I responded by pressing a gentle kiss to her velvety, chubby cheek, inhaling that sweet baby scent that always made my heart swell.
“Well, this is certainly an interesting turn of events,” George observed with a mischievous wink, his tone carrying just the right note of playful teasing.
“I’m so happy to meet you,” Daisy gushed, taking Hannah’s face between her hands and bestowing kisses on both cheeks in the human gesture of welcome. Standing together, I noticed they were nearly the same height, though my mate’sframe was leaner and more muscled, while my mother carried softer curves. “How did you two meet?”
Hannah told our story, including the detail of how she’d shot me during our first encounter, a revelation that, surprisingly, sent my mother into peals of laughter rather than horror.
By the time she’d finished, our group had migrated to the small seating area tucked into the corner of the hangar. Hannah perched on my lap, just as my mother did on my father’s and Helene on Duke Ako’s. Before experiencing the kuyaruka, such public displays of affection would have made me squirm with awkwardness. Now I thought there was nothing more perfect in the universe.
Jordan had transferred from my arms into Hannah’s, giggling with delight as my mate cooed to her in soft, melodic tones. I couldn’t suppress the sudden pang in my chest—the sweet knowledge that our own child would be just as adorable, just as cherished and adored as my precious little sister.
“Now that you have served justice upon Yaard, do you plan to return to Kerzak?” Duke Ako asked, his tone carefully neutral but his eyes sharp with interest.
It was a valid question, one that I was finally ready to answer with complete certainty.
“Yes.”
A soft sound of regret escaped my mother’s lips, and I knew she worried about the burden of the throne, especially now that I had a human mate whose safety would always be a concern in the volatile political landscape of my homeworld.
“I will return to Kerzak and assume the throne as king,” I announced, then smiled. “Just long enough to strike down the archaic law that forbids females from ruling.” The gasps of astonishment from everyone made my smile widen with satisfaction. “Vienda is far better suited to rule than I am. She has the patience for politics and the wisdom for diplomacy. Besides, my place is with my mate.” I lifted Hannah’s hand to my lips, pressing a tender kiss to her knuckles. Jordan immediately began pushing her tiny hands toward my mouth, demanding the same attention. I obliged with several smacking kisses on her chubby knuckles before continuing. I cast a somewhat sheepish glance at my father and the Duke. “Hannah and I would like to return to theBardagaand help rescue those that Yaard enslaved.”
We discussed our future during the journey from Earth to theHistoria, exploring every possibility. While I knew Hannah would stand beside me regardless of my choice, her happiness was paramount to my own. Working with the Alliance Rescue Mission would fulfill both our desire to help others and undo any suffering Yaard and others of his kind caused.
“I think that is an excellent plan,” Ako declared, his grin spreading. “Your sister Vienda is already proving herself a wise and fair regent. She will make an even better queen.” He shot my father a teasing glance. “And if theBardagadoesn’t suit your purposes, you always have an open invitation to join theHistoria’screw.”
“Hear, hear,” Captain Adtovar agreed, his approval carrying the weight of professional respect.
“We will accompany you on your journey to Kerzak,” my father announced, drawing an eager nod from my mother. “It will give us the opportunity to get to know our newest family member.”
Hannah’s face practically glowed with happiness, her smile so radiant it could have guided ships through the darkest nebula.
“I’ll provide you with one of my fastest ships for the journey,” Ako offered generously, his tone carrying the casual authority of someone accustomed to making such grand gestures. “But I’m afraid you’ll need to debrief with the Alliance Prime before traveling. We can meet with her after dinner.”
“Of course,” I replied, gently lifting Hannah from my lap and rising to my feet.
“First, let us get you two settled,” Helene insisted, rising gracefully and sharing a conspiratorial glance with my mother. “I know just the perfect suite.”
We left the docking bay, heading along the corridor toward the bow of the ship. Hannah walked by my side, her warmth seeping through the fabric of my shirt where our bodies touched. She belonged there, nestled in the curve of my arm, her heartbeat synchronizing with mine in a rhythm as old as time itself.
My mate.
I had never felt happier or more complete in my entire existence.
Epilogue
Hannah
Despite the stark minimalism of the corridors, our suite was a haven of comfort and warmth. As large as the apartment my dad and I had shared in Seattle and decorated in shades of deep green and rich browns. Tapestries adorning the walls seemed to shift and breathe in the gentle light. Lush carpets made me feel like I walked on clouds. The furniture was large enough for Ewok’s massive frame, but plush and comfortable. Ewok and I had already christened the bed—a massive thing that could have fit four people comfortably—and the velvet couch that faced a viewport showing the star-scattered void. We were about to christen the dining table when his mom stopped by to make sure we were settled and ready for dinner and our meeting with the Prime.
Daisy showed me how to work something called a fabric replicator. An ATM-looking machine that could materialize an entire wardrobe in just a few minutes. While jeans and a T-shirt would always be my go-to, to meet the leader of the known universe, I’d opted for a fifties-style, full-skirted dress in a floral pattern of cream and yellow that complemented my tan skin. I wanted to impress, with it being my first dinner aboard ship, and the look of breathless admiration that transformed Ewok’sface the moment he saw me was worth it. I might have to start wearing dresses more often instead of just for funerals.
Funerals.
My heart squeezed, highlighting the small empty chasm that I doubted would ever heal. I missed my dad. I could only imagine the excitement he would have felt at hearing about the turn my life had taken. I had to believe he was out there in the great beyond, smiling down on me with that crooked grin. He would have loved Ewok. I knew that without a doubt. My father would have appreciated the my mate’s quiet strength and fierce protectiveness, as well as how much he loved me.
I suspected he’d like everyone aboard theHistoria. There were several different species aboard, and I was astounded to find how handsome I found most of them—the Aljani with gorgeous pearlescent horns, and the Vaktaire with their warrior bearing and blue-gold eyes—although I found none as handsome as my mate. Of course, there were a few that took some getting used to. The War Chief was a species called Kaelaks, a massive being that made me think of how Orcs were depicted in fantasy films, except with faint scaling on his skin and deep purple, intelligent eyes. Then, of course, there was Rickon. When Ewok told me he looked like the devil, he wasn’t kidding—dark reddish-brown skin that seemed to glow with inner fire, curved horns that swept back from his forehead, and a forked tail that moved with a life of its own. Despite the scary demeanor, he seemed perfectly sweet.
