Atlanta and I exchanged yet another look. Hers said, Is he drunk or something? And mine said, Yes. Very drunk, most likely.
“I think both Atlanta and I would be pleased enough to see the conflict between your forces and those of Generals Kloran and Haelian come to an end,” I said slowly. It was like speaking to a cub—something that I supposed I would need to get used to, given that I would be a father soon enough.
“My sister is, um, mated? To one of the lords who opposes you. I’ve been through…a lot, Your Highness. The greatest gift you could grant me right now is peace for this…country. Planet. Species. Whatever.”
A small smile rose to my lips as Atlanta addressed the king. After living for so long among those who spoke so carefully, the way she spoke was refreshing. She did not mull over her every word the way that I was often forced to. She held nothing back. Whatever came to her mind, she simply said. Incredible.
“Oh, very good! Very good!” King Brixta’s eyes widened in excited delight. “That was, in fact, exactly what I was thinking myself, you know. Guards!”
King Brixta clapped his hands and the doors on the other side of the throne room were opened. Through them several couples marched out—couples that I knew well. General Kloran with his wife Bria, who carried their daughter in her arms. General Haelian and his wife, Sawyer, who was so pregnant she looked like she might give birth at any moment. Nion Kingkiller, who I now shared a certain kinship with given that we had both slain Rutharian kings, and his wife Alyse—and finally, to Atlanta’s delight, her sister Savannah and her mate, Coplan. Leonix, the only Lunarian female among them, followed up behind. She looked far more uncomfortable in her courtly skirt and top than I had ever seen her while in her military uniform, but I supposed that was the price females paid when they visited the palace.
“My forces captured them, you see,” King Brixta explained with a flourishing gesture. “But I am much different from my sister. I did not kill them.”
“We agreed to come here willingly to discuss peace,” Kloran corrected, pinching the bridge of his nose in frustration. “I would hardly call that captured.”
“Captured, willing…” King Brixta waved his hand. “It matters not, does it?”
I opened my mouth to explain to him that actually, it mattered a great deal, but Atlanta shot off at a dead sprint towards the rebels before I could.
“Savannah!”
“Atlanta!”
They threw their arms around each other, spinning and laughing and kissing each other’s cheeks. It was a touching thing, albeit a little strange to watch. I, who had no siblings and no family to speak of, had never experienced that sort of joy.
Perhaps once our cub was born, we would have to make another. I could not change my own lack of family in the past…but together, Atlanta and I could build a family for our future.
It couldn’t hurt to try.
“You’re really—?” Atlanta lowered her hands to her sister’s stomach.
“I am.” Savannah laughed, but as she dropped her gaze to Atlanta’s belly, her eyes narrowed. “And…wait, are you?”
“Not far yet, but yeah.”
It took me a moment to realize what they were talking about. Their pregnancies. It was hard to tell how Savannah had realized about Atlanta’s. Neither of them were showing yet. Some sort of bond between twins, perhaps. I did not understand it, but I was happy for them. They were reunited now, just as I had promised Atlanta so long ago.
It always made me glow a little with pride to see my promises come to fruition. Now, they would never be forced apart again.
“Er. Well.” King Brixta looked perplexed about Savannah and Atlanta’s exchange, but did not ask for explanation. “That is very sweet then! A happy reunion! Huzzah!”
“It would be a happier one if you would tell us your plans for peace, Your Highness.” Kloran stepped forward to address the king. “If that is truly what you wish for, we would be interested in hearing how we might work together to bring it about.”
“Peace! Yes, of course.” King Brixta clapped his hands together and nodded vigorously. “It is simple, really. Stop rebellion against me, and peace will be had. It was my sister you had your quarrel with, correct? And now, she is dead, and the quarrel is over.”
“Not quite so simple,” Haelian said, coming forward. “What will you give us if we declare our loyalty to you, I wonder? Our quarrel was with Idria, yes, but the situation we were in disagreement on remains.”
“Rutharians still hold humans captive throughout the galaxies,” Nion said. He wrapped his arm around Alyse and held her close.
Coplan nodded, glancing at Savannah. “We will not be satisfied until all captured humans are safe—and until the threat of the Rutharians claiming more of them is put to rest for good.”
“Is that all?” King Brixta scoffed. “Then go rescue them. What do I care? The humans are valuable to us when they choose to stay here instead of returning to Earth. We need cubs, they can provide. You and your females are proof enough of that.”
“You will not attempt to stop us?” Kloran asked. He looked a little stunned.
“Of course not. In fact, I shall do you one better. Warships, fully staffed and supported for you three.” He gestured to Kloran, Haelian and Nion. “A medical ship for our healer to help rehabilitate the rescued females once they are safe. With the Rutharians fighting amongst themselves to determine their next king, they should be simple enough to defeat, no?”
“That is very generous of you, Your Highness,” I said. Except that you have left someone out. “What of Leonix, though? She is a fine leader, a formidable fighter, and has done much for the humans that have been rescued so far.
