Chapter 22
Sincetheirs had been intended to be a rescue mission, Ryven and Toosundidn’t stick around finish off the attacking Khun’tat. They weretoo deep in the alien race’s territory to risk it, since recentdevelopments had ceded the area to their foes; enemy reinforcementscould arrive at any time. The moment they retrieved the women, theyfought their way clear and jumped into hyperspace.
Xerawas relieved to arrive home, though it was late before she finallycrawled into her bed. Ryven joined her, leaving his brother to relaythe news to their family of the mission’s success and of thecontinued interloping of the Khun’tat. He wrapped his arms aroundher and held tight.
“Idon’t want anyone to build a moon base there,” Xera said into hisshoulder. “I don’t want anyone to go through what I just did.”She didn’t want her sisters, if they visited, to be so close tojeopardy. Such a situation wasn’t likely anyway, what with the GEbreaking the treaty at will. They’d be lucky if the Scorpio didn’tannihilate them on sight.
Hekissed her hair. “I know. Be at peace.”
Shesighed. “Thank you for rescuing me.”
“Always,though if you don’t mind, I’d rather avoid more incidents in thefuture. I think I lose a year of my life every time I see you indanger.”
Shesmiled slightly. “I’ll see what I can do.”
“Beloved,”he began with mock sternness.
Shelooked at him in surprise. “You called me ‘beloved’!”
“Yes,”he said simply. “I meant it.”
Shestill looked amazed. “You love me?”
Nowhe was annoyed. What had she thought this was about? “I said so,didn’t I?”
“Notin so many words.”
Hisnoisy exhalation was all the answer he gave.
Butthen she grinned, and it was like the sun peeking out of a fog bank.“You love me!”
Hewas ready to give a flip response when he noticed the tears stillstanding in her eyes. His annoyance softened. He caressed her cheekwith the back of his hand. “Almost from the first. Haven’t Ishown you?”
“I’ma human, dummy! I need words.” She tried to glower at him, but hersmile kept glimmering through, as though her chest were filled withsunlight. “You love me,” she said in wonder.
Hewas going to blush if she kept saying it, so he offered adistraction. “I’ve been thinking…you’ve really provedyourself. Not just with the last situation with GE, but with the wayyou handled Rysing. If you still wish to be an ambassador, I willpermit it. It will no longer be an empty role.”
Shesat up and stared. “You mean it?”
Hissmile was self-mocking. “You’ve made many sacrifices for me. Ithink I can give up my idea of a ‘perfect family’ for this. Youdo want it, don’t you?”
Shegrinned and threw herself at him to deliver a jubilant kiss. “Yes!You are such a sweetie.”
Thatdid it. He blushed. To take his mind off the embarrassment, he tookhis wife in his arms and soon caused her cheeks to glow, too.
Atleast they had one less worry. Tovark’s body had turned up at ahospital with a knife wound in his back. He’d been pronounced deadon arrival. A search was being made for the culprit, whom authoritiesassumed was his accomplice.
Whoeverhe was, Tovark’s killer had done them all a favor. Xera was glad hewas dead, and Ryven was almost inclined to let the man go. Almost.
Rysingwas inclined to hold a grudge over Xera’s rough handling, butreluctantly admitted it had saved her life. Xera thought themoodiness was lingering fright over the near disaster and decided togive the girl time to get over it. Rysing soon began to resume someof her former ease.
Theexperience changed Xera. She sent off a carefully edited message toher sister of her adventures, then decided it was time for a rest.She and Ryven moved out to the country house and met the neighbors,commuting back to the palace whenever needed. The more time she spentat the estate, the happier she was. In the privacy of the county,Ryven relaxed. It was easier to demonstrate her love when she wasallowed to touch him.
Springhad come, and she enjoyed walking in the gardens. She’d had herfill of adventure for now, and was able to enjoy simple pleasureslike strolls in the sunshine. She no longer felt so restless.
Itwas also fun to plan her child’s future, though she tried not tomap it much past the fifth year; the kid needed some room forspontaneity.
Thechild arrived in due time, and Xera was surprised to find out he wasa she. “You didn’t tell me,” she chided her husband after she’dcaught her breath.
Hesmiled at her. “You were so sure it would be a boy, I didn’t wantto ruin the surprise.” The nurse handed him the child. Swathed in atowel, the tiny bundle looked absurdly small in her husband’s arms,but the look of tenderness in Ryven’s eyes...
Xerahad to swallow tears. She didn’t even mind her sister’s absencenow, not with this kind of love here for her child. She had no doubtthe baby girl would earn similar looks from her grandfather anduncle. Toosun had a special soft spot for children, and his brother’schild would be especially dear to him: he’d want to vet all hersuitors. The poor child was going to have a terrible time dating.
“Timeto meet you mother, little love,” Ryven said, gently placing thebaby in her arms.
Xeragasped. “She has your eyes!”
“Thenext one will have yours,” he soothed.
Shefrowned at him. “I like her eyes. I like your eyes. They’revery pretty. Don’t get any ideas on starting another one anytimesoon, though.”
Heignored the last part of her statement. “You never told me youliked my eyes.”
“You’rearrogant enough as it is.”
Hesmiled wolfishly. “We’ll continue this when you’ve regainedyour strength. Rest. Let me show her to her family. I think AuntTessla and Toosun will storm the room if they have to wait muchlonger.”
“Perhapsa wash and a clean diaper, first, my lord?” the nurse suggested.She practically had to wrestle the child away from her frowningfather. Ryven gave way, but stood nearby and waited impatiently forthe nurse to finish, carefully watching her every move.
“Fathers,”the nurse tending Xera murmured wryly. “They’re all alike.”
Xerasmiled. She was tired, but more content than she’d been in a verylong while. With him by her side, she was comfortable with whateverthe future had in store for them. Let him hover; her child would knowthe full measure of her father’s love.
WithRyven, she’d learned, no words alone could ever demonstrate thedepth of his heart, but his actions were all in the language of love.They required no translation.
The End
Aboutthe author:
Autumnis a professional writer and stay at home mom with three kids, a dogand an active imagination. She’s married to her high schoolsweetheart, John, who is known to bring her flowers "justbecause".
After34 years in Alaska, she moved to Washington with her family to enjoya state with actual seasons.
Shestarted self-publishing in 2010 after a string of rejections thatread, “We love your writing, but we’re not sure how to marketit.” She published on Smashwords, Amazon and Barnes & Noble,which lead to a number of bestsellers. After The Charmer hit#1 on Barnes & Noble for fantasy romance, she threw herself intoediting and uploading her backlist.
Thenext year and a half passed in a blur as she worked non-stop, andproductivity declined as she took time to homeschool her autisticson, who was suffering from bullying issues. With boxing lessons anda year to boost his confidence and academic skills, he’s lookingforward to attending mainstream high school in 2012.
Thestrain of maintaining a business and home schooling while taking careof her family was draining, but God blessed her efforts and theresults were worth it. Her income for 2011 was $100,000, farexceeding her best year with traditional publishing.
Thoughshe remains grateful for the opportunities traditional publishingprovided, Autumn is currently pursuing the self-publishing marketfull time.
Connectwith me online at:
www.autumndawnbooks.com
http://authorautumndawn.blogspot.com
Bibliography:
Spark Series:
When Sparks Fly Dorchester
No Words Alone Dorchester
Solar Flare
Anthology for the Mammoth Book of Time Travel Romance:
Hemlock & Iron
Indie books:
Dark Lands Series:
The Charmer
Dark Lands: Homecoming
Scent of Danger
The Golden Bell
Ghost in Her Heart
Beast Wars
Dark Lovers Anthology (includes Homecoming & Scentof Danger)
Dark Warriors Anthology (includes GIHH & Beast Wars)
Ladies in Waiting:
The Woman Inside
The Other Woman
Through the Looking Glass
Draconian Series:
Ride The Stars
Careful, He Bites
Aliens Do it Better: Anthology featuring Ride the Starsand Interstellar Lover
Interstellar Lover
Under the Bridge
Ladies in Waiting:
The Woman Inside
The Other Woman
Through the Looking Glass
Draconian Series:
Ride The Stars
Careful, He Bites
Aliens Do it Better: Anthology featuring Ride the Starsand Interstellar Lover
Interstellar Lover
Under the Bridge