Page 42 of Survivor
Diarvet cleared his throat, and the look he exchanged with Vysar was curious. “I wanted to speak to you about that.”
“What is it, Cousin?” Vraxxan’s teal gaze landed on his cousin’s face, his brow line furrowing slightly.
Diarvet cleared his throat again, squaring his shoulders. “I should like to take command of theEdenfor you.”
I smiled at his use of the name we’d christened the ship—a reminder of the planet where Vraxxan and I fell in love.
The furrow on Vraxxan’s brow deepened. “You would wish to give up your role as Commander of the Armies?”
The emotions crossing Diarvet’s face were strange. Regret, uncertainty, anxiety, and, above all, relief crossed his blue scales.
“I believe it would be good for me,” he said softly.
“I think so, too,” I agreed, leaning over and giving Diarvet’s forearm a squeeze. I knew how he felt. I’d be dead if I’d stayed on Earth, but here among the stars, I’d found a happiness that I’d only dreamed about. I was all about second chances.
“Seitek, my second, has the skill and intelligence to make an excellent commander,” Diarvet assured his king.
Vraxxan’sking facedeepened. But I knew my mate. He would do anything to help his cousin heal.
“I would be proud to have you captain theEden,” Vraxxan’s face split into a wide smile.
Diarvet grinned, but the shadows remained behind his eyes. I hoped, more than anything, that he found some peace among the stars.
“Now that we’ve got that settled,” Vysar grinned, landing a congratulatory pat on Diarvet’s shoulder.
The talk devolved into kingdom issues, nothing major, mainly just farming issues with irrigation, seeding, and the wish to increase the number of crops grown on the fertile fields south of the castle. The mines to the north were experiencing bouts of flooding, something common during the rainy season, and my mate had already arranged a solution. Zarpazia was a happy place now, and with the new trade routes Vraxxan and Vysar were negotiating, it would become prosperous once again.
Yet, as always, the conversation touched on the individuals occupying the cells. The healers worked with them daily, but none seemed to be able to shake the bloodlust andcruelty spurned by the force shifting of their scales. When we met up with theBardagaandHistoriaat the opening of the Space Pearl’s restaurant on the Hanze Erreinua space station, theHistoria’shealer, a Garoot named George, suggested that treatment with the Garoot Healer might help. The machine had cured my cancer. Surely, it could help those still locked under the queen’s control. Vraxxan was determined to help his people, no matter how long and difficult the process. He’d already arranged for the delivery of a Garoot Healer to the castle.
He was such a good ruler. I was so proud to stand by his side as his queen.
I wasn’t the only one.
Vysar looked at his son with such pride you could feel it, like a warmth sparkling through the air. “The people are content, my son. You are an excellent king.”
Vraxxan smiled, his teal eyes bright. “If I am, it is only due to the queen at my side.”
Happy tears burned my eyes. To keep them at bay, I stood from my chair and went to sit on my mate’s lap, landing a loud smacking kiss on his lips.
“I think that’s our cue to leave,” Diarvet said, rolling his eyes as he rose to his feet.
“Yes, I believe they might need some alone time.” Vysar wagged his brows at me, but I’d long gotten over being embarrassed by him.
I wrapped my arms around Vraxxan’s neck and grinned saucily.
Vraxxan’s laugh drowned out the teasingly grumbled goodbyes, but not my yelled, “Say hi to Marcia for me," that I directed at Vysar’s retreating form.
“Stop teasing my father,” Vraxxan playfully growled, bouncing me in his lap. “I am glad he has found female companionship.”
“Me too,” I insisted. “That’s why I tease him. Besides, how many times did he have me blushing when we were at the treehouse?”
“Touche,” Vraxxan chuckled. “But my father's teasing was your fault.”
“My fault?” I sat up in his lap, my arms dropping from around his neck to his biceps, where I gave him a playful squeeze. “How was it my fault?”
Vraxxan gripped my waist, lifting and shifting me until I straddled his thighs. “You made it impossible for me to keep my hands off you.”
“That sounds like a personal problem,” I quipped, letting my fingers splay through his thick, dark purple hair.
