Page 17 of Warrior's Captive
“There’s a shelter I can live in until I’ve—Ibukay said I’d have to demonstrate I wasn’t a drain on planetary resources in order to receive resident status.”
Abeyya’s lips twitched. “I don’t think those are the official words.”
“No, I’m paraphrasing. That was the gist of it.”
Tai’ri’s sister leaned forward and refilled Vivian’s cup. “Did they tell you that if you are a parent of a Yadeshi child, it grants you temporary status?”
“Yes. And Tai’ri said the program on Earth isn’t meant to be a breeding program.” She snorted.
“Ah, yes. Well, that program is one of many ideas the planetary council has had regarding our population, military, and genetic diversity concerns.”
She could return to Earth with the baby, and that would be a whole host of issues. She could return without . . . but even though she hadn’t bonded with the child inside her yet, some part of her rebelled at the thought. Maybe it was the tiny feet snuggled under her ribs, and the fact that this was the only person who had kept her company for the last several months. Maybe it was because looking into Tai’ri’s eyes, and Abeyya’s eyes, she could envision her own child’s innocent gaze. Silky black hair and . . . blue skin? Lavender? What did a half human, half Yadeshi baby look like? Her captors had done things to her for months before the day she believed she’d been inseminated. Shots, procedures, testing . . . she’d realized some time ago all of that must have been fertility treatments.
The universe had conspired to bring this child into existence. Evil people had conspired. The least she could do to repay their kindness was raise the baby and ensure he or she never fell into their hands. It was the only revenge she could ever have the power to exact. Depriving them of a profit.
The doors opened manually, and Vivian met Tai’ri’s gaze as he entered. “Sorry for leaving you so long. Did you two—” he made a motion with his wrist, the beads tinkling “—female talk?”
Vivian’s eyes narrowed.
“We talked, I’m not certain what gender has to do with it,” Abeyya said. “Vivian has a lot to think about.”
“I’m keeping the baby,” Vivian said abruptly. “I want to raise it.”
Tai’ri stared at her, tilting his head, and the fierce expression that crossed his face might have scared her if she didn’t already know in her bones that this man would never hurt a hair on her head. If she didn’t already know, despite his and Abeyya’s careful restraint, that they both wanted this baby and were just waiting for an all clear from Vivian.
“That’s good,” he said, a little hoarse. His voice smoothed back into its easy tenor as he continued to speak. “I appreciate the sacrifice you’re making, Viv.” He inhaled silently, and as he exhaled it was as if he were shaking weight off his shoulders. “You and our child can come home with me, if you’re ready to discuss it.”
“I don’t know if I want to move in with you.” Which she hoped didn’t sound as foolish to them as it did to her. She had nowhere else to go besides the shelter where the other human trafficking victims were currently residing. She couldn’t raise a baby there. How would she even begin to support herself? And was she planning on staying on Yedahn forever?
She still didn’t know the answer to any of those questions.
Vivian covered her face with her hands, a familiar crashing wave growing out of her attempts to think rationally. Chanting caught her attention, a low rhythmic murmur of words her translator struggled to convert to Earth Standard. She was going to have to learn to speak the language manually.
Hands rubbed circles on her lower back, exerting just enough pressure to grab her attention and make her wince, but not enough for pain. She leaned into the massage, mind returning to present time.
Abeyya watched with concern in her eyes, still on her couch. It was Tai’ri with the soft chant and soothing hands. His words faded into silence.
“What is that?” Vivian asked. “The chanting. It has the cadence of an old world Gregorian monks.”
“I don’t knowGregorian monks,” he said as his hand stilled, pulling away slowly.
“I think I should learn.”
“That’s a good idea,” Abeyya said. “It’s an excellent stress reduction technique, even if those among Haeemah’s acolytes are aghast at the thought of Her hymns used for something so mundane.”
Tai’ri straightened, but didn’t move away. Vivian glanced down, watching the fingers of his left hand play with the beaded bracelets on his right.
“Vykhan doesn’t share that opinion, or he never would have taught us.”
Abeyya shrugged. “Vivian, I can send you a digital file with more information on the center as well as how to register. We have midwives on staff, as I don’t think you have your own? No. Tai’ri, you should take her to see your house before she makes a decision on living arrangements.”
He glanced at Vivian inquiringly, and she nodded.
“Good idea,” he said. “If you like it, then maybe . . . ”
He didn’t follow the statement up, but Vivian understood. Then perhaps she would agree to live with him for . . . however long the invitation was open. She sighed, rubbing at her itching belly. They still had a lot to discuss. And she just wanted to curl up on a flat surface with something dense and chocolate and a good book and just relax.
“We’ll see,” she said. “Moving in together is a big step, even if the circumstances are a little dramatic.” Tai’ri’s mouth quirked. “Is there—I think I’d like to take a walk, have some time alone for a few minutes.”
