Page 63 of Taken to Voraxia
“Proceed,” I say, clenched with anticipation, and when my hand fumbles to find the arm of the werro root throne, Miari takes my much larger palm into hers and offers it a very small squeeze.
“The Voraxian swell happens three times a rotation while the human swell cycle seems to occur between twenty-eight and thirty-four times a rotation.”
Surprise flashes across Krisxox’s, Islu'Raku’s, and Roth’s ridges in sharp spears of white, all in unison, as I’m sure it also flashes over my own. I do not speak, but my heart begins to pound. I do not dare look at Miari.Thirty-four times a rotation?
The Xanaxana is said to reveal itself most often during swell. It means that I have already had chances to breed her. Chances I have denied, because I wished to spare her the discomfort of the breeding belt. I will need to convince her to breed properly by her next swell. I do not wish to miss another opportunity. I want nothing more than to see her heavy with my child.
Lemoria continues to speak while my thoughts ripple with images of our youngling — a hybrid youth with curly brown hair and swirling indigo skin. Something never seen before.
“With so small a sample size, it is impossible for me to decree this is a hybrid phenomenon, but it does mean we need to act quickly because this iscertainlya human one. Any time lost is a lost child of Voraxia. And it will take much to reverse the wrongs of the past Hunts, and the scars its memory has left behind.”
Shaken to the core, I am unsure what is worse — the thought of younglings aborted or the manner in which they were conceived. I incline my head, even though it pains me.
“You speak truth. It is a tragedy that the pact forged between humans and Dra’Kesh was not an amicable one, borne out of true equality. And it is inconceivable that we would force females to bear kits from such heinous couplings. From rape,” the word hits the air like whiplash and every Voraxian in the room reels and winces.
“It is true. And going forward we believe things will be different. Much different.” Lemoria nods slightly then, making way for the human, Svera, to speak.
“They already are,” Svera says. “And going forward, human women will be given every reason to want to couple with Voraxians and every reason to wantto keep their babies. I guarantee you that they will, particularly if we can offer medical care. And with the benefits of the new program, their children will have the best of what both worlds have to offer.”
“And we can’t forget about Xiveri unions. We can only hope that many more will be as lucky as Raku and I and flourish. Women who are Xiveri mated won’t need to be given any reasons to want to mate with Voraxians, or keep their children.” Miari shoots me a sly glance then and blinks, keeping one eye open. I have tried and failed to mirror the gesture so rather, I give her hand a small squeeze.
She smiles and continues to speak. “Rations will be readjusted to accommodate for the increased population size. The only question that we couldn’t really answer was…” A sadness crosses her features, one I long to pull out with my hands and crush.
“We heard reports from some of the Dra’Kesh males who participated in past Hunts that there’s a chance they might have found their Xiveri mates. If the humans are okay with it, we wondered whether or not it would be appropriate to invite them to meet the ones who claim to be their Xiveri mates and see if any positive couplings could come out of it…”
Krisxox cuts in, “There is no reason to encourage more mingling between the humans and the Dra’Kesh…”
“Krisxox.” My irritation with him has met its end. “We live in a diverse quadrant of the cosmos and yet your small-mindedness astounds me. Hexa, it is clear that this should be an option offered to all human females. The Dra’Kesh males however, should not be permitted to freely wander the human colony. There must be standards put in place to be sure that these males are serious about their claims, and not simply looking to repeat the horrors they once committed. There will need to be a small team of human and Voraxian alike established to conduct this and other such work.”
“Hexa, my Raku. The Rakukanna, Svera and I have already discussed plans for this,” Lemoria says. “Svera and I plan to depart in three solar’s time. This will give us enough time to gather requisite materials, and amass the correct team to accompany us.
“The Rakukanna has requested to join this first voyage. She believes that while Svera ‘should do the talking,’ to use her vernacular, she should be present simply to prove to the humans that she is alive and well. Particularly given that their fellow human, the Va’Rakukanna, is still in the merillian.”
“Va…rakukanna?” Svera whispers.
I feel my Miari’s hand warm in my own. She shakes her head quickly. “I’ll explain later,” she mumbles.
I nod, proud of my Rakukanna and what she and her team have accomplished. “It is done. Now, we are aligned. Is there anything else before we move onto the most pressing point of discussion?”
Silence, until Roth snarls, “Pe’ixal.”
“Pe’ixal,” I confirm and a hush descends over us. I withdraw my hand from my Miari’s and beneath my chin, steeple all six of my fingers. “More and more I tend to think that even exile to the Fifth Quadrant will not be enough. Rhorkanterannu has reach, and he is determined to get his claws on the coordinates. If I have Pe’ixal exiled, this could be even more dangerous for the humans than quarantining him on planet. Yet, this has its own risks.
“This planet will be home to my Rakukanna and two humans, at least for the time being. Pe’ixal displayed violence upon his removal from his rank. It is possible he will attempt to seek revenge in some way. Not to mention the costs associated with keeping him under perpetual protective custody. We do not cage our criminals, yet it is clear we cannot offer him a trial. We cannot allow for any option that places the humans in harm’s way.”
I exhale a breath and glance around at each of those in the room and I feel a strange and budding lightness in my chest that makes me want to make the pleasure expression, even as we discuss treason and the threat of violence.
“Exile or permanent containment on Voraxia? Both carry great risk. Luckily for your Raku, I do not decide alone. I am fortunate to have many trusted advisors as well as an intelligent Rakukanna to lean on. For today is the day we decide…”
It could not have been more succinctly timed. The distant boom followed by sonic vibrations felt throughout the floor — a Tri'Herion invention. The system of warning.
Roth launches to his feet and reaches the werro root door at the same time that it slides open to reveal X'Ixria, dana’Ixria and three xcleranx. They are panting, as if having run very fast and very far.
I stand and pull Miari into my chest, keeping my body between hers and the open doorway. “Speak,” I command.
They do away with formalities. Dana’Ixria clutches his stomach and shouts, “He took the docks! He killed Ixria!”
“She might not be dead,” X'Ixria interrupts with a wild wave of his arm. “Lemoria, we have taken her…her body to Ki’Lemoria. He’s doing all he can, but he needs your help. She wasn’t the only one injured.”
