Getting Lisa to agree to join with him and only him gives him the chance to hold on to it but the addition of her offspring….only the Emperor will be more powerful. If she chooses another….His dark thoughts are interrupted as the females reentering the room, the young ones clinging to Lisa’s hands, unsure eyes looking at him.
“We’re ready.” Lisa informs him.
“Where is your bag?” He doesn’t know why he asks.
“Well…..I….”
“You have nothing you wish to take?” Females take everything when they leave.
“I….I do.” Lisa looks at him hesitantly. “If there is time.”
“There is.”
“My room is across the hall.” She motions with her head. Stepping back, he allows her to lead him. Once inside, the young ones jump on the bed, obviously comfortable here, while their mother pulls a bag out from under it. His eyes wander around the room taking in its many colors and textures. Its softness surprises him, as does its smell, it’s all Lisa. He watches her move from place to place, but instead for empting drawers as he expects, she only pulls out a few select items, the last being something shimmery before zipping the bag closed to turn and face him
“Ready.”
“Mommy you forgot daddy.” Carly grabs the picture of Mark from the nightstand. “You can’t forget daddy.” Swallowing hard she looks at Grim.
“Your right baby, let’s put it in my bag.” Grim says nothing, just walks over taking her bag.
“We leave.”
“Yes.”
The girls sit wide eyed as Grim carefully secures them in their seats.
“Mommy….” Carly whispers. “This is a spaceship.” Her eyes flying around trying to take everything in at once.
“Yes it is baby.”
“We’re going into space?!?” She can’t keep the excitement out of her voice.
“I told you we’re going on an adventure.” Lisa smiles at them.
“This is going to be awesome!” The huge smiles on Carly and Miki’s faces have Grim pausing. He’s never seen anything like it. It is pure innocence and excitement and right then he knows he’ll do whatever it takes to protect these young ones. They are his.
“Grim?” Lisa watches him stare at her daughters.
“Sit.” He orders, pushing aside the unfamiliar emotions, he spins to the control panel, in moments Earth is left behind. Closing her eyes Lisa prays she’s doing the right thing.
Grim senses her fear but doesn’t know how to ease it. Doesn’t know if he can…not if she chooses another.
The return trip seems so much faster to Lisa, now that they have the girls. Looking behind her, she smiles at their wide eyes and excitement, although Miki’s aren't nearly as bright as her older sister’s is. She knows Miki idolizes Carly but she’s the quieter of the two, less confident. She never experienced the security that Carly had, Mark had been ill since the day she was born. There’d been no family vacations, no father throwing her in the air…no carrying her on broad strong shoulders. She learned to be small and quiet while Mark had treatments or rested. She is almost four but has never truly been a child.
“I will have a Guide waiting when we arrive.” Grim’s comment brings her back to the present.
“Can it wait?” He gives her a suspicious look. “I want to get the girls settled.”
“You have the right to understand what has happened to you. So do your young ones.”
“Will it change anything?” The sadness in her eyes causes his heart to ache.
“It could...if you want it too.” His honor won’t let him lie to her.
“What does that mean?”
“You will understand once you’ve met with the Guide.” He can’t bring himself to tell her.
Lisa watches him, trying to figure out what he’s not telling her. “Can they take my girls from me? Take us from you?”
“Only if you give them your permission.” He assures her.
“Then it can wait. I…” She hesitates, unsure she should allow him to see her weakness.
“What Lisa?” He doesn’t realize he’s addressed her by her name, but she does.
“I’m tired Grim.” She looks back quickly, making sure the girls haven’t heard, and he can see the stress and fatigue around her eyes. “I need to take care of my girls. Please,” she takes a deep breath hoping she’s not being foolish, trusting him. “If you tell me we’re safe then I believe you, the rest can wait.” After a moment, he nods his agreement.
“I will protect you and your young females.”
“Girls.”
“What?” He gives her a confused look.
“They are called girls on Earth. Little girls.”
“Girls…” He lets the unfamiliar word settle on his tongue. “I will protect your girls as if they were my own.” He knows she doesn’t understand the vow he’s just made to her, but he does.
“Thank you Grim. I…” She’s interrupted by the ringing of his comm.
“Grim were you successful?” Veron demands.
“Yes.” He answers impatient at the interruption.
“Good. Once you and your new offspring are on board we will continue.” Lisa gives him a questioning look at the emphasis, ignoring her Grim responds.
“It truly is good. I want a cleared corridor Captain. My offspring need rest.” Stunned silence meets his order.
“It will be done Sire.” Veron finally responds stiffly.
“Grim?” She puts a tentative hand on his arm.
“Trust me to know how to protect my females.” He growls at her.
“Mommy?” Miki interrupts, her fear easily heard by both.
“It fine baby. Grim’s just making sure everything’s ready for us.”
“Is that where we’re going to live?” She sees the ship through the window.
“For a while baby, I don’t know how long it will take to get to Tornian.”
“It will take two of your Earth weeks to reach my home.” Grim realizes she’s making sure he’s involved in their conversation. She’s including him.
“Really? That long to get to Tornian?” She asks.
“My home isn’t on Tornian, it’s on Luda.”
“Luda?” She raises a questioning eyebrow.
“It is a planet, three days from Tornian. I rule it for my brother.”
“Rule it…like a King?” He gives a quick nod.
“I am King Grim Vasteri of Luda. My brother entrusted me with the task of making sure it is protected.”
“And your brother?”
“Emperor Wray Vasteri of the Tornian Empire, protector of all civilized planets.”
“There are many planets?” Grim gives her a frustrated look.
“You need the Guide.” Lisa pulls her hand back quickly.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to irritate.”
Grim watches her open, curious expression close up. This female confuses him. She interacts with him, outside joining. She seems…interested…in what his thoughts are, is willing to touch him. That will change once she understands her unique position. Turning back to the controls, he lands the ship.
The room is stark…it is the only word Lisa can come up with to describe it. It has no softness, no color, no warmth. There’s furniture, a table, several chairs, a desk and couch. There are doors on either side of the room but she has no idea where they lead.
“This is the common area.” Lisa nods, saying nothing as she holds onto her daughters hands. “The…” He hesitates over the word. “Girls will have their rests there.” He points to the large couch and watches as they walk over inspecting it. It is as wide as a double bed on Earth, sitting to check its softness she nods to the girls.
“It will do while we’re on the ship. You have blankets and pillows?” Her voice is flat, her eyes blank as she looks at him.
“Yes.” Moving towards a door it slides open. “This will be our resting quarters.” Stepping aside, he allows her to enter and what she finds is similar to
the common area. No comfort, just a large bed, and some chairs. Grim puts her bag on the bed and runs a critical eye around the room. It is nothing like what he saw in her dwelling. Those rooms had color, comfort, softness, and warmth. Warrior’s rooms had none of that, they had no need for it, but females…they demanded it and with three….
“The cleansing room is through the other door.” He watches her approach the door, hesitate when it opens then proceed inside. He sees her study the room and waits for her questions, finding he’s looking forward to them. Instead, she approaches the basin, carefully moving a hand under the spout, activating the water. When she pulls away, it stops. Turning she judges the other units in the room before turning back to him.
“It will do.” Is all she says.
“Mommy?” Both turn to see the girls standing behind them.
“What is it baby?”
“We’re hungry.” Grim looks at her questioningly.
“They need to eat.”
“I will have food brought.” He quickly walks to his desk, happy to be able to do something for them.
“Girls, let’s get you ready for bed while we wait for dinner. Grab your bags.” Grim watches as the girls follow their mother’s order and enter the cleansing room.
“How long?” She asks looking no higher than his nose.
“Long?” He gives her a confused look.
“Until the food arrives?” She prompts.
“Thirty minutes.” She nods.
“I’ll hurry them along then.” The door closes, leaving him as he’s always been, alone.
Grim looks up from his desk when the cleansing door opens. The sound hits him first…laughter, young, carefree laughter, and then the smell, innocence and females. Breathing deeply he takes it in and something inside him shifts. These are his. His females. This is why he trained. This is what he needed to protect from harm. Them. Just them. Watching them move towards him he frowns, the little ones are in some strange type of covering that hide not only their arms and legs but also their feet.
“On the couch girls and I’ll do your hair.” Still giggling the girls’ race for the couch only to freeze when they see him. Lisa gives them both a soft pat on their rump. “Couch girls, it’s fine.” Slowly they sit down but their eyes never leave Grim.
“Here Carly,” She hands her a comb. “Start on yours while I do Miki’s.”
“Yes mommy.” However, her eyes never leave Grim.
Grim watches the female ritual in amazement. He’s never seen anything like it. The bond these three have is so strong, it’s there in the way they interact with each other. They work together, seeming to enjoy each other. How strange. He’s never seen it with Tornian females but then he’d never seen young females together before, especially with their mother.
Once weaned, infants are raised by the males of the household, the females responsibilities completed. Grim instinctively knows this will never happen with Lisa. She truly cares about her offspring, has already proven she’ll fight for them.
“Braided or straight baby.” She asks still working on Miki’s hair.
“Braided.”
“Braids it is.” Lisa quickly french braids Miki’s long auburn curls tying it off with a holder from her wrist. “Done.” She quickly kisses the top of her head. “Carly?”
“I want a pony tail mommy.”
“Pony it is. Let me check for snarls.” Pounding on the door pulls Grim’s attention from them. Rising he puts himself between the opening and his females before pressing the panel to open it.
“Mommy, their blue….” Miki whispers in awe, as two Tornians, carrying trays enter the room.
“Tornians come in many different colors Miki, just like on Earth.”
“Yeah but not blue.” Lisa has to smile at the awe in her youngest voice. Blue is her favorite color. When both girls suddenly burrow into her side, she looks up to find the males staring intently at them.
“On the table and get out!” Grim orders angrily, sensing the little ones unease. When neither male moves, he gives a threatening growl that finally has them moving. With the food delivered one stops in front of Grim. They stare at each other until Callen finally speaks.
“I brought some food from the female’s supplies. Rebecca insisted the little ones would want something familiar until they adapt to Tornian food.” Grim realizes it is something he should have considered.
“I thank you and the female called Rebecca.”
“She asked….demanded…” Callen gives Grim a befuddled look. “That I confirm Lisa and her offspring have arrived safely. Otherwise, she threatened a mutiny. I know not what this is but all the females agreed.”
“It’s a revolt or fight against those in charge.” Lisa informs him.
“They would attack us?” Callen is shocked. Lisa just shrugs. “How do I prevent it? They could become injured.”
“Tell her my children and I am fine.” She ushers the girls to the table.
“She said she wanted 'proof'. That my word wasn’t good enough.” The insulted look on Callen’s face has her shaking her head. “I don’t understand why?”
“Why?” Lisa storms right up to him counting off on her fingers. “Let’s see. You knock them out. Kidnap them. Are taking them to an unknown planet to join with males they don’t know. All because you need females. Gee, no reason for them not to trust you.”
“But they were unprotected.” He says truly confused. “They will be protected on Tornian.” His eyes are wide and sincere.
“Is that how you would feel if the situation was reversed? If you were taken from Tornian and forced to live on a strange planet. Forced to join with someone you don’t know. With rules you don’t understand?” Neither man answers.
“Tell her to stay on the Bounty.” Lisa turns back to her children.
“What?”
“Just tell her, she’ll understand.”
“Stay on the Bounty.” Callen repeats slowly.
“Yes.” Dismissing them, she speaks to her girls. “Come on sweethearts let’s get you fed.” Callen is telling the truth, the food on one tray is from Earth, apples, oranges, grapes, some cheese, and bread. The other tray is obviously food from Tornian and she doesn’t recognize a single thing. Filling plates for her children, she sets them in front of them.
“Females…” Callen finds he can’t take his eyes from them. “Did you know?”
“No.”
“The goddess has truly blessed you my King.” Callen smiles at him before it slowly fades. “You will be challenged.”
“Yes.”
“She gave herself to you willingly. It is recorded.” He reminds him.
“Where was her Guide Callen?”
“What?”
“She removed the educator herself. Luuken wasn’t there.” Callen pales, his eyes flashing to Lisa.
“She is unharmed?”
“Yes, but she doesn’t know how to access what she’s been given.”
“I will bring Luuken immediately.” Grim puts a restraining hand on his arm.
“She is tired and wishes to wait until she is rested.”
“Understandable, but majesty….”
“She will have what she wants. She is under my protection.” His tone brooks no argument.
“Yes my King. I will tell him to be ready for your summons.” With a slight bow, Callen leaves.
“Mommy I’m thirsty.” Lisa looks to Grim as he sits.
“What does she say?” He questions.
“She needs something to drink.” He reaches for a closed container and pours it into a cup before placing it in front of Miki.
“It’s endary juice.” He informs her.
“Endary….” Lisa watches Miki take a hesitant sip before she smiles.
“It tastes like grape juice mommy.” Pouring another glass, he gives it Carly.
Grim watches the females as he eats. Lisa is attentive to them, making sure they have what they need, that they eat plenty.
“Y
ou need to eat also.” He holds a piece of meat up to her mouth. “It’s rashtar.” After a moment, she opens and chews.
“Mommy?” The girls watch her with interest, breaking eye contact with Grim she looks at them.
“It tastes like bacon.”
“Can we try?” They look to Grim expectantly and he puts a piece on each plate finding it satisfying caring for them.
“Time for bed girls.” Lisa announces once their plates were empty.
“Yes mommy.” Giggling they rush over jumping onto the couch. Tucking the blankets around them, she leans down to give each a kiss.
“Night babies. Mommy loves you.”
“Love you mommy.”
“I’ll be right through that door,” She points. “If you need anything. Okay?”
“Mommy?”
“What Carly?”
“Can you leave a light on?” Lisa turns to Grim.
“What do they need?”
“Can the light be left on low for them?” He sets the lights. “Good?” She asks her girls.
“Yes mommy.” They reply in unison.
“Lisa….” Grim puts a hand on her back and she knows she must leave them. With one last smile for her girls, she lets herself be led out of the room. Once they are alone she turns to him.
“The outer door….no one can enter?” Concerned eyes look over his shoulder.
“I’ve sealed it, they are safe.” His eyes darken with desire. “Remove you coverings Lisa.”
Taking a deep breath Lisa’s fingers slowly move to her shirt. She'd known this was coming she'd given her word. Trembling fingers unbutton her shirt, shrugging it off revealing lace-covered breasts. Without looking at him, she slides her jeans over her hips, toeing off her shoes leaving on the matching lace underwear.