Nikhil(24)

"I informed you of the rumor that we are starting to hear whispers of," Liron finally said.

"That the reason Wray declared her his new Empress is because she is breeding compatible, yes."

"Which makes no sense as Wray refused to take another Empress after the death of Empress Adana, so other Tornians could have offspring."

"That was before the death of his second male," Treyvon said quietly.

"Truth," Liron agreed. "You have seen the bead yourself?"

Liron finally asked the question Treyvon knew was coming. "Yes. There can be no doubt that she is Nikhil's True Mate."

"It has been so long since a Kaliszian has found one," Liron whispered quietly. He had almost given up hope of a Kaliszian ever finding one again.

"Yes."

"It could also create a major problem."

"I know. If she is the same species as the female Wray has claimed," Treyvon started.

"And if she is breeding compatible with the Tornians," Wray continued the thought as he and Treyvon had done since they were young.

"And if the Tornians discover she is here..." Treyvon trailed off.

"They will demand we turn her over to them by threatening our food supply again," Liron finished on a hard note.

"She is the first True Mate for a Kaliszian since the dawn of the Great Infection," Treyvon knew he didn't have to remind Liron of that but he did need to tell him truth. "Nikhil will never allow her to be taken from him. Their bond is already strong even though she has no bead to offer him."

"I would never ask anyone to sacrifice their True Mate, Treyvon. Not even for the betterment of our people."

"So what are we to do?"

"Nothing. Not yet. Right now we don't even know if they are the same species. We also don't know if the new Empress is even with offspring. Until we do, we keep this information to ourselves, just as the Tornians would do if the situation was reversed."

"Alright but I must tell you truth that I do not feel right not informing Nikhil that there may be a threat to his True Mate."

"We do not know there is one, not yet. This is the way it must be, Treyvon, until we know more."

"Alright, but if there comes a time I feel Nikhil needs to be informed I want your permission to tell him." When Liron didn't immediately reply Treyvon pressed harder. "If she were yours, and at risk, you would demand to know."

"Alright but only if necessary. Once the Tornians find out about her there will be no going back.





Chapter Five


Nikhil lay on his side, his Mackenzie in his arms, and knew that if all the Known Universes were to end right then, that he would die a happy male. For all that mattered to him was in his arms. His manno had once tried to explain what it felt like to be so connected to an Ashe, but Nikhil had never truly believed him, even though he'd seen the devotion between his manno and mother.

Now he understood, for there was nothing he wouldn't do for his Mackenzie. Even ignore his General, if it meant she was cared for.

"I suppose you need to get back to your General," Mac said rubbing her cheek against his chest, trying to find the will to move away from him.

"The General and Commander left some time ago, Little One."

"They did?" She raised her head and looking through the open door, saw the room was empty. "Are you going to be in trouble?"

"Trouble?"

"Yes, because I didn't finish answering their questions."

"No, you did fine and answered what you could. The General may want to talk to you again later, but for now, it is fine."

"You're sure?"

"Yes. All you need to do right now is rest."

Mac laid her head back on Nikhil's chest with a tired sigh. She knew she needed to sleep and eat since she couldn't remember the last time she had, but there was still so much she didn't know.

"Nikhil?" she asked quickly.

"Yes?"

"Why couldn't I understand what you were saying earlier when you were talking to the General and Commander?"

"We were speaking Kaliszian, our native language."

"And what are we speaking now?"

"Zaludian."

"Zaludian. How is that possible?" Mac listened carefully, and for the first time realized she wasn't speaking English.

"Did either the Ganglians or Zaludians put a device over your eyes?"

"The Ganglians did. Two of them held down Craig and forced it on him. When they took it off him, Craig could understand them. They tossed the educator at him and left."

"They expected him to use the educator on you?" She didn't see the worried look he gave her.

"Yes. They told him that anyone who didn't agree would be killed. Once it was done, we could understand what the Ganglians were saying, and once we got here the Zaludians, but I never realized we were speaking it."