Total pages in book: 82
Estimated words: 77692 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 388(@200wpm)___ 311(@250wpm)___ 259(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 77692 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 388(@200wpm)___ 311(@250wpm)___ 259(@300wpm)
I have to pause. How the hell does one tell his father that he forced a female onto his ship? I set my shoulders back and just say the words.
“I have taken a human female from Earth. It was against her will, and it was quite public. She is aboard our ship, that, as I record this, is on its way back to Hallalah. I have left half of the Hallan army on Earth to deal with the battles there, and to work with The Opposition. There are some females aboard the ships who agreed to come to Hallalah, but because of my … actions, some of the other females still on Earth are now cautious to take the same journey. I will go into further detail about all these events when I reach home, which I think will be within days of when you receive this message.”
Then lower, I say, “I ask you to have faith in me, Father. If it were me listening, I know how it sounds, but I am the son you raised. And I feel mother will be able to fill in some of the blanks I’ve left, as she’s always been able to. I will see you all soon.”
I press the button to send the message. And feel the burden that settles over me with knowing the words my father will hear. The news he will have to tell my mother and siblings. There’s not much I can do about it now, though. When we land, however, I will have much to explain.
I open the sliding door and find Ponor waiting there.
“Thank you for the privacy. If that’s all?”
“That’s all. We have a bit more travel ahead of us, and then we’ll be back on Hallalah.”
“Glad to hear it. We’ve been gone far too long.”
He smiles. “I agree, Waliz.”
I walk away, going to the bathing hall. All the doors to the rooms are empty, so I know Luna has already come and gone from here. Shame. I wouldn’t have minded slipping into a room with her and doing all sorts of things to her behind a privacy screen. I bathe quickly, anxious to get back to Luna. When I reach the desk at High Deck, it’s empty so I know Luna isn’t in our room, or her escort would be back at his post. I get dressed and throw my braids, which I need to take some time to redo at some point today, into a knot of sorts at the base of my head before setting out for Zarah’s room.
As I thought, the young Hallan stands outside the door, giving me a bow of his head when I approach him.
“How is Zarah today?”
“Good. She came out to get what they call breakfast before you and Luna came out of your quarters. She had an escort, of course, but she roamed the ship a bit before coming back here.”
“That’s good to hear. You can go now. Thank you.”
“Of course.”
He walks away as I knock on the door. Luna opens it with a smile on her face. For once, it doesn’t dim when she sees me, but grows instead.
“My Prince.” She makes a grand display of bowing at the waist.
I laugh. “You need never bow to me, Zawla.”
“Hmm, maybe you should be bowing to me. I am, after all, your beloved mate.”
I bow deeply, taking her hand as I do and bringing it to my lips. “I would gladly bow to my mate.”
When I look back at her, her small smile makes me lean in to kiss her lips as well.
“Do you think it’s okay for me to see Zarah?” I ask.
Luna nods. “She’s doing much better today. Come on.”
She takes my hand and leads me further into the room. She’s right. Zarah is smiling today, a new outfit on, her hair styled, and a plate of food in front of her.
“I got us some food before we came up. There’s a lot more if you want some. That nice Hallan helped me carry at least five plates.”
“The poor boy looked like he was going to spill them all.” Zarah chuckles.
“I’m okay, but thank you,” I say. “I actually came here to deliver good news.”
“I do like good news,” Zarah states.
“You’re to be a grandmother.” As her eyes widen, I continue, “Selina and Bothaki are expecting. I suspect the child will have been born by the time we get to Hallalah.”
Zarah’s hands go to her mouth as Luna cheers.
“A baby,” Zarah breathes. “I … I can’t believe it. I mean, I can, but … Oh, my.”
“And you get to be there to see him,” Luna adds.
“Him?” Zarah asks, looking from Luna to me.
“Oh, I just assumed a boy because they don’t have many girls there,” Luna mentions. “But I have no idea. Do you, Halun?”
I shake my head. “My father didn’t say anything about that in the message he sent. But regardless of sex, this is excellent for all those who’ve found and are seeking mates on Earth, to know that Hallans and humans can indeed have children.”