The Ilia's Lovers - Chapter Thirty-One

Breakfast was delicious. Elaine had no idea what it was and refused to ask. Better not to know. They all dug in at varying degrees of curiosity but on tasting it, it turned to enthusiasm.

Throughout breakfast Pyri spoke about the things their little alliance between the Adosians and Amarans were willing to share. Apparently, they’d spoken of this last night while Elaine was helping Ariana and Tyne with the twins. Elaine heard them speaking, of course, she even understood a lot of it, but she just wasn’t interested.

Pyri was the most intelligent person Elaine had ever met, including Olivia Trent who blew Elaine away with her knowledge of engines. But even Dahnus was impressed with her knowledge and her memory. Especially the way Pyri could close her eyes, block out the room and relive a memory in perfect detail.

Elaine loved hair. She loved clothes and nails and looking pretty. She also loved engines. She loved the temperament of an engine. The way she could work on thirty engines of exactly the same kind and find a different personality in each one. She wasn’t politically minded. But all the people she was surrounded by these days were deeply embedded in the politics out here. Even Tyne and Ariana were involved in the conversation.

All the current conversation was going above Elaine’s head. She felt very much out of place.

“Elaine. I almost forgot. Dr Olivia Trent asked me to give you this,” Nyala said, pulling out an Earth tablet. “I believe she was your mentor on Endurance.”

Elaine took the tablet and turned it on.

“She swapped out the standard Earth battery for a new type of radiant battery she’s developed. That thing will work for decades without having to be charged.”

Elaine’s eyes widened. “A radiant battery?”

“She has all the specs for it loaded on the tablet. She thought you would enjoy that. She also has pictures of her son Denian and some videos. She recorded a message to you as well and if you can hook it up to an Amaran telecommunication device, you’ll be able to talk to her directly.”

Nyala laughed when she saw the look on Elaine’s face. Elaine had heard the story of Oliva and her Todaali mate Kadian. She had no idea they’d had a son. She was also excited to read up on the radiant battery. That kind of tech could revolutionise things on Earth, the space stations, the automated stations particularly.

“I am gonna hook this up so fast,” Elaine said, holding the tablet like it was as precious as Sameia.

“Will you be at the dinner the Tessans are holding at the end of the summit?” Alexander asked.

“The Adosians are attending,” Pyri confirmed.

Alexander turned to Elaine.

Heat rose, an unpleasant tingling sensation crawled up her back and up her cheeks as she stared back at them with a blank stare. She had no idea if the Amarans were going to be there.

“The Amarans are attending also,” Pyri said, reaching out and squeezing Elaine’s hand reassuringly. “Elaine will make sure you are introduced.”

“Of course,” Elaine said, feeling embarrassed.

“That you. I think we should talk again before we leave and I look forward to meeting the Ilan, informally, of course.” Alexander said.

Elaine nodded, unsure what to say, she was too embarrassed to think.

“You should come to our villa for dinner during the summit,” Pyri said. “If the Ilan should happen to come visit…” Pyri shrugged. “It could happen. They’re right next door.”

“That would be wonderful. Maybe we could try some Adosian cuis--!

“What the hell is that?”

Everyone at the table looked at Ahana, then turned to look at what she was reacting too.

Elaine gasped, her stomach turned, she felt ghost pains in sympathy to what she was looking at.

Whatever it was now, it was male once. He walked into the restaurant surrounded by males and females of his race. They looked human with skin more reddish brown. All of them were augmented with cybernetics and their hair were different shades of grey. His hair, the one at the centre, the one who was almost entire a cyborg, his hair was pure white. From his top lip and his cheekbones up, he appeared to be organic, but his eyes glowed with yellow light which made Elaine think his skin was a façade. It made her shiver.

They walked across the restaurant directly heading to their table.

Pyri’s pack intercepted them, leaving Adaran sitting with Sameia.

As soon as the male at their centre saw Talis, he turned, heading towards him. The two males spoke quietly for a minute as the whole restaurant watched in shocked silence. When they were done, Talis and the male walked towards them, while the rest of the aliens dispersed, some sitting nearby, some taking guard positions, some going outside to guard the entries and perimeter.

Elaine and the rest of the table watched as Talis and the alien approached.

“Ema?”

Elaine turned to see Kamali burrowing into her mother’s side. The appearance of the alien obviously scaring her.

Does Ema mean mom?

“Morrara.” Talis whispered, a ghost of a smile on his face. He turned back to the alien.

“I would like to introduce you to my mate. Idra Pyri Bjornsdottir, the leader of Pack Bjornsdottir.”

Pyri stood.

“Pyri. This is the Prince Eternal of Surila, Ardirion Ventaryn. He would like to meet your human delegation.”

The Surilan Prince Eternal?

For all the conversation she and Dahnus and Hadith had yesterday about him, Elaine hadn’t thought to check what he looked like. Of course she’d heard of the Surilans. She had a vague memory of the briefing of aliens they’d attended when they joined Endurances crew. It was a part of the extensive extra training they went through when they received their commissions. They were almost as small as humans, though not quite. The smallest of them was around six feet. The Prince Eternal was on the taller side, heading towards seven feet but missing it by a couple of inches.

Pyri made the introductions, including Elaine in it. The Prince Eternal acknowledged each of them in turn, but it was obvious his attention was solely on the Bilaal Gadid’s, a fact that was obviously upsetting Kamali.

“I believe our two races are natural allies,” The Prince Eternal said, once he’d sat down. “My people are also trapped on our world. We use augmentation to make us strong enough to exist out in this hostile galaxy. I would like to discuss a formal alliance.”

The Prince Eternal smiled and Elaine had to take a deep breath. It was garish.

Kamali burrowed deeper into her mother’s side, and squeezed her eyes shut.

The Prince Eternal saw it happen and his smile dropped.

“Kamali, do you want to go to the beach with me?”

Conversation stopped and everyone turned to Elaine. Elaine ignored them and smiled at Kamali who watched her with huge, fear filled eyes. She looked up at her mother who smiled down at her and nodded.

“Okay.” Nyala got up and helped Kamali out of the booth.

“I’m sorry. I hope you don’t think I’m being rude,” Elaine said, looking at The Prince Eternal. “I think Kamali and I will have more fun on the sand. I’m not really politically minded.”

“On the contrary, I think you are very kind,” The Prince Eternal responded.

Elaine felt herself flush but nodded and stood. She turned to Kamali and the two of them headed out of the restaurant with Zinif and Thalvuten following and the rest of her entire Amaran entourage and a few of the Bilaal Gadid’s guards following.

The sand was unusually soft. Elaine kept pace with Kamali as they walked towards the water. It was windier than when they arrived, the clear turquoise water rose in small waves, a little foamy as they crested.

“Do you want to go for a walk?”

Kamali nodded.

“Do you want to walk barefoot?”

Kamali smiled and nodded again.

They sat down and got to work removing their shoes. Elaine was in sandals with long laces.

“That is so pretty,” Kamali said, pointing to them. “What is that.”

The top of the sandal was a stylised version of an Amaran insect.

“Amara has a moon that’s like another planet. The Amarans use it as a huge botanical garden?”

“We have a botanical garden on Athena,” Kamali said.

“This insect’s name translates to ‘lace wing aluah’.”

“It looks like a butterfly,” Kamali said, reaching out and tracing one of the laces from the wings that wrapped around Elaine’s heel, ankle and calf, though Kamali only traced it to her ankle, snatching her hand back and looking apologetic.

“It’s okay. They’re beautiful sandals,” Elaine said.

Kamali nodded staring at them with covetous eyes.

They finished taking off their shoes and sandals and stood, carrying them as they walked a little up the beach. For several hundred feet, Hemian and his guards stood watching closely. Nearby, more guards and her usual shadows Zinif and Thalvuten walked in a wide circle around them.

“I hope the guards don’t scare you?”

Kamali shook her head. “He did though.”

“The Prince Eternal. Yeah, he’s scary looking. I wonder if he’s in pain.” As soon as the words were out of her mouth, Elaine regretted saying them.

Kamali looked at her with wide eyes. “You think he’s in pain?”

There was no walking it back. Elaine sighed.

“People with replacement limbs are usually in pain. It seems to be his whole body. I’m sorry, I wish I hadn’t said that.”

Kamali craned her neck over her shoulder, looking back at the restaurant. “Do you think he is? Oh… I feel so sorry for him.”

“Me too,” Elaine said. “But he’s also the powerful leader of a whole world.”

“Yeah. I guess.”

They walked in silence for a few minutes, the two of them watching the water hugging the shore.

“The sand here is so soft,” Kamali said.

“It is. But I bet you can’t make sandcastles with it.”

“I’m twelve. I don’t make sandcastles.”

Elaine laughed. “It comes back around,” she said. “One day you’re twelve and you’re too old for sandcastles. Then you’re eighteen and building them with some cute guy on a beach in Mexico.”

Elaine grinned down at Kamali who laughed up at her.

“I’m going to Mexico when I’m eighteen,” she replied.

“Have the chocolate chicken and rice.”

“Chocolate chicken?” Kamali said, looking disgusted.

“You don’t even know. It’s so good.” Elaine rolled her eyes, remembering the dish she and Pyri had while in Brazil. “So. Good.”

“Lady Franklin,” Zinif said, approaching them. He pointed down the beach.

Pyri and her pack were waiting outside.

“Look like it’s time to get back.”

“Do you think he’s gone,” Kamali asked, as they turned back.

“We’ll see.”

“He freaks me out.”

Elaine kept her mouth shut.

Ahana walked out and met them just as they reached Pyri.

“Is he still in there?” Kamali asked.

“Yeah,” Ahana said. “But how about you and I go down to that dessert place we heard about yesterday?”

“Yes please.”

Kamali turned to Elaine. “Thank you.”

“Anytime.” Elaine smiled down at her.

Kamali waved as they left. Elaine’s guards caught up to them and as a group they headed back to the park and through that, to their akoras.

“You okay?” Pyri asked.

Elaine sighed.

“You’re so good at all of that. I was completely out of my depth.”

“Weird brain,” Pyri said.

“Stupid brain,” Elaine replied automatically.

“You are not stupid. I’m so sick of this conversation. Elaine you’re so smart. You’re amazing with engines and an artist with hair. You do things I can’t do.”

“It’s not the same thing. I’m good with my hands. You’re so good with everything you do. But that doesn’t matter. It’s not really about that. You know I love you and I’m so proud of you. But you knew things I didn’t about the Amarans, and I literally share a bed with the Ilan. I should have known that stuff. I should have been able to answer those questions.”

“Okay. So what are you going to do about it?” Pyri asked.

“Learn. I guess.”

“Damn right. You talk to Dahnus. You talk to me. Talk to Thanesh. Listen when we talk. Ask questions.”

Elaine nodded while Pyri spoke.

In front of them, a Kuyon male was walking slowly, causing the whole group to slow down so they didn’t swallow him.

“It’s going to be stressful, isn’t it?” Elaine said.

“Yes. Elaine, you have to give yourself grace. You’ve spent the last several months recovering.”

“Yeah, but now I’m one of the official lovers of the Ilan of Amara. Eyes are on me. I should have been able to answer those questions.”

Pyri smiled, tight and empathetic.

In front of them, the Kuyon stumbled and fell, landing on his face.

“Oh my god!”

Elaine ran over to him, breaking through her security detail who rushed to catch up.

“Oh my god. Are you okay?”

Elaine dropped to her knees and reached out, touching the male who was groaning. Dark blue blood which reflected bright turquoise in the sunlight gushed from his broken nose.”

Black on black eyes rolled before settling on her. He stared at her for a few seconds before a look of pure pain settled on his face.

“No.” he shook his head. “No. Not now.”

“Sir? Help.” She looked up at her guards who gathered around her. “Turn him around. Call someone. He needs an ambulance.”

“Call local medical services,” Hemian barked out, helping Elaine turn the Kuyon onto his back.

“Sir, what’s your name?” Elaine asked.

Pyri walked over, her pack surrounding her. Their group was hindering others and Kuyon were stopping to watch.

“You’re so beautiful,” the Kuyon said. He reached up and stroked Elaine’s cheek.

Something, some kind of recognition swept through her awareness. It was as though she knew this male. Had always known him.

“Thank the gods he never got to see you. I wish we could have made you happy.” His voice was growing weaker.

“Vrok,” Hemian said. “Tell the medical team we found a Kuyon male who’s lost his prebond.”

“Oh no,” Pyri said, stepping closer.

“I don’t understand,” Elaine said, looking from the Kuyon, who was gripping onto her, to Pyri and back again. “Sir. What’s your name?”

“Paydin. Paydin Keldar.” His hand slipped. Elaine grabbed it, holding it to her cheek, her eyes filling with tears, panic like a caged animal a lead weight in her stomach. “Please don’t die.”

Paydin smiled, his eyes focused so intently on her.

“No choice, Adiyah. At least… not taking you… with us.”

Paydin closed his eyes. His breath was coming quick and shallow.

“What do you mean?” Paydin didn’t respond. She looked up at Pyri who was crying. “What does he mean?”

“His prebond died, Elaine. Kuyon bond for life. When his prebond died, his body began to shut down. You’re their mate.” Pyri swallowed.

Through teary eyes, Elaine looked down at him. Like all the Kuyon they’d seen, his skin was cobalt. He had strong, beautiful features, with tousled dark blue hair, a thick and long neck and strong body.

Elaine couldn’t explain it. But it felt like if he died the whole world would come crashing down. Like a part of her would die with him.

A large akora landed just beyond them, flashing lights and Kuyon running with bags. Zinif pulled her away and she fought him, wanting to stay with Paydin. They lifted him onto a platform, getting him ready to take him away.

“Is there something you can do for him?” Elaine asked the female medic.

The female shook her head. “The most we can do is make him comfortable.”

“Where are you taking him?”

“And you are?” the male asked her.

“I’m his prebond,” Elaine said, stepping forward. She was shaking, her eyes kept going to him as the lev platform automatically returned to the akora, the female following. “Where are you taking him?”

“Deshaia. You don’t have long. A few hours. Maybe more if you’re there,” he said.

They got in and took him away. Elaine stared after it, wanting to follow.

“Everybody back to the akoras now,” Pyri said.

“I want to go to the hospital,” Elaine protested. “There has to be something I can do.”

“There is,” Pyri said taking her hand. “You are the lover of the Ilan. He has a special relationship with the Kuyon. They will put him in cryo if he asks.”

“What will that do?” Elaine asked.

Pyri turned, her face all business.

“Kuyon can rebond if they have two prebond or a mate and prebond their body… er, the Kuyon call it ‘Itasi’ mate recognition. Paydin recognised you, Elaine. If there is even one compatible male out there who can trigger his Itasi, he might live. But we don’t have much time. We must get you to Dahnus now.”