The Ilia's Lovers - Chapter Thirty-Three

Everyone was standing on the beach as the akora settled on the pad. Chinna was a small island with several exclusive properties which acted as a small village where the leaders of the Kuyon home world would come to privately to discuss policies. The leader of Kuyon borrowed the house to Dahnus for his family. Hadith smiled, excited to see everyone for the first time in a few years.

Dahnus’s sister Sirini was running to the akora as the engines went silent, skipping with excitement. Dahnus opened the door and wrapped his arms around her as she collided with him. They talked in excited tones, Sirini’s so high Hadith couldn’t make out individual words.

Borum joined them. Borum was older, his white hair darkening to silver. Still, he appeared strong, a bulwark of protection for Dahnus’s siblings as he approached Dahnus, a proud grin on his face. Borum wrapped Dahnus and Sirini in a huge hug which Dahnus met by extending an arm around his agba.

“Zamin, get in here.”

Zamin Ascendi was the oldest son of Dahnus’s father by previous lovers before he met his mates and therefore was ineligible to be the Ilan. He was one of the best males Hadith had ever met and was an older, more mature version of his brother, though his eyes were a shocking shade of light navy, his eyes more saturated in colour than they should be for a male.

Once Zamin was in on the crush, the rest of Dahnus’s siblings joined in, crushing the Ilan between them.

“How many siblings does Dahnus have?” Elaine asked.

“Not including Danari, nine. Three from Dahnus’s father. Four from his mother, two from his adalan father and of course, Danari,” Hadith pointed at Danari who was running out to them from one of the houses, “from all three.”

“I’m so relieved,’ Elaine said.

“Relieved?” Radiin sat forward. They were all sitting in the akora because with Dahnus and his siblings there simply wasn’t room on the platform for them to do anything but sit and wait for them to make room for them.

“Yeah. For a moment there I thought Hadith was going to say they were all from his mother. I was stressed for her.”

Hadith chuckled and squeezed her hand.

“It must have been wonderful,” Elaine said, gazing longingly out of the door. “Growing up with so many siblings and so much love.”

“You didn’t have love growing up?” Radiin asked.

“Oh, lots. “ Elaine looked at him, her radiance glowing from her. “I was surrounded by my mom, her girlfriend, her friends. But no kids. Our neighbourhood was small. Preserved from an earlier age. She taught me engines in our front yard, but we were surrounded by factories and warehouses. Not many kids. I was kinda lonely.”

Hadith tightened his hold on Elaine’s hand.

“I didn’t know that,” he said.

“It’s only now I’m really thinking about it. When you’re a kid, you accept the world as you find it. It never occurs to you that other people do it differently. I mean, I went to school with other kids. I knew. But, I don’t know, it just hits me different right now, seeing how open they are with their love.”

“That was the home Dahnus’s father ran. That was the way they were all brought up. That’s all they know.”

“Elaine, Hadith.”

Hadith smiled at Radiin, as he led the way out, helping Elaine down from the akora and into Dahnus’s arms.

“Agba. This is Lady Elaine Franklin. I told you about her.”

Borum nodded pointedly.

“Elaine. This is Lord Borum Nabar, my agba.”

Hadith stepped away as Dahnus introduced her to his siblings, and as Elaine began to charm them.

Danari approached him and Radiin and stood with them.

“The Sehn finally found their candidate for Elaine’s Sehn mate, Excuse me Radiin.”

“I understand what this is,” the Zenin said, obviously uncomfortable.

“He’ll be arriving tomorrow,” Danari continued.

“I’ll make sure our schedule is clear to meet him. Can you take Elaine out somewhere? Make sure she comes back at the right time.”

“Of course.”

“Why can’t we just tell her what this is about?” Radiin opened his mouth, seemed to reconsider, then opened his mouth again. “I hate all this lying.”

Danari shook her head.

“Not until we’re ready to announce to the first chamber. Previous mates to the leader have let things slip and been attacked, had assassination attempts, and even been killed. Elaine is delicate. You must understand that. She is strong, but that strength is lying beneath a delicate veneer she’s not yet ready to break through to bring her strength to bear. She just discovered she has a Kuyon mate. We must ensure she’s ready but more importantly, we have to make sure Dahnus has everything in place. There will be objections to both his mates for absolutely ridiculous reasons,” Danari took hold of Hadith’s hand and squeezed it reassuringly. “We need to move all our pieces in place. When that’s done, when we’re ready to announce, they’ll tell her.”

Radiin shook his head.

“That’s a mistake. She won’t like it and she’ll hate us. Her so-called lovers.”

“She’ll love you,” Hadith said. “Elaine can’t help herself. When she realises you’re bonded to her, she’ll meet that bond with pure love.”

Hadith rubbed his chest with his free hand, he stopped when he saw Radiin staring at him

“She’ll work it out, between the lovers you’re bringing on for her and seeing Dahnus’s family, unless she is foolish, and she doesn’t strike me as foolish.”

“She is far from foolish,” Hadith replied. “It is common for our lovers to take their own. Plus, with the recent assassination attempt on her—”

“The what?” Radiin snapped, his skin rippling, hex marks resolving and fading on his skin.

Hadith suppressed a grin. Radiin may be struggling with this mentally, but his body had already accepted the bond.

“I will tell you all about it later,” Hadith said. “Suffice to say, there are those in our society who do not even want Elaine as a lover to Dahnus. If word were to slip, she is our mate and Ilia their efforts to end her life would redouble.”

Radiin’s mouth opening as though to speak.

Borum walked over to Hadith and pulled him into a hug.

“It’s so good to see you, Vovin,” Borum said, using a Zenin term of endearment. “We’ve all missed you.”

“I’ve missed you too, agba,” Hadith replied. “What do you think of her?”

Borum backed away and took Elaine in. Slowly, the group was moving over the landing platform towards the beach, but they weren’t getting far as everyone was gravitating to Elaine, trying to get her attention.

“I’ve always thought humans were a beautiful race. She is particularly spectacular. From the few words we’ve exchanged, she seems gentle, kind.”

Hadith felt a fist of anxiety loosen.

“She is all that and more,” he said.

Borum grinned. “I look forward to getting to know her better.” With that he turned to the group around Elaine. “Everyone, stop crowding our guest. To the beach.”

The nine siblings and, what Hadith now realised included some of their mates and chosen partners, broke up on Borum’s command and began walking to the beach.

“Agba, this is Radiin Yitia.” Hadith gestured towards the Zenin who stepped forward.

“Ah, you’re the new me?”

“Excuse me,” Hadith said, moving towards Dahnus and Elaine.

“Borum? May we speak later, about all of this?”

“Of course. Radiin. What about?”

“Yes, amdar. I have… reservations. I could use your guidance.”

“I was the same at first. I would be honoured to help you.” Borum replied.

Hadith joined Dahnus and Elaine but turned to watch Radiin, Borum and Danari as they walked together up the dock talking.

“I was just saying to Elaine, my family can be a bit overwhelming.”

“They’re lovely,” she protested.

“We’re often both,” Borum said with a smile as he passed, stepping onto the beach and leaving them on the pier.

“Wow, the Kuyon government know how to live,” Elaine said.

Hadith turned to look at the island. This was his first time on Ket’Kitara so he’d never been here before. The island was quite small with several large houses stood on it in a circle configuration. It was covered in trees, and clearly set out patio areas amid the cultured gardens which Hadith imagined they used for outdoor meetings and meals. On the beach, there was a firepit with seating around it and it was here Dahnus’s family were heading.

Dahnus and Hadith each took one of Elaine’s arms and led her to his family, Danari and Radiin following close behind.

*****

Elaine was surprised the age range of Dahnus’s siblings. His oldest brother, Zamin was fifteen years older than Dahnus. He smiled as he watched Dahnus reconnecting with his siblings, obviously proud of his brother and thrilled to have him for the time Dahnus could spare on this trip. Zamin was one of two children born to the young Ilan when he was still an Ildan, a prince in human terms, living at the university and studying. Zamin and Nimara Ascendi’s mother and adalan father found their own mates later and Zamin and Nimara were brought up in the palace with their father, but they were always visiting their son and daughter and they was always visiting them. For Zamin, family was the most important things, and even though he had no relation to most of Dahnus’s siblings, to him, they were all his family.

Sirini Mataea was the daughter of the Ilia and her Sehn father, she’d lost both when Dahnus’s parents died. She was shorter than Elaine, which surprised her, she hadn’t been aware Sehn females were so much smaller than the males. Her small horns curved much like the Tessan horns, over her head and were an off-white colour. With her blonde hair and light blue eyes, her reddish skin, she was a contrast of beauty. She was very slender compared to Elaine and Elaine could see why her brothers were all so protective of her.

“We haven’t had an opportunity to see Dahnus is years. I’m so glad you came into his life and made this meeting possible,” Sirini said.

“I don’t think it has anything to do with me,” Elaine said. “I know he misses you all, all the time,” she said, looking past Sirini at Dahnus’s other sisters.

Nimara, Sirini, Arana, Ziah, and the twins, Mari and Torala were sat in a circle around Elaine. The firepit was between them and they were enjoying drinks the small island staff kept bringing to them.

Their agba, Borum, and brothers, Zamin, Vetran and Jorun were standing a distance away with Dahnus, Hadith and Radiin.

Actually, Elaine realised looking around to place everyone. Radiin and Borum were walking up the beach in an intense conversation.

Turning her attention back to the sisters, Elaine thought about the family Dahnus had grown up with. Nimara was the oldest girl and Amaran. Sirini was half Sehn. Arana was the only half Kuyon child born to Dahnus’s mother and her Kuyon triad. Ziah was the Ilan’s daughter from a lover group he had, so full Amaran, as were Mari and Torala who were the children of the Ilidan and his lover group.

Jorun, was Sirini’s full older brother, and half Sehn. Vetran was half Zenin.

Something, some warning prickled at the back of Elaine’s neck, but she wasn’t sure what it was about.

Sirini was barely older than Elaine, and the rest of the sisters were all younger, which Arana at fifteen and Ziah only twelve years old. Still a baby when her father, the Ilan, passed away. To them, Borum was their father, their agba, and Elaine could only imagine Nimara was their mother figure. The two youngest girls were sat together, watching Elaine and smiling like her liking them meant more to them than Elaine could ever imagine. Elaine smiled back and the two girls perked up.

“Do you ever make it to the palace?” Elaine asked Nimara and Sirini.

“No, unfortunately not since we left.” Nimara looked sad as she answered.

“It’s too dangerous for us,” Sirini said. “I was poisoned and sick for weeks. Agba took us away to protect us.”

“That must have been so hard,” Elaine said reaching out and touching Sirini’s arm quickly before withdrawing. “To lose your parents and home in such a short period.” Elaine knew what that was like, though in reality she didn’t lose her home, but she stopped living there a couple of years before her mother died.

“It was difficult, but we still had agba, and Danari visits at least a couple of times a year. It’s Dahnus we don’t get to see too often. We hope you’ll change that,” Nimara said.

“Your family must be anxious for you to get a Sehn mate, so you can be safe,” Elaine said to Sirini.

Sirini smiled.

“I inherited the Amaran reproductive system,” she said. “I need an adalan and dunaar to help me ovulate and have offspring. Unfortunately, I will never have a Sehn mate.” Sirini looked genuinely sad as she spoke.

Elaine opened and closed her mouth a few times, then shook her head.

“I don’t know what to say,” she admitted.

“There is nothing to say. I am half Amaran,” she said, stroking her fingers over her blonde Amaran hair. I’m sure I’ll find my mates at some point in the future.”

“I’m sure you will,” Elaine said, touching her arm briefly again.

The males joined them then, pulling up chairs and sitting, with Borum sitting between Ziah and Arana who took turns hugging him before settling down again. Radiin was standing behind Elaine until Dahnus pulled a seat for him next to Elaine.

The conversation turned to reminiscing about life at the palace, together, then turned to filling Dahnus in on some of the stories that happened since the last time he’d seen his family.

Elaine sat back and quietly watched everything and imagining life at the palace filled with children, lovers and everything being an Amaran family meant to them.

*****

Radiin’s chat with Borum yielded surprising results. Borum was open with the trials and tribulations he’d faced adjusting to the life of a male mated to the Ilia and talked about how fulfilling it was.

“It was a different life from what I had planned. But it was a great life. I had a home, family, affection I’d never known. My heart was full, Radiin. Dahnus’s parents, the other mates were my best friends. We had a clear mission. Protect our mate, protect our children. All of them. My mate, the Ilia, loved and honoured me in all ways. There isn’t a moment of my life since where I don’t miss everything I had and lost. I will protect our children, all of them, honour the people I loved.”

Radiin was sitting next to Elaine who listened quietly to the stories the Ilan’s family shared of him as a child. Zamin had the funniest stories, following the future Ilan around the palace to keep him out of trouble and Elaine’s laughter tinkled on the darkening beach.

It would be difficult. Zenin weren’t meant to share. His time with Elaine would be sacred. But he loved her already. He’d touched the soft skin and found it enticing. Looked into the deep blue eyes and found them full of his future. One day, she would carry his child, whoever the father was, and he would love them all fiercely, just as he loved her now.

Elaine looked at him as she laughed, and Radiin felt himself fall a little more in love with her.

That’s when he felt it. His skin hardened, hormones rushed through his body, and Radiin Yitia bonded to the future Ilia of Amara.