Nanny For The Alien General by Athena Storm
Serafina
Nothing makes any sense right now.
I’m in some strange assembly. My fellow villagers are here. There’s a lady in a white get-up and a crazy hat laying hands on me and Keilon, making a big deal about ‘fated mates’ and ‘intertwined auras’. And I’ve just gone from being a handcuffed prisoner to being publicly proposed to by the local King.
At least, I’m pretty sure that’s what’s happening. My brain keeps reviewing Keilon’s last words – will you marry me? – and trying to see if there’s some way other than the obvious to construe them. Because surely what he’s just said is not what he meant, is it?
He wants to marry me?
My heart is going crazy in my ribcage. My body is over-saturated from repeated onrushes of adrenaline for different reasons. Scared adrenaline followed by confused adrenaline followed by passionate adrenaline.
Trying to get some sense of balance, I look momentarily away from Keilon. My eyes fall on my fellow villagers, still chained to one another. There are wide-eyed looks of surprise on most of their faces.
Except for Malori. She’s got tears in her eyes and a warm smile on her face. She nods to me. Looking past her, I spy Trune. He’s chuckling slightly at the situation. It makes me start to laugh, but then I hold it together.
I’m suddenly conscious of how quiet the room is. That the only noise is the smashing of the heart against my sternum. And Keilon is still on one knee, waiting patiently, looking for all the world like someone who did, indeed, just propose.
To me.
I stare into his eyes. Grey like the fog on the lake in the early morning. In those eyes, I see reflected back at me a love I only subconsciously was aware of. Seeing that love in there is like having déjà vu. It seems impossible that he and I were not always together. It seems impossible to think that there could ever be a time when we would be apart.
Is that what the ‘fated mate’ thing is all about? I’m willing to believe that’s the case. Of course I’ll marry him. Of course I’ll intertwine my life with his. Hell, like the priestess-lady said, we’re already intertwined.
The more I consider it, the more this proposal just feels like a formality. Isn’t it obvious I’m going to be his wife?
You still need to say the word, a voice in my head reminds me.
“Yes,” I blurt out. “Yes, of course!” Saying it feels like being freed from chains all over again. This time, though, they are the chains of a heart’s love restrained. Never again will that be the case. I feel like I’m flying.
That’s partly my emotion and partly because Keilon has swept me into his arms and lifted me from the ground. He spins me around while the room breaks out in bursts of applause.
Suddenly, the applause is cut by cries of alarm. Keilon sets me down, holding me close to protect me. My eyes dart about and suddenly I hear something smash against something else.
Next thing I know, Teread comes stumbling backward out of a crowd and falls to the ground, unconscious. I look up and Staja is there, one hand in a tight fist.
“He was trying to get away,” Keilon’s man says softly to the hushed room.
I bend down and grab the cuffs that used to be around my wrists. I hold them out to Staja.
“My lady,” he says with a soft incline of the head. The words make me feel light-headed. Meanwhile, Staja cuffs Teread and carries the man out of the chamber.
There is still a deep hush in the room. Keilon looks at all the gathered Territory leaders.
“My friends… I recognize that this is an unexpected turn. I know as your King you have your suspicions about my taking a human wife, but…”
“Enough!” a voice cries out.
Keilon comes up short. “Lord Iserin?” he asks the man, uncertain of the meaning of the word that’s been uttered.
The Kiphian lord who spoke, Iserin, rises from his seat. “Did you think you were alone in this love of yours, My Lord?” he asks.
One by one, more Kiphians begin to rise from their chairs, until at least two dozen or more are on their feet.
“I have a human wife,” one declares as he rises.
“As do I,” says another.
“There are humans that I dine with in secret every month,” another declares. “I love them like family.”
“There are many who are in similar straits as you, Your Majesty,” Iserin says, his arms wide to take in all those who are standing, and more who are rising to join, “There are many who have kept the humans in their lives – and in their hearts – a secret from this assembly. Due to the anti-human sentiments so often given voice here. But you see, we stand now with our King. And with our human, soon-to-be-Queen.”
I try to ignore the butterflies in my stomach at being referred to as ‘Queen.’ I look at Keilon. He grips my hand and seems to choke back some overwhelming emotion.
“My friends,” he says, his voice husky, “I do not know what to say.”
“I propose a motion,” Iserin responds. “To amend the Lakes laws regarding humans. Beginning with freeing these here, and welcoming them as the first honored, human guests at this assembly.”
There are cheers. A few Kiphians look appalled, I note, but they’re in the minority. Meanwhile, I stand close beside Keilon as my people are freed from their shackles.
“Welcome,” Iserin cries out over the chatter and celebration in the room, “friends all!”
My heart, which I didn’t think could swell any further after Keilon’s proposal, expands yet again. It’s almost painful, but it’s a good hurt. One I would welcome a million times over.
I squeeze Keilon’s hand as hard as I can as Kiphians move among the throng of humans, shaking hands, exchanging names.
My brain still can’t seem to make sense of this sudden turn of events. My heart tells it not to worry and just enjoy the moment with my lover – soon to be husband – by my side.
So I do.
