Scandalous Heroes Box Set (189 page)

It amazed her how rapidly the Kitcy King had gathered a large army of warriors eager and ready to take up arms for Argona. Even now as they crossed the galaxy at warp speed toward her planet there were numerous large space vessels trailing close behind her. King Dylin treated her as if she were part of his family…his people. The thought of his support after what she had done caused thick painful emotions to tighten her throat. Even though she knew she had no choice in her actions to procure a mate, it still bothered her.

“The invaders have surrounded the palace where the queen has most of the citizens gathered so they can stand together and fight. However, it is taking all of their energy and sorcery to hold the structure solid.” She squeezed Rymingten’s arms that were around her. “Soon they will weaken if they can’t replenish their strength.”

“Have faith. We will get there before that happens.”

Almost as if her mate’s words became truth, they were in her planet’s atmosphere. The shield of protection was down allowing the entire fleet to enter without her clearing the way.

The Kitcy warrior-laden ships breezed past her small pod and set down where ever they found a space large enough.

By the time she and Rymingten raced down the pod ramp they stepped into the battle his people were waging against the raiders. Some of them were in cat form and others were swinging large sharp weaponry.

“Ahhhh!” With a battle cry, she quickly joined the fray. Tossing her braid over her shoulder she began to swing it. Allowing it to arc around her while she centered her power. One vicious mongrel of a male charged at her and was the first to fall to the deadly strike of her hair whip.

Her core filled with pride as she saw her mate in his true form ripping and tearing into those foolish enough to attempt to fight against him. The blade-like claws at the end of his large paws showed no mercy.

“Weee must get tooo your palace.”
He called out to her.
“Talk tooo Queen Eyleen.”

Unsure of why talk was what her mate had in mind, instead of demolishing the males tearing at the wall, she still gave him her trust. “There are a few secret passages.”

Rymingten followed her as they rushed toward the forest away from the palace, having to fight off three invaders that dared get in their way. When they reached the thick foliage, she located the door to the entrance.

“Help me lift this.” She took hold of the heavy rope handle.

Shifting in an instant, he stepped up beside her and grabbed on with her. The two of them managed to lift it away from the opening.

“It is already lit. Evidently the queen had the exit ready in case they could no longer defend the land.”  Through the passage they went, securing the door behind them.

They passed several female guards who stood along the tunnel ensuring it was secure.

“Welcome home, Krysteena.” Her sisters Rema and Karyn spotted them first when they entered the main assembly room of the palace.

“Where is our queen?” she asked looking around and attempting to locate her mother.

“Where do you think? In first position at the main door.” Karyn her youngest sister called out.

Of course Queen of the Argona people would be front and center to stand and fight to protect her charges. Moving through the press of inhabitants dressed and armed for war, she and Rymingten finally reached the front.

“Mother.” Krysteena rushed to her and received the fierce embrace. When she turned to greet her father, who stood with her two brothers both holding swords, she was stopped.

“Are you injured my daughter?” Her father clutched her shoulders and took in all the blood saturating her clothing.

“No. It is not my blood but that of our enemies.” She lifted her chin.

Her father’s smile was full of pride as he pulled her in.

The banging on the door drew them apart.

“How did this happen? How were these space mercenaries able to breach our shield?” Krysteena stood before her mother.

“They captured two of the warriors out on their scouting voyage for a mate. They surrounded and overtook them quickly before they could evade. Using their majji energy they held the shield open for their ships to pass through.”

“Well they will all pay!” Krysteena declared. “My Queen, the Kitcy warriors have come again to fight with us.”

“Truly?” The queen’s voice was filled with awe.

“Yes.” Rymingten spoke up.

She saw her mother begin to lift her hand as if prepared to give the charge order.

“However, Queen Eyleen,” Rymingten’s voice halted her movements. “Before you all join the Kitcy warriors in the fight there’s something I think you should do.”

Frowning, the queen observed him. “That is?”

“Release your mated males to fight with you.”

“Do you not see my mate as well as all others laden with weapons to battle with us?” The queen gestured around her.

“I do. But, they can truly help you strike a swift victory if like me they were able to stand beside their mates as their true selves and use their own abilities.”

Krysteena saw her mother’s gaze lower to Rymingten’s neck, realizing for the first time that he was no longer adorned. There was heat and confusion in her eyes when she turned them on her. “Explain yourself, Krysteena.”

“With all due honor, Queen Eyleen, there’s no time for that. Your males must be released,” Rymingten countered.

Stepping toward him, the queen lowered her voice, “You come to my planet and attempt to challenge our laws and order me about? Me the Queen of Argona.”

“Not order. Never that.” He bowed his head, showing her respect. “Only advise. My people stand and battle in their true form as well as the secondary form that your ancestors gifted us with. We do this with freedom and devotion. I beg of you to trust your mates to be just as devoted to their families as well as this planet that has become their home too.”

Krysteena watched the exchange with nerves filling her stomach. One day she was set to be queen, walk in her mother’s footprints and she could understand the weight of indecision that crushed her mother’s mind. On Kitcy she had felt the same way before Rymingten’s pleas.

“How do I know that after the battle is won the males will not turn and use their powers and abilities on us?” The queen countered.

More banging ensued and the sound of something being crashed through.

“Trust and have faith. Argona females have not been cruel to their mates but showed them kindness and love,” Rymingten continued.

There was silence around the room as everyone within hearing awaited the queen’s decision.

Finally the queen took a step back from Rymingten. “You have been a thorn in my gut ever since Krysteena brought you home. You better not be wrong.” Moving to her mate, the queen cupped his cheek, kissed him passionately before all and lifted her hands and removed his ring of adornment.

There was a loud gasp around the chamber.

“Wait. This must be brought before the council.” Megyn one of the eldest of the council members called out from the center of the room.

Only giving the female a moment of her time, the queen addressed her. “I am queen. I determine when I need advisement.” Facing her people she called out. “Follow me!”

The Argonians understood. Those with mates mimicked the actions of their queen and soon they were all charging through the door, males freed to fight in their true nature beside their mates.

Chapter Seven

“We have victory! We have victory! We have victory!” The war waged long past the setting of the third sun, but Rymingten recognized the joy and pride of the Argona Queen as she stood with her husband beside her, his sonic boom hands now clasped at his back.

The mixed throng that had fought the fight with her, both of Argona and from other planets, chanted too.

Rymingten accepted the kiss from his mate, pulling her in and holding her close for a long moment. The elation he felt that she was safe and unharmed overwhelmed him. This strong, majji warrior female had managed to fill him with pride and rob him of his heart at the same time.

“Your people will wish to leave soon and return to their home. Will you request a boon from the queen and ask to be released and depart with them?”

Krysteena’s features were a mask, void of emotion. He couldn’t tell what she was feeling about him by analyzing her eyes, but she couldn’t hide what was going on inside of her—not from her mate.

“My people is where my mate is. Since I will be like your father one day fighting beside my queen—you—how can I even imagine being anywhere else?”

Both bewilderment and love flooded her dark features. “You would choose me? After the capture, the year on Earth and the ring?”

“I love you, Krys…Krysteena. I would choose to be anywhere you are. Even as a fat house cat—unneutered of course.”

She laughed. Wrapping her arms around him, she held him to her. “I love you, too, my Kitcy cat. I may have captured you, but you sieged my heart.” Raining kisses on his face, she leaned back and said, “You do realize we are going to have to meet with the council once this is all settled. The elders don’t allow the old ways to fade away lightly.”

“Your cat is up for a fight. No more collars for me.” He squeezed her to him.

Smiling, she said, “You got it.”

“There’s one last thing I need to do before my family returns home,” he said.

~YH~

“What is it you would like to discuss, my son.”

It warmed Rymingten’s heart to hear the Argona Queen give him a moniker of one of her family members. After the fallen had been honored with a burial, the carcasses of the invaders burned and they all celebrated and feasted together, he now stood before the queen and his father.  Krysteena was also present.

“My Argona Queen of my new home and my Kitcy King of my origins, something is on my heart that causes me to bring both planet leaders together.”

“That is?” his father sat across from him at the queen’s table.

“The history of our people. The fact that it is joined and united. Today has proven that keeping an open, public link between the majji and cats is more than necessary.”

Both king and queen nodded.

“I agree. I will have our historians begin to teach the sealed annals the elder council held, which I have now reviewed myself,” the queen agreed.

“I concur,” the king added. “And will do the same on Kitcy. Bringing the cats into the old land for instruction.”

He was glad to have both leaders on board with what he desired to happen. “There is one final issue.”

“What could there be, Rym?” his father asked.

Rymingten looked down the end of the table at the queen then to his father. “Our people should do more than just provide history and open active communication lines.” Glancing at his mate he took hold of Krysteena’s hand. “They should join for mating as well.”

“Mating?” his father folded his hands on top of the table and leaned forward.

Unsure if it was a good sign or not, Rymingten rushed on. “Krysteena and my joining may have been by chance selection on her part. However, there’s something substantial in it. We can feel each other’s emotions and a deep bond is between us.”

“What do you think is the cause of this bond?” his father asked.

“Rymingten and I discussed it. Since discovering the truth of both our planets in Kitcy cave, we think because of the majji spell that altered the cat structure it made them a perfect match with us,” Krysteena explained.

“Not to mention Kitcy is struggling to produce female offspring and Argona is lacking males. It is the reason their mature females have to journey so often from home to locate a mate they can only hope will match,” Rymingten added.

“And be tamable.” The queen gave him a crooked smile.

He grinned back. “Well, if it becomes an agreement between the two planets there shouldn’t be any difficulty.”

“This is true.” Queen Eyleen leaned back in her seat and appeared to ponder the situation.

His father stroked his chin, his thinking position. “What are your thoughts on it, Eyleen?”

“I can’t think of a reason why this is not a star rising idea, Dylin,” the queen offered. “Especially when I reviewed the archives and there were some brief notes regarding a few Kitcy and Argona matches and the production of the red energy or passion streaking. A signal of a mate match…I have no clue why it was ignored and sequestered.”

Both Rymingten and Krysteena eyed each other. He could feel the relief showering her body through her emotions.

“Son, I say you and your mate have presented us with a sound solution to both planetary problems. Something that will keep us both thriving well into several generations.” His father smacked the table, “I’m on board.”

“So, am I.” Reaching over, Eyleen took hold of her daughter’s hand. “Thank you both.”

“I love you, mother.” Krysteena squeezed her mother’s hand. “I’m glad this will work and our planet is safe again.”

“Well, Dylin if you will give me a moment of your time before you and your people depart I would appreciate it and maybe we can have the first dual joining ceremony within fifteen rising moons.”

“This is important to me. You have my attention.” The king gave a firm nod.

“While you two meet, Krysteena and I will leave you to it.” Rymingten rose and pulled his mate to her feet beside him. Before leaving she embraced her mother as he rounded the table and hugged his father. “Please kiss mother for me and let her know I will see her at the first annual joining observance.”

“I will, Rym. Take care of your warrior mate.” King Dylin leaned in and placed a kiss on Krysteena’s cheek.

“That is the plan for the rest of my life.” Encircling Krysteena’s waist he escorted her out the wood door. “What do you say, my mate, that we adjourn to our dwelling and celebrate?”

“Since we have an offspring to produce to prove to our leaders this is a perfect solution, I’m in full agreement.”

“You do know that we cats produce two to three in a litter at a time, right?”

“What?” her lids were stretched wide with shock.

“No worries, I will have my mother come to visit and assist you.” After giving her a deep passionate kiss to direct her mind toward the enjoyment in creating offspring instead of the number, he caressed her along her markings and felt her shiver as he led her out of the palace.