Wray (38 page)

Wray was silent and considered what Curador
had said. He wasn’t wrong. Wray relied on his Lords to tell him who
the most worthy were. He knew some would overstate a warrior’s
qualification… but to outright lie… that he had never considered.
“Perhaps you are right, but that no longer matters as they are no
longer a threat.”

“You’ve sent them to Daco?”

“Yes.”

“Good.” Curador turned his attention back to
Kim, who’d been following the conversation with wide eyes and his
expression softened. “So where are you hurting, young one?”

Kim gave him a small smile, liking how he
stood up to Wray but was still respectful and realized why Caitir
liked him so much. “My throat's a little sore.” She told him.

“Hmm.” Curador looked at her sharply as he
ran the unit over the area and realized her throat had to be more
than a ‘little’ sore. “Let’s see if I can’t fix that.”

It only took seconds for the rawness in Kim’s
throat to disappear and she smiled at Curador. “That’s much better.
Thank you.” She said her voice back to normal.

“You are very welcome Empress.” Curador said,
giving her a steady look. “You were very lucky the water was so
cold.”

Kim nodded, understanding what he was saying.
The coldness of the water had slowed her body’s need for oxygen and
allowed her to live.

Curator moved on, speaking as he went. “Now
I’ll just scan the rest of you to make sure there isn’t anything
else.”

Kim held Wray’s hand, quietly watching
Curador as he scanned her. Every now and then, he would make a
sound and adjust the scanner. He was starting to remind her of a
big, gruff, old teddy bear.

“Are any of your offspring, Healers?” Kim
asked quietly and Curador’s eyes shot up to hers.

“What?” he asked.

“Your offspring. Are they Healers too?”

“I have no offspring.” Curador told her
gruffly.

“I… but why?”

“Because I was never able to attract a
female.” Curador told her shortly, his eyes hardening before they
returned to the scanner, but not before Kim saw the flash of pain,
he tried to hide.

She hadn’t meant to hurt him. She had been
trying to give him a compliment. He was such a warm, caring male
under his gruff exterior. She would have never even considered that
a female wouldn’t choose him. Reaching out she gently gripped his
wrist.

“I’m sorry.” She said, hoping he would
believe her. “I’m new to this world and still have a great deal to
learn. I never meant… you have been very kind to me and I just
assumed…”

Curador looked at the female and saw the
honest regret in them. She hadn’t been slyly trying to insult him,
as a Tornian female would. She hadn’t been questioning his worth.
She truly believed him to be worthy and fit enough to have
offspring. He found his throat tightening at the thought.

“It is for the best.” He forced the words
past his lips. It is what he had always told himself. “I doubt I
would have been a very good manno.”

“I don’t.” Kim’s response was immediate. “If
you can be this caring for someone you’ve just met, then you would
be wonderful with your own offspring.”

“I… thank you Empress.” Curador said and felt
his skin darkening as he looked back to his scanner.

Wray silently watched the exchange between
Kim and Curador and realized Kim had surprised and charmed the old
male with her honesty and caring. Just as she had his warriors with
her treatment of Damir. None of them were used to a female acting
this way, but it felt right.

“Are you hungry Kim?” Wray asked suddenly
realizing just how late it was.

“A little.” She told him

“Caitir,” Wray looked to Caitir who was still
quietly standing next to the bed. “Would you please inform Veron
that food needs brought up for the Empress?”

“Liquids only.” Curador cut in. “Some of the
cook’s sicin soup would be best. Not too hot and several slices of
bread smothered in mansikka preserves.” He ordered frowning at his
scanner.

Caitir looked to the Emperor who just nodded
before responding. “Right away.” She said and started to hurry away
when the Emperor's voice stopped her.

"Find a covering for her first." He said. If
his Kim was going to be eating, he wanted her properly covered.

Caitir quickly did as the Emperor requested
and helped the Empress into the night covering then hurried out of
the room.

“You said the Empress had been scanned and
treated before?” Curador’s eyes went to Wray.

“Yes.”

“And there was nothing unusual in the scans?”
He asked.

“No. Yakar would have mentioned it if there
had been. Why?” Wray demanded.

“May I see them?” Curador asked instead of
answering.

Wray stared at the Healer for several moments
wondering what he wasn’t saying.

“Please sire, it would be very helpful.”

“Is something wrong?” Kim asked.

“No Empress. I would just like to make a
comparison to be sure.” He told her gently.

“Yakar.” Wray said talking into his comm.
“Come in here and bring your scanner.”

Within seconds, Yakar was striding through
the door a smug look on his face. “I knew you would come to your
senses sire.”

Curador watched the Empress stiffen as Yakar
approached. She didn’t even try to hide her dislike for the
male.

“Give Curador your scanner.” Wray
ordered.

“What?” Yakar looked at him stunned.

“Are you deaf male?!!” Curador demanded as he
spun around grabbing the scanner from Yakar’s hand. After punching
a few buttons, he tossed it back. “Now leave. I won’t have you
upsetting the Empress.” Curador told him, then turned his attention
to his own scanner.

“I… what… You…” Yakar was stunned not only
was he still not treating the Empress, but that this… male thought
he could order him out.

“Yes Yakar, leave.” Kim echoed not even
trying to hide how much she was enjoying the way Curador was
treating him.

Yakar looked at the Empress and saw her
smirk. A smirk! She was
smirking
at him?
Him!
He felt
his anger grow. Who did this little, non-Tornian female, think she
was.
He
was the Imperial Healer.

Wray watched the exchange between Kim and
Yakar and knew something had to change here. Kim would never accept
Yakar so another Healer would need to be found. He would not have
her at risk. He watched Kim smile at Curador and realized the
decision had already been made.

“Emperor.” Yakar’s voice brought Wray’s eyes
back to him.

“You may leave Yakar.”

“But…”

“Leave!” Wray roared. He was done dealing
with this male.

“Yes, sire.”

Curador’s eyes went from the Emperor to the
Empress unable to believe what the scanner was telling him.

“What is it Curador?” Kim asked, tightening
her grip on Wray’s hand. “What’s wrong?”

“You said Yakar discussed these scans with
you?" Curador directed his question to Wray. “That he found nothing
unusual?”

“Yes.” Wray told him.

“Any damage caused by the Ganglians was
repaired?”

“Yes.” Wray bit out again.

“And there was no evidence that they had bred
her.” Curador cringed slightly as he heard his words and Kim’s
gasp. “Pardons Empress.” He said looking at her.

“I…” Kim’s shocked eyes flew to Wray. “I
never thought… never considered it possible…” Her eyes filled with
tears. “Are you saying that…”

“No!” Curador instantly denied, realizing
what she thought. “No Empress! Of course not! Just the
opposite.”

“Then why did you ask!” Wray demanded not
liking how pale Kim had become.

“Because I wanted to make sure Yakar had told
you everything.” Curador turned gentle, caring eyes to Kim. “In all
my years, I have never encountered another species so similar to
our own. Kaliszians are very close and still we are unable to
successfully Join with them.”

“That’s not true.” Kim argued back with a
shaky voice. “You
can
successfully
Join
with one
Curador. You just aren’t able to have offspring.”

Curador raised an eyebrow at her, realizing
she was correct. For Tornians a successful Joining meant the
successful presentation of fit and worthy offspring. It wasn’t
necessarily the same thing.

“You are correct Empress and looking at the
scans Yakar took, he should have realized that the chances were
high that you and the Emperor
could
have offspring.”

“Just as we
could
have offspring with
Kaliszians, Curador?” Wray fired back angrily. Not liking how he
was getting Kim’s hopes up. “That doesn’t mean we
will
and I
don’t care. All I want is Kim.”

“I understand this Emperor, but things have
changed.”

“What do you mean?” Wray demanded.

“According to the scan I’ve just done the
Empress
is
with offspring.
Your
offspring.”

Curador’s words were met with absolute
silence as both Kim and Wray just looked at him. Curador couldn’t
help but chuckle at the stunned expressions on their faces.

“Congratulations.” He said.

“There’s no doubt that…” Kim turned fearful
eyes to Curador worried about what he had said before.

“It is the Emperor’s, Empress. A thousand
pardons that I could for even a moment have made you doubt that. I
was trying to reassure you that it wasn’t possible, not the
opposite. You have not been with offspring long, a week at
most.”

“Wray?” Kim looked at him and found his eyes
glued to her.

Wray couldn’t believe it. His Kim was with
offspring? He wanted to roar it to the stars, but then another
thought struck. “Is she at risk?” Wray demanded of Curador his eyes
never leaving Kim.

“There is always a risk sire.” Curador told
him, frowning. “Especially since this is the first offspring
between a Tornian and a human.” Curador now understood his
Emperor’s concern, it wasn’t because he didn’t care, it was because
he cared so much. “She will need to be closely monitored as she is
so much smaller than our females, but otherwise I see no reason for
her and the offspring not to be fit.”

“You will accompany us to Tornian.” Wray
stated, not bothering to ask. “You will be the Empress’ personal
Healer.”

“It would be my honor Emperor.” Curador said,
giving him a slight bow. “But what about Healer Yakar?”

“The Empress does not care for him,” Wray
said looking to Kim. “So he will not treat her.”

“Thank you Wray.” Kim said, leaning over to
kiss him, shocking Curador.

“You don’t need to thank me for caring for
you my Kim. Your happiness is all that matters.”

“He will not take this well.” Curador warned
quietly.

“He will have to adjust.” Wray said
dismissively.

“Yes, sire.” Curador said and found a smile
breaking out across his face. “This news will be celebrated
throughout the Empire.

“Wray…” Kim said, her eyes turning
uncertain.

“What is wrong my Kim?” Wray asked, frowning.
“Are you feeling ill?” He shot concerned eyes to Curador.

“No. I just…”

“What my Kim?” Wray slid closer cupping her
cheek with one hand. “You can tell me anything. You know that.”

Taking a deep breath, Kim just spit it out.
“I don’t want anyone to know I’ve conceived. Not yet.”

“What?” Wray gave her a confused look.
”Why?”

“I…” Kim looked at him, not sure how to
explain. “I just want there to be something that’s ours… at least
for a little while. There’s already been so many questions, so many
strange looks. When this gets out… we don’t even know if it will be
healthy… fit.”

“My scan shows the offspring has no defects
Empress.”

“You can tell that? Already?” Kim asked, her
eyes wide.

“Yes, Empress.” Curador said, smiling
indulgently.

“You still don’t want anyone to know.” Wray’s
eyes never left Kim and he could tell he was right. “You want time
to adjust.”

“Yes. Is that okay?” She gave him a
beseeching look. “Am I asking too much? I know what this means to
you… to your people.”

“To
our
people and no you aren’t
asking too much my Kim. It is never too much if it is what makes
you happy.”

Curador looked at the couple on the bed in
shock. Did they really mean to keep this a secret? They needed to
find the Empress’ home world. Needed to see if more females were
available because he had no doubt that this was the first of many
successful Joinings.

Yet looking at them, he saw something he has
never seen between a male and female before… true affection and
caring… they spoke
to
each other not
at
each other.
They discussed things and they… touched. He has never seen this
before and seeing it now, he realized it wasn’t his place to
question
their
decision. His place was to make sure the
Empress and her offspring remained healthy.

Reeve walked around the body of Gyula, his
expressionless face revealing none of the rage that filled him. How
was this possible? Two of his finest warriors were dead. Gyula lay
at his feet, disemboweled by the Emperor. He arrived just as Gyula
begged the Emperor to be ended, shaming every warrior in House
Reeve… for fit and worthy males never begged.

The Emperor’s warriors had immediately
followed the Emperor after Tora's call that there were warriors
down. Reeve had held his back. He saw now that it had been a
mistake. Had
his
warriors been on hand, they might have been
able to assist, if not Gyula, then Fala.

How Tora was able to behead Fala Reeve would
never know. Others were more skilled with the sword than Fala but
Fala never fought fair and that was why he had never been defeated.
Tora wasn’t yet eighteen, there was no way he should have been able
to defeat him, it made no sense.