Hurricane breaks off his kiss at my words and glares at me.
“What? It’s not like you won’t be able to supervise them, it will just be at a more tolerable distance for all involved.”
“Who are you to tell me how to raise my sisters?” he barks, and I raise an eyebrow at him.
“I am your crown prince,” I snarl, and he smirks.
“Ah, but I am your god.” He puffs out his chest, and I roll my eyes.
“We have not worshiped the gods for a long time. You are a washed-up has-been.” The two of us glare at each other, and Lila starts to chuckle with the others joining in until the whole room is filled with laughter.
“Ha-ha-ha, that was too good, but let me stop you both. This is my ship, and I am in charge. I don’t care if you’re a king, a god, or a warlock. What I say goes.” Lila’s words have power, and my body shakes as it washes over me. “The girls will have their wishes within reason. You will still be monitored, and until you can prove you are responsible and can be treated as adults, you will have a curfew. Now, I am just about done for the day, and Iwant to see my babies. How about you join us for some lunch? Tomorrow will be busy while we rehearse the show.”
Hurricane bows his head, conceding to Lila’s authority—for now. I also agree, secretly turned on by her show of power. I catch Xavier’s eye, and he winks at me and mouths, “Hot.”
“Why don’t we make a family reunion of it and invite Susie, Mark, and Aarin as well?” Brannock suggests, and Zeydan looks at Lila with hope.
“Better make it in the dining room then, because our suite is not big enough for a party like that,” she says, knowing it will make Zeydan happy.
“I’ll call ahead and book a table.” Saxon stands up. “If I make it an hour later, that will give Nixie time to show the others to their new home.”
“I’m assuming you all escaped without your belongings?” Xavier muses, standing up, and the four of them confirm this. “Write a list of what you need, and we will source it for you either from Vilax or Earth. Do you have someone you can contact to take care of your things back on Aquilia?”
“One of the trusted members of the resistance was going to pack up my belongings at the barracks and then go to my family home and pack that up as well. Once things are more settled, we can either return there or have them shipped to us.”
“We’re never going home, are we?” Tempest asks, tears streaming down her face.
Nixie stands up and moves to the girl, gathering her in her arms and holding her while she sobs. “I hope we can one day.”
“Well, I don’t want to be king,” I announce, and Hurricane looks at me with surprise, “so if you are amenable, then I would appoint you as regent until Typhoon comes of age.”
Lila looks stunned at this announcement. Of course it hadn’t occurred to her that he is in line for the Aquilian throne, andHali next if he doesn’t want it, but heaven help Aquilia if she leads it with her temper. We’d constantly be on the verge of war.
“But that’s a subject for another time.” Zeydan obviously sees the panic in our wife’s eyes and takes action. “Come now, let’s celebrate another win for our family.”
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Saxon
The trip to Vilax passes quickly. Rehearsals are in full swing, and Lila is very happy with the new acts and how the show is looking. With the Aquilians back on the program, albeit with a reworked show, and the new acts, it’s a longer and more exciting show than we had previously. The only act that hasn’t rehearsed yet is mine. Although Thorn and Titus offered to help out, we’re still short a couple of fliers. Both Susie and Magenta have offered their assistance, but I will wait to see what happens at home before I give them an answer.
We are docking at the spaceport that sits above Vilax, where they house their own battleships. The main ship is too big to land on the surface, so we will teleport down for the tribunal. I’m staring out the window of my room as the ship maneuvers into position, both my hearts beating faster than normal with my nerves. It’s weird. I can go into battle, and my heart rates don’t change, but the thought of anything upsetting my blood rose is enough to send my hearts into palpitations.
I haven’t been completely honest with Lila. I told her I wasn’t worried about this tribunal and that it should just be a formality. Finding a blood rose is one of the only surefire ways of dissolving a clan and really shouldn’t have required a tribunal, so then why have we been called for one? My aunt should have sent Estrella and Radella packing. It isn’t like we were kicking them out of the circus. They could have stayed with Hale and Velorina and continued performing. They just had to stop their possessive crap. I was never theirs to begin with, and I am most definitely Lila’s now.
I sigh and push off the cold frame, heading to my wardrobe. Appearing in front of the Vilaxian queen requires formal attire. I advised the others, and they were sourcing an outfit for Lila to wear, one that is Vilaxian in nature. Xavier assured me that Tinka at one of the ship’s boutiques was more than capable of producing something fit for a princess. After all, I am a prince of Vilax, even if I go by my general title.
My parents’ clan are advisors to the queen, and I can’t wait to see them and my extended family. Although my mother and father may be gone, and I miss them with all my heart, my family clan still considers me one of their own. Xenos is my twin, and we have five more clan brothers and sisters, as well as my aunt’s daughters whom we are all close to. They are dying to meet my blood rose, and they should all be in attendance for the tribunal. It is a formal affair and not one that is taken lightly amongst sanguinistas.
I pull out my uniform and dress, making sure my medals are all in place before strapping my sword scabbard to my back. I study myself in the mirror and finger comb my hair. I’m sure Auntie will complain, but I’ve let my hair grow out slightly since I left military service, and I know Lila loves running her hands through it.
Happy with how I look, I head out into the living area of the suite. The tribunal is an evening affair, and our children are already in bed. We made the decision that only Lila and I would attend the tribunal, and the rest of her mates kicked up a fuss, but I argued it was a Vilaxian legal proceeding and not something that would normally include guests. It would have been different if it was a political dinner or a ball. They all eventually conceded on the promise that if anything went sideways, Lila would teleport us to safety. She can’t go as far as the ship in space, but she could get us out of immediate harm, and I could take over from there and find us a place to hole up until we could be beamed back aboard.
The rest of Lila’s mates are all lounging around our living area to wish us good luck.
“How do you think this will go?” Brannock asks, taking in my military uniform with wide eyes. “Hell, I haven’t seen a Vilaxian in uniform since the war. You scrub up well, General.” He tips his bottle of beer at me in a salute, and I nod my thanks.
“I’d like to say it will go smoothly, but I think that’s wishful thinking. Estrella and Radella are known for their dramatics. I tried to contact Hale to see if he had any information for me, but he is dodging my calls… as is my brother.” I frown. This is what has me the most worried. None of my family are accepting my calls. I haven’t been able to reach any of them since I got word of the tribunal. Not even the queen or her staff are responding to my messages. It’s radio silent.
