The eruption of clapping and cheering was almost overwhelming, but music to Nojan’s ears. He was the closest to Marek out of their other six brothers and would defend him to the death. To have their people accepting Jazmine and not shunning her was a start.
The road was going to be long and arduous either way, but it was much better to start out on the footing they had, rather than having to convince Vartik why their future king was marrying outside of their race. The Vartik bloodline had to remain untainted, and with Jazmine, it would. Her mother had given her and her brother Caleb the ability to live forever, as any deity might, but allowed for the father of Jazmine’s children to sire the bloodline. It was perfect.
Well, most of it.Nojan patted his brother on the shoulder and winked. “I’m going to the dock to relax a little. You guys okay?”
“Yes. Come save me from this madness if I call you?” Marek lifted his brow and grasped the side of Nojan’s face. “Promise me?”
“I’ll always come when you call me.” Nojan pulled back, turned, and walked through the hordes of people that were clamoring to get closer to the stage. Whether they were after a moment with the current king or the future one, Nojan was unsure.
“Where are you headed?” Kara, Nojan’s only sister, stopped him as he passed the royal gardens.
“To the docks. I just need to clear my head a little. I feel like too much has happened too fast. I need time to process it.” He tapped the side of his head. As the nerdy guy with too many brains for a casual conversation, most of his family left him alone and let him do his thing. Kara was a little different but not much.
“Don’t get your hopes up, okay? I care about you as my brother. I can see your mind spinning because of what Marek has done.” She glanced back toward the stage and sighed. “His situation is not repeatable. There is no other woman in the galaxy that can give you a Vartik child but the women here.”
“I know. Thanks for shitting on my hopes.” Nojan forced a laugh and reached out to squeeze his sister’s shoulder.
“Anytime.” She winked and walked toward the festival.
Nojan watched her go for a moment, chewing on her words. She was right, of course. There was no other future for him than the one his inheritance had placed upon him, but a spark of hope had been resurrected deep inside of him. It would be damn hard to snuff it out. Especially since he had time.
Marek would rule for a time. Then Zelup would have a turn. As the third in line, Nojan wouldn’t step up to the throne until he was well into his second century, which was fine by him. He’d rather just pass the baton altogether.
“Maybe there is a way to do that.” He rolled his shoulders and dropped down at the edge of the dock where they landed on the planet and left it. The dark blue water under his feet lapped up and covered the bottom of his shoes as if to welcome him.
Adventure was right around the corner. He was given clearance to leave the next morning with Kara to travel to Vanfia in search of an oracle that could lead them to Caleb, Jazmine’s brother. It was a mission only to gather the oracle and come back, but it would be nice to get off of Vartik for the first time in his life.
With the world believing the Vartiks had perished more than two generations ago, it was hard to survive in secrecy. No trading, no traveling, no mating across planets. No adventure. No life.
But tomorrow will be different. We’ll visit the land of the cats, and honestly, who knows what we’ll find? Marek found Jazmine on his trip. What if? Would it be so damn bad to wonder out loud?
“What if?”
