“Brelix and Kerixax, both from Cruxan’s outpost,” Rixavox said, inclining his head at Cruxan who was seated across the circular black table.
Vaxa’an huffed out a sharp breath, annoyance pricking his spine.Brelix and Kerixax were warriors a few rotations older than him, both of whom he had interacted with—and fought with during battles—before.It disappointed him that they would challenge his authority in this way…but the law was the law.He would meet them in the Trials gladly, if only to prove that he was the rightful Prime Leader, a role that he had been training for his entire life.
“You will need to prepare,” Lihvan suddenly chimed in from his position across the table.“The moon will be full soon.Brelix and Kerixax are good warriors.You can defeat them, I have no doubt, but if more warriors decide to challenge you—”
“Then they choose death,” Vaxa’an said, his hand slicing off the rest of his words.“I will not tolerate this uprising for very long.”
Lihvan nodded.“The Trials will be for the best.They need to be reminded of your strength.An example must be set.”
Privak, one of the elders, once a warrior during Vaxa’an’s sire’s rule, and one who had been quite vocal against his decision to seek out a Breeder, said, “Perhaps execution is not the path to take in this situation.The males are still clinging to our tradition.They want Luxiria to be great again,strongagain, and they still grieve the loss of our females.Is that so wrong?To rebel against this?”
“Would you like to join them?” Vaxa’an growled out before he could stop himself.The room filled with sudden tension and his ambassadors went still in their seats.The remaining elders lurched back, their eyes flickering to Privak.
Usually, Vaxa’an was known for his patience, for his control.But this uprising had been consuming his thoughts since he heard about its beginnings.These warriors threatened his female, hisluxiva.They threatenedhislife as well.He would not stand for it any longer.
The elder stayed—wisely—silent.Vaxa’an tried to calm himself, but he wanted to slam his fists against the table in frustration.
“When will it translate for you, Privak?” Vaxa’an asked, his voice deceptively low and even.“When will it finally become a truth for you that we arealllost if we remain in the past?The Luxirian way is gone.The Jetutians took it from us by attacking our home, attacking our families, and our mates and daughters and mothers.You, and Luxirians like you…Brelix and Kerixax and the other nameless warriors that have been turned to anger… cling to the slim chance that our females will be able to conceive offspring once more.”The council room was completely silent.“How many more tests will you put our females through?How many more disappointments and results do you need for it tosinkin?”
“Prime Leader, I meant no disrespect,” Privak murmured quietly, inclining his head.
Vaxa’an chose his words very carefully.“We adapt and evolve…or we die.It is simple.Most that I have discussed this with agree.Myambassadorsagree.Most elders here agree.And yet, a few cannot accept this.Why?I have been trying to understand this question, to see it from your point of view, Privak, but I cannot.If you want our proud race to fall, then support the warriors that wish to challenge your Prime Leader.Support their violence and hatred.But if you do, then know that there will be no place for you here.”
No one said a word.It was on the tip of his tongue to dismiss Privak from his council right at that moment—the male had outdated views on how Luxiria should be run and constantly went against the council’s majority—but he couldn’t force the words out.Privak, for all of his faults, had been a good friend of his sire.Vaxa’an kept him there out of respect for his sire.
Vaxa’an paused a moment, looking around the council room, meeting the eyes of every member.And then he said, “Yourlavrix’anhas honored us already.Yourlavrix’anis pregnant with my child.”
Shocked, sharp inhales could be heard through the council.He had not told a single soul, not even his ambassadors.
“The first young to be born on Luxirian soil in over ten rotations…” Emotion threatened to clog his voice, but Vaxa’an pushed past it.Luxirians did not show that kind of emotion.He met Privak’s eyes.“If that is not progress, if that does not further our species and keep usalive, then tell me what does.This uprising insults the prospect of our future.I want this handled quickly and effectively.And if we must make an example of a few warriors, then I will do it gladly.”
The base of his neck gave a painful throb, feeling the beginnings of a headache.He longed to be with his mate.Already, he had been away from her for too long this span.
“All of you may go,” he said.Immediately, his council stood from their seats.“We will meet again in the morning.”
He caught Lihvan’s gaze and held.His other war general lagged behind the others and then stayed in the council room once they departed.
“I think that Rixavox, Kirov, Cruxan, and Vikan suspect that something is happening,” Lihvan started.“They questioned me about why you keep asking to speak with me.”
Vaxa’an exhaled sharply.“I will need to inform them.I do not want them thinking that this has anything to do with the uprisings.”
“Doesn’t it though, Vaxa’an?” Lihvan asked.The scar that ran the length of the war general’s cheek gleamed in the low light.“There is a high chance that when we infiltrate the Pit and attack the Krevorags that we will be takinghumanfemales back here before we can make other arrangements for them.”
“I understand,” Vaxa’an bit out, his temper taking more control of him than he liked.“I had hoped to keep this private for now, just until after the Trials.But now…I will speak with my ambassadors after the first meal tomorrow.I should not have kept this from them.”
Lihvan crossed his arms over his chest.Vaxa’an and Lihvan had been friends for many, many rotations and he recognized the gesture.
“That is not all that you have been keeping from us, my brother,” Lihvan rumbled.“You will sire offspring with yourluxiva.I believe that is the highest honor a Luxirian can have.”
“It is,” Vaxa’an said, feeling that damn emotion well up in his chest.He blamed his human female.She made him feel too many things…but he wouldn’t change it for all of Luxiria.
Lihvan clasped him on the shoulder, making eye contact and holding.“I congratulate you.”
Vaxa’an returned the gesture, a mark of respect.“You know that I wish this for you too, my friend.”
Lihvan’s gaze shuttered and he glanced away.Vaxa’an knew that Lihvan, like many of their males, had given up hope when it came to siring offspring or being mated.Vaxa’an had believed the same thing himself not too long ago.
“Perhaps the Fates meant for something different for me,” was all his friend said in response.Then, like a true Luxirian, he changed the subject.“Have you trained this span yet?You have much to prepare for.”
