“You knew my blood brother,” Vaxa’an murmured, his voice surprisingly calm when deep inside all he wanted to do was take this dishonorable male’s life with his bare hands.
Rrixan came to a halt beside the glass.Even though it was strong, it didn’t block sound, so Vaxa’an heard him clearly when he replied with, “Yes.He told me much about you in our youth.”
Vaxa’an’s face surely resembled stone.“Are you in contact with him still?”
He still remembered the imprint of his blood brother from earlier that morning.It was a sensation he hadn’t felt for quite some time.Siblings always had a close bond, tied perpetually together by the same blood.Luxirians who had no brothers or sisters would never understand what it was like.
Vaxa’an knew well that Jaxor’an had been a rebellious youth.He was the complete opposite of Vaxa’an and he’d often suspected that his brother resented him in some way, given that he was the eldest, given that he was fated to be Prime Leader and not Jaxor’an.
“Why would I tell you even if I were?” Rrixan questioned, his face pulling into a scowl.
“Because I will be your executioner,” Vaxa’an said, his voice sharp enough to cut flesh.“And I can make your death either very swift or I can choose to make you suffer, which at this moment I am leaning towards.”
Rrixan pressed his lips together.He looked pale and sickly under the lighting, his skin leeched of any color.His scales looked dry, his muscles weakened and undernourished.Vaxa’an did not feel pity for this male.
“I have not heard from him since he left the Golden City ten rotations ago,” Rrixan finally spat.“I figure he has long left us for the blackworld.”
“He lives,” Vaxa’an said, feeling the truth of it.
Rrixan crossed his arms over his chest and asked, “Then why question me about him if you know that?”
Vaxa’an did not quite know that himself.The absence of his brother, the hurt from his abandonment continued to eat at him.Even so, if Jaxor’an returned to the Golden City the very next span, he would welcome him with open arms and put their past behind them.
Given what had happened that morning, when his calls for his blood brother went unanswered near thelallarix, he figured his brother still did not want to see him, even if he was alive.
The rejection hurt anew, but he pushed it away.He didn’t have much time to dwell on it, not when he had other important matters to attend to.
Vaxa’an straightened.
“I am here as a formality, to hear your reasons for your actions during the Trials,” Vaxa’an stated, trying to keep his temper under control.It threatened to snap when he said, “And your violent actions against yourlavrix’an.”
Rrixan bared his teeth.“That whore is not mylavrix’an.”
“Watch your tongue,” Vaxa’an said softly, pressing closer to the glass, “before I cut it out with a dull blade.”
“You truly believe that your decision is just,” Rrixan said, a booming laugh sounding.“You tarnish us,Vaxa’an.You soil our race with that filthy blood.”
His eyes narrowed at the disrespect.This male dared to speak his name, dared to insult his female in front of him.
“And you would rather our race be doomed,” Vaxa’an said, growing tired and impatient at having to explain the obvious.This male was no better than the sand he treaded upon and yet he had to stand in the dungeons and look upon his face.“My Instinct chose her.And thenIchose her.Whether you like it or not, myluxivais the rightfullavrix’anof our people and you will respect that during your last spans before I send you down to the blackworld.”
“I willneveraccept that.And I will gladly go to my death than live to see our great race fall,” Rrixan spat.
Vaxa’an looked at this hateful male and saw the fury and anger in his eyes.Earlier, when Kat had told him about Rrixan’s actions against her, he’d wanted nothing more than to storm down into the dungeons and rip him limb from limb until there was nothing left.Now, he realized that getting angry was a complete waste.He felt absolutely nothing for him.
“It is done,” Vaxa’an said softly.“I decided that I care not whether your death is prolonged or quick.You do not have my respect.I think you’re a coward for trying to take my life and then turning your back to run.At least the other Luxirian warriors during the Trials honored the old ways, the true Luxirian way.I think you’re a disgrace to my people for harming myluxiva, for harming an innocent female who had no means of defending herself.No one will mourn your death, Rrixan.The sooner that you meet the blackworld, the better.Expect a swift trial and an even swifter death.This I promise you.”
Vaxa’an turned his back and walked away.
He did not want to waste another moment in Rrixan’s presence, not when the person he cared for most in the universe was waiting for him.
* * *
Kat was perched on the terrace ledge when Vaxa’an landed his hovercraft, where she often greeted him.She liked the view, liked to see the soft, glowing orbs of light from the Luxirian dwellings below.She liked the night sky, glittering with silver and blue stars, and liked learning the names of the ancient constellations that his people had often turned to for guidance.She said that they were beautiful.
That night was no different.Her face was upturned to the sky, before flickering across the plains of theRavrax’tor,before settling on him as he disembarked.
The span had been draining, but he immediately felt life return to his body when he went to her, wrapping her in his arms and inhaling her soft scent.The baby kicked between them and he knew his child greeted him.He was home, where he always longed to be.
