“Uh-huh.What have you learned about the history before Maro?”
Syrella walked inside and said, “Matriarchal society.Always had an empress.She was marked with all the active designations of her people.Lots of naked statues with the markings.Lots.They all kinda look like you, so that is both funny and weird.”
“You may be called to bring a mineral deposit today.”
She smiled, back on screen.“I am ready.Just give me minerals and weights, and they shall arrive.”
“Talk to you soon, Rella.Don’t worry if the approach outside gets melty.They were warned.”
“You are gonna do something?”
“I am.Two hours and we get a lava approach to the big house.”
“Palace.”
“Whatever.”She flapped her free hand in the air.
Rella laughed.“Talk to you in two hours.”
“I want to hear from you, one way or another.”
“Yes, Empress.”Giggles burst out of the com, and she ended the call.
Denier stared at her.“They were making S’mores?”
“Yes.She’s a sucker for sweets and is constantly receptive.She never catches, but she is constantly receptive.The Lorn emperor tried to turn a human into an omega, and he missed.”
Denier blinked.“What?”
“Oh, yeah.She was one of Maro’s concubines, but the thing about constant heat is that it doesn’t actually allow for ovulation.”She shrugged.“She and one other are the only occupants of the Lorn Empire, behind a solid force shield.”
Denier cocked his head.“Is the other in a similar condition?”
“Oh, no.She’s the weapon of last resort.If someone breaks the barrier, they won’t break her.”She chuckled.“And their families will mourn their lost sons.”
He looked at her calm assurance and spoke rapidly to make it clear to any of the campers who wanted to force the issue.
She smiled.It was sensible.Avik was dangerous when she was in a good mood.She was terrifying when defending a friend.She had watched Diena’s back while she rampaged through the palace, and when there were no captors left, she organized the extraction of the survivors to safe and welcoming cities and countries.There were only a dozen women, so the islands took them all.No one said no to Avik.Compulsion was her thing.
She didn’t contact Avik.She was always on duty.She didn’t sleep; she meditated.Syrella would let her know what was going on.
Denier paused.“They are suspending the contract.Thecampers,as you describe them, are being notified to leave.”
Diena nodded.“Good.We don’t want to hurt anyone.We have had our fill of it, but we will if we have to.”
Jenaki touched her waist, and she smiled at him.“Still not a turn-off?”
He grinned.“Nope, but I thought the empire was empty.”
“I couldn’t leave it undefended.Those two can defend it knowing that there are no others left in the space; they don’t have to be careful.”
Denier nodded.“I understand.So you are really the empress?”
“I ripped Maro’s head off and crushed it under my boot heel.So, yes.”She muttered, “Took forever to get the brains out of the stitching.”
Denier nodded.“The fat causes an issue.”
She nodded.“So you are Salat’s brother-in-law?”
