70. Annani

70

ANNANI

A s Annani stepped into her brother's room, the earpieces nestled snugly in her ears were a concession she had made to appease Kian but also a necessity.

She did not speak the Kra-ell language, and the devices translated Ell-rom's words in real time for her. If he asked what they were for, she could answer that they facilitated translation, which would not be a lie.

It just would not be the entire truth.

Oh, well. Life was full of compromises, and Annani had learned to live with that.

"Clan Mother." Ell-rom dipped his head respectfully, shifted his gaze to Kian, and repeated the gesture. Lastly, he smiled at Jasmine without saying a thing.

"Good afternoon, Ell-rom," Annani said. "I am happy to see you improving so quickly."

He looked so much better than the last time she had seen him. His skin no longer looked gray and lifeless; his face was no longer gaunt and hollow. There was a hint of color in his cheeks and a spark of life in his eyes. Julian or Bridget had trimmed the hair that had hung in limp clumps off his skull, and even though he was nearly bald, he looked very handsome.

"Thank you, Clan Mother. I feel so much better after proper cleansing and a meal." He made as if to rise, his arms trembling with the effort of pushing himself to a sitting position.

Annani held up a hand. "Please stop," she chided. "I am overjoyed that you are feeling better, but I do not want you to exert yourself. You do not need to prove anything to me."

He groaned in frustration. "I made it to the bathroom earlier. I can stand."

"I am sure you can, but perhaps you have overexerted yourself, and you need to gather your strength before making another attempt." Annani sat down on the chair closest to the bed.

Looking nervous, Jasmine waited until Kian sat down before taking her seat. Ell-rom seemed so deflated as he reclined against the stack of pillows that Annani scrambled for something to say to cheer him up.

Perhaps seeing a picture of his grandnephew would do the trick.

Reaching into a hidden pocket in her gown, she withdrew her phone. "I planned to visit you yesterday, but I could not because of a surprise visit by this little guy." She rose and held up the phone with Evander's picture on the screen. "This is the newest addition to my family. Evander Tellesious, son of my daughter Alena and my son-in-law Orion."

Beside her, Kian hissed, no doubt worried that she was getting too close to the prince and that he could yank the earpieces out and compel her, but Annani ignored him.

She trusted her brother.

Ell-rom's eyes widened, a look of wonder and joy flooding his face. "Congratulations. May he be blessed by the Mother of All Life and grow into a mighty warrior."

Annani stifled a wince. It seemed that Ell-rom was remembering more about the Kra-ell warlike culture.

She did not want little Evander to grow up to be a warrior. Her clan needed more scientists.

"I would rather that little Evander chose a different path for himself, but thank you for the blessing."

Ell-rom's eyes misted with tears. "You have a beautiful family."

Annani's heart swelled at the longing in his tone. "They are your family, too." She returned the phone to the secret pocket, sat back down, and waited for the words to sink in.

He dipped his head. "Thank you for welcoming my sister and me into your community, Clan Mother."

He had misunderstood her meaning.

Annani sighed. "I did not mean that figuratively. We are related by blood, Ell-rom. You and I share a father. I am your and Morelle's half-sister."

On Kian's other side, Jasmine gasped softly.

Ell-rom's eyes widened, a look of shock flashing across his face. "How is that possible?"

"It is a long story, and I will tell you everything." She sighed. "It would be easier to explain if you remembered your life before boarding the settler ship, but perhaps my tale will help you remember."

He nodded. "Thank you, Clan Mother."

"Please, call me Annani."

He looked horrified. "I cannot take such liberties with the leader of the clan."

Annani's lips twitched. "Do you address your twin sister as princess or as Morelle?"

Ell-rom blinked, a look of confusion flitting across his face. "Of course, I would call her by her name. She is my blood—" He trailed off, his eyes widening as understanding dawned, the puzzle pieces suddenly snapping into place.

"I am your blood too, Ell-rom," she said softly, her voice thick with emotion.

Ell-rom stared at her, his eyes wide and disbelieving, his mouth opening and closing soundlessly as he struggled to find the words.

She reached out, her hand finding his and clasping it tightly. "It is a lot to take in, but it is all good. You and Morelle are not alone here on Earth. You have a large family to call your own."

Ell-rom swallowed hard, his throat working as he fought to keep his composure. "I don't know what to say," he whispered. "We are so different. We don't even look alike." He sounded ashamed for some reason.

Annani's heart clenched, a fierce, protective love surging through her veins. "Oh, my dear Ell-rom. You are perfect, exactly as you are. A child of two worlds, a bridge between the gods and the Kra-ell. You are more than the sum of your parts." She rose to her feet and brushed her fingers over his cheek. "Our father was a dreamer, a visionary who dared to dream of a world where everyone was judged and treated based on the merits of their character and nothing else. For a while, your mother shared his dream."