Chapter 13

T

he Empress's features softened when she saw us standing at the wall."Please join me for a meal," she said as she moved to exit

the council room. Flame guided us in meeting the Empress in the hallway.

"Now, I regret not letting Candy eat her! What will happen to her now?" I whispered as we began to walk."She will be interrogated, and if she doesn't have anything valuable to share, she will be executed." Flame explained."She deserves an Oscar with her damsel in distress acting job she gave us," I can't believe I ever felt sorry for her even a tad."If receiving this Oscar means she suffers as much as she caused suffering, then yes, she deserves the most painful Oscar." Flame agreed.I giggled a little and decided not to explain the meaning of the Oscar awards ceremony."She knows where they took my people." Terrek said with a somber tone. Flame stopped and looked at Terrek with compassion."I will find your people, Terrek, I will fight to get them rescued and returned home." Flame vowed. She reached for Terrek and then pulled back before touching him.Terrek's black eyes looked at Flame with true emotion. They just had a moment. It was tender, and I liked how it made me feel to watch them together in their moment. I felt saddened that Flame held back. We followed the Empress and her escorts to a dining area on another level of the tall building. The table had already been set up as a banquet table."Please, sit. We shall share this meal and discuss the Kanenites." The Empress motioned us to the table.Empress Zion took her seat at the end of the table. Masked soldiers held our chairs out as we sat on the side next to the Empress. Plates of food and drinks were placed in front of us."We will extract information from Andromeda Edge and the other spacemen. We are gathering information from their ships as we sit here and eat. Worry not. We will get your Laverian people back." The Empress looked directly into Terrek's sad black eyes."Thank you, Empress Zion," Terrek said as he bowed his head and placed his hand over his heart.I took a bite of the stew that was in front of me and moaned out loud."This is so delicious, put that on the top of your head and your tongue would beat your brains out trying to get to it." I said. I had never tasted anything so good before. I was from Texas and proud of our smoked barbeque. I never imagined an alien stew would steal my heart.The Empress let out a soft laugh. I blushed with embarrassment , but I just couldn't help myself. You can take a country girl to space and all that but you can't take the country outta the girl.Yes, it is one of my favorites as well.? She said as she took her bite.Everyone started to eat. As we enjoyed the food. I took in the modern, sleek, opulent décor. The dinnerware was dark and pristine. They had a two-prong fork made of stone, a spoon with a curved handle, and a stone-gripped knife.This all felt so out of my country girl league. I was used to backyard bonfires with Texas barbeque or takeout. I thought the food replicator was impressive. All this was way out of my element. The servers dressed in fancy black uniforms and they were quick to keep food and drinks coming. I had to fight the urge to get up and help them. The lighting was bright and I felt surprisingly comfortable among the group as we ate formally with a casual ease. We began to talk about the Kanenites."From what I understand, the Goddess Harmony has a true mate, a God named Hecat. He is the God who created all of you and your universe. Harmony has recently married him. She has become aware of his creations and is not happy. "I took another bite of alien yumminess as I explained."The Goddess Harmony thinks her Hecat has been a God. He created this universe with all the different planets without checking on them or caring for his creations as he should have.Harmony is not happy about her mate's neglect. She has picked me to help her set things right." I rolled my eyes, thinking that I was sounding like the porchlight was on but nobody was home kinda crazy."I hope I can help. I am unsure why I was chosen, but I will do my best." I glanced at Terrek and then Flame and realized I was grateful."The God of war, Kane, has created his universe. He took advantage of Hecat's neglect and invaded this universe.""At first, I did not believe any of this. I thought I had died or was in a coma, but I finally came around. I am here and have whatever insight the Goddess Harmony has given me."I looked at Terrek and smiled, grateful I had him."Terrek claims we are bond mates or true mates. On Earth, the closest connection to this kind of soul-binding love was marriage. I feel married to Terrek. I am getting used to calling him my mate instead of my husband.""Ya'll are the good guys in Hecat's universe according to the insight the Goddess Harmony has given to me. She comes to me in my dreams. I remembered some of the things she had explained while I was sleeping. These Kanenites are from another universe altogether. The Gods have their own laws and are supposed to stick to their creations and in their own territory." I felt a blush creep up my cheeks as so many eyes were on me, listening with fascination."So, this God Kane is doing a huge no, no. I assume you have not mapped out anything further than your universe. The planet Tarin and Laverian are on the edge of Hecat's universe, so the God Kane has trespassed and allowed his creations to invade and harvest resources." I tried to explain something hard for me to comprehend."Harmony has her own mini-universe with just one planet sustaining life. Now that she is in the veil of the Gods and no longer in her own world, she wants balance restored and justice for the Hecat universe. She feels responsible as Hecat's true mate." I felt odd trying to speak on Harmony's behalf."It may not be our universe. This Kane's territory. It does not matter. We are now aware and will go after our own." The Empress said, seemingly not impressed by the gods."Exactly!" I smiled at her.I am unsure how I feel about Kane or Hecat, but I trust Harmony. She is the only God with my loyalty at the moment.? I said confidently about my Goddess."Laverian and Tarin are class two and three planets, and we have strict laws preventing us from interfering. However, these Kanenites think they should avoid our laws. Now that they have harvested these worlds. We need to assimilate a new reality for them.We will need to assess the dangers of the Kanenites and see if these planets can handle introducing some of our technology and knowledge to upgrade the primitive planets to class seven. It is an exception we must make. So close to Kane's borders, "Empress Zion explained."Makes sense to me, momma always said you can't put the toothpaste back in the tube. These planets now know about space travel." I agreed."Every Galactic planet class five and above has an emperor or empress to represent that world. I represent this training base for the Gia's females. I propose you and Terrek of Laverian be the Emperor and Empress of the galactic forces for Laverian."I looked at Terrek. "Do you want to represent Laverian with me? What will your people think?" I asked."My world was harvested. It might be too late to represent. I will accept this title for now if we accomplish saving my kind. I will revisit this role and see if my people accept this of me.""Agreed and we will save your people," I said, determined to save Laverian for Terrek."It is settled. Welcome to The Galactic Empires of the Hecat's Universe." Empress Zion said with a proud smile, her red eyes shining."Flame, I will assign you to Terrek and Darah to upgrade Laverian's assimilation to the Galactic Empire." Empress Zion ordered."Yes, Mom." Flame responded; her sultry gaze focused on me."Yes, Empress Zion. Excuse my informal slip."Child, I see you are distracted. No need for formalities. We are not officially on duty, dear. All is forgiven. I will speak with you all soon." Empress Zion rose from the table and left us to finish up."I think it is time we upgrade your ship and deal with the lives you have stored in that cargo dock. Darah, I will give you a Galactic ship. That is far superior to the Kanenites ship you stole. " Flame suggested as she was getting right to work."I want to keep my stolen ship. It symbolizes my first steps toward getting myself on the right path. To live in a way to honor my family who passed." I said.Flame cupped my face. I felt the need to rub my head into her hand. I forced myself to smile at her as I maneuvered back, I bent down to pet Candy."I understand how you are attached." Flame said sweetly."I'd like to find a place on the surface so Candy can stretch his legs since we were on the surface. Is there a place he can run for a bit before we head back up?"I looked at Flame, who smiled brightly back at me. My heart fluttered loudly under the beam of her gaze."Of course, follow me." Flame said.I smiled at Empress Zion. I was somewhat unsure of my new Empress title. I had never been shittin' in high cotton in my life, the title Empress seems like a lie. But, I am very grateful to Empress Zion for her support. I stood to follow Flame."Thank you, your majesty." I look forward to working with you and for the Galactic Empires."She smiled, "No need to be so formal when we are not in an official meeting or event. I look forward to knowing you better, Empress Darah. After all, we are practically Family now. Once things settle, we will arrange a proper coronation on your planet, Laverian. " Empress Zion looked at Flame affectionately."I have a feeling I will be getting to know you and Terrek a lot better here in the near future." Her smiling eyes looked at me as if she knew a secret I wasn't privy to yet."Looking forward to it," I said taken aback as we walked away.Terrek grabbed my hand as we followed Flame. Flame took us to a hover transport, and we glided it toward the training field."This is a wild training field where we send our recruits once they have advanced to test their survival skills in case they crash or need to be covert in wild conditions." Flame looked at Candy, eagerly looking out the window, purring and chuffing with his tail wagging happily."We just had a graduation for our advanced recruits who made it through training, so this area is clear for now. It is safe for him to hunt and run."Flame stopped the hover transport, and we all exited. Feeling the outside air and the breeze on my face had me relax and truly take in the moment of being on another new planet. I was thrilled it wasn't hotter than all get out this time.The air was rich and clean with oxygen, so much so that it reminded me of an oxygen bar I once used at a mall. Candy sniffed the air, He bolted as he hopped-ran fast. The pure delight Candy had out in nature filled me with giddiness. I would make it a point to find nature so he could stretch his legs and run as he should.I picked up a stick to see if he would play fetch. To my delight, he loved to fetch."That's a good boy!" I cheered him on as we played for hours. Flame and Terrek took turns throwing the stick for a very playful Candy. We all seemed caught up in the delightfulness of being outside together in peace."Darah, you amaze me," Terrek said as he held me from behind as Flame played fetch with Candy."I never could have imagined playing with a Chetaht and having a good time amid all the worry I carry for my planet and my kind. Being here with you, somehow, I feel like I can face anything as long as I have you by my side." Terrek confided in my ear.The sky grew darker, and Flame walked close to us as she dusted herself off."I cannot remember the last time I laughed this much. Thanks to you two, I have had a much-needed reprieve from my duties." Flame said with a saucy wink.Candy chuffed, ran to Terrek and rubbed Terrek's thigh affectionately."Really? Candy?" Terrek asked, surprised as he knelt down, petting Candy's big ears. I stepped away from them to give my boys a chance to bond."That's sweet." Flame leaned in and whispered to me as I stood next to her to watch."They look like two peas in a pod, I knew they'd eventually warm up to each other. Melts my heart. I love seeing Terrek happy. He deserves a good life. I intend to help him have that." I said."I will help you. I joined the Galaxy Force to do good and save people. I can't stand a tyrant. These Kanenites have no honor." Flame vowed."I cannot express how grateful I am to know you and have your support and friendship, Flame.""I understand, and those boys must get used to me." Flame said with a smile.That smile melted something inside me. I took a deep breath as tingles heated throughout my body. I turned to look at my boys playing."I am sure we all will love having you around more," I said once I collected myself. Flame smiled as she watched the boys play."We need to leave soon." She said, looking at her wrist device. Flame had taken her form-fitting uniform jacket off and wore a casual black tank top underneath.Seeing her skin and her body in this revealing undershirt, caused heat to flush my cheeks as arousal thrums like a heartbeat at my core. I tried to deflect that reaction and mention her alien-like tattoos."I like your golden tattoos. It looks like moving metal is under the surface of your skin."Flame put her uniform jacket back on to cover her markings. For the first time, I saw a shadow of insecurity in Flames' features."I am sorry. I meant no offence to ya Flame.""No, Darah, it's me. I had an injury that should have retired me from my service requirements. Instead, I decided to get an experimental surgery that gave me implants. The marking is an unavoidable display of my disability." Flame seemed embarrassed.My people are not very accepting of weakness. I have to prove my worthiness constantly. Some think that because my mother is Empress Zion, I am somehow getting a special exception for my title as commander."Flame laughed. "If they truly knew my mother, they'd never assume I would be treated with special liberties. In fact, my mother expects more of me than anyone else.""I was enjoying the day so much. I just didn't think you would notice my markings, and now that you have, I worry you will think less of me for my markings. As they are proof, I needed a procedure to function properly again."I wanted to pull her in for a hug and kiss her senselessly, bringing back that sultry gaze of hers."Fuck those judgmental assholes! From what I have seen, you are a badass package of awesome! You are a worthy woman to me, Flame.My mom would say you're handicapable, not disabled. I think your markings are beautiful. On Earth, people would flock to get tattoos that flow like golden liquid. You should flaunt it like a badge."Flame Smiled. "I am not sure of some of your Earth Speech, but I understand. Thank you for seeing me and not judging me."Damn, I have to stop myself from kissing her. I thought I needed to have a candid conversation with Terrek soon. His gorgeous smile and shining black eyes looked at me with hunger as he and Candy walked back towards us."Shall we go to our ship? I am a bit hungry now." Terrek said eagerly as he walked up to Flame and me.Candy rubbed against my thigh and chuffed."Okay, boys, let's get on home."