Chapter 32

CHAPTER 32

Lomax

R egan was staring at Boken like he’d just said they were going to do a public execution of Eastolf. I squeezed Regan’s hand. “What is the Kaliden Act?”

He took a deep breath, his face now the same pale green as Boken’s. “Roughly a hundred years ago, King Kaliden of the northern province abdicated the throne. It caused chaos in the province as he had no heir to replace him and no living relatives to take the throne.”

“There was a civil war after he abdicated,” Boken said, “and many Draax died.”

“That’s terrible,” I said.

“It was a dark time in Draax history,” Regan said. “Eventually, the southern and western kings sent in their military and restored peace within the province. Once that was done, the three kings and their advisors created the Kaliden Act. Each of the three kings signed it.”

“What did it entail?” I asked.

“If a royal died without an heir, abdicated, or,” Boken glanced at Regan, “behaved in a manner that was a true and clear danger to his people, the three kings could invoke the act, thereby removing the king from the throne. They would then vote and place an interim king on the throne.”

“An interim king,” I repeated. “How often has the Act been invoked?”

“Twice,” Regan said. “The first was after Kaliden abdicated. The kings voted in a royal member from another province to act as king.”

“It was one of Eastolf’s descendants here in the eastern province who took over the rule of the north,” Boken said.

“So, did they eventually find some long lost relative to replace this King Kaliden?” I asked.

“No, Kaliden was truly the last of his family line, and shortly after he abdicated, he was murdered in an altercation on the Sakuna planet, removing any possibility of providing an heir who could take the throne.”

“Well, that’s horrible,” I said. “Why did he abdicate?”

“He was reckless and headstrong and cared only for himself and what he wanted,” Boken said with disgust. “After a time, the interim king agreed to take the position permanently.”

“And the Draax in the northern province were just okay with that?” I asked.

“He was an excellent king who cared deeply for the Draax of the northern province even though they were not his people,” Regan said. “And they were happy to accept him after a decade of a king who was not fit to rule and the chaos of the civil war.”

“That makes sense. Why was the Act invoked a second time?” I asked.

“Seventy years ago, the king of the southern province went mad. His mate and son were on a diplomatic mission to Emira. They carried a large supply of gallberry juice for the Emirans, and the Ugomians attacked their ship,” Regan said.

“Because they wanted the juice?” I said.

“No, they were angry that the ship passed too close to their planet,” Boken said.

“Seriously?” I stared at Regan, who nodded.

“The Ugomians are a violent and brutal race with very little patience for others outside their species,” Regan said.

Boken snorted. “That is putting it nicely.”

“The queen and prince died in the attack, and the king went mad with grief. He tried to go to war with the Ugomians, one that his military would have no hope of winning and would have resulted in mass civilian deaths when the Ugomians attacked the province in retaliation. Before he could send his military into battle, the three other kings invoked the Act, and he was removed from the throne,” Regan said. “He was imprisoned and committed suicide a week later.”

“Jesus, that’s awful,” I said.

“The king had a cousin who lived off planet. He was never meant to take the throne, but he agreed to return,” Regan said.

“Was he a good king?” I asked.

“Adequate,” Boken said. “But he had a son who became one of the most beloved rulers of the province. They still have a festival every year honouring him.”

“So, now the farmers want to invoke the Act against Eastolf because he’s pushing them into a gallberry plant shortage,” I said.

Boken nodded. “There are rumblings, yes.”

“There are always rumblings of invoking the Act whenever a group is unhappy with their king,” Regan said. “That is true of every province.”

“Yes, but this feels more than the complaints of a few unhappy Draax,” Boken said. “If Eastolf continues down this path, his people will suffer. Is that not what the Act strives to prevent?”

“Yes, but it is more complicated than that,” Regan said. “You know as well as I do that the other kings will not invoke the Act simply on the word of farmers worried about a possible rugenroach infestation in the warm season.”

“Perhaps not, but if the head of the king’s guard were to join them, the kings would take it more seriously,” Boken said.

Regan’s face turned ashen. “What you ask of me is not as simple as you make it sound. Eastolf is not just my king. He is my friend and the man who saved my life, Boken.”

Boken sat silently before drinking the rest of his tea and standing. “You are right. I should not have asked such a thing of you. Forgive me.”

Regan stood and grasped Boken’s arm, squeezing it lightly. “There is nothing to forgive, Boken.”

Boken paused in the doorway before giving me a faint smile. “I look forward to our dinner next week, small human.”

“Me too,” I said.

Boken left the apartment with another glance at Regan. I closed the door behind him and studied Regan. “Are you okay?”

“He is disappointed in me, and so he should be,” Regan said.

“You are not responsible for Eastolf’s actions,” I said.

He didn’t reply, and I slipped my arms around his waist, hugging him tight. I wanted desperately to help Regan, to take away his sorrow and uncertainty, and to convince him once and for all that Eastolf was not the person he remembered. But I knew only he could make that decision, and the best I could do was support and love him.

“I am sorry I am not the mate you deserve,” he said hoarsely.

“Hey!” I cupped his face and scowled at him. “Don’t ever say that to me again. You’re the most amazing person I know, and I love you. There is no better mate for me than you, and I thank whatever gods are out there every damn day that they led me to you.”

I tugged his face down to mine and kissed him. “You are incredible, my mate, and one day you will see yourself as I see you. I promise.”

“I love you, Lomax,” he said.

“I love you too, Regan.”

* * *

Regan

I finished polishing the last training sword and hung it on the wall. It had been a long day of training with the latest batch of recruits, and I was tired and a little out of sorts. I wanted nothing more than to be with Lomax, to hear her soft cries of pleasure as I buried my cock deep in her willing body.

My cock stirring at just the thought of my beautiful mate, I turned to leave, stopping when I saw Noka standing in the doorway.

“The king needs to see you in the council room,” he said.

He left before I could respond, and with a sigh, I sent a quick text to Lomax and walked to the council room.

I stepped into the opulent room and bowed to Eastolf. “Good evening, my king.”

“Hello, Regan. Join me.” He pointed to the chair beside his.

On the table before him sat a silver jug, two goblets, and an object wrapped in black fabric. I sat and watched in surprise as he poured gallberry wine from the silver jug before him into a goblet and handed it to me. “Drink, old friend. You look tired.”

I drank the wine, refreshed by the burst of energy it gave me. Eastolf stared at me with what almost looked like affection on his face, and for a moment, I had renewed hope that the kind and generous boy he used to be was still there.

“I have a task I need you to complete for me, Regan.”

I stiffened. The last task he required of me involved Madison nearly dying. “What is it?”

Annoyance flashed on his face. “Watch your tone. I am your king and while it has become obvious that you disagree with my decisions of late, you will give me your respect, Regan.”

“Forgive me, my king,” I said, trying to keep my tone neutral.

“Noka, show him,” Eastolf said.

Noka picked up the object from the table and unwrapped the fabric. I stared at the short silver wand, my brow furrowing. “What is that?”

“Show him,” Eastolf repeated.

Noka pushed a button on the side of the wand, and the end lit up with a crackle and buzz of blue light. Eastolf grinned at the look on my face as Noka released the button, and the light disappeared.

“Vokine technology,” I said.

“Indeed,” Eastolf said. “A very cunning and effective weapon that is small enough to hide in a cloak but powerful enough to take down a hartebeest. This is just a small taste of the weaponry that the Vokine has created.”

“I am aware of Vokine’s talents in creating weapons. But I do not understand why you have it.” Dismay claimed a stronghold in my stomach.

Eastolf poured himself some wine, sipping at it as he eyed me over the goblet. “Nothing is more important to me than the well-being of those I rule, Regan. It is why I work so hard to acquire more Earth states. To be the strongest province in Odias, we need strong Draax. Our province weakens without females to breed with and provide us with sons.”

“We are not weak,” I said.

Eastolf curled his lip. “Did you know we have the lowest number of breeders in Odias? Our numbers dwindle while those in the other provinces grow. The gallberry plant is our greatest asset. How long will it be before another race invades our planet?”

“We will defeat them as we always have,” I said. “We defeated the Gokmards when they attacked our province a few years ago.”

“And lost many Draax in doing so,” Eastolf said. “We no longer have the numbers to defeat an enemy.”

“Then mend your relationship with the other kings,” I said. “So that if the time comes where we need their help, they will gladly give it.”

Eastolf shook his head. “They are weak, and not suitable to rule. I will not let this province fall, Regan. I will not let Odias fall. If that means I must rule the four provinces, then I am willing to make that sacrifice. But to save our province and Odias, as much as it pains me to admit this, we need the humans. Specifically, we need more females than are currently willing to breed with us.”

He studied the wand that Noka had set on the table. “I have made a deal with four of King Cignek’s states. In exchange for leaving the southern province and signing treaties with us, we will provide them with Vokine weapon technology.”

I squeezed the wine goblet in my hand until my knuckles went white. My shock was so great that I could only stare at Eastolf.

“You will deliver the weaponry to the states,” Eastolf said.

“My king,” my voice was hoarse, “you cannot provide the humans with Vokine weaponry.”

“I can and I will,” Eastolf said calmly. “This is only the beginning, Regan. It is for the good of all Draax.”

“No, it is not,” I said. “If you give the humans weapons, what need will they have for us to protect them from another attack by the Gokmards or another alien race?”

Eastolf rolled his eyes. “Even if the humans are smart enough to use the weapons effectively against attacks, they will still need the gallberry juice.”

I glanced at Noka. Eastolf’s advisor was pale and grim-looking, and I wondered if I might not be able to use him to convince Eastolf just how terrible this idea was. “Noka, surely you see the dangers in this plan.”

“Noka supports his king,” Eastolf said. “As you once did yourself, Regan. But now I fear that your pretty little mate has gotten into your head. She works hard to convince you that you are smart enough, clever enough, to be more than what you are. She is wrong, old friend, and if she continues to put these foolish ideas in your head, she will regret it.”

“Do you threaten my mate?” I snarled, an angry red haze descending over my vision. I half-rose from the chair, my hand reaching for my sword. A part of me was bitterly glad to see the fear that crossed Eastolf’s face before he could conceal it.

“Enough, Regan,” he barked.

I inhaled deeply, swallowing the anger that pulsed through my veins as I returned to my seat. Attacking Eastolf would mean a public beheading for me, and Lomax would be left vulnerable and alone.

“My king,” I said, “giving weapons to the humans is dangerous. You know their history of war among themselves.”

“Indeed I do,” Eastolf said with a small smile. “But war among the humans means a greater need for gallberry juice. A greater need for the juice means those in charge will eventually agree to a new treaty with us - one where the breeding program is mandatory, not voluntary. We will have all the little females we need to turn our province into the strongest and most prosperous in Odias.”

“You cannot force the little females to breed with us,” I said, my voice quiet with undisguised horror.

“I will not force them to do anything. Their males will be quite happy to force them into breeding with us. You know as well as I do that they do not see the value in their females.”

Eastolf sat back in his chair. “I am doing the little females a favour, Regan. We will treat them better than their own kind ever will.”

“That does not mean we should take their free will from them,” I said.

“What do they do with their free will?” Eastolf scoffed. “They stay with the very men who abuse and disregard them. They are weak and need our protection.”

“They are not weak,” I said.

Eastolf waved his hand dismissively. “I did not bring you here to talk about the little females. In two days, you and Noka will deliver a shipment of weaponry to the Vermont state. I want you to handpick three of your guard to accompany you.”

He sipped more wine before raising one eyebrow. “Pick wisely, Regan. You will be held responsible and punished if they speak of this to anyone.”

I stared at Eastolf, the blinders I wore when it came to my childhood friend finally disappearing. Eastolf had been consumed by his greed and his desire for power. The boy I once knew was gone.

Sorrow filled me, making my throat tighten and my chest ache. But there was no time to mourn the friend I had lost, not when he had disappeared years ago, and I was too stubborn to admit it. The fate of my people and the humans was at risk, and I could no longer allow myself to be blinded by my love for who Eastolf had once been.

I stood, and Eastolf’s gaze narrowed before he placed one hand on the weapon still on the table. “Will you be a problem for me, old friend?”

I bowed deeply. “No, my king. I will do as you ask of me.”

Eastolf nodded, a small, strange smile on his face. “Of course you will. Go now and pick your guard, Regan. Noka will message you with the details of the delivery.”

“Yes, my king.” I bowed again and, my stomach churning, left the council room.

Ten minutes later, I slipped into my quarters. Lomax stood at the stove, and the smell of burnt meat permeated the air. Without turning, she said, “Hey, honey. So, I got cocky and decided to start the grundleswat and surprise - I totally fucked it up.”

“My mate,” I said.

She turned, the smile on her face fading. “Regan, what’s wrong?”

I didn’t reply, and she crossed the room, slipping her arms around my waist. “You’re scaring me, honey. What did Eastolf want?”

I swallowed, the dry click of my throat loud in the silence. “I know why he gives the Vokine extra plants.”

“Tell me,” she said.

Five minutes later, Lomax looked as sick as I felt. Her hands ice cold, she squeezed mine, her big brown eyes locked on my face. “This is bad, honey. Really fucking bad.”

“I know,” I said, smoothing my hand over her hair and kissing her forehead. “Pack a bag with clothes and toiletries. I will speak with Boken and have him ready a ship for us. We leave later tonight.”

“Where are we going?” she asked.

“To the western province. I will inform King Quillan of Eastolf’s plans, and he will speak with King Raynor and King Cignek. I will do everything I can to convince the other kings of the danger Eastolf is to all of them.”

Relief made her body sag against mine, and I held her tight, burying my face in her soft hair. “I am sorry, sadora. Sorry for bringing you here, and sorry that it has taken me so long to see the truth of who Eastolf is.”

Her voice muffled, she said, “He was your friend, and you loved him, Regan. There is no shame in wanting to see the good in him.”

“I will make this right,” I said. “I promise, my mate.”