Chapter 12

Lorelai

G ood news had been such an absent part of my life for so long that I wasn't even truly surprised. Honestly? I would've been surprised to see a smile break across the Overlord's face because of happy news.

"Wh—what does it say?" I stammered.

His face screwed up into a frown, tightened, then smoothed back out.

"The captain sends words that he put in a request to erase our marriage ceremony from the ship's log, as you and I were requesting an immediate annulment or a reversal of our vows."

"And they said no," I faltered.

"He replies that, rather than his request being approved, a hold was issued. He is forbidden to delete the entry. Instead, Council has requested he seal the documents with the ship's official seal, and then he must await further instructions. Word will be sent after the Council has had time to review the incident and the request."

"So…"

"So, our request was denied." The alien folded the paper message into crisp, clean lines, his displeasure evident in every motion.

"So…we have to stay married?"

My voice came out weak. I felt weak. I sank to a seat on the edge of the bed. Hopelessness settled over me like a shroud. This couldn't be.

"I think not."

"You think not? How can you think not, when—"

A buzz. This time a button glowed on the edge of the large communication screen stationed above Ellax's desk in the corner.

"This might be the Council spokesperson," he murmured. He strode over and pressed the glowing button. Instantly, a holographic screen sprang to life, an Asterion woman's beautiful face filling it. Her dark silver hair was drawn back in a tight topknot, and she wore a no-nonsense form-fitting black pantsuit. An official crest graced the corner of her lapel. She was very businesslike as she said,

"Greetings, Overlord Pendorgrin. The Asterion Council has received your message, as well as word from Captain Osiris. We dispatched an answer to Captain Osiris via textmail, but considered it best to speak to you live."

"Yes. Captain Osiris sent news of your dispatch," the Lead Advisor responded. I didn't know him well at all, of course. To my ears, his voice sounded tight. Strained. The fact that he, finally, seemed upset by the ordeal didn't make me feel any better.

"May I ask," he went on, "why the Council had deemed it necessary for the captain to reinforce the log with his official seal, and why my request for an immediate reversal or annulment has been denied?"

"You may," she nodded gravely. "The Council needs more time to consider this matter. In short, Elder Pendorgrin, the Council is debating whether having an Overlord, especially one with your stature both on Asterion and in the Interstellar Coalition, married to a human from Earth might not be a good thing for interplanetary relations.

"After all," she went on, as my jaw dropped and the alien Overlord's nostrils flared with an inhale of shock or disgust—or both—"We want to rebuild our section of Earth and, in time, establish friendly relations with the humans in that quadrant. What better way than for one of your status to marry one of their inhabitants?"

"This is—this is preposterous!" the Overlord growled. "Has the Council lost their minds? Why, I recently battled my only living son over this very issue. Asterion noblemen cannot be married to human females! It is simply not done!"

His wrath didn't shake the spokesperson at all. "The Council understands your reservations, and will take prior precedent under advisement," she responded coolly, "as well as the matter of your son, Caide, and his human wife. However, the Council feels having two members of such an esteemed, prominent lineage wed to human wives might help forge a new era in public relations with Earth, creating an unshakeable bond of trust."

I sat there stunned, feeling sick. This could not be happening. This could not be real. My fingers clenched and unclenched themselves, clasping and unclasping.

No. No, no, no, no, no! I raged internally. I was just getting my life back on track. I got away from Charlie. I had a good job. I was building a new life. I can't be married to another man who doesn't love and respect me. I can't deal with that! I can't!

For his part, I don't think Ellax was any happier.

"I protest this. Vigorously," he told the spokesperson through gritted teeth. "I have no use for a human wife. Nor has the Council any business in determining who my wife should be."

"On the contrary, Overlord, and with all due respect," she responded evenly, "as one of our esteemed noblemen and now a Lead Advisor in the Interstellar Coalition, the Asterion Council has a great deal to say about your behavior and how it affects our planet and its relations to our colonies.

"Furthermore," she reminded him, "and though I am loathe to bring up a painful subject, if your illegitimate son will not return to Asterion and be named your heir, then you must produce another heir. At your age…" She coughed delicately, "you'd best delay no longer."

"Then the Council wishes me to sire an heir with a…human?"

I was watching his face as he said this. His jaw was clenched with disgust. He spoke through gritted teeth. I felt my heart sink to the soles of my feet.

Another husband who doesn't want to touch me. Another husband who thinks I'm repulsive. I can't. I can't.

I wanted to cry. I felt the tears pooling behind my eyes.

I don't need a husband. I don't want a husband. I don't care if he's Asterion, human, or any other species, I don't need a man in my life, apart from my sons. And I sure as hell don't want to get pregnant again. I'm thirty-nine, for heaven's sake!

"The Council has not come to any firm decisions regarding this yet," the spokesperson said. She straightened a pile of papers on the table in front of her, until the edges were lined up crisply. "However, they are taking all of these factors under advisement. They wished me to inform you of what they are discussing so you may be forewarned."

"Forewarned, my ass," Ellax growled. He pointed a finger at the screen, at the spokesperson's face. "You tell the Council that if they attempt to impose this on me, I will take the matter higher—to the leaders of the Interstellar Coalition."

"That is your right, of course, Overlord," she said. "You and I both know the Coalition is very likely to abide by any decision the Asterion Council renders, and for the same reasons."

The Overlord swore viciously. I started, then clenched the edge of the bed with both hands to hide my nervousness.

"I understand you need time to process this, Overlord," the spokesperson said. "I will release you from our conversation. We will be in communication again, once the Council has rendered its verdict."

"I may be in Asterion by then," Ellax grumbled.

"Then you will be able to hear the decision in person. I wish you good day, Overlord. Journey with the stars."

With that the screen blipped out. The Asterion spokeswoman was gone. Only the Overlord and I remained in the room, with a weight settling between us that felt too heavy to bear.