Chapter 10

ZAHHN

The days pass in a blur, but I keep busy, and I continue to achieve numerous scientific advancements that better my people's lives.

After the first wave of thirty females is handed over, a young human woman named Sheila injects her male with a dangerous virus. Apparently, she concealed a hypospray filled with the substance between her thighs, then injected her mate, a male named Paddax, just as he was about to claim her.

While my colleagues focus on treating Paddax, it takes me less than a half day to formulate an inoculation that will counteract the virus. All males who came into contact with Paddax after the attack are given the vaccine, myself included.

The day after the attack, Emperor Radakk pays me a visit. He reeks of feminine arousal and male seed, leaving me in no doubt that he successfully claimed his mate. He, along with Admiral Tornn and many other Darrvason males of importance, took a mate from among the first wave of thirty human females yesterday. I fight back a pang of jealousy.

I stand in the middle of my laboratory, watching the leader of the Darrvason Empire carefully for any signs of active forlonggsa , though he doesn't appear afflicted yet. His movements are natural, and his eyes don't glimmer with any hints of madness. His speech also sounds normal. It's a relief to know I have more time to help him, though I resolve that I will redouble my efforts.

"It's been over a moon cycle since I last visited you, Doctor Zahhn," he says. "I thought I would visit you and personally thank you for your help with the quick development of the vaccine. Once again, the Darrvason Empire is in your debt." He tilts his head to the side, and I sense there's another reason for his visit, and I bite back a groan of frustration as my suspicions grow.

I wave a hand in the air. "It was my pleasure. Gave me a nice distraction. Didn't even take up half the day." I chuckle, but it feels too forced. "The humans who created the virus made several errors that made it easy to combat. Idiots."

He attempts to restrain a smile. "Nevertheless, your service is much appreciated. When we finally settle on a planet, your house will be among the first that will be built."

I lean against a table and cross my arms, an image of a sturdy abode entering my mind. A house. A house that will belong to me. After twenty-five years spent aboard the Haxxal in open space, I long for fresh air and a real home. "I expect a grand house." I grin. "Perhaps not as grand as whatever palace you intend to build for yourself, but a large house in an elevated location, if that is possible, with a majestic view of the landscape." Alone . I'll live there alone. I'm careful not to let my arrogant smile falter as I hold Emperor Radakk's gaze. I don't want him to know the depth of my despair over never claiming a female. Not just any female, but a certain little dark-haired patient I still cannot banish from my mind. Leona. Beautiful, trembling, defiant Leona.

"What about a mate?" he asks. "You declined a female from the first wave of women, but the second wave will likely be delivered in a few moon cycles. Would you like a female of your own?"

My mood darkens. "As you know, Emperor, I am sterile. A result of the Haflassan Flu I had as a young male. I would not be able to procreate. A female would be wasted on me." I draw in a long breath, frustrated that we must have this argument again. But the leader of the Darrvason Empire is nothing if not persistent.

"You have saved our people many times over, Zahhn," he says, and I'm stunned that he omits the title of Doctor before my name. It's a sign that he truly considers me a friend, though if we were in the presence of others and if he addressed me without my title, it would be considered rude.

"Just because I've saved lives doesn't mean I'm owed a mate." I straighten as pain and self-loathing fill me. I think of Leona and mourn the loss of what I can never have. "The purpose of the Darrvason-human alliance is to procure females for breeding purposes. If the next generation isn't born soon, the survival of our people remains at risk. It would not be logical for me to claim a female. As I've already said, a female would be wasted on me."

"A female would not be wasted on you. Please promise you'll consider it. If a female would make you happy, if you desire to claim one, I would be honored to arrange that for you." He gives me an overly serious look.

I release a long, dramatic sigh, but it's a cover. I must conceal my longing for a mate from the emperor. Even if I accepted, I wouldn't be given the female I desire. Leona. She's not in the age range decreed by the alliance. I would be given an alternate woman, and I cannot fathom claiming any female but her. "May the Star Gods save me from officious emperors," I finally say. I clear my throat. "Very well. I will consider it." I won't consider it, but I'll say anything to shut him up.

"Thank you."

"No, no, thank you." I force another cocky grin. "I love it when my superiors meddle in my life."

"You do realize if anyone else talked to me like that, I would have their head, don't you?" The emperor attempts to look stern, but there's no hiding the smirk that twitches his lips.

I snort. "But then who would solve all your problems, my dear emperor?"

He growls. "Speaking of problems, my uncle is getting worse, and so are many others who are suffering from forlonggsa . Last time we spoke, you mentioned a possible treatment that you were almost ready to test. Any update on that?"

"Tests will begin in a few days, and I will be living on the Rorrsa while the tests are conducted," I say, referring to the Darrvason ship that houses those afflicted with forlonggsa in a specialized medical unit. "I will keep you apprised of the progress, Emperor Radakk, but even if this test fails, we still have many more years."

"Eight years," he blurts. "Only eight years." He appears suddenly haunted, and I know he must be thinking about his father. About how utterly mad and violent his father became during his decline.

"Your father first showed signs of forlonggsa far earlier than most males do. He was a special case—not only did he show symptoms earlier than usual, his decline was also more rapid than usual. Even if you are stricken with the disease, you likely won't show signs for fifteen years or more. Also, I would like to remind you that it's not a certainty that you'll fall ill. I've sequenced your genes, Emperor, and while you have a genetic predisposition for forlonggsa , it's not an inevitable diagnosis. There is still a twenty-eight percent chance you'll live a long, healthy life without any medical intervention."

The haunted look doesn't leave him. I know he's still remembering the sheer madness of his father. I can remember only too well. I was a physician-in-training at the time his father first showed signs of forlonggsa , busy with treating our males who became wounded during the war with the Yelltzins, a terrible war that claimed the lives of nearly all our females and too many children.

A pained spasm afflicts me as I recall the fateful day the Yelltzins destroyed our homeworld, slaughtering millions, and the horrible retaliation Emperor Radakk's father took against our enemies. Rather than plunder the Yelltzins' homeworld for their females, of which we were in dire need, Emperor Radakk's father ordered the destruction of their planet and everyone on it. Emperor Radakk was still a child at the time, but surely he must've realized the imprudence of his father's actions. I swallow hard as I think about my parents and sisters who died during the war.

"Thank you," Emperor Radakk finally says, "for devising a method to remove the genetic markers for the disease in-vitro. Knowing my sons won't be afflicted is a great comfort." He straightens and peers toward the door. "I must return to my mate now, but I hope you'll give some thought to accepting a female of your own. Whether you can sire offspring matters not. You are a living legend among our people, Zahhn, and no one would begrudge you for choosing to mate."

I give a brief nod, then lift a finger. "Before you leave, can you tell me if you've learned anything about Sheila's attack on Officer Paddax? Why she did it? Who helped her and whether the human worldship's command team might be involved? The reason I ask is because I've been tasked with developing strict protocols for us to follow when the next wave of females arrive, to ensure another virus doesn't find its way onto any of our ships. Or another sort of weapon."

He shakes his head. "We haven't learned anything yet. Sheila remains in the brig, and she's refusing to talk. But the admiral and I believe it was likely a rogue attack orchestrated by a group of rebels aboard the Jansonna . Captain Warren is a moron who's clearly unfit for leadership, but I don't believe he's stupid enough to provoke us to war. Admiral Tornn is directing the investigation, and I will let you know if I learn anything that might be helpful to you."

"Thank you, Emperor."

We exchange a quick farewell, and I watch as he departs my laboratory, observing for any signs of forlonggsa . Thankfully, I glimpse none. The door slides shut as he exits, and I once again find myself alone in the massive space where I conduct the important research that's earned me more accolades than all my colleagues combined.

Leona. I can't stop thinking about her, and I don't like the idea of a meddlesome rebel group aboard the Jansonna , the worldship she calls home. I hope whoever was behind the virus is caught quickly—surely the human female who attacked Paddax didn't act alone—and I hope the unnamed rebel group doesn't pose any additional threats to my people or the human worldship. The prospect of the citizens of the Jansonna facing danger, Leona among them, fills me with worry.

I want to keep the spirited female I examined safe, yet how can I do so when we don't reside on the same ship? If there was an emergency, what could I do? Could I commandeer a shuttle and attempt to board the Jansonna ? Not likely. While I'm capable of piloting a shuttle, the docking bay of the Haxxal where our smaller transport vessels are housed is heavily guarded. Only authorized personnel are permitted in the area.

I rake a hand through my hair and growl. It doesn't help that not only do my thoughts keep wandering to Leona during the day, but I dream about her every night. Highly erotic dreams that cause me to awake panting and sweating with the bedcovers tangled around my legs, my dual shafts erect and my scrotum vibrating with pleasure.

Fluxx . I turn to the numerous screens that display my progress against forlonggsa , trying to banish thoughts of the pretty, dark-haired female. But what I wouldn't give to see her just one more time.