Chapter 24

Chapter 24

Lilly awoke with a pounding headache and the realization she was once again lying on the cold metal table in the med center. Being injured and rendered unconscious twice in one day just didn’t seem fair. In addition to her pounding head, her left shoulder and arm felt like she’d been hit by a truck. Lilly could hear hushed male voices somewhere off to her left as she considered opening her eyes. While she wanted to see who was nearby, she knew if she opened her eyes, her head would only hurt more. She cowardly decided to keep them closed for the moment.

“She’s awake,” Arnal said somewhere nearby, and Lilly heard footsteps approaching as she opened her eyes to see Ronan and a strange Gilesean male in a uniform step up to her.

“Lilly,” Ronan murmured, leaning down to slip his arms about her and hug her to him. Lilly repressed a wince, simply enjoying Ronan’s hug and the knowledge that he was well.

“What happened? I was coming to you to warn you about Zardo, and then I don’t remember anything else.” Lilly said as Ronan stepped back giving her a concerned smile.

“Eacha tackled you,” Cahir said, appearing beside Ronan.

“Oh,” Lilly said as she pushed herself slowly up to a sitting position with Ronan’s help, trying not to wince as various parts of her ached. “Why?”

“To prevent you from being shot,” Ronan said as Arnal handed Lilly a glass of the orange-colored restorative drink.

Lilly took a sip and turned to see Eacha resting against the other table a few feet, away his upper left sleeve badly burned. “Thank you.”

“No, I’m the one who should be thanking you; your plan worked rescue has come to take us home,” Eacha replied with a grin before nodding towards the strange Gilesean male standing behind Ronan.

Lily, fighting the pain in her head, turned back to study the other male. He was older than Ronan by the gentle lines around his eyes and hints of white at his temples.

“It did?” Lilly asked in disbelief, taking a sip of the drink.

“It did, Lilly. This is my Uncle Admiral Arik, he brought the fleet to rescue me and the others,” Ronan said, slipping his arm about Lilly’s shoulders in a light embrace.

Lilly paused to process what Ronan had said to her; his uncle was an admiral. “It is a pleasure to meet you, Admiral Arik,” Lilly said not sure what the proper etiquette was.

“No, it is I who should thank you for saving my nephew’s life; the people of Gilese are in your debt for saving our Prince’s life,” Arik said, giving Lilly a small bow.

Lilly wasn’t sure she’d heard correctly. Had he said, Prince? “I only did what I could to help Ronan and the others; I wanted them to be able to go home. I did not know he was a prince.” Lilly said softly as her doubts came flooding back like a tidal wave, Ronan was a prince, would he still want her.

“Ronan said you were kind and modest I can see he spoke the truth. He left out beautiful, as I said, my people shall forever be in your debt. We have had ships looking for him since he went missing, after a year we had begun to give up hope.” Arik said, reaching out to grasp Ronan’s shoulder. “His people and his father will be overjoyed to have him back.”

“Aye, she is beautiful, and you should see her dance.” Rona gave her a gentle squeeze, followed by a wide smile, and then he motioning for her to drink. “Once we are aboard the ship, I would have you arrange a wedding for Lilly and I. We shared pledges but I want a true wedding before my people so all will know that she is mine and that the children she carries are mine.”

Arik’s smile didn’t falter, but his eyes widened with surprise before he nodded. “I would be honored; Rugger told me your concubine was with child. It is indeed joyous news.”

Ronan frowned, his brows knitting in anger. “She is not my concubine; she is my wife and my true heartmate. I have already begun to grow my mating mark.” Ronan pulled back the neck of his loose white shirt to show a twisted black line on the left side of his neck.

“I beg your forgiveness for any disrespect, my Prince. I will happily arrange a wedding so that all may know of this joyous news,” Ark said with a slight nod of his head.

“If you are interested, the babies are both healthy and strong.” Arnal stepped closer. “I combined the scans from Artem, the villager healer, with those I have taken, and the computer has created simulations of what both babies shall look like not only when they are born but till the age of eight.”

“You can do that?” Lilly asked in amazement and saw the normally gruff Arnal smile fleetingly.

“Yes, Artem’s scanner is better than mine, but our findings together are enough to construct profiles. I will show you, if you finish your drink, you have been injured twice today and need to restore your strength.” Arnal gave Lilly one of his normal scowls, but Lilly saw a friendly glint in his normally cold eyes.

“Then do it,” Ronan said, his hand slipping from Lilly’s shoulder to take her left hand in his.

Arnal turned to the wall console and flipped several switches, and a five-foot section of the back wall flared with light as two images appeared one of a male baby on the right and a female baby on the left. The screen flashed again and more images appeared, of toddlers and then children aged about five and then eight. The boy’s skin was a lighter shade of grey than Ronan’s but by looking at him there was no denying he was Ronan’s son. He had straight silver grey hair, light silver grey eyes and Ronan’s good looks. The girl’s skin was even paler, a light ashy tone that went well with her silver blonde hair and light green eyes. The girl was a stunningly beautiful child with Lilly’s looks combined with a hint of Ronan’s.

Ronan stepped away from Lilly to place his hands on the images as the enormity of what he saw filled him; these were his children, his and Lilly’s, after so long, he would be a father. He turned from the screen to Arnal before stepping back to embrace Lilly in a crushing hug.

“This is truly what they will look like, and they are well, no problems?” Ronan asked, stepping back to look at Lilly his heart filled with joy, he was finally free and he had a true mate and children on the way.

“Aye, according to the scans, they are both healthy, and the blending of genes has corrected weaknesses that have slowly crept into our genes over the millennia. Lilly has superior night vision to you, I, or any Gilesean. I am guessing her world has a darker night than we do. In addition, she is extremely intelligent, and that intelligence has been passed on to your children. And there is one last thing her blood is full of antibodies to the plaque, antibodies that shall be passed onto her young. Both Lilly and her children will be immune to the plaque; in addition, I believe that her blood could provide not just a preventative but a complete cure to the plaque.” Arnal handed a thin plastic sheet to Ronan who looked to see it was the same images as on the screen.

Arik’s face broke into a joyous smile as he looked from Arnal to Ronan and then to Lilly. “This is indeed wondrous news; it would seem your mission to find females was a success. You have found the perfect female to save our world and give us hope. I will leave you two to talk and to prepare. I want you all back on the ship as soon as possible.”

“Thank you, uncle, I will let you know when I am ready to leave, Eacha go with him for now. Rugger, Cahir, will you give Lilly and me a few moments alone, perhaps you can go to the dining hall and let the others know we are all free and see if Tyrell needs help restoring the force field.”

Eacha gave a nod and motioned for Arik to precede him from the med chamber. “Come, Admiral, I will show you the fastest way back to the gate.”

“Of course, Ronan, and congratulations to you both,” Rugger said as Cahir gave Ronan a slap on the back and a smile to Lilly.

“I will see if they have any bread or fruit for Lilly. We need to begin taking better care of our future king,” Cahir said with a grin before following Rugger and the others from the room.

Ronan jerked his head for Arnal to leave, then pulled Lilly into his arms again for a quick kiss, followed by a long and tender kiss. Ronan pulled back, cupping Lilly’s sweet little face with both hands, noting for the first time a bruise forming on her temple, a reminder of the hard hit she’d taken.

“You promised to stay safe. I nearly lost you again. Perhaps I should tie you to the bed to keep you safe.” Ronan said half in jest, though he didn’t think his hearts could stand much more stress. Lilly had been injured twice in one day the thought of losing her was more than he could stand.

“You would like that too much, besides I thought you were in danger. I was watching the vid screen and saw Zardo getting up. I didn’t know if he was armed or not.” Lilly replied before finishing her drink and setting the empty glass beside her on the table. She hadn’t been that thirsty, but it bought her time to think of what to say, she knew Ronan would likely shout at her again and that his anger came from care, but still. “And Perrion was awake, and he made me nervous; I did not wish to stay alone with him.”

“So once again, you rushed out to try and save me. My fearless little warrior, what am I to do with you? We will discuss later your need to be more cautious, and perhaps it is time I taught you how to fight, since you will run towards danger and not away.” Ronan shook his head, but he couldn’t stay angry; he was too full of joy. “I must say again how brilliant you are; if not for you, my people would never have found me and the others, and we would not be going home.”

“Thank you.” Lilly smiled at Ronan’s praise. “But I think you and the others would have just stolen Zardo’s ship after you finished defeating him, you are rather clever yourself.”

Ronan laughed loudly and then nodded his head, for that had indeed been his plan before his people showed up. “You know me too well, little one,” Ronan said. and saw Lilly’s face fall.

“What, what is it are you in pain?” Ronan demanded in alarm.

“No, yes, a little, but that isn’t it. I don’t know you at all. You are a prince, an admiral came to bring you home, you could have any female you want. I’m nothing, a nobody; I’m simply Lilly MacTaggert from Earth, grad student and dancer.” Lilly wiped tears from her eyes. “What will your people think?”

“I apologize for never telling you the truth. I was afraid of what would happen if anyone ever found out the truth, and you are not nothing, you are my woman, my heart mate. You will be the mother of my children, and while you might not believe my words, my body knows you belong to me. This is my mating mark, and I wear it proudly for I never thought to have one.” Ronan pulled his collar aside, showing the thin black line that was on his neck.

“I told you that on my world in the past, there were more females than males, that the females were large and as fierce as the males if not fiercer,” Ronan said, and saw Lilly nod yes. “The females would choose a male, and if he was willing he would accept her suit. The females would often battle to the death to protect the male they had claimed; our scientists think the mating mark arose as a way for a male to show that he was with one female, that she had claimed his hearts and his mind, and to warn other females away.” Ronan took Lilly’s hands in his and gave her a smile. “The mark started a few days ago, it proves what I knew that you are my perfect mate in all ways and that there shall never be another female for me. The mark will continue to grow till it encircles my neck when our children are born; if we are blessed again, another ring will grow, proof that I am mated and a father. I never thought to be blessed with a mark, but seeing it fills my hearts with joy, for I know that I shall never be alone again, that I have found my one true female.”

Lilly tentatively brushed her fingers against the mark and saw Ronan’s smile broaden. Ronan slipped his arms about Lilly’s waist pulling, her against him.

“My people will see what I see when I look at you, a strong and beautiful female who is all that is kind and good, a female who has repeatedly risked all for me. Now, no more doubts, if I have to declare myself to you to make you believe, I shall.” Ronan said his face inched from Lilly’s.

Lilly felt warmth fill her as she knew that everything was truly going to be right at last, while Earth was lost to her, she had a home with Ronan. “I love you.” Lilly murmured, leaning forward to brush her lips against Ronan’s.

Ronan pulled Lilly tight against his chest to give her a crushing embrace while he kissed her like he would never see her again, trying to tell her that he truly felt. Ronan would have probably made love to Lilly on the metal table if not for Arnal stepping into the room and clearing his throat.

“While she has recovered it shall be a few hours before she is ready for that, and she should eat first,” Arnal said muttered before glaring at Ronan. “You may be my prince but she is my patient first.” Arnal set another glass of orange liquid beside Lilly with a clink before walking away muttering under his breath.

“He is right, I like your Earth word of love, it is a good word and says what I feel. I love you, now drink your drink, and then I will see my Uncle about leaving this place. You may bring whatever you wish, of course.” Ronan couldn’t wait to leave the hateful hot world with its burning suns and freezing nights filled with terrifying creatures.

“But what about the others? We can’t leave till everyone is safe.” Lilly protested.

“Cahir, Rugger, and Eacha shall of course return with us and if your friend Lars wishes to come he is more than welcome,” Ronan replied, in truth, he’d come to like the lizard man who’d been Lilly’s first and only friend.

“No, I mean everyone, all the slaves. While the way Zardo did it was wrong, he started a good thing, his attacks allowed many of the slaves to go free. We can’t just leave people behind as slaves, we can’t it wouldn’t be right. I couldn’t live with myself if I left and there were still people in the mines or the pits or females forced to entertain.” Lilly protested and after a moment, Ronan nodded.

“You are correct, I was so happy I thought only of myself for a moment, but you are right, we can’t leave if there are still slaves. I will order my Uncle to have the troops free every slave in every pleasure center, as well as the pits and the mines.” Ronan took Lilly’s small hand in his and gave it a gentle squeeze. “Besides being the right thing to do, it might be of help not just to my world but to the others as well.”

“I’m not sure I follow,” Lilly replied, taking a cautious sip of her drink.

“My world has been at war with the Ravagers, the beings that took you from your world for three generations. They were responsible for the plague that took our females and nearly wiped out my people. My mission was to not only find willing females but to seek out allies to help us fight the Ravagers. I have spoken to Tyrell, and the Ravagers also attacked his world, Proxima. He was on a mission to Gilese to seek out an alliance with us against the Ravagers when his ship was attacked and his men captured. If we help to restore all these people to their home worlds would their ruling bodies not wish to make alliances with us as thanks for rescuing them?” Ronan said, and saw Lilly’s face brighten to a huge smile.

“That is a wonderful idea,” Lilly said thinking that Ronan was indeed a genius. She was about to throw her arms about Ronan when there was the sound of footsteps and Cahir stepped into the med center.

“Ah good I was hoping you would both be here, Tyrell and Colonel Brandr and his men have nearly finished locking all of Zardo’s men into the holding cells. By some freak of luck, Zardo is still alive.” Cahir nodded at Arnal who frowned at him with annoyance.

“I shall get my bag and go to treat him and his men, though I don’t like it,” Arnal mumbled as he shuffled away with his scowl worse than usual.

“Tyrell is in the control room with Zach and could use your help, Lilly, to not only get communications up but to get the damaged shield emitters working before nightfall. Tyrell is afraid of there being gaps in the force dome.” Cahir said.

“Of course,” Lilly replied, slipping from the table.

“Rugger told all the others they are free and has been helping Lars remove all their collars, which we plan to use on Perrion and Zardo,” Cahir added.

“I forgot about Perrion. Was he not to be brought here to be treated?” Lilly asked looking about the med center.

“He was, but you and Eacha need Arnal’s help more, so we locked him in one of the holding cells in the basement next to Laoni. They are cursing each other and making all kinds of threats it is most amusing.” Cahir said with a smile. “Admiral Arik is also looking for you Ronan. He is at the fountain with Colonel Brandr, awaiting your orders. And lastly, this is for you Lilly.”

Cahir pulled a peacock blue robe out of his tunic and held it out to Lilly, who took it with a questioning smile.

“Thank you, but I don’t understand?” Lily gratefully slipped the robe on and looked down to see it came to her ankles and that the length of the sleeves was perfect. She ran her hand over the left sleeve, marveling at how soft and silky it felt.

“Well, it occurred to me that I have all these credits saved up, credits I was going to use for buying my freedom, but now that we are free, they shall all go to waste, so I went to the fabricator and ordered you a robe. I know the sun burns your skin and that while looking at you dressed as you are is pleasing to us, it makes Ronan jealous.” Cahir said with a lopsided smile. “I also thought that perhaps it would be wise to spend our credits before the others also realize that all their earnings will be worth nothing soon, or the fabricators run out of raw material and are unable to make anything.”

“Cahir, you are a genius. Perhaps on the way to the control room, we could stop, and I could order some new things,” Lilly said as the reality that she and Ronan would truly be leaving set in.

“Of course,” Cahir replied with another smile.

“Lilly, stay with Cahir, I will find you later in the dining hall for the evening meal. I don’t know how long these will take but I shall come to you. Cahir, don’t let her out of your sight.” Ronan said, wishing that he had more time alone with Lilly but it was only a few hours before nightfall and there was much to do.

“Take care,” Lilly said, wanting to throw her arms around Ronan and hug him; she settled for a quick kiss on his cheek. “And come back to me.”

Ronan gave Lilly a roguish grin. “Always little one always now go it seems we both are needed,” Ronan replied and watched Lilly and Cahir walk away. Ronan mumbled several curses at being once again separated from Lilly and raking his fingers through his hair hurried out of the med center and towards the fountain.