Chapter 30

Chapter 30

Ronan paced nervously back and forth as the chief medical officer, Ellie finished examining Lilly. After several minutes, Ronan turned to scowl at the older man.

“Well? How is she?” Ronan snapped in annoyance, his patience at an end. He should have been more attentive to Lilly, should have realized she was unhappy, but he’d had so much news to catch up with and so much work to get done. It was no excuse, though, especially as he’d known Lilly was fearful of coming away with him.

“She has two hairline fractures in her wrist and several bruises, but otherwise she is well.” The Ellie replied, putting down his medical scanner and reaching for the small handheld bone fuser.

“You are sure she and the babies are well?” Ronan asked anxiously. Whatever had happened was his fault.

“Yes, I just need to finish fusing the bones in her wrist, and she is free to go. Though she should take it easy for the next few days, and she needs to eat more.” Ellie gave Ronan a long, measuring look while he slowly ran a long silver wand-like device over Lilly’s wrist. The fuser emitted a bright blue light for several minutes, then went out.

“All done, the wrist will be tender for a bit,” Ellie stated, and Lilly nodded. The throbbing pain in her wrist was now replaced by a dull, bruise-like ache.

“Thank you. How are Lars and Lieutenant Cahir?” Ronan stepped over to Lilly and took her hand in his as the medic officer put the scanner away.

“Both are well. Officer Cahir is cleared to leave and return to light duty, but Lars will need to rest for another day.” Ellie replied.

“Thank you, would you excuse us for a moment? I need to speak to Lilly in private.” Ronan gave Ellie a long look and Ellie nodded.

“Of course, I will be in the next room checking on the prisoners.” Ellie gave Ronan and Lilly a polite nod before disappearing through a door at the back of the med center.

The moment the door closed behind him, Ronan stepped forward; he gently cupped Lilly’s face with his hands before lowering his mouth to hers to give her a long, slow kiss. After several heartbeats Ronan stepped back.

“Will you forgive me? What happened was my fault, if I’d been more attentive. If I’d kept you with me more than those fools would not have thought as they did.” Ronan shook his head. “They would know how much I care for you. How can I make it up to you?”

“But it isn’t your fault. I heard Indie talking to the others; she thought that if she eliminated me, you would wed her.” Lilly caught Ronan’s right hand with both of hers and gave it a squeeze. “They had this crazy plan to give me brain damage but keep me unharmed otherwise so that the babies would live. Indie believes that she is so beautiful that you would wed her if I were gone, that she is irresistible, and that you only wed me for the babies.”

“They what?” Ronan choked out in rage. “Madness, total madness, if I’d lost you, I would have been devastated.”

Before Lilly could reply, Eacha, Cahir, Rugger, and Colonel Brandr stepped into the chamber.

“See, I knew she would be fine. Our Lilly is stronger than she looks.” Cahir said with a smile as he nudged Rugger in the ribs with his elbow.

“Our Lilly, I do not remember her wedding you?” Ronan said in annoyance, glaring at his friends.

“But she is also our friend, and after what she did for us, I think of her as a sister, so she is my Lilly,” Cahir replied, ignoring Ronan’s jealous scowl.

“Yes, well, as long as you only call her that in private,” Ronan stated, trying to squash his jealousy. “Lilly told me that Indie and the others planned to damage her brain, but keep her alive so the babies would not be harmed. Indie thought that I would wed her if Lilly were gone.”

Someone cleared their throat loudly, and Ronan looked up to see Colonel Brandr standing in the open med center door.

“Your Majesty, my Lady, the questioning is going well, and we are slowly getting answers. Officer Indie was planning to wed his majesty, while keeping Lady Lilly alive to bear his children. She meant to keep Lady Lilly in a perpetual coma while she bore Ronan children.” Colonel Brandr shook his head in obvious disgust. “I presently have five security officers that I trust completely overseeing the questioning of all the prisoners. The fools who took Lieutenant Cahir and Lars are already providing names of others involved in this foul conspiracy.” Colonel Brandr stated. “I have also spoken with Admiral Arik; he is contacting the commanders of the other ships in the fleet. He is asking his most trusted officers to do what they can to find any other traitors, though it shall take time to screen all the crews.”

“That is something we do not have. We are due to reach Gilese in four standard days. If there are traitors, I would have them found now. I would have Lilly safe, and I would squash these foul rumors that I do not care for her, that I do not think of her as my mate and partner.” Ronan reached over to squeeze Lilly’s hand.

“Perhaps some sort of fleet-wide of announcement would help,” Rugger suggested. Ronan studied him for a moment and then smiled widely. “That is a fantastic idea; I shall make a fleet-wide broadcast. Colonel Brandr, will you advise the admiral and the commanders of the ships that in thirty minutes I shall be making a fleet-wide-broadcast.”

“It shall be done, your majesty. My Lady, I am glad you were not seriously harmed.” With a nod, Brandr turned to hurry from the med center.

“What do you have in mind?” Eacha inquired as the door slid shut behind him.

“Simply the truth, I shall speak of the attempt on Lilly’s life and address these foul rumors that I do not care for her. I shall need you all with me on the bridge when I make the announcement as support.” Gave his friends a long, steady look. “But first I must speak to Lilly alone.”

“Of Course, we shall see to Lars again and then help Cahir wash and put on a fresh uniform.” Eacha slapped Cahir on the back. “We shall meet you on the bridge. And Lilly, I am glad you are safe. I know that we did not start off as the best of friends, but I have come to value you as both a friend and as Ronan’s wife. You have more than proved your worth as Ronan’s mate and my future queen. If you need anything, anything at all please feel free to contact me.”

“Thank you, Eacha, I appreciate that greatly.” Lilly choked back tears of gratitude. She saw Eacha give her a nod, then he elbowed the others in the ribs before turning to leave.

“If you need anything, anything at all, just call me.” Cahir gave Lilly a smile before hurrying after Eacha. “And Lilly don’t listen to these foul rumors, you know they aren’t true as do I.”

“The same for me, I know that I was unkind to you before, and I regret that deeply. If not for you, Ronan would still be a miserable fool, and we would still be prisoners. You are more than worthy of being our queen, and I would be a lucky male to find a female even half as wonderful as you.” Rugger gave Lilly an awkward smile. “Right I’ll see you both on the bridge.” Rugger turned to hurry after the others

Once they were alone, Ronan turned to Lilly. “I will say again that I have been a horrible husband to you and a worse friend.”

“No, that isn’t true.” Lilly began to protest, only for Ronan to squeeze her hand, silencing her.

“But it is, I was so wrapped up in my duties once we were saved that I forgot all about you. I was so happy to be saved, to be among my own people, that I forgot that you were still among strangers. Forgot that you would need me even more, in my selfishness, I didn’t remember that the Dome had been your home, your safe place. I’m sorry, Lilly; I’m so sorry. Will you forgive me?” Ronan asked. He rubbed his hands over his face as he searched for the right words to convey the depth of his regret.

“There is nothing to forgive, you are not only an officer but a prince, you have many duties. You had to learn of everything that happened while you were away, I understand that, and I forgive you. If you wish to make it up to me, perhaps you could give me a tour of the ship or take me with you when you meet the officers. I would like to meet them as they are important to you and your planet,” Lilly caught Ronan’s right hand and gave it a squeeze.

“You would wish to join me when I receive briefings?” Ronan asked, giving Lilly a puzzled look. It had not occurred to him that Lilly would care about such things.

“Should I not know and understand what your duties are and who your officers are? How else will I understand your people and what is needed of me?” Lilly suggested and saw Ronan smile.

“You are wiser than I; I should have thought of that myself.” Ronan gave her a rueful look. “You truly are a genius. And I am a thoughtless male. My only excuse is that I am still adjusting to being a husband and having to remember that what I do or don’t do involves you. That what I do or don’t do affects you as well.”

“I understand, it is difficult to remember that we are us now and not two individuals. What do you plan on saying to the fleet? And I shall need to change my clothes first, I can’t appear like this.” Lilly looked down at her ripped and dirty clothes. Her bare arms were covered in bruises, as was her cheek.

“Nay, I would have everyone see you as you are, bruised and battered yet not beaten. My people admire strength and warriors; if you appear as you are, they will all know what I do that my wife and mate is small but fierce.” Ronan leaned down to brush a kiss against Lilly’s forehead. “And I will tell them what happened, and speak of this treachery, and I will speak of the lies against you and the foolish belief that I don’t care for you.”

“Oh, that all sounds very good,” Lilly replied, giving Ronan a smile.

“And I will speak of your planet’s word love, and what it means. I will speak of how I love you. I will also show my mark, indicating you are my true heart mate. Then I shall speak of how much you mean to me, and how brave and brilliant you are. I will tell how, if not for you, the others and I would not have been able to return home. And lastly, I will say that if they do not accept you completely, then I will step down as their prince and leave Gilese.”

Lilly gasped in surprise and shook her head. “What, oh no, Ronan, you don’t mean that, your world, your people mean everything to you.”

“They do, but you mean more. You are my friend, my wife, my lover and my mate and soon to be the mother of my children.” Ronan looked deeply into Lilly’s eyes willing her to believe him. “I searched many years and many worlds to find a female such as you, and I would rather give up my world than you.”

“Oh, Ronan, I love you too.” Lilly threw her arms about Ronan’s neck as he hugged her fiercely in return.

After a few minutes, Ronan broke the embrace. “Now, if I ever ignore you again, hit me with something. Don’t be afraid, I am rather thick-headed and thick-skinned. If that doesn’t work, set Cahir on me to beat some sense into me. He is the only one, who ever came close to beating me in the arena.”

Lilly gave him a dry smile. “I shall seriously consider that.”

“Good, very good for I mean what I say. I want you to be happy on my world. I was only a prisoner and away from people, my world for a short time. I cannot imagine the pain and the loneliness you must feel. I know that there is little I can do to ease it, but I shall do all in my power to try.” Ronan paused to squeeze Lilly’s hand again. “That is why I have tasked Rugger and Eacha with finding your world. If they find it, I will have them take you home if you wish. But I pray you won’t ask that. I know I am being selfish by thinking, no, hoping you would stay with me, but I cannot lose you; you are my everything. And I thought perhaps if you did not return to your world, I could bring some of it to you.”

Lilly thought she was going to cry; she’d been so lonely that she’d doubted Ronan’s love for her. She’d been so foolish of late, but no more. “I love you too, and thank you, Ronan.”

“You do not need to thank me for doing what I both want to do and should have done. Now, if you are ready, I want to check on our prisoners to be sure they are secure.” Ronan squeezed Lily’s hand again before lifting her to the floor. “And I thought perhaps you might want to gloat over the fact that Indie is not only wrong in how I feel about you but now a prisoner facing death.”

“Oh, Ronan, that is awful. I mean I shouldn’t, but part of me wants to. She said such awful things to me, but gloating would be wrong.” Lilly protested as Ronan, his hand about her’s led her towards the main door of the med bay.

“Not at all, think of it as a fact-finding mission. Besides, you will have a say in both Indie’s and the others’ punishment. You are a princess now, my princess, and one day you shall be queen. What you do now, how you treat them, will set up a precedent moving forward.” Ronan paused as he keyed the door pad, and the door slid open. “By law, what they did requires their deaths, but I know you are more tender-hearted than I. They could be banished instead.”

Lilly was both touched and honored that her opinions would carry such weight.

“Should that not be decided at trial?” Lilly asked following Ronan into the corridor. She was startled to see ten officers on duty who all snapped to attention as they stepped into the passageway.

“For a lesser crime, yes, but they tried to assassinate you. That is an automatic death sentence, but we can have a trial if you wish.” Ronan stated.

Before Lilly could reply, Admiral Arik stepped into the passageway and headed towards them. He smiled when he saw Lilly with Ronan, and Lilly smiled in return.

“Ah, Lilly, I am pleased to see you up and well. Ronan assured me that you were not badly hurt, but still, I am glad to see you are well.” Arik gave Lilly a broad smile. “The officers you see here are all ones I trust with my life, and they are all loyal to me and Ronan. They have all volunteered to be your guard until I can guarantee your safety, and I discover if there are any more traitors among our midst.”

“Thank you, admiral,” Lilly replied, giving him a nod of thanks.

Admiral Arik shook his head. “No, please call me Arik, you are family after all. I also wanted to personally see you both escorted to the bridge. Brandr told me you wished to make a fleet-wide announcement about the crimes against Lilly.”

“I do, there are foolish rumors circulating that I do not care for Lilly; I mean to squash all these rumors at once. There can be no doubt in anyone’s mind that I care deeply for Lilly or of her fitness as my princess. Once we reach home, it will be too late to squash such vile rumors and stop them from spreading.” Ronan gave Lilly a warm smile. “And her safety and happiness mean everything to me.”

“Whatever happens, my officers and I shall stand by your side and support you both,” Arik stated, motioning for Ronan and Lilly to precede him down the passageway. “You shall see everything will be well, and the others will see that Lilly is not only a wonderful female and pick for our princess but that her people will be our salvation.”

“Thank you, uncle, your words mean much to both of us.” Ronan gave Lilly a smile before stepping onto the elevator, his hand tight around Lilly’s. No matter what happened, he would never give up Lilly; she was his life now, and her health and happiness were all that mattered.