Chapter 17
Tahk
My mate looked so broken I wished to gather her in my arms and flee with her. I myself was spiraling into a cavern of turmoil. How could I have misjudged my King so deeply? Aryx had been a kind and fair ruler. I could not accept this turn of character. There were pieces in this game that did not fit.
“Why not just invade Earth ourselves? The Vitat could have wiped out the planet. The humans have survived far longer than I had anticipated upon first reaching Earth, but they are weak and ill-prepared. Sending the Vitat may have eradicated the humans, thus leaving none for Aryx to enslave.”
“Would you have?” Uthyf asked me knowingly. “Would you have invaded and enslaved the humans if he had ordered you to?”
My mind was fractured in confusion. Would I have? I had slaughtered in the name of my King. Obeyed him as all Dahk should. But could I have enslaved a species in his name, when all I had known were our missions for freedom?
“No, Son. You would not have.” My father held his hands beside him, beseechingly. “The Dahk army is under your command. Aryx may have been King, but they follow you. He would not have had Dahk One―his army―aiding him, had he not withheld the truth from you.” He stepped closer. “You may be loyal, my son, but you are just, and honorable. You would not have done as he wished and Aryx would have found himself at odds with you.”
“After then? After he accomplished this? What would he have done then? I would have stopped my Council. They would never have had the chance to enslave them.” I would have confronted my King. Looking at my mate, I had no idea how fiercely I would have fought his plans before her. I would have opposed him, yes but after her? Finding my Pythe? I knew I would have fought my King. For her. For her home, her species. The thought nearly brought me to my knees. Yet still, if Aryx were alive, I would have opposed him, even if only for the many others I had freed in his name.
Uthyf shook his head. “We believe he had plans to bring you to heel, though we do not know what they were. After your Pythen mating, though?..” Uthyf trailed off. I would have not come to heel. The very thought caused me outrage. But Aryx would have used my loyalty against me. Urging me to see his reasoning. But after my Pythe? He would have had no hope of convincing me.
“Why not kill me?” My mate gasped as I spoke. “I was out of my mind during the mating rage, why not kill me, then?”
“We do not know, Son.” My father sighed and sat, scrubbing his skull. “Perhaps he wished to see if a Pythen mating was possible.”
“No, even if he had ordered you killed, who could have done it?” Uthyf glared at the table. “I would not have, nearly all of Dahk One is loyal to you, regardless of your mating. It would have had to have been Klando or Jirt, and neither of them are capable.”
“None could have taken you so off guard. Especially while consumed with the mating rage. Olynth perhaps is the only one with the skill, but he would never betray you.” Haytu stood, “We will never know.”
My mate shook her head and looked at us in confusion. “You’re saying those assholes Jirt and Klando were scheming to enslave us to make Dahk babies? That doesn’t make sense.” She wiped her cheeks angrily. “They were disgusted that Tahk had to mate me. No way would they be onboard with this.”
My mate made a valuable point. Uthyf and I exchanged frustrated glares.
“Mating maybe, perhaps Aryx had a similar plan as you do, Uthyf.” My father paced the back of the room.
“Regardless, they will be brought here, and I will beat the answers from them.” Uthyf pushed off from the table.
“What of my Council now? Are they aware of the change in plan? Or do they sit on my warship still scheming to enslave the humans?” I could not look at Uthyf. I kept my eyes on my distressed yula. She was angry, shaking with emotion. I did not approach her. I worried my arms would be refused. My own Dahk had planned to betray her.
“I have not made any in Aryx’s plan aware of my knowledge. Hull continues on as if nothing has changed, no doubt. He would be communicating with Klando and Jirt, though I have no reason to believe they would think enslavement would be accepted by me.” Uthyf spoke, his words grated with frustration.
“If they still follow through with Aryx’s orders, it is because they plan to eliminate you,” I told him.
“We are aware of the threat.” My father added.
I scoffed and turned to him. “If you are aware, why do you not slaughter them all?”
“You know we cannot without having all of Home World turn on the King.”
“So, you wait for them to come for you then?” I asked Uthyf. I could barely look at him without baring all my fury for him to see. He may not have been a part of these deceptions, but he schemed on his own instead of running his sword through those who did.
“You know me better, Tahk.” Uthyf scoffed and thumped into his seat. “Hull and the others are being watched.” The King’s exhaustion was clear. “I have sent a team with Dyadus. They will remove your Council upon arriving and return here with them.”
“Who have you sent?”
“Ignyt.”
The warrior was fierce, and one of my own. The Council would not come easily, but the old fools had no hope of avoiding Ignyt and his crew. They had trained under the old Commander and Wohn. “I would speak to him.”
“Of course.” My father murmured placatingly. He had a lot to answer for, he and I would discuss his secrecy on our own.
“Now that it is settled, do you see why you must remain here? Our King needs your protection, and our Queen must be found.”
I glared at my father. Nothing was settled. I would not forget their plans to use the human females but now was not the time.
“I will stay and deal with the King’s Council, but once the Queen is found I go to Earth to ensure their survival. I will bring every one of them here if it means keeping them from the Order’s clutches.”
My mate blinked droplets from her eyes and chuckled in disbelief. “You are―I don’t even know anymore, but you can’t do that.”
“No? You do not have faith in your Pythen?”
“Of course, I do, but we wouldn’t all fit on your ship.” Her words broke, and she ran to my arms. I sighed in relief and clutched her close.
“As daunting as that task would prove to be, you cannot. Humans will remain on their planet, for now. We will decide what to do once the Order sends their envoy.” Uthyf said, watching Pehytohn carefully.
“It will be too late then.” Peyton scowled at him. “What about your allies?”
I looked between them in confusion. “The Guhuvin’s will not aid us in this. I have spoken to the King. They hold their position in the Council too closely.” I did not talk of the Guhuvin King’s plan to watch the Council. I would ponder all I had learned from him before speaking to Uthyf more privately. “They would not risk their peace with many members of the Order, and the Chutary will not bother, they would avoid such a war.”
“No.” My mate bit her lip and squinted her eyes at the King in clear accusation. “His other allies.”
Uthyf chuckled and grinned at her with new respect. “They are aware of the situation and are ready at my word to hold back the Order.”
“Who do you speak of?” I glared between him and Haytu. What more were they keeping from me?
My father flushed and refused to meet my eyes. I chuckled humorously, “Ah, I see.”
“What, you know who they are?” My mate asked in surprise.
“I suspect,” I told her, and braced for the confirmation and betrayal. I dared Uthyf to say their name in my presence.
He nodded once, and I snarled.
“Son.” Haytu stepped before me, blocking me from tearing the King to pieces.
“Move.” I snarled as Uthyf stood, bracing.
“What’s going on?” My mate pulled on my arm impatiently.
“His allies are not a species holding membership in the Order. They are a despicable species, disloyal, selfish, and consumed with greed. They will not aid us without a price.”
“They will.” Uthyf declared boldly.
“No, you are a fool if you believe so.”
“It is true, Son, the Kilbus have agreed.”
“Who are the Kilbus? Tahk?” My mate dug her little blunt claws into my arm. I did not look away from my spineless King.
“They are ancient and hold no value for life outside their own and those that join them. They slaughtered my Commander, and if I meet their Lord again, I will tear his hearts from his body.” I snarled and lunged for Uthyf. My mate screamed as I slammed into Uthyf, throwing him from the chair. Haytu shouted and held her back. I wrapped my hand around Uthyf’s throat, my claws piercing his skin.
“When? When did you build this alliance?” I snarled down at him.
Uthyf did not fight me. He held his hands aloft, his gaze beseeching me to understand what I would never. “Their Lord sought me out after my First Father died. I did not build the alliance. I had already been made.”
“And it was broken the day he slaughtered my Commander.”
“No, Tahk, it was not the lord that betrayed him, but the Juldo,” Haytu shouted. “We have told you this, but you will not listen to the truth.”
“It is not the truth. It is a lie! Not even Aryx would entertain the Lord. Yet you run to him the moment you inherit the throne?”
“My brother was weak. He could not have gained the Lord’s respect through battle.” Uthyf flashed his fangs, his neck straining in my grip.
“And you did? When?” I bared my own fangs, “When?”
Uthyf thumped his head back against the floor. “When you sent me to infiltrate their ranks.”
I pushed off of him in disgust. “You were to slay him if given the chance. Did you get down on your knees and beg him to take you under his command?”
“Do not insult me.” Uthyf spat and stood with me. “I watched and listened. It was not he who killed the Old Commander, but the Juldo. He did not discover me. I revealed myself and accused him. We battled, and he did what has been said the Lord of Kilbus would never do. He bowed Tahk.”
I looked away from him and clenched my fists.
“He bowed before me and swore on his honor he did not betray him. He was heartsick from loss.”
“You believed him.” I accused.
“I did.”
“Then you are a fool. Do as you wish. I will remain here and search for the Queen but heed my word. The Kilbus Lord will not aid you for nothing in return. He will come for something. I pray you and all Dahk are prepared to suffer the cost.”
✽✽✽
I left with my mate. There was much to be done. I had planned to return to Earth and somehow stop the Order from enslavement. It was a fools hope, but I could not leave them to suffer. Not only for my mate but because none deserved such a fate. Now those plans were thwarted.
Uthyf and my First Father may trust in the Kilbus now, but that would soon change. Though now, I could not deny that the human's chances of survival had just grown exponentially. If the Kilbus intervened with the Order, the Council might very well back off entirely before we had to declare war.
They were frightened of the Kilbus’ abilities and advancements. Their only match, the Juldo. And even if the Juldo corrupted the Council, the new Juldo Master would not risk a war with the Kilbus.
My skull throbbed. I was beginning to believe my Dahk and the Kingdom were riddled in lies and betrayal. It was no longer the home I trusted above any other. Aryx’s schemes were the hardest to take. I would never have anticipated it from him, and I was furious with myself. I should have seen that his Council had changed him so.
I would interrogate the Council, and Hull would answer to me before any other. I knew he was behind the bulk of corruption.
“Tahk, are you okay?” My mate stopped me before our doors and pulled my hand to her chest. I sighed and lifted her against me. “I am racked with indecision and stunned at my own species corruption. I am sorry they are at fault for the Vitat invasion. You must hear me mate. I would have never sanctioned such an order.” I mumbled into the warmth of her neck.
“Oh, Tahk, I know that.” She hugged my shoulders and kyssd my neck. I clutched her tighter. “I’m sorry you’re hurting.”
“I am not hurt. I am angry. Full of wrath. I will see these injustices answered for.”
She chuckled. “The big bad Tahk could never be hurt.”
“I am big and bahd.” I agreed and growled playfully into her neck, earning a joyful giggle. It nearly brought me to my knees in relief. I worried my species betrayal had harmed her in a way I could never hope to heal.
“What happens now?” Her smile fell as she looked up, her eyes searching and anxious.
“Now, we wait for word from Fihk. We wait and watch the King’s Council until it is time to intervene, and we have first meal with my Father’s House.”
“That’s it? Wait and eat?” She shook her head in frustration, her long fur shaking as it swung down her spine.
“Let me worry over things of war and corruption. Trust me to care for you and both our species,” I murmured and clawed through the soft fur at her crown.
“That’s quite a burden your taking on yourself, Tahk.” She tightened her arms around my middle and squeezed.
“Maybe so, but I am honored to do so. Now come, your belly growls for sustenance, and I wish to hear all about your visit with the King’s House companion.”
She winced and shot wary eyes around the hall we stood in. “Who told you about that?”
I chuckled, “Isin met me as I departed from the ship, as you were preoccupied. He could not wait to tell me.”
A surprised laugh shook her shoulders, and she grinned up at the staircase. “He was so proud of himself for scaring us.”
She entertained me with her tale of Mantu, the giant spyhdher, on the walk to the great hall. I noticed the change in her demeanor as she talked of Veeveen’s fright and Hyctoor’s surprise. I wished to take her pain and worry away, but I could not. Only time would heal those wounds.
My mam and sister Kudeyas awaited us when we arrived. My mam was anxious to greet me and immediately rushed over. “Son.” She grinned and clutched my arm. “Kudeyas has returned to meet your Pythe.” She waved to my sister who grinned devilishly.
“Brother, I am glad to see you well.”
“As I am you. Father tells me you have been off in search of a House.” I bent and touched her hand to my brow.
“He only wishes for me to settle so he does not have to facilitate a pairing. He is becoming indolent in his age.” She grinned and looked to my mate curiously when she made a sound of protest.
Pehytohn coughed and bit her lip. “Sorry, it’s just you want him to set you up? Why not choose a mate yourself?”
Kudeyas smiled bewilderedly. “It is not done. I am female. I do not choose.”
Pehytohn made another frustrated noise and cleared her throat, her eyes widening as she turned to me. She was trying to convey some meaning to me with her eyes. I squinted my own. I could not read her thoughts, but I suspected she was becoming frustrated with me.
She sighed and turned back to Kudeyas, “Sorry, it’s just that, that hasn’t been done on Earth for a very long time. Now humans choose who they mate, male or female. It goes both ways.”
My mam and sister looked shocked and fascinated with this statement. “The female chooses?” Kudeyas’ voice dropped low, in awe.
Pehytohn grinned. “Oh yeah, females hold all the power on Earth. We don’t settle. A male must shower us in gifts and take us out. Human females want to be courted by a male, and they better deliver a damn good date if they expect to get anywhere near second base.”
“Fascinating.” Kudeyas eyes danced with excitement.
“Where is second base?” I asked confused. Did my mate wish for me to visit there? Was it a mating custom?
My mam sighed. “That is not done here.”
“Well, it should be.” My mate murmured and flushed. She wished for these things, I realized. Gifts, and deets. I would need to speak with Veeveen. I had not given my mate any of those things, and I worried she held it against me. I used her lust and need to woo her when I should have looked for human customs to settle her into our mating. To gain access to first and second base. Perhaps there were many more.
“Vyndor has arrived with Wayka and Pyntera.” Myrna waved us to a table in the back of the great hall. My father had already joined them. He watched us move closer warily. But it did not last long. He fidgeted only briefly before jumping from the table and clutching my mate to his chest. My mam gasped and tripped back, along with Pyntera and Wayka. Even Kudeyas looked shocked with their blatant display of matehood. I tried not to tackle my own father.
Pehytohn smiled and patted him, “I know it’s not your fault,” she whispered to him. He sighed gustily and squeezed her tighter. My mam made a noise of alarm. Pehytohn looked to her and wrinkled her brow. Haytu cleared his throat and released my mate, smiling sheepishly at his infuriated House. “What’s―? Oh, crap. I wasn’t supposed to hug him, was I?” Her cheeks flooded with color, and I pulled her to my side.
“It is a human custom,” I told my Mothers. They did not seem appeased.
Vyndor jumped from the table and held his arms aloft. “I will partake in this custom gladly.”
I growled and shoved him down, pulling my mate to an empty seat. “Do not feel embarrassed, my yula, my father hoogd you first.” She released a startled laugh and sat.
“Sorry, I’ll keep my hooging to myself from here on out.” Wayka and Pyntera smiled guardedly, but my mam was not so easily soothed. She scowled and sat next to my father, turning her ire on him.
A servant delivered our meals during an uncomfortable silence. My father attempted to ease his mate’s discomfort by sharing his time spent playing games with my mate while I was away. This only seemed to drive their discomfort furiously. I grinned and leaned back, dropping my arm around my mate. I knew my father’s interest in my mate was purely affection for a new daughter, but his mates had not spent enough time with her to know her customs as he had. I enjoyed watching him struggle to explain his strange behavior to his mates.
Pehytohn looked up and pinched my side. “You should help him out.”
“Why? I am enjoying this.”
Kudeyas grinned at my mate. “It is only fair he struggles. Don’t you think sister? He has taken on so many females.”
“And you do not approve of our ways any longer, Kudeyas?” Vyndor scowled at her. “The humans arrive, and now you do not wish to mate with the Dahk in the ways we have always done?”
“Dear brother, you are a male, so you will not understand. You strive to surpass father and gain more mates than he has.”
Pehytohn gasped low, “five?”
“I have only three, new sister. I seek another, but I have no such goals.”
“Only?” Pehytohn gasped again and widened her eyes at Kudeyas, who tossed her head back and roared with laughter, startling my mate.
“Sister, oh what fun we shall have.” Kudeyas leaned across the table and patted my mate's limp hand. “Human mating practices are fascinating. One female to one male? Perhaps, I will visit this Earth to find my mate.”
All three of my Mothers gasped and abandoned their silent argument with my father. Peyton grinned and winked at Kudeyas.
Vyndor coughed uncomfortably. Watching our mams with worry. He scowled at Kudeyas as he finished swallowing a goliv berry. “Pehytohn, I am told there is a recording of your Pythen mating, I wish to view it after first meal.”
My mate had been sipping a warm mug of tea, which she promptly spit across my brother’s face.
“There’s a what?!”