Chapter Twenty-Four
Two days later, Azalyn walked alongside Keltor’s hover chair and took strength from his firm hand holding hers.
Somehow she’d managed to convince Jalarra, Kastor, Kasarra, Kelzal, and Toralyn to all be in the same room at the same time. Since Kasarra lived to irritate Toralyn, and the pair of them made Kelzal shake his head and run for his ad-hoc research lab, it was no easy feat. “I still say my job was harder than yours.”
Keltor had been responsible for setting up the meeting with Kason.
Her male chuckled. “You say that, but remember, Kason had to first locate Kalahn and then practically lock her in a room for a day so she wouldn’t go wandering again.”
“I somehow think Taryn will have a different story as I believe Kalahn is taking some lessons from her warriors.”
“Perhaps, but she’s also exploring caves and waterfalls, if the reports are accurate. So much so that it’s delayed Syzel and Ryven’s return trip home with the colony transport ship because of them having to search for her.”
“Maybe one of them should remain and watch Kalahn clandestinely. I’m sure Kason’s carefully vetted elite warriors can help protect the colony ship.”
“We shall see. Depending on how he acts for the video conference, I will either make it easier or harder on my brother. As it is, our sister Kajala refused to attend.”
According to Kason’s messages, Kajala rarely left her quarters, apart from when her duties required it. “Give it time, zylar. I have faith that everything will work out in the end.”
Her words implied more than just with his family. Information had started flowing in about disgruntled Barren thanks to Vala’s contact. On top of that, Xerla had begun a secret investigation into the Sulanis. One day, Azalyn and Keltor hoped to be rid of their current partnership.
They arrived at the conference room, which was guarded by Xerlig and Ervan. Azalyn smiled at each of them. “Any injuries yet?”
Ervan grunted. “If so, Toralyn will be at fault.”
She bit back a smile. “Is everyone else here?” When Ervan gave a brief nod, she looked to Keltor. “And so it begins.”
Shaking his head, he entered the doors once they opened, taking Azalyn with him.
Kastor lay in a hover bed, with Jalarra on one side and Kasarra on the other. She noted that each female held one of Kastor’s hands, which probably meant that they had made peace with the former king.
On the other side of the room, Toralyn sat on the edge of the table with her arms crossed over her chest. Kelzal sat at the table, taking apart a portable replicator machine.
Toralyn was the first to speak. “You’re late.”
She resisted a sigh. “Actually, we’re on time.”
Her daughter shrugged. Ever since Azalyn had explained that Dolvia Sulani wouldn’t be allowed to see her until she passed a thorough background check, Toralyn had become more difficult than usual.
At least she hadn’t tried to run away.
Keltor’s voice filled the room. “I appreciate you all coming, especially you, Father.”
Kastor gave a small smile. “I should be the one thanking you, Keltor. You’re going to bring most of my family together today. I will forever be in your debt.”
If Keltor were standing, Azalyn guessed he’d have shifted his feet. Praise from Kastor was never easy for him.
She lightly squeezed her male’s hand and he continued. “The reason I wished to gather you all here, beyond allowing Father to see everyone, is to let you know what lies in our futures.
“As you know, Azalyn and I will be married soon. Provided it goes as planned and the planet mostly remains at peace, I intend to formally recognize Kasarra and Kajala.” Jalarra’s eyes widened. Keltor continued before she could speak. “As for Korjal, once he’s found and hopefully can be swayed to accept us, I will work toward acknowledging him as well.”
Azalyn jumped in. “Which brings us to our next point. Jalarra, with your permission, we’d like to make this retreat a permanent royal residence. That way, you and Kasarra can be protected but will still also have your home.”
Jalarra frowned. “But what of my business?”
Keltor answered, “We’d still like to use it for international visitors and royal guests. If some of my plans are successful, we might be having more humans come to the planet. I think this would be an ideal place to welcome them, what with the forest and mountains in the distance.”
“Will I still have full control of how this place is run?” Jalarra asked.
Azalyn was starting to see why Kastor adored his female—being royal meant little to her, in terms of ceremony.
She nodded. “For the most part, yes. Although the dietary requirements of humans can be slightly different. I hope you’ll allow suggestions.”
Bowing her head, Jalarra said, “Of course.”
“Good.” Keltor swung his head toward Toralyn and Kelzal. “Azalyn and I hope that both of you will attend the claiming ceremony.”
Kelzal never looked up from his machine. “Of course.”
Toralyn merely stared at her and Keltor. She held her breath.
“It’s less than two months away, correct?” She and Keltor both nodded. “Then as long as I can see my mother before then and my image is out of the shot of the broadcast, then I will attend.”
“Always the one to negotiate,” Keltor drawled.
“Well, it’s hard not to. What with my merchant upbringing and half of my genetics coming from a king.”
Azalyn forced her voice to not sound overly eager. “We shall try, although with recent events, you must understand why we’re being cautious with regard to inviting guests here.”
“You know my terms,” Toralyn stated. “Whether I attend or not is up to you.”
Part of her admired her daughter’s ability to stand up for what she wanted, and another part wanted nothing more than to scowl and order her to heed their request.
In other words, she felt like a mother.
She resisted placing a hand on her lower abdomen. Now wasn’t the right time to share the secret.
The video screen flashed with a transmission request. Keltor glanced around the room. “That will be Kason, his bride, and Kalahn. The line is secure, so feel safe to speak freely.”
As Keltor clicked the Receive button, Azalyn pasted a smile on her face. She had yet to meet Kalahn, either in person or via a video conference. And for some strange reason, she wanted Keltor’s sister’s approval.
~~~
Keltor may have survived the meeting thus far, but tension was thick in the room. For once, he hoped his sister Kalahn could act the part of a royal sibling and display at least some semblance of restraint.
Not that he wanted to change her completely, but the truce among the factions of his family was tentative at best. If she could avoid saying the first thought that entered her mind, it could save him a lot of trouble.
Kason, Taryn, and Kalahn’s faces appeared on screen. Kason sat between his bride and their sister. Taryn was the first to speak. “Hello everyone. Greetings from Jasvar.”
While accented, his sister-in-law managed to get the words correct in Kelderan. “And similar greetings from Keldera.”
Kalahn rolled her eyes. “Do we have to be so formal? Keltor may be king, but he’s still our brother.”
He decided to ignore Kalahn’s words. Instead, he motioned toward Azalyn. “Kalahn, may I introduce Azalyn Sulani, your future sister-in-law.”
Kalahn scrutinized Azalyn’s face before sighing. “You’ve made me out to feel old, what with a niece and nephew almost the same age as me.”
He frowned, but Azalyn’s voice filled the room. “Well, when there’s already sixteen years between you and Keltor, it can’t be helped.”
Kalahn snorted. “Using facts against me. You’ll fit right in with my brothers.” Kalahn’s eyes skirted around, no doubt taking in everyone in the room. “I’m guessing the male and female at the table are my niece and nephew, and the younger female holding Father’s hand is my sister.”
Keltor opened his mouth, but Kasarra beat him to it. “I’m Kasarra, although technically, you should call me Aunt Kasarra.”
Kalahn laughed. “I see Keltor getting rid of me didn’t calm things down, with regard to females related to him.”
“I didn’t get rid of you, Kalahn. You ran away,” Keltor pointed out.
Kason jumped in. “Unlike you, we don’t have an unlimited amount of power to use for this transmission. I shall be talking with Kalahn later.”
Keltor was one of the few in the room who could understand Taryn’s reply in CEL. “Both of you need to behave. Remember everything they’ve just gone through. I sometimes think when the tro el Vallen siblings get together, all reason goes out the window.”
Kastor snorted, reminding Keltor that his father was probably the only other one to understand the Earth language. He replied in the same, “I’m glad to see someone can reason with them.”
Taryn opened her mouth, but Kelzal replied in flawless CEL. “Reason isn’t always the best way to handle a situation, although I wish it were.”
Grinning, Taryn replied in her language. “It seems I have a father-in-law and a nephew who can understand me, in addition to Kalahn, Kason, and Keltor.”
Kason grunted. “You still need to work on your Kelderan.”
Azalyn squeezed his hand, reminding him she had no idea what they were saying.
He cleared his throat and switched back to Kelderan. “We shouldn’t be rude. Taryn may not fully be able to reply, but thanks to the device in her ear, she can understand. So let’s continue this meeting in Kelderan.”
Kalahn spoke up. “What else is there left to say?”
“Kalahn,” Kastor said, and everyone’s attention shifted to the former king. “I know I have no right to ask you, especially since you’re the child I neglected to visit the most after your mother’s death, but I hope you can look after your sister, Kajala. She wanted to go to Jasvar to start over, and I made it happen. However, she could use a friend. Please visit her and give her a chance.”
Kalahn’s bravado faded, her eyes turning concerned. “Trust me, you don’t want to give that task to me. Kason should do it.”
“No, Kalahn. I’m asking you. Grant me one last favor before I die.”
The room fell deathly quiet. The topic they’d all been avoiding—his father’s mortality—was suddenly front and center.
“Father,” Kalahn said as her voice cracked.
“Please don’t worry about me, Kalahn. I have lived a full life, with plenty of children to carry on my name, and even grandchildren. I cannot make up for all I’ve done over the years with regards to my offspring, but getting my two families together is all I can hope for. Please, watch over Kajala for me.”
Wiping her eyes, Kalahn bobbed her head. “I will, Father. I’m sorry I ran away without telling you.”
Kastor smiled. “You get it from your mother. And in a way, that comforts me.”
Within seconds, Kalahn, Azalyn, and Jalarra all started crying. As Kason comforted their sister, Kasarra comforted her mother, and Keltor put an arm around Azalyn’s shoulders, he decided the meeting hadn’t gone quite the way he’d planned.
Once the females calmed down a little, Keltor spoke again. “Kason and I will coordinate private meetings with Father over the coming days. I think that might be best.”
Kason nodded, even as he continued to hold Kalahn at his side. “I will ensure there is enough power to do so. I’ll also send my report as soon as possible.”
As understanding passed between him and his brother, the screen went dark.
He looked to his father with Jalarra and Kasarra. “You must be tired, Father. We’ll leave you to rest and will visit you later.”
Kastor smiled. “Make sure to bring my grandchildren.”
“I will try.”
Keltor motioned for Toralyn and Kelzal to follow as he and Azalyn exited the room.
Once in the hall, he stopped and turned his chair toward his children. “Thank you for remaining silent so that my sister and father could reconcile to a degree.”
Toralyn shrugged one shoulder and looked to the side. “I have no wish to upset him.”
“There was little for me to add to the conversation,” Kelzal stated.
“Regardless, thank you.”
His two children looked anywhere but at him. Thankfully his clever Azalyn spoke up and steered the topic toward something less emotional, knowing they all needed it. “Right, I know it’s a little early for dinner, but that means you two can help me cook it this time.”
Toralyn groaned. “I hate cooking. And if anything, I’ll make it taste even worse than yours.”
“Toralyn,” Keltor warned.
Azalyn put up a hand. “I’m aware of my faults.” She flashed him a smile. “And I adore that you still choke it down each time I attempt it.”
Kelzal spoke up. “If you want your next training session with Ervan and Xerlig, Tora, then you must attend dinner every evening. Since your agreement was vague, helping to prepare it falls under the stated parameters.”
Toralyn looked askance at her brother. “You’re supposed to be on my side, Kel.”
“I believe in facts and truth. I will protect you if needed, Tora, but this is an agreement you freely agreed to. You must accept the result.”
“Fine. But I may need to alter my agreement going forward. I’m not about to cook every day,” Toralyn grumbled.
Azalyn snorted. “That would be entertaining, but for now, let’s just say it’s for tonight.” She released his hand and stood between the twins. “Now, I have a new recipe that requires some extra hands. Kelzal, I hope you’ll help, too.”
“What about Father?” Kelzal asked.
Keltor grinned. “There’s not much for me to do until I can stand again.”
“Nonsense,” Azalyn answered. “If we place a chopping board on your lap, you can help just fine.” She motioned down the hall. “Now, let’s go. We’re going to need as many minutes as possible to do what I have planned.”
As they made their way down the hall, Azalyn and Toralyn argued about how many courses they needed. Kelzal wisely focused on anything but his mother and sister and remained quiet.
Keltor may be a long way from having a close-knit family that could talk and tease with ease, but it was a start.
And for the chance to experience emotions ranging from love to annoyance, Keltor would gladly put up with as many arguments as it took. He finally had a family of his own, one that would only grow. They would no doubt be his toughest challenge to tackle, but he looked forward to every second of it.