Drevakin

"We will let you know if you match with anyone. Thank you for using Celestial Mates, Prince Drevakin."

The pale, tall and thin Celestial Mate's representative smiles politely. I've finished the long and involved interview and testing portion of the process.

I nod and murmur goodbye, leaving the small, temporary structure they've created within Prince Naefaren's Rakennus, the large cavern of House Viir. Because it's in his territory, I asked Naefaren for permission to come to the office for the service. I, like many others, had all but given up hope I would ever find a Pari, a soul-mate, and have children, a family. It felt like a muted dream, one to fantasize about but never achieve.

Then Elorshin, Prince of Do’ana, found Margot.

An off world, human female Pari.

Searching for mates from other worlds was a desperate attempt to save our dying race. Our birth rates were sharply declining and many had lost hope until Elorshin bonded with Margot. The undeniable empathic and telepathic connection of their Paritella gave us all new reach for the future. It changed everything.

And now they have a child together too.

We are no longer a dying race, waiting for the inevitable.

Taking a deep breath, I try to dampen my hopes and keep them at a manageable level. There is no reason for disappointment if I don't expect the world. I find it is better to expect nothing and be joyous if I get more. However, despite knowing I must manage my emotions, keeping my excitement to a minimum is very difficult.

I pull on my heavy leathers and fur-lined cloak for the journey back to House Lo'ara, knowing I'll need the extra warmth the farther away I move from the Major House. The core-well that powers all light and heat in the Maan’alla, the deep underground of our cavern homes, fades in power the greater the distance from it.

I climb on to my carriage and urge the strong, insect-like juntta through the well lit tunnel and out into unclaimed territory. Deep in thought about the possible future I may yet have, I make much of the trip back to House Lo'ara in thoughtful silence. Though my senses are still alert to any trouble I may encounter, vigilance deeply ingrained from a young age.

It is that close attention to my surroundings that nudges me to raise my head when the sound of something other than juntta legs on stone intrudes.

Scanning the area, I spot a small group of people walking in the distance. Keeping my eyes on them, I urge the carriage on and close the distance. When I'm close enough to see in the dim light cast by the sieni, a glowing moss, I recognize them as belonging to my House. These are my people.

"Why are you walking?" I call out, drawing to a halt. "Where are your carriages?"

They turn to look, then their eyes widen as they realize who I am. They bow their heads and turn to look toward an older male. He steps forward, shifting his weight from foot to foot while rubbing his hands together.

"My Prince," he bows again. "We were on our way back from House Ti'ana, after a fruitful day at their marketplace and..."

He looks back over at the rest of the group and a younger woman steps forward, her face set in stern lines.

"They attacked us! House Ti'ana did, my Prince," she cries. "I believe they didn't appreciate that we took some of their business." She raises her chin in defiance. "Though it's no fault of ours that their goods are no match for our own. Perhaps if they spent more time improving the quality of the wares they sell, they wouldn't have cause to attack us."

The others with her murmur, sneaking furtive glances at me. Their exhaustion shows in the deep lines of their faces. They're covered with dirt and bruises. My people. Beaten, stolen from, left to their own devices.

My skin flushes hot and my lips pulling back, revealing fangs as my teeth grind together.

Taking a deep breath, I attempt to calm myself but it's hard. I'd love nothing more than to call up my men at arms and lead an attack on Ti'ana but acting out of anger will not help and I know it. I have to be smarter than that. My people depend on me and I can't let my emotions make irrational decisions.

Outwardly, I exude calm, even if inside I'm anything but.

"Well. I am very sorry this has happened. Climb into the carriage and make the rest of the journey back to Lo'ara with me. I would not leave you out here alone."

Murmurs of thanks from the small group reach my ears as they clamber into the carriage. The older man who spoke sits up front with me. That none of them gave even a token of protest shows how tired they are.

"You know for a fact that the competition fueled this attack?" I ask, speaking softly as I click at the juntta, directing it forward once more.

The man gives a weary nod. "They didn't hide their faces. They even told us we should mind our place." He shakes his head, his jaw tight with rage. "Never mind that their Prince agreed to allow us to sell in their marketplace. The girl, Rissia, is correct, their wares are not of good quality. If they were better made, they'd have naught to fear from us."

I nod, thinking the problem through. "Was anyone hurt?"

He shakes his head. "Bumps and bruises, sire. I believe it was an attempt to scare us off, so we would not return," he says, smiling thinly. "They must be unaware that the Minor Houses are built of sterner stuff than that. My mother scared us more for not keeping our bed chambers clean."

I chuckle along with him, continuing to mull over the issue in my mind, studying the facets of it.

If I go to Prince Rathorin Ti’ana, he will not be a sympathetic audience to my complaint. Never mind that his people are in the wrong. Pride alone will keep him from admitting the fact. His House is of higher standing than my own Minor House but I don't see any other avenue I can take. I have to try talking to him. Maybe we can negotiate an agreement.

While my people are ready to return to Ti'ana and conduct business as usual, I worry that next time it will not simply be an attack on their goods and a roughing up.

This new development also triggers another fear.

If I am fortunate enough to match with a female, would it be right to bring her into my world?

It is a dangerous place and not just from the perils of the eternal dark with monsters that roam the underground. The politics between the Houses are fickle. One wrong step is all it would take for my House to be absorbed by a larger house for overstepping my bounds.

If I cannot keep my people safe even from other Alva, would it not be wrong of me to bring a vulnerable female into this situation?

What is my alternative? Condemn myself to a life without a family, without children?

I accepted that fate until Celestial Mates came, igniting hope and possibility. Now that I have tasted that hope, I find myself hard pressed to let it go.

Am I a good enough male, strong enough to do what is right?

My stubborn and tentative hope is well and truly tarnished.

Fury rises in my gut at this new injustice meted out from a Major House.

If they take even this from me, what do I have left?