Kayla's Revenge
Kayla's Ritual
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Lo'kesh's quarters. When he reached the entrance, Shra'van announced his
presence and waited impatiently for an answer. Su’tara answered the door and,
he growled at her while pushing her aside. “Female.”
barked at him. “Watch your tone with me.”
Lo'kesh entered the living quarters. “Hello Shra’van,” Lo’kesh nodded as he
walked into the room.
Shra'van stated, turning way from Su'tara.
touched her protruding stomach and growled happily. She was giving him yet
another wonderful gift. She narrowed her eyes at her brother Shra'van, before
walking out of the room.
the same damn thing,” Shra’van sat down heavily. “On many occasions, they saw
my mother with Kul’vir. They were always seen coming out or going into an empty
room.”
his arms.
he sighed. Shra’van looked over at Lo’kesh. “What I think is my mother may have
been seeing Kul’vir in secret, and someone found out.”
suspicions were my father or Stef’na,” he shook his head in disbelief. “It
makes sense, but I refuse to believe that either of them could have killed my
mother in some sort of rage. But I can't dismiss the fact that Father ended the
investigation into her death early.”
Lo’kesh nodded sadly.
through Pahel’s son,” Shra’van stood up and walked towards the foyer, then the
dining area to make sure no one was listening.
on a short mission. When he returned, she refused to allow him to hold Wa’jeeh
and insisted that Wa’jeeh stay in the medical lab for quite some time. She said
his immune system was weak.”
he thought back. He did remember seeing Wa’jeeh in the medical lab quite often,
but he never questioned why. “So what is your point?”
then, so he didn’t question it,” Shra’van stood up. “But he did recall that
Wa’jeeh was never sick. He said Pahel allowed him to stay in the lab to ease my
mother’s paranoia, but I do not think my mother was paranoid.”
Shra’van. “Are you saying what I think you are saying?”
Shra’van barely spoke above a whisper. They were both silent as Shra’van tried to
picture everything in his head. “If my father purred, Wa'jeeh would not have
purred in return. He was away hunting several times when she had my siblings.
She insisted that he go.”
sisters’ eye color is blue and your two brothers. I believe they too stayed in
the medical lab but, Kul’vir’s eyes were not blue. Do you think Kayla had five
pups with someone else?”
go talk to Stef’na.”
quarters. He looked in the community play area first, but Lee’na said Stef'na
was preparing the evening meal.
slightly puzzled. “It is obvious something is troubling you deeply.” He stared
at her, and in that moment he realized there was no way she could have killed
her closest friend.
you and Su’tara getting along this time?”
down. “Though she do not know it.” He was quiet for a moment as he watched her
go around the table to put the dishes down.
him. His expression made her sit down slowly. “Do you think my mother was
inappropriately involved with Kul’vir while he was your mate?”
Stef’na said softly. “Well, at least you are not trying to find your answers by
killing meaninglessly.”
but he has his reasons,” Shra’van growled. He was upset with his brother, but
he refused to allow anyone to talk about him and that included his father’s
mate.
kill my son!” she barked. “Why would he kill Ro’shan?”
he spoke softly. “But can you answer mine?”
be involved with my mate,” she stood up and continued to do the dishes until
Shra’van grabbed her arm.
angrily.
this once after your mother’s death, and he would not listen to me,” Stef’na
looked behind Shra’van to make sure no one had entered the room. She looked
back into his dark, angry eyes. “I told him I thought something was going on
with Kayla and Ba’naj. Especially, when we left the planet and she became an
Elder, but he completely ignored me. Back then, I asked Kul’vir to check on her
just to make sure. He never told me if he found out anything. My mate was too
devoted to me to even think of being with your mother, but I do not think
Kayla's devotion was that deep when it came to Sh’lok…”
towards the door. “If you ever mention my mother in that fashion again, I will
kill you.”
the answers,” she growled to his retreating form.
in his sleep. She would fall asleep talking to him. She began to notice it
didn’t matter what she talked about. As
long as she talked, he would sleep soundly. Jasmine would fall asleep on his
chest every night. Each morning, he would push her away and growl at her as he
got out of bed and took his shower.
comfortable around the bickering siblings. She noticed that, although, they
acted as if they didn’t get along, they were indeed very close. She watched
Ta’noj spar with Mi’tra on many occasions, teaching her and taunting her at the
same time. Jasmine noticed that these sessions made Mi’tra stronger.
next to her in the observation room. “Why are you a fighter and not a breeder?
You seem so…” She paused as she thought of Mi’tra. “Opposite of Mi’tra.”
I figured someone had to look out for Mi’tra. All my other sisters are
breeders.”
sighed. She thought about her mother for a moment, then turned to look at
Jasmine. “How are you and my brother getting along?”
first,” Jasmine smiled. “He is very polite. Almost killed me one night…”
attempt to mate with you?” Jasmine explained what happened and how she talked
to him while he slept.
him so his nightmares will go away? He does not know?” Jasmine shook her head
no. Kuja touched Jasmine’s face and purred softly. “And you are not interested
in being my brother’s second mate?”
seen our kind before. Why were you so
accepting of our species?” Kuja questioned.
softly. “Although it was for his own personal reasons, I cannot be afraid of
someone like that. Do all the males look like him?”
species, everyone has different characteristics. Ta’noj bares the many rings of
his great battles and the scars to match. Every Yautja has patterns on their
body, and they are all different. If you noticed, on Mi’tra and Ta’noj their
darker tones are in the shape of small circles within a slightly larger circle.
There are many females that wanted him as a mate, but he only wanted Kavi’ta.
He is highly ranked among his clan, or rather he used to be.” Kuja looked sad
for a moment. “I hope they see my brother's pain and spare his life.”
in rage?”
her shoulders. “They are still doing a count, and depending on the distance,
bodies are still being discovered.”
nodded at them both. He looked at Jasmine carefully before turning to walk
away. Ta’noj stopped suddenly and turned back. “Jasmine, your mother,” he
paused for a moment. “Her middle name was Ann?”
walking away.
Kuja sighed. “How sweet!”
heard close by. She followed Kuja to the control room. Ta’noj arrived at the
same time.
secondary controller!” Mi’tra roared. “Your actions have set us off course and
added many more months to this damn trip!”
growled as he looked over the panel. “The way you and Kuja set the course, it
looked as though we were heading straight to Shra’van’s ship. If they think I
am returning, they may retaliate against Shra'van.
down at Jasmine. “It will add at least a year to our journey.”
fucking galaxy!” Mi’tra barked.
the galaxy?” Jasmine's eyes lit up. “Oh wow, I have so many questions.”
he walked away.
me, I will kill you,” Mi’tra's tone was low and threatening. Jasmine nodded in
her direction and quickly left the room.
vulgar mouth, but he respected your mother. I highly doubt he would have been
involved with your mother.”
out.
to me about Ba’naj,” Shra’van growled. He turned to look at Lo’kesh. “For some
reason they are all afraid of him.”
to Sa’tesh’s ship,” Lo’kesh shook Shra’van’s shoulder. “Ba'naj, Sa’tesh,
Aa’rth; they are all very close. Go as a friend of the family and a slightly
concerned son; not as a leader.”
while longer. I want to observe Ba’naj. I am not completely convinced of
Stef’na’s allegations, but it would explain his melancholy behavior since my
mother’s death.” As Shra’van was leaving Lo’kesh’s quarters, he noticed his
father getting on the elevator.
when it started to move, he pressed the emergency stop button and grabbed his
son’s throat as he snarled at him. “Do not ever put your hands on my mate
again! You are my first son but, blood or not, I will kill you!”
growled as he maneuvered his father's hand and released himself from his grip.
Sh’lok roared as he attacked Shra’van.
stick his father in the leg, before avoiding another blow. Sh’lok roared from
the pain, but continued his attacks on his son. After several moments, Shra’van
pushed him away. “Father, stop!”
roared with fury. “The only female I ever loved?!”
on his fathers face and the pain in his voice. He knew his father loved his
mother, though he had never said it aloud.
sorry Father. I have talked to so many people during this past month… this
investigation is starting to get to me. I know in my heart you could not have
killed Mother.”
dagger from his leg. He tossed it back to Shra’van. “Impressive wound my son. I
did not see that one coming. You hide your daggers well.”
“I learned from the best.” Slowly, they started to move again. “Father, Stef’na
disrespected my mother’s memory with her accusations.”
about, though Stef’na had managed to leave that part of the story out. “You
will apologize to her and allow me to deal with my mate if she ever upsets
you.”
There is something I wish for you to give to your brother.”
chuckled. “Great wound!”
lab.”
Shra'van went to the sparring room where Sa’dar normally trained. He nodded to
Joh’ra and spoke with him for a moment before entering the hall.
the old cook was telling Su’tara were actually true, she released him from all
his duties. Although he was completely grateful, he still snuck down to the
meal prep area to cook every once in a while. Most other times, he was busy
telling the younger pups his tales of adventure. Even Su’tara still enjoyed
listening to them.
“He is still weak,” Shra’van mumbled.
Shra’van nodded to him, but continued his observation. Sa’dar took that as a
sign that he wished to talk and ended his class early.
impressive move you used to win our last battle?” Sa’dar shook his shoulder
before sitting next to him.
he watched Lo’kesh walk in with a few other males.
questioned.
he sighed and clicked his mandibles as he thought of Kuja and Mi’tra.
grunted. “Do not tell her I finally admitted to that. They are fine, I am sure
of it.”
brother Sa'dar before turning his gaze to Shra’van for a moment. When he looked
away, Shra’van looked at Sa’dar and asked, “How is Ba’naj doing?”
him. He still fights like he is only two hundred.”
him changed,” Shra’van said softly.
sighed. “He really did like Kayla. He would always tell me, in a joking manner,
that he was going to have her as his mate someday.” Sa’dar chuckled at the
thought. “I think after she kicked his ass during her elder’s ritual, his mind
changed.”
questioned.
as he remembered it…
others, including his brother. Sa’tesh wasted no time in his request to the
arbitrators and elders of the planet to allow Kayla elder status
was invited to participate in the decision process along with Maha’vin, Ya’sha,
Ba’naj and a few others. The older Yautjas wanted their honest opinion on
Kayla. She sat outside of the meeting hall for hours as they argued over their
decision.
absolutely outrageous?!” one of the elders roared. “Making an ooman an elder is
out of the question, no matter what she has done for our species. Look at what
we have done for her. We allowed her to live.”
about the decision. Ba’naj finally had enough and stood up. He roared at
everyone until they were silent.
Ba’naj,” someone growled at him. “We have the power to take it away.”
respectful tone. “We see one of the strongest females we have ever encountered
in any species. She breeds and trains. Sometimes she trains her children while
she is due to deliver another pup. How many of our females can do that?”
continued. “Talk to her and get to know her like we all have. When she talks,
she will make you a believer.” Ba’naj paused for a moment and looked at his
brother. “She is cared for deeply and admired greatly by her peers. It would be
a great honor for our people to consider her an elder. It would add to her
beauty to carry our females' elder mark on her cheek.”
mumble before turning around to look at Sa’tesh. “Very well,” one of the
arbitrators nodded. “But she will have to earn it by passing the male ritual.”
She will never survive. After all she has done, you want her dead.”
bring the ooman in.”
Kayla walked in. She stared at the older males although they growled at her.
Sa’dar admired the fact that she showed no fear. The oldest male described the
ritual to her. “You will fight five males. The ritual will expand over the
course of five days, with you fighting one a day. At the end of the fight, if
you win they will mark you. Your last fight will be your last marking and will
result in making you an elder. If you yield in any of the fights, the markings
will stay on you, and they will be incomplete to show you were not worthy. If
you die during any of these fights then the markings will be complete, and you
will die as an elder, with honor. Do you accept these conditions?”
I had to fight for five days to become an arbitrator. This is suicide.”
questioned as she stared at the arbitrator. He nodded to her and held up three
fingers.
stare at the arbitrator. “Ba’naj and you.”
first,” Kayla growled. When he roared at her, another elder placed his hand on
his shoulder to calm him down.
elders and arbitrators in such a fashion” Shra’van nodded. “I remember, she
barely survived. They would not allow my siblings or me to see her, but I could
tell whatever happened, it changed her.” He thought about what Sa’dar said
about Ba’naj. “So how did her fight go with Ba’naj?”
each fight is private. No one is allowed to watch, just in case the other dies.
It is out of respect. I asked him about it, and he simply said she was a good
fighter. Whatever she did, he never talked about taking her as a mate again.”
Sa’dar chuckled at the thought. “You know, Sa’tesh would love to tell you about
the fight. He truly admired your mother after that.” Sa’dar stood up and shook
Shra’van’s shoulder before walking away.
conversation in his mind. He didn’t notice Ba’naj walking over and sitting down
next to him.
then you ask me,” he growled. “I do not know why you are making me a part of
your investigation, but if you keep it up someone will die.”
grunted. “You have just given me a reason to continue my questioning.” Shra’van
nodded at him and left.
of the hall. He leaned his head back and closed his eyes as he thought about
Kayla.
she breathed heavily. “They are doing so well.” She blocked one of Ba’naj’s
blows, but he still managed to point the stick at her throat.
started training her months ago, in preparation for her elder’s ritual. He knew
she would have to fight one of them, and Sh’lok agreed that since Ba’naj’s
father was an elder on the planet and potential fighter he should train her in
his fighting style.
them a whiff of that pussy, and you will win the battle.”
floor. Ba’naj watched her heaving breasts as she tried to catch her breath.
When he looked into her eyes, she was staring at him with a big smile on her
face. Ba’naj purred deeply before reaching out his hand to help her up. He had
been training Kayla for months and each day he felt his fondness for her
growing. They would practice once or twice during the week. During the
remaining time, she would train her sons at night. When she stood, Ba’naj
caressed her face for a moment before turning away from her.
walked up to him. “This will be the last time we practice for a while.”
before smiling at him. “My body has felt a little different lately and I want
to be safe, just in case.” Her smile faded as his stare darkened. “What’s
wrong?”
to walk out of the hall. Kayla grabbed his arm. He swung around, breaking her
grip and grabbing her arms.
eyes. “Do not play stupid with me Kayla, it is insulting.” She looked away, but
he nudged her chin back in his direction. “You know how I feel about you. You
know I have wanted to fuck you ever since your ritual with Sh’lok and Lee’na. I
have longed to taste your pussy again for years.”
the first time in a long time he started to smell her womanly scent. It was
different from the sweat that poured from her body when they sparred. He
groaned and pulled her closer knowing she wanted the same thing. “Allow me to
get permission from P’tea…”
herself from his grip. She looked up at him for a moment. “I can’t.”
too.”
didn’t say it out loud, it was her first time to admit she felt the same way.
“I have never begged for pussy, Kayla, but for you, I will get on my knees if I
have too,” He caressed her face gently as she slowly closed her eyes and deeply
inhaled his scent.
head as if she was battling her desires. “Ba’naj, I have a mate.”
ever challenge my mate, by his hands or mine, you will die.”
threaten me again,” he growled at her in a warning tone before walking away.
Ba’naj looked at him and nodded. “Are you alright?”
son's shoulder. “Come, let us spar.”
do not believe you.”
that she has not shared with you?” Kuja tried to reason with her brother. He
had confided in her that he was mildly interested in Jasmine, especially after
accidentally walking in on her as she stepped out of the shower.
during the day and how she talked to Ta’noj at night. “You even told me a while
ago, how much better you are sleeping now.”
growled.
suggested. “Pretend to have a bad dream and listen.”
Why don’t you quit this warrior act and become Z’as-hil’s mate!” Ta’noj roared
at her.
she walked out of the room.
tone, but she ignored him and went to her room.
against the wall. He turned and looked at her.
in her direction then stopped to stare at her. Lately, her pulse would race
every time they were alone. He didn’t understand why. “I assume something is
bothering you.”
suddenly remembered she was only twenty. Her age suddenly came to him like a
dream. “You are only twenty?” Jasmine nodded yes. “I have pups far older than
you.”
centuries,” he said, avoiding her question. “My sister Su’tara, one of her
grandmothers is well over eight hundred. I am not that old.” He walked out of
the room before she could ask any more questions.
Kuja suggested. He shook his head at Jasmine every time she came to bed. She
would wear the towel that she dried her body with. He adjusted his cloth and
started to curse under is breath. “What’s wrong?”
a month,” he snapped. “You have no idea how uncomfortable this is.”
normally wear…?”
readjusted his cloth. “I have never known anyone to wear a cloth to bed.” He
looked over at her towel, which she adjusted tighter to her body as she stared
at him.
cloth,” she stammered. “We have a long time to sleep together, so make your
self comfortable.”
uncomfortable,” he mumbled.
will just have to learn how to sleep without my body massager.” She smiled at
him, and he nodded in approval. He nodded to her before turning off the lights.
She could still clearly see him and quickly looked away to give him privacy.
They were silent as he sighed and slipped into the bed next to her. He was
completely comfortable, except for having Jasmine in the bed with him. After a
moment he let out a low grumble.
her, pretending to sleep as he started to growl. “You are starting early
tonight.” Jasmine turned over and scooted closer to Ta’noj. She touched his
cheek when he let out a soft roaring noise. He listened as she talked to him.
“It’s ok Ta’noj. Just think of something nice, like eating your favorite food.
What is your favorite food? Mine is ice-cream. My mother use to say, ‘when you
are stressed eat desserts.’”
thing,"
as she continued to talk to him in a soft soothing voice.
breakup with my ex boyfriend. He wanted to…” she paused for a moment. “Let’s
just say I wasn’t ready. Sex is so overrated don’t you think?”
strengthening your clan and it feels good. Is this ooman a virgin?
level,” Jasmine admitted as she laid her head down on his chest. She touched
his face as she spoke and gently stroked his mandible. “I always wanted it to
be special. I want it to be with someone that will take his time. If I say no
he will immediately stop. Someone that will put my needs before their own.” Jasmine
smiled. “I’m glad you are asleep. If you remember any of this, I will deny it.”
about what she thought her first time would be like. It had been almost a
century since he last mated. He shifted in the bed, purposely placing his hand
on Jasmine’s hip. He squeezed her hip softly and groaned as he pretended to be
asleep.
hand went up and down on her leg before squeezing her hip again. The way he
held her, she couldn’t move without waking him. For a moment, she didn’t want
to move. His warm body felt surprisingly good. She took in a deep breath as she
wondered what was lurking underneath the covers. She touched his stomach,
silently daring herself to go further. Ta’noj noticed her hesitation and wanted
to move her hand down, but he didn’t move. Jasmine inhaled before moving her
hand back up to his chest.
inhaled deeply before gently grazing his mandibles across her neck. He groaned
again softly as he lovingly continued to squeeze her hip.
to remind herself to breath. As large as he was, she thought his touch would be
rough, but it was just the opposite. It was soothing, but just as she relaxed,
he stopped and pretended to go back to sleep. “You tease,” she whispered.
asleep. He waited until Jasmine started
to talk to him, before he touched her. For him it started out as a game, but he
found himself looking forward to it. Ta’noj would growl softly against her neck
just to hear her moan.
was still on his chest. “Ta’noj? She whispered.
staring at her. She looked down at herself and realized her towel came off
during the night.
the first time last night, and she never bothered to stop him or put her towel
back on. He vowed to himself that the next night his mouth would be on them.
Jasmine remembered groaning softly when he gently brushed his fingers back and
forth over her nipples. If her ex was as gentle as Ta’noj, she would have given
him anything he wanted. “Umm, lately you have been touchy in your sleep.”
he lied. Kavi’ta never crossed his mind when he touched Jasmine.
her breasts and looked at Ta’noj.
before covering her eyes. “Oh God, sorry. I didn’t mean to look.” For the first
time she heard Ta’noj laugh. He always chuckled, but he never laughed. It was
deep and hearty. Jasmine removed her hands from her face and looked at him as he
got out of bed.
laughed standing near the bed, naked. He watched her turn red and attempt to
look away, but she turned to look at him again. “Are you frightened, Jasmine? I
am not even fully erect.”
night, she thought she had brushed up against something, but hadn't realized it
was the monster that had been lurking under the covers. It made her ex look
like a baby, and she used to think he was a nice size. Looking at Ta’noj's eyes,
she realized she had just boosted his ego. Jasmine didn’t care, she was still
amazed at his size.
that behind your cloth,” she gasped as she tried not to stare. “No wonder you
were uncomfortable. Sorry, I ramble sometimes.”
he laughed. “It is still growing. I am not at my full potential.” He could
smell her instantly and laughed again before covering himself up. Ta’noj went
around the bed and sat next to her.
“Oh, I have not laughed in so long. You are so funny. A little annoying with
the questions, but funny.” He shook her shoulder and walked away.
Ta’noj heard her and laughed again.
entered the eating area. “Did I hear you laughing?”
chuckled.
laugh after mother’s death,” Kuja teased.
slightly guilty.” Ta’noj told her what happened.
Kuja purred.
time,” he admitted. “I am interested in her, but she is young. And sometimes
she looks at me strangely. Like she is studying my face. I do not know if I
have the patience to teach her, let alone be stared at.”
as she ate some dried meat. “Speaking of taught, we have to make a stop on the
Tazo-Lere planet to hunt for food. Will you teach her to hunt?”
out,” he looked at Kuja. “I do not want her to get hurt. She is not as strong
as mother.”
telling the family they were going to go visit Shra’van when actually, they
went on hunts together. Kayla’s collection wasn’t large, but he could see how
proud she was when she looked at them. She always told Ta’noj the truth. When
the question of her rings were brought up she would say they were Sh’lok’s.
Kuja told Ta’noj one day how Kayla shared her hunting stories with her and
Mi’tra once they decided to become hunters.
she was reading her brother’s thoughts, “But she may find it exciting to use a
weapon.”
potential mate, I do not wish for her to learn about our weapons.” He took the
meat from Kuja’s hand and ate it. She shook her head and sighed. “Besides,”
Ta’noj added with much sarcasm. “She is still in shock......from being on an
alien space ship.”
said softly as he shook Sa’tesh’s shoulder.
replied as they walked slowly to Shra’van’s quarters. “For the sake of your
family, I do hope you find the answers you are looking for.”
boasting about his many grandchildren and fighting someone younger than him,”
he laughed. We will all have dinner together, tonight. Nam’rah will be happy to
see you. Is my son running your ship to your satisfaction?”
Shra'van replied honestly. They walked into the room, and Shra’van dropped his
sac.
body?”
asked him that question every time they saw one another.
as he left the room.
that can fight better.” Aa’rth roared at his young opponent. “And they were
taught by a female!” He pinned the young Yautja. "An ooman breeder!"
Aa'rth added with a laughed.
He walked up to his grandfather and shook his shoulder.
chuckled with pride. “It is good to see you. Sa’tesh told me why you are here.”
They sat down and Shra’van watched as one of Ne’el's sons taught a combat
class.
mother’s ritual? I believe it may help me to find the answers we need.”
a moment. “Her scent was so strong on the night of her and Ga’gan’s ritual,
that it drove a lot of young males into heat…”
growled in disgust. “Her elder ritual. After she accepted the terms.”
tell you much about it. I do remember we were all worried in our own way about
her life. I was certain she would die.”
done?” Aa’rth whispered to Sa’tesh. “My son is about to loose a mate.”
think of anything comforting to say at the moment. The Yautja she just
challenged was of the highest rank and was also, one of the most respected
arbitrators that lived. His skills far surpassed those of anyone on Sa’tesh’s
ship. Aa’rth thought of his son and how much his mate's death would pain him.
Aa’rth growled.
at any second he would rip her head off. He was well over five times her size
and twice her height. Sa’tesh had had the pleasure of watching him spar on
several occasions, and no one was able to match him.
voice as she watched the large Yautja.
on a warrior’s body to spot any concealed weapons, because when Bi-ren swiftly
pulled out a dagger and aimed it at her head, she was able to avoid his attack
as if she was expecting it.
Her smile fueled Bi’ren’s anger towards Kayla. He was intent on killing her.
one of the calmer elders said.
pulled out her sticks. “I’m ready.”
wasn’t already mated,” Aa’rth teased. “I may have to challenge my own son.”
Aa’rth looked over at Ba’naj who growled quietly at him.
questioned. “Were you seriously thinking of challenging Father?”
me, you will find out,” Aa’rth said angrily as he stood up. “Let us go eat.”
Aa’rth. “Sa’tesh, you have to make her back down,” he pleaded. “He will kill
her.”
she will be fine,” Sa’dar chuckled. “She is crazy enough to pull out a weapon
in front of Bi-ren. Kayla will be able to stand her ground. If she can last
long enough to gain some respect from him, I am sure he will stop the fight.”
at her as he took off his cloak. “I am looking forward to killing you.”
mumbled.
side of the room,” one of the elders explained as they walked down a long
corridor. “You can use whatever you like. Tomorrow, you will fight someone that
we choose.”
ooman,” Bi-ren growled.
Kayla. He didn’t know that Aa’rth was close enough to hear them.
touching his hand. “I will be fine,” she smiled at him. “You and I will be
sparring together again in no time.”
family,” Shra’van objected. “However, I know she sparred with him on several
occasions to prepare for the fight. Other than that, Mother would not have
sparred with Ba’naj.”
story is over,” Aa’rth growled as he ate.
mumbled.
language that I did not understand,” he looked up from his plate and stared at
his grandson. Aa’rth tried to repeat the words he remembered. “You belong in my
bed.”
stared at his grandfather. “Tell me what she said in return.”
tapped his mandible as he thought for a moment. “I belong with my mate.”
Yautja. “She was not unfaithful. So what happened after that?”
us not to worry,” he chuckled as he stood up to stretch. “If your mother was
afraid, none of us could detect it. And in that moment, I could not have been
more proud of her, if she was my own daughter. She walked into that hall with
Bi-ren with her head held up high and her sticks twirling.
because I couldn’t listen to any more of her screams. I went to tell Sh’lok of
her heroic death. It was later that Sa’tesh told me after I left, it was Bi-ren
that began to holler in pain. She was so badly beaten, I still do not
understand how she was able to fight the next day.”
as he pictured his mother’s fight. “She was amazing.”
tell you much of what happened after that. You can ask Sa’tesh. I think he
started to respect her after that fight.”
elder?” Shra’van stood up to walk his grandfather to his quarters. “Is it
possible that someone wanted to kill her for reaching such a status?”
think of anyone who did not admire your mother after that. Maybe a few females,
but her wounds were made by a male, not a female. That was determined some time
ago.”
shook Shra’van’s shoulder before turning down another corridor.