Predator

Chapter 53

Ronon held Kyra’s hand as he turned to his mother and her mate in the bed. “I just wanted to say thank you for giving us your blessing, Riddick. I swear to you that I will strive to make her as happy as you have made Alex.” His eyes went to his mother’s and he flashed her an embarrassed smile. “Mom, I am slightly ecstatic right now as you can tell. Do you think you can explain the Nietzchean mating ritual to Riddick?”

“Sure thing, baby.” She laughed at the sheepish look on Ronon’s face and looked at her mate’s questioning gaze. “Richard, the Nietzchean mating process is a private event much like mine are. The female fastens a double helix on the male’s left bicep to claim him and then fastens a matching helix on her left bicep. As soon as the clasp closes on her arm, it is a done deal.”

“Okay that sounds like a human wedding but with armbands instead of rings.” He said simply. “What’s the big deal?”

“Baby, as soon as Kyra closes that clasp on her helix Ronon will be driven to take his mate…immediately.”

“Well Kyra isn’t a Nietzchean and Ronon will have to rein in his baser instincts for a couple of minutes.” He glanced over at the young couple and furrowed his brow. “This is the first marriage amongst the Royal Sons. It will be in the presence of the entire family and I will hand Kyra over to you. To me that is a symbol of you taking responsibility for my loved one.”

“I understand, Riddick.” Ronon bowed his head in acceptance of the Furyan’s demands. “We will have the helix ceremony with the family but you will pardon us if we make a quick exit?”

“Yeah, kid.” Riddick smirked and shook his head. “I understand that part completely.” He wrapped his arm around Alex’s shoulders and pulled her into his side. “I couldn’t wait a second to get her alone after she said she would mate me. Hell I barely waited for her to heal.”

“He is such a charmer, isn’t he? I mean the reason I chose him for a mate just shines right through, doesn’t it?” Alex grabbed his chin and shook his head back and forth while the young ones stifled their laughter. “Ronon, baby, I will make the arrangements with your father and we will have your helixes ready whenever you and Kyra are.”

“I am ready today, Alex.” He gazed into Kyra’s green eyes and felt like he could swim in those emerald pools forever. “I have been waiting my whole life to find this woman. I don’t want to wait any longer to claim her as mine.”

A loud knock on the door drew their attention to the entryway. A couple of seconds later, five of Alex’s mates entered her bedchambers. Ian was the only one absent. “We have made some decisions that we would like to inform you of.” Ares said as he stopped at the foot of the bed and crossed his arms over his chest.

“What would that be, Ares?” Alexandra asked with a smirk.

“We have spoken to Ian and talked him into moving his quarters to the open area of the wing. He agreed and transferred all of his belongings a couple of hours ago.”

“Why did you do that and why would he agree?” Alex asked in an upset tone.

“My love, why don’t you put this on and we will show you.” Duncan held out a large robe that would accommodate Alex’s current condition. “Come on, baby.”

She rose from the bed and allowed Duncan to help her slip it on. “Great. I am already wearing fat clothes. I wasn’t expecting to have to do this for a little while at least.” He laughed in her ear as he tied the belt around her waist and ran his hand over her belly. “This is so unflattering.” She said as she looked down at herself. “I feel like a whale.”

“You are an absolute beauty.” Duncan whispered as he placed both hands on her distended abdomen. “I just know this little one is going to be a knock out just like her mother.”

“Okay, Highlander. Quit sweet talking our woman and lets go show her our surprise.” Ares took her arm and lead her to the far wall of her chambers.

“You want to show me a wall.” Alex said slightly irritated. “Do you have any idea how hard it is to carry around this weight? You got me out of bed to look at a fucking wall.”

“Not quite, love.” Tyr said with a hint of laughter in his voice. He had picked up Tamerlane from his crib and moved to stand beside her. “Ares, if you would please dazzle our Lady.”

“It would be my pleasure.” The God of War gestured at the wall and used his power to make a doorway into Ian’s former chambers. He held out his arm and indicated his mate to enter. “After you, my Lady.”

She walked into the room with the rest of her men behind her followed closely by Ronon and Kyra. Her mates stood with smiling faces, as Alexandra looked around the newly remodeled room completely awestruck. There was a very ornately detailed wooden crib sitting proudly in the center of the room with a larger matching one set a couple of feet to the side.

A beautiful rocking chair was situated between the cribs. There were dozens of small stuffed animals and toys overflowing from a chest along one wall. The bathing room had protective doors put in place to prevent any accidents. The walls were decorated with stars, suns, comets, and novas. The ceiling had a representation of the Phoenix in all her fiery glory.

“Do you like it, my love?” Tyr came up behind her and whispered in her ear. He could see the tears trailing down her cheeks. “I have moved my quarters next door and they adjoin to this one. Jesse moved next to mine. Duncan made the rocking chair for you to sit in while you nurse the children.”

“Rhade made the cribs. I made the chest and Ares supplied the wall art. When the lights are turned off, the designs on the walls and ceilings glow in the dark.” Tyr nodded his head and Ares turned off the lights in the room. Alexandra turned around and looked at the majestic image her mate created around her. The Phoenix above lit with a red glow and watched over her babies’ cribs. “The children will be able to see you on the ceiling and where you came from on the surrounding walls.”

“It is beautiful, Tyr.” She spun around to spot her mate and waddled towards him as he met her halfway. “Richard, can you believe they did this? It is so adorable.”

“They definitely outdid themselves but I’m not so sure I like having an adjoining room with Tyr.” He walked her over to the rocking chair and helped her sit down. “He is kind of a screamer when you two are going at it and my hearing is very sensitive.”

“Oh please, Riddick.” Tyr said as he handed Tamerlane to Alex. “You can wake the dead when you cum.” He watched his mate pull her robe aside to expose her left breast and situate their son to nurse. “I doubt the children will get a moments rest with you next door.”

“Will you two shut up!” Alex snapped as she rocked her boy back and forth as he fed. “I don’t need to sit here and listen to you broadcast the particulars of our sex lives.” She gazed down at Tamerlane and smiled as his eyes caught hers. “Duncan, I love the chair. He is so much calmer when I’m rocking him.”

“You’re welcome, love. I guess there is something that can soothe the inner beast of a Nietzchean after all. Besides you that is.” He knelt beside her and rested his hand on her thigh. “It made me feel like I was home for a while. We did have quite a time back then. Even though I ran an antiquities shop I always wanted to make something with my hands. You look comfortable and happy in it and that brings me great joy.”

While Duncan, Tyr and Rhade hovered around Alexandra, Riddick cornered Ares before he had a chance to join them. “Where did Ian move to?”

“Like I said, he moved to the open area of our wing. Why do you ask?”

“I was just curious.” Riddick said with a frown. “How did he act when you asked him to move?”

“You know Ian. He was as stoic as ever.” Ares responded flippantly but grew serious when he caught the look Riddick shot him. “He has been very despondent since she left his room. I get the impression that he is extremely distressed by her absence.”

“Keep her company for a while. I need to go talk to him.” He patted Ares on the shoulder and had a sincere look in his eyes. “I appreciate all of this. It is a wonderful gesture that has made her very happy.”

“You’re welcome. Now go so I don’t have to make up some lie when she asks where you went.”

~*~

When Riddick quietly entered Ian’s new room, he found him sitting on a large recliner holding his head in hands. He was miserable and it reflected in the darkness that shrouded his quarters. “I thought I would be by her side until the end of time.” His voice shook with the sadness that overwhelmed him. “She and I were supposed to be forever.”

Ian raised his head and stared at Riddick through the dark curtain of his hair. “We would have been if we never made the decision to interact with the human race. We should have stayed amongst the stars where we belonged.” A sob escaped his throat and he sniffled as his tears flowed uncontrollably down his face. “I can’t bear the thought of losing her. She has been my life since the beginning of time.”

Riddick eased on to the leather couch next to Ian’s recliner and waited until he could work his way past his heartbreaking sobs to continue. “I was right all along, you know?” He wiped his eyes and pierced Riddick with his amber gaze. “You are the one she was destined for. I was just filling in for you until you made your way into her life.”

“Ian…”

“Let me finish. I’m begging you.” The torment in Ian’s eyes hit Riddick right in his heart and tears welled in his eyes as he felt this man’s pain. “I will never allow my mate to die. I know of the loophole in the prophecy. When the power is removed from the body that houses the Phoenix and passed on by another, the daughter will inherit her birthright.” He recited the lines of the prophecy by heart with a solemn look on his face.

“We both know that Alexandra changed the outcome of the prophecy when she created me and birthed Ioan. Apparently she is the only one of us that doesn’t know that my death will save her life.” He covered his face with his hands and cried into them. “I cannot let my mate die and my son is not an option. It is just that…”

“What, Ian?” Riddick asked quietly and rested a hand on the shaking man’s shoulder.

“I have never been without her. I don’t know what I’d do without her. I don’t even know if there is an afterlife for me or if I will just cease to exist when I am absorbed into your daughter.” His whole body shuddered from his wracking sobs and Riddick tightened his grip on his shoulder. “Will she have my memories and retain my experiences or will it all be lost as if I never existed?”

“I don’t know, Ian.” Riddick answered in a comforting tone. “I have to believe that if Alex was the one to give her power to Dawn that our daughter would retain most of her mother’s memories. It would be a vital part of the reason for the transfer. Therefore I firmly believe that part of you will reside in her forever.”

“Riddick, this is so hard for me to do even though it really isn’t. I have wished so many times that it was I who would die instead of having to watch her do it thousands of times. Yet I am now called upon to sacrifice myself, so my love can live, and all I can think about is how much it will hurt me to leave her. How selfish is that?”

“It is not selfish, my friend.” Tears of blue energy flowed down Riddick’s face and he felt like his heart was stopping in his chest. “I would give myself to save her too but I would still feel cheated of my life with her.”

“We both know she will not accept this, Riddick. She is programmed to care for her mates and children. She will never allow this to happen unless we keep it from her until the moment it has to be done.” Ian leaned back in exhaustion and wiped his tears from his cheeks again. “You, Ronon, and myself will have to discuss the particulars of the transference beforehand and shield our thoughts from her everyday until it is time.”

“Why Ronon?” Riddick asked with concern. “He will be hard pressed to keep a secret from his mother.”

“You were correct earlier when you said my loyalties are to her first and foremost. The same holds true for her sons. Ronon will do whatever he has to do to protect his mother. He has to know what we have planned since he is the Deliverer. Besides I think it will spare the boy a whole lot of heartache knowing he will not be his mother’s killer.”

“You are right. I know he is tearing himself apart knowing that he was destined from birth to do this thing. He has spent more time than you can imagine in the archives trying to find a way to save her.” Riddick leaned back and shook his head in amazement. “Only a child of Alex’s can reach out from the womb to invade her brother’s dreams and tell us how to save her.”

“She did say it was an option, Ian.” He raised his silver gaze to Ian’s amber. “You are not obligated to do this.”

“Yes I am. I will not sacrifice my son and I finally get a chance to spare Alexandra a death. Her final death that will take her away from all of you forever.” He released a deep sigh and gave Riddick a look of resolution. “I am going to save my mate’s life and I trust you to care for her after I am gone. She will not take this well.”

“She completely broke down when Ares died and I know my loss will drive her to the edge of insanity. Possibly beyond it.” He leaned forward and grabbed Riddick’s hand. “Promise me that you will help her through it. Promise me that you will show her the wisdom of my sacrifice. Above all else, swear to me that you will take care of her for the rest of your lives.”

“I swear to you on my life, Ian.” Riddick said as he fought through the sadness that threatened to choke him. “I will make you proud of me.”

“I am already proud of you, my friend. You have become the most important being in her life. You gave her the soul she needed and restored her balance. That is something I could never do.” Ian smiled sadly and took a moment to compose himself. “I knew the instant I heard Dorian say she would reject her salvation that it was either Ioan or me that was her way out.”

“You caught on to that faster than either of us.”

“I’ve been around a lot longer and I am a Phoenix. Anyways I knew she was upset when she found out about Dawn’s early arrival and I made up my mind that very second to take her place.” Ian bit his bottom lip as he stared at the floor and then gazed up at Riddick through his long wet lashes. “I kept her away from everyone because she was scared of Dawn’s accelerated growth. She was terrified that she wouldn’t get to spend enough time with your daughter before she died. I wanted to spend as much time as I could with her before I die. I did keep her in there for my own selfish reasons.”

“They weren’t selfish, Ian.”

“She needed to be with you and I knew it but I couldn’t bear to let her out of my sight. We have no idea how fast your child will mature after she is born. My time with Alexandra is running out and I wanted to spend every second I could with her in my arms.”

“I understand, Ian.” Riddick patted Ian’s arm to reassure him. “I would have done the same thing.”

“I no longer have that luxury, Riddick. I have to spend the rest of my time preparing you to take complete control of this family. There are things you need to know about the others and the boys as well to keep peace in the palace. You also need to know how the boys will perform in their duties to your daughter. You need to train them. Now please call Ronon here so we can inform him of our plan.”

“Ian, the boy is mating Kyra today. Can’t it wait until after their joining?”

“Oh please Riddick. As soon as Kyra fastens that clasp on his arm, they will not be seen for days.” Ian saw the look on Riddick’s face and let out a small laugh. “Nietzchean males will keep procreating with their female until she conceives. He will not let her go until he accomplishes that goal.”

“So I can expect a niece or nephew soon.” A look of shock entered Riddick’s features as he shook his head in amazement. “We are going to be up to our ears in toddlers and infants before long.”

“Yes you are. Now please summon the boy. I think it will settle his troubled mind when he discovers that he will not be losing his mother anytime soon.”

~*~

“Since I have you all together and you’re in a relatively good mood, I have an announcement to make.” Alexandra’s excitement was evident on her face and in her voice. It was the happiest her mates have seen her since before the war. “We are having the first wedding amongst the Royal Sons today. Ronon and Kyra are claiming each other.”

“Ronon, you finally managed to capture your female’s heart.” Rhade hugged his son and whispered in his ear. “I am so happy for you, son.” Telemachus released his child and placed a sweet kiss on Kyra’s hand. “I am honored to have you as a daughter of my Pride.”

“Thank you, Sir.” Kyra blushed with a tear in her eye. “I hope that I will prove to be a worthy addition to the Majoram Pride.”

“Kyra, dear, I have no doubt that you are worthy of our Pride.” Alex winked at her and glanced at her mate. “Telemachus, love, if you will prepare their room for their bonding, I will produce their helixes for the ceremony.”

She held out her hand to silence the question that formed on his lips. “Richard insists that the helix ceremony is held in front of the family. After that is done, they have full permission to hurry off and mate.”

“That is a bit unorthodox but she is Riddick’s charge.” Rhade said with a smirk. “I suppose you don’t disapprove of this ceremony since Ronon is the first of your children to marry?”

“You suppose correctly and thank you for indulging the both of us.” She held her hands out in front of her and an ornate box appeared in a flash. “Kyra, come here honey.” The young woman knelt before her and looked up at the box with wide eyes. “I have sent the appropriate clothing to your quarters for your mating. Your helixes are inside. You know how to use them when the time comes.”

“I do.” She carefully took the box in her palms and glanced up at Alex with a huge smile on her face. “Thank you.”

“You are very welcome. You have made me very happy.” Alex kissed her on the cheek and gave her a quick hug. “I am so glad that I brought you into my life.”

“You have saved my life in more ways than you can imagine.” Kyra whispered in a humble tone. “First you brought me back to life and then gave me a life worth living.”

“And that is probably the best answer to the questions you asked me. Do you see these men?” She gestured to the surrounding men with her upturned hand. “They are the reasons I was capable of carrying on after everything I went through. These men have given me every thing they have to offer. I might have shut off my feelings from time to time but they could never remain closed when I had all this love around me.”

“I think I understand.” She looked over her shoulder and smiled at Ronon before she turned back to Alex. “No, I definitely know what you mean. He accepts me and I know he would give his life for me. If I fall, I know he will pick me up and I will stand beside him through anything and everything.”

“Then you have learned all you need to, grasshopper. Now go forth and conquer the world.”

“What is it with you and Riddick and old movies?”

“We are a match made in the heavens.”

~*~

Rhade and Ronon had left the babies’ room and were heading down the halls when Ronon received Riddick’s mental call. ‘Ronon.’

‘Yes, Riddick?’

‘Will you please meet me in Ian’s chambers immediately?’

‘Yes, Sir. Is there anything wrong? Is he alright?’

‘Yeah, son, he is fine but we both need to speak with you.’

‘I’m on my way.’ Ronon stopped Rhade with a hand on his arm and forced a smile on his face to cover his concern. “Dad, Riddick just contacted me. I think he wants to go over the ceremony details. Do you think you can handle moving Kyra’s things to my quarters and preparing things without me?”

“Of course I can, Ronon.” Rhade slapped his son on the arm in fun. “Go settle the big man’s nerves so we can get you mated.”

“Thank you, dad.” He didn’t bother to hide his need to hurry as he vanished from the hallway in a flash.

~*~

Riddick opened the door to let the worried young man in and indicated the chair across from the couch. “Take a seat, Ronon.” He shut the door behind him and sat opposite Ronon. “Ian, do us all a favor and place the mental barriers up around this room. We don’t need any eavesdroppers.”

“What is this about, Riddick?” Ronon asked as he nervously glanced at Ian’s white eyes. “Why do we need a mental barrier?”

“Because we don’t need your mother discovering what we are about to discuss.” Ian answered as his eyes returned to normal and fixed Ronon with his gaze. “Don’t panic, son. We don’t mean you any harm. In fact, what we are about to tell you will make you feel better about your future.”

“What are you talking about, my Lord?”

“You do not need to return to the archives anymore, Ronon. You can stop searching for a way to save Alexandra.” Ronon’s brow furrowed in confusion and looked to Riddick for further explanation. When the large man would not return his gaze, he turned his attention back to Ian. “We already know the key to your mother’s salvation. Riddick’s daughter gave us all the hints we needed to figure it out.”

“I won’t have to kill Alex?” Ronon clenched his eyes and whispered, hoping this wasn’t a dream. “Are you saying I won’t have to be the Deliverer?”

“You will not kill Alexandra.” Ian said as he leaned forward with his elbows on his thighs. “But you will still be the Deliverer.”

“I don’t understand.”

“Alexandra and Riddick’s daughter is the next Protector of Life and you will deliver her power to her. That prophecy cannot be changed but the circumstances can.” Ian hid his eyes behind his hands to cover his tears until he could get them under control. “We should have brought you in here earlier. I did not realize how difficult it would be to talk about this again.”

“Ian, do you want me…”

“No Riddick. I will finish what I have started.” He dried his eyes and turned his tortured eyes to the young man beside him. “Prophecies are a funny thing, Ronon. They do occur but rarely as they are written. You are destined to rip the Phoenix from its shell and pass it on to the new Protector.”

“I am well aware of that…” He started to snap at the vagueness of his mother’s First but was interrupted.

“There are THREE Phoenixes, Ronon.” When he saw the mixture of shock and confusion cross the boy’s face, Ian touched his forearm and smiled. “I will be the one who passes on the force to Dawn not your mother. You will take my power and deliver it to the new Protector.”

“She will never agree to this! You are her First!” Ronon shot to his feet and began to pace the room like a caged animal. “If I even thought about such a thing, let alone attempted it, she would go insane!”

“That is why you have to block your thoughts from her, Ronon, until the time comes!” Ian stood up and halted the young man in his tracks with a tight grip on his arms. “She must not know until it is too late!”

“I cannot do this!” Ronon shook his head and tears flowed from his eyes.

“Yes you can!” Ian yelled in righteous anger. “I will not allow my beloved to die! Do you hear me? This is the only way to save your mother and you will do it!”

“She will hate me for the rest of my days if I kill you! You are the first love of her life! The two of you have been together since the beginning of time!” Ronon was near hysterics. Ian was angry that he had to convince him to kill him to save his mother. Riddick held his head in his hands overwhelmed with the mounting sorrow in the room. “She loves you! She would die to protect you!”

“I know that, son, and she has many times.” The anger bled out of Ian and his torment filled his soul again. “After all this time, I finally have the chance to save my mate for a change and you are going to help me do it.”

“My Lord, please don’t ask this of me.” Ronon whispered his plea in between sobs.

“I already have and you will do what you have to do to save your mother’s life. Your primary loyalty is like mine, Ronon. We all have the same priorities. Alexandra is first in our lives and then the rest of the family. Am I right?” He asked and watched the young man’s head nod jerkily. “Good.”

“When the day comes, you will use your power to destroy this body, capture the Phoenix before it resurrects me, and insert it into Dawn. They will bond and it will be done. Do you understand me?” He received another nod and pulled his Deliverer into an embrace. “Its alright, Ronon. Trust me, son. Everything will be alright and you will have Alex in your life forever.”

Riddick turned his tear-stained face to the two men. They were both crying. Their pain was a tangible thing in the air. It was stifling. Riddick felt like he was suffocating on agony. Elsewhere in the palace, people were happy. They were planning a wedding. They were fawning over one child and preparing for the arrival of another. Riddick felt like he wanted to throw up.

“Ian. Ronon.” The two men moved apart and turned towards him. “We need to get our mental blocks in place within our minds before we leave this room. I think we should spread out in the suite and concentrate on that. Then we need to get a firm grip on this crying thing. We have a ceremony to attend and we can’t let her see how shitty we all feel.”

“I agree, Riddick.” Ian whispered. “Why don’t you and Ronon take the bedroom and my private gym? I’m going to sit here and get myself under control. When we’re done, we can go get this young man mated to his love.”

The three of them nodded. They exchanged sad glances and separated into the suite. They were tied together in the biggest conspiracy imaginable. One single act that would save the life of the woman they loved but could very easily throw her into madness. ‘Is it worth the risk?’ They all asked themselves. After a second of thought, the same reply entered all their minds simultaneously. ‘Yes. Anything is worth the risk as long as she lives.’

~*~