A Grim Baby Read online

  “Prince Tora.”

  At her prompt, Tora seemed to snap out of whatever had captured his attention, and he bowed his head slightly to Carly. “I accept your apology, Princess Carly.”

  Straightening, Tora looked at Lisa. “I also apologize to you, Majesty. I should never have raised my voice to you, especially in your condition.” Tora’s gaze shifted to Grim. “I will accept any punishment you deem necessary.”

  “Punishment?” Lisa frowned at this bit of news.

  “There will be no punishment, Tora. My Lisa and I often have heated discussions, as do your manno and Kim. That was all this was.” Grim’s gaze shifted to Carly. “Despite what my oldest thought.”

  “I’m sorry, Manno.”

  The sadness that filled her voice clearly hurt Grim’s heart which amused Lisa. What was he going to do when Carly was old enough to play on that weakness?

  “I know, Carly, and everything is fine now,” Grim told her.

  Chapter Six

  Lisa cut the meat on Miki’s plate, but her mind was on something else. Tora had long since departed with Grim’s vow that he would seriously consider his concerns and come up with a solution. The four of them had returned to their chambers, where Tagma had delivered their mid-day meal.

  None of that was why she was distracted. It was the interaction between Tora and Carly, or more specifically, how Carly had attacked him.

  Whether she liked it or not, her oldest was a born protector, a warrior in her own way. Even the Raptor had seen it. So she needed not only to accept it, but do something about it.

  “Grim.”

  “Yes, my Lisa?” he asked, setting down his fork to give her his full attention.

  “You need to start training Carly.”

  “Train her?” Grim’s brows drew together in confusion. “As what?”

  “A warrior.”

  “What?!”

  “Really, Mommy?” Carly’s eyes filled with excitement as she looked at her mother.

  “Really, Carly,” Lisa vowed to her.

  “Me too, Mommy?” Miki pleaded.

  “You too, baby,” Lisa told her then added, “as long as your manno agrees.”

  Three sets of eyes looked at Grim, who was still sitting there, stunned at Lisa’s suggestion. “You…you wish for me to train our daughters to be warriors?”

  “Would you prefer they not know how to defend themselves?” she asked, raising an eyebrow at him.

  “Of course not. But that is what their guards are for. What I am for.”

  “And if their guards have been disabled? If you aren’t close? What then, Grim?” Lisa put a comforting hand on his arm. “I’m not doubting you, Grim, or our guards. But we both know these things can happen.”

  “Like when the bad males chased us in the garden, and you picked the wrong tree, Mommy?” Miki asked.

  Lisa and Grim shared a look. Miki referred to the day Luuken had been able to breach Grim’s security and capture Lisa. She was able to hide the girls before that happened but was nearly abused before Grim had gotten to her. The girls were told her injuries were caused by falling out of a tree. That’s what Lisa wanted them to believe until they were older. But that didn’t mean she wanted them to remain helpless.

  “I told you how Mark insisted I take self-defense classes back on Earth so I could defend myself.”

  “You did,” Grim murmured.

  “It was because of that, and what you taught me with the Raptor’s Claw that I was able to defend myself against Risa. I want the girls to have that ability, too.”

  “I understand what you are saying, my Lisa, but there has never been a female warrior in the history of the Tornian Empire.”

  “You’re wrong.”

  “What?” Grim frowned at her.

  “I was reading another one of your books and found a story about a group of Elite Tornian Warriors. Female warriors. It was long before the Great Infection, and in the story, they saved not only the Tornian emperor but also the Kaliszian one. They were called the Warriors for the Goddess.”

  Grim’s frown deepened. “I know this story and of that group, but they were males.”

  “No, they weren’t.” Pushing her chair back, she awkwardly rose, stomach first. Grim quickly rose to assist her. Giving him a grateful smile, she waddled over to the window seat where she’d left the book and returned to the table. Setting it down, she opened it to the page she’d marked, then turned it, so it faced Grim. “See.”

  The girls leaned over to look at the visual with Grim. Twelve females stood in two staggered rows, six in front, and six in back. They all wore the same uniform of fitted black pants tucked into black boots and a black fitted vest that revealed strong shoulders and muscular arms.

  They confidently held swords but most shocking was that half of them wore their long black hair in a single braid and the others wore beads in theirs. Kaliszian beads.

  “How could I have not known they were female? Or that some were Kaliszian? My uncle told me that story hundreds of times.”

  “Maybe he didn’t know,” Lisa reassured quietly.

  “He had this book for years, Lisa,” Grim told her gruffly. “He had to have read it.”

  “Not necessarily. You’ve had it for years, too, and obviously haven’t.”

  “But you did.” His gaze met hers.

  “Well, this little one has curtailed a great many of my activities, giving me the time.” She lovingly rubbed her stomach before looking back at Grim. “So you see, there is a precedent for you to train the girls.”

  “Please, Manno,” the girls begged. “Please. Please. Please.”

  Grim looked down into the pleading eyes of his daughters and found he couldn’t deny them, especially when, ultimately, it would protect them.

  “All right, I will train you.”

  “Yea!” The girls squealed as they jumped down from their chairs, hugging each other.

  “But…” The girls quickly stopped to look at him. “That means you will be treated like every other trainee and will have to pass the same tests.”

  “Yes, Manno,” they agreed.

  “Then we’ll start as soon as Padma can make you suitable coverings. Now, if you’re done eating, go wash your hands.”

  “Yes, Manno.”

  After they’d left, Grim looked at Lisa.

  “What?” she asked as he interlaced his fingers with hers.

  “I was just thinking that our warriors will have a hard time with this.”

  She huffed out an exasperated breath. “Well, they’ll just have to get over it.”

  He squeezed her fingers in agreement. “They will once they understand it’s being done for their protection.”

  “You will make sure they’re safe, though, right?” She knew she didn’t have to ask, but her mother’s instinct was in overdrive this far along in her pregnancy.

  “Yes, my Lisa, although they may receive some bumps and bruises.” He felt he had to prepare her for that especially after what happened earlier. While training at this age was mainly non-contact, specific skill drills could cause minor injuries until mastered. “Accidents happen during training. That is why there is always a handheld repair unit close by. And when they are training, I’ll make sure there are two.”

  “Then train our daughters, Grim. Train them until they are as skilled as you. And do the same for this one when her time comes.” She rubbed her stomach.

  “I will, my Lisa.”

  ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞

  Lisa’s thoughts were still on her conversation with Grim while making her way to medical. Grim was supposed to be with her, but a comm from Wray had come in that he needed to take.

  Even though she’d been the one to suggest it, she wasn’t entirely comfortable with the idea of her babies training as warriors. Not because she didn’t think they would do well, especially Carly. But because they were so young. Her heart wanted them to remain her innocent little girls forever, but her head knew that wasn’t possible.
r />   Life wasn’t always safe or easy, and their girls had seen and experienced things on Earth, Tornian, and even here on Luda, that had made them wiser than those few years.

  Tornian males began training as young as five under their manno’s guidance. It gave them the skills they needed to impress a lord, so he would be willing to train them further. Lisa couldn’t say she approved of or even liked the system, especially when it meant any son they had would leave their House after his tenth birthday.

  While no warrior was more skilled than Grim, even Tora had to leave Wray’s House to complete his training. If Grim’s son didn’t, he would be considered unfit, which Lisa would never allow. Not after what Grim had gone through because of a few scars.

  Still lost in thought, she entered the medical area only to come to an abrupt halt when she found Rebecca lying inside the deep repair unit, its lid slowly retracting.

  “Rebecca! What’s wrong? Are you hurt?” Lisa crossed as quickly as she could to the unit.

  “I’m fine,” Rebecca swung her legs over the side of the now fully open unit.

  “Then why are you in the deep repair unit?”

  Rebecca moved to the instrument panel and pushed several buttons before responding. “I’m just creating a baseline for the treatment of Earth females.”

  “What? What are you talking about? Everyone’s already been scanned.”

  “I know. I did it, remember?” Rebecca told her. “But I want to create a continual record so we can study any changes that might occur now that the deep repair unit has cleared out all our impurities and contaminants.”

  Lisa frowned at that. “You think it’s changed us?”

  “Not on the most basic level, but haven’t you noticed how shinier our hair is, how clearer our skin?”

  “I…” Lisa thought back. “I have noticed but assumed it was because I was pregnant.”

  “For you, it probably is, as you haven’t used the deep repair unit yet. For everyone else, because of what the deep repair units removed, we’re now able to reach our full potential.”

  “Is that why the Tornians are taller and stronger than us? Even their females?”

  “Yes. Along with the Kaliszians and Ganglians. Their bodies are functioning the way they were intended.”

  “But Dagan…”

  “It doesn’t correct genetic abnormalities, but does allow him to reach his full potential. I’ll be honest with you, Lisa. Even if the unit could change Dagan, I wouldn’t use it. Genetic manipulation is something I’m opposed to.”

  “Why?”

  Rebecca appeared shocked at her question. “Why? Because once you start, where does it end? Choosing your child’s eye color? Hair color? The shape of his or her face? Their height? Their gender? As much as I love being a doctor, there are some things I’m more comfortable with God deciding.”

  “Or Goddess.”

  “Or Goddess,” Rebecca agreed. “After all, it’s females who create life.”

  “Do we ever.” Lisa rubbed her stomach, and Rebecca’s gaze followed the gesture. Her smile faltered for a moment, but before Lisa could comment, her expression cleared.

  “So, I take it you’re here for your daily scan. Where’s Grim?” she asked, looking to the door.

  “There was a comm from Wray that he needed to take, and I didn’t want to wait.”

  “Why? Is something wrong?” Rebecca asked quickly, going into doctor mode.

  “No. Well, my back is hurting more than usual, but that’s to be expected this late into the pregnancy.”

  “It is,” Rebecca agreed as they moved across the room, and she assisted Lisa up onto the medical unit. “But let’s check that it’s not anything more serious.”

  Once Lisa was settled, Rebecca ran the necessary scans. Thanks to the unit, she didn’t need to physically check to know how dilated Lisa was. Something she knew the women on Earth were going to appreciate when it became known on Earth.

  “Have you and Grim decided on a name yet?” she asked as the unit worked.

  “No, although the girls are full of suggestions.”

  “They’re excited.”

  “They are, especially Miki. She can’t wait to be a big sister.”

  “She’s going to be a good one. So is Carly. Again.”

  “I know. Honestly, it’s Grim I’m worried about.”

  “What do you mean? Grim’s great with the girls. He’ll be just as good with this one.”

  “Oh, I know that. It’s the labor part I’m concerned he’s not going to handle well. He’s having nightmares about it.”

  “Because he loves you and can’t stand the thought of losing you.”

  “Which isn’t going to happen.”

  “No. It’s not.”

  When the unit spit out the results, she informed Lisa, “Everything looks good. Your blood pressure’s a little high, but that’s to be expected. Make sure you rest as much as possible. The baby’s head is down, and you’re dilated three centimeters. It won’t be much longer.”

  “Good. As much as I love carrying this little one, I’m ready to meet her.” Lisa grabbed the hand Rebecca extended to help her sit up and get off the unit.

  “I’m sure you are.”

  “Rebecca?” Padma’s lyrical voice had them both turning to find the normally calm and tranquil Auyangian flushed as she rushed into the room. She skidded to a halt when she realized Rebecca wasn’t alone. “Oh, Lisa, I… I didn’t know you were here. I’ll come back later.”

  “What’s wrong, Padma?” Lisa moved to her friend as quickly as she could. “Has something happened to Gossamer?”

  “What?” Padma’s eyes widened in surprise. “Gossamer? Oh, no. My male’s fine.”

  “And Gahan? Dagan?”

  “Both my offspring are also fine.”

  “Then what’s wrong?”

  “Lisa” Rebecca put a gentle but firm hand on her arm. “Padma came to see me. Perhaps this is something she wishes to discuss in private. With a doctor.”

  “What?” Lisa frowned at Rebecca. Then her eyes widened with understanding. “Oh. Oh, my goodness. I’m so sorry, Padma. I shouldn’t have pushed like that. You have every right to your privacy. I’ll leave you two alone.”

  As Lisa passed, Padma’s hand gripped her arm. “No, stay, please. I… I think I’m going to need you here.”

  “You’re sure?” Lisa asked uncertainly.

  “Yes.” Padma then looked to Rebecca. “I need you to scan me.”

  “All right. Let’s just get you in the deep repair unit.”

  “No. The medical unit. I think I’m with offspring.”

  While Lisa just looked at her friend in shock, Rebecca snapped into doctor mode. “All right. We’ll use the medical unit.”

  No one spoke as Padma lay down, and Rebecca moved to the instrument panel. After a few minutes, the unit shut down, and Padma sat up.

  “So?” Padma asked quietly.

  “You’re right,” Rebecca confirmed. “You’re with offspring, Padma.”

  Lisa wasn’t sure what reaction she expected, not with how strange Padma’s behavior had been since she arrived. But she hadn’t thought Padma would break down in tears.

  “I take it this was unexpected,” Rebecca probed gently.

  “Yes,” Padma sobbed. “After I presented Dagan, there were… complications. Neither Gossamer nor I believed I’d ever be able to conceive again.”

  “Have you said anything to Gossamer yet, about you possibly having conceived?”

  “No. I didn’t want to get his hopes up… Or worry him.”

  “Because of the previous complications?” Rebecca asked. “Or because Dagan was born with Down’s Syndrome?”

  “Because of Dagan,” Padma whispered, her wet gaze moving from Rebecca to Lisa. “I love my offspring. Both of them. But it has been so hard on Gossamer, hearing the comments and slurs and not being able to do anything about it. Your girls were even attacked because of it.”

  “Carly and Miki were att
acked because those trainees were unfit,” Lisa corrected. “They couldn’t see that while Dagan is different, he is still a worthy male. A true gift from the Goddess. Every child is.”

  “I agree. I’m just not sure I can handle another ‘gift.’ Oh, Goddess. That sounds terrible.” Padma broke into another round of tears, and this time, Rebecca curved an arm around the woman’s shoulders and patted her back.

  “No, it sounds like a mother concerned for her child’s well-being.” Lisa reached out and squeezed her friend’s hand. “I know I’ll never fully comprehend what you and Gossamer have gone through just to be together. Then to have a child that others see as unfit. But you don’t have to deal with that alone anymore. You have me and Grim, Carly and Miki.”

  “And me,” Rebecca added, squeezing Padma’s other hand as she eased from the partial embrace.

  “Along with every warrior in House Luanda.” Lisa took Rebecca’s other hand, completing their circle of support. “We are here for you no matter how this gift turns out.”

  Padma swiped at the wet tracks on her cheeks and sniffed. “And… and if I choose not to accept this gift?”

  Lisa wasn’t sure how to respond to this, but she didn’t release Padma’s hand.

  “It is common on my homeworld,” Padma explained, “for females who have conceived to drink a liquid that makes it so they are not.”

  Rebecca cleared her throat. “As your doctor, I will support whatever decision you make.”

  Padma kept her gaze on Lisa. “Would you think less of me, Lisa? If I did this?”

  Lisa’s heart ached for the tough decision this presented for the woman who had been so kind to her. “Absolutely not. You are my friend, and nothing will ever change that. This is your choice, Padma. Yours and Gossamer’s.”

  The answer seemed to reassure her, and Padma straightened her shoulders and smiled. “Gossamer will wish me to present this offspring. He has always wanted more.”

  “How far along to do you think you are?” Rebecca asked, her tone gentle. “The unit calculated six weeks.”

  “That is what I believe too,” Padma answered.

  “Which means it’s too early for me to test in the way I would on Earth to see if this baby will be like Dagan or not,” Rebecca continued.