A Grim Baby Read online

  Padma’s brows shot up in surprise. “You can test for that?”

  “Yes, even on Earth, we have that ability. I’ll have to do some research and discuss it with Hadar, without bringing you into it, of course, to find out if the medical unit can get results sooner.”

  “You would do that for me?”

  “Of course. But, Padma, while I will respect whatever decision you make, I strongly encourage you to discuss this with Gossamer. This is his baby too.”

  “I know, and I will. Thank you, Rebecca. You too, Lisa.”

  Chapter Seven

  Lisa tapped her fingers on the communication center table in the private quarters she shared with Grim. She was waiting for her first face-to-face comm with Trisha since the advanced relay stations had become operational, and didn’t want to miss it. She leaned forward as the black screen lightened, and Trisha’s image appeared.

  “Lisa!” Trisha all but squealed.

  “Trisha!”

  “Oh, my God, you look so good. How are you feeling?”

  Lisa laughed. “I look pregnant and feel like a beached whale, but otherwise, I’m fine.”

  “You’re sure?” Trisha asked, running a critical eye over her.

  “Yes. Hadar and Rebecca have been doing daily scans. They’d do them hourly if Grim had his way, but there’s no reason to.”

  “You’re carrying a Tornian baby, Lisa. From what I’ve learned, they tend to be a bit larger than human ones.”

  “They average between ten and twelve corzites—pounds on Earth. So yes, a bit larger. And this little girl,” she rubbed her belly, “is at about eleven right now. But she’s perfectly healthy. And while my readings are elevated, they’re not any higher than they were during my last trimester with Miki.”

  “The deep repair unit hasn’t been able to help with that?”

  “I haven’t been able to use it yet.”

  “What?” Trisha’s eyes widened with disbelief. “Why not? I can’t believe the difference it’s made for me and everyone else who’s used it. Not only did it eradicate the Karkata parasite that’s caused all the cancers on Earth, but it eliminated the impurities that have caused high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, and scores of other diseases.”

  “It’s also been able to reverse the effects of Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s. Chancellor Khatri’s father, who was once a brilliant physicist, suffered from late-stage Alzheimer’s. After using the deep repair unit, he’s recovered to his previous healthy state.”

  “That’s wonderful, and I bet it’s gone a long way in calming down the fanatics.” She’d read the reports on how protests and panic had erupted when the World Leaders announced the arrival of the Tornians and Kaliszians along with what the Ganglians had been doing.

  “It has—that along with Wray and Liron each sending a ship full of the deep repair units. There are still those claiming we are under alien mind control and that our women will be sold into slavery. But the majority have calmed down after hearing the stories from the returnees. Now stop trying to distract me. Why haven’t you used the deep repair unit?”

  Lisa shook her head, chuckling, “I never could get anything passed you, could I?”

  “No, so talk.”

  “I haven’t used the deep repair unit yet because we’re not sure if the unit would consider the baby a parasite and try to eliminate it.”

  “What?” Trisha gasped.

  “Until you were treated, Tornians had forgotten that the unit clears out parasites and impurities as it repairs extreme injuries. They don’t have any records of their females using the units once they’ve conceived. Not even Isis used it, and she’s never heard of any female who did. I’m unwilling to take the chance, especially when I’m feeling fine. Although Grim insists that I’ll be using it after presenting this little bundle of joy.” She rubbed her belly again, easing some of the tension growing there.

  “Good. My guess is it’s going to help you recover quicker.”

  “That would be nice. And just so you don’t worry, Carly and Miki have used it. Even though we now know it was a parasite that caused Mark to be sick, I didn’t want to take any chances.”

  “And…” Trisha prompted.

  “They’re absolutely fine.” Lisa couldn’t express how relieved she’d been but knew Trisha could see it on her face.

  “Oh, God, that’s a relief.”

  “It is.”

  “So has Dr. Adams arrived yet?”

  Lisa knew Dr. Adams had been at the top of Trisha’s list when she’d searched for qualified OB/GYNs who might be interested in the groundbreaking experience of assisting in the delivery of interspecies offspring. After being contacted and extensively interviewed, Dr. Adams was on the first available ship headed to Luda.

  “No, they’re two days out.”

  “Well, hopefully between her, Dr. Mines, and Healer Hadar, we’ll get some answers and make sure every pregnant female is taken care of, whether they’re human, Tornian, or Kaliszian.”

  “Rebecca and Hadar have been doing their best, but with pregnant women on four different planets….”

  “That’s a lot of distance to cover. Have the guidelines Rebecca sent out to the Tornian healers helped?”

  “Yes, but every male, including Grim, wants a healer specifically trained for Earth females on hand at all times. Rebecca can’t be everywhere at once.”

  “Well, that’s going to take some time. So hopefully, Dr. Adams can help bridge the gap until more physicians are cleared.”

  “Hopefully sooner rather than later. Now that’s enough about me. I want to know about you and Ull.”

  “Ull and me?” Trisha’s brow creased at the question. “I already told you all about that in my earlier transmissions.”

  “You did, but I know you left a lot out. So spill.”

  Trisha couldn’t help but laugh. One of the reasons she and Lisa had become such good friends was that after all they’d been through together, they knew when the other wasn’t being candid.

  “I’m not exactly sure what else to tell you.”

  Lisa knew what she wanted to know, so she just said it. “Tell me you love Ull. Really love him, and that it’s not just because he saved your life.”

  Trisha’s mouth dropped open before she turned the question around. “Tell me you love Grim. Really love him, and that it’s not just because he came back for the girls.”

  “That’s entirely different.”

  “Is it? He kidnapped you then forced you to agree to Join with him, and only him, in exchange for getting the girls.”

  Lisa couldn’t argue with that, because it was the truth, and she refused to lie to her friend. “I understand what you’re saying and it’s true. But once I got to know Grim, I couldn’t help but fall in love with him.”

  Trisha glared at her across space. “And you don’t think I could have had that same experience?”

  “I know you could, just as I’m hoping other women from Earth do. It’s because of Ull that I’m asking.”

  “Why?”

  “Because Ull isn’t the male I would have chosen for you. Hell, he wasn’t even the male I wanted to go to Earth. Wray chose him.”

  “Why?” Trisha demanded, leaning toward the screen. “What have you got against Ull?”

  “Nothing concrete. It’s just the dark, angry vibe I got off of him. While he helped Ynyr with the problems within House Jamison, he still seemed so angry at not being chosen during the Joining Ceremony. Even Miki noticed.”

  “Ull harmed Miki?” Trisha’s eyes widened in disbelief.

  “No!” Lisa immediately denied, “Miki’s just gotten more… sensitive to certain things lately.”

  “And Ull was one of those things?”

  “Before I left, Princess Miki warned me to beware of the dark when it spoke to me.”

  Both of them jumped at the new voice. Behind Trisha, a large Tornian male entered and leaned down to give Trisha a quick kiss before looking at Lisa. “You may res
t assured, Queen Lisa. That darkness no longer whispers to me. My Trisha has seen to that.”

  Lisa watched the two share a deep and intimate look and realized their love was as strong and genuine as what she and Grim shared. All the fears she’d had since Trisha had told her they were in love, faded away.

  “I’m relieved to hear that, Warrior Ull,” Lisa told him. “Trisha is precious to me and mine.”

  “As she is to me, Majesty.” Ull’s gaze remained unwavering when it met hers.

  “Then, we understand one another.”

  “We do.”

  Hearing a noise behind her, Lisa turned to see Grim entering their quarters. “I need to go. We’ll talk soon, Trisha?”

  “We will. Hug the girls for me.”

  “I will.” With that, Lisa ended the transmission and then went to stand. Grim was immediately there to assist her. “Thank you.”

  “You should be resting,” he chided in a familiar way.

  “I wanted to see Trisha. The new transmission satellites are finally operational.”

  “It could have waited.” He pulled her as close as possible.

  “But I didn’t want to wait. I wanted to see Trisha. To make sure she was really happy with Ull.”

  Grim raised an eyebrow at that. “You doubted she told you the truth in her other transmissions?”

  “Not really,” she admitted. “I just needed to see it. I even got to speak with Ull.” Grim remained silent. He knew of her concerns regarding Ull. “Ull said that darkness no longer whispers to him.”

  “And this bothers you?”

  “No. I’m glad Ull’s finally come to his senses. What bothers me is that Miki saw it when none of us did.”

  He now understood what was really bothering her. Her fear for Miki. “You sensed something was wrong with him,” he reminded her.

  Her nose crinkled. “That he was a jerk and an asshole with a huge chip on his shoulder, yes, but nothing truly evil.”

  “Truth, and there wasn’t.”

  Lisa struggled to let it go. Her mother’s instinct was raging, and she’d learned not to ignore that fine-honed sense. “Then what did Miki see?”

  “Perhaps whatever Ull was struggling with. We both know there is darkness in all of us, my Lisa. It’s whether we succumb to it or not, that matters.”

  “The way Emperor Berto did.”

  “Yes.”

  “I know you’re right. I guess I just worry about Miki. She’s always been so sweet and trusting. I can’t help but think how that mark the Raptor gave her will affect her future.”

  “I do too, but I also believe it will keep her safe, and we both want that. Now there is something I would like to show you. If you would allow me.”

  The uncertainty on Grim’s face had her frowning. “Of course, I would.”

  She expected him to lead her to the couch. Instead, he led her out of their resting chamber and to the one next door, across from Carly’s and Miki’s room.

  It was the room they’d prepared for the baby. Lisa had it freshly painted and thick rugs placed on the stone floor. The original Tornian-size furniture was replaced with child- size furniture made by the same artisan that had made the protective cases for the King’s and Queen’s Elite Guards’ medallions. It was the perfect room for their youngest to grow up in. Now they only needed to wait for her arrival.

  Before Grim opened the door, he reached up and covered her eyes with one of his hands. “Grim?”

  “I want it to be a surprise.”

  “All right.” She trusted Grim implicitly. He’d never allow her to be harmed. “Just tell me when to move.”

  She heard the swish of the door opening. Grim had made sure it wouldn’t squeak after she’d told him how one had once woken Carly after Mark had spent two hours pacing, trying to get her to sleep.

  “Move forward,” Grim said with one hand over her eyes and the other guiding her at her waist. “Now turn to the right. Now forward. Stop.”

  Lisa was beginning to relate to what Grim’s trainees must go through. He gave orders and expected them to be followed. Even though she knew he was much gentler with her.

  “Now, keep your eyes closed. Are they closed?”

  “Yes, Grim.”

  He moved away and she frowned slightly when she heard the rustle of fabric.

  “All right. Open your eyes.”

  Lisa did and her heart stopped and her eyes began to fill. Before her was the most beautiful crib she had ever seen.

  “Lisa?” He took a step towards her then came to an abrupt stop. “You don’t like it.”

  “No, I don’t. I love it.” Stepping forward, she held out a hand to him, which he immediately took. “How could you think I wouldn’t?”

  “Because it’s not something you can wear, as your Mark gave you.” He reached up to touch one of the earrings she wore. “And it is before our daughter has been presented, but I know you’ve been worrying about where our daughter will rest.”

  “Oh, Grim.” Reaching up, she cupped his face. “While I will always cherish what Mark gave me, as will Carly and Miki when I pass them down, this is just as special.” She ran a hand along the silky finish, intricately carved from the finest wood Luda had to offer. When her finger ran over a bumpy texture, she asked. “What’s this?”

  “Lord Ynyr and Lady Abby’s gift. Mianraí dubh. I had it inlaid in the spindles and at both ends.” Leading her to one end, Lisa gasped. There, carved into the wood was the raptor, his wings and eyes inlaid with mianraí dubh.

  “So she’ll always be protected,” Lisa murmured, letting the tears she’d been holding back flow. “Goddess, Grim, it’s absolutely perfect. It will protect not only our daughter, but hers, and then hers. You’ve ensured they’ll be protected long after we’ve both met the Goddess. I love you so much.” Reaching up, she pulled his head down capturing his lips.

  “Mommy! Manno!” The sound of little feet had them both turning to watch the girls burst into the room.

  “What’s wrong, girls?” Grim’s gaze scanned behind them for a threat while Lisa quickly wiped her cheeks. She didn’t want the girls to think something was wrong.

  “Nothing, Manno,” Miki told him as she wrapped an arm around his leg. “We just missed you.”

  Grim smiled down at his daughters. He knew he’d never tire of hearing that from them. “And I missed you, little ones. Are you ready for last meal?”

  “Yes, Manno,” Carly said. “We’re hungry.”

  “What’s that behind you?” Miki asked, leaning around her manno trying to see.

  “This,” Lisa told her, “is the crib your manno had specially made for your baby sister. It’s what she’s going to sleep in until she’s big enough to sleep in a bed like you.”

  Miki walked up and gently touched one of the raptor’s wings. When she spoke, it was with the older, wiser, and more powerful voice she’d used when she’d spoken with Ull. “Whoever rests in this will be protected from darkness long after they no longer use it.”

  “Miki?” Grim carefully touched her shoulder.

  “Yes, Manno?” her voice was young and innocent again.

  “You and Carly need to go wash up. Last meal will be here soon.”

  “All right, Manno.”

  After they hurried out of the room, Grim pulled Lisa close. “It will be all right, my Lisa.”

  Closing his eyes, he prayed to the Goddess he spoke truth.

  Chapter Eight

  Silently, Grim crossed the room to where his Lisa stood before a window, unable to believe how beautiful she was, and that she was his. Her pale, creamy skin glowed in the light of Luda’s moons, but he knew that wasn’t the only reason. His Lisa had a true inner beauty that shone brighter with her burgeoning size. Slipping his arms around her, he gently pulled her against his chest.

  “There you are,” she murmured.

  “Why aren’t you in bed?”

  The girls had gone to bed hours ago. He and Lisa had been having a quiet night togethe
r until Alger had contacted him. His captain discovered more deficient energy crystals and Grim wanted to see them before reporting it to Wray.

  This time his brother had immediately picked up his comm. Wray informed him that inferior crystals had been found in House Torino’s stores also. He had personally notified every lord in the empire and Kaliszian emperor, Emperor Liron. Their conversation had taken longer than Grim had anticipated, and he’d hoped his Lisa had gone to bed in his absence.

  “The moons called to me,” she told him, her hands covering his on her stomach as she leaned back in his embrace. “It won’t be long now.”

  “Do I need to get Rebecca?” he asked gruffly.

  “No,” she said, tipping her face up to his. “Your daughter will let us know when she’s ready. We do need to decide on a name, though.”

  “Have the girls come up with any new ones?” he asked, gently kissing her lips. He loved to hear their suggestions. It fascinated him to learn how their young minds worked.

  “Joy and Star were the ones today.”

  “Interesting names.”

  “Yes.”

  “Are they common on Earth?”

  “I wouldn’t say common, but they are used.”

  “Our daughter should have an uncommon name. One that reflects what a gift she truly is and how adored she will be.”

  “Well, Adora is a girl’s name on Earth.”

  “Adora…” Grim murmured and their unborn daughter kicked beneath their hands. “It seems she likes it.”

  “So, she does,” Lisa agreed. “So, Adora. Adora… what?”

  “Seren.” The moment he said it, Grim knew it was right.

  “Seren?” Lisa gave him a confused look.

  “It is the star’s name where it is believed the Goddess resides, and where the worthy go when they die. You, the girls, and Adora are a gift from your Mark and the Goddess. So, it seems only fitting we name our child for where they are.”

  Lisa’s heart clenched tight. For Grim to not only recognize but include Mark in this… She’d loved her first husband with all her heart. If it hadn’t been for their girls, she wasn’t sure she would have had the will to go on living. Then Grim entered her life, thanks to the deal Mark had made with the Goddess, and now she and the girls were happy again, and a new life was about to start.