A Grim Baby Read online

  “I watch you, Mama,” he told her, although his gaze remained locked on Adora, who yawned and stretched before opening her eyes.

  “Hello, Adora,” Dagan murmured. “I’m Dagan. Can we be friends?”

  “I’m sure she’d love that, Dagan,” Lisa told him and was rewarded with a beaming smile before his attention returned to Adora. She turned to Miki and Carly. “Are you ready for Padma to measure you for your coverings so Grim can start training you?”

  “Yes!” they agreed, bouncing in place with excitement.

  Dagan and Lisa watched over the next few minutes as Padma took the readings she needed and discussed with Lisa what material she’d like to use.

  “What’s normally used?” Lisa asked.

  “For trainees sent to a lord, a lower grade cloth is usually used because it’s inexpensive.”

  “I don’t understand. Why a lower grade? I would have thought you’d want something durable.”

  “A trainee’s manno only is required to supply him with his initial coverings. Once those become damaged or he outgrows them, it is the responsibility of his lord.”

  “So, they send lower quality coverings to conserve credits.”

  “Yes.”

  “I see.” While it made sense to Lisa because her girls were already outgrowing Padma’s coverings, it upset her that a manno would send his ten-year-old male away with inferior coverings. “Choose a material that will best protect them, Padma. Something you would choose for your own males.”

  That caught Dagan’s attention. “You make coverings for me, Mama? Dagan train, too? So unfit males not harm Carly and Miki. Not harm Adora.”

  “Oh, Dagan,” Padma whispered, her heart breaking for her youngest. “No.”

  “Why, Mama? Dagan strong.” He puffed his chest out to prove it. “Not smart, but strong.”

  “You are smart, baby,” Padma told him.

  “Not truth, Mama.”

  It hurt Lisa’s heart to see the sadness in Dagan’s eyes. No, he would never be considered the ‘smartest’ of males because of his Down’s Syndrome. But ‘smarts’ came in more forms than one’s I.Q.

  “Your mother wouldn’t lie to you, Dagan,” Lisa said and found every eye in the room on her. “You are smart. Maybe not the way others are, but they aren’t smart like you.”

  “What do you mean, Queen Lisa?” he asked, hope filling his eyes.

  “I’ve watched you make your suncatchers, Dagan. Watched you calculate the size and shape of each individual piece to make something so beautiful it takes my breath away. It’s something I could never do.”

  “It not hard, Queen Lisa. I could teach you.”

  “It’s not hard for you, Dagan, but I could never do it. Does that mean I’m not smart?”

  “Oh no, Queen Lisa,” he immediately denied.

  “Then don’t think you aren’t because your ‘smarts’ are in a different area.”

  “Alright, Queen Lisa.” He gave her a considering look. “So, since Dagan smart, I can train too?”

  “Yes, Mommy, can Manno train Dagan too?” Miki asked.

  Lisa gave Padma an uncertain look, not knowing how to respond. She didn’t want to break Dagan’s heart. She could see Padma was as conflicted, but there wasn’t any good reason Dagan couldn’t train with the girls.

  “I will speak with King Grim about it, Dagan, but first, you must talk to your manno. For ultimately, it will be his decision.”

  “I talk to Manno as soon as we get home.” A big grin filled Dagan’s face. “Manno will say yes. Dagan know he will. He always say Dagan fit and worthy.”

  ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞

  “You are going to what?” Alger’s eyes widened in disbelief as he looked at Grim sitting behind his desk in his Command Room. He’d come to give his king the morning report, but Grim had started by informing him of his plans.

  “You heard me, Alger.”

  Alger sputtered but managed to say, “I did, but you can’t be serious. The princesses could become injured.”

  Grim sighed. “I am aware of that. Which is why either you or I will oversee their training with two handheld repair units on hand at all times.”

  Alger wanted to continue to argue, but he could see that Grim’s mind was set. House Luanda had been transformed since Lisa’s and her daughters’ arrival, in the best of ways, and he hadn’t believed there was anything left to change. Obviously, he was wrong.

  Alger hoped his king knew what he was doing but needed to point out the possible danger. “The princesses can’t be allowed to practice with our other trainees. They are too young.”

  “I know, but they will be able to run the same obstacle course.”

  “The obstacle course?” Alger couldn’t believe Grim would risk this.

  “If Carly were male, we would have already started her,” Grim pointed out.

  “But she’s not, male that is, and Miki just turned four.” Alger remembered how wonderful each princess’s presentation day party had been. Something else never before experienced in House Luanda. The only date that mattered in the past was when a female turned eighteen and chose her first male to Join with.

  “I know, but Carly has a warrior’s heart. Even the Raptor recognized it, and she wants this. So she will have it. As for Miki, yes, she is too young. But do you think she will allow herself to be separated from her sister? She’d have to be locked in her room, and even then, I’m not sure she wouldn’t find a way to follow. No. It’s safer for her to be where we can keep an eye on her.”

  It was too much for Alger to take in. Females on the obstacle course. “But the obstacle course is designed for Tornian-sized males.”

  “Which will not be altered. I have informed the girls of this, but I have no doubt they will find a way to overcome it. They are their mother’s daughters. As for their weapons training, we will teach them as our mannos taught us at that age.”

  Releasing a heavy sigh, Alger nodded. “I will prepare the appropriate weapons. How long until they begin?”

  “As soon as Padma makes appropriate coverings. She’s measuring them right now.”

  “Then I will get started on the weapons as soon as we are done here.”

  “Good. Now, what do you have for me?”

  Alger went through the usual list of guard patrols, training schedules, and the requests made by those wishing to serve under Grim.

  “Keep the names on hand, but we do not need more warriors right now.”

  “I agree. The only other thing I have is that the Shazier is three hours out and requesting permission to dock with the Unical to offload passengers and supplies.”

  “Permission granted. Inform Hadar that the Earth healer will be arriving with the supplies Rebecca requested and have them meet him.”

  “You don’t think the queen will also wish to be there?”

  It was Grim’s turn to sigh because Alger was right. His Lisa would want to be there even though she’d just presented their daughter.

  “I will inform her.”

  Alger’s lips twitched at the consternation on his king’s face but only said, “Yes, sire.”

  Chapter Thirteen

  “I can’t believe you would even suggest I not be there when Dr. Adams arrives,” Lisa quietly whispered to Grim, moving away from the crib so as not to wake Adora. Grim had entered their resting chamber a few moments ago to tell her about the upcoming arrival and his thoughts on the matter.

  “You presented our daughter barely twenty-four hours ago,” Grim argued back though he knew he would lose.

  “And thanks to the portable repair unit, I feel like it was two weeks ago.” Walking up to him, she placed a gentle hand on his scarred cheek. “I’m really fine, Grim.”

  Grim knew she was. He could tell by the ease in the way she moved. She no longer tried to hide every wince and groan. Still, she was his to protect. Her and their daughters. “All the girls will remain on this floor with their guards.”

  Lisa thought Grim was overreacting.
Dr. Adams was coming here to help, but this was what Grim did. He protected. Not only her and their girls but every member of House Luanda. She needed to let him do that without interfering.

  “I can agree to that, although I expect them to be meeting her eventually.”

  “Her?” Grim frowned at that. “The healer is female?”

  “Yes. Didn’t I tell you that?” Lisa thought she had, but honestly, she could have forgotten, considering everything going on.

  “No. Goddess, this is going to be a problem.”

  “Why?”

  “Because males will want to Join with her,” he told her as if it should be obvious.

  “Dr. Adams? Dr. Amanda Adams is a fifty-three-year-old woman, Grim.”

  “What does that have to do with anything?”

  “Women, at least Earth women, are usually past the age to naturally conceive a child once they reach fifty,” she explained.

  “What do you mean naturally?”

  Lisa couldn’t help but smile. “The way we conceived Adora.”

  “There’s another way to conceive?”

  “There is, but it takes a medical procedure and the use of a fertilized donor egg.” At Grim’s confused look, Lisa wasn’t sure how else to explain it. “You’d have to talk to Rebecca or Dr. Adams if you really want to know all the particulars. But I know some Tornian females can no longer have offspring.”

  “There are. They mostly seclude themselves in the household where they presented their last offspring.”

  “Well, consider Dr. Adams the same way, except she isn’t going to seclude herself.”

  “She’ll need a protective detail to travel.”

  “Of course, she will. I always assumed she’d have one.”

  “It wasn’t something I had considered.” Now he was, and he would look more closely at the list he had dismissed earlier.

  “I’m sorry for the confusion. I didn’t mean to make more work for you.”

  Grim pulled his thoughts away from what he’d need to do, to lean down and murmur, “You didn’t,” before pulling her close to capture her lips.

  He had forgotten what it felt like to pull his Lisa close without their daughter between them and lifted her off her feet, deepening the kiss.

  Lisa willingly sank into Grim’s embrace, returning the kiss with all the passion not possible during the late stages of her pregnancy. The emotions were there, but it was physically impossible for her to act on them with all the intensity she’d wanted. One, because Grim had been so careful of her condition that anything besides a slow, cautious Joining was out. And two, because she was more exhausted than she’d let on.

  Now there was nothing to prevent them from returning to their previously active sex life. Or so she thought.

  “Lisa,” Grim broke off the kiss. “We must stop.”

  “Why?” she demanded, trying to recapture his lips.

  “Because you aren’t completely healed.”

  “I’m fine,” she reassured, but Grim carefully removed her arms from around him, setting her back on the floor.

  “You presented Adora only yesterday. It is too soon,” he disagreed even as his hands lingered on her hips, keeping her against his stiff shaft.

  “It would have been if it hadn’t been for the portable repair unit. Now I’m fine.”

  “I want you to use the deep repair unit first.”

  “Grim…”

  “I want your health fully restored, my Lisa. I want to make sure you haven’t been infected with the Karkata parasite like your Mark was.”

  “Oh, Grim,” she whispered. She should have realized. Grim would worry about this, especially after she told him all about how Mark had died. So many lives could have been saved if only Earth had had the deep repair units. Not just from cancer but from the other diseases Trisha had told her the units had ‘cured’ on Earth. “I’m fine. You know that. The medical unit, handheld, or portable unit, would have detected any problems.”

  “Not for the Karkata parasite. They aren’t designed for that. It’s something Hadar is working on.”

  “He is?” This was the first Lisa had ever heard of it.

  “Yes. But it’s impossible to know if it works unless the person actually has the parasite. It also needs a great deal more power.”

  “Which means the deep repair unit is the best option.”

  “Yes.”

  “Then, even if it means Adora has to fuss for a little while, I will use the deep repair unit. Not only because I don’t want you to worry.” Rising up on her tiptoes, she gently kissed his lips. “But because I want to Join with my king again. Fully and completely with no restraint for either of us.”

  Grim growled his approval, capturing one last hard kiss before pulling away. “You are dangerous, my Lisa.”

  The grin she gave him nearly had him putting aside his concerns and throwing her onto their bed.

  “Remember that when I get out of the deep repair unit,” she told him as she straightened her dress. “I’ll go inform the girls and Ion about them remaining in our quarters. I’ll also see if one of the women can come and watch Adora.”

  “One of the women? One of the guards would be better.”

  “Really?” Lisa raised an eyebrow at him. “And if she wakes up and starts to cry, do you really think one of them would know what to do?”

  Grim realized she had a point. Still, he wanted one of his warriors watching over his youngest. “Montfort has held her. He’d know what to do.”

  Lisa’s mouth dropped open in shock. Had Grim really suggested that? After his initial reaction? But she had to admit Montfort being there was a good compromise, especially as she wasn’t sure any of the women were available.

  “I think Montfort would be the perfect choice. I also think it would mean a great deal to him if you were the one to ask him.”

  “I will do that now.”

  “Good. I’ll go let the girls know.”

  ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞

  Grim wrapped his arms around Lisa, so the dust and debris stirred up from the shuttle landing struck his back. The shuttle’s ramp lowered, and its hatch opened once it settled. The first to step out was Warrior Tagma.

  “What’s Tagma doing on the shuttle?” Lisa asked.

  “I sent him to meet the Shazier as he is the most familiar with Earth food stores and knows the proper way of handling them.”

  “Oh, I should have thought of that.”

  “Because you had nothing more important to think about,” Rebecca teased as she came to stand on the other side of Lisa. “Like tending to your newborn daughter.”

  “True,” Lisa laughed, “and I wouldn’t have traded it for anything.”

  “Totally understandable.” While Rebecca continued to smile, Lisa caught a glimpse of sadness in Rebecca’s eyes, but it was gone so fast that Lisa wondered if she’d imagined it.

  Next out of the shuttle was a tall woman wearing dark pants, a white blouse, and a black jacket. She paused on the ramp, seeming to take in everything at once. When her gaze landed on their group, she continued down the ramp and moved toward them.

  “Dr. Adams, it’s wonderful to meet you in person finally.” Lisa moved forward, her hand extended. “I’m Lisa Vasteri, Trisha’s friend.”

  “Aren’t you supposed to be pregnant?” Dr. Adams asked, ignoring Lisa’s hand as she ran a critical eye over her. “Was there a problem? Did you miscarry? How long ago? Why wasn’t I informed?”

  “I…” Lisa was taken aback by how forceful the new doctor was. She was expecting someone more like Rebecca.

  “Hello, Dr. Adams. I’m Dr. Rebeca Mines, but please call me Rebecca.” Rebecca inserted herself between Lisa and the other doctor. “There was nothing wrong with the queen’s pregnancy. She presented a perfectly healthy eleven and a half corzites baby girl yesterday morning.”

  Dr. Adams’ eyes widened, and she ran an even more critical eye over Lisa, taking in how trim her figure was. “Have I been misinformed on the differ
ence been corzites and pounds?”

  “No, they are approximately the same,” Rebecca informed her.

  “Then how?”

  “She used the portable repair unit.”

  “The what?”

  “It’s an amazing piece of equipment that will completely change how we care for women after they deliver.”

  Lisa realized the two OBs had forgotten where they were and that others were waiting. As close as she and Rebecca had become, she’d never seen her this animated and excited. Obviously, being able to speak to someone in her profession using terms only they seemed to understand had been something Rebecca had been missing.

  “Perhaps it would be best to finish this discussion somewhere else,” Lisa interrupted. “King Grim has other duties.”

  “What?” Rebecca looked from Lisa to Grim, suddenly contrite, and stepped away from Dr. Adams. “Oh, my Goddess. I’m so sorry. Of course.”

  “Dr. Adam’s,” Lisa looked to the new healer. “May I present King Grim Vasteri of Luda. My King, Dr. Amanda Adams, the OB/GYN requested from Earth.”

  Dr. Adams bowed her head to Grim the way she’d been instructed. “I apologize for my rudeness, Majesty. When it comes to my profession and the well-being of my patients, I tend to be intense and hyper-focused.”

  “Welcome to Luda, Dr. Adams. As those are admirable qualities for a healer, no apology is necessary. As my queen has said, there are other things I must see to. Again, welcome to Luda, and I look forward to having a more in-depth discussion with you after you’ve settled in.” Grim turned and leaned down to kiss Lisa. “I will see you at last meal. Do not overdue.”

  “I won’t. I vow,” Lisa promised against his lips, then watched him stride away before turning back to Dr. Adams.

  “I wondered,” Dr. Adams commented.

  “On?” Lisa asked.

  “On whether the stories were true that you actually loved the king of Luda or if it were just a facade. I see they are true.”

  “Complete truth,” Lisa told her but didn’t elaborate. She didn’t know Dr. Adams well enough yet to confide in her. Instead, she looked to Hadar, who was patiently waiting. “And this is Healer Hadar, primary healer for House Luanda and a personal friend. Hadar, may I introduce Dr. Amanda Adams of Earth. Here to help care for our Earth women.”