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Areana's gasp was audible. "That is indeed a lovely surprise. Hello, my loves."
"Hello, Mother," Lokan said.
Kalugal repeated the greeting and then spent a few moments updating his mother about Darius and Jacki. Naturally, he did not mention the adventures he had encountered on the cruise.
Hearing about the atrocities would have upset Areana, whether Navuh had ordered them or the local team commander had acted on his own, but even that would not be enough to make her leave her fated mate.
In fact, Annani was sure that nothing could.
When it was Lokan's turn, he entertained Areana with stories about Carol and how happy she was to be with her family.
"She's been a bridesmaid in most of the weddings so far. My mate is very popular."
"I am delighted to hear that," Areana said. "I will be even more delighted when my sister marries the two of you in a proper ceremony, and you start working on a grandchild for me."
Lokan uttered a quiet groan that her sister hopefully did not hear. "When Carol and I get married, I would love to have my mother at my wedding."
Areana sighed. "I wish I could be, but regrettably, it is not my destiny to enjoy my sons and grandchildren in person. The best I can hope for is knowing that the two of you are happy and that my grandchildren are growing up in loving homes and a wonderful community."
"You could be with us if you left him."
Areana sighed again. "I cannot, Lokan. Would you leave Carol for any reason under the sun?"
"I would not, but Carol is not a monster."
"And neither is your father. But I do not wish to talk about this. We have talked about it enough. Tell me about the weddings."
Leaning back, Lokan waved a hand at his brother. "She's all yours."
Kalugal looked at Annani. "Since your sister officiated over all the weddings, I think the honor should be hers."
Annani laughed. "Of course. What would you like me to tell you?"
"Tell me about the couples and what is special about each one."
"That would take much longer than the time allotted to us. Instead, I want to hear about you and Tula. What is new with you?"
"With me, not much, and as for Tula, it is more of the same as well."
"Is she still with the young man we talked about?"
Tula had taken a liking to Kaia's friend Anthony, a fellow bioinformatician who had been lured to the island and imprisoned in Navuh's harem to be used as a breeder. Anthony not only fit the program's revamped characteristics criterion of superior intelligence, but he also bore a physical resemblance to Navuh. This allowed Navuh to claim as his own any sons that Anthony might father. Except, Tula did not want to become pregnant only to have to surrender her child, either to Navuh's mercenary army or to his Dormant breeding program, and she was consuming an herb that was supposed to prevent conception.
"Yes, she is." Areana sighed. "But she is endangering the male by claiming him as her own and not sharing him. If he fails to produce a child, Navuh will be displeased, and he might remove him from the harem."
"Is Tula in love with the boy?"
Areana laughed. "She is not. She loves what is stored in his head, and she is possessive and protective of him."
Tula lived in the lap of luxury in the harem but in total isolation from the world, and she craved freedom and knowledge. Kaia's friend, who was very smart and well-educated, could not help her with the first item, but he could provide her with the second.
"That could develop into love." Annani let out a sigh. "People fall in love for all kinds of reasons."
"I do not think that Tula is capable of love," Areana said solemnly. "Something inside of her died when everyone she loved perished. She is afraid to love again."
Annani could understand that. If not for her children, she might have closed off her heart to love as well. Not that having a child could help poor Tula. If anything, it would only further devastate her when her baby was taken away from her.
"Let me tell you about Wonder's wedding. You can tell Tula about it. I am sure it will gladden her heart."
