Salmet blinked.“So, you are really the Lorn empress?”
“Well, we are going to bring back the original name, so the Khaskik Empress.Yes.”
“I think I need to host a gathering between you and some other ambassadors.”
“I wouldn’t mind speaking to the Sethir and the Hyreno, but I haven’t really been able to think about the start of the conversation.Neither is going to enjoy the chat.”
Salmet nodded.“The Sethir?”
“Sold their daughters because their main concern was alphas.”
Rico said, “The Hyreno?”
“Need to be spanked.They banned air-only Hyreno from their cities, which sent Maro in search of a country to rule.I know that Juro has changed the edict, but I want him to understand what happened because his father was a douche of a second son who got enough backing to kick the true psycho out of the country instead of splitting power.”
Khytten raised a hand.“Can I watch you spank Juro?”
Diena peeled a cupcake.“No.Pervert.”
The folk at the table laughed.
Alody was still fielding questions about her travels, and Ithal crawled onto her lap and dozed off.
Eskin remained next to her, got a com link, and grinned.He leaned in and whispered in Alody’s ear.She carefully checked her com and smiled.“So tomorrow morning at the academy.”
Diena spoke from down the table.“I will take Ithal to the playpark and probably Kessie and Vaken.”
Jenaki said, “After you go to Z-Corp for your last appointment.”
“Ah.Right.That’s okay.Alody, when is your appointment?”
“Ten thirty.”
“Now, I just need to check to see when I can get in at the clinic.”
Jenaki smiled.“You can see the doctor at eight in the morning, before standard appointments.”
“Nice.Very accommodating physician.”
He smiled and kissed her.
She set an alarm on her com and sighed.“Right.Ithal, I know you are awake.Cereal, eggs, or pancakes?”
“Pancakes.”
“Ah, a hot breakfast fan.Okay.”She smiled and looked around at the gathering of folks who had gone into battle with her mother as their medic.There was love and trust there.Joy that she was finally home.
Diena smiled.
Jenaki slid his arm around her, and she leaned on his shoulder, like it was the most normal thing in the universe.
Salat and Khytten’s coms started flaring, and they stared and then laughed.Salat smiled.“The new baby is freaking Kritz out.He’s not good with that many biologicals.Arcady is laughing, and Klauz is over, trying to help them get the best formula mix as practice for his.He’s wearing most of it.The nanny is trying not to help.”
Salmet asked, “Diena, would you have another for them?”
“No.The next thing that comes out of me, I am keeping.”
The folks gathered laughed, and the toddlers were asleep in a pile next to their parents.Their Hyreno nanny didn’t look nervous, and Ithal hadn’t commented.Perhaps he strictly reacted to Alody.That was becoming very likely.
