Erun (Scifi Alien Romance) (The Ujal Book 4) (13 page)

“Then?”

“Then I saw him strike you in the head with his weapon. You were unconscious and he attempted to flee.” Erun grinned and flexed his hands. “He did not get far.”

That was when she noticed his scraped and bruised knuckles.

She ran a finger gently over the worst of the bruises. “What’d you do? Are you okay?”

He snickered. “I am fine.
He
will be limping for many days.” Then he narrowed his eyes. She noticed he did that a lot of that with her. “You will not feel sorry for him. He meant you and Tabby harm.”

“I know.” She nodded. “I don’t. I’m just sorry I needed your help.”

“I will always be there when you need me.”

She let the comfort of his words wash over her and let them sink into her soul. They washed away some of her lingering worry. “Tell me the rest.” There had to be more.

“One of your neighbors witnessed the…
altercation
…” he growled.

When he didn’t continue, she prodded him with another question. “What happened next?”

“
Constantine
,” he stressed her ex’s name as if she’d argue. “Was taken into custody by the Ujal—which annoyed your human authorities but they could not argue. He was arrested for assaulting an Ujal
dam
.”

“I’m not Ujal,” she pointed out the obvious.

He waved his hand. “It is a matter of timing and you are Tabitha’s
dam
. We did not stretch the truth far and Tave agreed the words were necessary.”

Okay, then.

“Sece arrived soon after. You were on the comm with her. She felt the need to come to you to assist her young… blood sister.”

“Her blood sister?” Shock had her whispering.

“Yes,” he nodded. “They are still researching how the genetic material was obtained and the theories are still very fluid, but it is believed at some point, a human female was used as a surrogate. Tabitha’s father is Faim.”

“And her
dam
?”

Two hands cupped her cheeks and forced her to focus on him. “
You
are her
dam
. We do not know the egg donor, but even with this new knowledge, you are her
dam
. I swore no other would take Tabby and I will keep my promise. She is ours no matter what Sece’s tests reveal.”

“Not Faim’s?”

His expression turned sad. “He is having difficulty with this knowledge and other discoveries coming to light. Sece assures me he will come around, but at this time,” he shook his head, “he is staying away and it is best. I cannot have someone so filled with anger near my youngling. Tabitha is a gentle soul. I will not have her upset.”

“Erun, I just…”
Faim
was Tabitha’s father. The older Ujal had somehow fathered her toddler. “How did I end up with Tabby? If he’s her
sire
then how…”

He grimaced. “They do not wish for me to tell you since they know I spoke of my past. And you know the male’s capabilities.”

“Erun?” She placed her palm on the back of his hand. “What male? Tell me.”

“Based on Constantine’s description and the logs recovered from your home as well as his own lodgings… We believe Leox is involved. He ordered the first assault with the false priest and he ordered Constantine as well. He is responsible and… he is on the planet.”

Erun wished he could take her pain and worry but knew he could not. There were things only Vanessa could decide and he was merely a spectator as she worked through her emotional agony.

Her previous mate was alive, though not well, thanks to his fists, and there was a clear threat to her youngling. Their youngling if the seas granted his prayers. He had never spoken to the seas before. Not when his
dam
gave him her final hug nor when the first of many fists pummeled him into the ground. But now he spoke to them.

And not only out of selfishness. Yes, he wished for Vanessa to take him as her mate, but he wanted their safety more. Safety and happiness.

That thought continued to trouble him as Faim came to his side. The royal doctor had avoided Vanessa and Tabitha after being banished that first day and he had not made a single attempt to return. Until today.

So many secrets revealed and even more to be discovered.

Vanessa and Tabitha played in the children’s room, the window allowing Faim and him to watch the two females enjoy one another despite the turmoil that surrounded them. Perhaps that was exactly what they needed—smiles before the coming storm.

“Faim,” Erun grunted in acknowledgment. He could not forget the male’s fury directed at his mate.

“I did not know.” He sounded tired, ragged.

“No one knew.” He would grant the male that single concession, but nothing more. He turned to face the male. “But no matter her genetics, she was a youngling with a frantic
dam
and you were prepared to neglect the child by banishing the female.”

“The youngling is Ujal and—”

“But she needed her
dam
, human or not. Do not deny what you attempted. You were prepared to separate them—a
dam
from her youngling.”

Faim pressed his lips together and then sighed. “I cannot deny it.” He looked to the giggling females. “My only thought was of the child. Of her pain and the ignorance that caused it. I believed her to have kidnapped the child despite no reports of her missing.” Faim shook his head. “I would have searched for her had I known.”

“I do not doubt you.”

He still could not believe what Leox accomplished and there was no telling how many other ignorant humans possessed an Ujal child without their knowledge. How many other Ujal children would go through the process that Tabitha faced?

Nor how many belonged to Faim. Who else was there on Earth? Or Ujal?

“I wish to be in her life.”

Possessiveness rose inside him, roaring with the need to stake his claim. “You are not her father. You are her
sire
at its basest form. Nothing more.”

“I know this. I merely wish to see her. Speak with her. When you both deem it acceptable.” Faim shook his head. “A youngling at my age.”

“Do you know how it happened?” The doctor gave him a bland look. “You know what I am asking,” he growled.

Faim nodded. “Long ago—before I became the royal family’s physician on Earth—I was involved in the testing and manipulation of genetic material. Decades ago. My partner was Deaz fa Eylok.”

The name was like a stranglehold, choking him with the past and destroying him in the present. Deaz fa Eylok.

“Leox’s brother,” Erun whispered. He remembered his first experience with Deaz. The setting of his bones and the treatment of his wounds. Then later, the injections, the way they burned, and his cries as the physician looked on.

“Yes,” Faim nodded. “Though I was not aware of his association with his brother. When we ended the studies, I did not give a thought to the genetic material collected from the both of us as well as… others.”

“Others?”

Faim grimaced. “The old king, Tave’s
grandsire,
as well as other Ujal aristocracy. They all wished to be tested, to confirm if their genetic material could be modified to create their ideal youngling. Modified colorings, stronger males, and more delicate females. Their version of perfection.” The male paused for a moment, his gaze intent on Tabby. “I could not imagine a more perfect youngling and I am thankful no alterations were made when creating her.”

There was no missing the anguish in his expression, or the single tear that trailed down the male’s weathered cheek.

“She is much like you. Demanding. Always wants her way.” He grinned and met Faim’s stare. “Her shouts rival yours.”

The elder smiled softly. “Sece was the same. She always seemed to know better than any other.” Faim sighed and shook his head. “The problem comes when you realize she was and is often correct. It makes it difficult to convince a youngling to do as you desire.”

Erun did not look forward to those arguments and he knew someday they’d need help. “Vanessa is a very forgiving
dam
. I believe, in time, she would not mind having a
grandsire
around Tabby who knows how to deal with such a youngling.”

Hope glimmered in his eyes and Erun knew he would do what he could to convince Nessa to allow Faim in their lives. He’d made a mistake, yes. But he hoped the male would not have to pay for it forever.

“Erun?” Nessa’s soft whisper wrapped around him like a hug. “Is…” her gaze flicked between him and Faim, “everything okay?”

A quick glance through the glass revealed Tabby played her imaginary tea time. “Yes,” he held out his hand, beckoning her forward, and she came to him without further urging. She immediately curled against him. “I was telling Faim that even though Tabby has a
sire,
she could benefit from a knowledgeable
grandsire
in the future.”

Nessa stiffened and spoke to Faim. “I don’t know you beyond the way you treated Tabby and me—”

“I am sorry.”

She shook her head. “Don’t bother. It showed me who you truly are. I don’t like the way Tabby came into this world and into my hands, but she is my daughter. Mine. And I will do everything I can to protect and care for her. That doesn’t just mean physically but emotionally as well.”

Faim deflated and Erun did not know why, but he defended the male. “I was the hole of an ass as well, Vanessa. Yet we are about to be mated.”

She glared at him. “I haven’t decided that yet.”

“You have.” He smiled widely when she did not correct him. “And you will forgive Faim and allow him to love Tabby as we do.”

“I don’t know,” she whispered.

“I do,” he returned just as softly.

“I only ask that you give me a chance to prove myself. I know you deserved better treatment that I refused to provide, but I am a male who is not too old to learn new ways.” Faim pressed his hand over his heart. “I only beg for the opportunity.”

Nessa sighed and he knew she’d changed her mind at least partially. “Faim, there are going to be a lot of children who will need care. That includes their
dams
and
sires
. Tave tells me you are the best doctor Ujal has, but can you honestly say you will treat them all with care? With consideration? Because they will be heartbroken and worried. They will cry and beg, and your anger… It will do more harm than help.”

“Vanessa,” Faim’s voice held more emotion than Erun had ever witnessed. “I vow on the depths of the sea that I will do everything I can for you and Tabitha as well as others who come to me.”

“Humans believe in innocent until proven guilty.”

“A youngling is always innocent and I was wrong to behave as if a guilty party was within the room. On my life, I beg forgiveness.”

Vanessa squeezed Erun tighter and he rubbed his hand along her back. “I—”

“Daman! Momma!” Erun rolled his eyes. He hoped that someday Tabby would learn to control her volume. On the heels of that thought came another as she barreled into the hallway, hair flying behind her with her rush forward. She slid to a stop the moment she spied them. “
Dam
.”
Stomp
. “Man.”
Stomp.
“You left me!”

Faim’s expression turned to one of yearning and when Nessa sniffled, he knew she caught the look as well.

“Tabby, come here. Quit yelling. Inside voices, remember?” Tabby stared at her mother and then ran to them, careful to skirt Faim in her approach. Nessa pulled from his hold and dropped into a crouch before the youngling. “I want to introduce you to someone, okay?” Tabitha nodded and Nessa turned the young girl to face Faim. “Do you remember Faim?”

“You yelled at my momma.” Another stomp and Erun sighed. He was not sure he could withstand years of this youngling’s attitude. Especially if she truly took after Faim.

Shock filled Faim’s features. “She heard me?”

“She hears everything,” Nessa drawled. “Tabby Blabby, be nice.”

“He—”

“Was worried about you. And now he wants to play nice. He’s your
grandsire
and he was very worried so he was cranky.”

“He’s Erun’s papa?”

Inquisitive, annoying child.

“No, he’s your
grandsire
in your heart.” Nessa tapped Tabby’s chest. “He’s going to love you very much and take care of Momma while we have our treatments.”

“’Cause I’m gonna go fishy and you’re gonna be like me and we’re gonna live in the ocean and we’re gonna—”

Erun shook his head. The youngling explained
everything
from beginning to end.

“Sece was the same way,” Faim smiled. “She always told me how things would go.”

Tabby nodded. “That’s ‘cause she’s smart. I’m smart, Momma?”

“Yes, you’re smart.” Vanessa laughed and Erun reveled in the soft sound. It was one he hadn’t heard much since Constantine was taken into custody.

An issue that still needed to be resolved.

“Nessa?” Erun murmured, drawing her attention from their chattering youngling.

“Can I…” Faim’s gaze flickered between Tabby and the children’s room.

Erun wanted to immediately grant his permission, but he’d learned much watching the mated couples interact. When it came to younglings, no matter what the
sire
wished,
dams
had the last word. So he remained quiet and raised his eyebrows at Nessa.

“Sure.” She nodded. “Tabby, show Papa Faim your toys.”

“K.” The child immediately snatched Faim’s hand. “Papa Faim, Daman bought me…”

The moment Tabitha was out of hearing range, Erun spoke. “Tave needs you to speak with Constantine. The guards are not getting much out of the male and they hope… You were once his mate and they pray to the seas that he will tell you—that you can appeal to his heart. You are their only hope. There are so many other children, Vanessa.”

She swallowed hard and nodded. “I know.” She took a steadying breath. “I’ll talk to him.”

“I am sorry for your pain.” He hated that she hurt and hated that the male returned at all.

“It’s… not what you think. My love for him,” her focus became sharp. “Would you hate me if I tell you my love died the moment I knew what he’d done? I’m angry at what he did, but I love the gift he gave me. As far as the love in my heart,” she shook her head, “it’s gone. It’s… slowly being replaced.” She snorted. “Or quickly. Everyone else would think it was very, very quickly.”