Nova: A Scifi Alien Romance (Rebel Lords) (12 page)

T
imes had never been more
stressful, but never so joyous. Never in my life had I been so happy. I felt as though I was doing the correct thing by helping the Navani gain their power back on their planet. Lyle and Mason had agreed upon ceasing attacks on the Navani as long as they did not attack the drill site again. While they didn’t agree on not drilling anymore, Mason had agreed to meet with me and other Navani council before opening anymore sites. Needless to say, Lyle hadn’t been too thrilled about it. So while negotiations weren’t going exactly as planned, and there were still human militias forming to attack the Navani, supposedly without Lyle’s consent, we were actually making headway. And for once, Nova felt as though there was hope to get their planet back.

I thought over the progress we had made as I fought to get a dress on. Needless to say, I wasn’t at all happy about having to wear dresses, but they were the only things to fit me these days. Pulling my shoes on with a great deal of struggle, I finally was ready and walked outside to find Nova. I walked through the village until I found him at a roasting pit, a giant kawrun on a spit. Nova’s back was to me as I approached him; I tapped his back as I came up from behind him. He turned and his face went from flat to a beaming smile. “I thought you were home napping,” he spoke to me, putting an arm around my shoulders and pulling me close to him.

“I woke up,” I shrugged, smiling back at him.

His hand was then on my stomach, his hand rubbing over the surface of the protruding flesh, “My little man didn’t wake you, did he?” he questioned, a foolish smirk on his face.

I couldn’t help but laugh at his words, “You don’t know if it’s a boy, Nova. If it’s a girl, you better believe I’m going to be telling her this when she’s old enough,” I teased.

He couldn’t help but laugh. “A man can dream can’t he? I’ve always wanted lots of sons.”

“And if it
is
a girl?” I questioned, my cheeks starting to hurt from smiling.

Nova’s smirk faded into a sweet smile, pulling me into an awkward hug, my seven months’ pregnant belly separating us. “Then I only hope she has her mother’s beauty,” he cooed to me. A dark blush covered my cheeks, turning to complete mush at his words. Never in my life had I been so completely enthralled by a man, nor so in love. And I had never been one for romance, but I indulged in the romance Nova provided—from the sweet nothings to the back massages and dinners. He was a wonderful husband, and a devoted father to our unborn child. Never in my life would I have thought that my life would turn out the way it did, but I wouldn’t change any of it.

Giving him a kiss and then pulling away, I poked at his chest, “I want to go with you to meet with Dracon,” I told him. He gave a bit of a glare. “Just because I’m pregnant doesn’t mean I’m stupid. I overheard you talking to Dran.”

He lifted a strand of hair from my face, pushing it back to the rest of my hair, his lips making a bit of a frown, “I just don’t want you to stress any more than you already do.”

I couldn’t help but sigh. While he had a right to worry, he was overreacting a bit. I had started to have false contractions halfway through my sixth month, and he swore it was because of stress and worried it would cause me to have the baby early. And no matter how much I tried to tell him that all women got them and that it didn’t really indicate anything, he wouldn’t listen. “I won’t be stressed. It’s meant to be a good meeting, right?” I pressed him.

He groaned a bit, clearly not wanting me to accompany him. But after a bit of pouting, he finally gave up. “Fine, fine. And the meeting isn’t there, they are coming here. Perhaps pregnancy hasn’t made you stupid, but maybe a little hard of hearing,” he teased, leaning in and giving my cheek a kiss. “They will be here soon. I suppose asking you if you are hungry is a stupid question,” he smirked.

I gave him a playful hit on the arm, smiling like a fool. Oh yes, make fun of the pregnant woman for constantly being hungry. He just better be happy that I wasn’t a crier, I could have made him feel so bad. With his arm around me, he guided me to the tables that the men had set up for everyone to eat together. Nova walked us to the largest table, helping me sit at the head of the table with Nova sitting down next to me. We sat together, watching as the members of the tribe brought out platters of food, filling the tables to the brim.

Soon after the tables were set and everyone had found seats, the sun began to set in the distance. Then over the hill came a small group of people, Dracon and Amelia leading the way. They made their way to the center of the village where all the tables were set up. Nova stood and I began to, Nova putting a hand on my back to steady me. “Welcome,” Nova greeted Dracon and Amelia.

Dracon and Nova shook wrists. I looked to Amelia with a smile. “You’re getting so far along!” she smiled brightly. Con was walking at that point, holding his mother’s hand as he walked.

I smiled shyly, “Yeah, it shouldn’t be long now.”

“Well, she still has seven weeks,” Nova added in, clearly wanting to stress that it wasn’t too soon. I just rolled my eyes and motioned for Amelia to sit next to me. Amelia moved around the table and sat next to me, Con sitting between her and Dracon. Nova and I sat once all of his men had. I looked to Con, having been completely fascinated with him ever since I figured out I was pregnant. It was so interesting to see the outcome of two species mating, and it was also special to get sort of a sneak peek of what our child could potentially look like. And Con was absolutely adorable. He was rather tall, being the size of a human three-year-old, despite only being a little over a year and a half old. His eyes were stunning pools of lilac with a ring of crystal blue and flecks of blue within the lilac.

Con reached his little hand to the table, grabbing for some of the fruit. “Not yet, Con,” Amelia spoke to him, taking his little hand away. Con made face that was half pout, half frustration—his lower lip puffed out, but his brow creased.

Dracon leaned down to his level, “Don’t you give your mother that look,” he warned the little boy, before play biting one of his chubby cheeks—causing the little boy to squeal in laughter. My heart swelled from the cuteness of the scene.

Nova stood once again, raising his cup of wine. As he stood, the entire village fell quiet. “We are joined here today, to celebrate peace in the making. Never before have our people had a glimpse of hope of being freed from the wrath of the corrupt humans in charge of their settlement here on Shaviro. And while there is still progress to be made and treaties to be signed, we are hopeful that our people will prosper for generations to come. Peace has been made over the land, giving us the freedom to walk in our land free of fear. Enjoy the food and speak along with our brother tribe!” The people raised their cups and cheered.

Nova sat then, I couldn’t help but give him a look, “So you were planning on keeping me from a celebration? I thought this was a meeting.”

He chuckled at me, wrapping an arm around me, “Yeah, you’re gullible,” he smirked, kissing my temple. “I was actually going to surprise you with it, but you came out before I could come get you. Little did I know you were eavesdropping on me before.”

I stuck my tongue out at him, smiling a bit. “Well, it’s a nice surprise to know it’s a celebration. I was a little worried that something had happened since I thought there was a meeting.”

“See? You stress over nothing, which is why you shouldn’t stick your nose in things until I give the clear.”

“Yes, master,” I replied sarcastically. Nova grinned and gave my head another kiss before beginning to make us both plates.

“Now mama?” Con asked, looking up to Amelia with big, shiny purple eyes.

Amelia smiled down at him, “Yes, sweetie.”

The little boy stood on the bench and reached for the fruit, immediately putting it into his mouth rather than putting it on his plate. Nova, Dracon, Amelia, and I erupted in laughter as little Con stood with his rosy cheeks stuffed with food. He brought such life to the tribes. Amelia had explained to me that he was thought of as an abomination at first among the Navani, but as people actually grew to know him, he seemed to capture all of their hearts. While the Navani didn’t exactly like the thought of Navani and humans mixing being a norm, I could understand how Con and Nova’s and my future child would be the face of peace on Shaviro. Navani and humans getting along well enough to have a child could show both sides that peace and love was possible between the two.

The tribes mingled happily, chatter and laughter filling the village. Everyone had plenty to eat and drink, as drummers played an upbeat rhythm in the background. There was such a happiness in the air that I had never felt there before on Shaviro. Peace was over the land, not a single death happening in the last couple of months—not even an attack. While militias did appear here and there, they were easily managed. Hope was coming over the land, and I was proud to be one of the people to help make a difference. Of course Nova, Dracon, Amelia, and I didn’t do it alone, every warrior and person of the two tribes lent a hand.

After a couple of hours of eating and chatting, the evening was winding down to an end. Con was fast asleep on Dracon’s shoulder, crumbs still clinging to the corners of his mouth. The crowds began to thin as families returned to their huts and some of Dracon’s tribe headed back to their village. Eventually, we decided to call it a night as well. We stood and said goodbyes to Dracon, Amelia, and Con before they all headed back to their home. Nova and I helped clear the main table before finally deciding to retire for the night.

We made our way back to the hut, both tired from having full stomachs and it turning late. I immediately went to the restroom before coming out and sitting on the bed. I moved to pull my shoes off, but Nova kneeled down in front of me, pulling them off for me. It was rather sweet of him; I couldn’t reach my feet very well those days. I then moved to stand up, but he still had one of my feet in his hands. He began to massage my foot, working into the forever-sore muscles. Nova chuckled a bit, “Your ankles are starting to swell.”

“Yeah, well, it is your child doing it,” I mumbled, laying back to enjoy my foot rub properly.

“I didn’t say there was anything wrong with it. It’s cute,” he smiled, switching to the other foot.

I smiled at his words. What a weird thing to think cute. Then again, from our conversations before, I was in the understanding that he just found everything about my changing body to be amazing and beautiful in its own way. And when I felt like a fat whale most of the time, it was a nice confidence booster. I gave a small giggle in response, “Who would have thought nine months ago you would be calling my fat ankles cute.”

“I said
swollen
, not fat,” he retorted, but a smile on his face. “Honestly, I probably would have vomited even at the thought of marrying you.”

“Oh, how sweet,” I remarked sarcastically.

“What’s it matter how I felt back then? What matters is how I feel about you now.”

“And how do you feel now?” I asked, my tone coy.

Nova dropped my foot then. I went to glance at him, only to find him slowly crawling over my body. He held all of his weight off of me, his stomach not even brushing against mine. His face was level with mine, his citrine eyes gazing into mine lovingly, “I’ve never loved anyone or anything more than I love you and our child.” He breathed to me, brushing hairs from my face. “Ever since you came back to the village, I have never doubted for a second that you are the one I want to be with for the rest of my life. You, and you,” he placed a hand on my stomach, “Are my entire world.”

Even though I wasn’t a crier, the sentiment was beautiful. Tears blurred my vision even though I tried to hold them back. “I love you too, Nova,” I managed to get out. Nova moved from on top of me and pulled me to lay in the bed next to him. He reached over and turned the lights off before I cuddled into his side. His large hand rubbed light circles in my stomach as we both relaxed to go to sleep. The baby kicked idly at his hand, making Nova give a sleepy, throaty chuckle.

As we drifted off to sleep, I had never been so sure about our future and the future of Shaviro. Peace had come to the planet for the first time since I set foot on it. Our warriors didn’t live in fear. And in just two months’ time, we would have a little one in our arms.

The world was perfect, and things were going to be okay.