over the empire. My mother got there first. She found that the emperor had barricaded himself in a corner of the palace, and she set about killing him.”
“What?”
She laughed. “She sliced his arm and chest, he caught her and disarmed her, and then, her senses were dulled slightly because he was in rut. So, they spent a week together, and she returned to Kadura.”
He frowned. “What?”
“She used her inherited funds to buy the contract on his life. She paid for it, and she now owns the exclusive right to kill Emperor Tyadino. She has held that over him for the last quarter-century.”
“What happened then?”
“Obviously she returned, and to everyone’s shock, the emperor went into rut again. Less than two months from the previous round. It came shrieking to a halt three days later, and their union was formalized in the only way available to them. She’s not Kiidar, she’s not royal, and she wasn’t selected or genetically screened. When he refused any other mate, that is when a few other attempts were made on them, but Mom took care of them. The Kadurans have a presence at court, and they are in every corner and every hallway. For me, this is the safest place in the universe.”
“Because you are surrounded by your people.”
She laughed. “I am surrounded by my mother’s people, her relatives, and my relatives, but I am not one of them. My resemblance to Kadurans is literally only skin deep.”
He pressed a kiss to her temple. “How so?”
“The Kiidar-Mael for one. There was no way that I should have been receptive. Not all the math in the universe should have made it possible, but biology is a sneaky bitch. The moment I saw you on the station, things swung into motion.” She patted her belly. “So to speak.”
He pressed a kiss to her temple. “So, the doc knew?”
“No, I asked him to not file the DNA. He had already gotten clear STD screens, so that was his primary concern. He probably found out right about the time your mother started to be nice to me.” She chuckled and then paused. “How is Malin doing?”
“Very well. They are looking to do a trial and leave him in charge when this child arrives.” He patted her belly.
“Well, the guards are due to start having their families soon. Abra is going to be the first, so this little one is going to have plenty of folks to play with growing up. Folks who are authorized to play with them that is.” She chuckled.
“Did you grow up with anyone?”
“Tutors and mentors. I only got to see children from a distance. I am excited that this little one is going to have some friends. Hell, if it wasn’t for those incoming infants, I would never have left the party and headed for my personal shuttle. Then, I never would have been at customs and certainly would not have met you.” She smiled. “Very glad it worked out the way it did.”
He chuckled. “Me too. Your mother is a very interesting combat instructor.”
“Yeah, but don’t worry too much. She wants more grandkids. She always wanted a big family.”
He kissed her and rolled her to her side. “If I must, I must.”
She laughed then moaned and soon was rocking into her spouse as he rocked into her. Three more months and their child would be in the world... until then, they could practice all they liked.
* * * *
And so began the Imperial Dynasty begun by a stubborn emperor, a deft assassin and their unlikely offspring. The child of the imperial princess and her prince started the reign of a wild family who would do anything for their people and the ones that they loved.
Author’s Note
Whew, I always thought the princess and the pea was straightforward, but I seem to have made it unnecessarily complicated. Ah, well.
I have a handful of fairy tales that spring to mind... so I am continuing for another three or four books.
Thanks for reading,
Viola
About the Author
Viola Grace (aka Zenina Masters) is a Canadian sci-fi/paranormal romance writer with ambitions to keep writing for the rest of her life. She specializes in short stories because the thrill of discovery, of all those firsts, is what keeps her writing.
An artist who enjoys a story that catches you up, whirls you around, and sets you down with a smile on your face is all she endeavours to be. She prefers to leave the drama to those who are better suited to it, she always goes for the cheap laugh.
In real life, she is now engaged in beekeeping, and her adventures can be found on the YouTube channel, Mystery Bees Apiary. Just look for the cartoon kittens.