Lake, Ciara - Xihirah [Xihiran Shifters 1] (Siren Publishing Classic) (25 page)

Saleeya watched everything in awe of the grandeur and celebration of the tradition. As she was taking in the scene, her eye caught what seemed to be a man pushing through the side of the Hall, where many had to remain standing. It looked as if he had a large projectile weapon hanging down next to him, sort of covered by his robes. Saleeya’s mind warred with the reality of what she saw and went into automatic. All she could do was think of the babies and the people she loved. Her certainty was confirmed when she watched the man begin to raise the weapon discreetly to take aim. His robe’s voluminous sleeves had almost completely hidden it from her. Knocking Kalinda to the ground, she pushed against the other sisters, causing them to stumble and fall back. Incredibly, Saleeya’s body became instantly infused with great strength and sudden adrenaline. Racing to the center platform, Saleeya threw herself in front of Carlista and Kalista as a blockade.

“No, there’s an assassin,” Saleeya screamed in a shrill voice just as a projectile struck her in the right shoulder and another in her left thigh. She knew she had saved Carlista from a direct hit. In a daze of pain, Saleeya fell to the ground, banging her head against the steps of the riser. She heard the room go into complete chaos. Her eyes closed from the pain. Animal sounds erupted all around her.

Kalinda was screaming near her face. The child’s voice held so much terror. She could detect Carlista and Kalinda had surrounded her. Warmth flowed over her head and down her face. More brutal and fierce noises of wild beasts rang throughout the Great Hall. The sound of men shrieking in pain and outrage horrified Saleeya. Then she heard nothing. A deep, comforting abyss overtook her.

* * * *

“Mother, is she going to wake up?” Kalinda worried to her mother.

“Yes, Kalinda. Saleeya has to wake. Her body has been through much, and they drugged her for surgery. She has to recover or our family shall never recuperate. Your brother will be forever feral and gone to us. Kael was so full of rage over the attack he nearly completely devoured the first shooter. Saleeya saved us from great loss. Xian can’t allow us to lose her. The medtor said she should be okay, but they may lose their baby.” Kalinda started to cry more. Carlista patted Kalinda’s head as tears streamed down her face. “Kael and Saleeya will make other babies. She’ll have great sorrow if they lose their child. We’ll have to be strong for Saleeya.” Carlista sniffled as more tears streamed down her face.

“Where’s Kael?” Kaie asked her mother as she pushed through the door into the Med Clinic’s waiting area.

“He went to greet Saleeya’s parents. He’s bringing them back to the Palace. Their Kriton Space Transport has recently arrived on Xihiriah. Medtor Fanstal almost came to blows with Kael. He demanded he leave the surgery and recovery room. For a moment, we worried for Medtor Fanstal, but he stood up to Kael. He’s a brave man. He insisted on compliance with his medical decisions. Therefore, Kael decided it was appropriate for him to pick up the Stayvels and bring them here. He had to get out of here before he killed the medtor.”

“Did Kleave go with him to the Spaceport?”

“Yes.” Carlista nodded.

“I hope that Kleave will calm Kael down. I hope Kael doesn’t frighten her parents with his appearance and demeanor. His eyes were still full Wolfton when I saw him under an hour ago. All of our Xihirian males scared the Council members nearly to death when they fully shifted and attacked the assassins. The vision of Kael will be engraved forever in their minds, of Kael killing that first assassin.” Kaie shook her head. “I’ll never forget the scene. Some of the guards shifted too. They massacred other assassins, as they deserved. Did you know that one of the Council members had heart failure? He’s currently in the other Med Clinic receiving treatment. I was astounded at what happened. My heart nearly stopped, too.” Kaie fanned herself.

“Yeah, I forgot how much bigger Kael and Father are than the rest of us. About ten Council members fainted when all of our brothers shifted. I was truly stunned.” Kalinda pulled on Kaie’s arm.

“Yes, the entire Med Staff is in there triaging the guests for their injuries and shock.” Kalista pointed down the hallway.

“We shall never forget this day,” Kalinda added and cried soft tears.

* * * *

Kael and Kliven had made good time arriving at the Space Terminal only minutes after the Kriton Spaceship had landed. “Kael, are you ready to go into the terminal lobby to find the Stayvels?” Kael’s older brother Kleave looked over at him. “Kael, you need to pull it together or let me go inside. I’ll fetch them without you. You don’t want to put more fear into Saleeya’s parents. They’ll already be devastated when they hear of her injuries. She’s their only child. They don’t need to fear you, too,” Kleave kindly suggested.

“Give me a moment, Kleave. I’ll relax and my eyes will change to look more human. Then we’ll go inside to get them together,” Kael said in a soft, less tense response. Kael took several deep breaths.

The brothers entered the Xihirian spaceport’s terminal lobby for the commercial ships. The terminal was crowded. Passenger groups were waiting for guides, relatives, and taxi transports. “How the fuck am I to recognize them? I didn’t even think of that.” Kael pushed his hair back in frustration.

“Kael, look over there at that woman. She strongly resembles Saleeya. Let’s go and ask if they’re the Stayvels.” Kleave touched Kael’s arm. Kleave led the way to where the couple was waiting.

“Good moonrise to you both,” Kleave greeted the couple. “Are you Mr. and Mrs. Stayvel?” Kleave smiled warmly.

“Yes, I’m Sandria Stayvel. This is my husband Sean Stayvel. Are you from the Palace? Where’s our Saleeya?” the lovely woman asked Kleave and Kael.

“Hello, Mrs. Stayvel. I’m Kael Braeden. This is my older brother Kleave. We’ve come to greet you and take you to the Palace,” Kael kindly informed Saleeya’s parents. Immediately Saleeya’s mother seemed to realize that something was wrong. Her expression became worried.

“Where’s our daughter? Is she all right? Why wouldn’t she be here to greet us? Why would you come for us without her?” Sandria’s face suddenly looked pained.

“Mrs. Stayvel, don’t worry, we’ll take you directly to Saleeya. She was unable to come but is waiting for you at the Palace.” Kleave soothingly took Sandria by the arm and waved for Sean to follow.

The ride to the Palace was silent and tense. When they arrived, the royal women were waiting at the Grand Entrance to welcome the Stayvels. “Kael, Saleeya just woke up and is asking for you,” Kalista discreetly informed her brother. At hearing Saleeya’s request, Kael left the group without a word. He made his way to the Med Clinic, leaving the Stayvels with his family.

“Hello, I’m Kael’s mother, Carlista. We’ll catch up to Kael in a moment. Did my sons tell you what has happened?” Carlista carefully asked.

“No, what’s happened?” Saleeya’s father’s face turned gray. Carlista and her daughters explained all that had transpired, including Saleeya’s and Kael’s joining as they led the way to the Med Clinic.

* * * *

“Saleeya, are you awake, my love?” Kael softly took Saleeya’s hand in his.

“Yes, Medtor Fanstal tells me that I’m going to recover.”

“Of course you are.” Kael smiled close to her face.

“Kael, I carry our baby,” Saleeya said with tears in her beautiful eyes. “He’s not certain that the baby will survive. My body has had much trauma. Oh, Kael, I’m so sorry.” Saleeya wept lightly. “I didn’t know I was pregnant.”

“Saleeya, I pray to Xian that our baby lives. What’s to be will be. You’ll recover. You and I can make other children if this child doesn’t survive. He’ll go to be with our ancestors, if that’s Xian’s will. Don’t cry. I know it’ll be painful to lose our child, but we still have each other. You’re a hero and very courageous. Our child would be very proud of his mother. The Xihirians love you. I love you more.” Kael kissed her hand. “Your parents are here. Kleave and I picked them up at the Spaceport Terminal. My mother and sisters have probably informed them of all that has happened. I’ll go get them, but I want to stay with you too,” Kael told Saleeya as Carlista and her parents entered her clinic room.

Her mother and father rushed over to the side of her clinic bed, worry and fear etched their faces. “Saleeya, how are you feeling?” Saleeya’s mother grabbed for Saleeya’s other hand. Her mother kissed her hand and arm. “Oh, my precious daughter, I’m so sorry you’re hurt. We love you so much.”

“I feel better, Momma. I’m so happy to see you and Dad. Did they tell you what happened?”

“Yes, Saleeya. I’m so proud. You risked your life to save others. You’re very brave. I hear you have mated with Kael. And there’s going to be a Joining Ceremony as soon as you’re all better.” Sandria kissed her daughter’s hand again. Tears rolled down her cheeks. “I’m so thrilled for you. This is a scary and happy day. I don’t know what to feel. How did you keep this news from us. We wondered why we hadn’t heard from you in a while. We were a little worried.”

“I’m sorry, Mom. So much has happened and so fast.” Saleeya gripped her mother’s hand and looked to her dad.

“I understand, my sweet Saleeya. Do you love him? Is he nice to you?” Saleeya could see the concern in her mother’s face.

“Yes, Momma, he’s wonderful. I meant to tell you soon. It’s just so much has happened. I…I’m going to have his baby, I hope, if all goes well,” Saleeya stuttered between tears of sorrow and joy.

“Saleeya, be strong and we’ll help you through this. You have a Joining Ceremony very soon and this will all be behind you. All will be well. We’re here for you. We’ll help you now.” Her mother kissed her face and brushed the hair back from her face.

“Mrs. Stayvel, let me take you and your husband to your suite and you can rest for a while. The voyage is very wearing. I’ll get you if anything changes with Saleeya’s condition,” Kael offered.

“I don’t think I can leave Saleeya.” Sandria shook her head stubbornly.

“Excuse me, I’m Medtor Fanstal,” the doctor interrupted. “I insist that you leave and allow Saleeya to rest. She’ll be fine. She has had three severe injuries and surgery. Plus, she’s pregnant. There are too many visitors and this disturbs her recovery. The more she rests the better for her and the baby. Please, leave to go to your suites. You should rest too.” Fanstal turned to Kael. “Prince Kael, please, you need to rest as well. If you like I’ll have a cot brought in here, but you’ll need to allow Saleeya to rest,” Fanstal instructed the group.

“I can sleep on that cot,” Saleeya’s mother volunteered.

“No, Mother, you need to go to a bed. I know it’s a difficult trip. I’ll see you after you rest,” Saleeya told her mother.

“I can hear and see when I’m being replaced.” Sandria smiled from Saleeya to Kael. “Okay, I’ll go with your father and rest. You’re to let us know if anything changes, Kael Braeden.” Sandria pointed her finger at Kael. She demanded of him in a motherly, commanding voice.

“Rest well, my darling daughter. I’ll be near.” Saleeya’s father kissed Saleeya. He turned to follow Kael and Sandria out of the Med Clinic.

* * * *

After five days of resting at the Med Clinic, Saleeya finally shuffled down the corridor to her room, Kael’s warm grip a great help to her weakened body. Kael never left Saleeya’s side; at least, he managed to be there every time Saleeya opened her eyes.

“Oh, Saleeya, you’re doing great.” Kalista took her other arm. “Your body’s healing rapidly. The Xihirian healing accelerant works miracles with your new transforming physiology.” Kalista rubbed Saleeya’s arm.

“Yes, and my baby is thriving.” Saleeya smiled back.

“Our mothers and sisters are busy planning for the Joining Ceremony. They’ve tried to focus on happy and positive things. They’re so excited to share with you their plans.”

The females ran in and out of Saleeya’s suite with information and questions regarding the ceremony and celebration. The ceremony was going to be breathtaking and a grand royal event.

“Saleeya, you are looking well. I’m amazed by how well you are doing. I’m so happy. It’s so exciting. You’re a Princess.” Her mother smiled brightly. “They plan to have thousands of flowers at your ceremony. You love flowers. They’re going to have colorful Xihirian silks for tablecloths, foods of all varieties for all tastes, artists to play music, and other festive entertainment. It’s going to be the best party in the universe, at least to me. I guess the celebration lasts for a day. It’ll be so much fun. You’re so blessed and so are we to have you as our daughter.”

Saleeya happily surrendered the planning to the other females. The time flew as Carlista and Sandria buzzed like crazy with the excitement. The longer Saleeya maintained the baby, the better the prognosis. Saleeya’s father seemed overwhelmed yet happy for Saleeya. The Palace seemed full of energy and happiness once again.

“Saleeya, do you want to come and sit in the living area? We can talk about the ceremony. We have some sweet meats to eat.” Kalinda popped into Saleeya’s room. She helped Saleeya get out of bed. “Let’s go eat.” Kalinda was bursting with happiness. “Kleave took your father for a tour. He realized how bored he was getting. Your poor father, we’ve worn him out with planning. He’s going to see our labs and our wonderful innovations with my brothers. All of my brothers are great.” Kalinda clapped her hands.

The entire hustle and bustle of planning for the Joining Ceremony infused the Palace with hectic exhilaration. Kael remained solemn and acted incredibly bossy and irritable to all he encountered. The guards and staff stayed a great distance from him, wary of his mood and the potential of becoming prey to his beast. He was difficult and unpredictable. His worry for Saleeya and their baby ate away at him.