Exit Strategy (Tales Of The Citadel #58)(18)

Yna sighed. “I hope so. After the last time, we both underwent gene therapy to increase the compatibility. I just want to go about life quietly for a few months until we can assess the progress.”

Miett looked around the room and frowned at everyone but the babies and Yaluthu. “Then that is what you will have.”

The family looked to their matriarch, and everyone nodded, though they were also all grinning at the good news.

Yna hoped that this time her body could manage the feat of splicing two different species into one, but after the previous two losses, her nerves were intense. Time with the Ikatos was just what she needed.



“If I don’t get out of here soon, I am going to break out. We know I can do it.” Yna sat shelling peas and waiting for the twinge in her back to ease.

Miett laughed. “I know. Take it easy. Ahlgos will be home soon, and then, you can beat him within an inch of his life for staying away so long.”

“I plan to, but I may have my arms full.” She inhaled sharply and dropped the pea she was working on. “I think we had better call the med centre.”

“How long?” Miett helped her to her feet.

“Most of yesterday and throughout the night. I have been trying to hold off.”

Her mother-in-law let out a sharp whistle, and her brothers-in-law came running.

Yna was carefully assisted to her room while the imperial med teams were called. Being the sister-in-law to an imperial princess had its advantages.

An incubator was set up, as well as all the equipment that Citadel Balen had shipped over for her use.

She was perturbed that her husband wasn’t there for the birth of their child, but the contractions soon took over her resentments.



“Hey there, Stripes. Welcome to the world.” She held her son and stroked his forehead.

The medics didn’t have much to do with his delivery. He had made his way into the world without their assistance. Li and Nia were next to her and smiling at their children’s cousin.

“He is adorable. Are stripes common among your people?”

“No, but I think there is something in the Ikato makeup that has something to do with it. With the gene therapies, it is likely that the recessive genes became dominant. I don’t care; he is going to be a stunning young man.”

She stroked the cheek with the sharp stripe running back toward his ear. “He’s going to break hearts.”



Four days later, Ahlgos crept into the room while she was feeding their son.

Yna arched a brow. “Is the evacuation of Karuton over?”

“I cleared the forests and made sure that they have enough crops to keep them going for five years when they settle. Life will go on. How about our little life?”

He sat next to her and stroked his son’s head with the tips of his fingers. The delicate care that he used made her smile.

“He is strong, healthy, progressing nicely. He is going to be a normal Remuyan boy with stripes and pale skin.”

“I could not ask for more. How are you?”

Yna sighed. “I wish that we could do this one more time, but I know that our decision was right. I might not make it through another one.”

“I have you both now, and you are both healthy, that is all I want.”

“Good, because we just want you in our lives and with us on Balen.”

He opened his mouth to object, but she gave him a stern look.

“I can teach my courses with our baby on my back as well as I can without it. Agents and Guardsmen need me. They need to know that their hands can be put to practical use when all seems lost. It was that skill that kept me sane in the restrictor suit, and I want to share that knowledge.”

“Right. As soon as he is deemed safe to travel, we will head back to Balen, but expect my family to visit when they can and expect visits on an annual basis.”

“Of course. It is in the Yaluthu contract, after all.”

He grinned. “Of course, it is. So, what have you named him?”

“Hiimeo, after your great grandfather. He is going to be my little forest cat.” She winced. “He is already eating like he has fangs.”

“He probably does. So, are you going to break it to my mother that we are leaving in a few weeks?”

She grabbed him by the neck and pulled him in for a kiss. When she released him, she whispered against his lips, “You do it; you are my hero, after all, you just took your time.”





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.