Devotion (Chosen by the Karal #5)(34)
“First we have to go and see Elissa. It has to be her decision to tell the others, and to tell the council.” Tikki laid her head on his chest. “I would do anything for you not to be part of this, Okil. But as a selfish human, I could wish for no one better to be there for us.”
“I love you, Tikki. And I do not regret a thing.” He kissed her, his arms holding her tight as though if he loosed his grip, she would drift off back to Earth.
With a sigh, he released her, pulling her to her feet, and they set about packing the food away. Tikki called Charlie and he came back to them, his cheeks flushed with colour. “You look happy,” she said to him as he ran around in circles dragging a long stick along the ground behind him.
“This is fun. Can we come again?” he asked breathlessly.
“I expect so,” Okil answered, but he knew he couldn’t promise. For once his life was so uncertain he had no idea where any of them would be tomorrow, let alone in a few days’ time. Because Elissa having a girl, instead of a boy, did nothing to change the fact that he had smuggled a human child onto Karal.
Chapter Twenty-Two – Tikki
Tikki was nervous about visiting her sister. When she had seen her earlier today, she had seen how happy and content she was living here on Karal with Marin. Now her world was about to turn upside down. Hell, they were about to turn the whole planet upside down. Once news of this got out, there was a chance the Karal would return to their old ways and go to Earth, steal away the women they needed, lock them up, and make them have baby girls to kick-start the species.
She had heard so many times how the only reason Karal was interested in Earth and saving humans was that they needed to breed, and soon. With Okil, she had never felt like a brood mare, but that was what she was. The only reason she had been allowed to set foot on the planet was to make a child.
“Are you sure?” Tikki asked Okil.
“I thought this was what you wanted?” Okil asked, frowning at her.
She cast a glance back at the cruiser where they had left Charlie. It was such a risk, the whole thing. What if he cried out in fear as the night came in around them? Tikki had no idea how long they might be inside. A bombshell like this was not going to be over quickly.
“Now I’m not so sure. What about Charlie?” She held Okil’s hand, seeking strength and confidence in him when hers began to fade.
“Let’s do this. Then you and Elissa can decide whether or not you tell the others. If you do, then you can all decide about telling the council. It is a risk, because will be harder for the others to keep the secret from the men they love. But they may also give us an insight into the reaction of the council members, something we cannot know ourselves.”
She trembled a little as he knocked on the door. And right up until the moment Marin opened the door, she was tempted to tell Okil to forget about it and go home.
“Okil, Tikki. We were not expecting guests.”
Tikki wanted to apologise, say they would call another time, and then run as fast as she could away from here. Okil must have read her mind, and sent her soothing sensations through his hands, leaving her feeling relaxed and confident. Who needed a drug-fuelled high when you had a Karalian holding your hand?
“May we come inside and talk to you and Elissa?” Okil asked.
Marin looked surprised. “Is this about the man who threatened Tikki?” So Elissa had shared that with Marin.
“No. That is not why we are here,” Okil said.
“Why don’t you come in.” Marin moved out of the way for them to pass. Tikki had the feeling that guests at this time in the evening were unheard of, a fact confirmed by the look on Elissa’s face.
“Tikki, what a surprise,” Elissa said coming over to hug her, Tikki couldn’t help but look at her sister’s huge baby bump and wonder if they were doing the right thing. “Hello, Okil.” She kissed Okil on the cheek, her hands on his arms. Almost immediately, she took a step back. “What’s wrong?”
Okil tried to comfort her. “Nothing. We just have some news to tell you.”
“Tikki can’t be pregnant already. Can she?” Elissa asked.
“No. Or at least I don’t think so.” Tikki felt tears misting her eyes; she hated doing this to her sister.
“So you are here for more information on Harri? I think I told you all that I know,” Elissa said and then went quiet. “Just tell me, please.”
“It’s about your baby. There’s nothing wrong,” he added quickly when he saw her panic.
“Okil, I think it’s best to just come out and say it,” Tikki said.
“Say what?” Elissa asked, her hand covering her baby bump like a shield.
“When you had your scan today. Darl discovered that you are having a baby girl.”
Silence. Marin and Elissa looked at each other, and then back to Okil, as if trying to understand his words. Tikki went to her sister and hugged her; Elissa placed her arms around her and hugged her back.
“That’s good news,” Marin said, his face relaxing. “It means that our species is rejuvenating itself.”
“But it means that you will not need my species, Marin,” Elissa said quietly, and then she said, “I need to sit down.”
Tikki held her hand and went with her to the sofa. There they sat hand in hand, Tikki feeling her sister’s emotions through her hands. This was the reason they were here, the skin covering her sister’s hands. She remembered it so vividly, the surprise on Elissa’s face when the first lottery was drawn, the hot simcoff burning her skin, the hospital.