Devotion (Chosen by the Karal #5)(47)

“Mommy,” he said quietly, and Tikki looked down at him, thinking he meant her. But he wasn’t looking at Tikki mommy; instead, he was looking at the ramp and the dishevelled woman who was coming down it, her hair all wild, her clothes torn. “Mommy,” he said more loudly and then he loosed her hand and ran forward, weaving in amongst the legs of the other women to dash towards his real mom.

The woman bent down and scooped him up, holding him close to her chest, and then a man appeared too, putting an arm around both of them and burying his head in Charlie’s chest as he sobbed.

The courtyard fell silent. All eyes on the three members of a family united at last. Then Celia sobbed too, heart wrenching as she put her hand over her mouth and cried at the sight. Torac, who had come down to join them, went to her and held her close.

“Are you unwell?” he asked.

“No. I just miss my family so much.” He held her, kissing her head as she cried. There were no words to comfort her. The Karal were not suddenly going to start bringing other family members to Karal. However, once the colony was set up, then Celia’s family might be chosen to live there and she might see them again.

Tikki went and put her hand in Elissa’s. “I’m so happy we are both here.”

“Me too, little sister. Me too.”





Chapter Thirty-One – Okil


He saw her across the courtyard. She smiled and waved, and all Okil wanted to do was take her in his arms. But he had to be patient; first they had to get Charlie and his parents settled here. The Hier Council had been adamant that the small family would not be able to leave the compound of the breeding house. His only surprise was the knowledge that the council had decided to install a scientific lab here. For what purpose he didn’t know. But he could guess.

“Okil,” Darl called.

“Darl. Hello, Reja. I hadn’t expected you to be here.” Okil hugged Reja warmly. “I am pleased you two have been kept out of this.”

“Thank you, Okil. And thank you for your part in me being on Karal,” Reja said. “It has been so much more than I could ever have imagined.”

Darl’s face went a deep shade of blue, and Okil laughed. “Why don’t you go and see Elissa and Tikki? They can introduce you to everyone else.”

“I will see you in a moment, Darl.” Reja kissed his cheek and then went over to Tikki and an ecstatic-looking Elissa.

Okil looked at his friend. “I think having a female at home agrees with you, Darl.”

“Yes. Thank you, Okil. Although I was called before the council while you were away. I assume our stories are the same or else I think we’ll be under arrest.” Even while he talked to Okil, Darl’s eyes followed Reja wherever she went.

“I hope this is all over. The mission for a new Earth and the baby Elissa is carrying signifies a new beginning.” Okil slapped Darl on the back. “As you are experiencing a new beginning, Doctor.”

“Indeed, she is quite a woman. I never imagined anything like the things I have experienced with her. I think I can understand why you risked so much for Tikki. I also think that is why we are both free men. With three members of the council having women of their own … well, they have a unique understanding that others cannot even begin to fathom.”

“We were lucky. Now my feet are going to stay on Karal for the foreseeable future.”

“And I have to treat these two humans,” Darl said. “They completed decon’, I take it?”

“Yes. We made sure there was no trace of the virus.”

“Good.” Darl moved away, towards the two humans who were crying and embracing Charlie. “Maybe we can meet later. I know Reja has been itching to see Tikki again and become part of the human female crowd. Which is growing.”

They both looked over to the six females, all hugging and laughing with Reja.

“Maybe tomorrow. I would like to have Tikki all to myself for this evening, if you don’t mind.” Okil looked at his woman, wanting nothing more than to shut the door on both of their worlds and think only of themselves for one night.

“I completely understand.” Darl winked at Okil and went to Charlie’s parents.

Tikki turned to look at him and in the moment their eyes met, he knew she had the same idea.

Having her here, with all the other human females, seeing them happy and laughing, finally put the ghosts of the mothers to rest. He hoped to never again hear the wailing in his head, or wake up feeling as though he had a thousand hands on his body. Clutching at him, wanting to know if he was their child, their baby.

For Okil, he had accomplished a dream he had never known he had. He had given the next generation a chance to be something more, to be something greater, and to have two parents to achieve that greatness. A Karalian father and a human mother, both taking part in bringing up the children of a generation where girls and boys would run free on his beautiful planet after so long.

Life was good. Life was happy.





Chapter Thirty-Two – Tikki


“Where are we going?” Tikki asked as the cruiser flew low across the grassy plains where the arunda grazed peacefully.

“It’s a surprise,” Okil said, expertly steering the cruiser at great speed. She gathered he was impatient for something and had a good idea that something was her.