Page 24 of Devin (Warriors of Etlon #5)

Devin

T here was work to be done, and even though he didn’t feel like doing it, Devin left his warm bed and his mate asleep and walked into his city. The night had been a welcome diversion from the responsibilities and duties that lay ahead.

He was not the only Mahdfel there. Others had already begun manning the bots that crawled over the buildings, installing components and circuits that were too fragile to lower directly in one piece.

Devin looked up. Several sky bridges connecting the buildings were also in progress, slowly forming before meeting in the middle.

All of the stone work and carefully planned curves and angles stood ready and waiting for the heartbeats that would make it a home.

Devin stood there, willing his feet to move into one of the buildings.

Everything was exactly as he had laid out in his head, yet tainted with sadness.

He’d soon have to start with fresh designs for the next city, but not yet.

He did not hear footsteps, but he felt the presence of someone behind him.

“We will not name the city ‘Humility’,” Kave said, drawing up beside him. “We will name it ‘Haxit’.” He said it like he expected the architect to object.

“It is fitting,” Devin said.

“Jane and Humility both say that we should not feel guilty.” His tone indicated he still needed more convincing. “There was no toxin found, but that does not mean…”

“His system had not cleared it already,” Devin finished.

“Yes. It is baffling. I trust everyone here.” He wanted the warlord to know that he did not think any of the clan capable of murder.

They could slit a Sulhik’s throat without a second thought, but it was inconceivable they would murder one of their own.

“We must then consider it an accident, but still keep an eye on the cause,” Kave stated.

“It will not happen again.”

“It will not,” Devin stated with equal conviction.

Kave’s com buzzed and checked it. His skin flashed a sickly color of dread and resignation.

“Charlette is awake. Please let there be no more screeching.”

Charlette sat in a large white chair filled with pillows surrounded by all the mates at the camp.

She was flanked by Jane and Humility, both of whom were watching Charlette with an eye that looked like they were expecting trouble.

His own mate was near the door, standing and fetching things from the replicator for the mates with much larger protruding bellies.

Even among so many other Terrans, he could feel her movements, instinctually knowing where she was within the room without even having to search for her.

Their eyes met once, but she didn’t smile or acknowledge him.

He wanted to see her smile, but this was not the time nor place for his own desires.

Kave stood in the center of the configuration, which Devin couldn’t help but notice looked somewhat like a monarch holding court. All Charlette needed was a dais to look down upon her worshippers.

“It has been decided,” Kave pronounced, “that the city shall be named ‘Haxit’… in honor of… Haxit.”

“What? I thought the city was going to be ‘Humility’,” Charlette said.

“It was,” Kave began as he stared at his mate. Humility rolled her eyes.

“Then it should be ‘Charlette’.” She looked around, shaking her head as if everyone else should agree with her. “I mean, it’s only right. To honor his mate. That’s what he would have wanted.”

“It is already done,” Devin said, stepping in, afraid Kave would bow to the mate’s request. He had been against naming the city ‘Humility’, but he would not countermand his warlord. ‘Haxit’ was a much more fitting name.

“Then undo it,” she snapped.

“I will not,” Devin stated firmly. Charlette stood, crossing her arms and leaning toward him with a glare in her eye. She opened her mouth but Kave stepped in.

“It matters very little in the long run. You’re going back to Terra and-” Kave explained.

“Back? What gave you that idea? I thought I was protected and cared for, for the rest of my days.”

“You are not pregnant,” Kave said.

“How do you know that?”

The look exchanged between Jane and Humility told Devin that they had tested her, probably while she was unconscious.

“You are not pregnant. You are not a mother. You will be well compensated and sent home,” Kave said.

“I demand to speak with Athen about this!”

At that point, Kave did something Devin had never seen before. He acted like a true Mahdfel warlord.

“He has no time for grumbling Terrans. I am the last word!” He drew himself up to his full height and stared down at Charlette with a menacing glare.

Charlette glanced around, looking for a sympathetic gaze. She’d burned all of her bridges, apparently, because there were none. Left with no other option, she reverted to what she did best - hysterics.

Jane was ready for her. A comforting hand on her shoulder and Charlette was out before the first screech fully formed.

“Last rites are at sunset, whether she is awake or not,” Kave said.

The gathering dispersed. Val assisted Jane and Meadow off to an afternoon nap.

Humility waved Kave’s hands away as he offered to carry her.

Devin watched his mate’s retreating form.

In opposition to Charlette’s case, Devin knew that if he met with an untimely demise that Val, pregnant or not, would be welcome to live out her days here. That thought comforted him.

After watching his mate disappear into his own quarters, Kave sighed.

“That went as well as could be expected.” The warlord was gone, replaced with his usual goofy grin.

Devin sighed as well, turning toward the city. “We have work to do.”

Kave slapped him on the back, and Devin resisted the urge to roll his eyes at the warlord.