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The wedding of Lord Rhyndar Davorrian to General Elaryx Solarun was one of the most lavish in the Vraxian Empire, as befitted the joining of the highly-decorated army chief and the head of a shintu clan.

Ela wore her military uniform – she’d told Kara wild grekels wouldn’t get her into a wedding dress – and Rhyn wore his ceremonial robes.

They both looked sublimely happy as they progressed through the Vraxian matrimonial rituals. Rhyn knelt on one knee and presented Ela with a sword, symbolizing Ayanlesh’s wooing of Vannla. And in turn, Ela let Rhyn sip from her cup to signify the goddess’s gift of immortality for her lover.

“Does it bring back memories?”

Kara whispered to Vahn as they watched from the royal balcony.

“Yes, although the bride didn’t look quite as terrified when she came down the aisle.”

“I was terrified. But then I saw you and it was okay.”

They toasted their friends’ marriage at a lavish party in the Imperial Palace which Vahn had generously organized. And later, when the dancing and drinking became too much, they escaped to their favorite hiding place.

“I love this view,”

sighed Kara as she leaned on the balcony at the top of the palace.

The four moons of Lorvas, Unaril, Tiron and Xantis shone down on them. This was where she’d reaffirmed her love for Vahn all those months ago after forgiving him for not telling her who he was. And this was where she’d vowed to be with him forever.

Vahn put his arms around her from behind and they looked out over the city.

“The Terran embassy is running smoothly,”

he said. “There’s already discussion of a second consular office in the southern hemisphere. And the science delegation to Earth is making progress on the technology exchange program.”

“It’s all really happening, isn’t it?”

She leaned against him. “There’s talk of a joint mission to explore some of the outer reaches of the Omega Quadrant. Neither side was able to get there before because of the war but now…”

“Now, anything is possible.”

They gazed at the gleaming towers of Taa’riz and contemplated the future.

“I forgot to tell you, my mother has invited us for a State Visit to Earth,”

Kara said eventually. “When everything’s calmed down.”

“That may be a while. I have a feeling we’re going to be very busy.”

He rested his hands on her stomach. She was nearly three months gone. In another couple of weeks she would expel the gestational sac, or the ‘egg’ as she insisted on calling it.

It would then be his turn to nurture it. He would cradle it to his body using his serpetri and hold it there safely until their daughter emerged from her cocoon.

Kara had been part-fascinated and part-horrified by the speed with which her body changed. Her bump had grown more quickly than she’d expected. But there was no doubt that pregnancy suited her.

Her skin glowed and her hair had never been more shiny. She felt strong and confident, and ready to be a mother.

It helped that the egg would only be half the size and weight of a normal human baby when it left her womb. Her mother had told her in no uncertain terms how lucky she was.

“She’ll want to meet her grand-child. We’ll have to go at some point.”

“And we will, kalehsha. But as your husband I must insist on having at least some time with you and the hatchling to myself.”

“Deal.”

She turned her face upwards and he kissed her.

She still hadn’t told him everything the Priestess had revealed to her. She doubted she ever would. In the aftermath of her strange experience, she had come to think of it as a uniquely female experience.

Something sacred to womanhood. She thought she understood now why the former Zhaalini had been vague with the details.

But she trusted Vahn implicitly. She knew that when the time came, he would make sure their daughter could fulfil her destiny.

“There’s one thing we haven’t decided,” she said.

“And what is that, beloved?”

“A name. We can’t just keep calling her ‘the hatchling’. Any ideas?”

“Actually, I do have one,”

he said slowly. “But only if you like it too.”

“What is it?”

He hesitated and she thought he was going to suggest naming their daughter after his mother, or some long-dead Castellian Zhaalini. But he surprised her.

“I thought… because it changed our lives, and she will undoubtedly do so as well… Minerva?”

Kara’s heart squeezed.

“Minerva. It’s perfect.”

She kissed him again. “I love you, snake-boy.”

“I love you too, small human.”

He wanted to say more. ‘Love’ was too small a word to encompass what he felt for her. When he cradled her rounded belly, it was as if he held the entire future of the Empire in his hands. But emotion filled his throat and he couldn’t get the words out.

It didn’t matter. She knew. She always knew. She leaned back against him and whispered the words.

Until galaxies crumble and stars fade.

The End