The Elder's Mate

Epilogue

Hitting the mat for the millionth time today was frustrating. The impact of her back falling against it was lessened by the numbness that had crept into her nerves. Loss after loss had demoralized her in a way but Rhage insisted that this was how she would learn. Something about failure being a good teacher.

Artemis groaned as she picked herself up off the mat, sending an annoyed glare in the direction of her mate. He stood a few feet away drinking from a metal container.

He hadn't even broken a sweat!

The kehrite felt hotter due to her working up a sweat, the square room empty of anyone but Rhage and her. This was one of several training areas and he had ordered this one to be clear for them. Having so many eyes on her would've made her nervous. As always, he was going out of his way to ensure her happiness.

The walls were padded with one covered in various training weapons, each one blunt. She recognized various swords, combi-sticks, glaives, throwing stars, whips, and many other ones that she didn't have a name for. The mats were black that covered the black walls. It was all utilitarian as all the Yautja architecture seemed to be. Made to favor function over form. A part her did admire the brutalist design, however.

It was cleanly made of straight lines and no clutter. Just how she liked interior design.

"Babe, can we just call it quits for the day? My body is like..." she wiped sweat from her upper brow, taking deep breaths through her nose to calm her breathing, "on its last legs. I'd kill for a shower right about now." For emphasis she stuck out her bottom lip a little and put on her biggest puppy-dog eyes she could muster. It usually worked on him, this pathetic act, and she hoped it would this time.

Her huge mate was a sap. She loved every minute of it.

The Elder Yautja turned gracefully towards her, holding the container in his hand. His eyes widened at the sight of her standing there covered in sweat and giving him that certain look that he couldn't resist saying no to. The cogs in his head seemed to be moving at lightning speed because he eventually sighed.

"Two days. Two days to rest. I...have been hard on you today, flower." Rhage came to rub her shoulder and lead them out into the hall.

"Me and the couch are going to be well acquainted the next two days." Grumbled Artemis as they entered the lift, leaning against the wall with a sigh.

The dark grey lift with ambient lighting seemed to move slower somehow. A slow snail pace. It was torturous. Extending the time it took to get back to their quarters where she could shower, snuggle her mate and baby, and get some relaxation. Some rest and relaxation was in her grasp. She just had to get there!

"Mate, relax." His fingers gently massaged her shoulders. "You did much better than the previous day. It may not seem like it, but you are improving. I am proud of you." Her large mate knelt to rub their foreheads together, the equivalent of a Yautja kiss.

She couldn't help the small smile that spread across her face at his soft words. His rumbly voice soothed the self-doubt that had crept into her mind. The inadequacy melted into a mild burn.

"I'm trying. I just hate losing."

"Maybe I will let you win..."

The lift reached their floor and the pair exited. Eventually they came to their door and Artemis quickly went to check on Orion, the pup having been babysat by Kato. She walked into the bedroom to find the lights dimmed. Lying on the couch was Kato, stretching his mandibles wide open in a yawn. He lied on his back with Orion on his wide chest, a thick arm around the infant. Orion slept on his stomach, his feet and arms curled up towards his body, a cloth diaper wrapped around him.