Extraterrestrial Lives

7

I cradle Maha next to me as we move out to the car that will take us to the palace. Tomorrow when she wakes up she's going to be mad as hell. But that's okay because right now I'm mad as hell. Tomorrow if she demands it I'll figure out how to let her have her own room, but tonight after this, there is no way I'll let her out of my arms. She may never forgive me, just one more thing to add to the growing list of reasons for her to leave me forever.

We get to the palace and I talk to my parents telling them what I know and mostly repeating what I've already told them. I shift Maha in my arms and they realize that I need to get her to bed.

"They tried to kill a royal, Rafe, there will be no getting off for them." My father surprisingly says.

"They were trying to kill Maha." I needed to make sure that he understands.

"Yes son, and she's carrying your child. They tried to kill a royal." I had been so focused on Maha and what it would mean to me to lose her, that I had never thought that the baby would have been the focus.

"Had they been successful in killing Maha, it would have been two royals that would have died." My mother bless her saw more than even my father.

My father turns white. There is one person that goes to the top of the suspect list, my brother Gearan.

"Does he know that you want me to take the throne?" I demand.

My father nods, "We told him at dinner. And he knows about your bond with Maha and that she's carrying your child."

I look at my father, why the hell would he tell my brother all that? Gearan has always been more of a bully than any leader should be. He truly isn't a good choice to take over.

"Maha, might be wanting her own room in the morning. You know father, you may have signed her death warrant by telling Gearan about my bond with her. Thank you." This is one of those times when I think my father actually hates me.

"Just how much do you hate me father?" I don't wait for him to answer, I just take Maha to my room and climb into bed holding her close to me for what might very well be the last time.

I have never hated my son. That he thinks I do, well it causes me a great deal of pain. But I know why he thinks that. I have given so much of my time and attention to the two oldest that I never seemed to have time for him. Gearan even more than Jenry, I made it no secret that Gearan was my favorite. I see now that that was wrong of me on many levels.

Perhaps if I hadn't given so much to him and he'd had to work like Rafe did he would have made the better choice. The idea that Gearan is responsible for this attack on Rafe and Maha, I don't want to believe it, but there's no denying that it not only is possible but likely. Gearan has become completely unfit to rule. He will never take the throne even if both his brother and sister die.

Rafe though, after hearing him scream in agony for all that time. Putting him through that longer than I should have. Yes, he has good reason to think I hate him. But I don't, not really, I just didn't believe something so simple as Maha's presence could save him. I didn't believe any of that shit until he knew that she was still alive. There was no way he could have.

I don't understand my son and that can only be laid at my door. He tried so hard to get my approval and I could never seem to give it. I am a selfish bastard. I didn't understand him so he couldn't have my approval or my love.

But I never hated him.

I'm no longer fit to rule, my queen was right.

I have messed so many things up along the way.