Extraterrestrial Lives

31

The fleet has been going at the Other ships like they are target practice. There is little in the way of returning fire. The nearly overwhelming force that they had sent is being decimated little by little. 

The information that Maha downloaded, gave invaluable insights for our scientists. They were able to learn all kinds of things. Maha became their hero overnight.

The preparations for the wedding and coronations moved on apace and soon the day was almost there. 

Tomorrow is our wedding day. Maha and Esperanza have matching dresses, Jenry's idea and Maha loved it. If the females like it who am I to say no?

The only bad thing was since mother was busy  destroying enemy ships she wouldn't be able to be at the wedding/coronation.

Maha and I take the night to comfort and calm one another. In the week since we got back together things have been even better between us.

"Go to sleep, Rafe. We both have a big day tomorrow," Maha tells me sleepily. She always has a hard time sleeping if I'm awake.

I want to sleep but I have this gut feeling that things are going to go bad, really bad tomorrow.

Maha slides her arms around me and gives me a kiss and I stop thinking.

The day is bright and sunny. Perfect weather for the chaining ceremony that will be taking place today. 

"Maha, it's not a chaining ceremony," Rafe complains as he comes up behind me and pulls me tight to him. "It's a wedding and a coronation."

"Like I said and I need to stop speaking my thoughts out loud," I mumble as he nibbles on my neck. 

Rafe laughs and turns me around in his arms. "So what are we being chained to?"

"Everything, each other, the throne, the people and the responsibility that goes with it. Do I need to go on?"

"Mhm, I see what you mean. But we're already married, this is just for the masses. You don't regret it do you? Being married to me?" Rafe holds himself still, waiting for my answer. Ever since Esperanza's birth he's so unsure about things. About me.

"No, we're not perfect, but I don't regret being married to you. At least not at this time." I like teasing him and watching his eyes darken. But it might still be too early for this kind of teasing. Rafe tenses even as he holds me. Without looking at him I know that he has his eyes closed and is fighting tears. 

"I'm sorry Rafe, I was just teasing and don't really mean it," I apologize but it doesn't make the words unsaid.

"I know, Maha. I'm over reacting, I'm told that I do that sometimes." Yeah, I'm the one that tells him that.

There's a knock at the door. I slip on a robe as Rafe goes to open the door.

"Breakfast and in an hour the ladies will be here to start helping you get ready Princess." Rafe says as the servants start setting up the breakfast things. I swallow hard, this is really happening.

After breakfast there is no time for either of us to think. Maha is swept into the bathroom and I'm swept into another room for my grooming and prepping for the wedding.

I wouldn't see Maha again until the ceremony in five hours. I blanch as the reality sets in. The wedding isn't what worries me, it's the coronation afterwards. Maha was right, it's a chaining ceremony. A chain that my father is happy to throw off himself and give to me.

Have I ever mentioned that sometimes I think my father really hates me?

I can't believe that in just a few hours I'll be queen not just of Ziamlia, but of nine other worlds as well. What the heck am I thinking?