CHAPTER THIRTEEN
 

Sivya was led into the palace, nearly asleep on her feet.  "Empress, welcome back," a familiar voice called. She mumbled something that sounded like 'trap, treasure, dragon,' then rested against a wall. Rethna looked at her.  "What's wrong with her, Lord Brast?"

"She's tired.  The baby's been keeping her up," he said with a nod back at the child on his back.  "Do you have somewhere in your suite I can put her, Constantine?"

"You've got your own rooms," she snorted.  "That brother has kept me up for the last three nights. I want a nap as much as she does, father.  Someone show them to a room?" she called as she walked Rethna on to get filled in on what she had to do right then and what could wait.

"Should we take the child to the nursery?" one of Constantine's maids asked quietly, not looking at them.

"No, she's paranoid.  That's how I finally wore her down and mated with her."  He nudged his wife, eventually picking her up to carry her after the maid while she giggled.

"I can do that if you want, Lord Brast," another familiar voice called as Lasarae jogged to catch up. "Hello, you're small and a new addition to the family," she said, tracing the baby's chin.  "Cute though, look a lot like your daddy."  She opened the door, nodding the maid to go.  "I've got it.  Bring up a bed for the baby."  She nodded, going to do that.  She watched as he put Sivya on the bed, then put the baby next to her, which stopped her mumbling.  "Interesting."  She smiled, waiting until the bed came and the maid left before closing the door.  "Do you know how much trouble we got into for letting her escape?  They wanted to kill Rethna."

"She ordered them not to?"

"She did and Constantine made them see sense for a few hours.  By the way, the cook said she tried to check on me but found the trace and cut the connection.   Are you all right?"

"Just tired.  It's been a long few days.  The baby's been fussy."

"They do that.  Usually on sight of your wife.  You are married again, correct?"  He held up his forearm to show the scar.  "You're mated?"  He nodded. "As in permanently?"  He nodded.  "Good, I'll tell Kathal that.  He thought that Brailian was a bad influence, he let her have fun.  Like dancing most of the night on Riven dressed like one of them."  She sat down.  "As it stands, all she's got to do is to meet with the crown's guardian tonight sometime.  If it doesn't take her back as a Ki, you'll be listed as Counselors.  You're not going to be allowed to leave.  They're very upset with her and some people have called her treasonous to take care of her husband's wishes at that time.  Then again, those are the same sort who'll yell at her for cutting her hair and the sort who are fighting with Constantine to undo the removal of that law."  He groaned, shaking his head.  "How is she liking having nearly no hair?"

"Quite a lot."  He nudged her, getting a sleepy complaint. "We're here, Sivya, and we've got to get you redressed before anyone but Lasarae and a few guards see you."  She groaned as she sat up.  "Please?  Before someone notices and throws another fit?"

"Someone told a few of us that she's a priestess of Aragoness now.  Liking it, Sivya?"

"A lot," she admitted, smiling at her.  "I tried to call you."

"I heard.  I'm not bothered by it.  Unlike Rethna, I knew why you ran. It stopped most of the conflict.  Constantine was able to stop the rest fairly quickly.  He's right though, you do need to change.  I'll get an outfit for her.  Blue?"

"With some black."

"Of course," she agreed. "I figured she'd be dressing more like you now.  Start with the veil.  Without that she's just dressed in all black."

Sivya carefully took out the pins and handed over the veil to her husband, who put it an empty drawer.  Then she took off her shirts and tossed them at him, letting him put them into the dresser.  She stripped off her pants and got under the covers after kicking off her shoes, snuggling into her son. "Morning, son.  Want to wake up and meet someone else?"  He yawned, waving an arm.  "Cabiael, this is Lasarae.  She was my guard."

"Is your guard," she corrected.  "Rethna's still upset with you."  She got up and came over to look at the baby.  "Hi.  How are you today?"  She took the baby to hold, getting sleepy sounding complaints.  "I know, we're mean two-foots.  Let me put you in bed and everything will be fine while Mommy sleeps."  She carefully laid him in his own bed and tucked him in.  "There we are."

"Thank you."  Sivya yawned.  "Just the one meeting?"  She smiled at the confused look.  "It's in your mind, right on top.  Right above how cute the baby and husband are."

"They are," she agreed happily.  "I'll send them in a few hours.  Should I send some tea?"

"Not unless he's hungry.  I'm too tired to care," she admitted, covering her head.  "Night, Lasarae.  I'm glad you're okay."

"Good night, Sivya.  You rest."  She waited until she heard the first snore and smiled. "You're in for a small amount of strife.  Nothing like on Alesar but minor bickering and whining about how she left."

"She had to.  She explained it to me.  Not only was her presence hurting others, it was fueling more conflict.  With her leaving it allowed it to die down to manageable level.  That's why we hope she won't be named Ki."

"Fat chance that.  The crowns like her, Brast.  I'll tell them she's sleeping the sleep of the newly mothered."  She left, closing the door behind her.  She found the guardian waiting in the hall.  "The baby's been keeping her up.  She's tucked in and asleep.  Can it wait for an hour?"

"It can," he agreed, smiling at her.  "I heard."

"I suppose you did, but she did have good reasons."

"I agree, it settled down much more quickly without her in the way.  I'm wondering how she lived in the wilderness without a bathtub."

"They had lakes and rivers," she said smugly.   She walked off, going to spread around the better parts of what Brast had said so the rumors would get to the right people and they'd leave her alone faster.  Because if she wasn't ordained Ki, then they'd be leaving again as soon as they could and she'd have to be one of the bored guards for Constantine.  She stopped in the kitchen.  "Sivya and Brast are back, they're mated.  The baby's napping."  The cook's jaw dropped.  "Kathal didn't tell you?  She was pregnant when she was with the Ferganis.  I heard she delivered alone as well.  It's Lord Brast's.  She's sleeping because the baby's been fussy for the last few days."

"I heard Constantine mentioning being kept up.  Is the baby all right?" she asked softly.

"Just fine, I'm guessing it's normal baby stuff.  He doesn't even howl at the sight of her.  By the way, they've got pretty matching marks on their arms.  They're mated now, no need for any contract and no ability to have multiple spouses unless they both agree."

"I'll pass that on," she agreed.  "Anything else?"

"She said she ran so the conflict would slow down faster.  Which it did.  She was right in what she did.  Also, she'll have an altar back up by tonight.  Don't let anyone dust it but her this time.  Remember the fit last time?"  The cook nodded wisely. "They're in the west room.  I'm going to get her some clothes out of what they've got in storage.  He said they're just tired.  He's very tiny."

"I'll have someone check on them later," she promised.  "Thank you, Lasarae."

"Not a problem.  Getting out the good news gives people other things to complain and think about than a coup."  She smiled as she headed for the storage areas, going to find a specific outfit.  That blue velvet top with the black skirt should be wonderful for her today.

~*~*~*~
 

Sivya woke up to someone shaking her, looking at her mate. "Hmm?" she asked, reaching a hand up to pull him down so she could kiss him again. "What's wrong?'

"Guardian," he said quietly.  "He's waiting.  Lasarae brought you some clothes."  He smiled as he helped her sit up, running a hand through her very short hair.  It didn't fall down to her neck now, but she said she enjoyed it. She smiled at him.  "Get dressed, then we'll talk."  She nodded, grabbing the clothes to put on.  She stood up to get the back skirt panel on, then arranged herself on the bed.  "Let me make it, Sivya.  You can't meet someone like that with a messy bed."

"My first time I met one I was barely dressed and in morning prayers."  She got up, helping him make the bed.  "All right.  Good enough?"  He nodded, smiling at her.  "Good."  She sat down again, arranging the skirt over her legs.  "Let him in."  Brast opened the door.  "I assume it's going to give me a headache?" she asked as he walked in with a smirk.

"Quite possibly.  She agreed with your strategy once she figured it out."  He held out the crown.  "Please, talk to her."

Sivya put on the crown, wincing as the tirade started. Stop it.  I've already got a headache from the Court.

The crown went silent for a few moments. You are not who you were, Sivya.

Of course not.  Why would I be?  We all change and grow.  Otherwise I wouldn't have a son.  Now, what is your pleasure?

I do not feel comfortable with you as direct Ki.  I will name you second Ki with one in front of you.   That way you can be called into service if necessary but your son is not endangered and neither are you.  Would that suit you, priestess of Aragonesss?

As long as we didn't have to stay here.  I don't like the Court, it gives me a headache.  All the greedy, wanting people who think of nothing more than their desires and the most prominent one is to screw other planets from their just due.

Very well.  I agree.   You may stay here or at his house.  Either is acceptable as long as you can be found.  Do not disappear again.  People are watching you to make sure that Constantine behaves the way they want.  She is not cowed yet but sometimes the strength of stubbornness is necessary.  Guard him well, Sivya, and help your new daughter.  I wish you many blessings, second Ki.

Sivya took off the crown and handed it over.  She looked at Brast.  "Second Ki.  We're to be either here or at your house, somewhere we can be found.  She thinks Constantine needs some help now and then in being stubborn."

"That's fine with me," he agreed, shrugging a bit.  "Second Ki?"  She nodded.  He looked at the guardian.  "Did she tell you the same?"

"She did, Sire.  Thank you.  I will report such to your daughter.  Will you be staying?"

"At my house in town," Brast ordered.  "She is a higher Thinker and the Court always gives her headaches."

"Very well, I will report that as well."  He bowed and left them alone.

"Your house isn't big enough for both ships and the three of us."

"It is if my daughter moves hers," he said with a small smirk.  "Come on, gather the baby so we can leave."  Someone tapped on the door.  "What?"

"Where are you going this time?" Lasarae asked as she came in.

"To the house in town so she's not plagued with those headaches again.  That's one of the nice things about being second Ki."

"Let me check with Constantine first, then you can leave tonight.  I'll have the stuff in storage sent down to you."  He nodded.  "Will there be anything else you'll need?"

"Any financial records of hers turned over," Brast noted. "That way we can get her some pants so I'm not sent into a jealous rage."  Sivya hit him on the arm.  "I am.  No one should be able to stare at my mate in lust."

"They stare even if I'm dressed in my cloak from Alesar."

"If you say so.  I'd still rather have you dressed as a pirate since you are one."

"This isn't good enough?  It's not like I can't fight in it."

"No, it's not.  You're a priestess."  She stared him down.  "Just a few pairs?" he suggested finally.

"Fine." she smiled at him.  "See, suggestions do work."  He snorted and pulled her in for a kiss.

"You two haven't been mated long, have you?" Lasarae asked patiently.  They looked at her and shook their heads.  "Fine.  Should I take the baby as a peace offering?"

"No, leave him with us.  We can watch him, he's sleeping.  It's a nice thing."  The guard laughed as she left them alone.  "Now, where were we?"

"Here," he said before kissing her again.  A quiet sniffle made them both look at the baby.  Within a minute it was a loud wail so they picked him up to feed and play with him.  They could play with each other later.

~*~*~*~
 

Lasarae tapped on Constantine's door, walking in at the loud yell.  "Empress."

"Call me that again and I'm bashing someone's head in."

"Yes, Constantine.  Your stepmother was named second Ki and they wanted permission to move her to your father's residence in town."

"Denied."

"She does have those headaches," she pointed out gently.  "She's already miserable."

"Good, then it matches my own."  She flopped down, staring at the guard. "What are they doing at this moment?"

"They were kissing but I heard the baby start to cry."

"Wonderful," she said bitterly.  "The crown wants to name a male as Ki."

"That's against the law.  It knows that."

"It may, but it disagrees.  Not a regent, as a Ki.  We're in for more conflict and strife."  She pushed back some of her hair.  "When do I get to cut this mass?"

"Once the challenge has made it through the legal system. Those few traditionalist planets will push to have you put to death if you do it before then.  Your father was always very good with her hair if you'd like me to call him to see you."

"No.  Anything else?"

"Just that Lord Brast wanted all financial records about any present accounts of hers sent to him to deal with.  He wants to get her into pants instead of her usual attire."

"Is she running around naked like she did with the Ferganis?"

"No," she said calmly. "She did what?"

"She was running around naked with them, only her veil on.  She was hunting with them as well."  Lasarae shuddered.  "Apparently they didn't mind.  She promised to teach my baby brother the same things."

"I'm sure your father will teach him to wear proper attire."

"Fat chance.  Father dresses like that at times.  He said it's comfortable."

"You could if you chose," Lasarae offered. Constantine glared at her.  "Sorry, just a suggestion," she offered with a smile.   "Are you sure you want to keep her here?"

"No, she can go, as long as they stay close by.  That means they move with the palace.  I'll order Kathal to make sure of it and make sure that they have a small allowance."  She shifted positions.  "Why can't she just live in a shielded room?"

"They are.  Yerthes lives off the palace grounds as well.  From what I understand, anyone over a seven rating is miserable around here.  It's like a pack of wild beasts on the path of their first food in years."  Constantine groaned.  "Not to mention all the backstabbing between the ambassadors.  I know Sivya had a lot of problems with that, that's why she only allowed two people in the throne room at once.  Unless they were all involved in a petition."  She smiled at her.  "That is up to you however.  Should I send Kathal to you?"

"Please.  Tell him to leave his smugness behind as well.  I adore his new husband just as much as he does, but his smirking is making me irritated at my own mate, who's hiding at the moment."

"Constantine, if I may ask, are you feeling all right?  You're grumpier than normal."

"I'm just tired, Lasarae.  I promise."  She smiled at her. "Don't worry about it."

"Yes, ma'am.  I'll get Kathal in here quickly so you can take a nap."  She went to deal with that for her and made sure he knew it was to be done as fast as possible.  Things just had to be arranged at this time so they could continue for a few more days, before another change happened.  That was the way of life after all.
 

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