Breeding Ground Part 34

Two races. Two cultures. Both believed themselves superior to the enemy.

How can I fight against that? As Malik said, am I to believe everything can change after a f.u.c.k or two?

Sighing, Alex gazed out onto the dark waters as if it held answers. To her chagrin, all it possessed was what it was-a black abyss where the unknown dwelled.

"We know her position, Great One. Let us strike now and reclaim the mortal human queen."

Malik stared down from the cliff out onto the black waters where the small vessel drifted closer and closer to the Takuri stronghold. "She is no mortal. I saw to that."

Ghazi stilled. "You...what?"

"I gave her immortality," he retorted without apology. Turning to face his most trusted ally, Malik shook his head. "I cannot do this, my friend. I cannot force her to come back to Tongor against her will."

Ghazi searched his eyes. "If I may be blunt?"

"You may."

"What possesses you?"

Malik smiled as he looked away, back toward the boat that carried Alexandria further and further away from him. "Romeo and Juliet," he murmured, confusing Ghazi impossibly more. "Were it possible to refuse my father and deny my name, I would. For her, I would."

Chapter Twenty-Two.

"My queen," Fija said softly, "will you dine with us this eve?" She cleared her throat. "We will permit your males to dine with us, too, does it please you."

"Have you released your son from bondage?"

"I have." Fija's back went ramrod straight. "With grat.i.tude to you for forcing me to do thusly."

Alex blinked. She'd been back in Zala for a month and every day without Malik felt longer than the last. Inside she felt dead, but she forced a smile to her lips so that Fija would know she was well pleased. "I'm happy for you. And for him."

Silence.

"Little warrior," Fija said softly, "all will be well."

Alex's hand absently played with the gold collar she wore. She supposed she should have asked Fija to help her find a way to remove it, but wasn't quite ready to let go. "I'm with child," she whispered. "Malik's child."

Fija stilled. "Good G.o.ds," she muttered.

Alex's nostrils flared. For the first time in a month, she felt emotion. It was anger, but she supposed it was a start. "And is that so bad?" she snapped. "Why must the two races be enemies? Why can there not be peace!"

Fija was quiet for a moment, and then, "I heard what you and your males discussed on the boat back to Zala."

Alex's eyebrows inched together.

"It might be our destiny to kill each other off. This is what was said."

"I'm sorry you heard that."

"I am not." Fija sighed. "The women of Tukuru believe in you, my queen. Where you lead, they will follow. Do you want peace between the races, I believe our people will take heed and do your bidding. But it takes more than one race to call an end to the war. I do not see your Malik standing here wanting the same."

Alex closed her eyes against the words. "You are correct," she whispered. Slowly, she opened her eyes and regarded Fija. "What about my baby?"

"You are a strong woman, Alexandria the Great." Fija inclined her head. "You will raise him to be as wise as his mother. Of this I hold no doubt."

Tears that didn't fall gathered in the corners of Alex's eyes. "Thank you." She smiled, this time the gesture not forced. "You are wiser than I will ever be. I owe you much."

"You owe me nothing." Fija walked towards the doors, leaving Alex alone with her thoughts. "I will tell the others you are tired this eve. Get some rest."

Malik had tried to stay away. For a month he had waged war within himself, doing all that he could to give Alexandria the gift she most desired-freedom. In the end he had decided to keep the vow to himself, but not until he saw her one final time.

He had to know with all certainty that this was what she wanted. He had to look into her eyes and see the truth within them. He had to say to her the words of love she had given to him. If nothing else, she would know before night's end what lay in his heart of hearts.

Managing to get past Zala's heavily flanked perimeters had proven a bit difficult, but not impossible. Before Alexandria, his mind would have been racing with the significance of that fact. After Alexandria, it only made him irritated that there was any barrier at all between the two of them.

Tracking her from there would have been easy even if the bite he had given her hadn't made it so he could hone in on her location at any time, from anywhere. She lived in the temple that had long ago been erected by the Takuri; the temple where their prophesized queen was to live and rule.

He found her in her bedchamber, alone and looking unwell. The circles under her eyes were foreign to him so he didn't know what they signified. All he knew was that his Alexandria was ill.

You cannot die, little one. I made you an immortal.

In his animal form, his keen ears picked up a small beating sound as he landed on the balcony of her bedchamber. Curious, and uncertain what it was he was hearing, Malik stilled. The sound came from...

Her womb.

"By the G.o.ds," he murmured. "You carry my child."

His heart began to race, a myriad of emotions engulfing him all at once. Elation. Possessiveness. Territorialism. Hunger to be joined with her again.

Fear that she would seek to keep him from his child upon its birth.

Malik stood there on the balcony, s.h.i.+fting into his man-form without even thinking about it. All he could do was stare at her and bask in the beauty that he felt inside. Before her, there had been nothing. After her, he noticed all the things he hadn't before-tears, joy, pain, happiness-life.

Alexandria the Great had awakened him in more ways than one.

Finally, after what were long minutes of simply watching her, Malik prepared to make his presence known. Wearing the customary black, thigh-high leather skirt and black knee-high boots of the Xandi kings.h.i.+p, he entered her bedchamber.

Alexandria stilled upon taking notice of him, perhaps unable to believe what it was she was seeing. Or, more to the point, who it was she was seeing.

"Malik," she breathed out, her eyes wide. "What are you doing here?"

His muscles tensed as he wondered if his presence here was unwanted. "I came to tell you-"

Before he could get his entire rehea.r.s.ed speech out, Alexandria threw herself into his arms and hugged him tightly. He closed his eyes and allowed himself to bask in the moment, to hold this very special woman in his arms again.

"I love you, Alexandria," Malik murmured against her ear. "I couldn't let you just walk away from me without knowing what it is I feel for you."