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to it, she let her fingers trail along its smooth surface, enjoying its silky feel. This was the private
desk of a Lord. There were papers scattered across its wide surface, notes on training schedules, and
reminders of things he needed to do.
Her manno s desk had been like this, full of things that needed his attention, things he wanted to do.
It made her smile slightly to realize the two most important males in her life had so much in common
and she hadn t even realized it.
Well now, they would have one more thing in common. Leaning forward, she placed the ancient
carving of the Goddess on the top of Oryon s desk, centering it so the Goddess appeared to be gazing
lovingly down at whoever was sitting there.
In truth, she was gazing at the tiny offspring she held in her arms. Isis manno had told her how it
had been in their bloodline since before the great infection and that it was believed to bless the male
it was given to with female offspring. His own manno had been gifted with a female after Geb s
presentation and while Isis had never met the female, her manno had spoken fondly of her.
Isis had prayed nightly to this intricate carving. At first, she had prayed that the Goddess would
allow her to give Oryon female offspring, something deep in her heart she still wished for. Later, as
the offspring the Goddess had blessed her with grew, her prayers had changed. She had begun to pray
for the Goddess to provide them with females instead of herself.
Bowing her head, Isis thanked the Goddess for all the blessings she had bestowed on her males
and asked for her assistance in helping Ull to find his way. Turning, she brushed several papers with
her sleeve, scattering them across the floor.
Shaking her head, Isis dropped to her knees, gathering up the papers. As she was about to rise, she
saw one that had slipped all the way under the desk. Crawling all the way under the desk, she finally
reached the stray paper and began to back out. Thinking she was clear, Isis started to rise and hit the
back of her head on the edge of the desk.
Ouch! She reached up to rub the small bump that was forming. When she did, her hand bumped a
small vial out of its hiding spot under the desk. It rolled across the floor, stopping only when it ran
into the newly placed rug.
Slowly, Isis reached up and blindly dropped the papers back on the desk. Her gaze never left the
vial.
What was it?
Why was Oryon hiding it?
Still on her hands and knees, Isis cautiously crawled toward the vial as if it were as deadly as a
wild termagant. She carefully picked it up between two fingers and heard a slight rattle from
whatever was inside.
Hesitantly, she twisted off the top of the vial and poured whatever was inside into her waiting
palm. Tablets& small blue tablets& Lifting one, she touched it to her tongue, then jerked back in
shock.
Cohosh Gorm! An herb that when used in extremely small amounts could help stomach problems,
in a tablet like this& Isis mind flew. She knew this for some reason& why& her mother& her
mother had told her that concentrated cohosh gorm& Isis eyes widened in shock. Prevented
conceiving!
Why did Oryon have this?
Rising to her feet, Isis went to find out.
" " " " "
Get back on your comm, Jago! Oryon ordered over his shoulder, his eyes never leaving the
darkening smoke. He had heard no alarm sounding, and that let him know the fire had not yet been
discovered. Contact Shen about the fire. Tell him we are en route and that I want the entire House
secured, especially Isis. Oryon wasn t sure what he was sensing, but something was very wrong
here, and he needed to make sure his Isis was safe.
Yes, my Lord, Jago grunted, pulling out his comm. He had always known that his Lord was a fit
male, but he was at least twenty years older than Jago, and Jago was having trouble keeping up with
him. As Shen answered Jago s call, an explosion ripped through House Rigel, shattering windows.
" " " " "
Kaspar smiled as he jogged up the rise. He had made it. He was free. No more would he have to
serve a Lord that allowed a female to rule his House. Now he would be able to obtain a female.
Cresting the rise, he skidded to a halt, for coming toward him at a dead run was Oryon himself,
followed closely by Jago.
Realizing they had not yet seen him, Kaspar spun around and quickly retraced his steps back to
House Rigel s kitchen.
I told you to get& An explosion cut off the rest of Lajos words, shaking the walls of House
Rigel. Pots and Pans rattled and plates fell from shelves.
Every male in the kitchen froze, their eyes flying to Lajos.
Secure the kitchen! Lajos immediately ordered. Shut down everything! Every stove! Every
oven!
But the meal& someone dared ask.
Will wait! Lajos spat out, his gaze spearing the male stupid enough to question him. He glanced
back to Kaspar, expecting him to take control of the situation, and found him gone.
" " " " "
Here, Warrior Vali? Jael asked stepping back from where they had set the chair.
Yes. Thank you. Walking over to the chair his mother had given him, Vali couldn t stop his hand
from running along the wood on top of its high back.
It is a magnificent chair. Jael found himself saying, then lowered his eyes as Vali s gaze turned
to him. My apologies, Warrior Vali.
Why are you apologizing? You are speaking truth.
Yes, but I have not yet earned the right to speak to a warrior, he said quietly.
Who has told you this? Vali demanded. This was wrong. As long as a trainee showed respect,
he was allowed to speak to whomever he liked.
Master Kasper, Jael admitted to Vali.
He is wrong, Jael. Vali waited, but when Jael said nothing and his eyes remained lowered, Vali
realized there was more wrong here than he had thought. Look at me Jael!
Jael s gaze immediately flew to Vali.
I do not know what Master Kaspar has been teaching you, any of you, Vali s eyes traveled over
the other three trainees in the room. But you have the right to speak to any male you wish, as long as
you show him respect. How else are you expected to learn from him?
I& Jael looked to his friends.
Speak freely Jael, Vali ordered.
Warrior Kaspar assured us he would not allow us to continue with our training if we did not do
as he said. That Lord Oryon always agreed with his recommendations after his training.
Vali couldn't believe Jael actually believed this. Do you truly believe your Lord, a male worthy
enough to have a female remain with him his entire life, would blindly follow any male s
recommendation?
I& Jael s eyes widened. No, my& Warrior Vali& my Lord, would never do that.
Good, then it is understood that you may speak to warriors, and I will speak to Warrior Kaspar
about& An explosion drowned out the rest of Vali s words.
" " " " "
Isis jerked open the outer doors of the Lord s Wing, startling the two warriors guarding the door.
As she opened her mouth to demand to know where their Lord was, an explosion ripped through the
House. Immediately, both males reached for their comms that were suddenly squawking.
Isis recognized the voice of Oryon s Captain through the comm, ordering House Rigel be secured
and every male to the Common Wing to fight the fire. Static broke up the rest of his order.
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