60. Different Words
1975 Words
We get up to his office on the ship. I sit on his lap and give his marking spot a little kiss. "I miss you."
His hand drags up my thigh. "You need some d**k, baby?"
I smile and give him a kiss.
Then 2 idiots run in the open door. "What are you doing?"
"What does it look like we're doing, Victor?"
"Well, you're working if you're in here." Tobias crosses his arms.
"You 2 are like children. And it's confidential. You're not finding out. So go."
"I'll say the vows right now. You know I'm not going anywhere. I hate secrets, and we can tell you 2 are doing something without anyone knowing."
"Just because you vow doesn't mean you get to know all the classified stuff. There's still classified between me and Alden."
Victor crosses his arms and stares at us.
Alden laughs. "It is driving them crazy, woman. Go outside, so we can talk for a second."
"BUT."
"VICTOR GO."
"FINE. I'LL BE RIGHT OUTSIDE THE DOOR."
Tobias slams the door behind them.
"I don't know if Tobias will vow or not woman."
"It's ok. If he wants to think about it or doesn't want to do it, I wouldn't give him any more planets. I'd let him keep that 1 and keep working with us."
"Yea, that's what I figure too."
"About the mining planet. We're going to classify it at tier 1."
"I want the black ore classified at tier 0 though. I guess it's the most valuable thing we'll ever find."
"Sounds good. Ship document and report all projects ongoing on the mining planet. Each should be classified at rank 1, except black ore mining. Do not even print the report on that one."
"Yes, sir."
"Also, I need a full report on the gold mining operation on Tobia's planet. Mark and seal it classified rank 1 Tobias."
"Yes, sir."
"If he vows we'll show him. If he doesn't, we won't."
"I like that."
"Alright, let's see if they'll vow."
"You need momma and daddy. Maybe Alkawn can do it. I'm not sure. But we can't do it. And only you have to be in the room with them. It doesn't take long. But they have to do them 1 at a time. Takes 10 minutes each depending on the vows."
"You don't have to be there?"
"Nope. The vows are to our throne. Only 1 of us has to be there, and I don't want to sit through daddy talking." I stretch. "Make Alkawn be there, or it will take 6 hours each."
He pats my butt. "Are Alkawn, Kennian, or Lily on the ship?"
"Yes, sir. All 3."
"Summon them here."
"Yes, sir."
I kiss his neck. "I can't wait until later."
"Me either baby. I can't wait to make you scream my name."
Alkawn comes in. "Don't do that when you summon people. And the assholes want in."
"Leave them out there." He pats my butt and I stand up.
Alkawn shuts the door on them.
"He's going to give them the option to vow now. They can pick their rank. Momma and daddy are coming too. I didn't know if you could do the vows or not."
"No. Only a former king and queen or current can do it."
"Then you'll be here to make sure they take 10 minutes each. Please don't let daddy talk for 6 hours."
"Of course. I will monitor and kick him in the ass on occasion."
"Thank you, sir."
Momma and daddy come in. "We were summoned."
"Yes, we have no idea how to do the vows."
"I'm only doing the first part once. They can be together for that part. How do I talk through the ship?"
A brain hands her a headset. "Orange button."
"Attention, this is Lily. I am beginning the vowing ceremony in 5 minutes. Location Alden's office. If you are interested in taking vows, please report here within 5 minutes. You must hear the beginning part regardless of what level you vow at." The door flies open and Tobias and Victor push each other in. She shuts it off. "Everyone needs to be here for the beginning."
"Fine." I flop on the couch.
5 minutes later, every single person on the ship is in Alden's office. All of them. I scratch my head. I know they're all not going to vow.
Elek sits beside me. "My brother came here. I want to see what he's planning."
"We'll pull him to my office and ask before he vows. They have to do it 1 at a time. Victor will go first, and they take 10 minutes anyway."
"Good. We have time."
I sit back with him.
"Thank you all. As stated before, there are 4 levels of vows. You will be brought in separately if you wish to vow. Then they will be explained to you. You will choose your level of vows. You can not be led. You have to enter the vow without threat or promise. You are being promised nothing. You are not being threatened or even asked to vow. That choice is yours. With regard to the planets Victor and Tobias already rule, what are you doing with them in the event they do not vow at the corresponding level?"
Alden leans on his desk. "Nothing. They will keep their planets, and we will continue to work with them. We will keep our promise to get Tobias's people off that planet. Their titles will not be stripped. They will remain kings. However, they will be allowed no additional planets to rule under our throne."
Momma flips a paper over. "Mark that as clause 1."
"Yes, ma'am."
"Now I want to express the seriousness of this. You each have experience with vows. You know what they are. They can not be taken back. Ranks 2, 3, and 4 have breakable clauses in them. You would be able to walk away. However, all classified information would still be classified. It must not be talked about. That is a vow you will take at those ranks, but it is not 1 that is breakable at any level. You must understand this to move forward." We know this. "Great, the vows list is now available on the ship. Ask for a print-out if you want to research. You can vow at anytime. It does not have to be tonight or any specific night. Take your time."
"Can we change vows?" Jenny has her hand up.
"Not sure if I know what you mean."
"If I vow at rank 2 now, can I vow at rank 1 later?"
"Yes. But you can not back up."
Alkawn smiles at her. "You need to be ready to vow and not have questions. If you're questioning it, do more research. Take your time. It's not a race. Like she said, anytime. You are the 1 who has to be sure. And you are not being pressured, they are not kicking you out if you don't vow anything. That choice is yours. This is your life. Not anyone else's."
Momma smiles. "That is very true. It's your lives. Not ours. You have to make the decisions without being led. With that, if you are ready to vow to any rank, line up outside the door. We'll pull you in 1 at a time. Alkawn, Kennian, myself, and Alden will be in here to hear the vows."
Me and Elek exit last. Tobias and Victor are pushing each other. "KNOCK IT OFF."
"I swear." I shake my head and point at Elroy and Tera, "You 2 with us."
We sit at my conference table. "What are you planning to vow?"
"Rank 1."
I nearly fall off the chair. I was not ready for that. I straighten myself out. "I'm thinking of some words."
Elek glances at me. "Me too." We stare a minute, then he starts, "Well now... no... I need different words."
Elroy chuckles. "This is where we belong. We want to be here, Elek."
"In this situation I have to be royal, and I can only speak in facts. I can't threaten or promise. I can't..."
"You've got your dad's type of speech going on, Kehlani."
"Sorry. Thank you for stopping me. God only knows how long we would have sat here listening to me ramble."
"It happens."
Elek finds some words. "You live on earth."
"We can visit."
I stand up. "There is nothing I can say. I would be honored to have you both. You're amazing people. You're strong. Smart. Kind. You fit in perfectly. I need you to understand that Elek will not remain here. We do not know how long he will be here. His loyalty is to Nadine. Not me. He will return to earth, whether it's tomorrow or 10 years, we don't know."
"We know. We're staying here. It's not him we're staying for."
"Use the room as long as you need, Elek. I have to excuse myself. I can't lead them in this decision."
"I understand."
I get out in the hallway and Tobias and Victor are standing there. Alden's door is shut. "Whose in there?"
"Same people. We're the only vows. They're taking their time letting us back in."
"How long?"
"10 minutes."
"You 2 are done, already?"
"Yes. Alkawn kept standing up every time your dad opened his mouth, 'just let them say the vows. You can speech later'."
I crack up laughing as Elek comes out with Elroy and Tera. "They're going to talk to our parents tomorrow. Before they make the final decision."
"That's a good idea. Talk to family about it."
"THANK YOU." Tera runs off, dragging Elroy with her.
"For what?" I look at Elek.
"No idea. So what did you 2 vow at?"
They yell, "1"
"Figured."
"I didn't." I shake my head. "Well, I figured Victor would. I didn't know about Tobias, he's from earth and has a queen of queens already there."
Tobias smiles. "She is not you. She is nothing like you. You do everything differently. I'm right where I want to be, and I'm staying."
I smile at Elek. "I like him."
"No crushes."
"I didn't mean like that."
Victor laughs. "So did you end up getting laid tonight? The way she pulled you out of there, I thought she was going to rip your clothes off in the ballroom."
"I'm not going to talk about that."
I smile at him. "Well, did you have a nice conversation, sir? I know you wanted to talk with her."
He smirks. "No conversation unless you count her screaming my name."
The boys laugh and I shake my head. "Should have known better than to ask an innocent question."
Alden's door opens and momma and daddy come out. Daddy smiles. "I vowed at rank 1, of course. But I'm on vacation. I accrued a lot in the last 500 years. Let me know if you need anything, sweetie." He kisses my head and leaves with momma.
"He doesn't care about my secrets."
"That man hasn't gotten laid in 500 years. We know what he's going to do."
I shake my head and plug my ears. "NO NO NO NO NO NO NO"
"WHAT?" Alden picks me up. "What did you do?" I snuggle into him and keep my ears plugged.
"Told her, her dad hasn't got laid in 500 years, and we know what he's doing tonight."
I throw myself back, "NO NO NO."
"Ok ok. Stop. No more talking about her parents like that. I'm sure they don't even have the right parts."
I snuggle Alden. The rest of them laugh.
"I need Tobias and Victor in here."
"Have fun."
"We will. With rank 1 stuff."
Alden shakes his head. "Yea, all 1 envelope of it."
Elek laughs as he walks away.
- Writer
