Living as Kahnerian - Chapter 30

Two weeks before the ship was to reach the Kahnerian planet the entire Kahnerian fleet met up with Zerian's ship. Zerian's father was on the lead ship and was the first to greet Zerian.

Zerian, his officers and their mates were all standing on the flight deck when the ships came within short range communication range. The females had their formal braids and ribbons done while the males were freshly cleaned and brushed. Marta wore her royal chain around her waist as she stood proudly beside Zerian.

When the King's face appeared on the screen before them they all knelt to one knee and bowed to him. "Please, please rise. It is us who should be bowing to you. My son, it is good to finally see you. My heart is finally whole today." The king looked at Zerian with the kind of pride, love and devotion only a father could give.

Zerian and his father had spent the last two years rebuilding their relationship. His father was ashamed of being so easily influenced by their enemy. He had said and done many hurtful things to Zerian over the last six years. Their relationship was stronger today than it had ever been. It took time and many apologies to get to where they are today. The king took great pride in his grandchildren and was eager to meet them in person.

"Father, thank you. I have missed you greatly. May I formally introduce you to Marta, my beloved mate, without her we would not be where we are today!" Zerian placed his hand on Marta's back and gently pushed her in front of him.

"My Lord." Marta greeted and bowed again.

"Marta Dear, it is an honor to finally meet you. You are the very definition of the Kahnerian values; Honor, Bravery, Loyalty, Unity, Discipline, Integrity, Strength, and Sacrifice. And may I add Beautiful."

"Thank you my Lord. I am honored to meet my King." Marta replied.

"I have a few special people with me today who have waited a long time to meet you." He said a bright sparkle in his eye.

The king stepped to the side and Marta watched as three Kahnerians stepped into view. Her hands immediately went to her mouth as she gasped. The resemblance was uncanny and it immediately brought tears to her eyes. Zerian wrapped his arms around her to comfort her.

A very old Kahnerian woman stood in front of the others and her face was unmistakable. "Young Marta, you look exactly like my beloved sister Lyriel. I am Lyriel's sister, Zymerry, the name of your mother and daughter. When I first heard of you, I couldn't believe my sister had survived. I didn't want to believe she lived all those years without us knowing, but when I saw your video there was no denying you are my great niece. Your grandmother would be so proud of you if she could see you today. I see her strength of character within you."

Marta wiped her tears away. "You look just like her. She never liked to speak of home. I didn't know she had a sister."

"Yes, we look very much alike. I'm sure it was hard for her to live on the human world. She was a very strong and proud Kahnerian. Hiding who she was would have been very difficult for her. But I see she still managed to teach you in the ways of our people." The older Zymerry replied.

"Yes, Ma'am. We were extremely close."

The old woman nodded then motioned with her hands to the woman standing beside her. "This is my daughter, your mother's cousin, Avalla."

Avalla and Marta gave each other a brief greeting. Zymerry turned slightly to address the male standing next to her. The male stepped forward eyeing Marta carefully. Marta waited for him to speak.

"Marta, I am Verndin. My grandfather, Jax, was aboard the scouting ship that crashed on the human planet. According to your DNA, he was also your grandfather."

Marta sucked in a breath and looked from the screen to Zerian. Zerian raised an eyebrow at the male. He did not know about this detail either. Marta turned back to the screen. "I'm glad to finally know who my grandfather was, but I know this must have been a surprise to your family." She said cautiously.

The male let a small smile escape his lips. "He was gone for many years. He and my grandmother were not exactly a perfectly mated pair."

Marta relaxed and smiled back. "I understand; do you look like him?" she asked.

The male smiled even brighter and shook his head. "No, he also had the white blond hair and deep green eyes. Your grandmother and him looked like they should be brother and sister, but I assure you there is no relation between them."

Marta laughed. "No escaping the white hair!"

Zerian chuckled beside her. "Probably explains why seven of our children all have your white hair." Marta nodded in agreement as Zerian leaned down and kissed the top of her head.

"Ten children!" Zymerry exclaimed. "Now that is an impressive accomplishment."

"They are a blessing and I hoped we will continue to be blessed." Marta answered. Zerian squeezed her tighter into him.

"Dear, you are a blessing to the Kahnerian people and to me. Through you my sister still lives. I see her spirit in you, little one!" Zymerry responded.

Marta gave a small bow to the old woman. "Thank you. That means a great deal to me."

"According to accounts you make the best Mizaine those males have ever tasted. If you have your grandmother's talents then I'm sure you are one hell of a cook." The old woman laughed. "She always outshined my cooking talents!"

Marta blushed. "She had me in the kitchen learning from her since I was five. I would like to think I am a good cook. I would very much like to have dinner with you and your family. If that's alright?" Marta looked up at Zerian.

Zerian smiled and nodded. "Of course, it would be nice to have Marta's family join us for a dinner. And yes, she is an incredible cook."

"After you've had time to settle in then we will make plans." Zymerry added.

The three Kahnerians stepped aside and the King reappeared. "Now Laura, Maryanne, Lucy, Fourla and Reve, I have not forgotten about you. You're extended families are here as well."

Marta glanced at her cousins who were all beaming with excitement, with the exception of Reve. Reve remained somber standing slightly behind Jezier. She was embarrassed and ashamed of herself. She didn't want to meet anyone. She wanted to return to her room and shut out the lights. She had much to think about these last five years and she was filled with hurt, anger and shame. She prayed everyday she would wake up and be given another chance at living a normal life. But that would not happen. Her skin was covered in reminders of her mistakes. Anyone who looked at her would immediately know what she had done. She was dreading moving down to the planet.

Slowly great aunts, uncles and distant cousins introduced themselves to the females. Not one of them addressed Reve who remained hiding behind Jezier with her head down. Marta looked at her worried. Reve was barely controlling the tears. Fourla quietly moved to block her from view and Jezier softly placed his hand on her waist. Marta caught Jezier's eyes and smiled softly to him. He gave her the tiniest of nods.

After the first greeting the males escorted the females back to the nursery before left for the control room. A lot of planning and information updates need to happen before they got to the planet in five days. Marta squeezed Reve's hand while they walked off the flight deck. Reve kept her face on the floor as the others walked past her and Jezier. After they passed Jezier escorted her down to the main service elevator to take her back to her room.

"You still feel sorry for her, don't you Beautiful?" Zerian asked as they brought their child to their room.

"Of course I do. We're supposed to be punished then forgiven. She's never been forgiven and will were her scars for the rest of her life. She will never be allowed to move past the mistakes she made when she was sixteen years old. She deserves a chance at a normal life. Isn't five years long enough?" Marta asked harshly.

Zerian looked at her startled for a moment. He was taken aback by her intensity. But as usual she was right. She was always his moral compass. "Yes, five years is enough. She still belongs to Jezier, but I can help with the other."

"I want her punishment to end. Jezier is rough with her, but he still cares about what happens to her. I don't think he will ever truly love her, but he cares about her well-being." Marta replied as she started cooking dinner for the children.

"You are correct as usual." He chuckled gently. He moved behind and wrapped his arms around her. "I love you. You make me a stronger leader every day." He bent and kissed her neck.

Marta melted into him. "I love you too, Baby. Bite me."

"As you wish." Zerian's animal came out and bit into her neck. Marta moaned softly.

He lifted her into his arms and carried her into their bathroom. They closed the door then melted to the floor. "I thought you had work to do?" she teased him.

"I'll be fast." He promised.

"Not too fast."

"Deal."

****

Four weeks later Zerian, Marta and the children were settling into their own wing of the palace. Lyriel and Zymerry shared a large bed within their own room, as did Raige and Aramus. The six younger children still shared a large bed with Zerian and Marta. A large outdoor playground was built for the children and an indoor nursery was also created for the children.

Brenda settled into a servant's room within the same wing as Marta and Zerian. Marta and Zerian preferred Brenda cleaning their rooms and acting as a nanny to the children. She was familiar with their needs and the children were used to her.

During their first day on the planet Zerian, his officers, the females and all the children were the center of a grand parade as every Kahnerian lined the streets to meet them. The Kahnerians threw flowers at them as they passed while others bent to their knees to say prayers for them. Some called them saviors while others called them heroes. It was a surreal moment for Marta and her cousins. Even Reve stood with them. She stood a little taller than she had the previous time she stood in front of the other Kahnerians.

Zerian kept his word and sent Reve to Saxxer only after he discussed the healing with Jezier. Jezier acknowledged and agreed it was time for Reve's scars to be healed. It was time for her to look at herself in the mirror for the first time in five years. Zerian made it very clear she was allowed to have her scars healed but she was still his and she was still a service female. Jezier could remark her again if he chose. The evening Zerian spoke to Jezier about healing Reve, he was especially brutal with her. He made sure he left large claw marks in her flesh. When he took her to Saxxer like he normally did he sat her in the healing tank. Reve looked at him confused. "It is time to heal and move on. You are still mine and I still do not want to hear you speak, but it's time you hold your head up while you walk beside me." Jezier had told her. Reve let a single tear fall as she lay down and waited for the process to begin.

So there Reve stood in her refreshed scar free skin beside her cousins. Jezier let her body hair grow out and had her braid her hair so no one would know how short it was. She had a little more confidence and wasn't quite as scared. But as soon as the parade was over she moved to sit on the floor by Jezier ignoring the conversations around her. It was a good day for her. She was Jezier's property and she was okay with that. She had someone who took care of her and protected her. Was it a form of love? She didn't know, but it was enough for her.

The other cousins moved into new homes built especially for Zerian's officers, their mates and many children. A single small school was brought back to life and two new teachers were assigned to the school, one teacher for the males and one teacher for the females. As requested, Jezier was assigned the male children's warrior trainer! The children attended classes in the morning then went to their separate training. The male children went with Jezier to train as warriors and the females went with Marta and Laura to learn about the Nah Dinh, the female power sharing and of course cooking lessons.

Marta insisted she be the one to teach the children. Zerian promised her royal duties could be arranged to preside around the children's schedule.

By the end of their first year on the planet, Zerian was crowned King and Marta was crowned Queen. Marta was pregnant with their eleventh child. The few times Zerian had to leave home for royal duties he left Jezier as Marta and the children's protector. At first it seemed uncomfortable to have Jezier present in her life, but soon Marta grew more accustomed to him. She requested he bring Reve with him so Reve would not be left unprotected.

Reve remained in a back room away from the children but Marta made sure she ate well and was comfortable. After the children went to bed, she often would go and have a one sided conversation with Reve. Reve would acknowledge yes or no questions but mostly she would sit and listen to Marta speak. Reve never sat on a chair in Marta's presence, she refused. She remained on the floor in front of Marta as a sign of respect to Marta. Marta initially was frustrated by it, but learned to accept Reve's request.

"She seems healthier now." Marta commented one evening to Jezier.

"She is getting better. She is not as withdrawn as she used to be, but she remains silent because I insist on it." Jezier replied as he sat at the dining room table eating.

"I think her silence brings her peace."

"I agree. It surely brings me peace." Jezier laughed.

Marta laughed with him. "I'm sure it does. She is a much calmer being now. Are you still brutal with her often?"

Jezier raised his eyebrow at her and smirked. "Yes. Do you allow Zerian to go brutal?" he countered.

"I break a rule once a month for him, but he doesn't go as dark as he once did. I think it really bothered him not being able to stop. We choose not to discuss it. He needs it, I need it, so I make sure I break a rule. I'm sure he knows I do it on purpose, but like I said, we don't discuss it anymore. I know the penalty of breaking the different rules..." Marta shrugged.

"Does he go dark then?" Jezier asked seeming surprised she was being so honest with him.

"Depends on the rule, but yes he does. It always starts as a whipping in front of the children then we go somewhere private where he ties me up and gags me. The electric prod is still both of our favorites." Marta laughed. "I'd like to hear another female admit that one!"

"You're the only one I know of!" Jezier laughed with her.

Marta shrugged again. "What can I say?" she beamed a big smile at him.

Jezier shook his head and laughed. "My King is a blessed male."

"My King is my life and I would do anything for him." Marta countered.

"I'm glad to hear that." Zerian said from the doorway to their kitchen.

"Zerian!" Marta exclaimed and ran to jump in his arms. He held her tight as her legs wrapped around his waist and their mouths found each other. "You've been gone too long." She pouted when they came up for air.

"I'm sorry, Beautiful. Have you been good?" he asked and glanced over at Jezier. Jezier beamed a smile and nodded.

"Of course! I'm not going to make you worry while you are gone!" she answered.

"Jezier, please stay this evening so we can talk in the morning. Right now, I'm going to go convince my Queen to be bad for me." Zerian growled and kissed Marta again.

Jezier chuckled. "Welcome home, Sir. We will talk in the morning."

Zerian took Marta back to their private room they used just for them and their games. "You know what I really need Baby?" Marta whispered in his mouth.

"What's that?" he asked as he set her down.

"This." She said with a wicked glint in her eye then slapped him as hard as she could.

His animal roared out at her as his own face grew wicked. "Thank you" was his only reply before he began their games.