The Smuggler's Ascension: Dark Tide Rising Read online

  The room had cleared in record time, until Sabine was left panting and spent as she knelt on the end of the bed, crying softly. Anasha and Kristof had not escaped with the rest, she noticed with some annoyance, but she chose not to make an issue of it. Her stomach was roiling again and she feared she would be sick, and doing so now after demanding that she was fine would have undone all of her effort.

  Kristof seemed to sense her inner debate and turmoil, because he brought her one of her puke buckets even as he leaned down and kissed her. Sabine cringed to think what he must have tasted in that kiss after a morning of sickness, but to his credit he did not show any sign of it when he leaned away. She waved the offered bucket away and eased herself back down onto the bed.

  “You can’t keep doing this, my love,” Kristof told her quietly as he stroked her hair and wiped away a tear. “They’re just trying to help you, we all are.”

  “I know,” Sabine said with a sob as she reached out to him, pulling him down next to her. She felt Anasha behind her moments later as her wife spooned her from behind. “I just can’t take the poking and prodding anymore,” she wept, her emotions breaking apart once more. “I’m starting to feel like some damn science experiment or something.”

  The doctors had told Sabine that her emotions would be wild for a while as the hormones in her body reacted to her pregnancy, and she cursed them silently now for being right. It seemed that every time she had herself under control again, something would happen to send her off once more. She’d begun to suspect that pregnancy was also a form of insanity as she found her thoughts to be just as chaotic as her body was now.

  “We’ll get you through this,” Anasha said softly from behind her, her embrace warm and comforting. “We’ll do this together.”

  Sabine quieted in time as the three lay there together. She could feel Anasha’s hand on her stomach, quieting the baby within, and Sabine found she did not mind the woman’s touch this time. Kristof looked deeply into her eyes, and she again felt the boundless love she felt for this man. She reached up to caress his cheek as she whispered her thanks to them both.

  “Subat has had an idea,” Kristof said after a while. Sabine was shocked when she opened her eyes to see that it had grown dark outside. Apparently, she had slept for several hours for the first time in days. She yawned mightily as she propped herself up in bed.

  “What has father come up with?” Sabine asked sleepily as she fought off another yawn.

  “The power that the baby has inherited comes at first from Anasha,” Kristof began to explain.

  “Wait,” Sabine interrupted as she became more alert. “Anasha didn’t get me pregnant, you did, mister,” she said as traces of her humor returned. It was amazing what a few hours of peaceful rest could do, it seemed.

  “This is true,” Kristof laughed. “I seem to remember doing that, too,” he added with a naughty wink that made her laugh again.

  “I’m sorry, love” Sabine said with a smile. “Go on.”

  “I am not a true Su’Tani,” Kristof began again. “I am not even Puranni, as you know. But Subat has told me that Su’Tani can choose to pass on their power at the time of their death, which is what Anasha did with me. Once I was Su’Tani, I was able to pass that genetic code on to our child.”

  “Ok, that makes sense,” Sabine replied after she had thought it though. “So what is this idea of father’s, then?”

  “Because the power comes from Anasha, he believes that she can exert a measure of control over it to an extent,” Kristof went on. “That is why she keeps pawing at you, so please let her be.”

  Sabine blushed guiltily and nodded in acceptance, yet annoyed at the prospects of constantly being groped, even if it was by someone that she loved deeply.

  “Subat also thinks that there may be a way for Anasha to take on some of the…” words failed Kristof for a moment, “some of the burden and share it between all three of us, rather than you bearing it alone. It may also help fight whatever it is that is influencing these episodes.”

  For the first time in days, Sabine perked up in genuine hope.

  “Do you think it is possible?” Sabine asked hopefully.

  “I don’t know, my love,” Kristof answered honestly. “The two of them left here a couple hours ago in search of something, but they didn’t tell me what. I’m not sure they’re even sure what they are looking for. They were on their way to speak with the Lore Masters at the Temple when they left. It’s an idea, though, something to hold onto and give you some hope.”

  Sabine cheered for joy in the silences of her mind as she pulled Kristof down for a kiss. They remained that way for a long time as the room grew darker still as night deepened. She held Kristof tight when he moved to turn on a light, preferring the darkness. His heartbeat in his chest as she listened was steady and strong. She thought back to when she thought for sure she had lost him the previous year, remembered the sight of the blazing supernova erupting on the view screens as she watched the destruction of the Clovani fleet. She never wanted to feel that sense of loss again.

  So many things had happened since Sabine had met Kristof, things both wondrous and unbelievable. It seemed strange that after all of that, their lives had now been turned upside down by something as simple as a baby. Though this baby could do things it should not have been able to, even for a Su’Tani child. It angered her to think that something was trying to interfere with her child, and she placed a protective hand over her stomach while vowing to fight if she could just find a way.

  Sabine awoke with a start several hours later to find dawn creeping through the windows. Kristof was asleep behind her, his arms protectively around her still as if he hadn’t moved all night. He probably hadn’t, she supposed, and she loved him even more for it. The sense of safety she always felt in his arms was one of her most valued treasures.

  “I thought you two would sleep forever,” Anasha said softly from across the room.

  “How long have you been watching us?” Sabine asked as she yawned and rubbed her eyes.

  “About an hour or so,” Anasha answered with a smile. “I just couldn’t stop staring at the two of you, all cute like that. He acts all tough,” she said with a nod to Kristof, “But he’s really a big softy inside.”

  “Good thing he’s only softy inside,” Sabine giggled naughtily, and Anasha joined her.

  “I heard that,” Kristof whispered from behind her and joined their laughter.

  “Good,” Sabine said and gave him a playful squeeze, causing him to groan and her to giggle again.

  “If you two are done, father is waiting for us in the other room,” Anasha said. She tossed Sabine a towel and said, “Join us when you’re ready.” She then turned and walked quietly from the room.

  “Stay with me,” Sabine said softly as Kristof rose and made to follow Anasha. “I still feel weak.” It was only half a lie.

  Kristof nodded and helped Sabine from the bed and into the bathroom. He undressed her as the water in the shower began to steam, and gave her a steadying hand into the shower. The hot water was heaven on her skin as she felt the sickness and sweat of the past few days wash away. Suddenly, though, her vision went dark and she felt herself grow weak, and just as suddenly Kristof was there to catch her.

  The episode passed quickly and she found herself in Kristof’s arms as the water soaked his clothing through. Sabine giggled uncontrollably as she whispered, “My hero.”

  “Always, my love,” Kristof said as he kissed her.

  Kristof dried Sabine and helped her dress as he continued to drip wetly all over the floor. Sabine’s giggles seemed determined not to leave throughout the whole process until at last he led her into the other room. Kristof’s soaked clothing was met by some interesting stares, which set her to giggling anew. She watched her husband walked back into the other room for fresh clothing, and just continued to giggle uncontrollably.

  ~9~

  While they awaited Kristof’s return in dry clothing, Anasha went
to her wife and kissed her softly to help ease her fits of giggles. Sabine was grateful for the assist, Anasha could tell, as she held her stomach from the cramps the giggles had set off. She kissed the tiny Queen’s forehead as she stroked her hair, then stepped back as her father, Subat, brought the Queen a steaming cup of tea.

  “Max is making you something light to eat as well,” Subat told her as he gave her a kiss on the forehead as well.

  “Max?” Sabine asked with some alarm. “Have you forgotten the last time he tried to cook? We were all almost poisoned to death.”

  “It wasn’t that bad,” Max objected as he entered the room with a covered tray. “You all recovered within a day or two. But not to fear, Your Majesty, I have since uploaded a culinary program into my matrix. It was confusing at first, as it tried to merge with my combat programming, and I found myself attempting to puree a Clovani soldier on Geldahn a few weeks after.”

  Sabine had been laughing at Max’s tale until he reached the puree part, at which point she had to fight off her gag reflex with some trouble. Anasha gave Max a dark look as she took the tray from the oblivious android and motioned for him to go stand against the wall. Setting the tray down, she turned back to Sabine to find she had settled herself.

  “The breakfast was very thoughtful of you, Max,” Sabine said in quiet thanks to the android, who nodded to her in return. “It smells lovely, too. I promise to try it in just a bit. So tell me about this idea, if you would, father.”

  Anasha sat beside Sabine as her father brought forth a small case and set it on the table next to the tray of food. Once opened, she could see the crystals that had been used during the Ritual of Tu’Laria, the ritual that had been performed to bring her spirit across the Void and back to the world of the living to confirm Kristof as the ak’Sun Su’Tani. She found she had a special attachment to these crystals that had allowed her return and to bond with Sabine and Kristof in the Akana’San’Tani ritual of marriage. Without that bond, Kristof would have been lost to them forever.

  “Who are we summoning today, father?” Sabine asked, but it was Anasha who answered for him.

  “We will not be summoning anyone, love,” Anasha began as Kristof returned, now dried and in fresh clothing. Kristof sat nearby and opened the covered tray that Max had brought in, taking a piece of toast from within.

  “Hey, Max made that,” Anasha warned.

  “I know, I could smell it from the other room,” Kristof answered as he ate the toast. “He’s actually gotten pretty good at cooking since we’ve been gone.”

  “Back off, mister, that’s mine,” Sabine barked, apparently suddenly hungry again now that Kristof had pronounced it safe. Anasha laughed to herself as the little Queen pulled the tray to her and dug in to her meal, perhaps the first she’d had an appetite for in days.

  “As I was saying,” Anasha went on, to the sounds of Sabine eating, “We will not be summoning anyone today. Our father here has been researching night and day in the Temple library with the Lore Masters, searching for a way we might ease the burden upon Sabine. Last night, he called me to the Temple to translate some old Puranni for him.”

  “You can read old Puranni?” Sabine asked from around a mouthful of eggs, which sparked a long laugh from Kristof. Sabine gave him a dark look as she stuck her tongue out at him.

  “Yes,” Anasha answered, laughing herself at the antics of her two loves. “Once you know how, it’s easier than talking with your mouth full.” Laughter filled the room again, a welcome sound after the disquiet of the past days.

  “What my father had found,” Anasha continued, serious once more, “Was an ancient text regarding the crystals we now use in the Ritual of Tu’Laria. It seems that before the ancient Puranni learned to contact the spirit world with the crystals, they used them as a way to communicate with each other over long distances. Such communications were said to have been able to convey more than just sound and sight, but also to allow others to feel and share emotions if they were gifted in telepathy or empathy.”

  “Empathy?” Sabine asked quietly, her mouth clear this time.

  “The sensing of emotions,” Kristof answered her. “It was that power, which I inherited from Anasha along with the other abilities, which I turned around and used to manipulate my father last year.”

  “He’s correct,” Anasha agreed. “At any rate, what my father has proposed after hearing my translations, was to try and use the crystals to share the burden of Sabine’s pregnancy between the three of us. Since I am a natural empath, and Kristof has inherited the gift from me, we should be able to reach Sabine in her times of need through the crystals and share the load.”

  Kristof looked at the crystals, which were in the shape of orbs slightly smaller than his fist, and looked skeptical.

  “They’re awfully big to keep readily handy,” Kristof suggested.

  “These crystals were readily available,” Subat told them, apparently anticipating the objection. “They are here for us to see if this will even work. If it is a viable solution, then there are smaller crystals that can be obtained in time that can be worn on a necklace.”

  Anasha saw true hope in Sabine’s eyes since the day they learned of the pregnancy and its monumental implications. That hope made Anasha’s heart soar, as she would give up anything for this fierce young woman beside her as she watched Sabine rush to Subat and wrap him in her arms in gratitude. The look on her father’s face was priceless as he returned the embrace.

  “We will keep the crystals close to use for now,” Anasha went on. “We know the signs to watch for now that clue us to an impending episode. And the crystals may even aid us in identifying the outside influence.”

  “Except for that last episode that got Kristof all wet,” Sabine suddenly giggled, and they all joined her. Seeing her laugh again was better medicine for Anasha than any amount of sleep. She was also surprised to see a slight blush on Kristof’s face as he joined the laughter, and her heart swelled in its love for him as well.

  “Now that we have a possible plan in place,” Sabine said as she finished her breakfast, “What’s been happening to my realm?”

  “There has been nothing unusual to report,” Subat said quietly. “Prime Minister Rossada has been running the civilian government without too much difficulty, and General Mannis reports no new activity by the Clovani Empire. The Protectorate as a whole has rejoiced in the news of your pending addition to the royal family, since now the throne will be secure for another generation. Dynastic wars are not something anyone in the Protectorate wishes to see again.”

  Conversation remained light as Sabine asked many questions, since they had kept her in virtual seclusion while she suffered the worst of the side effects of her pregnancy. Anasha watched her closely, and also reached out with her senses, to try and sense the baby within. It seemed the child was too small yet for her to sense, which made the child’s power even more bewildering.

  The seizure struck almost instantly, and Sabine fell howling in pain to the floor, but Anasha had felt it moments before it struck and had been able to break her tiny wife’s fall. Subat quickly gathered up the crystals and gave one each to her, Kristof, and his writhing daughter-in-law on the floor. Subat then held Sabine’s head gently to keep it from banging against the floor.

  Anasha didn’t wait to pass instructions, she simply reached out with her empathic power and focused it through the crystal in her hand and to the crystal that Sabine held. Instantly the sense of pain, darkness, and desperate cold that Sabine had described to them now enveloped Anasha as well. It was unlike anything she had ever felt before, and her heart broke to think Sabine had been feeling this by herself for days now.

  Finding Sabine within that dark nightmare took a few moments, but once they were joined the pain lessened greatly. Seconds later Kristof was there with them as well, apparently sensing what Anasha had done through his own gift, and following her in. With the three of them now joined, the pain, darkness, and cold receded like the tide but
remained outside of their circle of light, as if watching them. There was a malevolent watchfulness to that darkness around them, and Anasha wondered if this was truly from the baby.

  Finally, the darkness left them completely and they were once again there in their living room. Sabine cried out in joy and held tightly to Kristof and herself, and Anasha cheered silently. This would work, they would be able to save her love’s life after all. Her thoughts dwelled on that looming, watchful darkness though, and she was suddenly fearful of what it might mean.

  ~10~

  Kristof ached to sleep. Over the past week he had slept less than Sabine had as he’d kept a fearful watch over her. Not even Anasha’s urging to sleep while she watched had helped, and he knew that Anasha herself had not slept much more than he had. Now that a solution had been found, however, he was eager to rest at last. Thoughts of their bed and a pillow began to dominate his thoughts.

  Subat had, after a quick kiss of the Queen’s forehead, left soon after Sabine’s last episode in search of a smaller set of crystals. In the meantime, the orbs they had were resting at the bedside, ready for when needed. Kristof had carried Sabine to their bed after the last episode had passed and wrapped her in the warm blankets, where she promptly fell fast asleep. Anasha sat at the bedside watching her, her own exhaustion evident on her face.

  Going to his beautiful blond wife, Kristof leaned down and kissed her gently and wrapping her in his arms. Sabine seemed to smile in her sleep as he did, as if knowing what had happened. And perhaps she did, Kristof thought, through their connection of Akana’San’Tani. The Binding Ritual that Subat had performed to wed the three of them had merged them soul to soul, and often they found themselves in each other’s thoughts and could sense the others’ emotions.

  The Binding had also made making love to these women especially interesting, he thought, since that seemed to be the time when they shared each other’s thoughts and feeling the most. It made the experience especially interesting when he could feel himself making love to them through their senses, he thought, and it made him love them all the more passionately. The loss of sense of self had been at first disturbing after the ritual, but now he would not have it any other way.