The First She ✓

FIFTY EIGHT

"My brothers insist that they are not hungry."

Vrox's sudden presence made her jump. She looked down at her dress, wanting to make sure that it wasn't matching the wrinkles of distress in her stomach.

Vrox pushed past the curtain, smiling with that boyish yet deadly grin that stole her heart. If she confirmed her pregnancy, his face would have torn with joy. It was a tragedy that the only thing she could him was the bloody cemetery between her thighs.

"You must have really unnerved them."

She shook her head, trying to focus on what he was talking about. "Oh? Yeah, I bet I did. Could you help me onto the bed, please? I'm feeling sleepy."

"Yes. Here, I got you this juein fruit. It is a rarity on Ezron, and it provides great nutrition. It will be good for the seedling."

The seedling.

Her face crumpled with despaired ugliness, and her secrets began to drip out of her eyes.

Vrox dropped the fruit and jumped to her side. "My Terran," he whispered. "What is wrong?"

"I really wanted this. I really, really, did," she cried.

"It is only fruit, Kira," he tried to ease. "Of course, you can have it."

He didn't understand. It wasn't the Ezronian delicacy that she was sobbing over, but the experience of motherhood.

"I will get you more, yes?"

He held her so tenderly, thumbed her tears so softly. She wished she could lay the world at his feet. "I just want to sleep," she sniffed. "Will you help me up, please?"

He looked like he was considering falling to his knees and begging her to spill what was distressing her. Choosing to sigh heavily, he lifted her onto the bed and kissed her wet cheeks.

"Go to sleep, Vee," he ordered the chirping pet.

He rinsed his feet and joined her on the bed, rubbing her back with a wide palm. His chest soon became soaked with her salty sadness, but he didn't issue a single complaint.

It didn't take long for the draining turmoil of her emotions to power her off. She fell into a dreamless sleep that matched her empty womb, only to awake soon later when Vrox stirred her.

"Kira," he repeated, shaking her shoulders.

"Huh?" she mumbled, completely dazed. Her lids had been glued shut by her tears, but she managed to open them with a few blinks.

"I am sorry for waking you, but..."

"Kira!" Nebula called out.

She pushed off Vrox and dashed for the edge of the bed. Vrox gripped her upper arm before she could haul herself into the darkness and helped her off. He was right on her heels as she ran outside.

Nebula stood beside Ak and the others, illuminated by the torches the men were carrying. Kira ran for her, arms wide open. Nebula accepted her welcome with a mirthful laugh that was countered by male grunts.

Kira sought out the distress, only to find Vrox tumbling on the ground with his older brother. Rokan and Draekon tried to dodge as they reached for them.

"Stop it!"

They were too tuned into the lul of violence to listen to her.

Finally, Draekon got a good grip on Ak and dragged him away, but not before Vrox landed a final knuckle-full on his chin.

"Enough," Ni'ev boomed when Ak rebelled against Draekon's hold.

"He attacked first!" Ak bickered.