“Bronn and Kaleen would never trust you.”
“That is where you’re wrong. Your brothers know the truth. I have had many conversations with your brothers. They are aware of our plight and understand the truth. We are all fighting for our survival. This could be the start of a new day for all of us.”
He couldn’t believe it. His brothers hadn’t told him, not that he’d talked to them since leaving Earth.
“Please say we can help them?” Ella asked. “They have a right to save their people, just like you.”
He kissed the top of Ella’s head as he thought about what he could do.
The Scyathra were feared. But everything he had seen and witnessed showed them to be people to trust, not to fear. Their advancements far exceeded their own.
“How do you feel about doing a little show-and-tell?” Dhiro asked.
“What do you mean?”
“All my life, I’ve been told what primitive animals you all are. How you’re to be feared. I think it’s time the world knew what we are so afraid of.”
Ella tightened her hold around him, and he knew he was doing the right thing.
****
One month later
“Everything is healthy?” Ella asked.
Khirana smiled. “Yes. I do not see this pregnancy being anything but perfect. You are developing well. I did fear our atmosphere would be troubling for your pregnancy, and we were in the process of considering different kinds of face coverings, to provide you with a little dirtier oxygen, but your body is adapting well. Your baby is growing at a normal progression. I see this baby coming to us within six and a half months.”
Ella put her hand on her stomach. “Really?”
Khirana put a hand on her arm. “Really.”
“Have you heard from Kaleen and Bronn?”
“Their last communication was two days ago. They are enjoying their stay on planet Earth and have no wish to be collected as of yet. Our people are close if they change their minds.”
Ella smiled. Dhiro had been everything she thought he would be. After he asked Khirana to gather all the pieces of equipment the Scyathra had created, they had returned to his commander in chief with proof. From that point on, the truth of what happened spread like wildfire throughout Trenu Zel. At first, there was outrage, demanding justice for the Scyathra and also the demand for the few who knew to be exiled.
There was a lot of pain and anger. People had given up hope, but her pregnancy and the Scyathra were finally bringing it back. She liked to think of Khirana as her friend. She was the doctor she had requested.
The Scyathra still lived in their part of the planet, but they came to the other side of Trenu Zel to make peace, to help, to further their technology and to help protect their race.
“Dhiro will be pleased.”
“Are you looking forward to the ceremony?” Khirana asked.
Ella nodded. “I’m nervous.”
“Don’t be. Nervousness is for humans. You’re a Trenuian now.”
She laughed. Getting to her feet, she hugged Khirana tightly. “Thank you for everything.”
“You do not need to thank me. It is I and all Trenu Zel who must thank you. Without you, there wouldn’t have been any peace. You helped us to find a way, and because of that, we can all heal.” Khirana had studied human culture, and out of all people Ella had met, she was closest to seeming like a human in etiquette.
She said her goodbyes and left, going to the vehicle where a soldier waited to take her back to Dhiro’s mother.
As per tradition, she had not seen her betrothed all day.
He hated it when she went to see Khirana. Dhiro struggled to trust the Scyathra even though they proved on a daily basis they came in peace with no intention to harm. His mother had told her Dhiro would always be like that with her. Not only did she carry the survival of their race, but she was also his mate.
Arriving back at his mother’s home, she found her already waiting outside. She insisted Ella had to call her Mother. She would not accept any other term and, of course, Ella was fine with that.
“The dress has arrived, and it will be a perfect fit.”
She was marched into the room.
Trenu Zel had a similar mating culture to that of a wedding on Earth. The white dress was bound together by rings. Rather than a diamond, Dhiro had shown her the ring with his family’s crest molded into the setting. Anyone who met her would know she was claimed, and to whom.
The ring was beautiful, and she couldn’t wait to wear it.
Both Trenuians and the Scyathra would be there, including Khirana.
Dhiro was also getting it set up for Bronn and Kaleen to be present virtually for their mating ritual. That was what Dhiro called it. She thought it sounded like a werewolf story.