Spring Changes, page 32
I felt his emotions then as I watched Xirob huddled in the corner of the room. You don’t think he’d fight with everything he had in him to do that without being attached to Cassie?
I’m sure he would, I just want to be extra sure.
I smiled, and his eyes locked with mine as he ended the conversation. He rubbed his hands down his trousers before he stood and came to me. “Ohara will be waiting for us.”
“Is she okay?”
“She’s not as ecstatic as Imehia, but she . . .” He paused. “She said how proud of me she was.”
“Why the face then?” I asked.
Xirob looked around the room. To those who he knew almost as well as I did. “I never expected to get this moment with all of you.”
“Save the speech for after the wedding,” I said. “But I’m glad we have this now.”
“They’re all happy,” he said. “Facing impossible odds and together—”
“We are family,” I said and leaned on him.
“Family,” he replied.
Now, I stood with Brun holding out a package for me; I glanced at it and then at Xirob. “What is this?”
“Xirob’s asked you to wear this, for him.” Emotion flashed in Brun’s eyes, those red tears that got me every single time I saw them. “It would honour me too, if you would wear this.”
I took the package, felt the weight of it.
Some kind of traditional dress, Hiroto said.
“Okay,” I said, “Give me a moment.”
“You might need a hand,” Brun said. “Please if you do, shout for me. I’ll only be outside. You and I are to escort Xirob to the front of the venue.”
I stepped out of that room into a side one and uncovered the package.
Wow, Hiroto said. That is the most stunning piece of clothing I’ve ever seen.
You’re not kidding.
The blue and gold of this two-piece set was extremely detailed with stitching and gems.
“This is fit for a king,” I said. “I don’t know about me.”
You will look absolutely amazing, Kyle, Xe said. Please put it on.
I stripped and gently slipped the one-piece top over my shoulders. It was a really slack fit, then it glowed slightly, and the next second it fit perfectly.
There were, however, sashes and things I had no clue what to do with. I gave them a once over and left them. Then pulled on the trousers.
“Brun,” I shouted. “Help!”
Brun stepped inside and gave me the once over. He now was also in his dress. “You look fantastic,” he said, then stepped towards me, picking up the sash.
I noted it was distinctly different to his. Red snaked through the design, wrapped in thick black. “Why is mine different?”
“This was our father’s,” he said.
“Really, you sure you want me to wear this?”
“Xirob is. I am too.”
“I don’t know what to say. I’m lost for words.”
“Stand still and let me fix it. You don’t need words yet.”
“Thank you,” I said and kept myself as still as I could while he wrapped it around my waist and then around my left arm.
“There,” he said and stepped back. “My father would be honoured at having you in his place.”
“I’m going to feel so lost as anything out there, you know.”
“You just need to stand there, looking amazing.”
I laughed. “This makes me look amazing.”
Yes, yes, it does. If Shion sees you like that . . .
Holy crap, I’d almost forgotten.
Don’t you worry, she’ll be out there. She came across with Ohara.
Then I cringed. As much as I wanted to see her, to feel her next to me. This . . . with me like now . . .
What? Scared it will give her ideas?
She’s already got those ideas, I said. Just nerves.
“Come,” Brun said. “Soteria awaits, not just us.”
I stepped out of the room to see Xirob in similar yet even more stunning clothes. With Miquel also by his side.
Xirob’s eyes misted immediately, and I walked closer to him.
“Thank you,” he said. “I wasn’t sure you would.”
“Don’t be stupid, you only needed to ask.” I grasped both his arms and added, “Ready for this?”
“For everything it comes with, both good and bad.”
“You both can do this,” I said.
He smiled and looked to the door, then he strode outwards. Brun and I followed.
The grounds were beautiful at any time. But as we walked past all the people, clapping and calling us, I found it even more so. It was just the right temperature with their sun overhead. And as I looked around, I couldn’t see an empty space, not one. The whole area was filled with denti. The atmosphere buzzed, full of laughter, and many smiling faces.
Imehia had really pulled something together. When Xirob stopped, we all looked out at the lake, and there were large screens everywhere. There wasn’t a person on this ship that wouldn’t see this.
I didn’t know how this would be conducted, if that was a word.
From what I can see in their history, it is just the queen and her betrothed onstage for the ceremony. They will pledge to each other and then to the denti.
That’s actually really cool.
You’ll hear their personal pledge and then everyone will hear it.
The warm feelings of love rushed through me. I can’t wait. It was the only thing I could say.
That’s when everyone turned. I guess this part was most similar to our customs, where the bride-to-be walked the path we had just created. Cassie had a wonderful entourage of many bridesmaids too.
Cassie’s dress was red with gold etching that matched ours. I heard Xirob suck in a breath, and he said something I couldn’t quite hear.
He was thanking his god for such a strong, amazing woman, Xe said.
Thanks, that makes sense.
My eyes kept watching as they all walked towards us; it seemed in super slow motion but that was because I wanted to take in every detail. At the moment, I wished it was me. I would have loved to see Shion dressed anywhere near as stunning. She would make a beautiful bride too.
Yes, she really would, Hiroto said.
As they reached us, Cassie stepped up onto the platform, and Brun and her sisters flanked all of us. They each nodded my way, and she stepped in close to Xirob. He took her hands in his and kissed her. Then he turned to me. Oh shit, did I have to do something?
“It is with honour you stand with us today in place of my father. It is with honour I ask you to say just a few words for us.”
Hiroto! I screamed on the inside.
Just focus on them, he said. Step closer and see only them.
Okay, I said, and did just that. I did what came naturally here. Though I’d never even been to a human wedding, I’d seen them on TV.
I placed my hands on theirs, and I spoke. “For two of the strongest people in my life to join together today, as witnesses we are honoured, and as I have always said: Stronger together.”
I dropped my hands from theirs, the queen’s tears almost about to burst her dam. Now I knew why her dress was red.
I stepped back to Brun, who smiled at me. Then we listened.
Xirob pulled Cassie closer to him, his eyes locked with hers. Both their kenosi sparked then, the swirling colours around us as stunning as their skies were. “Before my family as witnesses. As pure as my flesh now is, with no ties to anyone but my daughter, I pledge my life to yours, in full.”
He’s not connected to Faith anymore? Hiroto asked.
I shook my head on the inside. The second loss of his body, rebirth? He has another full chance?
“As queen of our species, with all my love, I pledge myself to you, body, mind, soul. For always and forever.”
When her tears spilled, he kissed them away. She leaned her neck to one side, and I knew what he was going to do, but in front of everyone.
He bit down, and she flinched slightly.
She doesn’t have nites does she?
No, Xe said. But there’s a special one waiting to join her. She came over with Ohara.
That’s awesome, I said.
When Xirob lowered his neck for her to bite, her eyes met mine, and she actually winked at me. Then did the same to him.
When he stood straight again, he kissed her, then stepped back to look at the crowds, and his sisters stepped back. So then did we.
Out to the crowd they said together, “Today you bear witness to our joining, hear our pledge to you. To love with purity, to share all emotion, to fight with honour.”
They both turned to me then and said with a smile, “Together we fight for the right reasons, together we are stronger.”
I felt my own tears then, and I struggled to hold them back. Screw it, I thought. Then I noticed as I wiped one away, it stained my dress. Crap.
The crowds erupted with cheers as Xirob picked Cassie up. “Queen or not, you’ll still be a bride,” he said, kissing her more.
I looked to Brun and Miquel, whose happiness beamed off them. Their emotion stained their faces. His sisters had managed to not cry. That I was shocked by. I caught Ohara’s eyes, and she indicated for me to move. I did so while the others then joined the happy couple in congratulations.
Ohara was still smiling, but her eyes were full of concern. “We need to move,” she said.
I looked out to all the faces amongst the crowd. I could see Tyto, my crew, in full dress. They had fabricated the best uniforms. “I know,” I said. “We’re ready. Give them a little longer.”
She took my hand in hers, traced down the red in my sash. “Thank you, Kyle. I never thought anyone would wear this for us.” She leaned over and kissed my cheek, wiping the remaining tear wetness away.
“We’re seven hours from Arndale’s latest strike,” she said. “I want Hiroto to cooperate with ours, do his best on the planet side. Lock them out before he hits us.”
I nodded. “Xirob can follow. Let me tell him before we just slip away.”
I left her to move towards and intercept the happy couple. They both beamed at me and then traded glances.
“Go,” Xirob said. “I will follow shortly.”
Cassie grabbed hold of me. “I won’t see you for quite some time,” she whispered. “But you will return to us here.”
“You know I will. I have a rift to close.” I looked at Xirob. “Give her some damned good loving, and we’ll see you planet-side in a few hours.”
He pulled me to him then and squeezed so tight I thought I would pop.
“Love you, man,” I said.
His eyes met mine in confusion, but he nodded. “I feel for you like I would my brothers, my father, but more.”
I pushed away and then turned, Miquel and Imehia stepping in beside me. “To the front line,” Miquel said.
“To the front line,” I agreed. We met Shion and the others on the way out. Shion whistled at me, and ran her hands over the fabric of the dress.
“If I had the time and the balls to interrupt a royal wedding,” she said with a wink, “I would have declared you as mine too.”
I pulled her to me, wrapping my arms around her tightly. I buried my head in her shoulder, breathing in everything she was. Enjoying every second of her touch.
She squeezed me. “Kyle,” she whispered. “You okay?”
“One day, we’ll have our own.” I kissed the side of her neck, her cheek, then her lips. “I promise you. One day, with Cassie, Xirob, and all our friends as witness.”
Her eyes widened, brimming with tears. “You mean that?”
I cupped her face in my hands. “Every word.”
The trip back to Artemis and then out into the airspace above Armastai was nerve-wracking. Ohara and Jai sidled off to talk many times, and I could see just a little hint of jealousy when Latife came in with snacks.
When he waved me over, he grinned. “I hadn’t thought I would meet a woman who took after me on the battlefield. She’s something else.”
Ohara blushed. “There’s quite a lot to do down there, Kyle. The planet is filling up with not only those your team have been training for Remote Control, but every other mech pilot that is this side of the universe. They’re arriving thick and fast.”
“Good,” I said. “That’s what we need. But we will need to organise them and also as quickly as we can.”
“Do you have any ideas?”
“We have ideas,” she said, and glanced at Jai.
“The old bases like the one you brought back to life. We’re going to open them all up. That triples our space. Those who can train with the megas, those that are trained now, we’re going to deploy.”
“Are they ready?” I asked.
“With the help of your guild, your friends, yes, they are.” She smiled.
“My guild?”
“They have the opportunity if they want to defend or wait for you. But there still needs to be someone of their skillset to train the others.”
“I’ll ask them,” I said. “They’ve worked so hard for this, if they want to.”
“They’ll not move without you and you know it,” Jai said. “As much as they want to fight and stop the rift, they know they need to wait for you to do it. Together.”
“Those that go out there?” I pushed lightly.
“They know the risks. We all do. I will lead every one of them with heart, and the skills I have.”
I nodded at her. “Bridge to the captain. Artemis is entering the atmosphere.”
“Edward is waiting for you,” Ohara said. “I was surprised when you accepted his offer and his family’s.”
“We need everyone. He had the balls to talk to me in front of everyone—I will give him one more chance to prove he’s got worth in this system.”
“Understood. I will follow your lead there.”
From here, Artemis descended and then dropped right into the middle of the base.
“I thought she might land somewhere on the outside. There’s so many people,” I said, looking out the viewer.
“They’re here to greet you, and to show solidarity,” Ohara said.
“Not all battleships can land on the surface of a planet,” Jai said. “Artemis is famous, you know.”
I laughed. “I can only imagine.”
When the hangar doors opened, we were looking at a mass of mega mechs, mechs, and people.
I stepped outside and raised my fist to the air, locking eyes with Dylan. Hiroto’s heart thrummed in my head. We’ll talk to him in a minute, I said. All of my team, we’ve a lot to catch up still here.
Yes, we have, the nites are already updating Xe.
We left the ship and went down to meet them. Approaching Dylan, I said softly to him, “You have this,” and I handed my best friend control.
He didn’t hesitate in going to the man he loved, letting Dylan take him in his arms and kiss him. When they parted, Dylan asked, “God, I hope that’s you in there, not Kyle.”
“It is I,” Hiroto said. “You look good.”
“Training is hard. We’ve come a long way. Yun? The Sitha?”
“All good. We’ll bring you fully up to speed in a while. These plans move fast for now. Let’s walk, let Kyle see to the rest of everyone.”
Dylan pushed back slightly. “Thanks, Kyle.”
I took back the control, straightened my back, and faced everyone with a smile. There were a few back at me.
“Metal Titans,” I said. “Main hangar. We’ll catch you all up to speed.”
There were several nods, and they began to move out.
Dylan stepped beside me. “They’re all so enamoured, your speech the other day. You’re really going home?”
“Yes, but I have to make sure everyone here can hold the line.”
“You’re kidding. Have you even seen the numbers coming in? We’ve got facilities sporting everywhere with dedicated teams and engineers to transform the mechs into what we need. I’ve never in my life seen anything come together like this has.”
“I need to ask,” I said. “You coming with us?”
Dylan hesitated. Crap, I shouldn’t have asked. Hiroto’s soul cried out. “I shouldn’t have, I’m sorry.”
“That’s something Hiroto and I need to talk about,” Dylan answered. “Sorry, Kyle, but I’ve not made that choice yet. I need to make that decision with him.”
“Of course.” I caught his eyes with mine, and he looked deeply into them, stopping me from walking.
“We’ll talk, please don’t worry.”
Easier said than done, Hiroto said to me, and I felt him close off from me. I have work to do here.
Fuck, I said.
33
Give him a little time, Xe said.
He—they both—can have everything they need. Always.
They might need it, Xe said, and I felt her sadness then too.
I really screwed that one up, didn’t I?
They’ll be okay, I’m sure of it.
I hoped so.
G’hale was the one waiting for me at the edge of the hangar doors. It wasn’t ours, but it was large enough for us to hold a meeting.
There were several faces I didn’t know. “These are all the mega team leads,” G’hale said.
I saw Frenk talking with someone at the centre of the room. “Makes sense.”
Ohara moved in front of me. “We’re less than an hour from Arndale’s next demand, what are you going to do?”
“I’m going to let G’hale take this,” I said, looking to her. “I’m going to bring you up to speed with the rest of the plans fast, and Xe will make sure you’re the only one he then sees. He doesn’t know you’re here—he will believe you’re still on Flaoer, and you have that power then to renegotiate trade.”
She swallowed. “I thought ye might say that, I’ve been preparing myself for it. Borix is also on standby. If Xe can make it look like we’re in the same room, it would be easier for them to think they’re getting what they want.”
That was good. “How’s the rebirth’s going?” I asked.
“We’ve covered the front line. There’s a few here who haven’t had a chance yet. But not many and they’re much younger than those out in the field.”
