Nikaitor's Chosen

    Nik told his brothers goodnight and wished them luck in finding a Chosen of their own. My father walked with us until we got to his room where I told him goodnight

-3 Weeks Later-

    I coughed again. Gagged though nothing came of it. My father stood behind me with Nikaitor’s maid- for all intents and purposes- Rhea, holding my hair out of the way, just in case.

    ‘Perhaps, I should call for Lord Nikaitor... And the Lord healer.’ Her soft voice echoed through my head.

“No, I ‘ll contact him.” I could hear the worry in my father’s voice. My stomach  turned again and I gagged. I wipe my mouth and sit up.

“No, No. I’m fine. It will be over soon. It’s just never lasted this long.” I promise, rubbing my stomach.

“This has happened before?” Both Rhea and my dad exclaim at the same time, though my father’s voice is angry while Rhea’s is thoughtful.

“How long has the sickness had you?” Rhea asks.

“About a week or so.” I estimate resting back against her as she strokes a wet cloth over my forehead. Rhea was one of the very few female Keiiless. She was also too old to have any more children- at only thirty they went into what humans call menopause. Hence the reason so few children are born.

    “Micheal,” Rhea, pronounces his name aloud as Mee-kal, Micheal is an odd name here and just like some Keiilei names for us are hard to pronounce, our names are sometimes difficult for them. “Call for Lord Nikaitor. Tell him to bring his healer.” She smiled down at me running her cool damp fingers down my cheek.

    “I believe young Jade is to give Keiilei the next great ruler.” My father’s face turns pale before he bolts for the comsul- similar to a phone on Earth- to call Nikaitor. My eyes go to my hands already clutching at my stomach. I was pregnant?

    I thought back trying my best to count how long it’d been since my period. I know why it hadn’t bothered me that I was late. My periods were never consistent. But now... “Oh, my God.” I murmured rubbing small circles on my belly.

    “How long do you carry offspring on your Earth?” Rhea questions smiling still.

    “Nine months... er, moon cycles, I mean.”

    “It is close to our own then. Females here carry for eleven, or twelve moon cycles depending on the size of the offspring... or how many.”

    “How many?” I ask, my voice rising.

    Rhea nods at me, “Yes, it is known for females to have more than a few offspring in one planting... Well, perhaps not for you. You are small.. so perhaps your body will not take as much of the males seed as a Keiilei woman’s would. But you also have more years of effective breeding then a Keiilei female.” She pauses and then smiles, “The young Lord will be ecstatic either way.”

    “I’m tired now. Getting sick... it takes a lot out of me.. and the shock, of course.” Rhea nods quickly and picks me up off the floor carrying me easily to the bed. Rhea was only a little taller then me, but damn was she in good shape, especially considering she was old enough to be my mother.

    “Yes, you must rest. And later you will eat.” She commands. I smile and nod. “You will make Lord Nikaitor very proud!” She smiles patting the top of my head motherly. “Very proud,” She walks out leaving me to rest. I fall asleep rubbing my belly with soothing circles.

    I startle awake when the door bursts open.

    “Jesus, Nik!” I huff, but that’s all I get out before his lips land on mine. He kisses me like the world is ending and I don’t mind.

“You are to bear my offspring!” He smiles and jumps off the bed practically bouncing with excitement. My dad is standing in the corner looking a little unsure, but before I can speak to him Rhea goes to him and offers him her support. But as I study them, I realize the support and caresses that Rhea gives to my father are different than the ones she gives to me. I don’t have much time to think about my observations, though.