Chapter Eleven
Several days later, Black Bolt was visiting Medusa before his first official meeting with the Council.
She had recovered enough to be sitting up in bed, but couldn't attend the meeting with him. She smiled up at him.
"Are you nervous?"
He nodded.
"You'll do fine."
Will I?
"Yes."
I wish I was so sure.
Medusa smiled, and pulled him down to embrace him. "You will!"
He returned the hug. I wish you could come.
"I'll be well enough to join you next time."
Just concentrate on healing. He kissed her forehead. I love you.
Medusa smiled, her heart fluttering. She never thought she'd be happy to hear those words from a man again, but Blackagar was nothing like Banth had been, and with him, it felt utterly different... She met his blue eyes for a minute.
"I love you too." A warm feeling spread through her, and she blushed. He stared at her as if shocked.
"You don't have to look at me like that," she laughed. "I do."
Black Bolt ran his fingers through her hair. Can I kiss you?
Her blush deepened, but she nodded shyly, secretly amazed that he had asked- Banth had always just done it!
I hope I do this right! he thought, leaning forward slowly. His lips brushed hers, tentatively.
She gently cupped his head with her hand and pulled him a little closer.
He marvelled at how soft her lips were, the sweet smell of her breath... his eyes drifted shut as the kiss deepened.
She pulled back then, face flushing. "Thank you."
He was too dazed to answer at first. That had felt wonderful!
Medusa smiled. "You had better go."
He nodded, looking reluctant. I'll be back later.
"I'll count on it."
He smiled warmly as he left. Medusa settled back with a sigh, her eyes dreamy. I hope he does alright in the Council meeting.
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Rynda smiled proudly at her eldest son as he walked into the council room. Black Bolt fought back nerves as it seemed every pair of eyes was on him. He took his place beside his parents.
"Welcome, Blackagar," Agon intoned seriously.
He nodded his head in greeting, wishing he could do something else to communicate...
"My son," Agon said to the council, "is ready to take his place as crown prince."
There was a hissing of murmured voices. Surprise showed on the faces of all the Council members.
"How can the prince communicate without speech? Or has he learned to control his gift now?"
Black Bolt produced his usual notepad, writing quickly, in plain view of the Council members, before handing his note to Agon for him to read aloud.
"This is going to take too long," a councilman grumbled. "Waiting for written notes?"
Agon narrowed his eyes. "Unless you had a better solution in mind, Phaeder?"
"How is the boy to effectively communicate?"
Black Bolt scribbled down something. Agon read it and his brow rose.
"Medusalith?" he asked in a low voice.
Black Bolt nodded.
Agon hesitated, unsure if the whole council needed to know this yet...
Black Bolt folded his arms and raised a brow.
Agon stifled a sigh. I have a feeling I'm going to regret this. "Blackagar's betrothed, Medusalith, will be his spokesperson. They have developed a mental connection that allows communication, and she will speak what he wishes her to."
Phaeder scowled, but remained silent. One of the Council Elders leaned forward, intrigued. "I've never heard of such a thing, unless both involved are telepaths. How did this come about?"
Agon looked at Black Bolt, waiting. The prince hesitated and then shrugged.
Agon looked away. "We are unsure. But it will work as a means for my son to communicate, that is what matters."
"That is all very well," Phaeder sneered. "But where is Medusalith now?"
"She was injured recently and is not well enough for the strain at this moment." Agon glared at the geneticist- he'd never liked the man. "She will be present at the next meeting."
"Are you certain that it's safe for the boy to be outside his confinment?"
Agon tensed. "I would not have allowed it if I did not believe it safe."
Black Bolt was seething at being spoken about like he wasn't there.
"Yes, but your judgement isn't always the best, Agon!"
"Meaning what, exactly?" Midwinter was warmer than the king's voice.
"We all know why the boy has such uncontrollable powers!"
Black Bolt stepped forward. He concentrated and carved words into the tabletop before Phaeder. I can control my abilities.
Phaeder stared at the metallic alloy in disbelief. "This is supposed to be unbreakable..."
And I was 'uncontrollable'. Black Bolt felt smug... until he saw the wary, or outright frightened looks he was receiving from the rest of the Council. He blinked, looking up at his father. Agon's face was unreadable. Black Bolt felt nervous. Did I do something wrong?
Agon cleared his throat. "As you see, Blackagar has control over his abilities now."
"So it would appear." The speaker- Black Bolt didn't know his name- still looked uneasy.
Rynda put a hand on Black Bolt's shoulder. "He will be a strong leader and protector."
Another member of the Council nodded his agreement. The matter was dropped, though several people still eyed Black Bolt warily. The meeting began in earnest, and the matter of the rebels came up. Black Bolt listened attentively, though he wasn't really given much chance to contribute. He concentrated on listening to how each matter was discussed, and how his father dealt with problems.
After several long hours, they were released. Agon and Rynda led Black Bolt out.
"Well? Was it everything you dreamed of, son?"
I was bored out of my mind and I felt useless! He nodded, obviously not about to reveal his true feelings to his parents! The Council acted like I wasn't there.
"Next time will be better," Agon reassured him, as though sensing his thoughts. "I will make certain that you have an argument to present."
He nodded gratefully, then frowned and retrieved his notepad. Phaeder said something about needing to check our outer-space monitors. I thought the Kree had long since lost interest in our people?
"There are more people out there than the Kree, Blackagar."
"Not to mention that the Kree may one day return. I doubt they have forgotten Earth." Rynda input.
Why have I never been taught about these 'other races'?
"We deemed it more important to teach you about things you will need to deal with, rather than things that may never happen. There have been no extra-terrestrial sightings on earth for over a century that we know of."
Black Bolt nodded his understanding. I want to know about those possible threats too though.
"Understandable. You already know of the Kree and the Skrulls. The other races would have come up eventually, they just weren't a priority. The only other real threat out there is the Shi'ar."
Black bolt's brow furrowed. I have read about them... aren't they the rulers of the largest galactic empire?
"Yes, though they have almost never shown interest in Earth, or the Kree/Skrull conflict. Honestly, we don't know a great deal about them."
Interesting. We should learn more, if we don't know much.
Agon shook his head. "It's best we keep ourselves to ourselves, Blackagar. Digging for information could draw unwanted attention. The Kree created us to be their slaves, eons ago. Who knows what the other races would make of us if our existence became known?"
What about the humans?
"Humans are not our concern, Blackagar. We have never interacted with them, nor they with us. And it must stay that way. A whole galaxy exists out there, full of beings that humans know nothing of. We defend them, and this world, if we must, but that is as far as it will ever go."
Black Bolt nodded, though he didn't really agree. So we remain in isolation, always ready to protect a species that knows nothnig of us? Would Earth not be easier to defend if we who dwell on it co-operated? He didn't reveal this to his parents, though- it would only start an argument, and he wanted to get back to Medusa... His face reddened as the memory of the kiss came back to him. Rynda noticed.
"Why are you going red?"
He shrugged, then, thankfully, spotted the corridor that led to the medical wing. He pointed at it, bowed quickly, and darted away, embarassed.
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Gorgon ran his hand lightly over Medusa's belly as he kissed her deeply, loving the softness of her. Her hands slid round the back of his head, pulling him closer.
"I had no idea that you felt this way," Gorgon murmured, brushing his fingers through his hair.
"How could you not?"
"I thought you only cared for Blackagar..."
Medusa laughed. "Silly. He can't even talk to me. I suppose that I love him, but... how would it work? A single sigh of happiness from his lips and I'd be dead."
Gorgon caressed her face. "You don't have to worry about that with me..."
"I know... Does it make me a bad person, that I love both of you?"
"No." Gorgon kissed her again. "Though I would rather have you to myself..."
"I'm betrothed to him."
Gorgon closed his eyes for a second. "Don't remind me."
Medusa kissed him gently. "I talked to him about this... he agrees. It's too dangerous, for me..."
Gorgon paused. "He knows?" That's too unlikely... is this even real? He groaned. "I'm dreaming, aren't I?"
Medusa shrugged. "Does it matter?"
He sighed. "I want this to be real..."
"I know you do." Medusa kissed him again. "But it's time you wake up."
"Wake up!"
Gorgon started at Karnak's voice as a pillow hit his face. He opened his eyes blearily and glared at his cousin. "Was that necessary?!"
"You were talking to Medusa agaiin."
"No, I wasn't! Wait... what do you mean, 'again'?"
"You talk to her in your sleep, all the time." Karnak gave him a significant look. "Cousin, you can't hold onto these feelings that you have for her. It's not right."
Gorgon glared at him. "If you know a way for me to magically stop feeling like this, please tell me!"
Karnak held up his hands. "I don't know. Maybe you should court somebody else. It doesn't have to be serious, just as proof that you can do it."
"I don't even know if I want to..."
"And therein lies the problem. You know you can't have Medusa, why do you refuse to accept that?"
Gorgon leaned back. "Maybe that's why. Because I know that she's not rejecting these," he gestured to his bull-like legs. "She's just meant for someone else."
Karnak sighed. "I still think you should at least try and find someone else."
Gorgon snorted. "Maybe. Maybe not. Let me work this out, alright?" He got up, pushing past Karnak and started walking. Even he didn't know where he was going...