Chapter 28

Crime and punishment.

Richard Woolsey grunted softly, in an attempt to divert attention Larrin from Moonlight. But the woman did not respond, still staring uncomfortably at a young Wraith female.

- Can you leave us alone for a while? - he said.

- How do you want - only snapped Larrin and turned on her heel, leaving the room.

Two older people followed her, and when the room door closed behind them, the man looked at the Mo.

- I did not want to say it near them. That would be bad came out, but I admit, that I'm a little shocked this story - he said. - So far, despite your appearance, I've seen more of you man. Maybe because of your way of being... But this story just made me realize, that you can be like the other Wraith...

- Monster? - she asked calmly.

- No, not what I meant... I do not judge you - he assured. - Believe me, human history is full of unimaginable atrocities committed against the people by the people... Anyway, you've read about this - he said. - It's just... Let's just say, that it reminded me that you're Wraith... Although now it sounded like the accusation - he said, smiling slightly, not knowing how to get out of this situation.

Moonlight smiled.

- It is OK. I understand what you mean... And so I'm very grateful to You for the fact, that you stood in my defense.

- Unfortunately, this is not the end - he frowned slightly. - I have yet to convince the Travelers Council to you freed.

- Yes, I know... But I'm sure, that you well handle with them.

- I hope so. As leaders, they should be much more common sense, than Ms. Larrin... In theory - he tried to make a joke.

He, however, was not in the mood for jokes, but the female seemed to be slightly amused by his words, he noted, and he was move to leave, when he suddenly remembered something.

- Tell me something... Just out of curiosity. Your mother? What did she do? I suppose, that she was pleased with the turn of events?... Despite the death of your father, of course - he said immediately.

Mo smiled mysteriously and for a brief moment seemed to think about something.

- You have to understand one thing, Mr. Woolsey: in our society, the order of the Queen is sacrosanct, and breaking it can not be tolerated - she said finally. - Even if made it her own daughter... Yes, generally, mother was satisfied with the harvest. We have gained a lot of supplies for our crew... But like I said, she could not tolerate the fact, that I broke her command... So, the first thing which I saw after returning to her hive, he was her Commander of a group of soldiers...

.

"…During the flight on the hive, she was silent all the way, sitting on a bench in the cargo transport. Darkstone and Skyrim sat across from her. Also silent. They should enjoy with bountiful harvest... but it was not. Death of one of them, the Commander and friend, whom they had known all their lives, overshadowed everything. In one Mo was right, they admitted, there was nothing to celebrate. It was a very sad day.

When the ship finally arrived at the dock hive, Darkstone first came to the door of the rear hatch. Skyrim wanted to go after him, but the female held him for a moment.

- Whatever will happen, you just confirm my words - she said. - If you admit, that you helped me willingly, mother can even order kill you... I have a better chance of a lighter punishment.

- But... - he started but did not finish, seeing her eyes. He sighed heavily. - Very well... I'll do as you wish - he muttered.

She smiled slightly and walked first.

The hatch was dropped completely, and their eyes appeared the figure of the Commander of the Queen Nightwind.

Redmoon was once the Second Officer of Icestorm, but since he took command of the research unit and took Skyfall, the officer automatically moved up two positions.

Tall, slim, with arms reaching for the hair and not average, even for a Wraith, an inquisitive mind.

Now he stood before them, peacefully, in the company of armed soldiers.

- The Queen wants to see you two - he said.

Mo and Skyrim just glanced at each other, and then went down with the ramp to move for an officer.

Darkstone looking just for them. He knew what punishment awaits anyone who breaks or go against the Queen order... Even if it is her own daughter... Especially when it is her own daughter. Because if she does not respect mother commands, how Queen can keep order around the hive?

That is why every young Queen relatively quickly replaced by her own hive. Up to a certain age, since females undergo Conversion, they are obey the orders of their mothers... even if they do not agree with them. But the more the female is older, the more her desire to... leadership, is bigger. And this leads to conflict, which does not need any hive.

Darkstone knew such cases from the early history of the Wraith, when the conflict between mother and daughter was metamorphosed into a fight to the death. In the angry females woke Iratus primal instinct: none of them is able ling time to tolerate another female in her territory. So they fought each other so long, until one died... or even until they kill each other.

But in the case of Moonlight affair was a bit different. She not undergone Conversion, so she had no right to their own hive. But the instinct remains, even if muffled. She was able to accept and execute orders without a word from another Wraith - a male, but the command of another female caused in her growing frustration. That is why she so often arguing with her mother, even if as a result she gave way. And that's why Nightwind sent her along with her father on a research-hive. She knew that there her instinct will be muffled. Because there she was the only Wraith female, so instinct not told her fight for a better position, and thus she was able to work in peace with others.

But now, when she broke the Queen command as an ordinary Wraith, she had to be punished as law required. Darkstone not worried that Nightwind has ordered to kill her daughter. But, for example, the punishment had to be raw... and this worried him. Without such high regeneration capacity that have other Wraith, her life was much more at risk... whatever the Queen invented to her as a punishment.

The guards standing at the entrance to the royal chamber, stepped aside and the group entered the room. Nightwind already sitting on the her throne, proud and harsh.

The escort of soldiers walked away as soon as they brought prisoners front the Queen face.

She looked at them for a moment before she finally said.

- Do you know what is penalty for insubordination, which you two allow? - she said.

Her voice was cold and imperious. Skyrim until shuddered with fear at this sound. Until now, him willful raids remain without penalty, but now things were very different: he broke the Queen order, and it could cost him the loss of a head. Therefore he understood perfectly Mo request. He did not like it, finally he offered her help in this whole escapade, but on the other hand, he was well aware that if a young female will take all the blame on herself, it may save his life.

Nightwind not order kill her own daughter... what else young, unruly Wraith. And next death of a close to her person, is the last thing what Moonlight needs right now.

- I beg you, mother, do not punish him - she said meekly, raising slightly eyes. - I made him to took me there. He even did not even know, that I was on board the freighter.

- You force him? - almost snorted Queen. - Since childhood you always make mischief together, and now I have to believe, that you force him to this?

- But it's true - she lied, though convincing, looking at friend. - He also did not like the idea of flying on Hyanivis.

The Queen smiled as if she was slightly amused, and walked slowly to the young Wraith, all the while looking at him imperiously.

- Please, tell me, how my daughter has forced you to do this? - she hissed finally, circling it slowly, with her hands clasped behind her back.

Skyrim glanced quickly on the Mo, without looking up. He did not dare now look into the eyes his Queen.

- That she will tell about all my trips and falsified logs - he said meekly.

- If I wanted to punish you for it, I would have do it a long time ago - Nightwind said with a sarcastic smile. - You do not be so surprised - she said immediately, seeing the expression on their faces. - Maybe Skyrim is good at forgery entries in the on-board computer, but still far away him to the skills of your father - now she stopped in front of her daughter. - For a long time I know about his... trips. He was not the first, and nor the last, which thus making… I may say, that this is a: ailment youthful age... But that's not the point. You both broken my order and fly on the Hyanivis. And if you want to take all the blame on yourself, your thing. Maybe it'll teach you obedience - she almost snapped.

This time Mo looked straight into her mother's eyes... with anger in her own.

- If I had listened to you, they both would be dead right now... mother - now she snapped with clear disdain. - I asked you, that we flew there for them, that I have a bad feeling about this. But you insist on you right. Because the Queen have always right. Your RIGHT cost my father his life... You have his blood on your hands...

The sound of a hand striking in the cheek a girl unexpectedly resounded on chamber.

Nightwind was clearly furious, standing in front of her daughter with pursed lips.

- How dare you speak to me in that tone and words, girl! - her voice boomed. - I think you've forgotten where you belong! Even your father ever said to me in that tone.

- Because he respect you... and I just stopped - she grumbled, looking at her deadly gaze.

The Queen almost took a step back to see what hatred beats from the face and eyes of her daughter. More than once they quarrel seriously and Moonlight was mad at her... but this... this look was pure hate and rage.

Nightwind not show it, but her body shivered, when her daughter looked at her that way... Her own daughter in this moment wanted her death... She even did not have to read her mind. The desire of murder clearly drew on the face a young female. Every part of her body screamed this desire... Her own daughter...

She controlled herself. She could not afford weakness. Above all, she was the Queen, and then the mother. And Queen could not afford such behavior.

- Get her out of my sight - she snapped and two armed soldiers immediately moved with place. - And put her it in isolated cage. Without food and water. No one is allowed to go near to her... She has to stay there, until she learns to respect and obedience for her Queen!

- I'd rather rot in a cell, than swear loyalty to you - Mo hissed when drones grabbed her by the shoulders.

Queen's eyes opened wide. Then she leaned her face close to hers.

- As you wish... girl - she said the same scornful tone and waved her head commanded remove from chamber.

Redmoon meekly nodded and quickly catch up the soldiers. He preferred to disappear as quickly as possible with eyes of an angry Queen, who looked at the young Wraith.

- Get out... before I will order put you in the same cell with her as long as you start to feed on her from hunger - she hissed and turned on her heel, she left the chamber by the side of door leading to her personal chambers.

Skyrim could not even to bow.

He was alone in the throne room, which was still guarded by two soldiers... "

.

- …Your law is raw - said Woolsey.

- You know, one female and so many guys. Somehow you have to keep them under control - she joked. - But seriously, it's just all in all this is about. The Queen is one, and she is the highest authority on the hive. And our custom requires to be obedient towards her. If everyone would start doing what they wants, prevailed chaos... It's like in your army: you get order, and you do it. Insubordination is severely punished.

- Yes, I understand the meaning of this... I just do not support inflict the death penalty - he said. - While, I admit, that for some criminals on Earth even death is too mild the punishment... But that's different, than break the order.

- Well, as your proverb says: "every country has its customs."

- Yes, it's true - he said with a slight smile. - For long time you have been locked in a cell? - he asked.

- Almost twenty days.

- Twenty! - he said incredulously. - No food and water?

Moonlight smiled.

- You forget, that I can regenerate myself. Not as good as other Wraith, but enough to survive without food and water for much longer than humans… Besides, meditation works wonders, when you slow down the body's functions... From the beginning it was not so bad, although my only companions were the soldiers, who guarded that no one came. Anyway, I did not mind loneliness. I did not want to talk to anyone. Pain and bitterness over the loss of my father was filled my heart and mind... But after a ten days starting to be worse. I began to feel the first effects of dehydration. After a few more days I began to hallucinate. Although not all was them...

.

"…A young female lying on the floor in the cell, when an insistent whispered calling snatched her from dreams.

She opened her eyes slowly.

Like through the mist she saw a human face surrounded by a storm of flaming hair.

It was Lyli, crouched in front of the bars.

Mo looked at the place where guards stand, but no one was there.

- Go away - said Wraith. - If Queen finds out that you were here, you pay for it your life.

- She sent the guards yesterday... It's like the unofficial permission to come here - she joked and put behind bars mug. - I brought you something to drink. It is very nutritious cocktail...

- Take it - Mo grumbled. - I do not want anything.

- But...

- I said take it - she snapped sharply, get up to a sitting position. - I do not give her this satisfaction. If she wants me dead, she gets it. Let my blood will taint her hands... Now go - she said more calmly and slowly lay down again. - I want to be alone.

- You do not care what happens with Skall... and Rimy?

- They live. Only that's counts... Now go, before someone sees you here... Do not join because of me to your ancestors.

Lyli did not answer, but not gone right away. She took only a cup and sat over a bars a few long minutes, before the distant sound of approaching soldiers made both frozen with fear.

The corridor was short. There was nowhere to hide. Fortunately, the sound of boots quickly walked away and no one came.

Girl threw Mo last look. The female smiled at her gently. Lyli got up quickly and walked away.

Moonlight closed her eyes again. Dream let her save strength. But that day not allowed her to sleep.

She did not know how much time had passed since Lyli leaving, when awakened her some sounds from main corridor. Two soldiers led somewhere struggled human female... She was probably used as someone's meal, she thought. Some Wraith prefer when their... food, was conscious. Supposedly then a human have more life force.

In this case, she was glad, that she would never be able to test this theory.

Screams subsided finally and eyelids began to fall themselves, when in front of bars again appeared a figure. At first stood, then crouched down. She blinked, but the light from the main corridor was dazzled her.

- How long you plan to stay here? - asked at last slightly mocking male voice.

She immediately recognized him. It was Sharpeye. She smiled... or so she thought.

- Lyli complained to you, that I sent her?

- She did not have to say anything. Her face was eloquent enough - he said. - But you did not answer my question: how long are you going to sit here?

- I'm afraid, that not too long - she snorted, though speaking caused her already much problem.

- It's not funny, Mo - he rebuked her. - You sit here already seventeen days. Without food and water. You even no have strength to get up. Perhaps you are already severely dehydrated. It's only a matter of time before your body...

- Please, Shar, save me this medical spiel - she interrupted him calmly. - I know in what I am condition.

- Then do something with this. If your father see you now...

- But he did not see - she interrupted him again. - Because he's dead... With her fault.

- That's right: he's dead, but you are still alive... You think, that your death is this, what he would want for you?... And you? You want to leave all those, who care about you, just to tease your mother?... You know she can not give way. She is the Queen. It undermined to her authority... But you can. At least officially - he said and stood up. - Then you can hate her the rest of your days… But do not let, that those days there were only a few... Think about it. While you're still able to.

She wanted to say something, but before she sat up, he's already gone.

So, she moved to the bars, leaning in the corner of the wall. She was not able to keep up, and she had to change position. She too long has lying on the ground.

In her head still rang out Sharpeye words. In one he was right, she thought, her father would not want her death. But maybe that's what was her penance for the deaths of all those humans?

Anyway, she could not forgive mother. She was unable... and she did not want.

If only she agreed then on her outlet.

If she earlier has broken her ban... Icestorm would still be alive.

Tears flowed from her eyes. Remnant of precious water. But she could not help it. It was stronger than her. Besides, she had no strength for anything. She could feel with every moment the rest of forces leave her body. The only thing she wanted, it was a dream... She even do not know when the eyelids themselves shut and she fell asleep.

A someone hand and calm voice woke her again.

From barely she opened her eyes, trying to see who it is, but the figure was still like too fog.

- On Mother Iratus, girl, what are you doing?

She smiled a little with great difficulty. She everywhere was recognized this voice, which at this moment was the soothing sound of her soul.

- Skall - she murmured. - You are well again.

- Yes. For a long time... But you look like hell... What are you doing? Your father would be furious if he saw you like this.

- Luckily... for him... he will not see - she said, barely uttering each word.

The Wraith brushed her hair from her face. She was pale, cracked lips and sunken, bloodshot eyes. In his life he often saw starving humans, but this view... he could not even look at it.

- I'm sorry - he finally said sadly. - I'm sorry that let you down... Although I do not know do I should even ask you for forgiveness.

Again she smiled a little and put her hand on his, lying on the ground.

- I do not have what forgive you... Because you never let me down.

- I failed... Him also... I had to bring him alive... and I failed... I'm sorry. I should now be in his place...

- Do not say that - she interrupted him as firmly as she was able. - You do not think that your death... was would for me lightest? - she asked, sadly looking straight into his eyes. - You are just as important for me as my father... You're my best friend and teacher... It's you and my father I owe everything that I know... Who I am... So, please... you never say... that you should have to die instead of my father... because I never wanted to this - again, she smiled gently. - You do not know how glad I am that you're alive... that at least you I did not lose on that damn planet.

He put his hand on her cheek.

- Then why are you doing all, that now I lost you? I've already lost one friend. I was with him when he suffered and dying. I do not want to repeat it. So, now I beg you: swallow your pride, clench teeth and repent in front of your mother... Even if you have to do it just for show… You know that she, as the Queen, can not...

He paused, hearing footsteps approaching.

He looked down the corridor and stood up quickly.

Moonlight looked up, straight on the mocking smile drawn on the face her half-sister, Nightflower.

She stood there, with contempt and satisfaction watching on huddled in a corner of the cell shape.

- And yet finally I lived to see this - she said with treacherous, but typical of her smile. - Mother finally opened her eyes and has treated you as you deserve... Protheu.

- Right now I can treat you in the same way - said suddenly behind another woman's voice - if you do not get out of here immediately - almost snapped Nightwind, looking older daughter warningly in her eyes.

Mo watched with amusement as having nearly two thousand years Wraith Queen almost flushed with anger and with the expression of a small, spoiled girl whose cravings someone just not true.

And then she turned on her heel and walked quickly, angry.

Nightwind glanced at her, then turned on the her officer.

- What about her? - she asked calmly, looking down.

- Bad... Very bad. With any luck, she may would live a day or two... But no more - said Skyfall, also glancing at the young female.

- I see... Leave us alone - she recommended, but to surprise, her voice sounded more like request than a order.

The Wraith nodded slightly and walked out of the cell. The Queen waited until he disappears around the corner, and then she sat on her feet in front of her daughter.

- You are extremely stubborn, Moonlight from Clan Nightwatchers - she said at last. - Your father always said, that you have this thing from me... And unfortunately, he was right - she said with a slight smile.

- What do you want? - she hissed. - To see how I die?... Because the pride of the Queen's more important to you, than your family?

- If you were Queen for as long as I, you know, that sometimes you have to make very difficult decisions - she said, slightly annoyed, but then she became sad. - No… That's not why I'm here... Do you remember, when you were little, you torment everyone to tell you a bedtime story... Today, I also tell you a story... Before you're enough weak that you will not be able to protest and listen to me...

- It has to be a moral good-bye? - she snorted.

- Shut up and listen - huffed Queen, but she soon calmed down. -... A long time ago, in a faraway kingdom, similar to many other kingdoms, lived a Queen...

- You are serious? - she interrupted her again, with a mix of disbelief and amusement.

- If you just do not stop talking, girl, I'll do it in a less pleasant way - has threatened the Queen, raising her hand and showing a gap-feeding.

- What you do? Killing me?

- No.. I want to tell you something - she said firmly -... and in this way it is much easier for me - she added calmly. - So, at least once you listen to me calmly... Please.

Moonlight looked at her for a brief moment, realizing suddenly, that this what wants to tell her mother is really important to her... and that's the only way of she being able to utter these words.

For thousands of years she had to be assertive and domineering, so some things, so obvious to a young female, came to her mother with great difficulty.

- I'm sorry - she said quietly. - Go on.

The Queen took a deep breath and went back to her story:

- So, like I said, in one of the many kingdoms lived the Queen, similar to many other Queens. And like all of them, she also had a daughter, who was someday inherit the kingdom... But the Queen was always very

lonely in her great kingdom. Her one true friend was a knight, whom she knew from childhood. He was very wise, kind and handsome - she smiled corner of her mouth. - He always supported her and advised, especially in difficult times... The Queen loved him for a long time, but it took her a very long time, before she dared him to confess... You do not even know what she was happy, when found out, that the knight also loved her. Since then, her life has changed, made sense and colors. She wanted to shout to the whole world how happy she is... but the Code of Queens did not let her do it. Because the Queen should be serious and dignified. She should first of all think of her kingdom... So, the Queen decided otherwise express their love for the knight. She should not do this, but she decided to give him a daughter... Because having a daughter was the greatest honor for any knight... Unfortunately Code dictated, that each Queen had only one living daughter. This was to prevent the division of the kingdom into smaller, and thus the fact, that the Queen would not be able to feed her people... But this Queen had broken this law... that's why she was severely punished for it… In day of the birthplace of her second daughter, in the kingdom appeared a certain clairvoyant female and prophesied, that per many years the Queen will have to pay for breaking the law. And punishment will be the death of one of those who she loved the most: a knight or their daughter. Clairvoyant presented the Queen several variants of events, but everyone ended with the death of one of her relatives. And if she choose wrong, will die both of them, and the Queen again will be alone in her big kingdom... Queen long time could not accept this, but the sight of her small, still smiling daughter and her beloved knight, proud father, meant, that she had forgotten about the terrible prophecy... until that day...

She paused, as if plucked out of the trance, looking at the Moonlight.

A young female looking at her mother, though keeping her eyes open came to her with great difficulty. But she did not say anything, though she waiting for continued the story.

- When you were born, and it's time to give your name, instead Vocator appeared SHE: Destiny, one of the First Nine Mothers - continued after a short break Nightwind. - Until then, I thought, that the rumors that she spends most of her time hibernating in a cocoon, it's just a fairy tale... But it was she... She did not even have to touch you, how did it Vocator. She just came up to you and watched for a long moment... And finally she said: Moonlight... Long time ago Icestorm told me, that someone call this name your Foremother: because she was beautiful and mysterious, like the glow of the full moon... But the explanation Destiny of choices for you this name was definitely less... mystical... She told us about her vision, or rather visions. That one day your father will set off to explore new feeding ground... and will be captured. And that you'll want to save him... But time when you fly, decide which one of you will live or die… or do both of you die. Choosing depend on us, and in fact from me...

- You could not forbid him to go there? - Mo cut her off.

But Nightwind shook his head sadly.

- I also asked her about it, but Destiny argued, that such a variant will cause a death of both of you. Any course of events she tried to predict ended a death... We could only decide, if you both die, or only one of you ... And as you probably guessed, for your father choice was obvious... For me a little less - she said carefully, glancing at daughter.

But she did not react, although the Queen was not sure or due to exhaustion, or she just understood the difficulty of this choice.

- It really sounds like a fairy tale - she said.

- But unfortunately it's true. Although into now form me difficult to believe it... But you know the story about Destiny abilities and others from her House. And your father knew her from the times before the war, although he was very young. He mentioned, that in those days no one marveled her ability... And Nightstorm told me, that right on beginning of the war they even tried to use her gift to predict Lanteans movements, but whenever she focused on the vision, the only thing she saw was the omnipresent death.

So, she order close her in a cocoon of hibernation... But anyone lived before the war, whom I asked, repeating the same thing: that Destiny never wrong in her visions... That's why I could not let you go there. Not right away. I did not want to risk, that I lose both of you - she said sadly, stroking her fingers daughter cheek. - You are my gift for him, for which came to pay me a crude price. But I never regretted it. Even when I found out, that you Protheu... Icestorm told me then, that he was happy with that fact, because he will be able to have you close to... until the end.

Moonlight did not answer.

She still just looked at her mother with a look of slight disbelief. This story still seemed unreal to her. Such things happen only in fairy tales... But, when you change the way in which it was passed, it becomes much more likely.

Each Wraith heard, that many of those, who come in a straight line from Destiny House, have more or less the gift of predicting events. For some it was a feeling, in others dreams, and in few controlled visions. But it was a gift so normal, how the ability the Wraith from Twilight House to create in the minds of the enemy very realistic illusion, or exceptional strategic skills

Wraith from Guide Home.

Nightwind sat still for a long moment in front of her daughter, looking at her with a gentle expression. The girl herself was not sure, whether it is a result of heard story, or exhaustion, but she felt like all her anger to her mother disappears. And in its place appear to compassion.

For almost two hundred years the Queen had to live with the knowledge of this choice... it was like an eternal punishment.

In some ways relieved her. That she will not have grudges to her mother to end of her days.

And that the Queen does not turned out to be... a soulless monster.

Finally Nightwind get up, to leave.

- I most liked the story about a small Iratus - Mo said.

The Queen paused in the doorway cell.

- Me too... because you always fall asleep before the end - she quipped with a slight smile.

- How many of them were based on actual events? - was interested in a young female.

- Quite a few - awarded the Queen and left.

This memory made, that she for a moment forget about the pain.

She tells these stories of small Moonlight only once every few days, but she could see her daughter enjoys these moments spent together. Just as she did…

…Then, even for a moment, she could no longer be the Queen, and become a normal mother, laying her baby to sleep... just as two thousand years ago, when in the same way she fall asleep older daughter.

It's just, that small, busy Mo, after all day running of the hiveship, fast asleep, tired, rarely hear the end of each story told by her mother:

- ...And so brave, little Iratus lay in his cocoon and soon fell asleep, tired after an eventful day. Mom Iratus covered him a blanket and kissed, saying: "Now you sleep, my little, brave Iratus. Tomorrow will be next day's adventures"...

Nightwind smiled at the sight of a sleeping baby, and she covered daughter tighter with a blanket, kissing her gently on the forehead.

- Sweet dreams... my little, brave Iratus - she whispered and stood up carefully from the edge of the bed to get out of the room.

But as soon as she turned, she saw standing in the doorway Wraith, with his arms folded across his chest. He leaning against the wall with amusement on his face.

- I remember a little different this story - Icestorm snorted softly.

- Really? - talk back the Queen and lightly pushed him out of the small room.

The door slid shut behind them.

- From what I remember, a small Iratus so afraid the wrath of her mother and return to the hive, that we were looking for him half the night in the forest.

- You was then my hero, when you finally found me in that cave - she said, standing in front of him.

- The hero, you say? It's interesting, because barely when you sees yours mother, you ran off to her, forgetting about your hero - he reminded her sarcastically.

Queen slowly moved his hands across his chest, and finally wrapped her arms around his neck.

- I was a child then. My mother was more important to me than my hero... what else now - she said, pulling up his face closer to his. - So, maybe now, I can reward to your efforts... in surplus... for a long wait.

- After so many centuries, it would have to be a large surplus - he remarked.

Nightwind smiled.

- So, maybe you'd better tell your Second, that tomorrow you do not turn up on duty - she whispered in his ear. - Because the Queen ordered you a more important task.

The scent of her pheromones, which has just mastered his nostrils, made his heart beat faster, and the heat wave engulfed whole his body…"