The next day Stormy went to
SkyDancer. He seemed reluctant but knew if he didn't take her that she would go
alone and that could be more dangerous. Besides, he wanted an excuse to see
Typhoon. He had become absolutely smitten with her. So he knelt and allowed
Stormy onto his back.
The two started off into space. The
child within Stormy kicked more and more and the young woman tightened her grip
on her horse's mane. SkyDancer did not wince or make any remark to admit he was
in pain. Rather, he let her grab tightly. He would never know what it felt like
to carry a life inside him and by his observation of the other girls, this was
blessing.
When Jupiter came into view, Stormy
urged her horse downward. SkyDancer needed no urging. He was equally glad to be
coming here. Before long, Thunder's palace came into view. Two of the servant
girls looked up and immediately went to meet Stormy; they bowed before her.
"Your Highness."
Stormy was stunned. The younger of
the girls, looking to be about eleven answered.
"Those who have won our King's favor
are her Queen in our eyes. No one has managed to win his heart except you. He
demanded should you return that you should come to him and be anointed Queen of
Jupiter officially."
Stormy slid off with some
difficultly, due to the extra weight in her belly.
"I need to see him soon. You'll have
a Princess or Prince soon."
The two servants' eyes lit up with
joy.
"You carry a heir to Jupiter!"
Stormy winced and clutched her
forehead, in a rarely seen display of pain.
"Don't shout. I have a major
headache."
The two girls stammered their
apology. Then the younger one ran forward to take Stormy's left arm while her
partner took her right. Stormy looked over her two friends.
The one on her left arm had curly
blond hair with piercing red highlights. Her eyes were a dark brown and she
wore a simple black dress with a silver belt. Her shoes consisted of ankle high
black boots with a single silver buckle. She wore the mark of loyalty to her
King, a pendant of a lightning bolt.
The other girl looked to be about
seventeen. She had slick black hair, cut straight to her shoulders. Her eyes
were a dark blue and she wore a brown dress, with a black belt with a silver
buckle. Around her neck, she wore a pendant of her loyalty but she rarely said
anything. She had no shoes on.
The two girls led her to the throne
room and then the younger one entered,
"King Thunder?"
The king turned and smiled. "Well
met, Cumulus."
The girl nodded. "Your Queen has
returned."
Thunder leapt up as Stormy walked
in. He ran to her and embraced her. Stormy returned the gesture. He kissed her
once and then pulled away,
"It's been too long, my dear."
Stormy beamed, "I know. I come with
news."
"What news, darling?"
Stormy took a breath. "You'll have a
child soon."
Thunder stared at her. She answered
with a single nod.
Thunder, for the first time, felt
pure joy surge up within him. He had thought only his Queen could bring him
such joy. But now…
"Oh Stormy!"
He caught her under her arms and
swung her up and around in a circle. Stormy smiled and hugged him tightly as
she was sat down. She smiled and for the first time felt pure joy spring up
within her. She had hated her pregnancy so far but now she realized it was
because there had been something missing. Something she could not place her
finger on but it was something.
Now she knew what it was.
She had not had her 'husband' share
the joy.
Tears filled Stormy's eyes and she
glanced down at her stomach.
"Little one, I can't wait to see
you."
Thunder smiled and scooped Stormy up
into his strong arms. Stormy smiled at him and draped her arms around his neck.
He kissed her passionately. In answer, Stormy returned it. Thunder carried her
to lay her in a comfortable chair and then looked at her with questioning eyes.
She nodded and pulled her shirt open so he could feel.
He laid his cheek against her stomach and at that moment, the child in side of her gave a sharp kick.