- 2 days ago
▶What starts as a simple black market trade spirals into a galactic conspiracy. James rescues a violet-skinned beauty, but she’s hiding secrets that could reshape the stars.
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Keywords: "Dive into the captivating world of HFY (Humanity, Fuck Yeah!) with our latest video, featuring an enthralling HFY Short Story that showcases the indomitable spirit of humanity in the vast expanse of the cosmos.
Experience a unique Sci-Fi Story where Humans are Space Orcs, demonstrating their resilience and ingenuity in a universe filled with challenges. This Sci-Fi Short Story, inspired by the popular Reddit HFY Stories and the intriguing concept of Humans are Space Orcs, promises a blend of adventure, conflict, and the triumph of the human spirit.
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FunTranscript
00:00Human accepted an alien slave as payment, only to discover she was a wealthy princess.
00:05The acrid stench of burnt circuitry and cheap synthetic alcohol permeated the dingy black market station.
00:11James Felt stood his ground, his bulky black combat armor gleaming under the flickering neon lights as he faced down the gray-skinned alien trader.
00:20The technological artifact in question, a quantum phase modulator, lay between them on the scratched metal counter.
00:27"'Look, Krath!' James growled, his thick, dark beard failing to hide his scowl.
00:34"'We both know this text worth at least 50,000 credits. You're trying to screw me over.'
00:40The bald alien merchant's multifaceted eyes narrowed.
00:43"'30,000. Final offer.' His gravelly voice carried the hint of a smirk.
00:49"'Bullshit!' James' hand instinctively tightened on his rifle.
00:52"'I pulled this from a Class 4 restricted zone. Lost two good men getting it.
00:57"'This isn't some knock-off piece of junk.'
00:59Krath's gray skin rippled with amusement.
01:02"'Perhaps we could, uh, sweeten the deal?'
01:05He gestured to a side door.
01:08"'I have something that might interest a man of your... tastes.'
01:12James' eyes narrowed.
01:14"'I don't deal in...
01:16Just look,' Krath interrupted, pressing a button.
01:19The door slid open with a hydraulic hiss, revealing a striking figure that made James' breath catch.
01:25A humanoid woman with violet skin and flowing white hair stood there,
01:30her curves accentuated by a form-fitting outfit that left little to the imagination.
01:36Her eyes, a mesmerizing shade of silver, met his with an intensity that seemed to pierce right through him.
01:42"'Finest stock from the Centauri raids,' Krath said proudly.
01:46"'Pure Etherian. Worth 20,000 alone. She's yours. Plus 30,000 credits.'
01:53James felt his jaw clench.
01:55"'I don't deal in slaves.'
01:57"'Then consider it a rescue,' Krath chuckled.
02:00"'You get your credits, plus the satisfaction of freeing her. Everyone wins.'
02:06The woman's eyes never left James' face.
02:08There was something in that gaze.
02:10Not fear or submission, but a calculating intelligence that made him pause.
02:15"'Fuck!' James ran a hand through his styled dark hair.
02:20"'Fine. But I wanted in writing that she's free the moment the transfer's complete.'
02:25Krath's smile widened.
02:27"'Of course. Of course.
02:29Though I doubt you'll want to let this one go once you...
02:32"'Just get the damn paperwork,' James snapped.
02:35As Krath shuffled away, James approached the woman.
02:38"'I'm not your new master,' he said quietly.
02:40"'Once this is done, you're free to go wherever you want.'
02:44A slight smile curved her full lips.
02:46"'My name is Kara,' she said, her voice carrying an exotic accent that sent shivers down his spine.
02:52"'And I think I'll stay with you.
02:55For now.'
02:56Something about her tone made James wonder if he'd just been played.
03:00But before he could pursue that thought, Krath returned with the documents.
03:04Minutes later, the deal was done.
03:07As they walked away from the trading post, Kara's stride matching his perfectly,
03:11James couldn't shake the feeling that his life had just become significantly more complicated.
03:15He had no idea how right he was.
03:18James' ship, the Iron Spirit, was a modified Terran Vanguard-class Corvette.
03:23Small enough to avoid unnecessary attention, but large enough to accommodate a crew of six.
03:29Though he usually flew solo.
03:30As they approached the docking bay, Kara's silver eyes drank in every detail of the vessel's sleek lines.
03:37"'She's beautiful,' Kara murmured, running her delicate violet fingers along the hull's dark metal surface.
03:43Terran engineering at its finest.
03:45James raised an eyebrow.
03:46"'Now you know your ships.'
03:48Among other things,' she replied with a mysterious smile that made his pulse quicken.
03:52The airlock cycled open with a soft hiss, and James let her inside.
03:57The ship's interior was spartan but well-maintained, with state-of-the-art equipment carefully integrated into its military-grade framework.
04:04"'Welcome aboard,' he said, removing his bulky armor pieces and storing them in a wall-mounted rack.
04:10Underneath, he wore a form-fitting black flight suit that did little to hide his muscular frame.
04:14"'Make yourself comfortable while I get his clearance to depart.'
04:18Kara's gaze lingered on him appreciatively.
04:20"'Oh, I intend to.'
04:22In the cockpit, James tried to focus on the pre-flight checks, but his mind kept wandering to his unusual passenger.
04:29Something about her didn't add up.
04:31Slaves typically showed signs of mistreatment, or at least fear.
04:34But Kara carried herself with an almost regal confidence.
04:39When he returned to the main cabin, he found her examining his collection of rare books.
04:43Actual paper ones, with obvious fascination.
04:46"'These must have cost a fortune,' she said, carefully turning a page of an ancient Earth novel.
04:51"'Most people think I'm crazy for keeping physical books on a spaceship.
04:55Most people are fools.'
04:57She replaced the book with careful precision.
04:59"'Knowledge should be treasured in all its forms.'
05:02James leaned against the doorframe, studying her.
05:05"'You're not what you seem, are you?
05:07Or any of us?'
05:08Kara turned to face him, and the ship's soft lighting caught the silvery highlights in her white hair.
05:14"'But you're right.
05:15I'm not what that merchant believed me to be.'
05:18And what did he believe?
05:20That I was just another captured prize.'
05:23She moved closer, her movements fluid and graceful.
05:26He never questioned why an Aetherian would allow herself to be sold without resistance.
05:30James' combat instincts tingled.
05:34"'Allow?'
05:35My people possess certain abilities.'
05:39She raised her hand, and a faint purple glow emanated from her fingertips.
05:43That merchant's security systems didn't disable themselves by accident.
05:48You wanted to be sold.
05:50The realization hit James like a plasma bolt.
05:53To me specifically?
05:54I needed transportation off that station, and you...
05:58She stepped closer, close enough that he could feel the warmth radiating from her violet skin.
06:04"'You have a reputation,' James felt.
06:07A man of honor in a profession not known for it.
06:10Someone who would intervene if he saw a slave being sold.
06:13"'You played me,' he said, but there was more admiration than anger in his voice.
06:16I preferred to think of it as arranging an introduction.'
06:21Her silver eyes sparkled with mischief.
06:23Though I must admit, the reality exceeded my expectations.
06:27The ship's computer chimed, indicating they'd received clearance for departure.
06:31James should have gone to the cockpit immediately, but he found himself rooted to the spot,
06:35captivated by her presence.
06:37"'You still haven't told me who you really are.'
06:40"'No, I haven't.'
06:42She reached up, her fingers barely brushing his bearded jaw.
06:45"'But I will.'
06:48After we're safely away from this station and its prying eyes.
06:52The touch sent electricity through his body, and James had to force himself to step back.
06:57"'I should get us underway.'
06:59"'Of course.'
07:00Her knowing smile suggested she was well aware of the effects she had on him.
07:05"'I'll prepare us some refreshments.
07:07Your galley is fully stocked, yes?'
07:09"'Help yourself.'
07:11He turned toward the cockpit, then paused.
07:13"'Just, uh, no more surprises for now?'
07:16"'Now where would be the fun in that?'
07:18She laughed at the sound like crystal chimes in the recycled ship air.
07:22As James guided the Iron Spirit away from the station, his mind raced.
07:27Everything about this situation screamed,
07:28"'Trap.'
07:29Yet his instincts, which had kept him alive through countless dangerous situations, told him Kara
07:34wasn't a threat.
07:36At least, not to him.
07:38The ship cleared the station's gravity well, and James engaged the FTL drive.
07:42The stars stretched into lines of light around them as they entered hyperspace.
07:46"'Beautiful,' Kara's voice came from behind him.
07:49She'd entered the cockpit silently, carrying two steaming mugs of what smelled like real coffee,
07:53not the synthetic stuff.
07:55"'Where did you?'
07:56He started to ask about the coffee, but stopped when he saw what she was wearing.
08:02She'd found one of his spare flight suits.
08:04But somehow, the utilitarian garment looked entirely different on her curves.
08:09"'Your environmental controls are set to human preferences,' she explained, handing
08:13him a mug.
08:14"'While my previous outfit was aesthetically pleasing, it wasn't particularly practical.'
08:19James took a sip of the coffee, definitely real, and better than anything he'd had in
08:24months.
08:24"'You're full of surprises.'
08:26"'You have no idea.'
08:28She settled into the co-pilot's seat with natural grace.
08:31"'Now, shall I tell you about why the Itherian royal family's only heir would arrange to be
08:35sold as a slave?'
08:36James nearly choked on his coffee.
08:39The iron spirit drifted through hyperspace, its quantum engines humming a soft lullaby against
08:44the vast silence.
08:45In the ship's small but comfortable lounge, James sat across from Kara, still processing
08:51her revelation about being the Itherian heir.
08:54"'So,' he said, setting down his second cup of coffee,
08:57"'you're telling me that I technically bought a princess with a quantum phase modulator?'
09:02Kara's melodious laughter filled the cabin.
09:05"'When you put it that way, it does sound rather absurd.'
09:08She leaned forward, her silver eyes twinkling.
09:11"'Though I must say, as far as purchases go, you got quite a bargain.'
09:15"'I'm still trying to figure out why.'
09:17James ran a hand through his dark hair.
09:20"'The heir to the Itherian throne could have hired any premium transport service in the
09:24galaxy.
09:25Why the elaborate ruse?'
09:27"'Because, dear James,' she traced the rim of her cup with a delicate violet finger.
09:32"'I needed someone who couldn't be bought.
09:35Someone whose moral compass pointed true north, even in the darkest reaches of space.
09:40You got all that from my reputation?
09:43I got all that from watching you turn down three separate slave trades before mine,' she
09:47set her cup down.
09:48"'Did you think I chose that station at random?'
09:51James felt a warmth in his chest that had nothing to do with the coffee.
09:55"'You were testing me,' among other things.'
09:57Her gaze traveled appreciatively over his muscular frame.
10:02"'Etherians believe that character reveals itself in small moments, when we think no one
10:07is watching.'
10:07And what else did you see in these small moments?
10:12"'A man who maintains a library of physical books in an age of digital convenience,' she
10:17gestured around them.
10:18"'A warrior who keeps his ship spotless, not out of vanity, but respect for his tools.
10:23Someone who could afford better quarters, but chooses to live simply.
10:27You're making me sound like some kind of saint.'
10:30"'Oh, far from it!'
10:31Her smile turned playful.
10:33"'I also saw a man who can out-drink a Centaurian dock worker, out-shoot a Martian gunslinger,
10:38and out-curse a Jovian freight captain.'
10:41James couldn't help but laugh.
10:43"'Been doing your homework, haven't you?'
10:45"'Thoroughly,' she stood with fluid grace, and moved to the viewport, watching the streaks
10:52of hyperspace light.
10:53"'My people have a saying.
10:55Know the soul before you trust the sword.'
10:58James joined her at the viewport, careful to maintain a respectful distance, despite his
11:03growing desire to close it.
11:04"'And what does my soul tell you, princess?'
11:07"'Please,' she turned to face him, close enough that he could see flecks of starlight in her
11:13eyes.
11:13"'Call me Kara and your soul,' she reached up, her fingers hovering just above his bearded
11:20cheek, without quite touching.
11:22"'Your soul tells me that humans are far more fascinating than any of our scholars ever
11:28imagined.'
11:28The air between them crackled with unspoken tension.
11:32James found himself drowning in those silver eyes, fighting the urge to pull her closer.
11:37"'You know,' he said, his voice rougher than intended.
11:41"'Where I come from, it's considered bad form to psychoanalyze someone you've just met.
11:46"'And where I come from,' she countered, it's considered wasteful to deny obvious attraction.'
11:52Before James could respond, the ship's proximity alarm blared.
11:56He reluctantly pulled away from Kara and rushed to the cockpit, dropping into the pilot's seat
12:01with practiced ease.
12:03"'Proximity alert in hyperspace?'
12:06Kara followed, settling into the co-pilot's chair.
12:08"'That shouldn't be possible.'
12:10"'A lot of impossible things seem to happen around you,' James noted, checking the readings.
12:16"'We've got a ship matching our course.
12:18They're good, staying just at the edge of sensor range.'
12:21"'Not pursuers,' Kara said with certainty.
12:24"'My departure was completely secret.
12:26"'Even my own guards think I'm in deep meditation at our mountain sanctuary.
12:31"'Could be random pirates.'
12:32"'In hyperspace?'
12:34She shook her head.
12:35"'No, no, this is something else.'
12:38James studied the sensor readings more carefully.
12:40"'The way they're trailing us, it's almost like they're waiting for something.
12:45"'Or hurting us somewhere.'
12:47Kara's expression turned thoughtful.
12:49"'What's the nearest system along our current trajectory?'
12:52James pulled up the nav charts.
12:54"'Epsilon Eridani, mostly mining colonies in—'
12:58"'Oh, what?
12:59"'There's a deep space research station there.
13:02"'Supposedly abandoned after the Quantum Wars, but—'
13:05"'He pulled up some additional data.
13:08"'I've heard rumors about black market tech dealers using it as a base.
13:12"'The same ones you sold artifacts to before?
13:15"'No, these are different.
13:17"'Dangerous.'
13:18"'He glanced at her.
13:19"'The kind that wouldn't think twice about ransoming an Ethereum princess?'
13:23"'Kara's face hardened into something more regal, more dangerous.
13:27"'Then perhaps it's time I showed you what an Ethereum princess can really do.'
13:32"'I thought you already had,' her answering smile was predatory.
13:36"'Oh, James, that was just flirting.'
13:39"'This dot, dot, dot, purple energy began crackling around her fingers.
13:43"'This is something else entirely.'
13:46"'The Iron Spirit's engine room thrummed with barely contained power as James and Kara prepared
13:51their countermeasure against their mysterious pursuers.
13:54"'Purple energy crackled around Kara's hands as she interfaced with the ship's systems,
13:59"'her consciousness merging with the Quantum Drive in ways that defied human understanding.
14:04"'Your ship's neural pathways are remarkably responsive,' she murmured,
14:09"'her silver eyes glowing with an inner light,
14:11"'almost as if they were designed for Ethereum integration.'
14:15"'James monitored the power readings,
14:17"'trying not to be distracted by how the energy play highlighted her elegant features.
14:21"'The previous owner mentioned something about custom modifications,
14:25"'never said where they came from.
14:28"'Fortunate coincidence,' Kara smiled, knowing it was anything but.
14:32"'With these systems, I can create a quantum shadow,
14:35"'make it appear we've dropped out of hyperspace while we actually continue on a different vector.
14:40"'And our friends back there?
14:42"'They'll follow the shadow, thinking they've herded us exactly where they wanted.
14:46"'Her smile turned predatory, right into our trap.'
14:50"'James found himself mesmerized by her confidence, her competence.
14:54"'The supposed slave he'd rescued was proving to be the most capable partner he'd ever worked with.
15:00"'You've done this before.
15:01"'A princess must know how to handle difficult situations,' she glanced at him through lowered lashes.
15:07"'Though I must admit, the company makes this particular situation far more enjoyable.
15:13"'The air between them charged with more than just quantum energy.
15:16"'James stepped closer, ostensibly to check a readout.
15:20"'Even with mysterious pursuers trying to capture you.
15:24"'Especially then, her fingers brushed his as they reached for the same control panel.
15:29"'Danger has a way of clarifying things.
15:32"'Such as—such as how much I appreciate having a strong, capable human by my side.'
15:39"'She turned to face him fully, their bodies mere inches apart.
15:43"'One who sees me as more than just a title or a prize.'
15:47"'James's heart hammered against his ribs.
15:50"'And how do you think I see you?'
15:52"'Why don't you show me?'
15:54"'The ship's warning system chose that moment to chime, indicating their pursuers were closing in.
16:00"'With remarkable restraint, they both turned back to their tasks.
16:05"'Quantum shadow ready,' Kara reported, her voice husky.
16:08"'On your mark.'
16:10"'James took a deep breath, forcing himself to focus.
16:14"'Execute in three, two, one.'
16:17"'The ship shuddered as Kara's powers engaged.
16:21"'On the sensors, their signature split, one continuing toward the research station,
16:26"'the other veering off into deep space.
16:28"'Their pursuers, as predicted, followed the shadow.
16:31"'It worked!'
16:33"'Kara's excitement was contagious.
16:35"'They took the bait.
16:36"'Now comes the fun part.
16:38"'James plotted a new course.
16:40"'We loop around through the Oort cloud,
16:43"'catch them from behind while they're searching the station.
16:46"'Brilliant strategy.'
16:48"'Kara's admiration was palpable.
16:50"'Though we have several hours before we need to execute that part of the plan.'
16:53"'Their eyes met,
16:55"'the air between them electric with possibility.
16:58"'Several hours,' James repeated, his voice rough.
17:01"'Any suggestions on how to pass the time?'
17:04"'Kara stepped closer,
17:06"'her violet skin seeming to glow in the engine room's dim light.
17:10"'I can think of a few activities worthy of a princess and her gallant rescuer.
17:15"'I thought you arranged all this,' he reminded her,
17:19"'though his hands were already reaching for her.
17:22"'Perhaps I arranged to be rescued by exactly the right man.'
17:25"'Her fingers traced the contours of his chest through his flight suit,
17:29"'one who would see past the deception to the truth beneath.
17:33"'And what truth is that?'
17:35"'That sometimes,' she whispered, pressing against him,
17:38"'a princess needs to be seen as simply a woman.
17:42"'And sometimes a mercenary can be every inch the prince she's been waiting for.'
17:47"'Their lips met in a kiss that sent quantum energy crackling through the ship's systems.
17:52"'All pretense of resistance melted away as they finally surrendered to the attraction
17:57"'that had been building since their first meeting.
17:59"'In that moment, titles and backgrounds ceased to matter.
18:03"'They were simply a man and a woman,
18:05"'finding something extraordinary in each other's arms.
18:08"'Hours later, as they lay entwined in James's quarters,
18:12"'Kara traced lazy patterns on his chest.
18:14"'You know,' she mused,
18:16"'this isn't exactly how a theory in courtship usually progresses.'
18:20"'James chuckled, running his fingers through her starlight hair.
18:23"'No elaborate rituals.
18:26"'No formal declarations.
18:27"'Oh, there are usually dozens.'
18:29"'She propped herself up to look at him,
18:32"'her silver eyes sparkling.
18:33"'Though I must say I prefer this human approach.
18:36"'Much more...
18:37"'d-direct.
18:39"'Speaking of direct,' James checked the ship's chronometer.
18:42"'We should be approaching our ambush point soon.'
18:44"'Kara sighed contendedly,
18:46"'stretching in a way that made James's pulse quicken all over again.
18:50"'Duty calls.
18:51"'Though after we deal with our pursuers,
18:54"'we really must discuss the proper protocol
18:56"'for a human mercenary courting an Aetherian princess.
18:59"'I thought we just did.'
19:02"'Her laughter, rich and genuine, filled the cabin.
19:05"'Oh, my dear James, this was just the beginning.'
19:08"'The week following their initial intimate encounter
19:11"'transformed life aboard the Iron Spirit
19:13"'in ways James never could have imagined.
19:15"'The ship's corridors, once cold and utilitarian,
19:18"'now hummed with an energy that had nothing to do with its quantum drive.
19:22"'Every shared glance, every accidental brush in the narrow passages
19:27"'carried electric potential.
19:28"'Kara had integrated herself seamlessly into the ship's daily operations.
19:32"'Her Aetherian abilities, enhancing systems James hadn't even known,
19:37"'could be improved.
19:38"'But it was her presence in his personal life
19:41"'that truly revolutionized his world.
19:44"'Your coffee, Captain,' she purred one morning,
19:47"'setting down his mug in the cockpit.
19:49"'She wore another of his flight suits,
19:51"'though she'd modified this one to better suit her figure.
19:53"'The way she moved made even standard-issue clothing look like royal attire.
19:57"'Do you know,' James said, accepting the drink.
19:59"'You don't have to call me Captain.'
20:01"'Oh, but I like to,' her silver eyes sparkled with mischief.
20:06"'Especially since I outrank you in every other way.'
20:09"'He caught her hand before she could withdraw it.
20:12"'Is that so, Your Highness?'
20:13"'The title, once formal,
20:15"'had become something of a private joke between them,
20:18"'especially given how thoroughly they'd dispensed with formality and private.
20:22"'Indeed,' she settled into his lap with practiced ease,
20:25"'making navigation considerably more challenging.
20:28"'Though I must say,
20:30"'you've shown remarkable command abilities in certain situations.'
20:34"'James's hands found their way to her hips.
20:37"'I aim to please.
20:38"'That you do.'
20:40"'She leaned in for a kiss
20:41"'that threatened to derail their entire flight plan.
20:44"'The ship's proximity alert chose that moment to chime.
20:48"'Saved by the bell,' James murmured against her lips.
20:51"'Postponed,' Kara corrected,
20:53"'reluctantly sliding off his lap to check the sensors.
20:56"'Her expression turned serious.
20:58"'We've got company.
20:59"'Three ships coming out of hyperspace.'
21:01"'James immediately switched to tactical mode,
21:04"'though his body still hummed from their interrupted moment.
21:08"'Configuration?
21:09"'Standard pursuit formation.
21:11"'They're not even trying to hide their intentions.'
21:14"'Her fingers danced over the controls,
21:16"'purple energy enhancing the sensor readings.
21:18"'Wait, these energy signatures.
21:21"'They're Aetherian.'
21:23"'Your people?
21:25"'The Royal Guard.'
21:26"'She bit her lip.
21:27"'They weren't supposed to discover my absence for another week.'
21:30"'James's hands tightened on the controls.
21:33"'Options?
21:34"'We could run.'
21:35"'Her silver eyes met his.
21:37"'Or...
21:38"'or...
21:39"'or we could face them.
21:41"'Together.'
21:42"'She reached for his hand.
21:44"'Show them that I've chosen my path
21:46"'and my partner.'
21:47"'The word partner sent a warmth through James
21:50"'that had nothing to do with physical attraction.
21:53"'You sure about this?
21:55"'There might be easier ways to introduce
21:57"'your new human boyfriend to the family.'
21:59"'Her laughter filled the cockpit.
22:01"'Boyfriend?
22:02"'Such a quaint human term.'
22:04"'She squeezed his hand.
22:06"'In Aetherian culture,
22:08"'what we've shared,
22:09"'it's beyond any simple classification.
22:11"'We're quantum-bound now.
22:13"'That sounds serious.
22:15"'It is.'
22:16"'Her expression softened.
22:18"'Our energies have merged in ways that can't be undone.
22:21"'Even if they wanted to separate us,
22:22"'they couldn't.
22:23"'Not without risking serious harm to both of us.'
22:26"'James processed this information.
22:29"'So what you're saying is,
22:30"'we're basically married by Aetherian standards.
22:33"'More than married.
22:34"'Purple energy sparkled around their joined hands.
22:37"'We're soul-matched.
22:39"'It's incredibly rare,
22:40"'even among my people.
22:41"'The fact that it happened with a human.'
22:44"'She smiled.
22:45"'Well, let's just say it's going to cause
22:47"'quiety stir in the royal court.'
22:50"'The approaching ships fired warning shots
22:52"'across their bow.
22:53"'Speaking of stir,' James said,
22:56"'how do you want to handle this?'
22:58"'Kara's answer was to stand
22:59"'and pull him into a passionate kiss
23:01"'that left them both breathless.
23:03"'First we show them they can't separate us.
23:06"'Then...
23:07"'Her hands drifted to her abdomen
23:09"'in a gesture that made James's heart
23:11"'skip several beats.
23:12"'Then we tell them about
23:13"'the air they're getting.'
23:15"'James's eyes widened.
23:17"'Your...
23:18"'quantum-bound pairs are exceptionally fertile,'
23:21"'she explained with a radiant smile.
23:22"'An Aetherian biology is...
23:25"'efficient.
23:26"'Before James could fully process
23:28"'this world-changing information,
23:29"'the Royal Guard ships hailed them.
23:31"'Ready to face your future, Captain?'
23:33"'Kara's eyes sparkled with both challenge
23:36"'and affection.
23:37"'James pulled her close,
23:38"'one hand protectively covering hers
23:40"'on her abdomen.
23:41"'With you.
23:42"'Always.'
23:43"'As they prepared to answer the hail,
23:45"'James reflected on how thoroughly
23:47"'his life had changed
23:48"'since accepting that fateful deal
23:49"'in the black market.
23:50"'He'd thought he was rescuing a slave,
23:53"'only to find himself bound to a princess
23:55"'in ways that transcended
23:57"'ordinary understanding.
23:58"'And now, with their child
24:00"'growing within her,
24:01"'their story was evolving
24:02"'into something even more extraordinary.
24:04"'The main screen flickered to life,
24:07"'revealing the stern face
24:08"'of the Aetherian Royal Guard commander.
24:11"'James straightened,
24:12"'keeping one arm around Kara's waist,
24:14"'ready to face whatever came next.
24:16"'After all,
24:17"'he wasn't just a mercenary anymore.
24:18"'He was quantum-bound
24:20"'to an Aetherian princess,
24:21"'soon to be the father
24:22"'of a half-human,
24:23"'half-Aetherian royal heir.
24:25"'Life had become
24:26"'infinitely more complicated
24:28"'and infinitely more wonderful
24:29"'than he could have imagined.
24:31"'The Aetherian Royal Guard,
24:33"'commander's holographic image,
24:35"'flickered before them,
24:36"'his silver-armored form imposing,
24:38"'even in projection.
24:39"'His eyes widened
24:41"'at the sight of Kara
24:41"'wrapped in James's
24:42"'protective embrace.
24:43"'Your Highness,'
24:44"'he began formally,
24:46"'then faltered
24:46"'at their obvious intimacy.
24:48"'Princess Kara,
24:49"'your father—'
24:50"'Can wait,
24:51"'Commander Thane,'
24:52"'Kara interrupted,
24:53"'her royal authority evident
24:54"'despite wearing
24:55"'a modified flight suit.
24:56"'First you will power down
24:58"'your weapon systems.
24:59"'I am not being held
25:00"'against my will.
25:02"'In fact,'
25:03"'she turned to kiss
25:04"'James's bearded jaw,
25:06"'making the commander
25:06"'visibly uncomfortable.
25:08"'I am exactly
25:09"'where I choose to be.'
25:10"'James suppressed a smile
25:12"'at the commander's
25:12"'obvious distress.
25:13"'The man looked like
25:15"'he'd swallowed
25:15"'a quantum crystal.
25:16"'But your Highness,
25:17"'the protocols
25:18"'have already been
25:20"'superceded by a higher law.'
25:21"'Kara's hand glowed
25:22"'purple as she raised it,
25:24"'energy swirling
25:25"'between her and James.
25:26"'We are quantum bound.'
25:29"'The shock that rippled
25:30"'through the commander's
25:31"'bridge crew
25:32"'was almost comical.
25:34"'Several officers gasped.
25:36"'One actually fainted.
25:37"'Impossible!'
25:38"'Thane whispered.
25:39"'With a human?'
25:41"'Not only possible,'
25:43"'Kara's smile
25:44"'turned mischievous,
25:45"'but thoroughly confirmed
25:47"'through multiple
25:48"'interactions.'
25:50"'James coughed
25:51"'to hide his laugh,
25:53"'remembering those
25:53"'confirmations
25:54"'with vivid clarity.
25:56"'The past week
25:57"'had been a revelation
25:58"'in more ways than one.
25:59"'Each passionate encounter
26:01"'strengthening
26:02"'their quantum bond
26:03"'until their energies
26:04"'until their energies
26:04"'moved in perfect
26:05"'synchronization.
26:06"'Furthermore,''
26:07"'Cara continued,
26:08"'her freehand drifting
26:09"'to her abdomen.
26:10"'The royal lineage is already
26:12"'the royal lineage is already secured.
26:13"'This time three more
26:14"'officers fainted.
26:15"'Commander Thane
26:16"'looked like he might
26:17"'join them.
26:18"'You're, yeah,
26:19"'with child?
26:20"'A hybrid?
26:22"'The first human
26:23"'Etherean royal heir,'
26:25"'Cara confirmed proudly,
26:26"'which makes any discussion
26:28"'of separation
26:29"'not only impossible
26:30"'but potentially dangerous
26:31"'to the future
26:32"'of our people.
26:33"'James watched
26:34"'the commander
26:35"'process this information,
26:37"'noting how the man's
26:38"'tactical training
26:39"'warred with his
26:39"'ingrained prejudices.
26:41"'Finally,
26:42"'duty won out.
26:43"'Your father must
26:44"'be informed immediately.'
26:45"'Agreed.'
26:46"'Cara's tone softened.
26:48"'But on our terms,
26:50"'we'll return to
26:51"'Etherea together,
26:52"'present ourselves
26:53"'properly.
26:54"'After,'
26:54"'James added firmly,
26:56"'we deal with the people
26:57"'who were pursuing us
26:58"'before you arrived.'
26:59"'This caught
27:00"'Thane's attention.
27:02"'Pursuers?'
27:02"'Someone tried
27:04"'herting us
27:04"'toward an abandoned
27:05"'research station,'
27:06"'James explained.
27:07"'We evaded them.
27:08"'But they're still
27:09"'out there.
27:11"'Mercenaries,'
27:11"'Cara suggested,
27:12"'hoping to capture
27:13"'an Aetherian princess
27:15"'for ransom.
27:16"'Though they got
27:16"'more than they bargained
27:17"'for,
27:18"'the commander's
27:19"'expression hardened.
27:20"'This is now
27:21"'a matter of
27:22"'royal security.
27:23"'We'll escort you.
27:24"'You'll support us,'
27:26"'Cara corrected.
27:27"'But we handle
27:28"'this our way.
27:29"'Consider it a test
27:30"'of my future
27:31"'consort's capabilities.'
27:32"'James raised
27:33"'an eyebrow at
27:34"'consort,
27:34"'but kept
27:35"'his expression
27:35"'neutral.
27:36"'They'd discuss
27:37"'titles later.
27:38"'Preferably
27:39"'during one of
27:39"'their more
27:40"'intimate moments
27:40"'when Kara
27:41"'was more
27:42"'amitable
27:43"'to negotiation.
27:44"'As you wish,
27:45"'Your Highness.'
27:45"'Thane didn't
27:46"'look happy,
27:47"'but he had
27:48"'little choice.
27:49"'We'll maintain
27:49"'distance,
27:50"'but stay
27:50"'within support
27:51"'range.
27:51"'After ending
27:53"'the transmission,
27:53"'Cara turned
27:54"'in James's arms,
27:55"'pressing herself
27:56"'against him
27:57"'in a way
27:57"'that made
27:58"'tactical planning
27:59"'considerably
28:00"'more challenging.
28:02"'Consort?'
28:02"'he asked,
28:03"'his hands
28:03"'automatically
28:04"'finding their
28:05"'way to her hips.
28:05"'Would you prefer
28:07"'a prince consort?'
28:08"'She nipped
28:09"'at his ear.
28:10"'Or perhaps
28:11"'royal pleasure
28:12"'captain?'
28:12"'Now you're
28:13"'just making
28:14"'titles up,'
28:15"'he groaned
28:16"'as she found
28:16"'a particularly
28:17"'sensitive spot
28:18"'on his neck.
28:18"'I'm a princess,'
28:20"'she murmured
28:20"'against his skin.
28:21"'I can make up
28:22"'whatever titles
28:23"'I want,
28:24"'especially
28:24"'for the father
28:25"'of my child.'
28:25"'The reminder
28:26"'of her pregnancy
28:27"'sent a surge
28:28"'of protective
28:29"'desire through
28:29"'him.
28:30"'Their quantum
28:31"'bond amplified
28:32"'the feeling,
28:32"'making Kara
28:33"'a gasp
28:34"'as the sensation
28:35"'echoed between them.
28:36"'We should focus
28:37"'on our pursuers,
28:38"'haikotroi,'
28:39"'he managed,
28:40"'though his hands
28:40"'were already
28:41"'sliding under
28:41"'her flight suit.
28:42"'We have time,'
28:43"'she purred.
28:44"'The royal guard
28:45"'will warn us
28:45"'of any approach.'
28:46"'Her fingers
28:47"'made quick work
28:48"'of his suit's
28:48"'fastenings.
28:49"'Besides,
28:50"'pregnant
28:50"'Etherian women
28:51"'have certain
28:52"'needs.'
28:53"'Is that so?'
28:55"'He lifted her
28:56"'onto the
28:56"'navigation console,
28:57"'tactical
28:58"'displays
28:58"'forgotten.'
28:59"'And what
29:00"'Etherian
29:01"'medical science
29:02"'say about
29:02"'satisfying
29:03"'those needs?
29:04"'Oh,
29:04"'it's highly
29:05"'recommended.'
29:06"'Her silver eyes
29:07"'glowed with desire.
29:08"'Essential for
29:09"'proper quantum
29:09"'alignment.
29:10"'Multiple times
29:11"'daily.'
29:12"'Hours later,
29:14"'as they lay
29:14"'entwined in
29:14"'their quarters,
29:15"'Kara traced
29:16"'the energy patterns
29:17"'their passion
29:17"'had left glowing
29:18"'on James's skin.
29:19"'You know,
29:20"'the royal court
29:21"'is going to be
29:21"'scandalized.
29:23"'By the human
29:24"'thing or
29:24"'the quantum
29:25"'bond?
29:26"'By how
29:26"'thoroughly
29:27"'you've corrupted
29:28"'their princess.'
29:29"'She smiled
29:29"'against his chest.
29:31"'They expected
29:32"'me to make
29:32"'a political match
29:33"'strengthened
29:33"'traditional
29:34"'alliances.
29:35"'Instead,
29:36"'you ran away
29:37"'and got yourself
29:37"'bought by a
29:38"'mercenary.
29:39"'Best purchase
29:40"'ever made.'
29:41"'She propped
29:42"'herself up
29:43"'to look at him.
29:44"'Though I should
29:44"'warn you,
29:45"'the formal
29:46"'presentation
29:46"'to my father
29:47"'will be
29:47"'intense.'
29:49"'James pulled
29:50"'her closer.
29:51"'More intense
29:52"'than facing
29:53"'down three
29:54"'royal guard
29:54"'ships
29:55"'while announcing
29:55"'your pregnancy?
29:57"'Much.'
29:58"'She kissed
29:59"'him softly.
29:59"'But first
30:00"'we deal
30:01"'with our
30:01"'mysterious
30:02"'pursuers.
30:03"'Show my
30:03"'people exactly
30:04"'why their
30:05"'princess
30:05"'chose a
30:05"'human warrior
30:06"'as her
30:06"'mate.
30:07"'Any
30:08"'ideas
30:08"'on that
30:08"'front?''
30:09"'Cara's
30:10"'smile
30:10"'turned
30:10"'predatory.
30:11"'Actually,
30:12"'yes.
30:13"'Remember
30:14"'how I
30:14"'modified
30:15"'the
30:15"'ship's
30:15"'quantum
30:16"'systems?
30:17"'Hard
30:17"'to
30:17"'forget,
30:18"'especially
30:19"'s
30:19"'you did
30:19"'it
30:19"'wearing
30:19"'that
30:20"'outfit.'
30:20"'She swatted
30:21"'his chest
30:22"'playfully.
30:23"'Focus,
30:23"'Captain.
30:24"'Those
30:24"'modifications
30:25"'give us
30:26"'certain
30:26"'advantages,
30:28"'particularly
30:28"'when combined
30:29"'with our
30:30"'quantum
30:30"'bond.'
30:31"'As she
30:32"'outlined
30:32"'her
30:32"'plan,
30:33"'James
30:33"'couldn't
30:34"'help
30:34"'but marvel
30:34"'at how
30:35"'thoroughly
30:35"'this
30:36"'woman
30:36"'had
30:36"'transformed
30:37"'his
30:37"'life.
30:37"'From
30:38"'a
30:38"'simple
30:38"'black
30:39"'market
30:39"'transaction
30:40"'to
30:40"'quantum
30:41"'bound
30:41"'mates
30:41"'expecting
30:42"'a
30:42"'child.
30:42"'It
30:43"'was beyond
30:43"'anything
30:44"'he
30:44"'could
30:44"'have
30:44"'imagined
30:45"'and
30:45"'somehow
30:46"'he
30:46"'knew
30:46"'the
30:46"'best
30:47"'was
30:47"'yet
30:47"'to
30:47"'come.
30:48"'The
30:48"'iron
30:48"'spirit's
30:49"'engine
30:49"'room
30:49"'pulsed
30:50"'with
30:50"'an
30:50"'ethereal
30:50"'purple
30:51"'glow
30:51"'as
30:52"'channeled
30:52"'her
30:52"'energy
30:53"'through
30:53"'the
30:53"'modified
30:54"'quantum
30:54"'systems.
30:55"'Her
30:55"'pregnancy
30:56"'had
30:56"'only
30:56"'enhanced
30:57"'her
30:57"'abilities,
30:57"'the
30:58"'growing
30:58"'life
30:59"'within
31:12"'using
31:12"'our
31:13"'quantum
31:13"'bond
31:13"'as
31:14"'weapon
31:14"'system.
31:15"'Not
31:15"'just
31:15"'a
31:15"'weapon,'
31:16"'Kara
31:16"'corrected,
31:17"'her
31:17"'silver
31:17"'eyes
31:18"'sparkling.
31:18"'Think
31:19"'of
31:19"'it
31:19"'as
31:19"'a
31:20"'dance,
31:20"'one
31:21"'where
31:21"'our
31:21"'pursuers
31:22"'are
31:22"'about
31:22"'to
31:22"'discover
31:23"'they're
31:23"'terribly
31:23"'outmatched.'
31:24"'Their
31:26"'plan
31:26"'was
31:26"'audacious,
31:27"'using
31:28"'their
31:28"'intimate
31:28"'connection
31:29"'to
31:29"'create
31:29"'a
31:29"'quantum
31:30"'resonance
31:30"'field
31:31"'that
31:31"'would
31:31"'disable
31:32"'any
31:32"'ship
31:32"'that
31:33"'came
31:33"'too
31:33"'close.
31:33"'The
31:34"'royal
31:34"'guard
31:34"'vessels
31:35"'maintained
31:35"'their
31:36"'protective
31:36"'distance,
31:37"'their
31:37"'crew
31:37"'still
31:38"'adapting
31:38"'to
31:38"'the
31:38"'shocking
31:39"'revelations
31:40"'about
31:40"'their
31:40"'princess'
31:41"'chosen
31:41"'mate.
31:42"'Incoming,'
31:43"'James
31:43"'announced
31:43"'as
31:43"'their
31:44"'censors
31:44"'detected
31:44"'the
31:45"'pursuing
31:45"'ships
31:45"'emerging
31:46"'from
31:46"'hyperspace.
31:46"'Three
31:47"'vessels
31:48"'same
31:48"'configuration
31:49"'as
31:49"'before.
31:50"'Cara's
31:50"'hands
31:51"'moved
31:51"'in
31:51"'intricate
31:52"'patterns,
31:52"'purple
31:53"'energy
31:53"'flowing
31:53"'between
31:54"'her
31:54"'and
31:54"'the
31:54"'ship
31:54"'systems.
31:55"'Perfect.
31:56"'They're
31:56"'right
31:57"'where
31:57"'we
31:57"'we
31:57"'want
31:57"'them.'
31:58"'Through
31:58"'their
31:59"'quantum
31:59"'bond,
32:00"'James
32:00"'felt
32:00"'the
32:00"'surge
32:01"'of
32:01"'power
32:01"'building
32:01"'within
32:02"'her.
32:02"'Without
32:03"'conscious
32:03"'thought,
32:04"'he
32:04"'reached
32:04"'out,
32:05"'lending
32:05"'his
32:05"'the
32:06"'strengthen
32:06"'hers.
32:07"'The
32:07"'sensation
32:08"'was
32:08"'intoxicating,
32:09"'like
32:09"'their
32:09"'most
32:10"'passionate
32:10"'moments
32:10"'amplified
32:11"'and
32:12"'focused
32:12"'into
32:12"'pure
32:12"'power.
32:13"'You
32:14"'know,'
32:14"'he
32:14"'said,
32:15"'voiced
32:15"'rough
32:15"'with
32:15"'concentration
32:16"'and
32:17"'desire.
32:17"'If
32:18"'anyone
32:18"'had
32:18"'told
32:19"'me
32:19"'a
32:19"'month
32:19"'ago
32:20"'that
32:20"'I'd
32:20"'be
32:20"'using
32:21"'tantric
32:21"'energy
32:21"'to
32:22"'fight
32:22"'space
32:22"'pirates.
32:22"'Technically
32:24"'it's
32:24"'quantum
32:25"'harmonic
32:25"'resonance,'
32:26"'Cara
32:27"'corrected
32:27"'with
32:27"'a
32:27"'sultry
32:28"'laugh.
32:29"'Though
32:29"'I
32:29"'must
32:29"'say,
32:30"'your
32:30"'contribution
32:31"'to
32:31"'building
32:31"'that
32:31"'energy
32:32"'has
32:32"'been
32:32"'exemplary.'
32:34"'The
32:35"'pursuing
32:35"'ships
32:35"'moved
32:36"'into
32:36"'attack
32:36"'formation,
32:37"'unaware
32:38"'they
32:38"'were
32:38"'flying
32:38"'into
32:38"'a
32:38"'trap
32:39"'built
32:39"'from
32:39"'the
32:39"'most
32:40"'intimate
32:40"'form
32:41"'of
32:41"'of
32:41"'in
32:41"'in
32:42"'Nah!'
32:43"'Cara
32:43"'commanded.
32:44"'James
32:45"'triggered
32:45"'the
32:45"'modified
32:46"'weapons
32:46"'array
32:47"'just
32:47"'as
32:47"'Cara
32:48"'released
32:48"'the
32:48"'stored
32:49"'quantum
32:49"'energy.
32:49"'The
32:50"'result
32:50"'was
32:51"'spectacular.
32:51"'A
32:52"'wave
32:52"'of
32:52"'purple
32:53"'light
32:53"'erupted
32:53"'from
32:53"'the
32:54"'iron
32:54"'spirited,
32:55"'expanding
32:55"'in
32:55"'perfect
32:56"'sphere.
32:56"'When
32:57"'it
32:57"'touched
32:57"'the
32:57"'enemy
32:58"'vessels,
32:58"'the
32:59"'systems
32:59"'went
32:59"'dark
33:00"'instantly.
33:00"'Direct
33:01"'hit!'
33:02"'James
33:02"'crowed.
33:03"'All
33:03"'three
33:04"'ships
33:04"'disabled.'
33:05"'Cara
33:05"'swayed
33:06"'slightly,
33:06"'the
33:07"'energy
33:07"'expenditure
33:08"'taking
33:08"'its
33:08"'toll.
33:09"'James
33:10"'was
33:10"'at
33:10"'her
33:10"'side
33:10"'instantly,
33:11"'supporting
33:11"'her
33:11"'with
33:12"'strong
33:12"'arms.
33:13"'Easy
33:13"'there,
33:13"'your
33:13"'heigness.'
33:14"'His
33:15"'concern
33:15"'flowed
33:15"'through
33:15"'their
33:16"'bond.
33:16"'You're
33:17"'not
33:17"'just
33:17"'channeling
33:18"'for
33:18"'yourself
33:19"'anymore.'
33:19"'She
33:20"'pressed
33:21"'a
33:21"'hand
33:21"'to
33:21"'her
33:21"'abdomen,
33:22"'feeling
33:22"'their
33:23"'child's
33:23"'energy
33:23"'pulse
33:24"'in
33:24"'harmony
33:24"'with
33:25"'their
33:25"'own.
33:26"'We're
33:26"'fine.'
33:27"'Better
33:28"'than
33:28"'fine,
33:28"'actually.
33:29"'The
33:29"'baby
33:30"'seems
33:30"'to
33:30"'enjoy
33:30"'quantum
33:31"'manipulation
33:31"'as
33:32"'much
33:32"'as
33:32"'his
33:32"'mother
33:32"'does.
33:33"'He
33:33"'James's
33:34"'eyes
33:34"'widen.
33:35"'You
33:35"'can
33:35"'tell
33:36"'already?''
33:36"'Etherian
33:37"'women
33:38"'are
33:38"'very
33:38"'in
33:38"'tune
33:39"'with
33:39"'their
33:39"'children.'
33:40"'She
33:40"'guided
33:40"'his
33:40"'hand
33:41"'to
33:41"'her
33:41"'stomach,
33:42"'letting
33:42"'him
33:42"'feel
33:42"'the
33:42"'subtle
33:43"'quantum
33:43"'resonance,
33:44"'especially
33:45"'when
33:45"'the
33:45"'father's
33:46"'energy
33:46"'is
33:46"'so
33:47"'compatible.'
33:48"'The
33:49"'moment
33:49"'was
33:49"'interrupted
33:50"'by
33:50"'Commander
33:50"'Thane's
33:51"'voice
33:51"'over
33:51"'the
33:51"'com.
33:52"'Your
33:52"'H highness,
33:53"'the
33:53"'enemy
33:54"'vessels
33:54"'are
33:54"'completely
33:55"'neutralized.
33:56"'Shall
33:56"'we
33:56"'move
33:56"'in
33:57"'to
33:57"'secure
33:57"'them?'
33:57"'James
33:58"'kept
33:58"'his
33:58"'hand
33:59"'on
33:59"'Cara's
33:59"'abdomen
34:00"'as
34:00"'he
34:00"'responded.
34:00"'Affirmative,
34:01"'commander,
34:02"'but
34:15"'expenditure
34:15"'had
34:15"'left
34:16"'them
34:16"'both
34:16"'charged
34:17"'in
34:17"'ways
34:17"'that
34:17"'demanded
34:18"'private
34:18"'attention.
34:19"'Hours
34:19"'later,
34:20"'as
34:20"'they
34:20"'lay
34:21"'in
34:21"'a
34:21"'satisfied
34:21"'tangle
34:22"'of
34:22"'limbs
34:22"'and
34:23"'quantum
34:23"'afterglow,
34:24"'Cara
34:24"'traced
34:25"'the
34:25"'energy
34:25"'patterns
34:26"'on
34:26"'James's
34:26"'chest.
34:27"'You're
34:28"'adapting
34:28"'to
34:28"'quantum
34:29"'manipulation
34:30"'remarkably
34:30"'well
34:31"'for
34:31"'a
34:31"'human.
34:31"'I
34:32"'have
34:32"'an
34:45"'well,
34:46"'he
34:46"'rolled
34:47"'them
34:47"'over,
34:47"'pinning
34:47"'her
34:48"'beneath
34:48"'him.
34:49"'There's
34:49"'this
34:49"'incredibly
34:50"'sexy
34:51"'alien
34:51"'princess
34:51"'who
34:52"'keeps
34:52"'inviting
34:53"'me
34:53"'to
34:53"'quantum
34:54"'dance
34:54"'with
34:54"'her.
34:55"'Their
34:55"'lafter
34:56"'turned
34:56"'to
34:56"'size
34:57"'as
34:57"'they
34:57"'began
34:57"'another
34:58"'round
34:58"'of
34:58"'energy
34:58"'alignment.
34:59"'Later
35:00"'still,
35:00"'as
35:00"'they
35:01"'prepared
35:01"'to
35:01"'interrogate
35:02"'their
35:02"'captured
35:02"'pursuers.
35:03"'Cara
35:04"'helped
35:04"'James
35:04"'into
35:04"'his
35:04"'armor.
35:05"'Ready
35:06"'to
35:06"'show
35:06"'these
35:06"'mercenaries
35:07"'why
35:07"'crossing
35:08"'an
35:08"'Etherian
35:08"'princess
35:09"'and
35:09"'her
35:09"'human
35:10"'mate
35:10"'was
35:11"'terrible
35:11"'idea.
35:12"'Actually,'
35:13"'James
35:13"'said
35:13"'checking
35:13"'his
35:14"'weapons.
35:14"'I'm
35:14"'more
35:15"'interested
35:15"'in
35:15"'finding
35:16"'out
35:16"'who
35:16"'hired
35:16"'them.
35:17"'Someone
35:18"'knew
35:18"'enough
35:18"'about
35:18"'your
35:18"'move
35:19"'move
35:19"'intercept.'
35:20"'Cara's
35:21"'expression
35:21"'turned
35:22"'serious.
35:22"'You
35:23"'think
35:23"'there's
35:23"'more
35:23"'to
35:23"'this
35:24"'than
35:24"'simple
35:24"'opportunism?
35:25"'I
35:26"'think,'
35:26"'he
35:27"'pulled
35:27"'her
35:27"'close,
35:27"'that
35:28"'someone
35:28"'powerful
35:29"'enough
35:29"'to
35:29"'track
35:29"'an
35:30"'Etherian
35:30"'princess
35:31"'might
35:31"'have
35:31"'opinions
35:32"'about
35:32"'her
35:32"'carrying
35:33"'a
35:33"'human's
35:33"'child.
35:33"'Let
35:34"'them
35:34"'object.'
35:35"'Purple
35:36"'energy
35:36"'crackled
35:37"'around
35:37"'her
35:37"'fingers.
35:38"'They'll
35:38"'learn
35:38"'what
35:39"'happens
35:39"'when
35:39"'threatens
35:40"'my
35:40"'family.'
35:41"'The
35:42"'possessive
35:42"'heat
35:43"'in
35:43"'her
35:43"'voice
35:43"'sent
35:44"'shivers
35:44"'down
35:44"'James's
35:45"'spine.
35:45"'This
35:46"'fierce,
35:47"'passionate
35:47"'woman
35:47"'had
35:48"'completely
35:48"'transformed
35:49"'his
35:49"'life,
35:50"'and
35:50"'he
35:50"'wouldn't
35:50"'have
35:51"'it
35:51"'any
35:51"'other
35:51"'way.
35:52"'Besides,
35:53"'is
35:53"'she
35:53"'added
35:53"'with
35:53"'a
35:54"'predatory
35:54"'smile.
35:55"'I
35:55"'rather
35:56"'enjoy
35:56"'showing
35:56"'everyone
35:56"'exactly
35:57"'why
35:57"'I
35:57"'chose
35:58"'you.
35:58"'Is
35:59"'that
35:59"'what
35:59"'we're
35:59"'calling
36:00"'it
36:00"'now?'
36:00"'He
36:01"'raised
36:01"'an
36:01"'eyebrow.
36:02"'Showing
36:03"'off?
36:03"'Among
36:04"'other
36:04"'things.'
36:05"'She
36:05"'pressed
36:05"'against
36:06"'him,
36:06"'their
36:06"'quantum
36:07"'bond
36:07"'humming
36:08"'with
36:08"'shared
36:08"'energy.
36:08"'Now
36:09"'shall
36:09"'we
36:25"'not
36:26"'just
36:26"'a
36:26"'child
36:27"'but
36:27"'a
36:28"'future
36:28"'he
36:28"'never
36:29"'could
36:29"'have
36:29"'imagined
36:29"'and
36:30"'somehow
36:30"'he
36:31"'knew
36:31"'their
36:31"'greatest
36:31"'adventures
36:32"'were
36:32"'still
36:32"'to
36:33"'come.
36:33"'Nine
36:34"'months
36:34"'after
36:34"'their
36:34"'fateful
36:35"'meeting
36:35"'in
36:35"'that
36:36"'dingy
36:36"'black
36:36"'market,
36:37"'James
36:38"'stood
36:38"'before
36:38"'the
36:38"'Etherian
36:39"'royal
36:39"'court,
36:39"'his
36:40"'ceremonial
36:41"'armour
36:41"'gleaming
36:42"'under
36:42"'the
36:42"'crystalline
36:43"'lights.
36:44"'The
36:44"'investigation
36:45"'of
36:45"'their
36:45"'would-be
36:45"'captors
36:46"'had
36:46"'revealed
36:46"'a
36:47"'conspiracy
36:47"'by
36:47"'conservative
36:48"'court
36:48"'factions
36:49"'to
36:49"'prevent
36:50"'the
36:50"'dilution
36:50"'of
36:51"'royal
36:51"'bloodlines.
36:52"'Their
36:52"'defeat
36:53"'orchestrated
36:53"'through
36:54"'James
36:54"'and
36:54"'Cara's
36:55"'combined
36:55"'abilities
36:56"'had
36:56"'transformed
36:57"'scepticism
36:58"'about
36:58"'their
36:58"'union
36:59"'into
36:59"'reverent
37:00"'aw.
37:00"'The
37:01"'great
37:01"'hall
37:01"'of
37:02"'the
37:02"'Etherean
37:02"'palace
37:03"'hummed
37:03"'with
37:03"'quantum
37:03"'energy,
37:04"'its
37:04"'crystal
37:05"'walls
37:05"'reflecting
37:06"'the
37:06"'combined
37:06"'power
37:07"'of
37:07"'hundreds
37:08"'of
37:08"'noble
37:08"'houses.
37:09"'Yet
37:09"'none
37:10"'shone
37:10"'brighter
37:10"'than
37:10"'the
37:11"'connection
37:11"'between
37:11"'the
37:11"'human
37:12"'warrior
37:12"'and
37:13"'his
37:13"'princess.
37:13"'You're
37:14"'thinking
37:14"'too
37:15"'loud,''
37:15"'Cara
37:16"'whispered,
37:16"'her
37:16"'hand
37:16"'finding
37:17"'his.
37:17"'Her
37:18"'advanced
37:18"'pregnancy
37:19"'had
37:19"'only
37:19"'enhanced
37:20"'her
37:20"'beauty,
37:20"'her
37:21"'violet
37:21"'skin
37:21"'glowing
37:22"'with
37:22"'internal
37:22"'light.
37:23"'The
37:23"'formal
37:23"'royal
37:24"'gown
37:24"'she
37:24"'wore
37:25"'designed
37:25"'to
37:26"'showcase
37:26"'both
37:26"'her
37:27"'status
37:27"'and
37:27"'her
37:27"'condition
37:28"'made
37:29"'her
37:29"'look
37:29"'like
37:29"'a
37:29"'goddess
37:30"'incarnate.
37:31"'Just
37:31"'remembering
37:32"'how
37:32"'this
37:32"'all
37:32"'started,''
37:33"'he
37:33"'murmured
37:34"'back,
37:34"'a
37:35"'quantum
37:35"'phase
37:35"'modulator
37:36"'and
37:36"'a
37:36"'slave
37:36"'trade.
37:37"'Fa
37:37"'best
37:38"'transaction
37:39"'you
37:39"'ever
37:39"'made.'
37:40"'Her
37:41"'silver
37:41"'eyes
37:42"'sparkled
37:42"'with
37:42"'mischief
37:43"'even
37:43"'as
37:43"'she
37:44"'maintained
37:44"'her
37:44"'regal
37:44"'bearing
37:45"'for
37:45"'the
37:45"'court.
37:46"'Best
37:46"'decision
37:47"'I
37:47"'ever
37:47"'made,'
37:47"'he
37:48"'corrected,
37:48"'sending
37:49"'a
37:49"'wave
37:49"'of
37:49"'love
37:50"'through
37:50"'their
37:50"'bond
37:50"'that
37:51"'make
37:51"'her
37:51"'gasp
37:51"'softly.
37:52"'The
37:53"'high
37:53"'chancellor
37:54"'approached
37:54"'his
37:54"'ornate
37:55"'robes
37:55"'trailing
37:55"'behind
37:56"'him.
37:56"'The
37:57"'royal
37:57"'court
37:57"'recognizes
37:58"'the
37:58"'quantum
37:59"'bond
37:59"'between
37:59"'princess
38:00"'Cara
38:00"'and
38:01"'James
38:01"'felt
38:01"'of
38:02"'earth.
38:03"'Furthermore,
38:04"'we
38:04"'acknowledge
38:04"'the
38:05"'unprecedented
38:05"'strength
38:06"'of
38:06"'their
38:06"'union
38:07"'and
38:07"'the
38:07"'unique
38:08"'gifts
38:08"'it
38:08"'promises
38:09"'for
38:09"'the
38:09"'next
38:09"'generation.'
38:10"'A
38:11"'murmur
38:12"'of
38:12"'agreement
38:12"'rippled
38:12"'through
38:13"'the
38:13"'assembled
38:13"'nobles.
38:13"'The
38:14"'past
38:15"'months
38:15"'had
38:15"'seen
38:15"'numerous
38:16"'demonstrations
38:17"'of
38:17"'their
38:17"'combined
38:17"'powers,
38:18"'each
38:19"'more
38:19"'impressive
38:19"'than
38:20"'the
38:20"'last.
38:21"'Their
38:21"'ability
38:21"'to
38:21"'channel
38:22"'quantum
38:22"'energy
38:22"'through
38:23"'their
38:23"'intimate
38:23"'connection
38:24"'had
38:24"'revolutionized
38:25"'Etherean
38:26"'understanding
38:26"'of
38:26"'human
38:27"'potential.'
38:27"'The
38:28"'Chancellor
38:29"'continued
38:29"'In
38:30"'light
38:30"'of
38:30"'these
38:30"'developments
38:31"'and
38:31"'with
38:32"'the
38:32"'blessing
38:32"'of
38:32"'his
38:32"'majesty
38:33"'we
38:33"'hereby
38:34"'bestow
38:34"'upon
38:34"'James
38:35"'felt
38:35"'the
38:35"'title
38:35"'of
38:36"'prince
38:36"'consort
38:37"'and
38:37"'guardian
38:37"'of
38:38"'the
38:38"'quantum
38:38"'realm.
38:38"'James
38:39"'felt
38:39"'Cara's
38:40"'pride
38:40"'and
38:40"'amusement
38:41"'flow
38:41"'through
38:41"'their
38:42"'bond.
38:42"'She'd
38:43"'been
38:43"'right
38:43"'about
38:43"'the
38:44"'titles
38:44"'though
38:45"'guardian
38:45"'of
38:45"'the
38:45"'quantum
38:46"'was
38:46"'a
38:46"'new
38:46"'one.
38:47"'The
38:47"'ceremony
38:48"'proceeded
38:48"'with
38:48"'all
38:49"'the
38:49"'pomp
38:49"'and
38:49"'circumstance
38:50"'expected
38:50"'of
38:51"'the
38:51"'Etherian
38:51"'court,
38:52"'but
38:52"'was
38:52"'suddenly
38:53"'interrupted
38:53"'by
38:53"'Cara's
38:54"'sharp
38:54"'intake
38:54"'of
38:55"'breath.
38:56"'Now
38:56"'James
38:57"'asked
38:57"'through
38:57"'their
38:58"'bond,
38:58"'feeling
38:58"'her
38:59"'first
38:59"'contraction.
38:59"'Your
39:00"'son,'
39:01"'she replied
39:01"'with
39:01"'with
39:01"'a
39:02"'mental
39:02"'laff,
39:02"'has
39:03"'your
39:03"'sense
39:03"'of
39:03"'dramatic
39:04"'timing.
39:05"'The
39:05"'next
39:05"'hours
39:05"'passed
39:06"'in
39:06"'a
39:06"'blur
39:06"'of
39:07"'quantum
39:07"'energy
39:07"'and
39:08"'ancient
39:08"'birthing
39:08"'rituals.
39:09"'Etherian
39:10"'medicine
39:10"'combined
39:11"'with
39:11"'their
39:11"'powerful
39:12"'bond
39:12"'transformed
39:13"'what
39:13"'could
39:14"'have
39:14"'been
39:14"'a
39:14"'dangerous
39:15"'hybrid
39:15"'birth
39:15"'into
39:16"'something
39:16"'miraculous.
39:17"'James
39:18"'never
39:18"'left
39:19"'her
39:19"'their
39:20"'shared
39:20"'energy
39:20"'easing
39:21"'her
39:21"'labor.
39:22"'When
39:22"'she
39:22"'wasn't
39:22"'focused
39:23"'on
39:23"'bringing
39:23"'their
39:23"'child
39:24"'into
39:24"'the
39:24"'world,
39:25"'Cara
39:25"'took
39:25"'great
39:25"'delight
39:26"'in
39:26"'teaching
39:26"'him
39:26"'new
39:26"'aspects
39:27"'of
39:27"'their
39:27"'connection,
39:28"'turning
39:29"'even
39:29"'this
39:29"'intense
39:30"'experience
39:31"'into
39:31"'an
39:32"'opportunity
39:32"'for
39:32"'intimacy.
39:33"'Only
39:34"'you,'
39:34"'he
39:34"'during
39:35"'a
39:35"'brief
39:35"'respite,
39:36"'would
39:37"'use
39:37"'contractions
39:38"'as
39:38"'achance
39:38"'for
39:38"'quantum
39:39"'foreplay.
39:41"'Etherean
39:41"'women,'
39:42"'she panted,
39:42"'gripping
39:43"'his
39:43"'hand,
39:43"'believe
39:44"'in
39:44"'making
39:45"'every
39:45"'moment
39:45"'count,
39:46"'especially
39:47"'with
39:47"'their
39:47"'quantum
39:48"'bound
39:48"'mates.
39:49"'Their
39:49"'son
39:50"'entered
39:50"'the
39:50"'world
39:50"'in
39:50"'a
39:50"'flash
39:51"'of
39:51"'purple
39:51"'light
39:51"'that
39:52"'ripped
39:52"'through
39:52"'the
39:52"'entire
39:53"'palace.
39:54"'His
39:54"'skin
39:54"'was
39:55"'lighter
39:55"'shade
39:55"'of
39:55"'than
39:56"'than
39:57"'his
39:57"'eyes
39:57"'a
39:58"'striking
39:58"'mix
39:58"'of
39:58"'silver
39:59"'and
39:59"'human
39:59"'hazel.
40:00"'But
40:00"'it
40:00"'was
40:01"'his
40:01"'quantum
40:01"'signature
40:02"'that
40:02"'drew
40:02"'gasps
40:03"'from
40:03"'the
40:03"'attending
40:04"'physicians.
40:04"'A
40:05"'perfect
40:05"'blend
40:06"'of
40:06"'human
40:06"'strength
40:07"'and
40:07"'Etherean
40:07"'power.
40:08"'He's
40:09"'beautiful,'
40:10"'James
40:10"'whispered,
40:11"'cradling
40:11"'their
40:12"'son
40:12"'while
40:13"'sitting
40:13"'beside
40:13"'an
40:13"'exhausted
40:14"'but
40:14"'radiant
40:15"'Cara.
40:16"'He's
40:16"'perfect,'
40:17"'she
40:17"'agreed,
40:18"'reaching
40:18"'out
40:18"'to
40:18"'touch
40:18"'the
40:19"'baby's
40:19"'cheek.
40:19"'Our
40:20"'little
40:20"'prince,
40:21"'born
40:21"'of
40:21"'a
40:22"'transaction
40:22"'that
40:23"'became
40:23"'a
40:23"'transformation.
40:25"'Speaking
40:25"'of
40:26"'transformations,
40:28"'James
40:28"'shifted
40:29"'the
40:29"'baby
40:29"'to
40:29"'one
40:29"'arm
40:29"'so
40:30"'he
40:30"'could
40:30"'reach
40:30"'into
40:30"'his
40:30"'ceremonial
40:31"'armor.
40:32"'I've
40:33"'been
40:33"'waiting
40:33"'for
40:33"'the
40:33"'right
40:34"'moment
40:34"'to
40:34"'show
40:34"'you
40:34"'this.
40:35"'He
40:35"'pulled
40:36"'out
40:36"'a
40:36"'familiar
40:36"'device,
40:37"'the
40:38"'quantum
40:38"'phase
40:39"'modulator
40:39"'that
40:39"'had
40:40"'started
40:40"'it
40:40"'all.
40:41"'Cara's
40:42"'eyes
40:42"'widened.
40:43"'You
40:43"'kept
40:43"'it?
40:44"'had
40:44"'it
40:44"'modified?''
40:45"'He
40:46"'handed
40:46"'it
40:46"'to
40:46"'her.
40:47"'Look
40:47"'at
40:47"'the
40:47"'encryption
40:48"'signature.'
40:48"'She
40:49"'examined
40:49"'it,
40:49"'then
40:50"'laught
40:50"'with
40:50"'delight.
40:51"'You
40:51"'encoded
40:52"'our
40:52"'quantum
40:53"'frequency
40:53"'into
40:53"'it?
40:54"'That's
40:54"'impossibly
40:55"'romantic
40:55"'for
40:56"'a
40:56"'former
40:56"'mercenary.
40:57"'Well,
40:57"'I
40:58"'had
40:58"'this
40:58"'incredibly
40:59"'sexy
40:59"'alien
41:00"'princess
41:00"'teaching
41:00"'me
41:01"'about
41:01"'quantum
41:01"'harmonics.'
41:02"'He
41:03"'leaned
41:03"'in
41:03"'to
41:03"'kiss
41:04"'her,
41:04"'their
41:04"'bon
41:05"'humming
41:05"'with
41:05"'renewed
41:06"'passion.
41:06"'Their
41:07"'son
41:07"'made
41:07"'a
41:07"'small
41:08"'noise,
41:08"'his
41:08"'tiny
41:09"'hands
41:09"'glowing
41:09"'with
41:10"'purple
41:10"'energy.
41:11"'Already
41:11"'channeling,'
41:12"'Kara
41:12"'noted
41:12"'proudly.
41:13"'He'll
41:13"'be
41:13"'stronger
41:14"'than
41:14"'either
41:14"'of
41:14"'of
41:14"'us.
41:15"'Poor
41:16"'royal
41:16"'court
41:16"'won't
41:16"'know
41:17"'what
41:17"'hit
41:17"'them.
41:17"'Poor
41:18"'universe
41:18"'won't
41:19"'know
41:19"'what
41:19"'hit
41:19"'it,'
41:19"'she
41:20"'corrected,
41:20"'pulling
41:21"'him
41:21"'down
41:21"'for
41:21"'another
41:21"'kiss.'s.
41:22"'As
41:23"'their
41:23"'family
41:23"'cuddled
41:24"'together
41:24"'in
41:24"'the
41:24"'royal
41:25"'birthing
41:25"'chamber,
41:26"'James
41:26"'reflected
41:27"'on
41:27"'the
41:27"'incredible
41:28"'journey
41:29"'that
41:29"'had
41:29"'brought
41:29"'them
41:30"'here.
41:30"'From
41:31"'a
41:31"'simple
41:31"'business
41:32"'transaction
41:32"'to
41:33"'love
41:33"'that
41:33"'transcended
41:34"'species,
41:35"'from
41:35"'a
41:35"'pretend
41:36"'slave
41:36"'to
41:37"'a
41:37"'quantum
41:37"'bound
41:38"'princess,
41:38"'from
41:39"'a
41:39"'lone
41:39"'mercenary
41:40"'to
41:40"'and
41:41"'prince
41:41"'consort.
41:42"'The
41:42"'universe,
41:43"'it
41:43"'seemed,
41:43"'had
41:43"'a
41:43"'sense
41:44"'of
41:44"'humor
41:44"'and
41:45"'a
41:45"'flare
41:45"'for
41:45"'romance.
41:46"'I
41:46"'love
41:46"'you,'
41:47"'he
41:47"'sent
41:47"'through
41:47"'their
41:48"'bond.
41:48"'I
41:49"'know,'
41:49"'she
41:49"'replied
41:50"'with
41:50"'her
41:50"'characteristic
41:50"'sass.
41:51"'I
41:51"'believe
41:52"'I
41:52"'purchased
41:52"'that
41:52"'love
41:53"'with
41:53"'a
41:53"'quantum
41:53"'phase
41:54"'modulator.'
41:54"'Best
41:55"'deal
41:55"'ever
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