Disclaimer
The characters in the story are a product of my own imagination and hopefully have no resemblance to any living persons. But if it does it is entirely coincidental. Some of the places mentioned are either fictitious and or adapted to suit the plot of the story.
Sex: This story contains sexual content of a graphic nature between consenting adult women, thus if you are not 18 years old and not allowed to read content of this nature, please move on to other suitable stories.
Archiving : This work is copy written and should not be posted anywhere else with the writer's expressed permission.
Feedback: Constructive criticisms is greatly appreciated, so feel free to drop a line or two at steinwillard80@gmail.com or sent me a friend request on Facebook .
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PART 9
Palmer blushed when she entered the foyer and found four pairs of eyes resting on her. She nodded at Ehno and Selit before she turned to the Senator. The woman gave her a smile that didn't reach her eyes.
“The Principal had intended to take you on the tour herself, but she's also expected to inspect and evaluate the safety measures put in place for the Yram ,” Selit said as she walked over to the transporter dais. There she waited until everyone had caught up. She bowed in Ehno's direction, “Her ladyship offered to accompany us. She was the Head Advisor to two former principals before her retirement. She still consults for the Advisory Circle on occasion.”
Palmer looked up at the quiet woman who bowed slightly in acknowledgement. The woman caught her gaze and winked. Palmer quickly looked away when she felt her face heating up. She quickly lowered her gaze when she met Senator Keane's. The green eyes held an unreadable expression.
“As indicated you showed an interest in the environmental control and food production sectors as well as our energy distribution systems,” Selit said in a crisp tone. “If you are ready we can begin the tour.”
They nodded. Palmer closed her eyes as she felt the familiar tingling as her body disintegrated into tiny sparks. When she opened her eyes again, she blinked in confusion. They seemed to be floating in some kind of glass fortified bubble . Below them lay a vast plantation.
“We have about two hundred similar sites on the planet,” Ehno explained. “The crop is enough to stock our reserves and still export large quantities to other realms. Through the construction of large conservatories we are able to grow and export produce all year round.”
On the horizon large glass structures were visible. Palmer was impressed and a quick glance at the Senator proved that she was too.
*******************************
Hem caught herself smiling for the umpteenth time that afternoon and quickly ducked her head before anyone else could notice. If only she could stop the bliss she felt bubbling through her system, but she couldn't…because she didn't want too.
“…kill switch will be accessible when needed. We also ensured that we have four buffers on standby in case the kill switches malfunction.”
Hearing that part, Hem's head snapped up. “Malfunction? What do you mean?” She hadn't meant for her voice to take on a deadly tone, but this was not what she had come down here to hear.
The scientist looked nervously to the other three women in the room, avoiding Hem's eyes. “During the test probes it came to light that of some of the kill switches failed to initiate properly. We double-checked each of the prototypes but decided to rebuild the switches to be on the safe side.”
“So what you're telling me is that my daughter will be locked in mortal combat with a machine that might have a faulty kill switch?” Hem studied the woman closely. “Reffe, tell me you don't expect me to accept that?”
The Head of the Engineering held up her hands. “We've rebuilt all the switches, Milady, and do not foresee any further glitches. The machines were put through vigorous training sessions and the new kill switches tested and re-tested carefully.”
Skewering each of the four women with a sharp glance, Hem shook off her outer robe. “I will test them all one more time.”
“But, Milady, we…” Reffe began to say, but stopped when Hem held up her hand.
“This is my daughter, Reffe. I will not take chances with her or the lives of other youngsters. Have all the machines ready for combat in fifteen minutes.”
Reffe combed her fingers through her hair, her dark eyes wide. “All of them? They are programmed to attack in a synchronized order, Milady. It would be unwise to take them all on at once.”
A cold smile curled around Hem's lips. “But you expect my daughter and nine other youngsters to take them on. I will not repeat myself, Reffe.”
**************************
Palmer looked up from the small, glowing square to meet the deep, dark gaze of Ehno. She felt a blush climb up her neck to her cheeks. It was unnerving at the beginning of the tour, having Ehno joining them. This was the woman who had found her earlier in the arms of Hem. Ehno, however, had been extremely professional and not once had she singled Palmer out. Instead, she had directed most of her explanations to the Senator. Knowing that the two women were more on par where ranks were concerned, Palmer had not once felt excluded. In between admiring Pharmac ingenuity and the stunning scenery, Palmer had stolen a few moments to think of Hem. This was the first time she had ever placed anything or somebody else before duty, but Hem was like an integral part of her. She just couldn't get Hem and their kiss from her mind. Looking at the impossibly gorgeous woman standing before her, Ehno's dark eyes met hers. Palmer knew that Ehno knew exactly where her thoughts were. She quickly averted her gaze.
“It is rather small for something so powerful,” Palmer croaked and pointed at the small transformer. As a matter of fact that was the only thing that came to mind and which she hoped would divert the Pharmac's attention.
Ehno shrugged. “Until two years ago we still had to make do with transformers this size.” Ehno held her hands apart demonstrating an object the size of a brick. “Kalt came up with the idea of condensing twenty transformers into this size, thus cutting down the replacement period, handling and storage.”
Palmer grinned foolishly at hearing her daughter had been the brain behind the innovation. Even Ehno had a look of pride on her face as she shared the information with Palmer.
“She's really something,” Palmer murmured, the grin still in place.
“She shares your DNA so it shouldn't come as a surprise, Captain Middleton.”
Palmer felt a warm fuzziness settle in her chest as the shy features of her daughter swam before her mind's eye. She had never excelled in the sciences. It would only mean that Hem was to thank for their daughter's scientific aptitude. “I can't take credit for that. I suspect that must be all Hem.” She recalled how Hem had regaled her with the origins and customs of the aliens on Pendulum .
Ehno's eyes warmed unexpectedly and a tender smile crossed her features. “She would spend hours with me in my test centre when she was younger. Redla always had to bribe me to get Hemheri to attend her combat lessons. Knowing that our daughter was bound to rule the universe soon made Redla nervous. Thus she started early on to impart her combat skills. As her skill on the battlefield grew exponentially, Hemheri's interest in science faded fast.”
Palmer's jaw dropped and for a full minute she only stared at the woman. Ehno cocked her head in the same way Hem did, her dark eyes questioning. Realizing that Ehno expected a question from her, Palmer tried to pull herself together.
“I…I take it…I…I assume Hem's other…Redla… is the warrior.”
Ehno looked taken aback. “Of course. I simply can't see myself sweating on a training field.”
This time Palmer gaped at the woman in shock. There was just no way she could reconcile the slender gentle Redla as the warrior and this powerful specimen as the scientist.
******************************
Landing in a cloud of dust, Hem slowly stretched out to her impressive height. She turned to look back to the disabled machines. It had taken ingrained discipline not to smash the machines during the practice drill. One got lucky and landed a powerful blow in her side. Nothing was broken and nor had she felt any pain, but she was tempted to thrash the model and fold it into a small little cube to be tossed all the way into another star system.
She walked over to where the scientists stood agape. She nodded her thanks when one of the juniors ran over to hand her a moist wipe for her dusty face. Wiping her face, she mentally ran though her observations of the machines. The junior held out her hand for the used wipe and Hem smiled at the girl's eagerness.
“The switches worked fine,” Hem began. “I must add that I found the machines to be laudable opponents. They actually made me break a sweat.”
Reffe's hand was placed over her heart. “It…it is bound to happen when one takes on fifty near indestructible semi-sentient machines in twenty seven minutes and eleven seconds, Milady.”
Hem couldn't stop the huge grin that splayed over her face. It was an exhilarating experience. She felt rejuvenated and ready for whatever the day could throw at her. But more, she was looking forward to tonight…and what would follow after the Yram .
“I take it the prototypes were to your satisfaction, Milady?” Reffe asked carefully.
“Yes, Reffe.” Hem combed her fingers through her hair. “Humor me and double check the remote kill switches again. I will leave you to your task.”
The women bowed and Hem returned the salutation.
Her next stop was a small popular inn on the other side of the town. As she entered, her eyes widened slightly when they fell on her mother. Redla sat at a table with Sandra, their heads close together as they spoke quietly. Waving away the innkeeper, she made her way over to her mother's table. Redla's gaze rose and met Hem's.
“Hemheri, what brings you here?”
Hem nodded at Sandra and smiled at a servant girl who held out a tray with a goblet of wine.
“I was at the Engineering Dome to meet with Reffe and her group about the Yram ,” she said as she took a drink from her wine.
“And so you decided on the spur of the moment to fly all the way across the city to have a drink at this inn?”
Hem shrugged. “They have great food. I believe that was why you brought me here when I was little.”
Redla smirked. “I believe you were tracking Sandra.”
A quick glance at the human showed her stifling a cough as she focused teary blue eyes on Hem.
“You were looking for me?”
Hem nodded slowly. “I was hoping we could talk. But it can wait.”
Redla reached for her glass and drained it. “Well, I have a small errand to run so I'll leave you to it.” With a soft squeeze to Hem's shoulder, Redla left them.
“Where is she going?” Sandra asked, puzzled. Following Sandra's gaze, Hem saw her mother making her way up the stairs to the sleeping quarters of the inn. She slowly shook her head.
“I have no idea.” When she turned back to Sandra it was to find the blonde looking at her with an intense look on her face.
“What do you want to talk to me about, Hemheri?”
Hem returned the look with an even stare. “I love Palmer.”
“I know,” Sandra said with a small smile. “I take it you two talked and the feeling is mutual.”
“Yes.” Hem lifted her goblet to her lips, still studying Sandra over the rim. She could sense the woman's anticipation. “You said once that I have nothing to offer her that would make her want to stay with me. Do you still feel that way?”
Hem saw a glimmer of discomfiture flashed over the woman's face before she quickly looked away. For a moment they sat in silence. Sandra sighed deeply.
“I was wrong to say that to you,” Sandra said quietly. “It wasn't my place to meddle in your relationship.” The blonde turned back to look at Hem and the blue eyes were dark with remorse. “Meeting you I was overwhelmed by the power you wield, Hemheri. You were too much to take in at once. You were good-looking, powerful and rich. I thought that maybe that was what had drawn Palmer to you. It made me fear for what would happen to her once the ‘infatuation' wore off.” Sandra smiled sadly. “I should've trusted my daughter's choice. Palmer is very careful and doesn't trust easily. Since coming here, I've never seen my daughter smile so much. She's happy and carefree.” Sandra smiled. “Those words are foreign when linked to Palmer. I will never be able to apologise enough for what I did. Even now after you both found each other again, I can't help but wish I had kept my mouth shut.”
Hem shrugged. “There is nothing to apologise for, Sandra. The only problem we have now is to find an option that would benefit Palmer.” Hem ignored the fear that rose in her chest at what she had to say next. “I love her with everything in me, but I can bring myself to let her make a choice that would see her lose everything she had worked so hard to achieve?”
Sandra's hand shot out and grabbed Hem's hand. For a split second her warrior instinct surfaced and she almost snapped the woman's wrist. She suppressed the urge just as quickly and looked down at the smaller hand covering hers. No one except her daughters and Palmer touched her. It seemed the list was destined to grow as long as the humans were around.
“Please, don't do this, Hemheri,” Sandra said almost desperately. “If she declared her love for you then I believe she made a choice already. If you doubt her love for you, you will surely break her heart.” Sandra's hand curled over Hem's. “As I've said earlier, I've never seen her so happy being around you and the girls. Everything she's acquired might be on Terran, but most importantly, her heart and soul is here.”
Hearing the words, Hem felt the heaviness that had been weighing down on her heart dissipate. Sandra said a lot of things, but there one thing she said that would stick forever. Knowing Palmer, she was far from the impulsive girl Hem had fallen in love with all those years ago. She had followed Palmer's career over the years and every step the woman took as she rose from a lowly cadet to a Starship captain had been carefully calculated. Palmer possessed a brilliant mind, but she tended to over think things and it had been to her benefit in the past. Hem's face split into a wide grin.
She chose me.
She raised her eyes to meet Sandra's and found the woman smiling back at her.
“She chose me, Sandra.”
“Indeed she did, Hemheri. She's been waiting for you all her life and I doubt she would let you get away a second time.”
Hem combed her fingers through her hair to keep herself from giving in to the delightful chuckle that threatened to burst forth.
“Oops, someone seems to be in trouble,” Sandra said under her breath and following Sandra's gaze, Hem smirked. Redla came down was coming stairs, followed by Nael. The girl's shoulders were hanging as she followed her grandmother.
“Excuse me,” Sandra said quickly as she rose to her feet and intercepted Nael. Hem sat back in her chair as she watched the interaction. Nael blushed when she noticed her human grandmother's approach. They made an odd pair. Nael towering over her petite grandmother, while Sandra stood close to the girl, her face turned up as they gazed at each other. With her enhanced hearing it was easy to follow their conversation.
“What did you do this time, sweetie?” Sandra asked tenderly as she placed a hand on Nael's hip.
Nael's cheeks turned ruddier and her head lowered further, avoiding her grandmother's eyes. Hem shook her head in amazement. She had never seen Nael exhibit this kind of behaviour before. Again she felt a twinge of guilt. She couldn't help but feel like she had failed her girls in not spending more time offering them an outlet for their human side. Giving them history lessons on Terran and lugging Terranian products from her trips was a far cry from letting them discover their human side. Sandra stepped closer and cradled Nael's flushing face between her hands.
“You don't have to tell me, if you don't want to,” Sandra said as she angled her head, supposedly so she could catch Nael's gaze. “Your mother told me and I must add that you are absolutely gorgeous. Who can fault these women for having such exquisite taste?”
Hem blinked at the direction the conversation took. How come everyone feel so comfortable talking to her daughters about sex? Nael's head snapped up and she stared her grandmother with warm, adoring eyes. They stared at each other for a moment and then Nael threw her head back and a deep laugh came from her. Stunned, Hem realized that it was really the first time she saw her daughter so uninhibited. Gone was the brooding girl and in her stead was girl whose eyes twinkled with laughter as she pulled her much smaller grandmother in a tender hug. Nael rested her cheek on Sandra's hair.
“Thank you, grandmother.”
“You're welcome, my love.”
Hem swallowed hard at the knot of emotion lodged in her throat. She should've brought Palmer and her family here a long time ago. But it didn't matter anymore. She wasn't going to let Palmer go again.
****************************
“Can you believe all this?”
Palmer's wide eyed gaze met Taffy's. “I've never seen anything like this before.” Her gaze returned to the spectacular sight. Everything about this planet was magical. Tonight, the sky was ablaze with shades of green, blue and pink and the stars hung low and looked close enough to touch.
From where she stood in the glass partition, Palmer took in the large arena, which closely resembled an ancient Roman coliseum. The stands began to fill with Pharmacs as she looked on. The fuller the stands got, the livelier the atmosphere became.
“The Yram coincided with the Commemoration of their Moon and Fertility Being,” Mara interjected. “Newly-joined couples and new offspring will be presented to Mistral for her blessing.”
“How do you know that?” Palmer asked as she threw a quick glance over at her sister in law.
“Captain Ahalpa told us earlier when she showed us around.” Mara answered.
Palmer followed a streak of light cutting across the sky. Her breath caught in her throat at as it suddenly burst into a kaleidoscope of colors. It reminded her of Guy Fawkes Day. Her father was a history and buff and would spend hours on end reading up on ancient Terran customs. Fire crackers were shot into the air, setting the sky alight with tiny bursts of color.
“What else did she tell you about the day?” Palmer asked distractedly. They were all seated in a glass booth which looked down on large arena.
“After the Yram , the Pharmacs have a ceremony where they worship their Moon and Fertility goddess, Mistral.”
“I know that.”
“But,” Mara continued, “did you know they have some kind of a sex orgy afterwards?”
That got Palmer's full attention. She slowly turned to face Mara. “A sex orgy?”
“Not so much a sex orgy. It's more like a fertility ceremony with the moons all in alignment. A new wave of Pharmacs will be conceived tonight.”
Palmer felt a shiver ran through her .
“You couldn't have chosen a more fitting night to want to copulate with me.”
Hem's words rang loud in her ears. She was immediately taken back to that night eighteen years ago. Unbeknownst to them the moons on Pharm were aligned and they created three beautiful girls. She impregnated the most powerful woman in the universe that night. Was it going to be the same tonight? She turned to Taffy and found the blonde smiling at her.
“Can we anticipate a repeat of the night?” Taffy teased.
Palmer gave Taffy a warning glance which made the younger woman laugh. Before she could respond Selit approached her.
“The ceremony will commence soon. Maybe it would be better if you were to enter the arena with the Principal.” Selit said.
Join Hem in the arena? Palmer searched Selit's eyes. The woman studied her with an earnest look.
“Is it allowed?”
Selit suddenly smiled broadly. “Yes. It will also be the first time in over nine hundred years that the Principal will be accompanied.” Selit eyes moved from hers to sweep the stands. “I think that almost everyone in attendance came to see history in the making. Let's not disappoint them.”
Following Selit's eyes, Palmer saw that she was indeed the focus of attention. Turning back to Selit, she nodded and walked to the booth's exit where she waited for the Pharmac to join her. She didn't know the woman well, but she could swear there was a flash of exhilaration in Selit's dark eyes. As long as it was for Hem and her children, Palmer didn't mind being placed under a magnifying glass. She followed Selit down the stairs leading from the booth until they reached a large steel door. They entered and briskly made their way down a long corridor to stop at another door. Selit pushed the door open and stood back.
“You will find the Principal inside,” Selit said.
Palmer nodded her thanks and entered the door which opened into a large cavernous room. Hem stood a few feet away, dressed in a black leather cat suit, talking to another Pharmac. Palmer swallowed hard as her eyes raked over Hem. Every stunning inch of the six foot five, muscular frame was accentuated by the tight outfit. Hem stopped talking and the dark head turned. Palmer almost melted into a puddle of goo when intense gold and black eyes met hers. She quickly diverted her gaze to the woman Hem was talking to and found the woman studying her with open curiosity.
“Dura, were you looking for me?”
Palmer smiled and Hem quickly made her way over to her. Hem stood so close that her unique scent of sandalwood completely overwhelmed Palmer's senses. Palmer placed her shaking hand on Hem's chest. Her mouth fell open when she felt the rapid thumping of Hem's heart under her palm. Hem hadn't expected her. Selit was obviously a hopeless romantic.
“I…I thought you might need me here with you.” From the look of pure delight on Hem's face, it was clear that Selit was good at anticipating her leader's needs.
“Dura,” Hem whispered. “I am honoured that you want to be by my side.” A pleasant thrill stole down Palmer's spine. If Hem kept looking at her like that she doubted she would make it until later tonight without pouncing on the woman.
“About tonight…”
“Mother?”
They slowly turned to find Nael approaching them. Dressed like Hem in a tight black leather outfit, Nael looked every bit as dangerous as her mother. Staring at her daughter, Palmer felt like her heart was about to explode. It was almost impossible to think she had helped create this flawless person. The blue eyes were fixed on her. She carefully stepped away from Hem, albeit a little reluctantly. Only her daughters would make her willingly break any physical contact with Hem.
“Yes, honey?”
*****************************
Hem's heart was thumbing so loudly she could hear it. Palmer was the only person, besides her daughters, who made her heart go into overdrive. She reluctantly stepped away to allow Palmer to move past her to reach Nael. She watched as mother and daughter met each other halfway. With blatant possessiveness Nael gathered her mother in her arms, causing Hem to shake her head in wonder. She never would've guessed Nael would fall under the spell of Palmer so quickly. She, like Nael's sisters, had feared Nael's aloofness would prevent her from bonding with Palmer. It seemed to have the opposite reaction. Palmer seemed to be absolutely crazy about Nael.
Hem walked back to where Reffe stood. The scientist's stunned gaze was fixed on Palmer and Nael.
“I wouldn't have believed it if I haven't seen it with my own eyes,” Reffe said. Her eyes met Hem's. “No disrespect intended, milady.”
Grinning, Hem shrugged. “That makes two of us.”
Reffe's face split in a wide grin. “Lady Nael had quite the reputation as a tough, no-nonsense warrior at the academy. To see her like this…” Reffe's voice trailed off.
Hem threw a glance over her shoulder at her daughter and Palmer. They still stood in an embrace. Unlike with her grandmother earlier in the day, Nael's legs were bent slightly so her face was pressed in her mother's neck. Due to her daughter's great height, although Nael's legs were bent, Palmer had to stand on the tips of her toes to clasp her arms around Nael's neck.
“You said the final checks on the kill-switches showed no defects.” She turned her attention back to the woman next to her.
Reffe nodded. “We've tested it three times to be sure.”
Hem nodded. “That's good news. It is time to commence with the ceremony.” Her eyes drifted to where her daughter and her mother stood. She smiled warmly when she found that Kalt and Elyst had also joined them. Her heart swelled with pride as she looked on while her daughters vied for their mother's attention. The newcomers seemed to have won out as Palmer stood talking to the blondes. Nael stood nearby, pouting slightly. Hem chuckled. She would never get used to see her stoic daughter like this. Just as she was about to join her family, a group of women entered the room. With a soft sigh, Hem gave her family a longing look. The ceremony would start now.
*******************************
Palmer felt warm all over as her gaze flitted between her gorgeous daughters. Every time she found herself in their presence she was humbled by the sheer love and acceptance they showered her with. They were each so different in their approach. Elyst, just like her Aunt Taffy, was very comfortable with showing affection. Kalt was cautious and would wait for Palmer to initiate contact. Once she did, the girl always revelled in the contact. A small smile tugged at Palmer lips. Nael was a different story. Larger than life and just as lethal looking as her mother, Nael was extremely confident. She took what she wanted and it was evident in her dealings with Palmer. The girl had a not so subtle possessiveness when it came to her. It was almost as if she wanted to make sure that Hem knew that Palmer was to be shared.
Thinking of her warrior daughter, her gaze moved to Nael. She noticed the small pout and held out her hand.
“Come over here, sweetie,” she said tenderly. She cocked her head to the side when Nael hesitated. “Come over here, my beautiful baby.”
She grinned when Nael blushed hard and quickly looked around to see who might've overheard Palmer. Oh, the joys of motherhood , Palmer thought as Nael cautiously stepped closer. With all the stands almost filled to capacity with initiates and their parents, she could understand why Nael was hesitant to show affection. Palmer looked up at her daughter.
“Now I want you to go out there and show everyone that you are going to be the best warrior ever to come from Pharm,” she ordered. Her hand took the larger one in hers and she squeezed it gently. “Remember that I am proud of you and that I will be cheering the loudest.”
A bright smile formed on Nael face. “I will not disappoint you, mother.”
Palmer brought Nael's hand to her lips and kissed it gently. “I know, my baby.”
Soft snickering made them both turn to Elyst. The blonde's eyes were twinkling with amusement. Palmer lifted a brow in question.
“I've never heard anyone refer to Nael as an infant before. To think about it, they wouldn't dare.” This time Kalt joined in the snickering.
Palmer shook her head at her two daughters. “Don't mind them,” she reassured a blushing Nael. “I still have to meet their partners. You can have your revenge then.”
Nael face lit up like a small star as she grinned at her frowning siblings and Palmer winked at the subdued blondes. Giving her a peck on the cheek, Kalt and Elyst left to join the rest of the family in the glass booth.
“Are you going to be all right?” she asked Nael, who nodded quickly. “You know where to find me if you need me.”
Throwing a quick glance around her, Nael leaned in to peck Palmer on the cheek. They smiled into each other's eyes. Nael cleared her throat softly.
“I'm the youngest of the three of us,” Nael said quietly.
Palmer blinked in surprise. “I…Oh…What makes you say that?” she stammered.
Nael grinned. “I've suspected it for quite a while now. It was only when you came to Pharm that I began to know the truth.”
Palmer frowned. How and when did she give away Hem's secret? Surely she would've known if she'd made a slip.
“I don't understand?”
Nael grinned. “It's how you and Grandmother Sandra treat me. You are very indulgent.”
“But…” Palmer began but Nael shook her head slowly.
“We can talk about it again later. One other thing?”
“Yes,” Palmer replied cautiously.
“Do you really think I'm beautiful?” Nael actually blushed as she asked the question. Palmer frowned lightly. She never would've thought that Nael had any self-doubts about her looks.
“Of course you are, honey. You are absolutely gorgeous.”
A mischievous twinkle came into Nael's blue yes. “More so than Mother?”
Palmer was stunned for a few moments before she chuckled softly. “Let's not get ahead of ourselves here. Your mother is in a class of her own….a priceless work of art.”
A warm hand fell on the small of her back and Palmer turned her head to look up into Hem's burning gaze. Palmer took a shuddering breath.
“You heard that?”
“Yes.” Hem's eyes slid from her face to glide over her body, lingering on her breasts. “I will show you tonight just how much I appreciate the compliment.” Hem's eyes flitted to where a grinning Nael stood. “You need to get ready. We will commence shortly.”
With unquestionable obedience, Nael bow her head slightly and moved away to join the other initiates. Palmer shook her head as she watched her daughter go.
“She knew you were there?”
Hem nodded. “I believe so. I have to enter the arena. Will you walk with me?”
Palmer reached for Hem's hand. “Lead the way, milady.”