{Enki}

“Karter, the Tribunal asked you here to consider your candidacy for Eminent.”

Sure, Lance seemed like a genuinely decent Tritan, but god damn Chris was a nervous wreck. Jack wasn’t. The kid stood beside him, in their little cheerleading section, beaming for the Icarean warrior standing all by herself before the most powerful council of the Vast Collective.

Well, not really by herself. Para stood on the other side of Chris, grinning like a woman who faced many armies and won. Tameka, Sagan, and John made up the row behind them. Each of them oozing with excitement.

Yup. Chris was the only one dancing with anxiety.

Eminent Celindria was a beautiful specimen of African heritage. But he wasn’t fooled. Her blue eyes, so similar to Rayne’s, sparked with malice. In a regal voice, she listed Karter’s qualifying miracles. “Establishment of the Valkyrie. Raising the Icarean princes. Siding with Enki during Umbra’s revolts. Volunteering for stasis to prevent reducing food supplies for your species during famine. Joining the fight against Nox immediately upon waking. Aiding in the reconstruction of Earth. Protecting the King Regent, including risking your life during a cave-in. Karter, you are an impressive example of compassion and strength.”

Eminent Lance eagerly nodded his agreement as he looked approvingly at Tumu, who stood beside the Tribunal. “Indeed.”

Eminent Abresson looked less convinced. “What can you offer the Vast Collective?”

Chris grinned when his girl didn’t hesitate. “Enki and therefore the Vast Collective declared war on Imminent. The organization targeted the Progeny. Those people who dedicate their lives to uniting Two Worlds torn asunder by war. And they’re not alone. That force has terrorized the Collective for a million years at least. Bombings, corruption, manipulation—It has to stop. As someone who’s fought several wars, I can contribute my strategic expertise to uniting the Twelve Worlds against a common enemy. We will defeat them. All of you are officers, but none of you are warriors. Let me aid in this.”

The dark blue Tritan with his white scars frowned at her, as if he wasn’t sure she meant that as an insult or not. Lance beamed with optimism and pride. Celindria turned into a statue. Could she blink?

Para’s warm hand brushed his, and Chris took it. He turned and looked at Jack, who shared the same expression as Lance. They believed in her. But despite that, Tumu’s fixation on Celindria unnerved him. Like he held his breath and waited for her decision.

Shit, this really was fifty/fifty. Fingers crossed. Chain gripped. Please.

Abresson smugly offered from behind his glass podium, “Perhaps, we should recess and discuss this again among ourselves—”

“I require no additional deliberation. What of you, Eminent Lance?” Celindria stared at Karter. Something like three minutes now without blinking.

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Lance winced at his name from her mouth, but nodded all the same. “Yes. I’m ready.”

“Agreed.” Abresson was less than convincing.

“Karter, Valkyrie of Cinder, we grant you status of Eminent and invite you to sit on the Tribunal.”

The Tritan Eminents both gaped at her. Lance recovered quickly with a fantastic grin. Abresson visibly paled the longer he went without breathing.

Chris broke all protocol and ran to Karter. She jumped in his arms, and he spun her while sharing in her delighted smile. He dropped her so the shortest Valkyrie could join in their hug.

Jack hooted and hollered. Very unKingly conduct. Sagan, Tameka, and John high-fived with their own shouts of joy.

Then Chris glimpsed Tumu. He wasn’t celebrating. That careful black stare considered the First Progeny. While Chris could guess at why, he chose to remain positive. They’d worry about Celindria’s ulterior motive later. Right now, he wanted to celebrate with the women in his arms. They would definitely relocate Jack and John to another apartment for tonight. Loud and messy. Yea. That sounded good.

“Rest up and celebrate, Eminent Karter. Tomorrow you begin a more arduous journey than you imagined.” Was Celindria threatening her?

Karter didn’t seem to give a shit. She cried out to the entire Tribunal, “Thank you! I look forward to it!”

Lance chuckled and went aside with Tumu. The two whispered among themselves while Celindria and Abresson melted villainously into the shadows. Figuratively speaking.

Back at the colony wing, they gathered in Tameka’s place for lunch. Honestly, Karter couldn’t get enough of Pax.

“Auntie Kar, fly me again!”

Tameka clicked her tongue and pointed a stern finger at her son. “What do you say, Pax?”

The intimidation was almost unnecessary with him as he added, “Peas,” as if he innocently forgot to say it the first time.

Karter looked over at Tameka. “Can I?”

“Always.” The redhead beamed at her and went back to the kitchen with Jack. “Any word on Ross…”

Their conversation faded in the background as Chris went out on the terrace with Karter and Pax. The toddler held out his arms and hopped. The powerful Valkyrie picked him up and held him securely in her dark gray arms.

“Ready?”

“Wee! Les go!”

Her beautiful black wings opened and carried the future of the Progeny race into the sky. As she flew the giggling child around, Chris thought of Karter’s story. That Aegis couldn’t choose a better woman to mother his child. And Chris wished she’d had the chance. Once things settled down and Rayne reclaimed her crown, that’d make the perfect time for them to build their own family. Until then, they awaited word from Tumu on how that situation played out.

“I promise, Tameka. I’ll be back on time. Let me congratulate Karter and then I’ll visit Rayne.” Sagan stood halfway out of the kitchen and onto the terrace saying her goodbyes. “Yea, of course I’ll pass on your love.” She turned to Chris and walked over to him with her arms open.

His pre-apocalyptic family wasn’t small, but he never received this many hugs. Each of them warm and full of sincerity. The Shadow loved each other—

Another set of arms circled them, and a brunette head rested on Sagan’s shoulder. She giggled. “We love you, too, John.”

“I just wanted in on the moment. And dinner’s ready.” He patted them both and headed for the kitchen.

Karter alighted with the tiny Progeny full of giggles and delighted cries. “Again!”

“Your momma said dinner’s ready, sweetie.”

The moment Sagan called to him, the boy’s freckles blushed. He got so quiet.

Too precious. Chris chuckled and picked Pax up to sit around his neck. “I got you, sport. Let’s go eat.” He winked at Sagan on the way inside, who waved goodbye. He went faster, and the toddler gave a high pitch squeal of laughter. The weight of the boy made him feel taller and stronger. Like he could take on the world defending this kiddo.

Yea, Chris could do this with their own. Soon.