“Which of his words did you discern that from?” she asked.
“He said my people understand mass. Maybe I’m looking at it wrong, but then he talked about the story about King Arthur and the Nordar magic. Yu doesn’t seem like the guy to go out and tell me something directly. It seemed that he was hinting that I can do what I want if I believe in it enough.”
“It is very possible,” Eve said. “You have proven that you can accomplish great tasks, my love. What of the second thought?”
“I think Yu was lying about the Draugr losing the war,” I said.
“What?” she gasped.
“Yeah,” I sighed. “I’m thinking about his story again. Well, the story of the story. I’ve felt a lot better about our challenge once he told me that the races fought and won against the Draugr. But that could be exactly what he wants me to think. If the truth was that we all lost, and had to hide, then it would be harder to fight them in the upcoming battle.”
“I understand what you are saying,” Eve said. “I too, felt a blossom of hope when he said that they could lose.”
“I keep wondering if this is a game he is playing with us,” I said. “Did he want this from the beginning?”
“Impossible,” Eve said. “Your escape from his slavery might have put him a position that he wanted, but he could not have planned it.”
“You are probably right,” I said, “but he said his people understand time. What if they can move back and forth? They might have abilities that we don’t understand.”
“They could,” Eve said with a shrug, “but he was wrong when he insulted my stories. I kept them in my heart and mind during my long years of isolation. They inspired me to help others, and they gave me hope during my captivity. Look at the difference between you and him. You have recruited a wondrous team of friends and lovers that are ready to die for you. Then you won the rulership of a powerful nation of incredible warriors. Some fear you, but most love you. Yu’s methods would not have given anything close to those results.”
“Thanks,” I whispered as I smiled at the beautiful woman. Her words caused my heart to warm, and she returned my smile. “It all started with you, Eve. I don’t ever want you to forget that.”
“I will not,” she said. “I am sorry that I almost did. It will not happen again. I love you, Adam, and with the help of our family, we will overcome any challenge.”
We spoke no more as we walked, and we soon arrived at the suite in the castle where my mother and sister were staying.
Both of them had been worried about me since the wedding, and Eve and I both had to assure them that we were okay. We spent a few more minutes catching up, and then I told them that I would be gone for a few weeks.
“Hanekawa, Yu wishes to speak with you,” I said as Eve and I were getting ready to leave.
“He does?” my sister asked as she bit her lower lip. Then her eyes searched mine, and she shook her head. “I don’t want to talk to him.”
“That is fine,” I said. “He gave me some information in exchange for me asking if you would see him.”
“Shin-- ahh Adam,” she said as I turned to go. “I know that he hurt you, and I’m--”
“It’s fine,” I said as I forced myself to smile at her. My heart still hurt when I thought about how hard it had been to convince her, but I knew how powerful love was, and I knew that Yu was a manipulative fuck.
“I know he hurt you, and I hate him for it, and I hate myself for it, but I also hate myself because I still love him.” Her words poured out of her mouth like a waterfall, and she sighed when she had released them all.
“Yeah,” I echoed her sigh. “Look, Hanekawa. He’s a fucking bastard, and he hurt me, and he lied to you, but he knows stuff that I need, and I like to think that he was nice to you.”
“He was,” she said as she looked at the carpet.
“You can make your own decisions,” I said. “I don’t know if I’m going to keep him in the cell forever, but I think he is dangerous free. If talking with him will give you some closure, then it might be worth it. Or not. I don’t care. Fuck that guy.”
“Thank you,” she said, and then I gave both her and my mother a hug before Eve and I walked out of their suite.
A few minutes later we were in the hovercar, and then we were back on Persephone.
“Welcome aboard, my lord and queen.” Josefinna greeted us at the hold door and then raised the ramp as soon as we had walked up it.
“Thanks, Josefinna,” I said. “Everyone on the bridge?”
“Yes,” she answered as she nodded. “I am performing a last check on our inventory, but I’ll be done by the time you make it up there. Then Persephone will be ready to go.”
“Thank you,” I said, and then Eve and I continued up to the bridge.
As soon as Eve and I turned around the corner from the elevator, Lux barked out an order in Nordar, and the gunner crew stood at attention. I nodded to Dragon and his four ex-wives Rin, Yui, Kalan, and Vikana. Then I turned to the other side so that I could nod at Hegeia, Uma, Waiola, Mikhal, Callisto, and Lux. Lux wasn’t actually sitting at a gunner station anymore. Instead, there had been a few alterations to the front bridge seating arrangement, and I saw that she stood by an officer’s swivel chair behind the dais where the row of five seats was.
“New chair, Lux?” I asked as I stopped walking next to her.
“Yes, Adam,” she said. “I can supervise all of their stations and take over a gun if needed. We have been performing practice drills in the last few days, and everyone’s ability has grown tremendously.”
“Excellent.” I nodded at her, and then I walked around the dais with Eve to the front part of the bridge.
Four new seats had been added to the bridge at the bottom of the dais between the pilot and the officer seats. The chairs looked identical to what the officers sat in, and both Aasne and Elana had taken positions in the two closest to my chair. My wives were all whispering to themselves, and they all smiled at me and Eve when we came around the side of the dais.
“Nikki, we ready?” I asked.
“Yes, Adam,” the pilot said. “Traffic is halted, and we can leave at any moment.”
“Let’s head to Queen’s Hat,” I said, and she nodded before she turned around to her controls. I threaded between Aasne and Elana’s seat, smiled at each of them, and then took my chair between Eve and Madalena. Then I occupied myself for a few moments watching Nikki pull Persephone off the harbor floor and aim toward the Odin Geirr’s exit.
“Paula, how long will it take to get there?” I asked.
“Forty-five-ish,” she answered.
“Good,” I said, and then I realized that all of my wives were looking at me. “What’s wrong?”
“It is Nordar tradition for the wife to cook and serve her husband dinner on the night of their marriage,” Aasne said. “You have not allowed me the opportunity to--”
“We are all waiting on him,” Elana interrupted. “I do not see why you should have first--”
“He married me before you,” Aasne hissed, and her bright green eyes burned when she turned to the taller woman.
“He has known Eve, Zea, my sister, and I much longer though,” Kasta said as she winked at the redhead.
“Yes,” Aasne answered, “but I was still married to him before you. It only makes sense that I am the next one to honor him with a meal.”
“Meeyooowwww!” Sivaha screeched, and everyone stopped talking to stare at the silver-haired woman. “All these kitties trying to get a piece of the tiger. Ladies, let’s have a bit of self-respect, eh? We do not need to be chasing our husband around every moment begging for his time.”
“Uhhh, that’s pretty much exactly what you did when you first submitted to him,” Zea pointed out.
“Oh, well, I couldn’t possibly have sounded that desperate,” Sivaha laughed.
“You pretty much did,” Kasta said.
“Anyway,” Sivaha ignored the android and continued. “I have the perfect solution for the problem: Until you all agree on who will serve him first, the Prime Valkyrie and I will just trade off nights.”