Elina

I woke from my sleep as rays of light fell onto my face. As I stirred I felt strong arms tightening around me and I remember falling asleep in Severin's arms. I thought that I would feel strange and embarrassed about sleeping in the arms of my brother-in-law, but that feeling never came. Instead I felt safe and protected. It felt natural to have him hold me, like I was sleeping in the arms of a parent or a sibling. I carefully untangled myself from his limbs and sat up, rubbing the sleep from my eyes.

"Good morning." Severin's voice was gruff from sleep as he stretched out beside me.

"Good morning." I stretched my arms over my head and felt the muscles in my shoulders pop at the motion.

"Did you sleep okay?"

"Yeah. Thank you for sleeping with me. I hope I didn't make you uncomfortable by forcing you to sleep next to your brother's mate."

"Of course not. It was an honor to take care of my future queen." His shining smile had me blushing. "How are you feeling?"

"Perfectly fine." I stood up and stretched the rest of my body, jerking some from the pain of my bruises and stiffness of my muscles. "Almost perfectly fine." I scrunched up my face in discomfort and Severin gave a snorting laugh. "Where is the bathroom?" He pointed to one of the doors in the room.

I made my way there and did my business. The bathroom was luxurious, with a large tub and a seperate shower. I looked at the tub with longin. Perhaps I can take a bath. That would ease my aching muscles.

As I washed my hands I took a look at myself in the mirror. I was pale and had bruises in various states of healing all over my face and arms. My hair was matted, greasy and lifeless. Lifting my arm I took a sniff of myself and scrunched up my nose in disgust. Even if I don't take a bath I desperately need a shower. Poor Severin. He had to sleep next to a dirty and smelly bedmate.

I opened the door and peaked my head out. "Is there a towel and some change of clothes for me? I have to take a shower. I feel unsanitary." Severin laughed at that and came into the bathroom. "You could have refused to sleep with me when I smelled so bad!" I gave him an embarrassed pout and he laughed again.

"You smelled perfectly fine. Besides, it is not everyday I get to sleep next to a female as beautiful as you." He said and I blushed. He showed all the necessaries to me. "I'll collect something for you to wear and leave it on the bed."

"Okay. That sounds good. Um. Do you think I would have time to take a bath?"

"Of course you can take a bath. There are some bath salts in here." He opened a cupboard.

"Thank you."

"Always, my queen." He gave me a wink and a smile, then left the room.

I filled the bath with water and poured in some salt that I felt smelled nice. It was a very feminime smell so I guess that he has females in here from time to time. As the bath filled up I took a shower to wash all the dirt and grime from my body and hair. I didn't want to sit in a bath with all that filth. I sighed in content as I submerged myself into the hot water and felt it wash away all tension.

***

Lazarus

I was suddenly woken from my deep sleep by my com. I have been sleeping for most of the time since Elina was successively extracted from Garon. In my haste to grab my com to answer I accidentally flung it halfway across the room so I had to run after it. "Yeah?" I answered hastily but groggily into the com.

"Did I wake you, brother?" I could hear the smirk in my brother's voice as he greeted me. I gave him a grunt in reply and he laughed out loud. "I have just woken up as well. From a good night's sleep with a beautiful female."

"And why do I need to know that?" I growled at him as I threw myself back down on the bed.

"Because that beautiful female was your mate." I'm stunned by what he says. He slept with my mate?! I sit up as I suddenly feel completely awake.

"What the fuck are you saying?!" I yell at the top of my lungs at him, anger burning furiously in my chest. Then he laughs.

"Chill down, brother. I'm only teasing. But it is true that I shared a bed with Elina this night but I slept on top of the cover. She was shaken and lonely and did not wish to be left on her own. And who am I to deny my future queen." Again I heard his taunting tone. That ashole!

"You know I'm gonna fucking kill you next time I see you?" I growl and he laughs again. I sigh and drag my hand through my hair. "How is she?"

The teasing tone disappears immediately. "She's upset and ashamed of what has happened, but I think it's better if you two talk about that. She has been anxious in her sleep and has had nightmares several times through the night. But everytime she started up with bad dreams I comforted her and she was able to sleep on without waking up. But I have to admit that I am impressed with the strength she has shown. She will be a fine queen for us."

"Yeah. I know. She is amazing. I miss her so much."

"She misses you too. She called for you in her sleep. And her reaction to me makes me think she needs her mate more than we might have anticipated. She's acting so much like a Galdrian who has lost her mate and it worries me."

I hum in acknowledgment. Severins words stir up worry in me. I know that since our mating Elina has evolved to imitate a few behaviors of Galdrians. It is still too soon to say which ones and how much they affect her, but it seems that humans are a very adaptable species.

"I'm going to speak with Nim and the council about returning her to you. I think she needs you as soon as possible." Severin's voice is full of concern. If a Galdrian would have experienced all this they would have needed their mate as fast as possible to heal, both physically and mentaly. Perhaps that is the same for Elina. "It seems like I'm not enough for her." He jokes to lighten the mood. Always the jester that one!

"Please do that. Stay in touch when you find out anything."

"Always, brother."

"Always." I disconnect the call and sit silently on the bed staring out through the window into the vast space outside. Elina loves this sight and she can sit for hours just looking out into nothing. One of my favorite moments with her is when I have mounted her in the morning and we lay close together on our side looking out into space. I hope she will love the view from the royal palace on Galdrian as well. A smile creeps up on my lips and I rise from the bed. For the first time in a week I feel ready to start up my day!

After going through my morning routine I pull on a pair of training shorts and a tank top and head off to the gym. I need to occupy myself to keep my mind off the time it will take until Elina finally is in my arms again.

As I enter the gym I can see Kurn over by the large mirrors lifting weights. I swear that one spends all his free time in the gym pumping those muscles to the max. "Hey Kurn!" I say as I move to collect my own dumbbells. I wave to a few other platoon members and other crew members on the way.

"Hey there Laz!" He takes a short break to slap my shoulder as I come up beside him. Then he picks up the most heavy dumbbells we have. "With that smile I'm guessing you have good news!"

"Yes. She and the baby seem to be in good health, though her body shows signs of abuse. But the most important thing is that she and the baby are still alive." I smile at him. Just the thought of Elina and the baby being physically fine makes me happy.

"That's great! Any information on when she's coming back? I miss her." He grunts out as he lifts his dumbbell.

"Not yet. Severin is checking on that as we speak. All I know is that she'll return today." He grunts in reply. We fall silent as I start to lift weights. All worry, all fear and all longing moves to the back of my mind as I focus all my attention on the weight of the dumbbells and the movement of my muscles.

***

Elina

After my shower and bath I find a beautiful gown in a deep green and delicate gold stitching, lying on the bed. It looks to be a formal dressing gown to be worn on a ball or something like that. The skirt is long with pleats of lighter green. It fit me perfectly.

As I left the room I found Severing sitting on a stuffed bench in the hall outside. When he saw me he stood up and let his eyes roam my body from top to toe. "You look beautiful! Like the queen you are!" He said with awe. I felt my cheeks turn bright pink with a flush and I averted my eyes to the floor.

"Thank you." I said softly. He reached out his hand and I put my hand in his. He bowed down and touched the back of my hand to his forehead.

"I pledge my loyalty to you, my queen!" He said, and then kissed my hand before he stood upright. He gestured with his hand to the direction we were to go and then walked next to me through the corridors of this large building.

We arrived at a large set of double doors. Two guards stood outside and when we arrived they gave us a small bow and opened the doors. There was a large room behind them, with a long table at the far end of the room. There were at least thirteen individuals, all of different species, sitting behind the table on high chairs. I only recognised the three species that were present on the Vorian.

"Welcome to the council, human named Elina. This is a historical day for the human species and the future of us all. You are the first human to ever set a foot inside the headquarters of The Intergalactic Committee. It is a pleasure to have you here and to finally meet you." One female alien with bright green skin, big white eyes without pupils and large tentacles surrounding its head said.

"Thank you." I had no idea if I should say something more so I just stood and waited for further instructions. The one that had spoken gestured towards a smaller table with four chairs in front of them and I sat down with Severin sitting on my left.

"We have been informed that you are in fact well enough to travel back to your mate and your journey will begin after lunch. A ship is being prepared right now." I could not contain my smile and the small squeal that escaped my mouth. Some of the aliens at the high table chuckled at my reaction and I felt myself blush.

"Thank you." I said to them.

"Of course, human Elina. We do not wish to keep two mates away from each other longer than necessary. We are sorry for keeping you apart even this long, but we did not dare to let you jump through space without knowing that your body and the baby was well enough to do so. Had you been in too bad condition to travel today, prince Lazarus would have been transported to here instead. This meeting right now is only for our own curiosity." She smiled at me and gave me a wink.

I gave her a smile of my own. "I am thankful that you sent Severin to rescue me."

"That of course, was a must. You are very important to the future of the Galdrian race and the continuation of this council." This time it was a small male that spoke. He had a grayish black color to his skin and the eyes were a pale green color. He made a small bow with his head to show his respect towards me.

"I hope that our future king of Galdrion has been treating you right, my future queen." A dark voice belonging to a Galdrian male spoke up. His smile was wide and proud.

"He has been treating me very well." I said with a shy smile. The meeting with the council continued for about one and a half hour with them asking questions about my experience in space, the mating and how I felt about my abduction from my home planet. When the meeting finally was over I was exhausted and hungry.

"I'm starving. Can we go and eat something?"

"Yes of course, my queen." Severin answered me and I rolled my eyes at the title he gave me.

"I want you to call me Elina or Ellie. Ditch that queen title." I said to him with a smile.

"I am not sure that would be appropriate. You are my future queen after all." He said with a furrowed brow.

"That might be true. But at the same time you are my brother-in-law."

"What does that mean?"

"That you are the brother of my husband. Or you would be the brother of my husband had me and Lazarus been wed as we do on earth. It means that you are my brother." My stomach made a loud growl of complaint. "But now I really need some food in my stomach."

"There is a dining hall a short distance from here. Then after lunch we can check if the ship is ready so we can leave." Severin said and led the way.

"Yes! That would be great. I can't wait to finally go home again." Severing gave me a large smile and we made our way to the dining hall.