“It’s a set phrase, it means, ‘Tell me what you are thinking,’” he stroked the side of her face gently.
“I’m wondering if I can really be with you as your wife. If I need the security of the Empire. I think my Imperial doctors would say I’m too unstable to enter into a marriage without set boundaries provided by pre-set marital compromises.”
Valentin pulled her into his embrace and said casually, “Let me know when you decide. I have already decided. I would trust you with my life and I don’t need a document of comprises to remind me of that, but if you need a pre-marital document, I will give you that.”
Kara was on the bridge of the Zuin and had to look at her IC twice to be sure of what she was reading. It was a message from Tir,
Jane is back. News will break in about ten minutes. Mir has betrayed us.
Kara was elated to see that Jei had succeeded. She sent a message back,
Who cares about Mir? We don’t need him. We will have Jane.
Tir looked at his message from his wife and thought, Gods she really doesn’t understand how close this is. Then he replied,
We are returning to the Capital Planet. You may need to testify on Jane’s behalf in front of the High Priestess as you were the one who insisted on making Jane the goddess of humanity. The order will come soon if it comes at all. I assume Jane and Jei are having their marriage ceremony now which is why there is a delay. To see how they chose to explain themselves.
Kara smiled,
I doubt it. He killed her. Jane is going to hold a grudge.
Tir replied,
And he brought her back. If they want to live, they will marry.
Kara replied again,
What is wrong with Alliance men? If you kill me, I will never forgive you.
Tir looked at his wife’s message and wrote back,
If I kill you, make yourself comfortable in the Afterlife because I’m not bringing you back.
Kara was irritated that she didn’t have a witty comeback to his last message, so she just put her IC down and waited for orders to return to the Capital Planet. She was thrilled that Jane was back. Not that Kara was religious at all, but she was sure this could be used as a sign from the gods themselves that she and Tir should rule the Empire and change things for the better. Jane would support them; Kara had no doubt.
Across the Empire, everyone who subscribed to the Capital City Gossip Columns received the following notification:
Breaking…
(Video of Admiral Jei and Jane, the goddess of humanity, exiting the Capital City Hospital.)
The goddess of humanity has left her place in the Afterlife to join us again on the Capital Planet. Just like the ancient myth of Loi returning from the Afterlife for Lee. Jane, formally, of House Human, has returned for her true other half, Admiral Jei of House Rega. They must have married at the Capital City Hospital as you can see in the video, they are wearing marriage bracelets. Mir of House Hil, Jesse of House Vo and of House Zu, Doctor James of House Vo, and Doctor Rea of House Edda were also seen leaving the hospital at different times but are likely to have been involved and served as witnesses. It is unknown whether the goddess of humanity will still retain her position in House Human or solely align herself to House Rega where her daughter is a Ward. We will wait for a statement from House Human, House Rega, or the goddess herself. All of us here at Capital City Gossip could not be more moved by their geriatric romance, which we have followed with great delight, from the beginning. We hope that both the High Council and the High Priestess will also look on this new development with grace. May you all continue to walk in the gods’ light especially now that more gods choose to walk among us again.
Mara looked at her IC and screamed with delight, “Yes! Yes! Yes! Gods come and take your place Jane. I knew all that praying had to come to some good!”
Mara immediately sent a message to Jane’s GC account as she was unable to RVM as that function was still deactivated.
Goddess of Humanity and Former Head of House Human,
I prayed that you would return. I need to speak with you as soon as possible about taking up your role as Head of House Human again. Your crimes against the Empire that you committed with Doctor Anu were forgiven with compromises. There is little resentment towards you in House Human at present. The majority of House Human would welcome you back as Head. I am available any time.
Thank the gods for this blessing and your return.
Mara, Head of House Human
House Human, Residential Ring Three, Capital City, Capital Planet, The Alliance Empire
Mara then began to think about the little house she was going to take on the House Human compound. Fantasizing about not being in the Main House anymore and not having to deal with all the Alliance politics that she didn’t understand.
Ket read the announcement from the Capital City Gossip and then looked across the table at his wife, “I guess the fines you received from the High Council for using unsanctioned medial technology was worth it.”
Dru smiled at him, “You know it was. Jane will support us, and the Empire will be set right again.”
“Do you want me to come with you for the trial before the High Priestess?” Ket asked. “She isn’t going to like Jane being back after she was made into a goddess.”
“Do you think it would make me look weak if you came?” Dru asked.
“This isn’t Earth, you are the woman. No one will think anything about me being there or not. I’ll be with the other men, overlooked.”
“Never overlooked by me. But yes, I’d like you there.”
Kol showed Jesse his IC. Just as he did, he had an incoming RVM from her sister.
Jesse was already onboard the Ora, in bed with Salem and Kol, and considered herself free from House Vo and her sister’s demands, “I don’t want to talk to her.”
“She has no control over you anymore. It’s probably important,” Kol urged her.
Jesse took the IC and answered. She looked at her sister across the screen but said nothing.
“The High Priestess will call you and Mir in to testify about the goddess of humanity’s reanimation and status as someone who will now be reincarnate.”
“I’m not going. We are leaving,” Jesse said firmly. She owned Dru nothing.
“You can leave directly after the trial.”
“What happens if I don’t go?” Jesse questioned.
Dru didn’t know the answer to that but Kol chimed in, “They can hunt you down and make you go. If they can find you that is.”
Kol had his dampening necklace on so Jesse couldn’t read his thoughts which was a good thing right now because he was lying.
“Can we get away?” Jesse asked Kol.
“I’ll pay you to stay,” Dru said before Kol could answer, knowing that they needed UCs to start their new life in Hogo.