This is the conclusion of Part 1. Fussy has just laid it out to Eloise in sort of a “this is your duty” approach, which they knew would be the best route to take, rather than, “that other woman wants you out of the way.”

We meet Saras, not quite eight years old. Demi-human. She is the main character for Part 2, which I’m working on but once again stuck. I’ll figure something out, I’m sure.

Enjoy my content? Buy me a beer!

Two hours later in the large living room on the ground floor, part of the open plan of kitchen and informal dining, a fire blazed in the hearth about twenty feet away.  Around a coffee table sat Faustina and Eloise in plush chairs at the short ends.  On the couch to the Empress’ right was Robert with Saras at his left, playing with his cybernetic arm.  From a young age, she learned how to take control of it and play pranks on her dad.  Their other daughter, at a year-and-a-half, had toddled off to “help” in the kitchen.  On the couch opposite in a formal dress of very Russian design, was Nadia. 

The look on El’s face is…mixed.

“I ask again, Eloise Patel,” Faustina said formally, typically for her wearing a legionary uniform with her gold circlet, “this is a fantastic opportunity not only for you but especially Saras, here, as she shares my nature.  You would represent not only an official presence of my imperial family but also bring with you the first biologic demi-human.”

Still slightly confused at all she had heard over the past twenty minutes, Eloise sat still in her light blue business jacket and skirt.

“First?” she was now distracted, too.  “I thought the Russian princess, Kira…”

“Not biologic,” the empress corrected.  “Kira was born human.  She is a made thing.”

“Oh.” She looked at Robert.  “But…three years?  Bob that just seems too long!  Lissa won’t know who you are!”

“Your master,” Faustina tilted her head right a fraction, her eyes never leaving Eloise, “has suggested video calls, meetings in a construct, and the occasional physical visit, of all of his family.  From what I know of the work being done, you will be much busier than you think and the time shall fly by.”

Unable to help himself, Robert couldn’t stifle a laugh.

“Yes, my son?”

“Sorry, Mother.” For a meeting such as this, ‘Mom’ would be inappropriate.  “Just when you talk about time and Mars…”

“Yes,” she smiled, looking at him, finally.  “Your older brother and I did have quite the adventure.  And Miss Patel was instrumental in our rescue, too.”

As a Bound Concubine, Robert knew that El would never take their family name.  Could not.  However, it also meant that all of their children would be legitimate.  So Saras, now bored with messing with his hand and staring at the ceiling, was Saras Hartmann.

“Then… then I agree, Empress Faustina,” Eloise announced.  Even around the fringes of the imperium’s ruling family for six years, she knew they liked to make decisions now.  “When do we leave?”

“One week.  The Russians have an outbound freighter – something else you must learn about – and you three shall be aboard.” Faustina gave a blink that Robert knew meant she was finished.  “A freighter is not one of my T4s or T5s.  The transit will take y’all a month.  There: one-thirty-sixth of your assignment complete.”

She stood.  They did, as well.

“This meeting is over.  Deus vult.”

“Grandmother?” Saras finally spoke.  Well-behaved for a demi, she had not made a sound.  Her long, coal-black hair was in a queue down her back.  Her eyes shone like the color of a sunrise on a cloudless day.  “Question, please.”

“Yes, granddaughter?” Legal on paper, it always cheered both Robert and Eloise to have their children recognized.

She pointed at the empress.

“When is he due?” she asked.

Faustina smiled at one of her kind and walked over to where Nadia stood, placing her right hand on the Russian’s belly and her left on her own. 

“Same time.  I admit, though, at fifty, I think I have reached my body’s tolerance for carrying my children.  All nine of them.” Her hands fell.  “A shame.”

With the humans standing there stunned at this news, they watched her turn and quickly walk out the front door.

“Saras!” Robert and Eloise shouted at the same time.

“He’s a boy,” the not-quite eight-year-old said to her parents.  “I didn’t touch Grandmother so I do not know if he is one of us or one of you.”

She looked at her father’s legal wife.

“I know what you carry.  Shall I tell you?” the girl asked with a smile of love, not malice.

“We have been content to wait until usual medical procedures let us know…” Robert began.

“Yes.  I want to know.” Nadia demanded.

“Also a boy,” Saras announced, her eyes almost too bright to look at.  “I have the strangest notion that their lives will be… ah, I know not the word… there!  Intertwined.”