You lay in total bliss, spread across the mattress, staring up at the brightening sky behind the glass above your head. The overnight rain almost completely washed off the already not very thick layer of tar. Othiel was lying next to you, his head resting on his hand, staring at you.

'My hope is gone,' you sighed softly, looking at him.

He was clearly worried about your words. 'Hope for what?'

'That this night will never end.'

Othiel laughed softly. 'There are still many nights like this ahead of us.' He assured.

'I think, so.' You hugged him and started kissing him.

'Haven't you had enough?' He asked between kisses, laughing merrily. 'I was afraid that I tired you this time.'

'And I'm afraid I'll never get enough of you.'

Othiel purred happily in response, brushing his fangs over your neck.

'Othiel ...' You stopped him, reluctantly. 'We have to get out of here before you summon the other Yautja.'

He pulled away and looked you in the eye. 'Why?'

'I can't let them hover around this place. I'm afraid that by the time I stop them from killing, someone will get hurt. Anyway, what do you think they will do when they come across this building? They will probably want to destroy it right away without asking anyone for permission.'

'You're probably right ... we won't take control of such a crowd right away,' he admitted. 'Okay, before I let them know, I'll find Geong and ask him to look for a convenient spot in the area.' That said, he went back to taking care of your neck.

'At least three kilometres away.... Do you think such a distance is enough?'

'Mhm ...' he purred, continuing his caress. His fangs glided around your larynx. How he did it without puncturing your trachea, you didn't know, but it was so enjoyable you didn't intend to think too much about the technique. You just gave up, forgetting for a moment everything but him again.

***

As soon as you entered your furniture store, cheers and applause rang out. Your people seemed to be all gathered at the entrance, and they knew exactly what happened that night. With the exception of the youngest children, perhaps, they looked quite confused but clearly enjoyed the overall cheerfulness.

Embarrassed, you felt an intense blush bloom on your face. Othiel, on the other hand, looked very pleased.

'Your Highness!' Ellen bowed to you, holding little Nina in her arms.

'Very funny,'you murmured, starting to wish you had moved out of here to some other hideout right away, leaving the rest only with a message card.

'Congratulations! And how was it?' Bea whispered in your ear.

You rolled your eyes, you two had talked about it more than once, she knew that you always felt wonderful with Othiel, perhaps penetration didn't change that much in this area.

'Look, there's a point to discuss,' you called out, trying to outmanoeuvre the buzz.

'You're pregnant!' Your mother exclaimed happily.

'Well, I don't know if this is happy news ...' father whispered, a bit terrified.

'I'm not pregnant. The point is, now that Othiel is about to summon all the Yautja, we must leave this place.'

'Oh ... but we've settled in,'  groaned Patrick's father.  'It's good for us here. Maybe it's worth the risk.'

'You got me wrong, John. Me and Othiel must go. You're gonna stay here.'

There was complete silence in the room. Unfortunately, only for a moment, after which everyone started talking, one by one.

'It does not make sense!'

'You can't leave.'

'We have to stick together.'

'No way!'

You rubbed your forehead at the base of your nose. You thought you would only have trouble with Yautja now, while your people were also a challenge.

'I have to protect you,' you said.

'And who will protect you?'

You waved your hand at Othiel. 'Their right.'

'Honey, wait, let's not get crazy, let's think everything over,' your father interjected.

'I've already thought it through, dad. This is the best solution. But don't worry, Geong is already looking for a place for us nearby so that we can contact you quickly when the need arises.'

Only your uncle did not participate in this conversation. You noticed him standing in the corner giving you hateful glances. Enough of this, you thought. If you were about to leave, you had to clear up any outstanding matters.

As everyone slowly began to part and made their way toward the dining area for breakfast, you walked over to your uncle, motioning for Othiel not to follow you.

'Can you tell me why you hate me so much?' You asked, trying to keep your voice calm.

'Excuse me?'

'You have a special hatred for me. I would like to know if there is any particular reason for this.'

'You're not in the mood today, isn't your lover doing his job last night?' he said maliciously.

You gritted your teeth and kept digging. 'Why are you doing that? Why are you still treating me like this? What have I done to you?'

He moved closer, standing back to Othiel, so Yautja could neither hear nor lip-read what he was saying, and hissed in a poisonous voice. 'You were born.'

He left before you could answer. Although probably even if he stayed there, you wouldn't be able to get anything wise out of you. You stood like a pillar of salt, looking after him until Othiel brought you to order.

'(Y / n), everything's okay?' He stood next to you with a clearly concerned expression.

'Of course. ' You forced a smile, although you did not know why you are doing it. Yautja could sense your mood anyway. Even so, you hoped that he wouldn't pursue the subject unless you were willing to do so yourself. 'Let's go to breakfast.'

***

There were already a lot of people in the restaurant area. Together with Othiel you came to the counter with pots of food. Yautja put some stew on your plates, which was served with every meal because of the fairly readily available ingredients. Bread was baked here only occasionally, and with the same rarely were cooked groats or potatoes, the supply of which was limited and it was very difficult to get them.

You took apples and a handful of nuts from the big bowl and then you went to the boiling stand with a brew of dried spices, where Aunt Samantha was standing and pouring a ladle of the right amount into a cup for everyone.

'Pleasurable night, huh?' she smiled broadly at you.

Aunt and Patrick, due to their work in the kitchen, had to get up very early, so they could not welcome you and Othiel with everyone.

'Yes,' you simply admitted. Otherwise, you would certainly have dragged this conversation longer, but your uncle's words still rang in your head and effectively spoiled your mood.

'Shall I call you, Your Majesty, now?' She asked playfully, pouring the drink into the cups you held in front of her on the tray.

You just smiled, but it must have been extremely weak because aunt suddenly grew serious. '(Y / n)..., is something wrong?'

'No, everything's fine.'

'I can see, don't lie to me.' She undid her apron and called out. 'Tobey! Tobey, come here for a minute, you will replace me. I have to have a word with this lady.'

'But auntie, really ...'

'No discussion!'

A short redhead that you remembered from your first night at the Center emerged from the kitchen. He took aunt's place by the boiling brew, so she went under the raised part of the table top and, taking you by the arm, led you to a table in a rather secluded place. Othiel followed you without a word.

'Okay, go on,' aunt urged, looking at you expectantly once you've settled down and laid out the food in front of you. 'Did he hurt you?' she pointed with her chin at confused Yautja. 

'What?! No, of course not!'

'So what is it?'

'Won't you eat anything first?' You asked, feeling rather awkward and trying to gain time.

'I've already eaten. Don't change the subject, what happened?'

'Nothing, actually.'

Aunt looked inquiringly at Othiel, who sat sprawled like a frog, for his legs in no way wanted to fit under the table. 'Do you know something?'

'She was talking to Julius ... he said something ... that shocked her.' Your lover gave you up. But you didn't blame him for that. You wanted to tell your aunt about it, but didn't know how to start. In fact, you were even grateful to him.Samantha seemed worried about these words. '(Y / n), that's it?' she asked.

'Oh... well,... I just found out that he doesn't hate me for some particular reason, only because I was born.'

Othiel's hand tightened so that the spoon in it twisted. The metal yielded to his fingers as if it were plasticine. Still, he didn't say a word. He just took to his stew, lifting the crooked spoon to his mouth and letting you talk freely.

'Believe that's the reason,' aunt's voice broke a little as she spoke. You looked at her carefully.

'What do you mean?'

'I promised myself I'd never tell you that. I promised this to your mother and father as well, but I think it's time to break that promise.' Her cheeks turned pink, it was hard to tell if it was out of anger or shame. 'Julius acts like this because he thinks you are the reason why he lost the love of his life, which is, of course, complete nonsense.'

'The love of his life?'

'Your mother.'

'What?!' It was good that you were sitting because you felt your head spinning.

'I'll tell you briefly what I know. Now you have more important things on your mind, and I don't want you to worry about my wacky brother anymore. Julius and your mother met at some dance party maybe a year before you were born. They dated for a week or two, and they were completely crazy about each other. At least Julius was. I've never seen him like this before, nor since, he literally floated from the ceiling. Unfortunately, he decided to introduce his chosen one to our parents, your grandparents and invited her to a family dinner. One look at your father was enough for your mother to forget about Julius. They both fell in love then. She broke up with Julius after a week but did not immediately admit that she loved his brother, it only came out later. Julius thought that your mother was just testing him, he never doubted her affection, and even when he found out she was with Ben, he was still sure she would return to him as soon as she found out about the constancy and immutability of his feelings. But then it turned out that you were on the way and your parents decided to get married quickly. It completely broke Julius, I was afraid that he would commit suicide, but instead, he transferred all his anger and hatred to you, an innocent child. He never stopped loving your mother. Whatever you do, Julius will always blame you for your mother leaving. He believes she only married Ben because she was pregnant, not because she loved him, which of course is not valid. He even hoped you would turn out to be his child, he insisted on taking paternity tests, even though it was impossible. They hadn't dated for two months when your mother found out she was pregnant...' Aunt sighed heavily. 'I promised your parents that I would never tell you this, but I thought ... I thought it might help you, if I was wrong then please forgive me, love.'

You got up and hugged your aunt warmly. 'You were right. Thank you... I..., well... ' You stepped back to shoulder length and, looking into her eyes, you admitted. 'It is not pleasant to find out about such things, but... now I understand and I think... it will probably be easier for me to forgive. Although I am angry with my parents for not telling me. I can only guess that they didn't want to add oil to the fire.'

This time it was the aunt who got up and hugged you. 'I'm sorry for all this, darling. It is also my fault, I did not do anything to resolve this situation somehow, although I saw what was happening. I should have told you long ago, and not now... ' she sobbed. 'You should be thinking about all the good things now. We should be giving you a wedding, or at least a wedding party, and instead, your own uncle is so terrible to you ...'

'You have nothing to apologize for, aunt. This is history, let's leave it at that. I think now... things will start to fall into place.'

Soon your aunt had to return to the kitchen, so you were left alone with Othiel. Her revelations were painful for you, but at the same time liberating. You felt as if someone had pulled a huge boulder off your back. Uncle suffered, he suffered long and badly. In addition, now he is condemned to look at your parents' marital happiness almost every day. You knew he was doing wrong to throw his frustration at you, but you felt sorry for him. You were only sorry that your parents, seeing how she relates to you, did not think to let you know this story.

'Why don't you eat something?' Othiel said, over his stew, his voice slightly tense. 'My guess is that after listening to family dramas it will do you good.'

You smiled at him, and he was visibly relieved. 'Aren't you angry that I didn't want to talk to you about it?'

'(Y / n), I'm not your conscience. You don't have to talk to me about everything.'

'Well said.'

Before you could put the spoon in the bowl, however, someone gave you a hard pat on the back.

'Well, well, well! Congratulations! Bea told me everything!' Rita, all smiles, was carrying two cups of coffee in one hand. She put one in front of you and sat down next to you.

'Thanks!' You cried, overjoyed.

'Sorry, mate, I didn't bring one for you, but I know you don't like it.' She turned to Othiel. In response, he just nodded, resuming eating, and Rita looked at you again. 'So, what's now? When will Yautja come to crown you?'

'We haven't summoned them yet, we want to move away from here first so that you are safe.'

'I see.' She took a few sips of coffee. 'But I tell you right away that it will not be possible without saying goodbye. Jacob already knows about everything, he wants to see you. Unless I am mistaken, he will want you to speak to the general public.'

You groaned softly and reached for your coffee as well. At that moment, you needed any help.

***

You waited upset for all the Center residents to come together. It was already late in the evening and Geong had recently come with information about the perfect place he had found for you, and it was decided that you would leave the Center. As Rita had predicted, the elders insisted that you present the latest situation to the residents yourself. You didn't think any of them cared that you and Othiel were getting out of here, and yet you were wrong.

After you said that you felt well enough to summon Yautja and introduce yourself as their ruler, everyone seemed reasonably pleased. However, when you added that you and Othiel must leave this place in order not to endanger anyone, a tumult of opposition arose.

'Stay, please!'

'What a stiupid idea!'

'You might as well summon them here and ban them from entering our Center!'

Of course, it was more about Othiel than you. It turned out that during the several days you spent with them, the inhabitants not only got used to the sight of Othiel, but also felt much safer with him. The awareness that Yautja, who was also a prince, kept their spirits up, and now they knew that he will leave them and go somewhere far away. They did not want this, but at the same time, they did not understand the danger that could threaten them if the four- or the five-thousand-strong army of Yautja collapsed here at once.

You had to explain it to them for a long time. Reassure that you will not stray too far, that your companion has managed to find a convenient location just a few kilometres away, and that you will still keep an eye on the Center and keep it safe. And most of all, you are going to finally set off to put an end to the invasion, so soon there will be nothing to be afraid of.

Jacob backed you up, remind you that so far the Center has managed without any Yautja and somehow has survived.

Othiel intervened then. 'I wouldn't be so sure.'

There was a startled murmur around the auditorium.

'Are you suggesting we didn't make it?' The surprised old man asked.

'Of course not. You did just great.' Your lover quickly assured. 'Rather, I suggest that Yautja helped you in this after all.'

He detonated the entire hall with this confession. Questions and terrified doubts rained down.

'What Yautja? What are you talking about?!'

'You mean yourself?'

'What the fuck?! Where the hell is he?!'

'How do you know that?'

'We will all die!'

Jacob had to raise his voice strongly to cut through the confusion. 'Beloved, beloved please, no time to panic!'

'In my opinion, this is the perfect time to panic, we have just been informed that our every move is being followed by Yautja!' Octavian exclaimed, standing nearby in his guard uniform and rifle in hand. Contrary to his words, his voice was completely controlled.

You looked at Othiel questioningly.

He threw up his arms. 'I've been suspecting it for some time, but I didn't want to say anything so as not to scare you, I had to make sure,' he said, loud enough for everyone to hear. 'This Yautja doesn't follow your every move, he just makes sure you don't get hurt. Like I did with the (y/ n)'s group. Have you not been surprised that you managed to survive here unnoticed for so long? I just don't understand why he hasn't revealed himself so far, because I recognized his scent as soon as we got closer to this place. My scent is also familiar to him, he is my friend.'

Suddenly you heard a loud, wheezing voice from the corner. 'He didn't reveal himself yet because he was very curious to know what you have come up with, Othiel.'

Everyone, as on command, looked in that direction. A Yautja was standing against the wall, clicking his fangs cheerfully. He was huge! Each Yautja is huge in relation to the human, but this one was exceptionally great. He didn't have to stand next to Othiel for you to know that he was a good several inches taller than him. He had brown skin with black spots, and armour very much like Othiel's. He approached you slowly, arousing a slight fright in the crowd. As he stood closer, you saw a large scar running across half of his face and ending just below the right eye, which was covered with film.

Othiel jumped down from the platform on which you were standing and cheerfully greeted the other Yautja. First, they hugged each other and then slightly bumped their left fangs. This is the first time you saw such a greeting performed by Yautja, it was probably reserved only for close friends. You reminded the way Othiel said goodbye to you at the beginning of your acquaintance. He caressed your cheek with his jaw. It was probably supposed to be a milder version of what you just saw.

'(Y/ n) and all of you, this is my good friend, Tangak.'

The people in the hall looked rather scared, but some chose to speak up: "Hello" or "Welcome".

You went down too to join the two Yautja. 'Nice to meet you.' You turned to Tangak, holding out your hand, but he had other intentions.

He wrapped his arms around you and pressed you tightly against him. 'Nice to meet you too!' He boomed jovially, releasing you from his arms, slightly strangled. 'I can't believe Othiel chose a human female, but that's great.' He patted you on the shoulder with such force that your knees almost buckled under you. Othiel was about to intervene, but you decided to arrange it yourself. 

'Exactly, I'm a human female, and please don't forget that. I don't have as strong bones and as much strength as you ...'

'Oh ... I'm so sorry. I was not gentle enough?'

'Yes,' you admitted.

'You have to be more careful! I thought you already knew how fragile humans are,' Othiel interjected.

'I've never had such close contact with them,' Tangak confessed, apparently slightly embarrassed. 'I admit that I helped this group, but I never really approached them.'

'Why?' Someone from a bench nearby said. 'Why are you helping us?'

'Why not?' Tangak replied with a question and laughed again. His laughter reminded you of the joyful "Ho, ho, ho" that Santa Clauses shout out in Christmas's advertisements.

Suddenly Octavian came up to you. 'How long?'

Touched by your gut, you wanted to knock the weapon out of his hand, guessing where it was going, but before you could do it, Yautja clicked his fangs cheerfully.

'How long have I been helping you? Almost from the very beginning, yep, little fellow.'

It was hard to say exactly what happened next, because everything happened at once.

Octavian roared. 'So you're not helping at all!' And he aimed the gun at Tangak.

Behind you, Jacob screamed, 'Octavian, no!'

There was a frightened scream in the auditorium, people jumped up from their seats and began to run away. You lunged forward to do what you had planned before, knocking the gun out of Octavian's hand. Othiel held you back, catching you in two and pressing you against him. As it turned out quite rightly because Tangak did a great job on his own.

Literally, a fraction of a second before Octavian fired, he grabbed the barrel of the rifle and aimed it at the glass ceiling. When the bullet smashed the windows, splinters rained down on you. Tangak yanked the weapon from the man's hand, easily broke it in half, and tossed it aside.

'I didn't expect such a party,' he summed up, not losing his good mood.

Shocked, Octavian was still standing in front of him. You guessed what was going on in his head and you were sure that he was about to attack Tangak, luckily Rita came up to him.

'Sorry for that, he can be very explosive at times,' she excused the man briefly and took him out of Yautja's eyes, leading down the corridor. To your amazement, Octavian made no protest.

'I'm really sorry, we wouldn't want to appear ungrateful ...' Jacob began.

'Relax, nothing happened. Anyway, I realize what feelings you have towards us ...'

'It's not that ...' you began, wanting everything to be clear. 'Octavian is angry with you because since you took care of them, you should have helped Rita's, the woman who led him out of here, dying doughter.

Yautja frowned. 'You think he would let me? That they would just let me in to the sick humans? A lot of people have already died here, some of them naturally, some due to disease or accidents. I did what I could, I even threw them ull'ycite, which is our best medicine, in the first aid kit with instructions in your language, but they just threw it in the trash. When I sneaked in here at night to heal the little girl, it was too late. Ull'ycite didn't work.'

'I don't blame you, probably no one would.' You assured him quickly. 'You did what you could. But Octavian... just can't judge it objectively.'

'He loves the female who lost the baby, doesn't he?'

'Yes.'

'Well, my friend,' Othiel said, turning to Tangak. 'Then you are already dead.'

( A/N: I try to make this fanfiction as good as possible. Thank you for votes and every comment, which is worth its weight in gold for me 😊 Aloha 🌼 )