Argurma Monster (The Argurma Chronicles #2)

Epilogue

12 years later

Talech purred down at his offspring. She was so tiny and precious. He adored all of his sons that Beverly bore them, but he secretly decided that his little female offspring was the best of all.

“Cease hovering over Eshili and assist me,” Zoreth demanded as he pulled the first-born Cirel off his left leg and thrust him toward Talech before deal with little Sidar clinging to his right.

At the ages of five and eight solars, they were mischievous as young males tended to be, and chittered with happy little chuffs as they scampered toward Talech excitedly.

“Daddy!” they squealed as they rushed over to him and clung at his side. Cirel peered over the edge of the small infant bed and wiggled his fingers at Eshili as he squashed his lips together and made a silly face. “Hi Eshili!”

Talech purr kicked up a notch as Eshili giggled at her brother, her tiny fingers waving toward him. Content to let the little males play with their sister, he headed toward Zoreth as the male heaved and readjusted the weight of two-year-old Zavin on his hip.

“How was their behavior?” Talech inquired, reaching for a neutral tone.

Zoreth snorted as he stepped around the dorashnal piled up contently around Eshili’s bed. “I do not process how our anastha does it. My databases are exhausted from their constant questions while I was going on my rounds, and Cirel attempted to sneak out of the armory with a blaster.”

“I do it because I am the queen,” Beverly teased, clearly overhearing their conversation as she entered into their dwelling. “And don’t be too hard on Cirel, he just wants to be a warrior like his Papa and Daddy. But that doesn’t give you an excuse to touch what is not yours without permission, young man,” she barked at their offspring.

Cirel immediately ducked and offered a winsomely apologetic smile to his mother. He was a fine son. Without the implants, his eyes were only slightly dimmer in brightness that augmented Argurma and the scales of his face were smooth without the blemish of circuitry—something Talech prayed would never be implanted.

But that would remain to be seen. While the memory wipes, emotion blockers, and some of the more traumatic processes would not be performed on anyone of their house. Their medic unit was equipped with everything they needed now to assist the next generation into receiving cybernetic implants. Veral’s daughter had reached the age of majority just that year and had elected to get very specific implants done at her own discretion. Although he was not enthusiastic about any of his offspring having implants at all, he grudgingly had to admit that this was a preferable practice to let the young make their own decisions.

As long as his mate remained perfectly and wholly human, with the exception of biological extenders that slowed her lifespan to be compatible with Argurmas, then he was satisfied.

“How did your rotation fare?” he rumbled as he slipped an arm around Beverly waist, his hand landing on her stomach that had become more lush with the birthing of their offspring.

“Long but good,” she answered as she stretched and then leaned into his touch as he began kneading the muscles in her back. “Sieylana had to leave early. Her twins are teething and apparently, they aren’t giving Zuner a moment of rest. But that is a normal complaint these days,” she chuckled. “With all the women flood into the house, there is nothing but babies. I spent most of my day doing pregnancy and well-baby checkups. And I passed a minor surgery exam under mentor and received his glowing recommendation to proceed into more advanced studies.” She leaned in and brushed her lips against his cheek. “How about you, my love?”

He considered it. Although he did not have official responsibilities like Zoreth, nor the high pace activity of Beverly—though he was very proud of both of his mates—his day had been full. He had cared for his offspring, enjoying their laughter and excitement and even patiently sat with them while they did their holostudies in between feeding and rocking Eshili. Even with his spinal limbs, he never seemed to have enough hands to do everything but he did not mind attempting. He played with his offspring as the hung off his spinal limbs and horns, cuddled them when they fell down and got hurt. There were even the sweet moments were he tucked the younger ones in for a midday rest while he sat with Cirel and spent an hour engaged in whatever activity the youngling wanted before Zoreth came to fetch the little males to give them so exercise for a short time on his rounds. It was a day full of love and laughter that chased away the shadows of the past.

“Good,” he rumbled as he curled his arms around both of his mates and drew them close. Life was good.