Valla's Choice

Valla’s Choice

©2023 E.J. James

All Rights Reserved.

Valla sat in the passenger seat of her transport with her lips pressed into a grim, determined line. Leonita, who had served her family since before her birth, skillfully piloted the rental craft through the city’s busy thoroughfares. She forced herself not to think of what she had left behind. Dior Proper’s tall, gleaming buildings gave way to a horizon filled with trees as tall as mountains.

Beyond the trees, down in a valley, lay her destination.

Leonita brought the hovercraft to a stop at the edge of the forest. Timing Forest was an untamed place filled with mystery. The majestic trees grew tall and thick, cloaking the woods in a canopy of shadow. Ferns and moss covered the ground, giving it an almost unearthly feel.

This is as far as I am permitted, Leonita spoke in a soft, almost reluctant voice.

Valla turned. The other woman stared straight ahead. Without seeing her eyes, she knew some of what she felt.

I am ready, she assured her. 

Leonita nodded. I know you are ready, but that does not make our parting easier.

You taught me well, and I know what I must do. I will not fail. She touched Leonita’s arm. This is goodbye.

Leonita turned, and Valla saw tears and a touch of apprehension in her dark blue eyes. You are of Clan Panova, she who the seals ordained as one of the saviors of our line.

Don’t you believe?

I am an old woman wishing to see you happy. I care not for what may or may not be ordained. Conceive children, and I will be content. Live a happy life without bearing children, and I will be content.

Then believe in the seals and me. Believe that I will conceive children to help replenish our line and take the pressure off Lysandra, she said of her younger cousin.

I do, but you are also Valla, who I cherish as if I had carried you in my own body. The Macarae will come. She closed her eyes. At least one is already here. I feel his presence.

As do I, but he will not stop me. She spoke with more confidence than she felt. The pull of her mating drive weighed heavily upon her—just as the Macarae, who was charged with preventing her from bonding, mating, and bearing offspring, arrived on the planet.

She must locate one of the only remaining male Protectorate on the planet, bonding, mating, and bearing offspring with him, all while protecting him and herself from her clan’s natural enemy, would be the most challenging undertaking of her life. But she would do it because she must.

Life, as she’d known and enjoyed it, was over. Now, it was time to fulfill her duty to her clan. If she did, Lysandra would have the opportunity to mate for love instead of duty, as Valla must do. She leaned over, pushed Leonita’s long blond hair behind her ear, and kissed her cheek. Wish me luck.

Leonita lifted her chin. You are well-trained. You do not require luck.

She smiled. Wish it to me anyway?

May fortunate smile upon you, Valla.

"As custom demands, we will not meet again until I have offspring and a mate. But know that I will carry