The young, blond representative from the other kingdom shook his head no.

I suppressed a sigh, gave my thanks and turned off the monitor. For the next minute, I controlled my breathing. I would do anything for Peter and yet, there was nothing left to do. No enemies to fight, no Fuath for whom I could squeeze his throat. No battles or one to beat in combat. Nothing but silence.

It’s been too long since I’ve seen him. He was close to his time when he was kidnapped. Even now, I didn’t know if he birthed our son or if they were well. I closed my eyes. My Oma said you could sense your mate. I didn’t believe it until I lost Zan and Layt. It wasn’t anything specific. More like a constant void. One that was filled up again with Peter’s arrival.

My eyes remained closed while I tried to ‘sense’ him. I didn’t and, yet I didn’t feel he was gone.

I wasn’t one of those kings who longed for the old days. In my heart, I knew the balance was proper and pragmatic. We Volardi are a great people, but grinding races under your boot doesn’t allow empires to thrive.

Nor does appearing weak.

With no small amount of embarrassment, I requested assistance from the other kingdoms. Before the deaths, Omegas were plentiful. Now, they were as rare as the huge shell that sits on my wall. I was given a rare opportunity to have another Femeni, and I lost him.

What would the other Soturi think of me?

My head shook to the lies within. No, not lost. Stolen.

My muscles flexed as I thought about Peter and my child with those people. He was with them, I knew it as much as I could sense Fuath’s satisfaction.

I already sent an armed delegation to their domes. Of course, Fuath couldn’t see me personally. On diplomatic missions they said while he surely laughed from beneath the waves. Although he sent a message.

One I couldn’t track.

Thoughts of his smile while he ‘allowed’ me to look around lingered in my mind and dreams. His word replayed with sickly sweetness, “Go ahead Matros. You may search.”

As if I needed permission to rescue my mate.

And yet, I knew he wouldn’t be there. Nobody stares with a smile on his dulled face while I and my soldiers search. And yet, I didn’t allow my anger to get the better of me. Aquatic probes went out all over the planet. Some required extra coaxing from the other rulers, but they relented. In the end, they decided it was to their benefit. Every additional child was more for the Volardi empire.

And yet, if he’s not found then I will attack their cities. I will force them to reveal–

“Sire!”