Star Crossed Update

Star Crossed Chapter Twenty-Three Update on FicPad

Star Crossed Chapter Twenty-Three Update on AO3

Star Crossed Chapter Twenty-Three Update on FFn

Star Crossed Chapter Twenty-Three Update on TWCS

“J’ran, why does this s’likoya oil burn my skin?” I asked as he rubbed the stuff into my shoulders. “It is most unpleasant.”

“It purifies the soul, Emperor,” J’ran replied. “It cleanses your body and soul before the H’aaruune. Didn’t D’Metri do this for you when you had the funeral rite for N’essie?”

“He did and it hurt then, too,” I grumbled, trying not to touch my flaming skin. “I feel like my skin is about to boil off.”

“It shouldn’t hurt that much,” J’ran frowned. “Perhaps the oil is reacting to something in your skin? Human flesh is much softer than Cygnarian.”

I shot him a glare. “Thanks for reminding me that I’m fragile, J’ran,” I deadpanned. “My lifespan is too short, my skin too soft and my body reacts to em’tuuk gas in a way that is not normal. It turned my bones into Swiss cheese, making them easier to break.”

“Emperor,” J’ran began.

“I thought I told you to call me Edward,” I chided, giving J’ran a wry grin.

“Sorry. Edward,” J’ran snorted. “You are not fragile. Quite the opposite. You have the heart of a warrior, fighting for all Cygnarians. Knowing what you were going through during the battle, you have proven to me and to all of our people that you are so strong. We may have longer lives and tougher skin, but your mind, body and heart are stronger than anyone that I have ever met. Emperor Charel included.”

“Thank you,” I whispered, twisting my ring on my finger.

“And we know that Kunnan is giving you an injection to extend your lifespan and you have carbon-infused bones, thanks to the revolutionary technique of your doctor,” J’ran explained. “Now, for your skin? I think I’m going to find a diluted bottle of s’likoya oil. I can see how this is impacting you. You are getting some sort of rash.”

“Have Kunnan come and check me out, please?” I asked. “It’s really uncomfortable.” J’ran nodded, contacting Kunnan.

I had yet to hire a new envoy. J’ran was helping me in matters of state. D’Metri had a younger brother, Qui’lle, who wanted to fill D’Metri’s role as envoy, but he was still too young. He was barely thirteen years old. Qu’ille was smart, but he needed to finish his schooling before taking his place in the palace.

Kunnan did come in a short time later, diagnosing me with a pretty substantial allergic reaction to the s’likoya oil. I was scrubbed clean and had an antihistamine injected into my blood stream. The rash on my pale skin dissipated, but it still burned slightly. Unfortunately, my soul still needed to be cleansed, but it would have to be done with another ointment. It wasn’t as harsh as it was used for children who had to go through the H’aaruune if they lost a parent. The pryenne oil was more pungent than the s’likoya oil, but it didn’t irritate my skin. Though, I felt like I was dipped in a vat of onion rings. The pryenne oil was disgusting and looked like orange sludge. S’likoya oil was more fragrant, but obviously not a viable choice since it was reacting with my body in a negative manner.

S’likoya oil

Pryenne oil

Edward's Seattle Apartment

Seattle

Galaxy Fleet Headquarters

Hoh Rainforest

Rainforest Citrus

Chicago

Bella's Reception Dress

Bella's Ring

Pervy Pic Teaser

Star Crossed Teaser

Sliding on my ring, the same ring that was worn by Emperor Charel, I walked out of my bathroom and to the crumbling remains of the Imperial Palace. My mate was standing in the throne room, looking ethereal in her flowy white gown. Her hair was pulled back into a low bun. Centered on her head was a circlet with an amur stone, denoting the loss of a close family member. I walked over to her, enfolding her into my arms. “My love,” I whispered.

“Ti’ane,” she purred, sliding her hands up my chest. I pressed my forehead to hers and we began the H’aaruune. The memorial for N’essie was big, with crowds lining the streets. The H’aaruune for D’Metri and the other casualties of war was massive, being broadcast on every comm channel on the planet and with hordes of people lining along the streets and in the Imperial City. Everyone wanted to remember and honor the people who died on that day.

Fathers.

Mothers.

Sisters and brothers.

Sons and daughters.

All loved ones.

Honoring every one who died for the freedom of the Cygnarian people and putting an end to Alliance threat.

We walked slowly through the streets of the Imperial City, hand in hand. It was dead silent, save for a few sniffles. Arriving at the cliff face, Bella walked over to D’Metri’s parents and siblings, offering them words of comfort and kindness. I did the same. D’Metri’s mother, Heid’i, hugged me and said that her son was proud to be my envoy. She pressed something into my hand. It was the Imperial Crest that he always wore. “Please take this, Emperor. This was given to D’Metri by Emperor Charel and I knew he wanted you to have it returned.”

I went to open my mouth, but my mate came over to me. “It is an honor to receive such a gift. Thank you,” Bella said. She took the crest and pinned it to my shoulder, just below my communicator. I know you wanted to say ‘no thank you’ but to Heid’i, but it’s a sign of respect to take a token from the family of the deceased. The fact that she is giving us the Imperial Crest that D’Metri wore for all of his adult life says a lot.

I understand, Bella. Thank you, I murmured mentally. “Thank you, Heid’i, for such a cherished gift. I will wear it. Always.”

She gave me a watery smile, stepping back into the crowd. Marcusi stepped forward and he performed the H’aaruune Ne’irite. It seemed like the entire planet was speaking in concert with Marcusi. My heart was pumping deep within my chest and I was overwhelmed by sadness for the loss of my friend. Bella’s hand found mine as we stood on the edge of the cliff. Tears fell freely from my eyes, an emptiness spreading through my body.

Marcusi handed us the lantern, his own eyes shimmering with tears. I lit it and we whispered the final part of the funeral prayer. Raising our hands, the lantern floated off the edge and bounced innocently over the water. We stayed on the edge of the cliffs overlooking the Renien Ocean for several hours, watching the lanterns. With the last light flickering out, nearly five hours later, we went back to the smaller guest house next to the Imperial Palace. 

Bella's H'aaruune dress

Edward's H'aaruune suit

The cliffs overlooking the Renien Ocean

Star Crossed Update

Star Crossed Chapter Eighteen Update on FicPad

Star Crossed Chapter Eighteen Update on FFn

Star Crossed Chapter Eighteen Update on TWCS

Star Crossed Chapter Eighteen Update on AO3

I sat on my throne, glaring up at the rafter that became N’essie’s final resting place. The throne room, after it had been thoroughly investigated, was now clean. The pirna wood floors were now shining in the mid-morning sun. It all looked too innocent, but what we found in that room will forever be burned into my memory. Even in death, N’essie was terrified. Her yellow eyes were open and her mouth was caught in a silent scream, portraying her absolute fear. They would pay for what they did to her. All of them will feel the fear that she endured for her entire life and that ultimately ended it.

I was so angry. Somehow, N’essie had been transported off the Enterprise and down to the surface, tortured and murdered. On top of that, Counselor Marcusi’s life hung in the balance. Aro and Caius had him abducted from his home, disappearing into thin air.

How did they get off the planet?

How did they get N’essie off the Enterprise without causing the alarms to go off?

How could any of this happen and how did I not know about it?

I clenched my hand into a fist, hissing as the sutures tore at my skin. The pain was nothing. I could withstand this pain. It was a reminder of what I needed to do to protect my people. And I would protect them. In my father’s name, in his honor, I’d save the Cygnarian people. For my mate, I’d fight for our love. For N’essie? I will avenge her death and make her captors suffer the same fate by my own hand. “I promise you,” I growled, looking down at the bandage on my palm. The blade I’d used to cut it was safely around my ankle. 

Bella's H'aaruune gown

Bella's ajur stone circlet

Edward's H'aaruune mourning suit

Edward's mourning circlet

Lanterns for the H'aaruune rite

N'essie's casket

Imperial Burial Ground

Elizabeth Cullen

Ceremonial Blade used for the Blood Oath

Modified Cygnarian Insignia

Renien Ocean 

Imperial Fighter

Aeroshuttle

Imperial Fleet: Cygnarus