D57
Dynasties
By James
Chapter 57: Epilogue IX
"Your sisters want to leave Mongo?" Jedda paused near the throne, eyeing Krotan in awe.
"Temporarily." He cupped his chin and faced the carpet. "Both of them are disgraced royals. Castra's lost the people's faith, and Aura's lost the people's trust. They each feel that moving on is for the best."
"Where will they go?"
"They're still deciding," he mumbled.
Jedda stepped forth, taking his hands. "It's going to be okay. Our family is going to get through this." Her eyes brightened as she looked toward the ceiling. "And I think I know how."
He looked up at her.
"What if we could offer Castra a fresh start? And what if we could tame Aura's ambitions by giving her exactly what she wants — but under a watchful eye?"
"What did you have in mind?"
Jedda smiled, stroking his hands.
Aura and Castra were kneeling side by side, bending their knees at Hadea's throne.
Hadea tapped her sword along both women's shoulders, then turned her gaze toward an audience of nobles. "Let it be known, among one and all, that two new rulers have been crowned today. Castra of Mongo is the Emerald Queen, and Aura of Mongo is the Ruby Queen." She lowered her stare to them. "Rise, majesties."
As the women stood, the crowd burst into a quiet round of applause. Castra's husband, Tevrok, was clapping near the front. While watching him, Castra couldn't help but find it odd that he'd applaud his former captor.
Hadea addressed the sisters, speaking softly. "It's time to let go of the past and work toward a better tomorrow. Focus on helping your people, and on helping each other as well. That's what nobles — and sisters — are meant to do."
Castra glared at Aura. A part of her was outraged that her sister had been made a queen. However, she also knew that Jedda and Krotan had a valid point: It was best to keep Aura where they could watch her closely, where she would get a chance to do some good.
Aura leaned in to kiss Castra's cheek, then whispered something in her sister's ear.
Castra opened her mouth in stunned surprise.
Aura stood straight, eyeing her sister with a smirk.
In the moments that followed, Castra had to resist the urge to kill Aura where she stood.
Castra lay quietly within her new bedroom, her shaky eyes steadily fixed on a wall.
Tevrok stroked her shoulder.
Castra pulled away.
"What's wrong?" he asked.
She kept her stare averted as she spoke. "Aura's pregnant."
Tevrok's hand froze in the air for a second.
Castra turned over, locking her shaky eyes onto his.
10 slow seconds of silence passed, Tevrok holding his gaze on hers. "...You're not about to tell me that you think I'm the father."
Castra found herself looking away.
"You can't actually believe that."
"I'm willing to believe almost anything when it comes to that woman. She's been taking things from me my whole life."
"Cas," he said firmly. "Think very carefully about what you're saying."
"She told me something during the coronation. She suggested that the two of you had been having an affair."
"Absurd."
"I saw you clapping for her today."
"That proves nothing — apart from the fact that you're extremely paranoid. And I was clapping for the both of you, by the way. I did that because it was expected of me." He shook his head with a scoff. "If Aura and I were having an affair, why would she have me beaten and abducted on Mongo?"
"Perhaps she didn't." Castra's eyebrows lowered. "That 'abduction' could've been staged."
He nodded. "And then what? The two of us kick you off the throne, take over the kingdom, and live happily ever after with our child?" Tevrok paused, simply watching her. "Cas...I need to know right now that you don't honestly believe any of this. I need to hear it from you."
Her eyes began to water. While listening to the hurt in her husband's voice, she began to suspect that she'd made a huge mistake. Castra absolutely wanted to believe in Tevrok. She knew her husband well — but she knew her sister well too.
As Tevrok awaited her response, Castra simply held quiet while looking up at the ceiling.
He pulled his sheet aside and flung himself out of the bed. "You're one of the most delusional, gullible women I've met."
A tear rolled down Castra's face.
"I'm returning to our planet," he announced, holding his back to her.
"What are you saying?" she sniffled, swinging her head to him. "You and I are locked in a Mongoian marriage, Tevrok. No matter where you go, we're wife and husband, now and forever. Nothing can change that."
"I don't want that to change. I want you to." Tevrok began pulling on his pants. "I warned you before about these conflicts within your family. I warned you of what they could do. You once told me that our love had saved you from that madness...but I guess we're simply not like Krotan and Jedda. We've been married longer than they have, and yet we still haven't found the secrets of their success."
"That's not a fair comparison, Tev. Things are different with you and me. Krotan rarely has to deal with my father anymore, so it's easier for him to live a peaceful life. I, on the other hand, still have Aura as a constant nuisance, and that makes me unsettled."
"That's just an excuse, and you know it." Tevrok stood. "I'll be back when you're ready to stop letting this chaos control our lives." Moments later, he turned to the bed, staring at his wife's back.
Castra held quiet, closing her eyes.
"I love you, Cas," said Tevrok, exiting the room.
As an unnerving silence began filling the bedroom, Castra wiped a tear away. "I love you too."
Rick and Flash leaned back in their seats, sitting across from each other at a small table. The base was quiet, and the room was as well.
"How long do you think it'll be until we see her again?" asked Rick.
"Not long, I hope."
Rick took a deep breath. "I mentioned this to Hadea before. It seems like every time we try and 'reunite' with Mom, there's always something that keeps things from being the way they used to be. We're always so close, and yet so far." He rubbed his chin. "Sometimes I wonder whether or not we're 'meant' to be with her right now."
Flash eyed his son in fascination. "What do you think the answer is?"
Rick fell silent for a moment. "I think we'll be with her again when the time is right, whether that time comes in this life or the next."
Flash smiled. "I believe that too." He lifted a few fingers against his forehead. "I know that things aren't easy in our family, son, but the same goes for a lot of other families out there too. That's why it's nice that certain people from all of these clans have been brought together." Flash thought of Kit and Hadea, Mandrake and Kshin, and even Krotan and Jedda. "I don't know what's 'meant' to be...but maybe we were supposed to meet the friends we've met over the years. We still have them, and we still have each other."
Rick grinned. After eyeing his father for a few seconds, he reached over and extended a hand.
Flash clasped his palm against his son's.
Then the two men rose, patting each other's backs as they walked off together.
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Volume IX — End
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Chapters
Volume I
Shorly after Jedda leaves the team, Queen Hadea begins a galactic conquest.
Jedda finds herself back on Mongo — and reunited with Prince Krotan.
Despite their affection, Jedda endeavors to counter Hadea's plans.
Seeking to resolve the matter with Hadea, the Defenders begin a climactic mission on Mongo.
Rick enjoys a meaningful reunion.
Volume II
Jedda and Krotan confront their feelings.
Against the wishes of his wife, Krotan grows tempted to pursue a vendetta.
Rick has a difficult time moving on.
In the wake of Krotan's actions, Jedda faces a difficult choice.
Hadea reunites with an old acquaintance.
The Royals of Mongo organize what's supposed to be a friendly feast.
A glimpse into the future on Mongo.
Volume III
Instead of spending a romantic evening together, as Jedda intended, Hadea and Phantom find themselves pursued.
Amid their exploits, Phantom and Hadea discuss personal matters.
Flash visits Ming's prison while thinking of Dale, and Rick learns that a new girl will be joining the team.
A vengeful woman targets Jedda.
The Defenders face an internal crisis.
Will she choose affection or ambition?
Needing to depart Mongo on business, Jedda and Krotan ask Hadea and Phantom to fill in for them temporarily.
Volume IV
As the enormity of his situation sinks in, an anxious Rick finds unexpected comfort.
Hadea continues to counsel Rick by reminding him that his actions have consequences.
Phantom and Hadea are advised to marry.
The acting rulers face a variety of issues on their big day.
The Defenders consider returning to solo work.
Volume V
Krotan and Jedda try to find time for their marriage while tending to duty.
Someone from Jedda's past returns.
Krotan and the guards attempt to defend the kingdom without Jedda.
Krotan and Ming have another confrontation under different circumstances.
Flash and Rick have a personal discussion.
As Rick prepares to leave the team, he and LJ receive a surprise visit.
Volume VI
The new trio embarks on a mission.
The Phantom is left startled by the recent development.
After spending a couple of days with Jedda, Rachel departs for the tme being.
In the future, Vera receives advice and comfort from her mother.
Jedda reflects on the recent years.
In the aftermath of an attack on her land, Hadea seeks help from a mercenary.
Flash is stunned by his discovery on a distant planet.
Volume VII
Hadea makes an announcement that leaves the Phantom unsettled.
The Phantom works to undo his mistakes.
In the future, the Royals of Mongo enjoy quality time together.
Rachel assists LJ and Hadea in very different ways.
Rachel adjusts to her new position awkwardly.
With Rachel and Jedda at her side, Hadea learns more about the history of her kingdom.
Volume VIII
The Phantom plans to propose.
Hadea and the Phantom attempt to work through their issues.
Rachel visits Hadea to discuss new intentions.
The Defenders confront a group of aliens who have descended on Earth, while Ming continues to scheme behind the scenes.
Flash, Rick, and Krotan engage Ming in battle.
Jade reunites briefly with her daughters.
A special occasion has finally arrived.
Volume IX
Rick has a meeting with Zyna that leaves him staggered.
Flash and Rick travel to another planet to investigate news.
Dale begins to set her agenda in motion.
The Royals of Mongo have a lengthy discussion about the past and future.
Dale takes bold steps forward.
Flash and Rick confront Dale to discuss her actions.
Empress Hadea appoints new queens.
Volume X
In the future, the royals have a discussion about politics on Mongo.
LJ and Lothar discuss family affairs.
Jedda views her official government profile to learn where she ranks among Mongoian queens.
Castra and Aura look to put their differences aside.
The Phantom learns more about Hadea's duties.
Volume XI
The Phantom, Hadea, and Rachel depart for a mission in the Bandar village.
Rachel heads off to find Kurt on her own.
Dale provides answers for Rachel.
Jade observes a significant discussion beween Phantom and Kurt.
Phantom learns that the village mission affected Hadea on a personal level.
Volume XII
Jedda and Krotan renew their commitment.
Krotan pampers Jedda as they discuss the future.
Nearly everyone joins the Phantom for a mission via boat.
The group arrives on Raven Island and learns the identity of the opposing team's leader.
Flash, Dale, and Rick spend time with Flash's sister, Commander Abigail Gordon, and her daughter Sara.
Rick and Kristina head off on a late-night mission.
Kristina, Rick, and Hadea confront their personal matters.
Once again, someone lands on Mandrake's yard during a storm.
Volume XIII
A woman arrives in the Netherworld, claiming to be the rightful ruler.
LJ, Rick, and Rachel investigate the Netherworld matter.
Flash and Dale's date is interrupted by news that Rick has been captured, and it's up to Kristina to save him.
While grouped together one night, several people must team up suddenly in order to defend the mansion.
Atascadero discusses her upbringing with Mandrake.
Volume XIV
Soldiers from Atascadero's kingdom come looking for her.
Ata heads to her kingdom to resolve the issues there.
Vera begins learning more about Jedda's past.
In response to the recent events, Hadea makes a controversial decision.
Rick attempts to resolve a certain personal issue.
Rick and his girlfriend decide to go their separate ways.
Flash, Dale, and Rick reunite with Dale's father, as well as Flash's.
Jonathan Gordon becomes overzealous, leading to repercussions.
Flash and Dale chase Ming down.
Kristina bonds with Rick in the aftermath of the events at the base.
Volume XV
In the future, Jedda and Krotan have to teach Vera the value of humility.
In the future, Vera is courted by several boys.
Rick and Kristina become stranded on an island.
Hadea is approached by an old suitor.
Kristina and Rick grow closer while stuck on the island.
Ata and Mandrake discuss their relationship.
Castra and her husband have a talk about their longtime commitment.
Krotan and Jedda discuss the past, and look to the future.
Flash and Dale reaffirm their feelings.
The series finale.
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