A shattered life, an unexpected change…
Megal Bethal Morales gazed out the window of the air car and again forced himself to relax. The view was beautiful. Crystalline formation in vivid yellows, reds, and black surrounded the many geysers and decorated the openings where the scalding water surged. They were passing through the Pools of Hades, a protected area near his grandfather’s hacienda. Higgins was an active planet with many volcanoes and hot springs like these. The security escorts that flew around his car emphasized his new status. The cars were flying far too close to the ground. In their wake of their fans, lay smashed and destroyed mineral formations. Like my life, Megal mused, broken to pieces by forces beyond my control.
“There is a small crack in the glass in the pilot area, so be glad you are behind the partition.” Carlos Bethal stepped into the small cabin from the cockpit and sat next to his grandson. “The sulfur smell is bad up there.”
“If we flew higher, they would not smell so much of it and not destroy so many of the formations,” Megal loved the way the pools looked even if a trip to see them irritated his eyes.
“They could be ordered to fly higher by one in authority.”
“Have I authority?” Megal suddenly grinned at his grandfather. “I do, don’t I? Abuelo, please tell the security it is my order they fly higher until we are out of the park.” Carlos stepped to the door and gave the order to fly higher until they were out of the area of hot springs.
“At least this promotion lets me control something,” the younger man said, slumped in his seat. He stared out the window as the three air cars rose above the fragile formations and noxious air. Not the promotion he sought–he was to become the First Successor in waiting to the Overlord, holder of the Trono Donado, the Donated Throne.
The title would only be official once he was married, and his wife produced a son. It as the custom before the stranding and was continued here on Higgins. The members of the Council of Families, the main stockholders of the NeoEspania Mining Corporation, would elect a director. The director served will of the Board but would remain in office as long as he or she had a competent adult child to succeed them. That adult must also have a child, but until that child reached adulthood, they was not considered the successor to the director, only a possibility. The complex rules had been the result of years of infighting among the families. They had controlled much of the Iberian mountains and much of the mountainous area of northern Africa on Terra. On Higgins, because of the deaths and psychic manifestations suffered after landing, the title of Overlord and the feudal loyalty system from ancient Spain had been revived. Megal had been looking forward to managing his grandfather’s hacienda but now, he had no control over his life. His duty to his family came first.
“Your father didn’t plan this. He was punished for the injuries to Benitos and fully expected Marianel to be the First Successor. They are not certain what caused the explosion, but he expects you to step up for the family.”
“You know what I have suffered, and how hard the healers worked to help me. How can my father ask this of me?” Megal struggled with his anxiety and began a breathing routine to calm himself. “I know everyone says my father has learned control of his temper, but I am not sure. I was there when Benitos was burned out. You were there when my mother died, and Abuela said it was his temper.”
“My daughter’s death was not charged to your father, but the House of Justice required penance from him as well as anger management training, for his son. He knows he was wrong.” Carlos cringed at the mention of Megal’s mother’s death. “The investigation is just beginning on what happened with Marianel. I don’t believe your father was involved. He would not have done this to you. Nevertheless, you know you must be bonded and engender a son, or else House Morales will lose the Trono Donado.”
“I hear what you are saying, but I know what I must have as a bride. That is what happened with Marianel. The girl he married was a friend of Evie and Linde, not far past her woman day, almost a little girl. I must have someone strong. I will not cause another death.” He turned away and his grandfather saw him wipe tears from his face. Carlos was surprised that Megal knew the names of his granddaughters, Megal’s cousins. His stay in the Casa Bethal harem must have introduced him to the girls.
“I believe your father will understand. I have contacted Serept, and he will ask your father to let you stay at Casa Bethal until the ceremonies of mourning are complete.”
“Thank you, Abuelo. I think it will make it easier for us all.”
***
The next three days were declared days of mourning to honor Marianel and the men who died in the inferno. Megal attended all the services and receptions but stayed at his grandfather’s city residence. His grandfather warned Francos not to bring up the question of bonding just yet. Megal needed time to adjust to his new position as First Successor in waiting. Francos was impatient but knew Carlos Bethal, as an empath, knew his grandson better than his father ever would.
Should you want to finish the story…
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