Three Square Meals Ch. 141

"The Young Matriarchs have asked me to speak to you on their behalf. We wanted to formally welcome all of the new matriarchs into our extended family," she said, smiling warmly at the Maliri. "Some of you must be feeling quite overwhelmed after everything you've experienced this week, but I can promise you that this isn't just a blissful dream. You're embarking on an exciting new life with us... your new friends and new family."

She turned to John and Edraele, and continued, "We also want to thank both of you for the tremendous difference you've made to our lives. It's hard to believe that only a few months ago, I was beset by enemies on all sides, with little hope of finding even a shred of happiness. I spent my days feeling anxious, and scared, and so terribly alone..."

Tsarra's voice caught and Leena reached up to interlace their fingers together, giving her lover a proud smile.

The House Perfaren matriarch returned it, then stood straighter, her face alight with joy. "But those dark days feel like a bad dream now. I've made so many wonderful friends, who are sitting around you here today. Even serving as matriarch to my House no longer feels like a crushing burden... it's become an amazing privilege to be able to guide the future of our people. Working together, we're going to build a magnificent Maliri civilisation that we can all be proud of!"

"The last thing that I wanted to say, is to encourage all of you to fully embrace the incredible opportunity you've been given." She rested a slender hand on her stomach and Tsarra's green eyes softened. "The rewards are so much better than you could ever imagine..."

There was another round of applause as Tsarra sat down, but most of the attention had focused back on John.

He couldn't help smiling at the doe-eyed looks he was receiving from almost everyone present. The only exceptions were the Young Matriarchs, who were gazing at the father of their children with open adoration.

"No one's getting pregnant today," he joked, waving away all the attention. "Come on, let's eat. I need to get my strength back after last night."

They laughed and did as John asked, returning to their breakfasts and excited discussions about his impromptu speech.

*Nice pep-talk,* Alyssa said, rubbing up against his arm. *The girls loved it.*

Edraele placed her hand on his thigh and gave it a suggestive squeeze. *Is it too late to change my mind about waiting for you to impregnate my daughters?*

John glanced across the room at Tsarra and acknowledged her contribution with an appreciative smile. *I'm afraid so, honey. It's your own fault for making two of the most stunningly beautiful Maliri I've met so far... and looking like their hotter older sister. It'd be like being with triplets and I can't pass that up.*

She laughed and patted his thigh. *Alyssa's right. You are a silver-tongued devil.*

Everyone relaxed and enjoyed their meal, with promises made to all get together again when the Invictus returned from their latest voyage. The pastries and exotic fruits were delicious, and John managed to eat almost as much as the Nymphs.

"Good morning, John," Irillith said, sidling up to his left side and greeting him with a kiss.

Tashana appeared on his right and mirrored her twin with a kiss to his other cheek. "Have you finished your breakfast?"

He pushed his chair back from the table, then pulled the sisters onto his lap. "I certainly have," he replied, picking up on the eager undercurrent to the archaeologist's voice. "Why do you ask?"

She rolled her violet eyes at him. "You know very well why. Please can you help me look now? I was really good and didn't ask you once during the party."

"Yeah, that's true," he conceded, hugging her close. "Okay, where shall we start the search?"

Irillith's eyes had started to glow with a bright inner light. "I've been searching the palace for any sign of unusual data streams, but I've been able to account for everything. Saelihn Immanthe is equipped with massive power generators though... supplying far more energy than the palace could ever expect to use."

"That sounds promising," John said, with a thoughtful nod. "Where?"

She turned and pointed towards the front of the palace. "In a subterranean facility adjacent to the underground hangar."

John focused inwards, concentrating on activating the runes that would enhance his vision. His perspective shifted and the walls became translucent, letting him see straight through the ancient architecture. Below the foundations in the direction Irillith had indicated, he immediately spotted thick power cables trailing from the generators towards the palace. He patted the twins on the bottom to get them to move, then turned to study the bundle of power lines as it entered a hexagonal junction box, a dozen more cables snaking away on the other side. They traversed the ground horizontally, except for one that turned at an abrupt right angle and plunged directly downward.

"Over there," John said, pointing to a study adjoining the main hallway. "I can see an elevator shaft... heading straight down."