To Love and Live

Nova’s Tale – Part 7

I have resolved myself that I will be surrounded by girls for the rest of my life. It came to me last night as I held my precious wife in my arms. She is my real wife now, not my Kanly wife; she is sleeping peacefully in my arms and with a broad smile upon her angelic face. I reached over and stroked her blonde hair as I thought about how we gave up all the possible ways of her breaking our contract last night but I’m actually thankful to her. She opened my eyes, in more ways than one, to us being together for all time. She is my mate, my lover, and above all, my best friend. I could never keep secrets from her no matter the heaviness that it would cause her because my heart feels that it’s wrong. I never want to be away from her side. She’s right when she said a few weeks ago that there has been changes when she moved all her belongings into my, no, our bedroom. I didn’t realize that there were changes in us. She means so much to me that I wouldn’t deny her anything even a child that we have been wanting. If a child comes from our union then I would have more to love about my Mina.

Unfortunately, we are both members of the royal family. That may not mean much to most people but because of our increased life spans, we don’t … breed well. My father who was married twelve times but only produced three children in his life that spanned five centuries. Serenity and Beryl were from his first marriage and I was the offspring of his last marriage. Serenity is almost four hundred years old and married four times before she had Serena. I think that we are cursed to have small families but I wish above all that Mina could bear as many as she wish. Another problem is that we are Sailor Warriors and my heart tells me that we are almost immortal unless the Negaverse kills us. I don’t know this for a fact but I assume that it’s probable that we may never have children due to the fact that we have no need in our genetic makeup to produce children to replace us. The only thing that it seems to be true about immortals is that they seek wars against their foes. May be the Negaverse is a way of testing ourselves against death, a way to seek the thrills that a near death can bring us. I probably a little more morbid than I need to be when I’m should be at the happiest of my life because of my marriage. I guess that we will just have to enjoy ourselves and see what happens in the future.

I still don’t know if I should forgive her and my sister for the pain that they caused me. The mere suggestion that Mina was going to leave me almost broke my heart. I thought for a second, just one second, to deny her the pleasure of her little ‘joke’ but my heart had to say the weddings vows. She’s in my heart and now, I guess, that she will be in my soul for all time. She is just so beautiful sleeping against my chest. Her delicate arm stretched across my chest as she rested in my arms and her breath warm against my body.

I removed her arm from across my chest and slipped out of bed. I crossed the room to the windows that looked upon the foundation of my developing Fortress, “Star, are you there?” I felt the power of the black hole buried deep under the ground respond to my question, “Nova, you seem trouble, what’s wrong?” Many people would lock me up if they knew that I spoke to one of the most deadly forces in the universe but it seems to understand me. I thought for a second, “It’s complex. On one hand, I want to take Mina and my family and travel to a place where the Negaverse will never find us. I know of such places but … would that be the right thing to do to the people of this age? So many people are counting on me but all I want to be with my love forever and if I continue on this path of destruction, I will lose her for short time.”

“My friend, you are the most powerful human that ever existed. Your power is great enough to bring me into being but you worry about one person. The heavens shake from your mere existence.” It may be right but I didn’t have time to say anything before it continued, “You probably are right. What do you owe to mankind? Have they ever done anything for you, have they flocked to your side to fight in the war against the Negaverse? You can think long and hard but you look past my foundation and you will see the barracks of the High Guard. Barracks that hold hundreds that answered your call for aid against your enemies. There are entire families that uprooted themselves from their home worlds to pledge their life and the lives of their children to your cause. What do you owe them for their loyalty?”

How does a ‘being’ without a body knows so much about human nature? “You’re right. I do owe them my best effort to solve the problems. Thank you, Star, for all your help.” I do feel better but it still trouble me what may happen in the future. Timelines are falling in place that leads to one moment in time where I will be taken from my family and thrust into the future to help the Sailor Warriors in their future incarnations. The moment will define all that will come after it and I pray in my heart that I have the courage to do what needs to be done during the battle. I looked at my sleeping wife and knew that I would do anything to save the future if not for man then for her. Mankind must live beyond the Sailor Warriors and if we have to sacrifice all that we love we must to achieve the final victory. I slipped back into bed and felt the warmth of Mina’s body pressed against mine. I heard her sigh in her sleep and place her arm over my chest again. I kissed the top of her head and slowly drifted back to sleep in the arms of my lover.

Mina woke from her slumbers and decided that we need to spend the morning to ourselves so she had Serena deliver us breakfast in bed and then locked the door. I sense a great change in my wife, a change for the better. She seems more confident about herself and I could see that trait in her every step she took as she went to the closet to gather clothes for us. The gentle sway of her hips, the upright stance as she strode across the floor, her breasts … well, let sat that her lips had a taste of satisfaction emblazed upon them as she turned to face me.

I wanted to spend the day in bed with her but she reminded me that we had an event to attend in the afternoon and she insisted on us presenting ourselves to the public. She was dressed in blue and had picked a similarly colored outfit for me. She tied her long blonde hair with the red ribbon that she always wore. I looked at her, “Mina, you don’t have to wear the Kanly red ribbon any more. That ring on your finger should be a telltale sign that we are married and tied together until the end of time.” Mina paused for a second and looked at her ring encircling her four finger of her left hand, “My love, the ring is only part of the proof that you are mine. I will wear the red ribbon forever to show everyone that my love for you will withstand anything because it is based on tradition, tradition that will survive the Silver Kingdom. I will only stop wearing the ribbon when our love for each other dies but I know that possibility will never happen as long as our souls survive.” She walked over to me and placed my arms around her waist, “You better get use to this look because I will look like this for the rest of my life and beyond.” She hugged me close to her and kissed my lips.

‘Look like this for the rest of my life and beyond,” those words issued easily for her lips but I wonder if she knew how true those word would be in a few years. I knew something that I haven’t told any of the Sailors, we were not ageing any more. We stopped about three weeks ago. I could feel it in my body, may be because I more accustomed to the power within me, but none of us had changed in that period of time. I guess the crystals had found the place where our body and power were at their peaks and I think that they will keep us at this moment of development for many years. I smiled at Mina and took her hand. We walked to the door and unlocked the latch. As we walked into the common area, I saw that all the Sailors had gathered at the table. Serena stood up from her seat, “Nova, Mina, we thought that we could have lunch together.” I saw my sisters, yes, I think of them as my sisters, at the table and walked, hand in hand, with Mina to join them. We all sat and raised our glasses. Serena sitting at the head of the table cleared her throat, “Since Nova is my uncle, and I think that I should give the toast.”

They all stood up and looked in our direction. Mina slipped her hand in mine and we rose from our chairs. “I have known Nova all his life,” started Serena, “he was the first person other than my mother that I saw and loved. Through the years he has been more of a brother to me than my uncle. Mina is one of my oldest friends and she is family. I have known her since she came to the moon six years ago but we have loved each other since we knew of each other. I am proud to call her my sister and not cousin. The two of them have loved each other since Nova’s seventh birthday and the sealed their fate when they decided to become engaged to be married.” Serena took a breath and I saw that the other Sailors was starting to get nervous but Serena has been known to take her own sweet time when she gave a speech, “Yesterday, they decided to go beyond their Kanly marriage and promise themselves to each other for all eternity.” She raised her glass, “I give to you our favorite aunt and uncle, Mina and Nova.” They all drank from their glasses and smashed them to the floor. It’s a tradition to perform such an act so the glasses can never be used again to tarnish the toast. I’m glad to say that it’s only down at weddings and other special occasions or Serena would cost me a fortune.

I guess that I have to start teaching them how to manage their money. Mina had told them on my twelfth birthday that they each possess a great deal of money. They are rather rich young ladies due to some shrew management of funds that I put aside for them years ago. I had placed a substantial amount in each Sailor Warrior’s planetary name and I changed the account when we discovered them. Each of them was worth over one hundred kilograms of gold. A fortune on most planets but they used very little of this wealth. Either Serenity or myself gave everything that they want so they had no need for wealth, they were part of our family and we take care of our own.

We settled down to a normal life, well, as normal as possible for us. We were more in demand for social events then ever before because people wanted to see the ‘happy’ couple. We are actually more than happy, I couldn’t dream of the pleasure of having Mina so much a part of my life. We were close before we took that final plunge but we are almost one body and soul these days.

Sometimes, Mina would finish a sentence that I started. It was strange but for some reason, we are able to read each other thought. I could always communicate with the Sailors but it was different with Mina. I could tell what she was thinking if I kept her in my thoughts and she was able to do the same. It’s disturbing but it was always exciting. We shared every thought with each other and all my secrets and plans was laid before her. She learned about the black hole that will power the fortress I was building, the moon cat project, and all the build up of my spy organizations. She was now able to help me coordinate everything that I had developed and as she said, “Nova, I’m your wife, your soul, and if I can help at anything I will.” Being a part of a single being is exciting and I wonder if other married couple being to truly understand each other after they wed. We could keep secrets from each other but we normally didn’t put up the effort to conceal our secrets. Mina is my best friend and I would never hide anything from her. She’s too much of a help to me in these dark times for me to hold important matters from her.

I have to say that I do enjoy married life. I thought that I would stop longing for Mina at my side after the first few weeks but I desire more than ever to have her near me. It was doing this time that I started to feel an inner power dwelling in my being. Amy has helped me on some research in this matter and we came across an old reference that read, “… Each child of destiny has powers hidden within their crystals …’ this feeling has to be the power that I feel and I had to find a way to bring it to the surface. Amy has been a great help in finding this power that she has labeled a ‘crystal’ power from the old reference. She was also the first to tap into that power. The change that occurred was only minimal on the surface but I could feel the immense power that she could barely perceived but shone to me like a beacon in the night.

Soon, all the Sailor Warriors were able to achieve this level … except me. I can’t explain why I couldn’t find that one spark that would drive the ability to the surface. I guess that I was brooding over my situation when Mina came to me, “Nova, we have to do something to get your mind off this problem. I want you all to myself and … I think … may be … we need to go on a honeymoon?” I looked up from the tome I was reading and thought for a second. I could tell by the way she asked that she didn’t know the answer to her question. She’s right, I have been neglecting her lately and we never really had a honeymoon. I was too busy training the Sailors to understand that you and your mate have to get away from everyone every now and then. I set the book down on the desk and rose from my chair. I crossed the room quickly to where my precious was standing, “My love, you are always right. Where do you want to go?”

She decided that we would visit the winter palace, more specifically, a small cottage that we share when we journey there with Serenity. She told the Sailors that I was not to be disturbed by them for any reason. She was going to have me all to herself during the two weeks that we were planning to stay there. We hugged and kissed our siblings goodbye. We had decided to take a land rover instead of a skimmer. It was slower but Mina said that she wanted to cuddle during the journey, something that you couldn’t do in a skimmer. She snuggled against me as I drove the fifty miles to the compound, “Nova, are you happy?” I could tell by her tone that she was nervous about our relationship. Even though she knows that I love her with every fiber of my being, she still needs to be reassured every few weeks. I wrapped my arm around her shoulders and kissed her cheek, “Mina, you are the most important person in my life. I would give up my title, money, position, and all that goes with it just to keep you happy. If something every comes between us I would reject it before I would ever reject you.” I guess the response cheered her up because she snuggled closer, “that’s what I needed to hear, my husband.”

We had a peaceful time, well, after the first night. Mina tried her hand at cooking a complete meal for me and … she still needs some lessons. After the pain subsided, I convinced her that we needed to cook together because alone we just don’t achieve the same results and … I wanted to live the next few days so we started to cook together and she did improve. I was happy to have her near me in the small cottage that we thought of as ours.

Mina was happy to be back with our family after our little vacation. She threw herself into cooking lessons with Serenity and Lita. My wife, she could never do something in a small way but she was getting better in the kitchen but it was much better when we cook together. I can’t explain it but something snaps into place when we devoted ourselves to a task together. May be that’s part of growing together as a couple or it could just be that we were comfortable with each other’s company.

I decided to put aside the problem of my transformation. Mina’s right, it will come in its own time. Instead I went back to training the Sailors but a few a few months something of even more importance was coming. Mina’s thirteenth birthday was fast approaching and I wanted it to be a memorable occasion. I wanted a grand ball for her birthday, a ball where I can show off the most beautiful woman in the Silver Kingdom. I have to say that I don’t mind being her escort for such an event.

Mina was all set against it. All she wanted was a simple party with her family and the generals. Nothing special or gaudy was her exact word but this birthday was special. She was turning thirteen and under the Kanly laws would inherit all the estates and property of her parents. Truthfully, she looked at least sixteen but we had to look at her actual birth date instead of what her body tells others. Mina’s parents were wealthy but she decided that she would not accept her rightful place upon the throne of Venus but instead allow the regent council to remain in power. She curled up next to me in bed as she explained, “Love, you need me here. If I went to Venus I would have to worry about you every second of the day besides all I want is to be near you. I don’t need wealth, power or position. All I need is you.” She rubbed her hand on my chest and kissed my lips, “You are the only thing in the entire universe that I would ever want to hold. You are worth more to me than all the wealth in the universe.”

I caved into her wishes and Serena planned a simple fare for my love’s birthday. I worried myself about a week about what to give her for her birthday. She had already told me her request for a present and I was going to give her that particular prize without her having to ask me but I was going to save it for after the party. I decided that the Sailors needed some new transformation pens to help with their ‘crystal’ power. I spent about four days working on the pens, or rather wands since they were about three times larger than their current pens. For Serena because she depends on powers from items and not internal, I made her a brooch to contain her power when she transform. Serenity helped me wrapped the presents and help us prepared the birthday dinner for my love. I received hugs and kisses from all the Sailors as they opened their presents and they had to change immediately to test the new devices. They are all beautiful young ladies but my princess stood out from among them like a diamond glistening among gems.

I was about to start the evening’s dancing when a guard rushed into the room shouting about a Negaverse attack on the outer walls of the palace’s compound. We all ran to the defensive walls and determined that the High Guard troops were pushing back the monsters. It went well for about fifteen minutes until seven beings appeared in the distance. I could see the power that pours from them and we took the blunt of their attack against us and threw them back. We advanced upon these seven beings and the girls’ new powers were defeating the enemy. Suddenly, the seven merged into one being, a dark shadow that I have only heard legends about from books. The fearsome creature that faced us at our home was the Invincible Shadow.

We started an orderly retreat from the onslaught of the monster. As we were heading back to the outer wall where I could draw upon the power of the black hole, Mina tripped and fell. I rushed to her side and grabbed her in my arms. The monster appeared before me and I could tell that it meant to kill us. I couldn’t let it harm my love. I felt a stirring inside me and knew what I had to do to save us. I drew my power from the universe and not inside my crystal or me. The spark I needed was not in me but it was the fiber of the universe itself that provided me the energy. The universe gave itself freely and increased my power beyond imagination. I raised my hand towards the Shadow, “World Cosmic Blaster”, issued from my lips as the power of the universe flowed through my hands. Strange, they don’t look like my hands but the power broke the Shadow into the seven beings and the Sailors routed them from the field.

I looked at my wife and realized that something was wrong. I had my arm around her waist supporting her but I was not looking down at her … I was looking up at her. She was at least six inches taller than me. I looked down at my body or at least the body that I was inside of at the present. I wore a uniform similar to the Sailors, blue trimmed in gold, but I … looked female. I ran my hand across my breasts, yes; they are breasts upon my chest. They are firmer than Mina’s and I have touched hers enough to know what breasts suppose to feel like. I was in shock as I thought about my change and something upset me. It was not the change to female that troubled me. The crystals had changed me more over the years than a simple sex change.

What upset me was a thought that Mina would turn away from me because I wasn’t the same person that she married. I couldn’t help thinking about that possibility and I started to sob. I sank to my knees and cried into my hands that covered my face. Mina was the only person that moved to me. She hugged me as I cried. She cradled my head against her shoulder and gently rocked me in her arms. I heard her words of comfort but I didn’t believe them. How could she love me like this? She married Nova, the Grand Duke, not some small girl. I wept until I fell asleep in her arms hours later.

When I awoke, I was male again. Mina had propped herself in bed so she can hold me in her arms. I didn’t know how to act. What can I say to her? I stayed in that position until the sun was slowly setting. Mina must truly be a saint for abiding with my depression but after I turned down Lita’s cooking, I could tell that she was upset. She looked me straight in my eyes, “Nova, you will eat, enjoy your meal and my company, and you will get over this problem right now. The Sailors need you and I need you. I love you more than I could ever imagine. I love you more each day than the day before and it doesn’t matter the shape you take; I will be there for you. You are my life and love. Please come back to me.”

Those words meant volumes to me. No matter what I do or who I am, she will still love me. I sat up in bed and started to eat my favorite dishes prepared by Lita. Soon, all the Sailors came to our door to see if I was fine. Mina motioned for all of them to come in and share my meal. I glad that I have a wonderful family. I could feel the warmth and love that surrounds me and I realized for the first time that the power of love will decided the final outcome and the people in this small room had enough love to save the universe.

So end this small tale, next time, a tale of Chibi’s coming and a man’s primary purpose in life. Join me next time for “Stand My Ground”, Nova’s Tale, and Part 8.