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The Last Shemale Queen

_A sequel to The Seduction of Seleste _

Estesi's Island

Chapter 38

"She reminds me so much of my little girl," Zaldon said softly. His black eyes were misty and dreamy as he watched Aliona, who held the little white fox cub tight in her arms.

Kel sat at Zaldon's side. He glanced at him sympathetically, then rubbed his wrinkled paw over his broad back. He knew Zaldon was not talking about Yuri.

They were sitting on the beach, in the sand, on a tropical island which Zaldon had created. The child's mother had instructed them to whisk it away to some place safe. Zaldon replied that there was no safe place unless he made one, and he had lost much of his power years before. The child's mother had then pressed a crystal shard in his paw, and stepping back, she disappeared.

The crystal shard had reawakened and amplified Zaldon's magical powers. It took one year to build the island, to which they later brought the child. They kept her there in secret, taking turns to live on the island and care for her. Over the last five years, she had come to call them all Mother and Father each. She never spoke the words. But one day, she drew a picture of the four of them, with her names for each scribbled over their heads. Aliona was Mother. Kel was Father. Zaldon was Daddy.

The cub called Julyan her Mommy in the picture, which had made him cry. It seemed to Zaldon the older they became, the easier Julyan cried. He had insisted on staying behind in the sun village when Zaldon told him they were finally going to give the girl back to her parents. He couldn't stand to say goodbye to her, and neither could Aliona.

Aliona was crying. She was in the shallows playing with the child, splashing with her and trying to enjoy a few happy last moments. Her long gray mane was heavy with water, as was her soft blue shawl.

Kel bowed his head a moment and pushed his mane back from his face. "Aliona, honey . . . please don't cry. I love her too. We all love her."

Aliona sniffled and held the cub close. "It's not r-right. How could her mother abandon her - leave her in our care - only to snatch her aw-way!" She suddenly sobbed hard, and the little cub in her arms frowned and touched her face. Aliona nuzzled the girl. "Oh, I'm going to miss you, little one."

Kel sighed. "We're too old to care for her. It's for the best. Can you honestly see yourself chasing her around the house? My back would go out."

Zaldon chuckled softly.

Aliona ignored Kel. She looked in the little girl's eyes. They smiled at each other and rubbed noses.

She was a beautiful child, with large incredibly blue eyes, lush white fur, and a pink nose. She was very often solemn and thoughtful, gazing at the world around her with vacant eyes like glass. But if warmth was shown to her, she instantly came alive, giggling and tumbling and running like any normal child.

Her name was Estesi.

That's what her mother told Zaldon, anyway.

"I'm going to open the portal, Aliona," Zaldon said heavily. "Come here, my girl, and say farewell to me." So saying, he plucked a round stone from the sand. The sand on the island was pure white and sparkled in the sunlight like diamonds.

Little Estesi broke from Aliona's arms and ran to Zaldon with a grin on her face, long white mane streaming. Zaldon caught her in his arm and kissed her and scooped her up against his hip as Kel helped him to stand. Kel and Aliona crowded close, and they all hugged the girl and kissed her. And they cried. And she cried. Aliona did not want to let go, and Kel had to gently pry her away.

"If only she would s-speak," Aliona sobbed, wrapped in Kel's black arms.

Kel dropped his cheek on her mane and shushed her. "It's best, my Aliona. She will be fine. Perhaps we will see her again."

"Y-Yes," Aliona agreed, sniffling.

"Ready?" Zaldon said to them.

Kel looked down at Aliona, who nodded wretchedly against his chest.

Holding Estesi on his hip, Zaldon waded into the shallows until it knocked cold against his waist. Kel and Aliona followed behind.

The great white wolf looked at Estesi a last time, then kissed her hard on the cheek. She smiled sadly and stuck a finger in her mouth. Zaldon then looked out at the sea . . . and lightly tossed the round stone.

The smooth round stone bounced away across the water, leaving a splash of light with each strike. When it finally sank away in the distance, a circle of light unfolded, hovering just above the water. They watched as a silhouette stepped through the light.

The white silhouette stood waiting on the surface of the water.

"Well," said Zaldon hoarsely, "this is goodbye, my little one." He blinked through a sudden veil of tears and laughed when the child kissed his cheek.

"Oh," moaned Aliona wretchedly.

Zaldon took the girl by her waist and helped her to stand. He could see the brightness in her face, as if she knew exactly who had come for her. As soon as Zaldon had let her go, she grinned and ran across the surface of the water, leaving glowing tracks in her wake. The distant white silhouette crouched down, arms open in relief and joy. She flew into those arms. And they embraced.

"He will care for her," Kel assured Aliona lovingly.

"Oh, Kel," Aliona said impatiently. "He is just a child!"

Zaldon chuckled softly. "I was younger when I had my first child."

---

Aayan had never felt so complete in his life as when that little girl fell into his arms. And she fit there. She fit there so nicely.

They pulled back to look at each other. She was breathless and grinning. She was beautiful. He could see a little of Nizhoni in her face, but he was there as well. She had his eyes.

You're my daddy,_she said into his mind. _I dreamt of you.

I dreamt of you too, Aayan said, looking at her through a sudden veil of tears. I built a palace. Just for you.

She frowned. Why do you cry, Daddy?

Because I love you.

Her beautiful eyes crinkled up with girlish delight. I love you too, Daddy. I waited a long time for you, Daddy. Why did it take so long?

Never mind that now. I'm here, and I'll never go away. He took her paw and stood. Would you like to see your palace?

She grinned, peering up at him eagerly. Yes!

Paw in paw, the father and daughter stepped into the light. And the portal closed.

*The End *