“What?” Lynx asked.
“Where?” Shiloh demanded.
Jannike snickered and scratched Royal’s tummy. He did a happy dance and stretched to give her better access.
Ry helped his mate stand. “I believe that is Earth humor. I don’t understand it half the time.”
“I want to speak with Camryn,” Jannike said. “In private.”
“We will fall back,” Lynx promised.
Jannike rolled her eyes at Camryn. “I know how that works.”
Camryn stroked Royal on the head and linked her arm with Jannike’s. “We are going to visit with Gweneth and Kaya. We will be discussing female things, and there is no reason for any of you boys to stand within hearing range. We will be gone for five mins then we are going to the galley because I am hungry. Is that clear?”
Ry sent Shiloh and Lynx a warning glance, which did nothing to dull their scowls. If anything they were becoming worse, and she never had a sec’s peace.
Camryn tugged on her arm, and Jannike followed her down the corridor. They met up with Kelvin again who pointed them in Kaya’s direction. When they knocked on Kaya’s cabin door, Camryn growled in distinct feline irritation.
“I can smell chocolate.” Camryn hammered on the door. “Kaya, I know you’re eating chocolate. You’re mean not sharing with a pregnant woman.”
“And a woman with male trouble,” Jannike added.
“Hey,” came a masculine voice. “We’re not trouble.”
“I see what you mean.” Camryn darted a look over her shoulder. “They’re like ticks. Let us in, Kaya. Now.”
“What’s all the noise about?” Gweneth asked, poking her head from an adjoining cabin. Her eyes narrowed. “I smell chocolate.”
Kaya’s door cracked open enough to reveal half her face, and even Jannike smelled chocolate. “What do you want?”
Camryn muscled past Kaya and Jannike, with Royal on her shoulder, and Gweneth followed in an avalanche of determination.
“No, not you,” Camryn ordered when Lynx and Shiloh attempted to seek entrance. “Shoo! Quick, shut the door. Kaya, do you have any Earth music? I feel like listening to country.”
“My cabin, my rules.” Kaya pushed several controls. “Rock and roll.”
“Even better,” Camryn said. “Quick, put on the music and give me some chocolate.”
“I don’t have much left.” Kaya shouted over the raucous wail of a male singer singing about not getting satisfaction. “I’m down to my last bar.”
“Don’t shout. We just needed some sound to play havoc with feline hearing. Did I mention I know how to make chocolate?” Camryn asked. “And other sweets like fudge and coconut ice. If we could find substitutes, we might be able to make our own versions.”
“Really?” Kaya cheered, then narrowed her gaze. “You better not be lying. I have knives and blasters and know how to use them.”
“Pooh, Ry won’t let you hurt me. Now hand over the chocolate and don’t be stingy. Don’t let Royal have any in case he’s allergic.”
“Why are you here?” Kaya asked, her tone sulky. She stalked over to a locker and pulled out the remains of a chocolate bar.
“Dark chocolate.” Jannike held out her hand. “My favorite.”
Kaya divvied up the chocolate, and they munched in companionable silence.
“Jannike has a problem,” Camryn said.
“I knew two men would be too much for you to handle.” Kaya settled on her gel-bed. “Give me one. I don’t mind which.”
“I can handle them, but they won’t give me a min of peace. They follow me everywhere and treat me like a piece of breakable glass. I thought it would help if they saw me training, but now they insist on training with me, and they always hold back.”
“What about the sex?” Kaya asked. “That must be good, right? Oh, wait. Gweneth, you need to leave. You’re too young to hear this stuff.”
Gweneth tilted her chin and stayed right where she was. “I’m not leaving. Just because I haven’t experienced sex with a man doesn’t mean I don’t know stuff. Olivia suggested I buy a vibrator before I left Earth, and I’ve been experimenting.”
They all gaped at Gweneth who had her chin stuck in the air and wasn’t even blushing.
“Should she be doing that?” Kaya asked Camryn.
Camryn chuckled. “Go you!”
“Olivia is a bad influence.” Kaya’s lips twitched in the beginnings of a grin. “I wonder how my brother is coping with her staying with him. Knowing Olivia’s sense of humor, he’s probably tearing out his hair.”
“Never mind Olivia,” Jannike said. Olivia was their friend Amme’s sister-in-law. She’d stowed away on the Indy when they left Earth and sent Ry’s blood pressure soaring. “We’re doing lots of touching, but they’re careful with me.”
Camryn sobered. “You’ve been through a lot. I imagine they’re thinking long term and want to make certain you’re sure of them.”
“I’m ready for more sex. It’s different—” Jannike broke off and started pacing, unable to remain still. Her hands curled to fists at her sides. “They don’t scare me, but their hovering is working my last nerve. They never leave me alone. You manage to escape Ry. At least sometimes.”
“Not often,” Camryn said. “And not since he learned we’re having a child.”
Jannike slipped her hand beneath her tunic and scratched her stomach. “I’m tired of this accursed itchiness too. It never stops.”
Camryn gestured with a raised hand. “Lift your tunic and let me see.”
Jannike did a twirl and the three women surveyed the dark patches on her stomach and back.
“Hmm,” Camryn said.
Jannike tugged her tunic back into place. “What does that mean?”
“My itching didn’t go away until I’d accepted the mating. Tell your men you’re ready to go all the way.”
Jannike resumed her pacing. “But that won’t stop them trying to protect me. I’m used to looking after myself, protecting others. People don’t bodyguard me.”
“I could do with time to myself,” Camryn mused. “A few cycle segments where I don’t have Mr. Broody hovering. I know what to do. We’ll start a ladies club. It will be for several segments—maybe an afternoon where we can get together without the men and do whatever we like.”
“Good luck with that.” Kaya popped a square of chocolate into her mouth.
“Gimme,” Camryn said, holding out her hand.
Kaya sighed and broke off squares for them all. She placed the last two squares in her mouth, closed her eyes and moaned.
Fists hammered on Kaya’s cabin door.
“What’s wrong?” a male shouted. Jannike thought it was Shiloh.
“Let’s go to the galley,” Camryn said. “Let them follow if they want. I have a plan to keep the males busy. If we do this right, we can keep them distracted for several cycles, chasing their tails. Take my cue. Gweneth, you remember what a mouse looks like?”
“Yes, but I don’t understand.”
“Don’t worry. This will be fun.” Camryn leaned nearer to Gweneth to whisper in her ear. She pulled away, a wide grin in place. “Let’s go.”
Gweneth opened the door and glared at Shiloh and Lynx. “There is no need to shout.”
“We were worried,” Lynx said. “What is that horrid wailing?”
Shiloh peered into Kaya’s cabin, searching all four corners with a sweep of his gaze. “We thought someone was dying.”
Jannike snorted a laugh. “Earth music. Camryn likes it.”
They were behaving in the same manner as Ry had when Camryn had joined the Indy. Bossy. Demanding. Sexy and even cute, but oh so irritating. Jannike stalked past them, her nose in the air.
As much as she craved their bodies and enjoyed their company, she couldn’t spend the rest of her life fighting for personal freedom. She had to make a stand now, show them she meant to stand at their sides and not behind them like a good little woman.
“Jannike,
would you like to take a walk with us?” Shiloh asked.
“I—”
Camryn dug her in the ribs with a pointy elbow.
Right. Their plan. “No, thank you.”
“Why not?” Shiloh demanded. “Oomph.”
Jannike bit back a smirk. Lynx owned a pointy elbow too. They’d have to compare injuries later.
“Oh, Gweneth.” Camryn came to a halt. “Your cabin is nearest. I’m feeling cold. Do you have a wrap I can borrow?”
“Sure. I’ll get it. Don’t wait. I’ll meet you in the galley.” Gweneth skipped away and disappeared into her cabin.
“I’m starved.” Camryn rubbed her belly.
“But you ate not long ago,” Lynx said.
“I need food.” Camryn’s hostile tone made the two males exchange glances. “Jannike, you can help me.”
They entered the galley and found Nanu spooning up some sort of soup.
“Hey, Kaya,” he said. “Ry wondered if you could spell him. He wanted to check on Camryn.”
“Sure.”
A low growl erupted from Camryn.
A scream rippled down the corridor, the sound of running footsteps. “A mouse!” Gweneth screeched. “I saw a m-mouse. It w-was s-sitting in my wrap. It ran over my foot.”
Camryn screamed. “God, did it jump in your pocket? I can’t stand the things.” She darted behind Jannike. “Check her pockets.”
“What’s wrong?” Ry asked. “Kaya, I’ve put the ship on auto-control. You’d better take over.” He drew Camryn from behind Jannike and tugged his mate into his arms. “You’re shaking. What is it?”
Gweneth let out another shriek, so convincing the hair at the back of Jannike’s neck prickled. “There it is. There. There!” She moaned and dropped to the floor.
“I didn’t see anything,” Lynx said.
“It’s a mouse,” Camryn shrieked and raced to stand on top of the nearest chair. “I’m not coming down until you get rid of the creature. You’re a cat. Do something.” She glared at each of the men in turn. “Catch the thing.”
Gweneth stirred, let out another shriek and shuddered. “Good idea.” She scrambled on top of another chair, but Jannike beat her to it.
“They carry disease,” Jannike said. “And have beady eyes.” She made shooing motions with her hands. “Go. Go. Shut the door after you and don’t come back until you’ve caught the thing.”
“Goddess.” Gweneth moaned. “It’s eaten a hole in my favorite wrap.”
“How did it get on the Indy?” Ry asked.
“How am I meant to know? It must’ve sneaked on board with the supplies. They’re not stupid. They seek out warm places.”
“If I find out you brought a pet mouse on board, Gweneth, so help me, I’ll spank you. Smuggling Olivia on board was bad enough.” Ry speared a suspicious look at Gweneth.
“Innocent,” Gweneth snapped. “I didn’t bring it here. Do I look stupid? They have beady eyes.”
Jannike bit her bottom lip and tried to look worried and keep her laugh at bay. Gweneth had blossomed since she’d joined the Indy. The feline girl made an excellent actress.
Camryn huffed out an impatient breath. “For goodness sake. Stop standing there like big dolts. Do something!”
“It ran down the corridor,” Gweneth said, her hands fluttering.
“Shut the door,” Jannike directed. “Please, we don’t want it in here.”
“Come on.” Ry’s voice held disgust. “We’ll shift to feline. It shouldn’t take long to hunt it down.”
“What’s a mouse?” Shiloh asked. “Do they bite?”
The three feline males stalked out, and the door slid shut behind them. Jannike promptly climbed down from her chair and went to help Camryn who wasn’t as agile these cycles.
“Have they gone?” Gweneth asked.
“I can’t hear them.” Camryn straightened her tunic. “Nanu, can you check to see if they’re out of sight?”
“What’s going on?” he asked. “I didn’t see a mouse, and I was looking the same direction as Gweneth.”
“Neither did we,” Camryn said cheerfully. “But if you tell them that, I’ll think up a fitting punishment. You will rue the cycle you tattled.”
Chapter Eighteen
“It’s so peaceful,” Camryn said several cycle segments later. “I wonder if they’ve found anything yet.”
Nanu shook his head hard enough for his beads to clack. “You girls fight dirty.”
“They deserve it.” Jannike didn’t have any sympathy for the beleaguered male felines. “How much longer until we get to Viros?”
“Not long. I’ve located a gate that will get us there much quicker than we originally estimated. All the readings show it’s stable. I’ll know better once we get through the gate, but I’m thinking about five cycles.”
“That would be brilliant,” Jannike said. “I’m ready for some down time without any excitement.”
“Can we make some of those brownie things?” Gweneth asked.
“Sure,” Camryn said. “I think there is one box of mix left. You can make them. I’ll be here if you need help. You’ll need to use the powdered egg stuff too.”
The scent of chocolate and baking soon filled the galley. Gweneth made them a big pot of tea, another thing from their precious Earth stores.
Jannike sniffed appreciatively. “It reminds me of Christmas. Do you think they celebrate special days on Viros?”
A tap sounded on the other side of the door.
Camryn sighed. “Sounds as if our peace is over for today.”
“That mouse has probably produced offspring since it’s been on board,” Jannike said. “The Indy will be full of the creatures.”
Another tap sounded, this one holding more impatience.
Camryn prowled over and cracked the door open. “Did you find it?”
“Let us in,” Ry snapped. “We’ve searched everywhere. Didn’t hear so much as a squeak. We couldn’t find a scent trail either, which is most odd.”
“What is that smell?” Lynx asked.
“Brownies,” Camryn said. “You’ll have to look for the mouse again tomorrow. I won’t be able to sleep a wink until it’s caught.”
Jannike shuddered. “Horrid things.”
“I need a drink.” Ry’s dark hair stood on end as if he’d run his hand through it repeatedly. “Camryn is there any of that whiskey left?”
“But I can’t drink,” she said.
“I’ll make you a hot chocolate,” Gweneth offered. “There’s enough for one more. Where are Kelvin and Mogens? They should eat brownies too. You.” She poked Shiloh in the chest. “Go and tell them to come for a brownie. And make sure you shut the door after you. I don’t want that mouse in here.”
A chuckle burst from Jannike and she slapped her hand over her mouth, her gaze snapping to Lynx. His eyes were twinkling, and she was pretty sure that if Shiloh’s mouth hung open any longer the imaginary mouse might decide to make itself at home. People didn’t give him orders. After a low grumble, he departed and arrived back in short order with Mogens and Kelvin in tow.
The rest of the cycle was more peaceful, and Jannike helped Gweneth make a meal for them all.
They reminisced about their visit to Earth, and Lynx and Shiloh told them more about Viros.
“Who lives in the castle?” Gweneth asked.
“The king and queen. The princes and the staff.”
“Do they have balls?” Gweneth asked.
“Yes,” Lynx said.
“Have you been to a ball at the castle?” Camryn asked.
“Yes,” Shiloh answered. “Is there more of the pie? That was delicious.”
“Do you have pies on Viros?” Kaya asked.
Jannike listened to the conversation, content to let the others ask the questions. Instead she thought about the coming eve. It was time. She wanted to commit to the two felines, but first…
“Ry?” Nanu buzzed through on the internal ship communicator. “There’s a sh
ip approaching.”
“Be there in a sec,” Ry said.
Jannike stood.
Lynx waved Jannike back to her seat. “Stay there. We’ll go with Ry.”
“You stay,” Jannike snapped. “I’m second-in-command and it’s my job. You’re guests.” And she marched after Ry without waiting for an answer.
“Watch out for the mouse,” Gweneth shouted after her.
Jannike grinned and hustled to the bridge.
“Report, Nanu.” Ry peered at the instrument panel.
“They’re maintaining radio silence. I’ve commed the ship but they’re ignoring me. We haven’t seen any ships since we left Manx One.”
Jannike strapped in and studied the instruments. Ry did the same.
“Hail them again. Tell them to identify themselves.”
“Can we come onto the bridge?” Lynx asked.
“Strap in,” Ry said. “Shields up.”
“Already done. I didn’t like their silence.”
“That looks like a Cawdor ship,” Shiloh spoke. “I didn’t think we were that close to Viros and Gramite.”
“We traveled through a gate earlier this eve,” Nanu said. “By my reckoning we’re about five cycles from Viros.”
“They’re getting ready to fire,” Jannike warned, her gaze on the instruments. “What the hellfire are those things coming out from the side of their ship?”
Lynx cursed. “That is a Cawdor ship. Those are boarding talons. A Cawdor invention.”
“Hail the ship,” a voice came over their comm. “Power down your weapons. We intend to board.”
“Fire, Jannike,” Ry said in a calm voice. “A warning shot to show them what they’re up against.”
Jannike aimed, fired.
Lynx let out a whistle.
“Phrull,” Shiloh said. “Good shooting.”
“Again,” Ry ordered when the Cawdor ship kept advancing. “Nanu, evasive action.”
“Aye, Captain,” Nanu said.
“Aye, Captain,” Jannike said.
The Indy tilted without warning. Lynx fell against a control panel, cursed and Shiloh grabbed him before he damaged something.
“Strap in,” Ry barked.
Bright light seared her retinas. Jannike blinked, waited a fraction until she could see again and fired off two quick shots.
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