by Reagan Woods
Chapter 50
Bram surveyed the base camp’s great room. There wasn’t a speck of dust on the classic stone tables. The cool green tile gleamed in the sunlight. White and green couches carried the jungle theme inside without looking drab or dated.
Lacy had ruthlessly scrubbed the place and he was quietly pleased by the results. His female and their home made him proud. They had something here, together, that no one could take from them.
“Lacy, this is Tivio,” he introduced, pulling her to stand when their guests joined them. “And this is his mate, Miska.”
Boldly, Miska stepped forward to greet Lacy. A handsome female, for a Corian, she dwarfed his little Earther. Miska extended a hand and Lacy’s eyes bulged from her head. “Hello,” Miska’s Doranese was flawless.
“Oh shit.” Lacy mumbled in English as she took a stumbling step back. Then, in Doranese she said, “You’re the Corian queen.” It seemed the reconditioners had imparted some correct information to the Earthers, after all.
Miska didn’t look like a queen right now. She still had streaks of violet mud at her temples and caked beneath her fingernails. Bram wasn’t particularly enamored of the idea that his father was the rightful king of Corian Space, but he heartily approved of Tivio’s taste in females.
Like his Lacy, Miska was tough. The elder female hadn’t uttered a single protest when he’d stuffed her in the shuttle’s auxiliary storage without food or water for two days. She’d kept her head when they landed in the mountains and she’d been determined to keep up on the trek through the dangerous jungle.
Squaring her shoulders, Miska inclined her head graciously as Lacy found her courage and stepped forward to take her hand in a firm grip. “I am. It’s good to meet you, Lacy.”
“Is it?” Lacy asked, auburn head cocked to the side. “It seems to me this has to be awkward for you.” She gestured vaguely around. “And Bram’s – er – contact mentioned that you weren’t in power any longer?” Frowning, she chewed her bottom lip and turned to Tivio. “What kind of shit show have you brought to our door?”
This wasn’t the way Bram had envisioned this meeting going. Yet, Lacy’s questions were valid. He’d been so focused on Sesk’aa’s mission - and absorbing the identity of his father - that he hadn’t thought past returning home to Lacy. The whole thing seemed like a bad dream.
Tivio frowned down at Lacy. To her credit, she didn’t appear intimidated by the seven-foot tall behemoth Corian. She fisted her hands on her hips and glared right back at the ex-most powerful male in the universe. “You’ve lost control of the supposed ‘most stable alliance in history,’ and you’ve come – here? Have you lost your mind?”
Miska stepped between Lacy and Tivio, giving the latter a quelling look. “We’re out of options. This little rebellion – something that should have been easily quashed, mind you – has stretched on for several months. My brother, Councilor Darkan, and his followers have hijacked the Council and the Warriors for their own gain.”
Bram thumbed his ear thoughtfully. “My Lady,” he drew Miska’s attention to himself. “Are you telling me that you no longer have control of Earth and the Warriors there?” That was alarming. The Warriors led by General Darvan were known to be the fiercest fighters the universe over. If someone had raised a force strong enough to defeat them…
Tivio spoke finally, forestalling Miska’s answer. “We don’t know what’s happened to General Darvan’s armada. Presumably, the Council has made an example of Darvan and his mate by now. They planned to jail Princess Arianna until she birthed her daughters, last I heard.”
“Now, though,” Miska added. “We don’t know what to think. If the Council had Darvan and Arianna, why would they pursue us so doggedly?”
Brow furrowed, Bram mulled over their words. Princess Arianna? Darvan mated his Earther Captive? Interesting. Lacy didn’t appear to pick up on that. She seemed more concerned with the fact things were in upheaval in the CORANOS Galactic Alliance.
“I’m hearing you say you’ve been running for your lives to the exclusion of anything else – like raising an army and fighting,” Lacy paced, tapping a finger on her lower lip.
“It’s not that simple,” Tivio shot her a condescending look that had Bram shooting a warning glare of his own.
“Interrupt much?” Lacy rolled her eyes and made an impatient face. “I wasn’t finished,” she said dryly. “I’m guessing your contacts, the people you’ve called in favors from, are only finding out about the – er – issues in Corian Space because you’re telling them. So, their information isn’t as up-to-date as yours.”
“That is accurate,” Tivio agreed grudgingly, crossing his bulging arms across his chest and squinting as though Lacy were an interesting bug and he couldn’t decide if he wanted to squash her or not.
“I’m guessing you know Vank is – or was, anyway – alive?” Lacy turned to Miska.
Miska’s hand fluttered over heart and she pulled at the ill-fitting black top she wore. “We know that now. Thanks to Bram.”
“What happened to your younger sons?” Lacy asked with a frown. “Where are they?”
She was all over the place with her questions, but Bram knew this was Lacy’s way of learning and understanding. The relentless need to complete whatever picture she saw in her head would drive her until she had the information she needed to process. He’d seen her like this time and again. Her process worked.
“We had trusted people smuggle them to our allies when we realized what was happening,” Tivio answered stiffly. “We have no way of knowing if they made it,” he added after a few beats.
“And you think Darkan still has Vank?” Lacy pressed, bare feet padding noiselessly as she continued to pace. She seemed relaxed and ready to give Tivio and Miska whatever time they needed – provided they answered her questions.
“Again, why would he need us if he had Vank?” Tivio asked impatiently. “The Council would only need the support of one member of our family to legitimize them.”
“Interesting,” Lacy nodded thoughtfully. “Well, lover?” She turned to him, completely ignoring the Corian couple. “What do you think? Can you contact Darvan without drawing attention to us here?”
Hand going to the back of his neck, Bram eyed his clever female. “If we can find an appropriate relay system, I think so. That is – if they’re still using the same com codes.”
“It’s the best idea I’ve heard yet.” Miska clapped her hands daintily. “What say you, Tivio?” She turned to her mate.
Slowly, Tivio nodded. “I agree the idea has merit.”
“That puts a lot on your shoulders, Bram.” Lacy continued to speak to him as though he was the only person that mattered. “You’ll have three of us who must stay hidden to feed, clothe and house and we’re about to go into the rainy season. No money coming in means tightening our belts considerably. How can we afford to build something that can transmit across the universe? And are you certain this is something you want to take on?”
“We’ll give you access to all the credits we have squirreled away throughout the systems,” Miska volunteered, listening avidly. “And, if it helps, we will do whatever manual labor we must.” The lines of strain around her eyes lifted at the prospect of contacting her eldest son.
Bram turned to Lacy, trusting her to take the lead. His former ties to the Warriors that might still be alive in the Earth system, the unresolved anger he held for Vank – for something that legitimately might not have been Vank’s doing, and the inexplicable need to please his biological parents, terrible as they were, made his judgement cloudy. He was invested in ways he didn’t like to admit. A cooler head than his was called for.
Slowly, she nodded. “We aren’t doing this for you,” she told Tivio. “Well, I’m not. I’m doing it because I’ve seen what else is out there. If Earth must be under alien rule, non-cannibals are my preference.” She gave a whole-body shudder. “But, if any further harm comes to my people through you and yours, you can bet
your ass that I will find you. And you will pay,” she finished darkly.
Chapter 51
“That was not my finest moment,” Lacy told Bram that night as they lay panting together on their soft, soft bed.
“I beg to differ.” He smiled a self-satisfied smile and rolled onto his back, pulling her atop him. “Any time you ride my cock like that, it has been – if not your finest moment, then mine.”
She snort-giggled and buried her face in the crook of his neck. “Not that. This morning and the whole threatening Tivio thing. Not smart.”
“Not necessarily stupid, either.” His fingers combed soothingly through her damp hair. “It might have been a genius move – however inadvertent.”
Propping her elbow on his shoulder, she hovered over his face and grinned at the backhanded comment. “That’s high praise. Tell me more about my accidental ‘non-stupidity’.”
“Tivio is accustomed to being in command. Power is his birthright. He needed a reminder that the status quo hasn’t worked out,” Bram explained, leaning up to place a kiss on her nose. She figured it was by way of apology for his next words. “In his world, you are the lowest of the low because you Earthers were conquered – and you spoke unvarnished truth.”
“Earthers didn’t even know freaking aliens existed,” Lacy shot back heatedly. “Since Tivio isn’t dumb, I’m going to assume he’s always known power doesn’t come free. He still got ousted and by his own family, no less. Who’s the real loser here? I don’t think its me.”
“Fine point,” Bram conceded. “Fine point indeed. I wonder when Miska and Tivio would have decided to stop running and analyze the situation if you hadn’t forced it on them today.”
“I wonder if they would have stopped and thought if I hadn’t said something,” Lacy said with heavy sarcasm.
“Eh,” Bram protested with a tug at his ear. He folded his muscled arms beneath his head and got comfortable. “Tivio isn’t weak and he isn’t stupid. There must be more to the situation, something he isn’t saying. His mate is head-strong and likes power but she’s not a bad person…” he trailed off, clearly deep in thought.
“What do you think is going on?” In her heart of hearts, she was unimpressed with the Corian couple. They’d overseen the invasion of Earth then turned around and lost hold of their own home system. Yet, she couldn’t bring herself to outright trash the pair to Bram. He already knew she didn’t like his mother. Hating on his parents didn’t seem like the best way to build a lasting relationship.
“I don’t know,” Bram admitted with a frustrated sigh. “I wish they hadn’t involved us.”
“You repaid Sesk’aa,” Lacy pointed out reasonably. This had been bothering her all day. “We could just send the D’Corians on their way. Why didn’t you suggest that?”
Slowly, he sat and pulled her up next to him. Taking her hands in his, he looked directly in her eyes. “Vank,” he said.
Lacy waited. She’d spent so much time alone lately that she’d come to appreciate silence for its ability to pull the truth out of a person. Eventually, lack of distraction forced one to face reality.
“When I thought he’d betrayed me, I was angry. Angry and hurt because he was my best friend. Now, I find out he’s my brother and he might have left me to die – not out of malice – but under duress.” His eyes scoured her face. In them, she saw a plea for understanding.
Lacy nodded noncommittally, urging him to continue.
“The question, the possibility that my friend is in danger, makes me want to find him and help,” Bram admitted.
“What about us?” She pressed, a hand rubbing soothingly over the slight curve of her belly. “Were you planning to just leave me here while you run off to play hero?”
“Lacy, I won’t go until I know what I’m walking into, I promise. However, the time will come when I must leave.” His tone wasn’t defensive, it was quiet, determined. The lack of heat in his words told her he’d made up his mind. He was going to find Vank.
Her throat constricted as she tried to swallow down her disappointment.
Shaking her head, Lacy pulled her hands from his. “I’m not doing this with you. If you won’t take me, you’ll have to send me back to Earth.”
His sharp intake of breath told her he hadn’t anticipated her reaction. “I can’t do that. I won’t,” he said vehemently. “You’re mine, Lacy, and you belong here, in my home.”
“You’re wrong, Bram,” she denied, acid churning through her stomach. Anger and nerves warred for the upper hand. “If I’m yours, I belong with you. Otherwise, I’ll take my chances in my own home.”
“Months ago, I explained that you can’t go back to Earth,” he protested, reaching for her again.
“Months ago, you didn’t have access to the funds the D’Corians squirreled away for a rainy day,” Lacy corrected with a tight smile that didn’t reach her eyes. She let him grab hold of her upper arms, she didn’t shrug him off, but she finished out the thought. “You do now. In fact, I bet they’d love to finance my return to Earth. Someone needs to report on the situation there. It might as well be me.”
Lacy made a mental note to talk to Miska about her idea. If Bram wasn’t staying on Cuva, neither was Lacy. The Corian queen seemed a likely ally to help her return to Earth. Miska wanted to know what had happened to Darvan, that much was obvious every time his name was mentioned.
“Absolutely not!” Bram exploded, getting to his feet and fuming down at her. “That’s unacceptable.”
Clenching her fists, she pushed forward to stand toe-to-toe with him. Her anger was like a living thing, churning around and mixing up the icy fear inside her. “But it’s fine for you to run off, abandoning me and this kid, to risk life and limb for some over-privileged douche. Newsflash: that shit ain’t gonna fly.”
Bram’s eyes went round, his callused palms came up to cradle her face with tenderness. “Lacy, I would never abandon you or our child,” he murmured. “Never. I will always come back to you.”
“When?” She demanded, voice thick with tears as she jerked away from his touch. No, she wouldn’t cry. Not tonight. Tonight, she would be strong and draw her line. No matter how much she wanted to break. “After you’ve found your friend? Or avenged his death? Or fought a war to reinstate his family? You’d do all this for a man who probably doesn’t deserve your friendship? Because the father you share, he sure doesn’t seem too interested in fighting for you or him.” Bitterness coated her words.
It threw her when he didn’t argue, silently acknowledging her many good points. “This isn’t exactly how I saw our life together, either, you know,” his voice was low, earnest. “I wanted to hide out here with you forever.”
“Why can’t we do that?” Lacy’s anger deflated a bit at the yearning she saw in his eyes. He moved closer and pulled her tightly against him. She turned to rest her head on his broad chest, wrapping her arms around his solid body. “I love you. To me, you’re everything, and I’m right here. Why do you have to put yourself at risk for people who think of you as ‘less than’?”
Deep inside, she already knew the answer. This man who wouldn’t allow her to die on a pirate ship and had faced the priests on Xani, nearly giving his life to prevent someone from taking hers, was loyal.
“I’m not made that way,” Bram picked her up bodily, hugging her close and burying his nose in the top of her head. “I can’t just walk away from my friend.”
That fierce loyalty was one of the things she loved so much about him. Now, she prayed it wouldn’t get him killed.
Chapter 52
Standing at a butcher station, Tivio hacked at the thick boshin hide while Bram looked on. They were in the slaughterhouse, handling the morning’s kill. Over the past days, the two had worked double time to stock the base camp with food and supplies. Some of the meat they smoked and kept but most went for trade. With so many mouths to feed, life on Cuva was getting expensive.
The Corian, his alleged father, was not without skill in
the art of the hunt. Many wealthy Corians came to Cuva for such diversions, so Bram felt comfortable taking Tivio deep into the jungle with him until news of the coup spread. Miska, however, was another story. As the controversial queen, she was too recognizable even in Doranos Space. She stayed at the base camp during the soggy days.
Despite his hunting abilities, Tivio lacked finesse when it came to butchery. No matter, he needed to learn. It was paramount the Corians pulled their weight at the base camp, so Bram could split his focus between laying in supplies for the wet season and building a workaround for Cuva’s limited interstellar communications system. It was a challenge the likes of which he’d never faced. This should be interesting.
He understood from his brief contact with Sesk’aa that she had tapped into her vast network of contacts to seek information on Vank and his whereabouts. Until he heard from her, there was nothing he could do for his friend and brother.
“Don’t stab at the meat.” He couldn’t tolerate Tivio’s wasted energy any longer. “You’ll exhaust yourself before you finish the task.” Grabbing a skinning knife, Bram stepped in and demonstrated. “There is a very thin membrane between the muscle and the hide. You must find it and run your knife directly along the barrier.” The dark green hide slid off the beast’s flank in thick pieces. “Keep your knife sharp,” he recommended, pointing to a nearby whet stone. “Choose care over speed.”
Tivio tried again, the thick muscles of his brown and black striped arms straining with the effort. He’d stripped his shirt off and was covered in the boshin’s blood. “Why don’t you do this with laser sharps?”