“It’s understandable,” she said as he leaned down to kiss her. “You’re getting better at these senseless random acts of affection,” she murmured, stroking his face.
“You make it easy,” he said, resting his forehead against hers for a moment before helping her to her feet.
“Something’s bothering you, Dzinae,” he said when they were halfway through their coffee. “I can feel it.”
“Not bothering me, exactly. I want to talk to you about Kusac’s message,” she said, deciding to meet him head on.
Kaid immediately sat back in his chair, his face taking on an impenetrable look as the mental link they shared began to recede.
“Before you say no, just hear me out,” she began.
“I don’t need to. I know what you think, and you know how I feel. There’s nothing left to say,” he said, keeping his tone carefully neutral.
“But I need to talk to you about it, Tallinu. Since Kusac left, I’ve respected your feelings. It’s time you respected mine.”
He said nothing, just continued to look at her.
“I’m convinced that there’s a hidden meaning in the message he left me. Something he didn’t want anyone but me to discover.”
“Then you don’t need me to look at it. You’re clutching at straws, Carrie. There’s no message hidden there.”
“I need a fresh perspective on it, Tallinu.”
“No, you don’t. You want me to believe what you do,” he said, his tone hardening. “Face up to reality, Carrie. Kusac left because his mind and his nervous system were badly damaged by his captivity on the Kz’adul. He’s not completely sane, no matter what Kzizysus and Annuur did to try and cure him. He’s gone missing for the same reason the freed Valtegan captives did in Rezac’s time: to return to his jailers. He’ll turn up at the Prime world eventually.”
“He’s been missing for nearly nine weeks now, Tallinu. No one’s seen him, not even the Watchers.”
“He’ll turn up eventually,” Kaid repeated.
“What if he can’t? Or he’s afraid to because the Forces and the Brotherhood are looking for him for disrupting the spaceport and taking the Couana?” She couldn’t bring herself to name the charges he faced.
“He wasn’t afraid enough to stay away from Haven when he went there to get the Venture. If he wants to get in touch with you, he will. What he did was unforgivable, Carrie,” he said, his voice becoming tense. “He came out to my home and started a row with me over you only days before the cub was due! You were so distraught I thought you were going to go into labor there and then. What he accused me of is best never mentioned again! And to cap it all, several days later, just as you’ve given birth to the twins, he disrupts all communications, sensors, and tracking equipment at the spaceport and steals the Touibans’ ship, once again leaving you distraught, and himself facing treason charges.”
She winced in real pain. “You said it yourself; he isn’t well. The message crystal could be his way of getting in touch with us, of asking for help.”
“He could have got that help at Haven! Instead he headed out again into deep space! He’s the one who purposely cut himself off from us all, Carrie.”
“That’s just what I’m saying. His behavior doesn’t make sense, Tallinu. Please watch the message again.” She tried hard to keep the pleading tone out of her voice.
“I’ve watched it once, that’s enough. Granted he apologized to you, but there was no apology for me in it. As far as I’m concerned, the matter’s closed, Carrie.”
“Dammit, why do you have to be so bloody obstinate?” she demanded angrily. “Why can’t you see that this whole business stinks? He was pleased we were moving to your home because we’d be closer to him at Stronghold! Why did he suddenly change his mind and start a fight with you about it?”
“No,” he said harshly, getting up. “He’s done it before. At the Warriors’ Guild, he picked a fight with me in front of the M’zullian students.”
“And almost immediately collapsed with a brain fever! He wasn’t himself then either; he was ill!” she said, anger giving way to exasperation.
“He’s still ill, we agree on that, but he doesn’t want to be helped. I told you, until he apologizes to me, I’ll have nothing to do with him, and I don’t want to talk about this again! I’ve got the nursery furniture to finish moving. I’ll see you later.”
As he turned to go, Carrie’s wrist comm buzzed.
“Yes?” she asked, answering it as Kaid hesitated to see what it was about.
“The Rryuk Matriarch is at the Gatehouse, Clan Leader, demanding to see you and Giyesh. What do you want me to do?” asked Ni’Zulhu.
Carrie threw an anxious glance at Kaid. “Escort her here, of course. Give us fifteen minutes at least, Ni’Zulhu.”
“You get Zhala to arrange food and drinks, I’ll get Nyan to fetch a couple of youths from the village to finish moving the furniture,” said Kaid, their argument immediately forgotten. “I’ll also call Giyesh and Jeran, then tell T’Chebbi.”
She nodded and, getting up, headed into the inner kitchen where Zhala, their cook, reigned. She’d heard the Matriarch was on Shola at the Governor’s Palace, but hadn’t expected her to come here. The impromptu visit worried her and she hoped that there wouldn’t be trouble for Giyesh and Jeran, and the cub they’d managed to have despite their species’ differences. It was because of their love for each other that the young U’Churian female had been expelled from her family in the first place.
Zhala, with the help of one of the younglings from the village, was busy at the central wooden table, packing a savory filling between the sides of an extremely large, green-skinned fish.
“Zhala, the Leader of the Rryuk family is paying us an unexpected visit. Can you organize some appropriate drinks and snacks for us, please?” She stepped closer to see the fish better.
“That’s a Valtegan fish, isn’t it? One of the new imports from K’oish’ik, their home world.”
“Yes, Liege. Did you forget Prince Zsurtul arrives today? I’ll have to call Mistress Rhyasha’s cook to find out what the U’Churians like,” she said. “We haven’t got anything for them in the kitchen data banks yet.”
“Oh, my God!” said Carrie, putting her hand to her forehead and closing her eyes in distress. “I’d completely forgotten about him! When does he arrive?”
Zhala looked at the wall clock. “In an hour, Liege.”
“Nothing’s ready for him, and the Matriarch will be here in about ten minutes!” She suddenly turned pale and grabbed at the back of the nearest chair for support. “T’Chebbi’s gone into labor!”
“Has she?” asked the other female, mouth opening in a smile. “Master Kaid will be pleased, and yourself no doubt.”
“But we’ve got guests coming!” moaned Carrie, panicking. “What on Earth am I going to do with them? Kaid must be with T’Chebbi and I promised I would be, too!”
“Sister T’Chebbi could be hours yet, Liege, you should know that,” she said, finishing her task and walking over to the sink to clean her hands under the faucet. “Don’t you fret. Zhaddi, pull the chair out for our Liege.”
“Kaid says the pains are so close it won’t be very long,” said Carrie, sitting down gratefully. Through Kaid, she was aware of how much pain T’Chebbi was in. “The backache she had this morning must have been them starting!”
“Zhaddi, go to my office and call up Liegena Kitra, and her husband, Dzaka. Tell them T’Chebbi’s gone into labor and they’re needed here as we’ve got guests arriving in ten minutes,” Zhala ordered, coming back to the table and picking up the prepared fish. “Then call Ruth, tell her what’s happened and ask her to send over anyone she can spare. I need at least two people to lend a hand here.”
The youngling nodded and, easing his way past Carrie, headed out the back door to Zhala’s tiny office.
“You go to Master Kaid and T’Chebbi, Liege. Kitra and Dzaka can entertain the Matriarch and the Prince.”
“I can’t leave them alone with her, she wants to see Giyesh as well. They haven’t the authority to deal with the Rryuk Family, let alone the experience,” said Carrie worriedly. If the Matriarch started demanding that Giyesh return with her to Home, it would need delicate handling, especially because Giyesh had only given birth a week before and was still prone to be very overemotional.
“Then call Mistress Rhyasha,” said Zhala calmly, opening the oven door and loading the fish into it. “As I understand it, Giyesh is officially a member of her Clan not yours, therefore it’s her place to deal with the Matriarch.”
“You’re right,” she said, relief flooding through her as she got to her feet. “I’ll call Rhyasha.” She stopped at the door and turned back to Zhala. “Thank you for your common sense, Zhala.”
Zhala smiled at her, tilting her ears back. “When Clan Leader Rhyasha asked me to come here and be your cook, it wasn’t just because of my cooking skills, Liege,” she said, a purr of amusement in her voice. “I’ll see that Liegena Kitra manages until Mistress Rhyasha arrives, don’t you fret.”
Two hours later, leaving an exhausted but happy T’Chebbi nursing her newborn daughter in the infirmary, Carrie and Kaid headed back to the villa.
Nyan met them at the door, taking their coats and scarves.
“How’s it going?” Carrie asked quietly.
Nyan gave a slight smile. “I believe all is going well, Liege,” he said. “They brought the cub and as soon as the Matriarch saw him, she was all smiles.”
“What’s she like?” asked Kaid.
“Imposing,” was all Nyan would say as he disappeared with their coats.
Rhyasha is the most daunting person I’ve ever met, sent Kaid as he accompanied her to the main lounge. I don’t care who it is, no one will best her.
Except Konis, replied Carrie with a faint smile. I hope you’re right.
“Here’s my bond-daughter now, Syppesh,” said Rhyasha, as Kaid opened the door. “Carrie, my love, you must meet Syppesh Rryuk, Matriarch of the Rryuk Family. Her daughter is Giyesh’s mother.”
“An honor to meet you, Syppesh,” said Carrie, moving over to greet the elderly Matriarch sitting on the sofa beside Rhyasha.
Imposing she certainly was. Black-pelted as all U’Churians, her mane of dark hair surrounded her face in a series of formal waves. On the exposed forehead, she wore a narrow circlet of blue, decorated in red and gold, colors echoed in her long, heavily embroidered gown. Silver hoop earrings, two in each ear, caught the light. As she stretched her hand out to touch Carrie’s, she saw that Syppesh wore two rings on each hand.
“And this is Kaid Tallinu, my bond-son, Third to my son and bond-daughter.”
Kaid inclined his head, taking the Matriarch’s hand as Carrie moved aside to sit down next to Giyesh. She glanced round but could see no sign of the Prime Prince.
Zhala had Nyan take him to the kitchen when he arrived. He’s sitting by the stove chatting to her, filling himself with some of her fruit pastries, sent Rhyasha.
“An honor, Matriarch Syppesh,” Kaid murmured.
“You’re the one Tirak spoke of,” said Syppesh, holding onto his hand as she studied his face. “The one who held everyone together on the Kz’adul.” Her voice was deep and rich, the Sholan betraying only a trace of an accent.
“Not exactly,” he said as she let him go. “We worked together.”
She grunted. “Modest. I like that in a male. I came here to meet you all and find out why my granddaughter preferred a Sholan over one of her own kind.”
“And did you find out why?” he asked, raising an eye ridge.
Tallinu! sent Carrie, fighting to hide her smile.
“I hear you’ve just become a father for the second time in three months,” she said abruptly. “Must be catching. Something in the air on this estate, or the food, no doubt, since my granddaughter was similarly affected.”
“Cubs increase our Clan, Syppesh,” he replied, joining Carrie on the sofa. “They’re a blessing to everyone. I cherish all my children. You’ve met my son, Dzaka, I believe.”
Syppesh turned briefly to look at Dzaka.
“I’ve assured Syppesh that accidents like the one that resulted in Giyesh’s pregnancy are rare,” said Rhyasha smoothly. “Very few females have the strength of ability to help a female from another species, even one as closely related as ours, become pregnant the way Zashou helped Giyesh.”
“Absolutely,” Carrie agreed. “Zashou was only able to do it because she’d been affected by the la’quo on Jalna.”
“I’m glad to hear it,” said Syppesh, looking over at Giyesh as she sat beside Jeran cuddling her tiny cub. “But I still have the matter of her future to decide. My daughter is naturally most concerned. She, of course, wants Giyesh and her child to return with me.”
Damn! I’d hoped this would have been resolved by now, Carrie sent to Kaid.
Hush, cub, interrupted Rhyasha. It will be. Syppesh has agreed to spend tonight with me because of the weather. More snow storms are forecast. It isn’t safe for her to travel.
Sensing that Giyesh was about to object, Carrie put her hand warningly on the other’s arm. “Giyesh lives here, Syppesh,” she said. “She’s bonded to Jeran and has become a member of our Clan.”
“I understand she’s chosen him as her first mate, but . . .”
“Not first,” interrupted Carrie. “They life-bonded, and a marriage under Sholan law is legally binding throughout the Alliance worlds.”
Syppesh narrowed her eyes as she looked at Carrie. “She’s a member of your Family?”
“Not just her, but their child,” said Carrie. “We don’t accept people into our Clans lightly, Syppesh. When we do, it’s forever.”
“As I told you myself, Syppesh,” said Rhyasha gently. “Are you satisfied?”
Syppesh stood up suddenly, surprising them all. “I’m satisfied. My business here is done. Your husband and you will be welcome any time you wish to visit your birth Family, Giyesh. I’ll tell your mother that you will not be returning because you are well settled with your new one. See that you repay their commitment with the duty that you were so reluctant to give us. I’d not thought to find such strong Family loyalty to one of our people from two other species.”
“Yes, Grandmother,” stammered Giyesh, obviously taken aback by the Matriarch’s sudden decision.
I told you all would be well, sent Rhyasha, her mental tone full of gentle humor. We spoke before Giyesh and Jeran arrived. All she wanted was to be sure her granddaughter was happy and that our Clan system was as close as their Families are. You didn’t disappoint me, Carrie.
“Jeran, you can embrace me,” ordered the doughty female.
Ears back and tail tip flicking nervously, Jeran got up and approached the Matriarch. Happily for him, it was she who took him by the shoulders and held him close to her ample bosom before releasing him as Rhyasha rose to her feet.
“You take care of that great granddaughter of mine, Jeran Khesrey,” she said sternly. “And make sure I get regular updates on her. Giyesh is not the most communicative of my grandchildren.”
“Yes, absolutely, your—Liege,” he stammered, as taken aback as his mate.
“Shall we go, Rhyasha? I have to admit to being worn out by the journey here from your capital.”
“Certainly, Syppesh,” Rhyasha said. “I’ll take you in my aircar. Your pilot can follow us in yours. Good night, children,” she said, escorting Syppesh to the door. “My congratulations to you and T’Chebbi, Kaid. What are you calling your daughter, and is T’Chebbi well? The birth was very quick.”
“Rishu,” said Kaid, getting up. “T’Chebbi’s fine, but exhausted, obviously. Vanna said she’d been in labor since this morning but hadn’t realized it because she’d thought it was just her back paining her.”
“That’s not uncommon among our females,” nodded Syppesh as Rhyasha opened the lounge door.
Giyesh’s cub began to whimper gently. “We better leave
too,” she said, getting up as the door closed behind Rhyasha and her grandmother. “Shayal’s hungry. Thank you for speaking up for us, Carrie.”
“I did nothing much,” said Carrie as she and Kaid walked them to the door. “Rhyasha and your grandmother had worked it out before you arrived.”
“You still spoke up for us,” said Jeran. “And it was you and Kaid who suggested a way for us to join Rhyasha’s Clan.” His eye ridges creased in a frown. “Will it matter that you told her we were members of your Clan when we’re actually members of the Aldatan Clan?”
“We’re part of the Aldatan Clan, too,” Carrie reassured them as they went out into the hallway and waited for Nyan to bring them their coats.
When they’d left, Carrie leaned tiredly against Kaid. “I suppose we’d better head for the kitchen and Zsurtul now,” she sighed. “I wonder what brought him here. He wouldn’t tell me, said he needed to speak to me in person.”
“From the way today’s gone so far, it won’t be something minor, we can bet on that,” said Kaid, wrapping an arm round her shoulders.
“They want me to go home now that the twenty M’zullians have left,” said Zsurtul when they were settled once more in the lounge. “I don’t want to go home, Carrie. I can’t stay at the Warrior Clan estate, and if I go to the Embassy, they’ll send me home.”
“Why don’t you want to go home?” Kaid asked, studying the worried young Prime carefully.
“I don’t like the Palace, or the City of Light. It’s all protocol and I get no freedom. Let me stay here, please.”
“There’s another reason. You aren’t telling us everything,” said Carrie, sensing that this was not the whole truth.
The Prince gave a slight smile. “I should have known I couldn’t hide it from you,” he said, looking down at his hands. “I didn’t want to tell you because I didn’t think you’d believe me.”
“You won’t know till you try us,” said Carrie reasonably.
He regarded her, an earnest look on his face. “I don’t know. I just have a bad feeling about going home,” he said simply. “I get them from time to time.”
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