Actually, Sara had an idea that delivering triplets would hurt a great deal. The fact that Jack had done it three times said a lot for her dedication. Then again, Cat was probably every bit as irresistible as Jerden was.
“And don’t worry,” Jack went on as if she guessed Sara’s thoughts. “Having triplets isn’t as bad as it sounds, and there seems to be a built-in form of birth control so that litters don’t arrive too closely together. Tried like hell to get around that, myself, but no dice. Still haven’t figured out why that is, but it’s probably for the best.”
Sara tended to agree. Jack had already given birth to nine children, ranging in age from eight to sixteen—something Sara couldn’t imagine doing herself.
“She’d have had ten litters by now if she could,” Tisana said drily. “With nineteen of us aboard, the ship is already pretty crowded.”
Jack waved a dismissive hand. “The Jolly Roger is plenty big, and there’s lots of room to expand if we put living quarters in the cargo hold.” She ran a hand through her short locks, shaking her head. “And to think I used to fly around in the damn thing all by myself. Shocking waste of space.” She winked at Sara. “Nothing to stop you out here, though. With two houses and all this land between you, you and Jerden could have dozens of babies.”
Linda gave a little gasp and Sara felt the blood drain from her face. “Dozens?”
Tisana chuckled. “Don’t pay any attention to her, Sara. Like she said, Jerden already has children scattered all across the galaxy. One litter will be plenty.”
Once again, Jack fixed her penetrating gaze on Sara. “All those other children don’t bother you, do they?”
Sara had already given this some thought and knew exactly how she felt about it. “No. That all happened before Jerden and I ever met. I mean, everyone has a past.” Some better than others.
“Good girl.” Jack nodded her approval. “Now that that’s all settled, let’s quit fiddling around and get this show on the road.”
***
Sara and Jerden might’ve had two houses, but since the number of bedrooms was limited, they had set up several tents for their guests. As a result, the area around the lake looked like a family campground. Sara gave up her room to her parents, and she and Jerden moved to his house for the duration of the festivities. Though her own home was comfortable and peaceful, the lakeshore setting and rustic furnishings appealed to Sara.
With so many children visiting, Jerden’s pets got plenty of extra attention. Cria was especially content, purring serenely while the younger kids brushed and petted her. The rest of his menagerie seemed pleased to be back home, the wide verandah being far more conducive to lounging than the small stoop that constituted Sara’s back porch.
My back porch… She sighed, recalling the night that Danuban had deposited a senseless Jerden on that very spot. Yet another turning point in her life, as well as his.
What if Danuban hadn’t brought him there? What if I hadn’t taken him in? The thought of how close she’d come to never meeting him at all chilled her to the marrow—yet another possibility it was probably best not to dwell upon.
Jerden must’ve noticed her pensive mood, despite the flurry of activity as they set up tables under the large canopy they’d erected near the lake. “Having second thoughts?”
She smiled, shaking her head. “Not at all. Just thinking about everything that had to occur before we wound up here together.”
“Scary, isn’t it?” Obviously, he understood.
“You bet it is.” She glanced toward the road where a large hovercraft was approaching. “Looks like we’ve got more company coming.”
“That’ll be Dax, Ava, and Onca—and three more kids.” He raised a hand in greeting and then lowered it to shield his eyes from the sun. “Looks like they’ve brought Waroun, too. He’s Dax’s partner and navigator.” With a wink, he added, “Don’t worry, you’ll like him. He’s Norludian.”
Though she’d never considered the matter before, Sara did like Norludians, possibly because she envied them the ability to carry on sexually oriented conversations without batting an eyelash—something she’d never been able to do herself. “I don’t think I’ve ever been around two of them at the same time, which should be interesting. Reutal will be pleased.”
“Jack won’t be. She can’t stand them, but they’ll keep us laughing, you can count on that.”
Sara certainly couldn’t argue with that. “When you’re right, you’re right. C’mon, let’s go say hello.”
Jerden took her outstretched hand and kissed it before tucking it into the crook of his arm.
They waited while Dax brought the Juleta to a halt and shut down the engine. Onca was the first to climb down the ladder. “Hey, hot stuff! I hear you got your mojo back.”
Jerden hugged his old friend. “You could say that. I prefer to say I fell in love.”
Onca laughed, his green eyes twinkling with mischief as he shook his thick auburn mane back over his shoulder. Having known Onca nearly all his life, it was a gesture Jerden remembered well. He hadn’t realized how much he’d missed him until that moment. “I always knew someone would catch you eventually. I just hope it doesn’t happen to me.”
Onca had been one of the few babies rescued from the demise of Zetith, and thus had no memory of his family or his homeworld. His only home had been aboard the ship, his fellow refugees his only relatives. Jerden could understand his attitude toward settling down; never having had real a family, Onca had no idea what he was missing.
“You got something against being happy?” Jerden teased.
“Nope. Just not ready to tie myself to one woman. Not sure I ever will be.”
“With that attitude, it’s probably just as well,” Dax said as he climbed down the ladder. He took up a position at the bottom while his pregnant wife, Ava, came down after him. “But then, I once felt the same way myself.”
Actually, Dax’s problem stemmed more from not finding a woman whose scent aroused him than not wanting to be tied down, but until recently, Jerden had never appreciated how much the love factor must’ve added to the equation. Dax had been a thirty-three-year-old virgin when he met Ava and had fallen hard for the lovely human/Aquerei woman.
Their three daughters were herded toward the ladder by Waroun, the Norludian navigator. “Hurry up, you little catfish! Jerden’s waiting!” Squealing with laughter, the tiny girls clambered down the rungs and ran to Jerden. He knelt down as they approached, receiving multiple hugs and kisses from each of them.
Why they remembered him with any kind of affection surprised him a little. He couldn’t imagine why a bunch of three-year-olds would care anything about the man he’d been when he’d traveled to Terra Minor aboard Dax’s ship. Then again, having still been in shock from Audrey’s death, he didn’t remember much about that voyage.
What he did remember was how beautiful the children were. Unlike the offspring of unions with other species, these girls didn’t appear to be pure Zetithian. They all had the larger, more rounded eyes that Ava had inherited from her Aquerei father, and, like their mother, could breathe underwater. And if the way they greeted Jerden was any indication, they didn’t share the standoffish attitude toward men that characterized purebred Zetithian females. Aside from that, they resembled their father, with the same catlike fangs, pointed ears, and long, curly hair—though not as tightly curled as Dax’s, which grew in such tight spirals it was often mistaken for dreadlocks.
Though Dax still wore a single earring and a tattoo flamed up over one side of his face and neck, he clearly no longer lived up to the renegade bad boy persona he’d done his best to cultivate. He was a family man to the core—a goal to which Jerden now aspired. He couldn’t wait to have lots of kids with Sara’s flaming locks and dazzling green eyes.
The girls ran off to join the other children as Waroun scampered down the ladder. “I hear y
ou’ve got a Norludian working for you, Sara. Bet he’s getting high on your essence!”
“I doubt that,” Sara said drily. “It isn’t as though he’s got his fingers on me all the time.”
Waroun smacked his lips. “Not like he hasn’t tried, I’ll bet.” He waggled his fingers at Sara. “I’m surprised I can’t feel it in the air. You’ve got a hot one there, you know.”
“Yeah, I know,” Sara said, grinning.
“He can go all day and all night—or so I’ve been told. There are a lot of ladies who were very upset when he retired.”
“I didn’t exactly retire,” Jerden said. “It was more like a permanent sick leave.”
Waroun waved a dismissive hand. “Makes no difference. They’re still pining for you.”
“As long as none of them come looking for me, we’re okay,” Jerden said. A frisson of warning tightened his scalp as he remembered the woman he’d seen on the square in Nimbaza. In a purely instinctive move, he put his arm around Sara, pulling her close. “None of them have been asking questions, have they?”
“Don’t worry. We’re not telling anyone where you are,” Onca said quickly. “Though I can’t promise word won’t get out. You know how people talk.”
Jerden figured he had nothing to lose by tossing the idea out for discussion. “Haven’t heard anything about the woman who killed Audrey, have you?”
“Chantal Benzowitz?” Onca shook his head. “As far as I know, she’s still locked up somewhere.”
Sara gaped at him. “As far as you know? They’d tell you if she wasn’t, wouldn’t they?”
“Let’s hope so,” Onca said with a shudder. “That woman was nuts.”
Chantal… Jerden had somehow managed to block the name from his memory—if indeed, he’d ever known what it was. He couldn’t even recall testifying at her trial, though he must have. Then again, he hadn’t been the only witness. She’d killed Audrey right out in the middle of a busy street, making it an easy case to prove. Unfortunately, it was also a relatively easy crime to commit—and one for which there was no protection.
Cat and Jack came over to greet the new arrivals, along with Leo and Tisana. As usual, Jack jumped right into the conversation.
“They should’ve thrown away the key when they locked her up,” she said briskly. “She’s a menace to society. I’m so glad you came here to live, Jerden. This is the safest planet in the galaxy, but you never know. There might be others out there like her.” She rounded on Onca. “Which reminds me… when are you gonna give up that Rhylos gig and settle down?”
Onca laughed. “Not anytime soon. I’m having too much fun.”
Jerden could’ve sworn Jack growled. With fists planted against her hips, she leveled a stern glare at Onca. “It only took one woman making the wrong man jealous to get your planet blown to smithereens, bucko. I’d think you guys would’ve learned a lesson from that.”
“I’m simply providing a public service.” Onca was still smiling, but it was clear that he wished Jack would mind her own business. “The price keeps the numbers down and the casual clients away.”
Apparently considering these arguments to be rather flimsy, Jack continued with her lecture. “Tarq was providing a free public service—which I thought was a great idea until he got the shit beat out of him on Talus Five. Then that Chantal woman killed your fluffer, and as crazy as she was, she could just as easily have killed Jerden while she was at it. You’re playing with fire.”
Jerden felt Sara stiffen beside him and immediately wished he’d kept his worries to himself. Giving her a reassuring squeeze, he took her hand and pressed it to his lips. Though she smiled bravely, he could still see the fear in her eyes.
“I’ll quit when I’m ready to quit,” Onca said with a flick of his brow—yet another gesture Jerden knew quite well. “And I’m not ready yet.”
“Better give it up, Jack,” Jerden said. “He can be very stubborn when he chooses.”
Unfortunately, Onca wasn’t the only one with a stubborn streak. Scowling, Jack threw up her hands. “It’s your life, Onca, but don’t say I didn’t warn you when some jealous asshole tries to mop up the floor with you—or comes hunting for your scalp.”
“I won’t,” Onca said. “I’ll retire eventually—but not right now.”
Jerden knew precisely how he felt. He’d enjoyed his job every bit as much as Onca did and would probably still be working at the Palace if circumstances hadn’t made it impossible for him to continue. The money was extremely good, and if there was a better job than giving women joy, he’d yet to hear of it.
“Okay, then,” Jack said. “I’ve given you my two cents worth. Just be careful.”
Jerden snorted. Jack might’ve pretended to wash her hands of the situation, but he doubted Onca had heard the last from her. Still, it was his life. Of course, before Audrey’s murder, Jerden hadn’t considered that his lifestyle might put anyone other than himself at risk. Now he had Sara to worry about. He hadn’t been in love with Audrey, and her death had affected him more profoundly than he would’ve guessed. Sara’s death would probably mean his own.
“We should all be careful,” he said. “Even here on Terra Minor.” He glanced at Jack. “What about all the trading runs you make? Aren’t you worried?”
“Not as much as I used to be when the damned Nedwut bounty hunters turned up everywhere we went. It’s much better now, but I’m still prepared. Never go anywhere without Tex.” She patted the pulse pistol in the holster at her side. “You just never know.”
“Can we talk about something else?” Waroun asked. “This is giving me the creeps.”
“Hey, you started it,” Dax pointed out. “Should’ve kept your mouth shut.”
To Jerden’s surprise, Sara spoke up. “No. I’m glad he did. Zetithian history being what it is, I can’t help but be concerned, and it’s nice to know that my worries aren’t completely unfounded.” She gazed up at Jerden and his heart skipped more beats than he cared to admit when she smiled. Would her effect on him ever dissipate? He hoped not. “Don’t worry, Jack. I’ll do my best to keep him safe and whole.”
Jack nodded her approval. “You do that. Let me tell you, it’s quite a responsibility.” She swept the surrounding countryside with assessing eyes. “Should be safe enough here, though—broad field of vision, clear field of fire…” She frowned. “I’ll give you a pulse pistol if you don’t have one. Anytime you’re out and about with him, you need to carry it—and a comlink. We can’t take any chances on anything happening to him.” With a wink, she added, “After all, he is the hottest hunk in the galaxy.”
Chapter 22
Sara wore the dress he’d bought her from the Twilanan woman in the market square. Jerden had never seen anything more beautiful—unless it was Sara without the dress. A garland of yellow roses adorned her hair, and the flowers in the matching bouquet had been picked from her own garden. Her vows were spoken clearly and firmly, and the kiss she gave him was filled with love and passion.
After the ceremony, Jerden was surprised when Salan hugged Sara as though she were truly happy for her. Nate even shook his hand with the air of a man who’d been beaten in a fair fight—though the low growl from Cria might have had something to do with it. Was it really going to be that simple? He hoped so. The aura of contentment he felt with Sara beside him while they received the congratulations from their guests was unlike anything he’d ever experienced.
Gazing out over the lake that was now filled with laughing children, Jerden daydreamed of making love with Sara there. Some night when the moon was full and the water calm, he would swim with her, kissing her, letting her body glide up and down on his stiff cock until her eyes filled with joy. Perhaps later tonight while everyone else is asleep…
“What are you thinking about?”
He leaned closer, pressing a soft kiss above her brow. “Our wedding night, actually.
”
A seductive smile curved her lips. “But we’re already mated. Tonight won’t be any different. Will it?”
Inhaling her scent, he began to purr. “Perhaps.”
Following a brief quiver that assured him she was as anxious for that moment as he, she nodded toward the lake. “I noticed you watching the kids. So that’s how it’s done? The older siblings look after the little ones?”
Jerden followed her gaze to where Bonnie’s youngest children tended Lucy and Tarq’s babies while their parents set out the noon meal. “It’s about the only way to manage that many children, which might be why litters are seldom conceived less than four years apart. Usually five.”
Sara chuckled. “Not sure I’d want five-year-olds looking after my babies, but they seem to be quite adept—even Karsyn. I’m amazed they have the patience.”
“It’s a bond almost as strong as that between parent and child. I remember—” A memory long-suppressed came rushing back with a vengeance and his voice cracked, forcing him to take a deep breath to steady himself. “My older brothers and sisters looked after me and my littermates—until they were killed in the explosion that demolished our home. My parents and I were outside at the time. Otherwise, we’d have been killed, too.”
“Oh, Jerden…” Her eyes shimmered with tears. “You don’t have to—”
“Talk about it? No, I don’t, but I should. I’ve tried to forget what happened when I should be doing everything in my power to keep their memories alive. My mother Lislla, my father Etash, my beautiful sisters Dersa, Brielan, and Tulla. My brothers Katken and Wedfon. All gone.” He paused, shaking his head as the grief threatened to overwhelm him. “I haven’t spoken their names aloud in so many years. They deserve better.”
The touch of Sara’s hand on his arm soothed him and gave him strength—yet another thing a mate could do that a mere lover could not. “We can name our children after them.”
Jerden took her hand and carried it to his lips. Tears slid down his cheeks as he closed his eyes. “Do you have any idea how much I love you?”
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