“Okay, give me your hands, please.” Meridan dipped the cloth into a cleansing solution and worked the soaked fabric over the child’s digits. Kalen recognized the solution as one used in the medical bay. Face, arms and hands cleaned, Meridan took a brush to the short hair. Using a bit of water, she convinced the unruly hair to lay moderately flat. The entire time the child clutched a miserable looking stuffed creature.
“Can I wash your stomach and back?” Meridan asked.
Esa shook her head.
“Let’s get dressed, then. Sound good?”
Esa’s fingers drifted back to her mouth. She nodded.
Meridan cared so deeply for a child she had no connection to. Was the reason because it was Terran? Or because it was alone? Or would Meridan care this fiercely for any child in need of protection?
The first day they met, she had yelled at him for his lack of “basic human compassion.” Perhaps that was the missing ingredient here.
He could feel sympathy for a child torn away from her family, taken from her home and whose family had been slaughtered. She had been subjugated to unknown tests and experimentation, and yet she smiled and giggled as Meridan helped her dress in tiny Terran clothes. She didn’t even have a name. She had been assigned a number, five, and still the child found joy.
Esa was an amazingly strong being.
And Kalen wanted to destroy her.
It was a wonder Meridan even spoke to him.
The danger she posed was real, however. That did not change no matter his personal feelings about the child. Esa was an unknown variable. She could be harmless or she could be a disaster waiting to happen. He needed to discuss the issue with the warlord.
Meridan
The look of pure panic on Kalen’s face when she left Esa with him to get dressed was priceless. He had followed them with a confused look on his face, his brows knitted and his eyes studying her, like he’d never seen an adult care for a child before. As much as he went on about his sainted mother, Meridan knew that was baloney. He did a decent job of not lurking and frightening Esa, which was about as much as Meridan could hope for. Maybe something would sink in through that thick skull of his.
Dressed in stretchy pants and a soft tunic, she ran a brush through her hair and pulled it into a hasty braid. There wasn’t time for a shower. She needed to get Esa fed and in a moderately good mood before meeting with the warlord. Paax would terrify the girl and she might be less terrified if she felt safe.
Meridan led Esa to the mess hall. With wide eyes, still clutching Bashful, she studied the warriors they passed in the hall. Her head swiveled, following the more colorful members of the clan.
In the mess hall, Meridan approached several items she suspected a child might enjoy. Bagel? No. Alien banana-thing? No. Toast? No. Cereal? No. Juice? No. Finally, Esa grabbed a protein bar and hastily shoved it in her mouth.
Meridan grabbed a bagel and orange juice for herself. They returned to the table. Esa sat next to Meridan and carefully arranged Bashful on the table, her ever vigilant guardian teddy bear. Esa gobbled up her protein bar quickly.
“Would you like half my bagel?”
Esa shook her head. Kalen cut a protein bar into bite sized portions. He nudged the plate forward, pretending to be distracted and looked away. Esa’s greedy little hands darted out, grabbing her prize.
Meridan studied her husband as he pretended to ignore the girl stealing his food. Esa ate like someone not used to free access to food. Meridan’s heart broke at the idea. Somehow Kalen understood this about the child.
He had a heart after all.
He did have compassion.
Kalen’s wrist comm beeped. He raised his wrist to speak. Fascinated, Esa leaned across table to get a better look. She grabbed his wrist and pulled it toward her, examining the comm unit.
A baffled expression crossed his face, as if he were unsure how to extract himself from the girl. “The warlord wants to see the child.”
The child. No longer an “it”. That was good, right?
He stood and tried to pass Esa back to Meridan but Esa would not have it. Her sticky fingers gripped his shirt and buried her face to his chest. With a sigh, he awkwardly placed both hands on either side of her, like she was a parcel.
“Try this.” Meridan repositioned his arms. One went under Esa’s butt to support her weight. The other went to her back to keep the squirmy girl in place.
“This is beneath the dignity of a warrior,” he grumbled.
“I disagree, papa,” Meridan said with a smile. Watching him interact with the child stirred a maternal yearning in her. She’d always been able to ignore that impulse, tamp it down because she believed it was a dream out of her reach. Now? That could be their son climbing over Kalen at breakfast.
She wanted that so much.
Plus, Kalen’s face got a soft, happy look when he focused on Esa. It was pretty damn hot, but she wasn’t going to tell him that.
***
They returned to the medical bay. Meridan had only seen a handful of locations on the Judgment: the transporter room, the medical bay, their quarters, the mess hall and the shuttle bay. There had to be more. The battle cruiser was the size of a city. There had to be a bit of recreation space somewhere.
Esa climbed back onto the exam table without prompting.
Kalen approached with the scanner. “I need to take a reading.”
“Will it hurt?” Esa asked.
“You will not feel anything.”
She chewed her lower lip. “Bashful wants to go first.”
Kalen tossed Meridan a confused looked, helpless to the illogical whims of a child.
“That’s a good idea,” Meridan said. “Bashful hasn’t had a check up in ages.”
Kalen pointed the scanner at the stuffed animal. “This makes no sense,” he grumbled.
“How does he look, doc?” Meridan asked.
“I am unfamiliar with the biology of this… this Bashful creature. Nurse Vargas, interpret these readings.” He shoved the scanner at her.
“Ah, I see.” Meridan tapped a finger against her lip. “He is acceptable for a bear his age.”
Esa smiled. “Bashful was brave.”
“Very.”
“And he didn’t cry.”
“The scan does not hurt. May I scan you?”
Esa nodded. The quick scan revealed no unknown bacteria, parasites or viruses. Every reading about the child was normal. She just needed to get a small sample of blood for analysis but she didn’t think there was a way to collect the sample without sending Esa into a panic.
The warlord arrived. Esa shrank back, clutching the teddy bear.
“What,” Paax said, “is that mangy thing.”
“It is a stuffed toy,” Meridan said in Universal.
“He’s brave,” Esa added.
Paax stepped closer. “Oh, it is a companion animal,” he said, as if that explained everything. “What can you tell me, medic?”
Meridan stepped between Kalen and Paax. She spoke in Mahdfel so Esa would not be able to follow. “Sir, I must protest the treatment of this child.”
“Has she been mistreated?” He frowned. “She was left in your care, Kalen’s female.”
“No, that’s not it. I do not agree with ending the life of an innocent child.”
“She is a foundling,” Paax said.
Meridan flapped her hands in frustration. “Yes she is a foundling! I don’t know why that makes such a difference to you hard headed males.”
“She could be dangerous.”
“She’s a child.”
“I am responsible for every soul on board the Judgment. Every warrior, every female and every child is my responsibility to protect. They trust me to make the correct decision. To bring prosperity and honor to the Clan.” His deep voice resonated within her, making her draw back. “And you’re asking me to risk all these lives on an unknown variable.”
“Sir—” Kalen started to say but Paax spoke over him.
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“The foundling could be as innocent and helpless as you believe. She could also be a weapon, a disaster waiting to happen. And you selfishly ask me to spare one and risk every being on this vessel.”
“Some foundlings are spared. Mylo—”
“Was not my decision, nor was it lightly made.”
Meridan bowed her head in defeat. The warlord was correct. As innocent and helpless as Esa appeared to be, she was with the Suhlik for an unknown amount of time. In a research facility. The Suhlik did not pass the time playing games with the child. Subjected to experiments, Esa could be anything from harmless to deadly. It was foolish to risk everyone because of Meridan’s soft heart. The logic was devastatingly correct and she hated it to her core.
“Medic,” Paax said, turning his attention to Kalen, “what can you tell me.”
“All scans have been within normal levels since retrieval.”
Paax looked over the raw results, scratching at the base of his missing horn. “What is your recommendation?”
Meridan swallowed a hard lump. This was the moment her marriage could end. Kalen would recommend ending Esa’s life to minimize risk and she’d never find it in her heart to forgive him for murdering an innocent. She’d rolled over on so many things, sticking her in a regen tank against her wishes, conducting the genetic test without her consent, and even his half assed tea ceremony, but this position she could not move from. Kalen needed to know this about her. He had to have known. Hadn’t she shown him and told him in so many ways?
“We need more data, sir,” Kalen said. “I believe we can find that information at the research facility if it has not been destroyed.”
Meridan breathed out a sigh of relief. Kalen stalled for time. Not the response she wanted, but not the response she feared.
“It has not.” Paax’s gaze went from the data tablet to Esa, still holding the battered old teddy bear like a lifeline. “Atmospheric conditions prevent us from returning immediately. An inversion of cold air in the canyon and warm air above has trapped the gas. It may be some time before it dissipates.”
“My sister-” Meridan started. Paax raised his hand to silence her.
“Mylomon will do everything in his power to keep his female safe. We received communication from him just before we left the atmosphere. They are in a secure location and are waiting it out until a retrieval team can be sent.”
“Why can’t you send a team now?”
“They are still in the valley. We must wait until the corrosive gas dissipates.” The warlord handed the tablet back to Kalen. “Continue your observations, medic. Inform me if the situation changes.”
Meridan waited until Paax left the medical bay. “What does this mean?”
“It means we go to the source and find out exactly what the Suhlik did to Esa.”
Chapter Nineteen
Kalen
He’d bought them time. Relief flooded his mate’s face when he made his recommendation to the warlord, and he felt a surge of delight for pleasing his mate. Perhaps his skills as a mate had increased. He wanted to refine all his skills with Meridan, particularly those in the bedchamber, but this would do for the moment.
Meridan
The orchard was a long, narrow space. The outside wall was one large window, providing a spectacular view of the stars as the Judgment moved through space. Mauve hued trees grew in neat lines on either side of the space. A brook ran through, filling the orchard with gentle babbling.
“The previous warlord did not find value in recreational spaces. This is the best Judgment has at the moment.”
Meridan breathed the fresh air in deeply. She slipped off her shoes and appreciated the feel of the purple grass. Tilting her face up, the panels that imitated sunlight warmed her face. “It’s perfect.”
Esa ran excited circles around them.
“Can you climb a tree?” Meridan asked.
“I don’t know. Can I?” Esa took off toward a tree and tried to pull herself up to the lower branches. Kalen gave her a boost. Nimbly she scampered along the bough and climbed to a higher branch.
“The best fruit is at the top,” Kalen said, watching Esa’s ascent. “But do not fall. Terrans are fragile. You will hurt yourself.”
Esa’s response came back in a tired whine, “I won’t,” as if they’d had this exact conversation a hundred times.
With a satisfied nod, he plucked two specimens of the round magenta fruit from a low branch. He joined Meridan at the edge of the brook. Her sock and shoeless feet dangled in the water. He handed her one of the magenta orbs.
“What is this?”
“Afal.” He took a bite, fangs sinking into crisp flesh.
Meridan followed and a sweet, tangy flavor flooded her mouth. “Oh my stars, this is delicious. Why haven’t I had this before?”
“Terrans mistrust xeno cuisine.”
“Some of the things you eat are gross.”
He scoffed. “You consume the fermented lactations of animals.”
“Cheese is awesome. Don’t knock it.”
Another scoff.
“You’re pretty good at this,” Meridan said, leaning to one side and nudging his shoulder. “Kids, that is.”
He grunted. “It is adults I have difficulty with.”
True enough. Esa, and even Ishraam, responded to Kalen’s blunt delivery. It was only his adult patients who bristled at his demeanor.
“Tell me about this,” Meridan said, waving vaguely at the orchard. “How does it work? Am I contaminating the drinking water?”
“The stream is for irrigation. It could be delivered underground in pipes but the engineers decided this was more pleasing.”
“Mmmh. Remind me to thank them.”
“The orchard produces oxygen and food. You had similar arrangements on your moon.”
“True, but we also had botanists to work it. I can’t picture a Mahdfel farmer.”
“A warrior does what is needed.”
“Even picking apples?” That would be a sight to see. Over-muscled, aggressive warriors punching apples out of the trees.
“The ship’s computer uses drones to maintain and harvest.”
The doors at the far end of the orchard opened. Mercy, the warlord’s mate, entered with a medium sized black dog. Only midway through her pregnancy, her rounded belly strained at the fabric of her shirt, riding up at the bottom. The dog darted excitedly off, sniffed a tree, and then ran back to Mercy.
Kalen rose to his feet. “Are you well? You could have summoned me, warlord’s female.”
She waved him away. “I’m fine. Just taking Starbuck out for a walk.”
“Should you exercise in your condition?” Kalen asked.
“Yes,” Mercy said. “It’s good for me but I could use a rest. Help me down.” Kalen helped ease Mercy to the grass. The black dog trotted up with a stick. With a smile, Mercy tossed the stick. The dog ran after it with a yelp.
Esa appeared at the foot of the tree. She ran up to Mercy and Starbuck. “Is he friendly? Can I pet him? Can I play with him?” Her words came out in an excited jumble.
“Let me introduce you,” Mercy said. She instructed Esa how to stand still and extend her hand, allowing the dog to sniff and get acquainted. Starbuck gave a cautious sniff. Esa held her breath until the dog wagged his tail. A smile brighter than a sun broke across her face.
“Why don’t you throw the stick?” Meridan suggested.
Esa ran off, waving the stick, with Starbuck chasing after her.
Kalen returned his attention to Mercy. He checked the vitals on her wrist comm. “You should be resting.”
Mercy tossed Meridan a pleading look.
“Her blood pressure is good,” she said. “And exercise is beneficial to the mother. Terran doctors encourage pregnant women to do so. It relieves back pain and swelling. It helps you sleep better. And improves muscle tone, which will make for a smoother delivery.”
Kalen huffed but Mercy mouthed “thank you.” Her attention wa
s stolen by Esa chasing Starbuck. “That’s not right.”
All three adults focused on the child. Esa chased the dog, joy radiating from her every movement. She shimmered, like a distortion that made her go fuzzy, almost pixilated, and then she winked out. A small percussive noise of a pop and the whoosh of air filling a void.
“What the—” Meridan said.
Esa reappeared in front of the dog, not missing a stride. Their chase continued, oblivious to the adults.
“Sir,” Kalen said into the comm unit. “We have a development.”
***
Paax watched Esa chase the dog. She blinked out, then reappeared, ran a few steps and did it again. She made it look effortless. As natural as a laugh. As joyous as playing with a pet.
“You’re going to terminate her, aren’t you?” Meridan asked in a small voice. Esa was no longer a normal little girl. The Suhlik had given her an ability. Possibly more.
Paax remained immobile, arms folded behind his back, watching. “Perhaps,” he said at length. “If this is the extent of her abilities, she is harmless. She can do nothing more than Mylomon can.”
“Wait, Mylomon can teleport?”
Paax did not answer her question. “We must retrieve as much information as possible from the research facility. And quickly, before the Suhlik return.”
“Why would they return, sir,” Kalen said. “We drove them out once.”
“Self-contained teleportation is a line of research they’ve pursued for at least three decades, since Mylomon was a foundling. Perhaps longer. They’re not going to abandon it or abandon their research.” He took a breath and relaxed his shoulders. “We leave as soon as atmospheric conditions allow.”
Chapter Twenty
Kalen
Meridan put the child to bed in a spare room. The child made all sorts of demands—a song, a glass of water and a light—and his mate capitulated to each one.
Kalen: Warlord Brides (Warriors of Sangrin Book 2) Page 14