The Inquisitors (The Space Merchants Book 6)

by Wendie Nordgren

  Heatedly, Farowyn said, “After you threatened divorce. Is he the reason you pay me no heed as a worthy male?”

  I stared at him in shock. I didn’t know what to say and could find no way to answer without giving insult. If I were to answer negatively, it would still sound as though I thought less of him. “Farowyn, I have six husbands and three children. Sharing my time between them as I do, I still feel neglectful of them.” My thoughts turned to Yukihyo who had been keeping himself busy with Ponidi Propulsions, and I feared it might be my fault.

  “Your marriage to Commander Bosh was a political arrangement, one to broker peace between your peoples.” He stared at me waiting for a response.

  “Yes, it started out that way.”

  He moved closer taking my hand in his. “Already, my people work with the Talpa shipbuilders. We will create a fleet of ships capable of defending our sector of space and of providing a first line of defense for the Empire should the need ever arise. A union between the two of us would create a dissoluble cohesion between the Parvacs and Eloneave.”

  “Aside from the aid of a nonexistent fleet protecting our flank, what would you gain from such an arrangement?”

  With surprising speed, Farowyn closed the space between us, cradled my head in the palm of his hand, and kissed me. It wasn’t the kind of kissing to which I had become accustomed, and there was nothing chaste or sweet about it. He used my surprised intake of breath to thrust his long tongue into my mouth. Farowyn’s tongue wound around mine like a coiling snake around its prey. With the tip of his tongue, he felt my mouth, its roof, gums, teeth, everything. Once he had thoroughly explored me and likely committed me to memory, he withdrew and fiercely stared into my eyes.

  “I have not forgotten the night you laid in my arms. I cannot ignore the gentleness and love with which you care for Peter. You have lain in my arms, and I would have you do so again. I am not some untried boy attempting to win your affections. I have seen much, survived fleeing through unknown space, and led my people in a mass exodus to a new planet. I am a prince amongst my people. Many females have tried to attract my interest and failed, until you. I would have you place this delicate hand to a contract between us. As my gift to you, the Eloneave would owe fealty to Parvac alone, not the Galaxics.” His brown eyes delved into mine as the magnitude of his pledge became clear to me.

  Should the day ever come when the Galaxic or Laconian governments became weary of our peace, the Eloneave would stand with us. Farowyn moved his palm up my arm to my shoulder.

  “Give me your answer, my Queen.”

  Centering my emotions, I said, “You may speak of your proposal to my Papa after we return to the Palace and not before. He and Momma are supposed to be relaxing and enjoying themselves, not thinking about anything serious. This vacation on Thalassa is for rest and enjoyment.”

  Farowyn huffed at me. “I can give you enjoyment.”

  “I’ve had more than enough enjoyment for today.”

  “Hey! Cupcake, is that you? What are you doing here? I thought you were being whisked away for sexcapades.” Phillip seemed mopey, which was unlike him.

  “What are you doing here?” I asked.

  Phillip shrugged.

  I saw Quaid striding toward us. His thigh muscle definition was insane, and his shorts did little to hide it from me. “There you are. I came for you in the boat to take you back. I didn’t expect you would be going on such a long walk.”

  “I did not make my Queen walk,” Farowyn said. “Had you guarded her properly, you would know that.”

  I sat up and watched as Quaid’s jaw began to clench. “Teagan is under constant guard. I am not the one taking risks with her safety by swinging with her through the trees like some hairless ape.”

  “Quaid!” I admonished. The Eloneave were not hairless and didn’t resemble apes. Was my husband still holding to his prejudices, the ones that had almost ended our marriage in the Talpa Sector?

  Quaid turned to me and sighed. “No, I’m not. I just don’t like Farowyn. He intruded on a private date we have planned for days. Be glad I was the one who came for you and not Zared.”

  “Is that so? You seemed more intent on fighting with your soft little hands than in being attentive to my Queen,” Farowyn retorted.

  “I can use my hands to incur considerable damage.”

  “With a weapon, but in hand-to-hand combat against me, you would be like a dust cloud against a meteor.”

  I took note of the red, fist-like shape under Quaid’s right eye that would probably turn into a bruise by morning. Quaid said, “That sounds like a challenge.”

  Farowyn huffed. “It wouldn’t be a challenge, Commander Bosh.”

  “Teagan, come here,” Quaid ordered as he held his hand down to help me up.

  Placing my hand in his, I said, “Ambassador Farowyn, please show my husband the same courtesy which you show to me.”

  “I would ask that the commander show appropriate deference to my rank. After all, I hold the rank of admiral, and he is not yet a captain.”

  I snorted. “Wow. I’m only an ensign.” That got their attention. “Let’s put rank aside and just try not to be assholes. How about that?” My anger sparked and ignited. “I didn’t come to Thalassa to play referee to grown males who insist on fighting over my attention. Your animosity toward each other has dried up my desire, like these.” I pulled down several shriveled fruits from a nearby tree and started pelting both Quaid and Farowyn with them. “All of the fighting and arguing amongst yourselves pisses me off! Come on, Phillip.” I trudged through the sand to Phillip, avoiding Quaid when he made a grab for me. “Oh, no you don’t! Phillip, will you take me home? I’d rather spend the day with you and my babies.”

  Phillip chuckled all of the way to the resort’s dock where he helped me into a small speedboat. “So, they’re at it again?”

  “They are. If you marry Terre, I hope you won’t aggravate her by arguing with your co-husbands. I was having one of the best days of my life before they started punching each other.”

  “Nico, Fitz, and Drex were jealous that they weren’t included in the plans.”

  I closed my eyes and leaned my head back against the seat, enjoying the wind and ocean spray.

  “Has she said anything about me?” Phillip asked.

  “We haven’t spent much time together. I can tell you that the reason Terre became my Imperial attendant was to get away from her relentless pursuers on Naxa and her mother’s constant nagging to marry. Neither Terre or I like being treated like a prize to be won. Why do you want her? Is it to prove your masculinity like Quaid and Farowyn? Is it to show how irresistible you are to the ladies? Is it a political maneuver like Drex? Is it to create an heir like Nico and Fitz?”

  “You didn’t list Yukihyo or Zared.”

  “No, I know they love me, just for me. They don’t care about my place in society. They don’t simply lust for my body. They care about my soul. Why do you want Terre?”

  Phillip slowed the boat to an idle and gazed into my eyes with his blue ones that looked naked. “I need her.”

  “Oh, Phillip.”

  Slowly, Phillip pulled the boat up to the beach. Eli Beck rose from his lounger under the shade of an umbrella and jogged to us. He ran out through the waves and held his arms out to me. He said, “I thought your entertainment for the day was planned.”

  “They started fighting. They don’t need me around to do that.” I put my hands first on Eli’s shoulders and then around his neck. He put an arm under my knees and carried me through the water to the beach.

  A soldier ran through the surf toward the speedboat. “I’ll take that back for you, sir.”

  “Thanks,” Phillip said. He jumped from the boat into the surf. The soldier boarded the boat and drove it away. “Now, that’s what I call service. So, Cupcake, what should I do?”

  “Stop hitting on her. She’s not an opponent in the ring to wear down and defeat. She’s tired of men flattering her. Talk to her
. Listen to her. Ask her if there is anything she wants to do while we are here.”

  “Good advice. But, fuck. Look at that.” Phillip’s gaze had telescoped in on Terre. She was laying naked on a towel, enjoying the sun. “Her skin looks like warm chocolate. I want to lick every inch of her and see if she tastes as good as she looks.”

  “Phillip, no.” I gave him a flat expression and shook my head at him. Eli placed me on my feet.

  Phillip adjusted the huge bulge in his shorts and walked toward Terre. He kept a respectful distance before trying to get her attention.

  “Is there anything you would like to do while on Thalassa?”

  Surprised, I looked up into Eli’s brown eyes. “Well, yes. There is something I want to do, but it’s not exciting or anything.”

  “What is it?” Eli asked as we walked toward our house. Izaac and Rozz watched over us from the second-floor balcony.

  “Well, the Ocean Center on the other side of Thalassa has educational activities for children. I thought it would be fun for Neema, Niklos, and Peter to get to interact with aquatic life. It even has a safe submarine tour in its park. It looks really cute.” I remembered a similar excursion during a trip to Epopeus that had been a great deal of fun.

  “I suggest changing our attire and taking them.”

  “Right now? Really?”

  “Yes. I can make the arrangements and have a guard detail in place by the time you are ready.”

  I laughed and clapped my hands. I kissed Eli’s cheek before running inside to tell Pierce and Lorca. When Terre and Phillip came inside and heard our plan, they decided to come with us. Just as we were about to load everyone into the transport, all of my husbands came home. They were perceptive. I didn’t have to tell them that I was mad at them. They cleaned up and dressed faster than I believed possible, determined to come with us. However, I rode in the transport with the children, their nurses, Eli, Phillip, and Terre. We had a relaxing drive without any fighting.

  “Mommy, what that over there?” Neema asked as she stretched in her seat to see out of the window.

  “That is where we are going to have fun.”

  “Where’s Drop?”

  “Thunderdrop wanted to do spider things in the jungle today.”

  Neema scowled. “I want Drop. Drop loves Neema.”

  “Yes, he does. How about we buy Thunderdrop a present before we leave?”

  Neema tilted her head at me and considered me with her jade-green eyes. “Okay, Mommy. I pick out.”

  I grinned at her. “At least my daughter and best friend are finally getting along.”

  When the driver parked our transport, Neema held her hands out to me to be picked up. “No, Neema. Nik wants Mommy!” Niklos yelled.

  She put her arms down and considered her brother. Her left eyebrow went up. I could feel it as she empathically soothed his emotions. “Okay, Nik. Don’t cry.”

  His fierce scowl disappeared, and he held his hands up to me. I took him with a small smile on my face and gave him a gentle squeeze. “Imagine that. Using words to communicate feelings rather than fists.” I gave my words a telepathic push.

  “Understood, Teagan. It won’t happen again,” Zared clearly stated in my mind.

  Eli’s guard detail had taken up positions around us before dispersing around the facility. Eli, my husbands, Phillip, Pierce, and Lorca would have no trouble defending us if necessary.

  “Are you always surrounded by such attractive males?” Terre whispered.

  “Yes, and this is just a small batch, not even a dozen.”

  Terre laughed. “Oh, but it is if we count these two,” she said as she kissed Peter’s cheek.

  I laughed. Niklos had his arms tight around my neck. Neema had decided on her independence and walked while holding Phillip’s hand. Cool air washed over us as we entered the building. When the visitors inside began to curtsy and bow, I began to think we should have worn disguises.

  Reading my expression, Fitz said, “It’s good for our people to see us in public, Teagan. They will respect our privacy.”

  Soon, Neema wanted her freedom to run and look at the fish in their tanks. Then, her little head of dove-grey hair was bobbing around in a sea of other small children, all eager to press themselves to the plasti-glass. Niklos wanted down, too. Soon, we were swarmed. Neema started posing for pictures with random children. I rolled my eyes at her.

  “Mommy! Smile with Neema!”

  Niklos and I got trapped posing with hordes of kids while their parents took pictures. Once the parents were satisfied, we got our freedom.

  “See? That wasn’t so bad. Was it?” Fitz, the consummate politician, asked.

  “No, darling. In fact, I think my husbands should arrange with the gift shop to provide a free toy or memento to each child in attendance here today.”

  “Excellent idea, Teagan.” He walked back through the aquarium to find the gift shop.

  The throng finally left us behind, and I sighed in relief. In their pool, pink dolphins were racing around in circles. We sat together and watched.

  “Fast!” Niklos said.

  “Really fast,” Neema agreed.

  When we got to the sensory pools, even Zared had fun. “What are you doing?” I asked.

  He was trailing his fingers along the back of a small seal. “With the barest use of my abilities, I can interpret this creature’s feelings, its needs, and curiosity. I will share my experience with you. Come.”

  Standing at his side, I let the wild consciousness suffuse me, and became lost in pure existence. When Zared broke contact, I marveled at his strength. I didn’t think I would have been able to end the connection had I been him. It was too addictive, too feral. Zared gave me a gentle kiss before leading me away. Then, the children and I held our palms out as the aquarist instructed, and let the seal tickle our hands with its whiskers.

  When Peter got hungry, I nursed him in a private alcove and watched a red octopus as its tentacles gracefully moved. The suction cups on its tentacles’ undersides grabbed and released as it made its way across the plasti-glass, exploring its tank as Farowyn had explored my mouth with his kiss. I shook my head. Farowyn was as bad with me as Phillip was with Terre. I did think it was wise to share what he had suggested with Papa. The Empire must remain safe for the sake of my children as well as all of the others.

  “You seem deep in thought. Usually, when you nurse, your mind relaxes,” Yukihyo said as he stroked Peter’s leg and foot. I told him about my lunch with Farowyn. “What will you do?”

  I shrugged.

  “What of your other suitors?” Yukihyo asked in his deep monotone that soothed me like no other sound.

  “Which ones?”

  “Cormac and Dario for two.”

  “Cormac?”

  Yukihyo raised an eyebrow at me which reminded me of Neema. “He earned a few enemies when he allowed your team’s participation.”

  “What do you suggest, husband?” I asked. Peter had fallen asleep at my breast. I adjusted my clothing and stood.

  Yukihyo kissed my forehead. “I suggest a massage on the beach this evening.”

  “My husband is wise.”

  A little while later in the gift shop, Neema picked out a toy for Thunderdrop. It was a toy sea snake on wheels that wiggled as it rolled. She and Niklos got pails and shovels. Peter got a seahorse-shaped rattle that glowed orange. Terre and I got matching T-shirts.

  “Well, that sure was fun. Right, Creampuff, Nik, and Nanite?” The children giggled at Phillip, and he flashed his sexy smile at Terre, the one that made most women melt. She sat primly and appeared unaffected. “Did you have fun, Lady Terre?”

  “I did. Thank you.”

  Neema and I scrutinized them.

  Phillip asked, “Is there anything you would like to do tomorrow?”

  “Actually, I’m quite interested in exploring the mineral caves at Rofesia. I know it is rather touristy but with good reason.”

  Phillip’s blue eyes sparkled, an
d he flashed her a smile that would have made any other woman’s panties damp. It put any grin that I had ever seen Eric make to shame. “Let me take you there tomorrow. It will be fun.”

  Terre raised a delicate brow at him and held her hands demurely on her lap. “Alone? I couldn’t possibly.”

  “Yes, your mother would never approve,” I said blandly and snorted.

  Terre narrowed her eyes at me, making me laugh.

  In my mind, Zared said, “It sounds like fun. We should go with them to help Phillip. My brothers are desperate to get him married.”

  “How about if we tag along?” I asked Terre.

  She smiled. “Well, in that case, alright then.”

  Phillip’s smile showed off his white teeth. He pulled out his vid-screen and began making preparations.

  That evening, Yukihyo gave me a massage under the pavilion to the glorious sound of waves crashing on the shore. The sound almost drowned out my groans of pleasure. I yawned. “We haven’t seen much of Neema and Tavere,” he said. He was kneading my shoulders with his powerful fingers which made concentrating on his words a challenge.

  “Nope. I may get a little brother or sister out of this trip.”

  “You know that isn’t likely,” Nico said. He sat on a chair beside us and gazed out over the water at the stars. “Tavere was lucky to impregnate Neema with you. Reports have concluded a negative effect on the female reproductive system from long term stasis. It may be possible for her to conceive, but the child would not be of the Probus line.”

  Yukihyo worked his way down my spine to my hips.

  Chapter Nine

  The next morning, I woke up with something incredibly hard poking me in the back. Coming to my senses, I smiled and stretched against Nico, who needed no further encouragement. An hour or so later, I had just finished having my way with Yukihyo when someone cracked open our bedroom door and peeked inside.

  “Hey, you awake? Oh, come on, Cupcake. Haven’t you been boned enough the past couple of days? Throw on a swimsuit and let’s go. You can eat breakfast in the transport on the way there,” Phillip said.