by L M Lacee
‘Dayam it, not right.’ She shuffled to the left and felt a whisper of a breeze on her face. ‘Okay, left it is.’
She could have flashed back to the cavern with the kits, which would have made this quicker. However, a suspicion that there may be something else going on other than she had become lost, pushed at her. So she decided not to chance it. Also, she had not told Heather, but recently her needar or that which made her the Star Daughter felt unbalanced. As though there was a disconnection between it and her body. It was hard to explain, which was probably why she had not mentioned it to Heather. Added to that she was constantly exhausted, it was like she was a battery and only running on half charge. Maybe she just needed a weken of sleep, or maybe just a full night of sleep. Although now she thought about it, feeling exhausted could have more to do with her children who seemed to like her bed more than their own. Hopefully that would change soon.
She shook those worries from her mind, as she walked with her eyes fixed on the dusty floor, and finally after what seemed like hours she spied footprints. She began running again, sometime later, exhausted and relieved all in one, she emerged into the cavern.
She was breathing heavily as Melody approached her at a run. Before she could say anything, Peyton said between breaths. ‘Kits… bonded… cold… young.’
Melody looked at what she was carrying and said. ‘Uh-uh.’ Then turned and yelled to Jorge, entering from another tunnel. ‘Jorge, I found her, we need a blanket.’
He rushed over a blanket in his hands but with a glance at what Peyton was holding. Quickly he folded the thermal blanket and replaced it in his pack. Withdrawing instead a small baby blanket from the confines of his jacket.
At their astonished expressions, he smiled and said. ‘Amelia insisted I carry one, she said I may never know when I will need it. I guess she was right.’
Peyton nodded her agreement as Melody said. ‘Good call, let’s introduce one or two to all the Warrior’s packs. What do you think?’
Jorge agreed. ‘Good idea, we just proved they would be useful.’
With that, they wrapped both kits in the soft folds of the blanket as they cried. Mama Star ungry.
Peyton crooned back. Soon my bondmates, soon.
She told the others. ‘We need to go, they are hungry and need attention.’
Melody said. ‘I think they were lucky you found them.’
Jorge agreed. ‘Very.’
Peyton just nodded, then asked Melody. ‘We need Fanharr. We have never had kits so young and alone before, have we?’
‘No, never.’
‘We leave now.’ Jorge said, ‘We are done here. Netta and her team are already back on the shuttle.’
Peyton looked around: the cave was clean and empty. It seemed they were the last to leave. She smiled and asked Melody. ‘Were you looking for me, Armee Girl?’
‘Yep, lost you there for a while.’
They stopped talking as June stated. ‘Three hours, forty-five mins.’
Shocked, Peyton stumbled a little as she said. ‘Oh my stars, I was gone a long time. No wonder you were looking for me.’
Melody shrugged one shoulder, but Peyton could see the fear and worry slowly leaving her eyes. And now she was looking for it, she saw the sweat soaked top and the fine tremor running over her sister’s skin. She handed the wrapped kits to Jorge and hugged Melody as she gently told her.
‘I am so sorry.’
Uncharacteristically Melody clung to her saying. ‘Jorge and I looked everywhere for you. We were just about to get the others back to start a search.’
‘I am so sorry, I would never intentionally worry you like that, forgive me.’
Melody nodded, then heaved in a deep breath and felt herself settle. She gave Peyton one last hug and stepped back. Releasing her, Peyton received the kits back from Jorge and frowned, saying again.
‘It is weird though, I really didn’t go far, but it seemed to take a long time to come back. I think I got a little disorientated or something.’
‘I found your footsteps, then they vanished. Just gone…’
‘Oh Melody, that had to be awful for you.’
‘It was not pleasant. Please don’t do that again. I am scared of Esther.’
‘Oh hon, I won’t, I should have told you I was leaving. I am guessing we…’ She indicated herself and the kits. ‘May have been on another plane of existence or dimension or whatever.’
Sneaky Stars.
Welcome, Beloved. We offer our gifts to one who has been long awaited. Said a voice she did not recognize, but before she could say more than thank you, they were gone.
Jorge smiled as he said. ‘We did not want to leave you behind. Darby is not a pretty crier.’
They both turned to stare at him. Hurriedly, he held his hands up. ‘Not my words, Amelia said it.’
Peyton asked him. ‘Oh my Stars, did you just throw your mate under the bus?’
Jorge’s expression wavered between bewilderment and fear, finally settling on confused. ‘Ahh no, I don’t think so. I am not sure… did I?’
‘So did.’ Melody told him and grinned at his look of consternation.
Deciding to ignore them both, he said. ‘Let us leave. The trackers are in place.’
‘Good, this place is depressing.’
‘Because it’s dead, Star Girl?’
‘Like I don’t know that.’
‘Are they alright?’ Jorge quickly asked as they walked from the tunnel, using the health of the kits to divert an argument.
‘Thanks, they are.’
He mused out loud. ‘How the hayda did they get here?’
Melody shrugged. ‘You are assuming they were here.’
‘That is true, stranger things are happening all the time.’
‘Did he just call me strange?’ Peyton asked Melody.
‘I think he called us both strange.’
‘So bad Jorge, and you just taking on the position as my new Commander.’
They both shook their heads at him. Before he could object, Melody said. ‘So they are here, and they are safe and belong to the Star Daughter.’
Peyton told her. ‘True, you can be wise when you want to be.’
‘Yep, it has been said before. Now you should be prepared. Did you see the gray female with blue spots?’
Peyton yelped. ‘Stars, don’t say she is mine too?’
‘No,’ Melody laughed loudly as she said again, ‘No, her name is Lott. She is for Esther.’
Peyton smiled. ‘Thank the Stars. I was worried for a min. I see your gift is expanding.’
‘I know, it is amazing. Malchol says I should see his mother when we return.’
‘Sounds like a plan.’
‘Why would I?’
‘You will know when you see her. She has a way of helping the gifted. That is her gift.’
‘Oh, okay, I was hoping you could help me.’
‘Melody, would you take a cannon blaster to a knife fight?’
‘No, that would be way over the top.’
‘For me to help you would be the same sort of thing.’
‘Huh, I get that. Malchol’s family are really one talented family, aren’t they?’
‘Yes, and we are lucky to have them.’
‘I will visit her when we get home.’
‘There you go Armee Girl, did that hurt?’
‘Shut it, Star Girl.’
They were almost at the shuttle when Peyton brought them back to Esther and Lott. ‘She will never believe it.’
‘I know.’
‘Is Lott alright?’
‘Some cuts and bruising. She fought the Raiders. She is feisty.’
Jorge said. ‘Just right for Lady Esther, then?’
They both agreed and Melody told them. ‘She is around forty.’
Jorge asked. ‘Is that old or young? Tipper thinks he is around thirty.’
Melody grinned. ‘Tell him he is thirty-six and like Lott, is still young. They have many yentas left, many… many yent
as.’
Jorge grinned. ‘I will tell him, he will be happy to know, or Amelia will. Things like that annoy her. I do not know why it should.’
Both Melody and Peyton smiled at his bewildered tone. Melody informed him. ‘Jorge, do not try to understand why, just accept it does and move on.’
Peyton could see he wanted to discuss this point, so to stop Melody getting annoyed herself, she hurriedly observed. ‘Lott will be good for Esther, she needs someone in her life.’
‘Someone who is not you. I see that.’
‘Armee Girl, you are pushing it.’
‘So you say.’
‘I meant just for her.’
Melody nodded. ‘She has that now. How are they?’
‘Warm, asleep and hungry, very hungry.’
‘What is a bus?’ Jorge asked as they entered the cruiser, just as the clock ticked over to four hours.
Melody said to Peyton, ignoring Jorge’s question, when she saw the twinkle in his eyes.
‘Even with losing you. We are so getting better at this, we had a window of four hours and thirty mins, and look at us, all done just on four.’
‘I know right.’ With a grin, Peyton took her seat with Melody next to her.
Jorge stood by June, who at his nod opened the comms. ‘Commanders, are we all accounted for?’
Netta called out. ‘Warriors and Prowlers all accounted for and on board Commander.’
Kate called out. ‘Artars, healers and patients all accounted for and on board Commander.’
‘Thank you. What was our final tally, Artar Kate?’
‘One hundred and forty-six, Commander.’
‘Thank you.’ Jorge gave the order. ‘Pilot, we are away.’
June started the gentle evacuation from the moon. Once they were lifting off, Jorge said to the waiting people. ‘We are done and on board in four hours. I cannot express my appreciation any more than I do right now. You are an excellent team, every one of you. So congratulate yourselves, you did well. Our Star Daughter and I thank you for your care and concern of our patients. Settle back and enjoy the ride to the Prowler. You are all off duty until we get home. That should be long enough for you to get the dust off you. Comm’s out.’
They all laughed as he looked at Peyton, who smiled and nodded as he walked passed her to his seat. Melody whispered. ‘Good one, Peyton.’
She shrugged as she whispered back. ‘He was in command, he would have thought of it. If you are not used to it, thinking of the words to start are the hardest.’
Melody squeezed her hand. ‘We both know that.’
‘He will get better.’
Melody agreed. ‘With our help it will not take him long to get it.’
Peyton unwrapped the kits as Melody went to get Kate. When she returned with Melody, she took one look at what Peyton had on her lap and yelled for Patty to come forward.
Patty hurried to them just as Kate sat next to Peyton and placed a warm blanket across her knees.
She gently picked up a kit and placed him on her knees and began to examine him.
‘I apologize, it wasn’t my place, and you were right.’
Patty sat next to Melody, facing Kate, as Netta joined them, with a gasped she said. ‘What the hayda, they are so small.’
Patty gently took the other kit and placed him as Kate had. ‘I apologize too. We screwed up as Tad and Red did. They should have done their job right, not half-assed.’
Kate was busy examining the kit on her knee when she looked up at Peyton. ‘Forgive me, they could have died. Oh my stars, they are so young.’
Peyton touched both female’s hands and a sense of calm came over them both. ‘Don’t do that, they were found, they are hungry yes, but nothing more serious right?’ They both nodded in agreement.
‘Rave will see to Tad and Red, and you know they will never do it again. They will be better for this and these two.’ Peyton looked down at the two tiny kits. ‘Well shoot, look at them. What can be done?’
‘What sex are they?’ Netta asked Melody, who was sitting on the arm of Peyton’s seat.
She said at the same time as Kate and Patty. ‘Male.’
‘Do they have names?’ Peyton asked Melody, who tipped her head to the side. ‘Yes, but they are hidden for now. Call them kits or babies; they like the sound the words make. They love your voice, Mama Peyton already.’
Everyone chorused. ‘Awww.’
Kate confirmed with a look at Patty. ‘They need to go in an incubator and thanks to Jax we have one on board.’
Netta mused. ‘Marlo would say that they need more cooking time.’
There were smiles at that. Melody added. ‘They appear to be only about five days old, maybe younger, their age seems to be hidden from me as well. I wonder why?’ She gave Peyton a narrowed eyed look, which she ignored, making her grin.
Peyton asked. ‘Okay, Patty, can you do this? Kate is under pressure here, with everyone we just rescued and Kitolin. I know you have Tad and Red, but if you could give me a hand. Until we get home.’
‘You trust me too?’
‘Patty.’ When she looked at her, she said. ‘I know this is all still new, this concept of family. We all battle our old responses and sometimes our lack of understanding of what a family is, but if you believe nothing else, believe this. We are family and families get mad, cuss, yell, and become disappointed in each other. Frustrated, annoyed, angry, unreasonable sometimes. But you do not have to tell Darby I said that.’ They grinned as she looked at Netta. ‘Overprotective, obsessive and sometimes stubborn for no other reason than they can be. Even when they need help.’
Netta snorted. ‘Point, I will talk to him, the big giant head.’
Peyton grinned at her, ‘That’s the spirit.’ She looked at Patty and Kate. ‘You are part of our family, both of you, what have I said to make you think otherwise?’
‘Nothing.’ Kate confirmed. ‘Nothing, just old desouls.’
‘Not on you.’ Patty answered as she handed the kit back. ‘I will care for your kits.’
‘Thank you.’
Kate wiped her eyes before handing the kit back. ‘As will I. First things first, find out what to feed them?’
Melody agreed. ‘Yes, Rave first, then I think Fanharr.’
‘Why Rave?’ Asked Kate.
‘Pride Commander. He needs to know who we are bringing onto the ship. These are the Star Daughter’s bonded.’
Netta said. ‘I will inform Hawk.’
SIX:
Esther sat at the table in the dining room, the kits were asleep in her cabin. She watched the kitchen staff start preparations for first-meal under Amelia’s supervision. The away team had been gone just over four hours and she was hoping they would be back soon.
Karen slipped into the seat opposite her with a steaming cup of coffee. ‘Greetings Esther, you are up early?’
‘Greetings, I am waiting for the away team to return. Hawk did not go?’
‘No, he was on call here. Melody went with Netta and Jorge.’
‘I see.’
‘Can I ask you something?’
‘Of course you can.’
‘What is going on with you and Hawk?’
‘You assume there is something?’
‘Yes, he is not himself and is avoiding you as you are avoiding him.’
‘Ahh... I see, so that explains the early visit?’
‘He is my mate and is sad, even though he does not show it. I know you are hurting and hiding it.’
‘Am I?’
Karen narrowed her eyes and demanded. ‘Yes, now stop dancing. It is not like you, so spill it.’
Esther tossed her head and her lips tightened in annoyance as she growled. ‘Fine, he has made a decision I think is wrong. He was to go on away missions until we found all the sleepers and his brothers, all of them. Not just the two who are here, and now he has resigned his commission to stay home.’
Karen looked shocked as she thumped her cup down on the table. ‘Oh my
, he said nothing to me. Do you think it is because of me? Stars, does Peyton think that?’
Esther looked away and Karen slapped the table, causing her to gasp and turn to her cousin, who looked as though she could shoot lasers from her eyes. Making Esther’s eyes opened wide in surprise, Karen seldom lost her temper.
‘It dayam well isn’t. I had no say in his decision. We talked about having a family later and building a life together. But why we have to stay at home to do so, I don’t understand. Everyone else is talking about having their families on board. Why can’t we? Darby and Peyton have no plans to stay home…’ She answered herself. ‘No, they do not and they have children. I swear Esther, he never once told me he had decided this.’ She cried plaintively. ‘What am I going to do?’
Esther took her hand. ‘Remember, I told you about how problems like this arise in the first luneras after mating. When communications get lost and tangled up.’
Karen sighed and nodded. ‘Yes, you did.’
Esther smiled softly as she told her. ‘So go straighten him out and sort out how you will communicate from now on, and then together decide what you both want for your future.’
‘Alright, but I swear Esther, we are not staying home. Even if I have to go out by myself.’
They both grinned at the picture she painted. ‘Thanks Esther, I will go untangle this and then he will come and see you, alright?’
‘Alright Karen, you know I love you.’
‘Oh, I never doubted that for a min.’
Lady Esther the cruiser is approaching.
‘Thank you Jax.’ She got up, and she and Karen hugged. Then they walked from the diner, Esther to greet the away team and Karen to talk some sense into her new mate.
June said. ‘We dock in five… four… three... we are here.’
‘Thank you June, as always a wonderful flight.’
‘It was a pleasure, Madam.’
She started shutting down the cruiser when Melody asked. ‘June ever thought you would like to have a bonded?’
June smiled uncertainly. ‘Never thought I would be able to, being a pilot.’
‘Like they care.’ Peyton said. ‘Melody, does she have a match?’
‘Yep, a sweet little female, her name is Yinny, she is twelve. Would you like to meet her June?’
Still running her shut down checks, she said as her hands shook a little. ‘Yes, I would.’