Daughter Of Ethos: Deadly Betrayal Book 5

by L M Lacee

  They both looked around at the small tables in the corners with flowers on them and the pale yellow walls and green floor. It had one door which they stood outside of, Peyton said softly.

  ‘Now please forgive me if I have been presumptuous. I do not intend to disrespect you and you can say no.’

  Suna asked. ‘What is it, where are we?’

  Peyton pointed to the door. ‘In there are Draygon eggs, unclaimed, unwanted and in stasis. They are for guardioan. We have successfully matched up well over five hundred and ten couples with their new babies. I should also tell you, if you are willing, you may take the eggs you wish now and place more for later. I will explain how to do that if you want. The color of the egg denotes the color of the baby Draygon, or maybe their wing color if they are of mixed blood. Also two bands is for male, three for female.’

  Henri huskily asked. ‘Are you telling us we can become parents?’

  ‘Yes, that is what I am saying.’

  Suna said. ‘This is what you referred to on Terra?’

  ‘Yes.’

  ‘Even then you wanted me to have a family?’

  ‘Oh Suna, I want everyone to belong to someone, family, child, mate, bonded. Makes no difference, just to belong. You and Henri have given so much to your family, now it is time for you to receive something in return.’

  ‘You really are a gracious person.’ Suna said with what Peyton thought might be tears in her eyes.

  ‘Thank you, so you want to have a look?’

  They looked at each other and Suna said. ‘My Henri deserves to be a father.’

  Henri kissed her hand and lovingly said. ‘As my Suna deserves to be a mother.’

  Pleased, Peyton asked. ‘So that is a yes?’

  Suna stated archly. ‘Did we not just say so?’

  ‘Yes, Ma’am.’ Peyton grinned. A snarky Suna made her world better. ‘So it works like this, you go in and the egg or baby calls to you.’

  She opened the door for them and as soon as they walked in, an egg rocked. ‘Oh my.’ Avana said. ‘It looks like you are parents.’

  Henri and Suna rushed to the pale green egg with three bands, fearful the egg would rock itself from the sling. Suna’s face shone with love and laughter as she said. ‘I think we have a daughter Henri, do you wish to look further?’

  He shook his head in stunned surprise. ‘I thought we would not be lucky. I was convinced my heart could not be any filler. No, my treasure, a daughter is enough.’

  Patty transferred in. ‘Greetings you two.’ She whispered to Peyton and Avana.

  ‘Greetings.’ Peyton whispered back and hugged her. ‘Are you here for them?’

  ‘Yeah, my turn.’

  Just then, Harm walked in the room. ‘Greetings Ladies.’

  ‘Greetings Harm, I am happy you could make it.’

  He raised his eyebrows over beautiful eyes and whispered. ‘Thank you for inviting me.’

  He stared at his aunt and uncle. ‘They are happy, the happiest I have ever seen Suna.’ He hugged Peyton. ‘Thank you Peyton for making this happen and for returning the girls to us.’

  She returned his hug as Avana murmured. ‘I think you need to tell your aunt and uncle their other baby awaits them.’

  They all looked toward a rocking egg in a blue sling. Harm grinned and strolled toward his aunt and uncle, saying. ‘Are you sure you are finished, Henri?’

  Surprised, both Henri and Suna exclaimed. ‘Harm!’

  Smiling, he hugged first Henry then Suna and said to them both. ‘I think your son is not pleased you are thinking of leaving him.’

  He nodded to a teal blue egg, which was rocking so hard it was making the sling swing from side to side. With a gasp, Henri walked to the egg and placed his hand on it. ‘Son hush, we will not leave you.’

  Suna placed her hand next to Henri’s, and the egg stilled. Together they turned to Peyton and asked. ‘What do we do now?’

  ‘Firstly, do you wish any more children, you may reserve others for later.’

  They spoke together for several mins, then Henri smiled and said. ‘No thank you Madam, we are content with a boy and girl, with our boys and their girls, we will have a full home.’

  Peyton nodded. ‘Yeah, seems that way, so you both know Patty, she has come to help you.’

  ‘Congratulations on your son and daughter, we will take you and your eggs to your home. I will explain everything you need to know there, with a cup of tea which you both deserve.’

  Jax announced. By the time you arrive at your home, two incubators will have been delivered.

  Patty moved the air cradle in when they all admired it. Peyton said. ‘We had them made to move the eggs to their new homes.’

  They watched as Henri carefully slipped the egg from the blue sling and gently placed it in the cradle, then they went to the female egg and repeated the process.

  Brenda arrived as they finished. ‘Greetings Suna, Henri.’ She nodded and smiled at the others.

  Suna bemused at the speed of this exciting development in her and her treasure’s life greeted Brenda. ‘Greetings Brenda, it appears we are to be parents.’

  Brenda smiled at the expressions on both their faces. ‘It is all right dearle, we will sort it all out.’ She told Suna as they walked from the vault. ‘I and my Marlo have eggs as well. Let us go home and Patty and I will explain what is to happen and what you will need for now and how to manage your eggs.’

  Harm with a wink at Peyton and another hug and a few whispered words to his aunt and uncle left the vault. With a wave to the happy couple, Peyton and Avana left them in the care of Patty and Brenda.

  Peyton said to Avana. ‘Alright, job well done. Let’s go eat.’

  ‘Sounds good.’

  Peyton asked. ‘So not this then?’

  ‘No, and it is quite irritating, not being able to see what it is that is prodding at me.’

  FIFTY- ONE:

  Later that day, Penny comm’d Peyton. ‘Madam, Fox is calling.’

  ‘Put him through, on voice only please. Jax scan and scramble the call.’

  Is that a technical term Madam. I am not familiar with it.

  ‘Ahh, well I heard it on a vid last night.’

  Was it a vid from Earth?

  ‘Yes.’

  I see.

  ‘So are you scrambling?’

  I am endeavoring to do so.

  Avana giggled, as Peyton sighed, then Fox was on the comm. ‘Greetings Fox, how are you?’

  ‘Greetings, I am well my dearle, how are you?’

  ‘I have had better wekens, sweetie.’

  ‘I am sorry to hear that perhaps you need to visit me. I miss you.’

  ‘As I miss you. How goes the shopping?’

  ‘We have most of the items.’

  ‘How can I help?’

  ‘I think it would be easier if you came and chose for yourself. I feel we are not benefitting from your expertise.’

  ‘Well, that is what I will do. Oh, have you met those friends of mine I told you about?’

  ‘Only one unfortunately, he is asleep at the moment.’

  ‘I am sorry, I missed talking to him.’

  ‘Oh, do not fret my dearle, we have him staying with us.’

  ‘I will bring his family to visit.’

  ‘He would enjoy that, I am sure. You never said he was a spiritual being.’

  ‘I apologize. I thought I had.’

  ‘It is rumored the others you mentioned will be at the Capital in ten or fifteen days.’

  Peyton hummed, then said. ‘Rumors always seem to have a smattering of truth.’

  ‘I have heard they have business with the Coalition. It is also rumored there is to be a grand meeting and all the Coalition worlds are invited. They are hoping to schedule it for fifteen days. It will of course depend on who attends.’

  ‘Perhaps we should be there. Maybe I will catch up with my friends then.’

  ‘This is the Capital, one must be big and bold to attract t
he attention of old friends.’

  Peyton smiled as she asked. ‘Is that so?’

  ‘I would think so. It is a safe way to see them.’

  ‘Expect us soon.’

  ‘I should warn you, finding a place to stay will be a hardship because of the meeting.’

  ‘I see, I may have a solution for that.’

  ‘I was sure you would have.’

  ‘Good-day sweetie.’

  ‘Good-day dearle.’

  ‘Cheeky!’ She said as a clap of thunder was heard overhead. Avana looked at her, and she shrugged one shoulder. ‘What?’

  ‘You know what.’

  ‘PENNY.’ She yelled, and then said to Avana. ‘Just wait until it is your turn.’

  ‘I have told you, things like that do not happen to Senes or Sevna’s.’

  ‘And I told you bull crap.’

  ‘You bellowed Madam.’ Sniped Penny as she entered.

  Peyton looked her up and down, saw she was back to normal and grinned. ‘Yes, we need to assemble everyone you can think of for a meeting first thing in the morn. Where is Jarrod?’

  Avana informed her. ‘At the Draygon’s Hexes with Malchol and Telfor scanning the Draygons.’

  Peyton frowned, then nodded. ‘Oh okay.’

  FIFTY-TWO:

  A half hour later Karen appeared in Peyton’s office, distraught and disheveled. Pushing past Penny, she screamed. ‘I have lost the girls!’

  Peyton’s heart stopped for a min, then she said calmly. ‘Karen calm down, Carrick attend please.’

  He arrived with a baby spoon in hand.

  ‘Yes, Madam.’

  Peyton hid her smile at the sight he made, Avana turned her head to the window as her smile almost split her face. Penny made gagging noises, trying not to laugh at the sight of the huge male holding delicately the tiny spoon. The only one who did not find the situation amusing was Karen.

  Peyton told him. ‘The girls have escaped and made a mad dash for freedom.’

  Karen screeched. ‘Peyton, it is not funny!’

  Just as Reeve ran in with Hawk, swords in their hands. ‘What has happen… why are you screeching?’ Demanded Reeve before Hawk could ask his mate what was wrong.

  Peyton admonished. ‘Swords away.’ Then she pointed at Karen and tearfully said. ‘She lost the girls.’

  Karen almost stuttered in her disbelief of Peyton’s obvious fake tearful cries. Especially when the males all look at her with accusations in their eyes. She narrowed her eyes at Peyton as Hawk asked. ‘Karen, is this true, you lost the girls?’

  She pointed right back at Peyton and demanded of Hawk and Reeve. ‘Are you really buying that load of tuap?’

  Peyton gave a loud watery sniff as Karen’s eyes narrowed into slits and she raised her voice to a screech as she pointed at Peyton. ‘You… you... female… I cannot believe you!’

  ‘Why am I to blame? I am the victim!’

  Karen looked into the accusing eyes of her mate and his brother and flung her hands up as she screamed in frustration.

  Reeve roared at her. ‘Why must you make that noise, stop now?’

  Karen screeched. ‘Why are you standing there, go get them, they are lost, stolen, gone!’ She sobbed loudly as Hawk tried to take her in his arms.

  ‘My heart…’

  She pulled from him and yelled. ‘Do not, my heart me. Go with the giant one and get them. You, child protector, fetch now. Why are you not moving?’ She screeched loudly again.

  Esther hurriedly entered. ‘What in the name of the stars has you so upset, dearle?’

  ‘I lost the girls!’ She hiccupped and sobbed as Esther pulled her into her arms.

  ‘Oh, I see and…’

  ‘What do you mean and…?’ She pulled from Esther’s arms and pointed at Peyton. ‘You…’

  She pointed back. ‘Hey female, I did not lose them, you did.’

  ‘I know!’ She burst into tears again.

  Peyton scowled at the bewildered Hawk. ‘Did you knock her up?’

  ‘I do not understand what you are saying. You will stop making her cry, immediately.’

  ‘What did I do? It is my young who are lost.’

  Just then Miko walked in. ‘Again Madam, you have misplaced your young again?’

  Peyton looked wide-eyed at her and sniffed, dramatically. ‘Yes, but it wasn’t me this time.’

  ‘And yet you are the parent.’ Miko returned and shook her head.

  Peyton growled loudly, very much like Rage did. Esther said. ‘Stop that, really the drama… Karen dearle, maybe you should go see a healer. Hawk take her to Heather.’

  ‘The girls?’ She wailed loudly.

  Reeve asked, horrified at the sounds she was making. ‘What is she doing?’

  ‘It is a new way of screeching.’ Peyton told him loudly over the top of Karen’s noisy crying.

  Reeve growled at Hawk. ‘Make her stop now.’

  Hawk snarled right back at him. ‘Shut up giant one and go and find the girls before I kick your ass.’

  Reeve crossed his arms in his stubborn stance that meant he would move only when he was good and ready and not before. They had all witnessed it many times. ‘I am an Elite…’

  ‘Who will go find my nieces now?’ Said an uncompromising voice from behind him.

  Reeve turned slowly and beheld his mate. ‘My heart, do not take that tone, I am…’

  Darby marched up to him and poked him in the chest. ‘I am furious with you, did you think I would not find out what you have been up to?’

  He hesitantly asked as he ran through everything he had done over the last few days. While he eyed his small mate and her sharp finger.

  ‘What have I been up to?’

  Darby poked him again. ‘I will give you a hint. I am not excitable, now go.’ She pointed out the door.

  With a sigh he hung his head. ‘Yes, my heart.’ He spied Carrick. ‘You come.’

  Carrick grinned and held the spoon up. ‘I cannot.’

  He then disappeared, Reeve walked out of the Hex and bellowed. ‘Warriors to me.’

  Darby asked Hawk. ‘Well, you are here why?’

  He raised his eyebrows and hurriedly said. ‘We are just going.’ He hustled Karen from the room and Darby’s wrath.

  Esther nodded. ‘Well done, dearle.’

  ‘I try.’ Darby grinned evilly. ‘I love being a mini Esther.’

  Miko fled the room along with Penny before Darby looked their way.

  ‘Way to clear a room.’ Peyton high-fived her.

  She grinned. ‘It is a gift, Esther is teaching me. So where are the girls?’

  ‘In a cave.’

  ‘Is that safe?’

  ‘Don’t worry, now Draykin and Rayvan are there, Carrick has gone to retrieve them.’

  Darby, in the middle of sitting, stopped halfway and asked faintly. ‘Draykin and Rayvan are where now?’

  ‘With the new special Prowlers!’

  All three females just looked at her as she stared back at them. Finally when it seemed she would say no more. Esther said. ‘I will ask, girly, why are they special?’

  ‘Oh, they are a Pride that everyone thought had become extinct.’

  Rage, Briark and Leiark entered as Rage said. Omperea we call them Casmal, they are small. Half the size of our Pride members when mature.

  Peyton said. ‘Think about the pics of Lynx you have seen, they are about that size. They have cream fur and heavy black lined eyes. In every other way, they are just like the Prowlers.’

  The kits jumped up onto her desk and sat, neither of them laid down though, she imagined that was because of Rage being in the room. Peyton hid her grin as Rage eyed the kits and then her. He shook his head when he realized she would not remove them from the desk.

  He explained to Esther and the others. They are reported to be deadly fighters. Where we are long-range fighters, they are expert at close range. He looked at Peyton. They will make excellent bonded for the young and non-combatant females.<
br />
  ‘I think that is what the Tuarillians thought when they guided them here.’

  ‘I hope they agree.’ Esther said, dismissing the word Tuarillian. She knew Peyton had said that without thought or as she looked at her, maybe not.

  Peyton nodded. ‘I am sure we will find out. They have a very strong female leader.’

  Rage snorted. I will make her understand.

  Melody walked in. ‘We have a problem!’

  Peyton sat down. ‘How... how can we, they have just arrived?’

  ‘Who are you talking about?’

  ‘The Casmal.’

  Melody closed her eyes for a min, then opened them. ‘Their leader is a serene being like Salmah. If it is needed, I will have words with her. No, that is not the problem. Frand has a bond, but I cannot find him.’

  ‘Who the Prowler or Frand?’

  Melody stared at her as Peyton scowled. ‘It was a legitimate question. You did not make it clear.’

  ‘Frand.’ Melody hissed between clenched teeth.

  Peyton’s eyes became soft as did her voice. ‘He has a bond, oh that is wonderful. What is his name?’

  ‘Riim come in.’

  Riim walked in. He was large and had deep blue eyes, almost navy. His fur was the color of honey with faint black spots, he looked just like a leopard.

  Welcome Riim to Maikonia.

  Thank you, Beloved.

  Melody asked. ‘So do you know where he is?’

  ‘Oh yes. Why did you not ask Jax to comm him?’

  Melody blinked and snarled. ‘Why are you picking on me? I told you I have egg pregnancy brain.’

  ‘Oh my stars, its egg pregnancy brain now. Jax comm Frand, please.’

  As you wish, Madam, he is at the port in one of the hydro sections.

  Frand appeared on the holo, stripped down to his waist. A loud clap of thunder was heard overhead, causing Peyton to smile when she heard it.

  ‘Hubba-bubba.’ Darby said as she nudged Melody.

  Avana stated without taking her eyes from Frand. ‘You are mated.’

  ‘But not dead.’ Melody answered as she and Darby high-fived each other.

  Darby asked softly. ‘Is he flexing?’

  ‘Dearle stars, I had no idea he was so hot.’ Melody whispered back.

  Esther said just as softly. ‘Someone has been hiding his light under a bushel.’