Omnes Videntes (The Space Merchants Book 4)

by Wendie Nordgren

  “Oh, now we’re even. You didn’t let me visit at the Valens’ for three months.”

  “General Cassian, that picture has made you rise considerably in public opinion,” Director Sapor informed him.

  Chapter Five

  That evening, Fitz Jiri arrived. Phillip insisted that I remain at the Palace under Dr. Fotri’s care while he, Yukihyo, and Nico drove to the land port to greet Fitz. I held Niklos and watched as Pierce entertained Neema. An elaborate dinner was being prepared to welcome Fitz and would be held in a seldom used dining room in the Palace. To date, we had either eaten our meals in Papa’s private dining room or on my patio. Papa enthusiastically encouraged me to do whatever I wished and had given me free reign of the Palace to host as many dinners and parties as I wanted.

  The Valens, Gram, Abbie and Orson, Director Sapor, Ambassador Stine, and Dr. Fotri would be joining the rest of us. General and Mrs. Tereas, Yukihyo’s sisters and their husbands would also be at the dinner. Yukihyo had made his mother and sisters very happy with the items he had brought them from the Laconian Sector. While Lady Galatea’s messages and gifts had been welcomed, they had impacted our family in a negative way. Adini, my sister-in-law, and Galina, her daughter, had begun to argue which was shocking to me.

  Adini had her mind set against allowing Galina to travel from the Parvac Empire to the Laconian Sector and Chione. Adini and the other women had been stolen from Chione, their home world, after bloody battles against Parvac invaders. Except for Yukihyo, all of the Ponidi men had died defending their clan. Galina wanted to meet her father’s mother, see her home world, and learn everything she could about her biological father, the Enyo father who she had never met. Yukihyo and I were doing our best to stay out of it.

  I smiled at Violet as she entered the sitting room. She said, “The dining room looks absolutely amazing. Otto told me that it hasn’t been used in over twenty years. Oh, sorry.” Violet blushed and met my eyes sympathetically. The room hadn’t been used since my mother had been abducted.

  “Violet, it’s time we changed that. Papa has suffered long enough. He has me, two grandchildren, and three sons-in-law. I want the Palace to be full of happiness, love, and laughter. So, thank you for checking on the arrangements for me. What are we going to do for entertainment after dinner?” Violet and I stared at each other. “Any suggestions, Kaoti?”

  “No,” he answered from where he stood near the patio doors.

  Neema laughed when she heard his monosyllabic reply and crawled to him. He bent down and picked her up. Kaoti had relaxed a little since Izaac, Zeth, and Zared immediately reported to him upon sensing any non-approved visitors to the Palace grounds. Kaoti had assigned each of my Laconian brothers a duty station. Aside from his annoyance with Zared for his refusal to cut his hip-length dove-grey hair into the standard Parvac military cut, Kaoti got along well with his new team. In confidence, Violet had told me that Kaoti was actually beginning to like them a little. Violet and Kaoti stayed in my wing of the Palace, but my new brothers resided in the barracks where the other Palace guards kept them company. I had tried to get the men to explore Parvac and have some fun. However, as far as I knew, the only time they had left the Palace grounds was to accompany me to the land port.

  Rolf and Otto opened the doors to my wing, and I watched as Phillip, Yukihyo, Nico, and Fitz walked down the long hall and into my sitting room. Ambassador Jiri’s words came unbidden into my mind. “My nephew worships you,” he had said or something similar. With Niklos asleep in my arms, I stood.

  “Fitz, it was so good of you to come.” Fitz bowed to me. I laughed. “What are we? Have we become strangers?”

  “Princess?” Fitz asked as he rose.

  Smiling, I stepped closer and gave his cheek a peck when he bent down to me. “Fitz, this handsome little man is Niklos. He may look like his daddy, but he has my eyes.”

  Violet instructed one of the Palace servants in which room to place Fitz’s luggage. Fitz seemed surprised to be staying in my wing.

  “Well, where did you think you would be staying? The earlier we get out on the lake the better. It would be inconvenient if you were to stay at a hotel,” Phillip told him.

  “It’s a shame that I can’t go out on the lake with you,” I said sadly.

  Chuckling to himself, Yukihyo sat on the couch.

  “Woman, do not start this again. I have apologized. My intention was your safety,” Nico said with an exaggerated sigh. “What must I do to earn your forgiveness?”

  Staring up at Nico, I said, “Are you lifting my restrictions, husband? Am I to be allowed to use my pleasure barge, to visit my Grandmother’s house, and to come and go as I please?”

  “With the approval of your physicians, yes, Princess Probus.”

  With a raised eyebrow, I glanced at Phillip.

  Phillip said, “I think your pain levels may dictate to you what you can and can’t do. All that I ask is that either Dr. Fotri or myself are nearby at all times for the immediate future.”

  “Deal,” I said. “Fitz, please make yourself at home. It looks like we will get to accompany you all tomorrow.” Smiling at the prospect of going on an adventure for the first time in months, even if it was simply to float around on the lake behind the Palace, I sat down with Niklos who had begun to wake. He yawned before opening his eyes which were almost identical to my own. “Hello, my love. Have you awoken from beautiful dreams?”

  His answer was a hungry wail. I saw to his needs. I noticed Fitz’s troubled expression before he stared down at the thick white carpeting that now covered every inch of floor in my wing. In my thoughts, Zared said, “He saw the scar and realizes how close we came to losing you.”

  I was ashamed of the ugly scar, and I was tired of continuing to feel pain. It seemed that recovering from a heart transplant took time. While I felt much better than I had previous to receiving my artificial heart, I still tired easily.

  Whispering into my mind, Zared said, “You will continue to grow stronger each day. Lorca is eager to care for the Prince.”

  I held Niklos on my shoulder while I adjusted my clothing. “Lorca, I’m afraid I need some help. Will you change him?”

  “Yes, Princess,” Lorca said as he carefully took the baby from me.

  “Do you need to lie down for a while before dinner, lady wife?” Yukihyo asked.

  “What? Disappear just as soon as Fitz arrives? No, I’ll just sit still. I’m fine. How was your trip from Thalassa?” I asked Fitz.

  “Strangely, I found it to be relaxing. With nothing else to do, I managed to get a great deal of work completed.”

  “What kind of work?” I asked.

  Fitz smiled, and his nondescript brown eyes twinkled at me. “Harvesting is complete, the pineapples have been cleaned and packed, and sent to buyers. After each shipment is received, I have credits to verify and workers and merchants to pay. Next, the land will be prepped for planting so that I can do it all over again. I would be happy to give you a tour and show you how everything works on your next visit.”

  “Thank you. I’d like that.”

  Lorca returned with Niklos who ended up gently cradled in his daddy’s arms. Neema let out a joyous shriek when General and Mrs. Tereas arrived. Kaoti carried Neema to her grandmother.

  “Here is my little one,” Mrs. Tereas said as she pressed her forehead to Neema’s.

  “Ma,” Neema said as she patted Mrs. Tereas’ cheeks.

  Yukihyo kissed his mother’s cheek and gave a polite handshake to his father-in-law. Yukihyo could barely tolerate the man even though his ship had not attacked the Ponidi Clan. The crew had still taken his mother and sisters from Chione to Parvac. I understood his feelings of being resentful over what might have been. What might have happened had he known his clan mother and sisters lived? What might have happened had Dr. Crispus contacted the Enforcers and helped my mother?

  “It is useless speculation,” Zeth calmly stated in my mind.

  “I suggest we await our guests
in the reception room,” Papa said.

  Yukihyo gave me his arm, and together we walked from our wing to the spacious room in the front of the Palace. Yukihyo had been quiet and reserved with me. He treated me as though I were as fragile as a snowflake and might disappear from existence just as quickly. I was sorry that I had frightened him. Sensing my feelings, Yukihyo kissed my temple.

  Gradually, all of our guests arrived. During dinner, Gram, Grandmother, Ambassador Stine, and Violet told Fitz all about Arachne.

  “Your uncle hosted such a lovely ball for Teagan,” Gram said.

  “He told me that the ladies of Arachne are the most beautiful women he has ever seen,” Fitz said.

  “Did he tell you that I got stuck in a chair?” I asked.

  “No, he did tell me that he had the pleasure of speaking to you and dancing with you for which I remain envious.”

  “Your uncle is charming,” I said. I glanced down at the onyx and black diamond ring that graced my right hand and remembered his vow of loyalty on behalf of House Jiri to House Probus. What Ambassador Jiri and his family hoped was clearly obvious. They offered me Fitz for their continued support. Politically, I had no idea if Papa needed their support or if they needed us. Someone had once suggested to me that I smile at my suitors and accept their gifts. I would do that and stall for time.

  Various pleasant conversations surrounded me. I allowed myself to appreciate the elegant beauty of the dining room. Upon the sparkling white stone floor sat a massive white and grey marble topped dining table held aloft by carved, gold-plated legs. We sat on matching chairs with padded white fabric seats and small square backs. In each corner of the room were round, marble tables that held large cobalt blue vases full of white roses. Several small, glittering chandeliers cast their light down upon the dishes of cobalt blue and the golden dinner ware making them appear to twinkle. Papa caught my eyes and smiled.

  The tinkling of glasses as they were returned to the table’s surface and forks as they touched plates was like music accompanying the voices of my loved ones as they spoke. Joy filled my heart as I smoothed the white napkin across my now existing lap. The nanite patches continued to work, and I had begun to feel less hideous. Yukihyo reached down to claim my hand in his. I smiled, turned my head, and looked into his eyes.

  “Ruyo, I never dreamed my brother would one day wed into the royal family of Parvac,” Ashura said with a laugh and delighted emotions as she glanced around her at the spectacular room and lifted her glass. “Ruyo and Teagan, may the light of the moon ease your path along packed snow to a warm hearth and full oven,” Ashura toasted.

  Yukihyo laughed at the traditional toast of Chione. We raised our glasses and drank. Adini shot her sister an annoyed look. Ashura and Aya had been in favor of allowing Galina to journey with us on our next trip to the Laconian Sector. Aya, Adina, and Ashura’s husbands exchanged looks with each other. A brilliant idea occurred to me. I turned to Papa and gave him a dazzling smile. From the look he gave me, I knew I could have anything I wanted.

  “Papa, will you proclaim my little niece, Galina, an honorary princess of the Parvac Empire? It is only right for her to join me along with my Bosh sisters. Then, perhaps she will be less inclined to leave.”

  “Anything that pleases my darling I will do without hesitation as long as it meets the approval of Galina’s parents,” Papa said.

  Adina’s husband, Lieutenant Lonon Treves, gave me his absolute attention. “Teagan, do you know what that would mean for Galina?” Adini asked.

  “Well, if she reacts the way Eri, Jamila, Erykah, and Jin-an did, I imagine it would cheer her up considerably and give her something on which to concentrate other than Chione. Also, with Papa’s princess rule of always minding your daddy, it may make future contentions a thing of the past,” I answered with a wink and a sly grin.

  “Princess Probus, to award Galina such a high honor would assure her a husband of either the Warrior or Scholar Caste. Men of the best families would one-day hope to win her interest. This is a great honor for House Treves,” Lonon said.

  I sensed pleasure from Mrs. Tereas.

  “After seeing the Ponidi home of Chione, I believe the title is befitting of ladies of the Ponidi Clan,” I said.

  Servants began clearing our plates and setting the table for dessert.

  “We will plan a small party for Galina and have all of the children of our families present,” Papa said.

  After dessert and a few hugs and kisses, Yukihyo’s sisters and their husbands prepared to return to their homes. Mrs. Tereas pressed her forehead to mine and then kissed my eyelids while holding my hands in hers. General Tereas bowed to me and then offered his wife his arm. I watched as Yukihyo hugged his sisters before helping them into their transports. Papa was speaking quietly with Ambassador Stine.

  “Thank you for including me in a delightful evening,” Director Sapor said from my left.

  Turning to him, I said, “You are always welcome. Thank you for coming.” Director Sapor went to his transport as it was brought around for him. Nico slid his arm around me from my right side. I smiled up at him. “Nico, to what caste do the Palace servants and drivers belong? I don’t really know much about my own people.”

  “Only those of the Warrior Caste may serve the Imperial family. In ages past, Palace servants were required to defend the Emperor in times of war,” Nico explained.

  “Oh, I think I remember reading that when I studied feudal Parvac.”

  “Cupcake, if you are going with us in the morning, you’d better get some sleep.”

  “When are we leaving?” I asked.

  “While it’s still dark, and we’re taking some boats out,” Phillip said.

  I made a face. “How about you all do as you please? However, the children and I will join you out on the lake when we are ready. We will bring lunch, and you can find us when you are hungry.” Phillip raised an eyebrow at me and gave me a look like I was being snooty. “Dr. Fotri, do you mind keeping us company in the morning?” I asked as we walked away from the front entrance.

  “I’d be delighted,” Dr. Fotri said.

  “Please, join us in my wing whenever you like. We won’t leave without you.”

  That shut Phillip up. He wouldn’t have to worry about me with Dr. Fotri watching over me. Phillip would be able to relax and have some fun. I thought that was what all of us needed after the last stressful months of my pregnancy. I looked into the dining room in time to catch Violet as she playfully smeared icing from our dessert onto Kaoti’s nose. He grabbed her and rubbed it off on her neck which had her giggling and her skirt swishing around his legs. Just as fast, the former assassin turned bodyguard, returned to attention when he noticed me. I laughed at them. Violet turned to me with a huge smile and pink cheeks.

  Papa was seeing Gram, the Valens, and Ambassador Stine off, so I continued walking to my wing on Nico’s arm. Yukihyo caught up with us. Phillip and Fitz sat waiting for us on chairs in the hall. Between them was a table above which hung a portrait of my grandfather, Emperor Tiberious Probus. Tiberious had stern, unforgiving brown eyes and managed to frighten me with his image.

  Sensing my fear, Yukihyo said, “Lady wife, as I recall the first time you met your Papa, you were terrified of him.”

  On the opposite wall, there was a portrait of my grandmother, Empress Jorja Probus. She seemed aloof and cold. Jorja’s hair had been a lighter shade of brown, but her eyes looked darker than those of Tiberious.

  “I think Papa looks more like Jorja than Tiberious. What do you think?”

  Yukihyo kissed my temple and said, “I think he has his mother’s eyes, nose, and mouth, but got everything else from his father.”

  “The Emperor and Empress were stern and insisted on formality. The only time Tavere had any fun was when he escaped to the Valen Estate to socialize with Kagan. Your mother taught him what happiness was. When he lost her, the light left his eyes. Ten years after losing Neema, Jorja passed away, and a year later Tiberious f
ollowed her,” Dr. Fotri said.

  “How old was she?” I asked.

  “Oh, she was rather old. Jorja kept her age a secret, but popular belief was that she was at least fifty when she bore your father, an only child,” Dr. Fotri explained.

  Curious, I asked, “What was her name before she married?”

  Dr. Fotri smiled at me. “Your grandmother was Jorja Fotri before she married your grandfather.”

  “Are we related?” I asked with wide eyes.

  Dr. Fotri raised an eyebrow. “Jorja was my father’s sister and my aunt. Your Papa and I are cousins. You and I are first cousins once removed.”

  “Why didn’t you tell me? We’ve spent so much time together. You went with me to Ephors’ military base.” With his hands clasped behind his back, he stepped closer. “I was so awful to you when Yukihyo went to Aurilius.” Shame consumed me for how I had screamed at Dr. Fotri for making me sleep. “Is that why you didn’t tell me, because I was mean to you?” The end of my nose began to tingle.

  “Teagan, had you known of our shared bloodlines, would you have yelled at me?” Dr. Fotri asked.

  “No, never!”

  “Would you have allowed me to accompany you to the base as you attempted to conquer your fear?”

  I scrunched my brow up in thought. I had seen Dr. Fotri as a dispassionate observer whose interest in me was merely to keep me healthy either per Emperor Probus’ orders or out of loyalty to Parvac.

  “Would you have allowed Phillip to go with you?” he asked.

  I looked up. “No, he would have babied me. I wanted to do it on my own.”

  “You needed to know that you were strong enough to face your fears alone because deep down you expect to lose everyone you love. In time, the realization that you will never again exist in solitude will materialize to you. I thought it best not to crowd you.” Dr. Fotri shrugged.

  I narrowed my eyes and wondered if I had inherited that gesture from him. Phillip and Fitz followed us into my sitting room where Orson and Abbie played with Neema and Niklos.