“Me? What do I have to do with it? Papa said he wanted me to fill in for him with his social obligations.”
Director Sapor smirked at me. “Tavere considers petty squabbles amongst the ranks to be a social obligation.” I had to be looking at him as though he were crazy. “The funds will be put to good use with whichever division you choose.”
“Aren’t you going to tell me what to do?”
He looked at me. “No.”
I scowled at him, clasped my hands before me, and lowered them to Papa’s desk. I made up my mind. “My cousins, husband, and friends are in Sector 45320B. If they run into trouble, I want them prepared. Inspector Gordian, I think it is in our best interests to know everything we can about the aliens. If they are our enemies, I think you are right. It would be best to hit them at home and not wait for them to attack. Do what you think is best.”
“Thank you, Princess Probus,” Inquisitor Gordian said.
Powerfully loud wailing could be heard and was coming closer. I stood and went to the door to admit Lorca. “Oh, did Mommy’s baby wake up hungry and mad?” I asked as I took Niklos. Lorca followed me to the chair and held one of Niklos’ blankets in front of us to give us privacy from the officers. Niklos stopped screaming to nurse. “I’m sorry. Was there something else?”
“You will need to press your palm to a few screens, Princess,” Director Sapor informed me.
“Princess Probus, if possible, I would like to meet with you to discuss infiltration plans for Talpa,” Inquisitor Gordian said in a serious tone.
While watching Niklos’ little face, I said, “With me? Perhaps, it would be best for you to discuss your plans with Admiral Valen.”
“On the contrary, I believe you offer an unbiased opinion and am curious to know your thoughts.”
Director Sapor spoke up. “The Princess has a full schedule today.” I gave him a grateful look.
“That is unfortunate. I had hoped to share with you also a report I received about the Princess. It is of monumental historical significance to have our first tourists to the Empire,” Vice Admiral Galerius said.
“I would like to know about that,” I said quietly.
“I only have information concerning the progress of your hybrids in their training programs on Ephors,” General Braga said.
I frowned, burped Niklos, and switched him.
“I may have a solution. Teagan must attend a garden party tomorrow. Perhaps you gentlemen might be willing to serve as her escorts,” Director Sapor suggested. I frowned at him.
“It is not ideal, but I suppose it will do,” said Vice Admiral Galerius.
“I will send to each of you the Princess’ itinerary so that you may plan accordingly,” Director Sapor said as he tapped away at a screen.
As I finished up with Niklos, I noticed a small smile on Lorca’s face which confirmed my own suspicions that these men were being deliberately thrown at me.
“Until tomorrow, Princess Probus,” Galerius said as he bowed to me and then left.
“Thank you for your time, Princess,” said Gordian, who followed him out.
Niklos smiled up at me. I kissed his nose. Lorca folded the blanket that he had held in front of us and moved aside.
“You have a beautiful son, Princess. General Cassian is a fortunate man,” Braga said.
“Thank you. We couldn’t be happier.”
“Good day to you, Princess.” He bowed and left.
“Why did you do that, Larkin?” I asked angrily.
“What might that be, Teagan?” he asked with equal attitude.
“Why’d you invite them to go with me?”
Larkin raised an eyebrow at me. His eyebrows were the same blonde and grey as his hair. “Your father is always accompanied by his top military advisors. A great deal can be accomplished in a transport.” I sighed. “Please, place your palm here to approve the Inquisitor’s funding.” I did as he asked.
“Did Papa make Galina Treves an honorary princess like he did for my new Bosh sisters?”
Larkin actually smiled at me. “Let’s check.” He placed a call to Papa.
It took a while for Papa to answer. His eyes sparkled with mischief. “Hello, my darling. Aw! There is my grandson. Look how handsome you are.” Papa wasn’t alone. Several men his age and older were with him. “Allow me to introduce my military advisors,” he said with a wave of his hand as his brown eyes twinkled at me.
I realized the gesture was the extent of his introduction and frowned. The men were all familiar to me from the Palace.
“I am transmitting to you what we have accomplished today, Emperor Probus,” Larkin said.
Papa looked over the screen and smiled, approved of my plans for Galina, laughed, and ended our call. Then, I was free to return to my sitting room. I gave Niklos to Lorca and went to shower and change. Zared silently followed me to my bedroom door. I scrubbed my back in the shower intent on removing any traces of the fish Phillip had dropped down my shirt. Afterwards, I put on a pink dress with short sleeves and a long, full skirt. Then, I slipped my feet into a pair of soft tan flats.
“This is what I should have worn to Papa’s office.” I shook my head and walked out. “Zared, where is everyone?”
“They are on the lawn.” Zared seemed tense but shook his head at me, so I didn’t ask.
In my sitting room, I noticed my white carpet had been saved and continued out to the patio. Yukihyo held Neema’s hands and helped her walk. I could feel his happy amusement. Yukihyo smiled at me with his beautiful mouth.
“Lady wife, I sensed annoyance from you.”
“Yes, Nico warned me this morning that the Warrior Caste had targeted me, and I think he’s right. I’m being manipulated into spending time with some of Papa’s military officers.”
“Don’t worry. I will protect you.”
“Really? Good. You can come with me tomorrow to a party I have to attend for Papa.”
Abbie came out to talk to us. “Teagan, Orson must return to Coronis. Two of the planet’s most influential families are preparing to go to war against one another,” she said as she wrung her hands together.
“You can’t be serious.”
“Oh, I am. Promise me that you will send me pictures of Niklos and Neema each day until we return.”
“I promise.”
Abbie kissed me, hugged Yukihyo, and picked Neema up and cuddled her. “Grandmama will miss you so much.”
“Teagan, we will return once I have the situation on Coronis diffused. Neither of us wish to leave you,” Viceroy Orson Marcos, my new father-in-law, said as he hugged me.
Nico strode forward and kissed his mother’s cheek. They exchanged some silent communication. Then, Abbie and Orson left for a ship that waited to speed them to Coronis where Orson ruled for Papa.
“Do wars break out often in the Empire?” I asked Nico.
“Uh, oh,” Neema said as she sat heavily on her bottom and laughed.
Nico clenched his jaw so forcefully that I feared it would snap.
“What?” I asked him.
“Apparently, a similar situation occurs on Apellan,” Nico said.
“Why?” I asked. Nico stared at me. “This is because of me?”
“Emperor Probus has assigned his senior military advisors in assisting him with the Talpa negotiations. Those men have sent the most eligible males of their Houses to serve as your advisors as is only proper. I believe the squabbling has something to do with that.”
Phillip and Fitz walked up and having heard part of what Nico had said, Phillip laughed. We all frowned at him, even Neema.
I felt the blood drain from my face. “Papa did this on purpose. He’s thrown me to the wolves. By agreeing to fulfill his social obligations, I have to see these men. They planned this.”
“Princess, representatives from each of the Warrior Caste Houses have been sent to Parvac to attempt to win you,” Fitz said sheepishly.
“Then, I say, as soon as the stupid garden party is over th
at we sneak onto the Empress and escape to Thalassa.” Yukihyo chuckled. “You can plan that, can’t you?” I asked Yukihyo and Nico.
“Yes, my love,” Nico said as he kissed my nose.
I carried Niklos with me to check on Violet. She was tucked into bed, and Kaoti stood beside her with a glass of fizzy water and a straw. She mouthed, “Help me.”
Izaac stood at attention in the corner.
“Is he your idea?” Kaoti asked.
“Yes, I found out that Dr. Ryan Fotri is my cousin, and I don’t want you hitting him.”
Kaoti appeared insulted. “I have control of myself.”
I heard Izaac’s laughter in my mind. Then, he said, “Kaoti is annoyed with you, but at the same time he is grateful. He’s so confused that he doesn’t know what to do. All of his thoughts are centered on his helpless, pregnant female.”
I smiled and said, “Izaac will provide additional security for Violet.”
That evening, we had a quiet dinner on the patio. Papa hadn’t shown his face. I wondered where he was staying. Afterwards, Phillip suggested a movie in the entertainment room of the Palace.
“Teagan, we won’t be going to Thalassa,” Nico said.
“Why not?”
“Admiral Valen has ordered planetary blockades until the fighting amongst the Houses has been contained.”
After the first movie that I had watched but not seen, I excused myself to leave before the second one. Nico and Yukihyo came with me but went out onto the patio to enjoy the night air. Fitz caught me alone in the hall on my way to my room. “Princess,” he said as he took my hands in his, moved closer, and stared into my eyes.
A headache began to form in my right temple. The onyx and diamond ring that his uncle had given to me glittered on my right hand. The Jiri House was powerful throughout the Empire. Fitz brought his lips down to mine wrapping me in his arms as he did. His tongue danced with mine. My artificial heart began to pound, and its quickening beat became audible through the monitor on my chest. Fitz ended our kiss and looked into my eyes. I could feel the effect our kiss had had on him against my stomach and through our clothing.
“I have dreamed of kissing you for so many months. My dreams were nothing compared to reality. Might I convince you to be my wife? I will never restrain you. I will give you the freedom of the wind and hope your sails will guide you to me.” Fitz lowered his lips to mine again and kissed me with more passion until the frantic beeping of my monitor stopped him.
I considered his words. Selecting another husband was inevitable. With Fitz, at least Phillip would have a fishing buddy, House Jiri would continue to support House Probus, and he might one day grow out his chest hair. At once nervous and terrified, I said quietly, “It would be my honor, Fitz.”
Fitz stared at me, picked me up, and carried me to his room securing the door as he did so. Hungrily, he kissed me again as he placed me on my feet. He tore out of his shirt making his brown hair fall over his forehead. Then, he started to remove his pants.
“Fitz, wait.” I stopped his hands and blushed. “Fitz, I’m not ready for that type of relationship. I will marry you, but….” He stopped my words with a gentle kiss. Once it ended, I held my hand to my heart. The monitor was beeping, and it frightened me. “Phillip assures me that I no longer have to worry about my heart, but I don’t trust it yet.”
Fitz picked up a vid-screen, scrolled, and placed his palm to the surface. Then, he held it out to me.
“I will wait for you until the oceans cease to roll, and until the wind no longer blows. To have our lives bound together would fulfill a wish that I have had since I first saw you with your hair wild from the wind, and the sand clinging to your feet.”
I placed my sweaty palm against the screen. Fitz tapped the screen a few times and then tossed it to his bed. He slid his arms around me and kissed me so passionately that I began to ache. I was about to succumb when I heard Niklos begin to scream with his demanding hungry cry startling me back to reality.
“I have to go to him.”
Fitz wore a satisfied smile as he held open the door for me. I blushed up at him. His expression was similar to the satisfied look Hiroshi got after making a good deal. With Fitz, I didn’t know if it was because of me or the contract I hadn’t read.
Chapter Six
I found Nico pacing with Niklos and took my son to a chair to nurse. Neema had become content with solid foods and a sippy cup. Occasionally, she still wanted me. I watched Niklos and didn’t look up at Nico. He and Yukihyo knew what had happened. Through our bond, they knew everything.
“Teagan, don’t be ashamed or embarrassed. Solidifying the alliance with House Jiri is wise, we already spend time regularly with Fitz, and accepting a second Parvac husband will do a great deal to appease popular opinion,” Nico said.
“Where is Yukihyo?”
“Neema wanted to play in the pool.”
Yukihyo would let her play until her fingers shriveled. When Nico took Niklos from me, I went to my shower. I rested my forehead against the shower wall as the water pounded against my back. I couldn’t believe I had just married Fitz. The emotions of Zared, Zeth, and Izaac were hidden from me. When Yukihyo returned with Neema, Pierce took her. I sat on the sink in my nightgown while Yukihyo changed into dry pajama bottoms. Then, he sighed, picked me up, and carried me to bed. I rested my head on his chest.
In his deep voice, he said, “Do you remember our first trip to Parvac?” I nodded. “Emperor Probus sat me down in your sitting room and told me that if I hoped to be a part of your life, I would accept the polyandrous nature of your society. He informed me that as a Parvac Princess of the Imperial bloodline, you would be expected to have several husbands. He gave me the choice to remain by your side or to take four million credits and agree to never see you again.”
I drew in a sharp breath and sat up. The thought of never again seeing Yukihyo was horrifying. He pulled me back down to his chest.
“Your father was and remains adamant that your happiness and well-being come first. He was clear that nothing less would be tolerated. I knew the day would come when the fighting over you would begin. Do not fear losing me.” Yukihyo hugged me close and kissed the top of my head. “He also warned me that attempting to run away with you would be a fatal mistake,” Yukihyo said as he chuckled.
“How is that funny?” I asked as I kissed his chest. Yukihyo soothed my tangled feelings before I could separate them to figure out what they were.
“I could sense that he meant every word. Hush, lady wife,” he said as my monitor became audible.
Having walked Niklos until he slept, Nico placed him in his bed and then entered the bathroom. When he joined us in bed, he said, “You didn’t allow Fitz to make love to you. That surprises me.”
“It shouldn’t. You know I don’t have romantic feelings for him. I see him more as a friend. Was I wrong to accept him?”
“No, he understands. He will do everything he can think of to sway your feelings,” Nico said as he began massaging my back.
I groaned when Nico began rubbing the tension from my left shoulder. He reached down under the covers for the hem of my gown, and I lifted up so that he could remove it from me. Then, I laid back down against Yukihyo while Nico used his strong hands to melt away the tension in my muscles. I drew in a surprised breath when Yukihyo brought his right hand down between my thighs and began massaging me with his fingers. He cradled my head with his right. I moaned as he pushed his finger within me and began making gentle circles against me with his thumb. At the same moment, Nico trailed his hands softly along my outer thighs making me buck against Yukihyo’s hand. I felt Nico’s lips as he kissed along my spine. Yukihyo shifted beneath me moving his hand up to caress my breast.
Then, he moved me to my back and took my breast into his mouth. Helplessly, I arched against him. Yukihyo moved from my breast to my lips as Nico pushed my thighs apart. As Yukihyo thrust his tongue into my mouth, Nico thrust his tongue inside of me. I screamed i
nto Yukihyo’s mouth as pleasure rolled through me. Nico’s hands lifted my thighs, and I felt him slowly filling me with himself. He felt like stone wrapped in silk. Yukihyo suckled at my breasts as Nico began pumping himself into me faster and faster. I felt myself clamping down around him as tingling bubbles exploded from our intimately joined bodies and seemed to burst through my head. Nico yelled out hoarsely with his release.
Then, he laid beside me, took my hands in his, and held them over my head as he took my left breast into his mouth while Yukihyo mirrored his actions on my right. Remembering how to pull pleasure through my husbands, I sent waves of it through them each time they pulled at my breasts.
Once I was again frantic with need, Yukihyo entered me. With each deep powerful stroke, he sent to me his feelings of love, passion, and commitment until I was weeping with both the intense pleasure and emotional satisfaction of his attentions. When Yukihyo found his release and the aching hardness of him eased from me to be replaced by a deep fulfillment, I was left quivering and panting between them. I feared my heart monitor had woken everyone in the Palace.
When I woke up naked the next morning in my bed, it was to a large bouquet of tropical flowers in vibrant reds and yellows with dark green leaves. “Oh, they’re beautiful!”
Fitz smiled and placed the flowers across my knees as I sat up. Yukihyo fluffed my pillows behind me, kissed my cheek, and scooted out of bed to walk nakedly into the bathroom. Sitting on the edge of the bed that Yukihyo had vacated, Fitz handed me a white box with a large red bow around it. I pulled at an end of the ribbon, and as it slid from the box, it pooled in my lap. Putting the box down on top of it, I removed the lid and drew in a breath at the glittering white and yellow diamonds suspended on strands of platinum that it revealed. The necklace was comprised of tiny oval links of various sizes in a pattern that I didn’t have time to figure out because Fitz was lifting it from the box. He moved behind me. I collected my hair out of the way and over my shoulder, as he fastened it around my neck.
Omnes Videntes (The Space Merchants Book 4) Page 9