by Autumn Dawn
“Uh, wait, sis! We should probably have her tested first, to make sure she’s not allergic. You wouldn’t believe the trouble I had when I first came here.”
Brandy exchanged indignant looks with Ami. “Well, that’s unfair! Oh, well, maybe they can hurry up with that and we can have some with dinner. You can’t be allergic to all the flavors.” She handed the bottle to Xera. “Don’t let them let the fizz out.”
Xera smiled. “I’ll borrow something from the med lab. We’ll test them before we try them, okay?”
Brandy sighed along with Ami. “Tell you what. I have other presents. Why don’t you go over there to Uncle Azor and he’ll let you open them. I need to meet your little brother, too.”
As Ami eagerly hopped off, Xera said in unholy glee, “Uncle Azor?”
Brandy stiffened. She hadn’t even realized what she’d said. She frowned discouragingly, ignoring Azor’s small smile. “That’s what Gem’s boys call him, because he’s Blue’s friend.”
Xera smirked. “Which reminds me, we do have a great deal to talk about.” She handed her son over before Brandy could voice her retort. “Here. This is Embri. Isn’t he cute?”
Brandy sent her a look for the distraction, but accepted the baby happily enough. “And so you are! I don’t think you’re old enough to drink soda, little one. I’ll have to make you some when you grow a bit.”
The baby looked at her for a moment, then poked at her eyes. She moved back with practiced ease. He giggled and latched onto her hair.
“Always with the hair.” Brandy smiled and gave him her finger to grip. “He marked this one good, didn’t he? But he has your eyes,” she told Xera. She told Embri sternly, “You will not turn out like your cousins, little man. I didn’t travel all this way just to be ambushed every time I turn around.”
He grinned, showing two tiny little teeth.
Xera smiled. “Ambushed?”
Brandy shivered. “The tales I could tell you.”
“Don’t let her fool you—she’s always in the middle of the wrangle, giving as good as she gets,” Azor said calmly. He was showing Ami how to work the little flashlight Brandy had given her.
“Blue’s fault. He contributed all the hellion in the little terrorists. I told Gem the man was trouble. You see how that cross turned out? Someday we’ll be bailing them out of jail.”
“You never know. By the way, the doctors said we could move you out of here now. You have to come back for a checkup every day, though,” Xera said.
Brandy’s eyes widened. “And you didn’t tell me?” Still holding the baby, she swung her legs over the edge, and then realized she had a problem. She scowled.
“I’ll push the chair and you can hold him while we go,” Xera said soothingly. “It’s too far to walk yet.”
Brandy examined the yur root one her plate. Xera seemed a little too eager for her to taste it.
Xera smirked. “We had your blood tested. You’re not allergic to it like I am. There’s no excuse not to eat your vegetables.”
“I like vegetables,” Brandy said mildly, adding teasingly, “And you always were a pansy.” She sniffed and tasted a tiny sliver. She grimaced, but said thoughtfully, “A little strong for straight consumption, but it has possibilities as a flavoring agent. Bitter, sour, earthy…a unique combination. I’d be curious to know its properties.”
Disappointed in the slight reaction, Xera asked good naturedly, “You’re thinking of pursuing your vocation while you’re here?”
Brandy’s eyes flashed. Though she was on her best behavior for the children, little things still set her off. “Did you imagine I’d lounge around all day? I haven’t the patience for that. ‘We don’t observe, we conquer.’”
“Dad’s motto,” Xera said with a smile. “He’d be proud of you. I hear you’ve won a bunch of awards.”
Brandy shrugged. “We can’t claim to be the best and not back it up with evidence. Besides, someone had to give Vio Srie’s wines some competition. Before he went on the lam, he’d already planned his victory party. Even I don’t do that.”
“Oh, yes. Your whole family is so modest,” Azor mocked. “I worry that you won’t stand up for yourself without Blue and I around.”
Ryven smiled faintly. “Xera gave me the impression that her sisters are formidable.”
“Did she?” Brandy smiled crookedly. “We have missed her.” She gave him a pointed stare.
Xera smiled warningly. “I’ve been happy here.”
“Have you? Gem will be reassured to hear that.” Brandy took her time selecting another bite. “We’ll have to talk about that soon.”
Xera kicked her prosthetic under the table. It made a dull thud, and Xera winced. Brandy couldn’t help but smile. “Hurt yourself?”
“No, but I may strangle you,” Xera said sweetly. “How’s your dinner?”
Brandy was in the mood to have it out with Xera right there, but Azor smoothly inserted himself into the conversation and managed to whisk her away after dinner.
She grumbled at him as he supported her staggering steps to her door, which was right next to Xera’s room. “It’s not good to let these things simmer.”
Azor raised a brow as he lowered her to sit on the bed. “You traveled all this way to pick a fight with her at the first opportunity? Need I remind you that Ryven is a warlord, and that he seems rather protective of her?”
“You like him,” she accused.
“We have a lot in common,” he said calmly.
“Come on!” she scoffed. “You’d never kidnap a woman and…and….” She was so mad, she was sputtering.
Azor’s eyes lit. “I wouldn’t? What if that woman were you?” He leaned in.
Still annoyed, she leaned back until her back hit the mattress. “Knock it off! You’re trying to distract me.”
“No. I just haven’t had the chance to kiss you properly in months. You’re no longer sick or in pain. You look like fair game to me.”
Her heart began to thud. “Opportunist.” That was all she had time to say before his mouth closed over hers.
It was sweet and hot, and she had missed it. Missed him. She wanted his comfort, was not in the mood to push him away. Her emotions were too raw to listen to moral arguments. She wanted this. She pulled him closer.
Her legs shifted restlessly, and clacked. She went rigid in his arms.
He glanced down, guessing the problem. He gently curled his hand around one calf. “Can you feel this?”
She hissed, and not in pain. His hand was warm, alive against the glowing blue lights of the calf. She was loath to admit the abomination could transmit such sensitivity.
Experimenting, he traced his fingers over the calf, making her shiver. They wandered higher, drawing circles on the living skin of her thigh. She caught her breath.
“What do you think?” he murmured. “It almost seems as if your calves are the more sensitive.”
She swallowed. “Maybe there’s something wrong with their settings.”
He chuckled. “I don’t think so. I suspect it’s the newness of the sensation.” He slid down and studied the sleek appendages, running his fingers over the slick housing. Lightly, he kissed their surface, applying a hint of tongue.
The unexpected shock made her flinch. Three things happened simultaneously. Her heart gave a leap of excitement, her leg bashed Azor’s mouth and her still healing knees sent up a sharp flare of pain.
Azor sat up, cradling his jaw. They sat there in charged silence. After a moment, he said, “Perhaps we’re rushing it.”
She couldn’t help a chuckle. “You think?”
He ran his tongue over his teeth—checking for blood, perhaps—then grinned. “I’ve always liked dangerous women.” He lay down next to her and got comfortable. “We might as well get some rest. Those hospital cots are horrible.”
Startled, she glanced his way. “You can’t sleep here! Xera’s right next door.”
He rolled toward her and propped his head on his arm. “
I’ve talked to Ryven. Their culture isn’t as strict as yours. He knows my intentions.”
Alarm prickled the hair at the back of her neck. “What did you tell him?”
He kissed her forehead. “Just what he needed to know.”
That didn’t help her much. “We’re talking about a man who took my sister as a warprize just because he wanted her! For all I know he’d agree to anything.”
Azor just sighed and tucked the pillow under his head. He rubbed her belly soothingly. In an improbably short time, his breathing evened out.
Still wary, she couldn’t help but be soothed by his calm. Reasoning that they could argue about it tomorrow, she allowed her eyes to close. She had a lot to do in the morning.
CHAPTER 16
After Brandy had staggered around in her morning exercise and visited her doctor, she joined Xera for breakfast. Xera kept the conversation light, possibly wary of Brandy turning dark looks on her husband. Brandy remained on her best behavior, politely ignoring Ryven unless he addressed her first. She’d decided to bide her time and talk to Xera in private.
“I think you’ll like Ryven’s home planet. It’s a good thing you’ll be staying a while.” Xera said, spooning an orange condiment on her fried grains. “I’m looking forward to introducing you to the family. There are a lot of interesting things to see and do on Rsik.”
Brandy smiled at her assumption. “I don’t know how long we’ll be staying; we just got here.”
Xera’s gaze flew to her face. Confused, she protested, “I’d thought it would be a lengthy stay. After all, it would be difficult to turn the ships around after a pair of months to escort you back.”
Brandy smiled with half her mouth. “Not necessary. We can find our way back.”
Alarmed, Xera looked at Ryven, then Azor, hoping for support. The men were listening intently, but did not comment.
Xera looked back at Brandy. “This is not a safe zone! We just got done fighting a war not so long ago, and some of our allies are touchy at the best of times. Besides, traveling in a small ship like that would be like taking a dugout canoe over a hostile ocean. You don’t even have weapons!”
Brandy cocked her head. “We do, actually, but I thought you routed the GE pretty quickly. Don’t tell me they’re still lurking? I’d thought they were disbanded.
“For that matter, I am a citizen of the Galaxy. They shouldn’t want to bother me.”
“I wouldn’t trust in it,” Xera said grimly. She shot a searching look at Azor, found his face blank. “You’re not planning on a quick turn around, are you?”
“It’s Brandy’s visit,” he said blandly. “Though I think Gem would be disappointed if we didn’t spend at least a couple of months on Rsik. I’m sure she’d prefer Brandy’s firsthand report of your relatives.”
Xera settled back, though she didn’t look completely mollified. “I’ve given her lots of reports.”
“Hey, I’m not planning anything just yet,” Brandy soothed. “Though you may want to throw me back in a couple of weeks. Overlong company stinks like old fish.” She frowned as though something just occurred to her. “Now that you mention Gem, I’m reminded that I was supposed to give you something.” She looked at Azor, who presented Ryven with a short rod. With no apparent mechanism, it suddenly elongated into a full-length staff.
“It’s a Jadock dirty-fighting staff,” Brandy explained. “It operates by mental imagery. It can be a solid bar, a weighted baton or a staff that’s solid or weighted on either end.” She watched as he experimented with it. “Xera mentioned you had a weapon collection.”
“Thank you,” Ryven said, seemly intrigued. “I’m eager to try it out.”
“Spar with Azor then. He can use mine.” She had two, which she often used as double weighted clubs. She hadn't had much chance to use them along the journey but now that her legs were better she was looking to working with them again.
She reached into her shirt pocket. “And for you, Xera…we were unhappy that we could not give you your share of the business.”
“I told you two to absorb it,” Xera began.
Ignoring her, Brandy went on, “Obviously it’s not doing you any good from half a galaxy away. Therefore, we consolidated your share. May I present your dowry?” she said formally, handing her sister a small box.
Xera opened the lid and gasped. “There must be a fortune in stones here! Do you realize what might have happened if anyone had suspected? You could have been killed!”
Brandy shrugged. “We take a risk everyday just by getting out of bed. The stones are rare here and should cash out well.”
“I should say,” Ryven said, brows raised. Not that he didn’t have a fortune himself, but it wasn’t every day one saw a box full of such rare, perfect gems.
Satisfied, Brandy leaned back and laced her fingers over her stomach. She was happy to have passed on the responsibility for safeguarding such valuable cargo. Someone else could sweat over it now. “The family felt that you shouldn’t feel unequal in your alliance.”
Xera was speechless. She reached over and hugged Brandy. She finally found her tongue. “That was unnecessary, but thank you. But what about you? The trip was expensive. Do you have anything left for yourself?”
Brandy smiled. “I probably have enough left to buy something to read and a drink while I wait in the unemployment line.”
Outraged, Xera immediately tried to hand the box back. “No sister of mine is going to be called a beggar!”
Brandy laughed and pushed her hand aside. “Give over, sis—that’s yours. I’m no beggar, and I planned to work, anyway.”
“She is also teasing,” Azor said to calm Xera down. “She has enough in reserve to pay the way back to Polaris if she chooses…then she’ll be broke.”
“I haven’t cashed out all my shares in the business, either,” Brandy relented. “I could probably laze around a bit, if I were the type.”
Xera still didn’t look happy, but she stopped trying to give back the box.
“Well, I’m eager to see what my new weapon can do. Azor? Care to spar?” Ryven suggested, breaking the awkward silence.
“Of course. I’ll stop by Brandy’s room on the way out and get hers. Ladies.” He followed Ryven out.
Xera waited until they’d left, then said, “The kids are occupied with their nanny for the moment. I don’t get much use out of her normally, but I thought it might be nice to have some private time.” She paused delicately. “I heard Azor spent the night in your room.”
Though uncomfortable with the observation, Brandy decided to act as if it didn’t matter. “And?”
“I was wondering if you’d set a date yet. For the wedding,” she said meaningfully.
“Were you?”
Annoyed, Xera said, “Oh, come off it! We all know he’s asked you. Ryven talked with him. Gem talked with us. I think we’ve all had a nice round table chat about it. You’re the only one who hasn’t weighed in. What’s the hesitation? Don’t you like him?”
“I like him.”
“He seems rather cold.”
Brandy laughed. “You don’t know him that well. If anyone’s cold, it’s your husband. Frankly, he seems very…impersonal.”
Xera frowned. “Scorpio men don’t display their emotions. That doesn’t mean he hasn’t any.”
Brandy studied her. “My side trip…the one that caused the delay? I met up with an old friend of yours; a crewmate from the GE. Ensign Trevor says ‘hi’.”
Xera’s spine straightened. Her chin came down as her expression grew stern. “What did he say?”
“Distilled? He mentioned Ryven killed one of your friends the day you first met. He said you drug his body back to your crew.”
“That is true,” Xera said deliberately. “You do remember we were at war? He acted according to Scorpio custom.”
“Hm. I realize that some things are touchy to convey via pinbeam, but there does seem to be a lot you left out. The brawl with your captain, the exact conditio
ns on the planet, that sort of thing.
“I do wonder, in light of everything, if you “forgot” to mention your true feelings about being trapped with Ryven. Not that I can’t guess.” Brandy looked at her steadily, seeking the truth. It would take a lot to convince her that Xera was truly happy.
Xera sighed. “Did Trevor tell you he helped me escape the GE? That I went back to Ryven? I risked my life to do that, you know.”
“You were carrying his child.”
Xera’s brows drew together. “Yes. It wasn’t the only reason. I love him.”
“And what does he feel for you?”
“Don’t you watch any of the home videos I send you? Can’t you tell he loves me?”
“I’m here in person and not convinced of it yet. Hear me out!” she raised her hand to cut off Xera’s protest. “You used to want to be a fighter pilot. Do you fly now? How many other dreams did he make you give up?”
“That was a dream! He gave me reality instead. In the real world, he values and cherishes both our children and me. He’s a good father. He’s provided well for me and he’s done what he can to ensure my happiness.”
“But you can’t go home. You can’t be with your family.”
“You may not choose to return, either. If you’ll remember, you left a mess on Polaris.” Xera looked like she regretted saying that, but she didn’t take it back.
Brandy’s lips curled. “Are you saying I’m to blame for Topek’s crime? Would it be better if I’d let him rape me? Had a bastard by him? Is that what you’d prefer?”
“No! But you must know you can’t go back. You know Gem never meant you to return.”
Brandy stood up, gripping the table to keep her balance. “I weathered one scandal—I can do it again. I left because the stress endangered Gem’s pregnancy. Look at me! I’ve been hacked to pieces protecting this family. What’s one more sacrifice? Of course I left. It won’t stop me from going back.”
Xera shook her head, zeroing in on the earlier statement. “What do you mean, you’ve ‘been hacked to pieces protecting this family’? You think what happened to you came from protecting us?”