She returned the smile, the tension visibly leaving her as she curled up on the bed.
He left the room to rejoin Kaid. One of the Warriors was waiting with him.
“This is Meral. He’ll accompany you, Liegen.”
“Not dressed like that he won’t!” said Kusac. “I thought we’d agreed they should wear an ordinary uniform.”
“Tonight is an official reception, they need to be traditionally dressed. Besides, it’s a fitting escort for you to go to greet your mother, sir.” Kaid said.
“I haven’t got time to argue,” growled Kusac, heading for the door closely followed by Meral.
*
They reached the bay as his mother was disembarking. His thoughts were in such confusion that he hadn’t had time to think about what he was going to say to her. At the moment she was in conversation with Sub-Commander Kolem and Myak.
Gods! He had to tell her about Carrie before they did. He hurried forward.
She turned immediately to look at him and he was aware of her gentle touch at the edges of his mind. They stopped a few feet apart while she studied him carefully, then she stepped forward, her long robes rustling softly as she walked.
“Kusac.” She held her hands out to him and he came forward to take them in his.
“Mother,” he said. “What brings you here?”
“I’m here as the chief negotiator from Alien Relations,” she said. “Your father is needed at home, so the duty fell to me. Besides,” she smiled, “I thought you would rather see me than him.” She put her arm through his and drew him toward the exit.
“Yes, Myak,” she said, letting her voice drift over her shoulder to the adjutant as he padded along behind her, followed by her attendant. “I will let you escort me to my quarters, after I have visited with my son. For the moment, you can see to Miosh. Now tell me about your Leska,” she said, hugging Kusac’s arm. “Through your father I have felt the echo of her mind, but only just. Is she young? Is she pretty? Come, I want to know it all. How did you meet her?”
“Not here, Mother. I’ll tell you all of it, I promise. Wouldn’t you rather go to your own suite first and freshen up after your journey?” he asked, looking round for Myak.
“No, I wouldn’t,” she said frankly. “You’ve been gone for over a year.” She stopped, taking his face in her hands. “You left in the night with no warning, leaving no word of where you had gone. No news of you in nearly a year, my son,” she said. “I want to be with you now.” She released him, stepping back to study him more closely.
You’ve grown thin. No, you’ve grown up in the last year I can see marks of suffering on your face. She touched his cheek briefly with her hand then linked her arm in his again.
“This Leska of yours, you’re in love with her, aren’t you? I see it in your face and I can feel it in your mind. You’ve finally met the female who means everything to you. I’m glad.”
“Mother,” he said, “please, we’ve got to talk first. I need to explain…”
“We’ll talk,” she said, drawing him inexorably on to the elevator. “But first I will meet your Leska.”
Meral and Myak accompanied them, leaving Miosh to organize the ratings who were seeing to the luggage. Like Kusac, they traveled up in silence, he listening to his mother’s chatter about his sisters. It would have given him time to think had he been capable of it, but his mind remained blank. Now that the moment was here, he found himself with nothing to say.
As they entered the suite, he turned to her again. “Mother…” he began.
“Well come, my Liege,” said Kaid.
“Kaid,” she said, with a faint flick of an ear as she swept past him toward the bedroom.
Kusac sent a look of panic at Kaid who merely raised an eye ridge. For the first time Kusac sensed the other’s mind, feeling the faintest touch of ironic humor at his predicament. He hurried over to the door, managing to slap his hand over the control panel before her.
“Wait, Mother,” he said firmly. “We must talk first.”
She stopped, and he felt her take in the set of his ears and the anxious flicking of his tail. She shook her head. “No. I will meet her first,” she said equally firmly.
“Why?”
She locked eyes with him. “Because you are so protective of her.”
They stood like this for several moments, then Kusac looked away. Moving his hand, he pressed the control. The door slid open.
Carrie lay asleep in the center of the bed.
“So this is your Terran,” his mother said, stepping into the room and going over to look down at her.
“No, this is my Leska.” Kusac moved to sit protectively beside her.
His mother bent down and reached out her hand toward the girl’s face.
Kusac tensed, but her fingers barely touched Carrie’s cheek.
Have you lost your trust of me, Kusac? she asked before moving a finger down to the torc that glinted at the human female’s throat.
“So,” she said, straightening up and looking across at him. “I knew I was right.”
He nodded, reaching out to touch Carrie as she stirred and began to wake.
His mother turned and moved toward a nearby chair. “This explains everything,” she said.
“I’m sure it does,” he said. “But I really don’t care any more, Mother. All I want is her.”
Carrie stirred and feeling his touch turned to him, still more asleep than awake. “You’re back,” she said, reaching out to pull him close. Then she froze, sensing the other person in the room.
“We’ve company,” said Kusac quietly, his face only inches from hers.
Who?
My mother.
Oh, damn, I’m sorry. She let him go.
Kusac sat back, giving her room to move. She sat up and, keeping a tight rein on her thoughts, tied the belt on her robe and turned to face his mother.
His arms came round her, holding her close to him for reassurance.
Eyes as amber as Kusac’s looked calmly back at them.
“Mother…”
She raised her hand, motioning him to silence.
Through their shared Link they both felt her gently touch Carrie’s mind as her eyes flicked first across the girl’s face then her son’s.
Anger began to flare in Carrie. “He’s done nothing wrong,” she said. “You’ve no right to judge us.”
“No, he’s done nothing wrong,” said Rhyasha slowly, letting her mental touch fade. “Had he acted otherwise, he wouldn’t be my son.”
Carrie felt the tension suddenly evaporate from Kusac as his mother held out her hand toward Carrie. Come, let me greet you properly, she sent.
Kusac released her, urging her to go.
There was nothing for it but to scramble in an undignified fashion across the bed to the other side. Swinging her legs round, she stood up, unsure what to do next.
Rhyasha went to her, sweeping the Terran into a warm embrace, her cheek touching Carrie’s briefly. “Well come, Carrie,” she said, her voice a low purr in the girl’s ear before she let her go. “Cub, is it?” she asked Kusac, returning to her chair. “Then cub she’ll be to me. Now, Kusac, we’ll talk. Once you have ordered some c’shar for us.”
As he went to the door to speak to Kaid, Kusac relaxed all but one of the barriers in his mind. It was a relief knowing he needn’t fight against his mother.
Carrie sat on the edge of the bed, trying not to stare. Kusac’s mother was striking to look at, the amber color of her eyes being echoed in her fur. Her hair, lighter by several shades, was long and worn in a mass of tiny braids into which had been woven silver beads. Her robe of light purple was plain, its color relieved by an edge of silver at the neck and wrists.
Kusac returned, bearing a tray with three mugs on it.
“Ah, they’ve anticipated us,” said Rhyasha as he passed one to her.
“Kaid says we only have an hour before we need to get ready,” he said, passing a mug to Carrie before taking the la
st one himself. Putting the tray down, he sat on the floor and leaned against her.
“Rubbish,” said his mother. “We’ll take what time we need. I’ve only just arrived, after all. Myak can see that they delay the start for us.”
“How did you know about Carrie?” Kusac asked.
Rhyasha put her mug down on the table beside her. “For the last three or four months, your father has been picking up stray images which he was convinced came from you. He was unable to make sense of them until nearly three weeks ago when they became even stronger. Between us we were able to pinpoint them to here. Your father contacted the Khalossa and was able to ascertain that you were among the crew.” She picked up the mug again, taking a drink from it.
“Then a week ago when it became obvious that the negotiations were getting into problems, it was decided I should come here in an official capacity. That was when we both sensed you and your Leska.”
Kusac’s ears flattened and he glanced away from his mother to Carrie.
“Your father and I had been sent the initial reports concerning your crew’s first contact with the humans living on the planet, including details of the injured crewman who had been helped by one of the Terrans. Then he spoke to you.”
She hesitated a moment before continuing. “Your Link is unique, Kusac, in more ways than the obvious one. The feel of your minds is different. There was just enough of an alien quality then for me to realize that perhaps your Leska wasn’t Sholan, especially when we heard that there was a Terran telepath. Now that quality is stronger.”
Kusac frowned. “The alien feel?”
“Yes, I’m afraid so. I felt it when I met you in the landing bay. Your minds are so closely bound together now that you no longer feel completely Sholan. I’ve never known a Leska pair so completely Linked as you are.”
“Carrie has many more talents than we have,” he said slowly, “and some of them have crossed over to me. We’ve done things I never dreamed possible, like finding the pod in the swamp and contacting our crew. I’ve compared our Link to the normal Sholan Leska Links and the differences are marked. Perhaps that’s what you’re sensing.”
“It may be,” she agreed. “I’d like to see a copy of your findings. I can study them during my stay on Keiss.”
“I’ll see you get a copy.”
Rhyasha looked at Carrie and smiled. “So, cub, you would be part of our world, would you?”
Mother, don’t mention it yet, Kusac sent to her using the private Link they’d always shared. I’ve told her nothing of my life at home.
But your commitment …
My commitment is to her, no one else, and she accepted it, he sent firmly. You’ve touched her mind, you know what she feels for me. Let that be enough for now.
As you wish.
“I don’t have much option, do I?” Carrie said. “But, yes, it’s what I want.”
“I came here as much to meet you as to lead the negotiations with Keiss,” Rhyasha said. “I needed to know what you felt for each other. I know now. You’ll need all that fighting spirit you both have if you are ever to have the life you want. You realize that, don’t you?” she said, looking at them each in turn.
“I don’t just mean your father, Kusac, I’m referring to the Forces and our guild. Already the reports mention the potential military benefits of telepaths who can easily sense and read alien minds and who can also fight. They’ll try to use you for their own ends, running endless tests and studies on you till you’re no more than jeggets in a maze to them. Don’t let this happen.”
“We’ll be careful,” said Kusac. “I’d already anticipated that.” He felt Carrie’s concern and mentally reassured her.
She nodded. “I was sure you would. You always plan ahead carefully.”
“Except this time,” he said wryly, looking up at Carrie. “This cub came at me unexpectedly.”
Rhyasha laughed. “You were the one who felt life was too predictable! Are you complaining now that it isn’t?”
“No, not at all. You know that.”
His mother stood. “Miosh is reminding me that we must get ready for this reception. We’ll talk again later. Come and give me another hug. I’ve missed you.”
Kusac rose and went to her.
“You, too, Carrie,” she said. “You’re part of our lives now.”
Carrie went to her, sensing through her Link his mother’s genuine liking of her son’s mate.
“Call me Rhyasha, cub,” she said, once more touching her cheek to the girl’s face as she held them both close.
“You can walk me to my suite, Kusac,” she said, releasing them and moving toward the door.
Meral and Myak accompanied them at a discreet distance.
“You’ve placed me in a very awkward position, Kusac. I’ll stand by your decision for tonight,” she said, “but you must tell your father yourself, and soon. I don’t want him knowing that I’ve given public approval to your actions and kept it from him. Once you’ve done that, I’ll help you all I can.”
No words were needed to convey his thanks.
“I have to ask you if you’re sure this is what you really want,” she said.
“I lived with Carrie and her family for six weeks before we left their village, and all that time she thought I was only an animal because on Keiss there are forest cats that resemble us,” he said. “I got to know her well during that time, and I found myself attracted to her. When I finally told her who I was, she had to see me as a person not an animal before her feelings could come to the surface.”
He glanced sideways at his mother. “What we feel for each other isn’t something that happened suddenly. It isn’t because of our Link either,” he said, coming to a stop. “I know exactly what I’m doing, Mother, exactly what I’m giving up.”
“I know,” she sighed, reaching out to touch his cheek. “but I needed to hear you say it. Now go back to your Leska before she comes charging out to your rescue,” she smiled. “I like her, Kusac. Vartra has indeed blessed you, even if she is Terran. There’s a lot about her that is almost Sholan.”
“More than you think,” he grinned.
“Off with you, scamp!” she said, laughing. “Go and get ready for this charade we have to play out for the dignitaries. I’ll send Miosh over to help Carrie get ready.”
“I don’t think she’ll need any help,” he said.
“Perhaps not, but having another female around to help you look your best for your first public appearance is very calming, believe me. Now go. I’ll see you shortly.”
*
Raguul hated wearing his dress uniform, so his temper was none too mellow by the time Myak had finished fastening his baldric over the sleeveless red tabard.
“My shirt’s caught now,” he grumbled, tugging ineffectually at the black cloth.
Myak came to the rescue, easing the shirt free at the shoulders, then tugging the cuffs at the bottom of the full sleeves.
“Try that, Commander,” he said, standing back.
Raguul flexed his shoulders experimentally then nodded. “That’s better, thank you.”
Myak handed him the knife first, followed by the single sword which, as a Commander, he could wear at his side.
Raguul adjusted the weapons till they sat comfortably over his hips. “Right, I’m ready,” he said.
“A moment, Commander,” said Myak, bending down to adjust the lengths of the tunic panels so they hung level with his knees.
The Commander’s tail flicked in annoyance. “Come on, Myak. You’re being over-fussy.”
“If you wouldn’t mind holding your tail still, sir, I’d be a lot quicker,” said Myak quietly. “There, I’m done.”
“You said Clan Leader Aldatan was at ease with her son when you showed them to her quarters?”
“Yes, sir. She was laughing as he left her.”
“Gods, this whole situation is like a container of explosives about to blow up under us! At least they seem to have made their peace over his Les
ka. What about Hamilton? Did you make sure he attended the Attitude Indoctrination lecture when he arrived?”
“Yes, sir. He was there along with the other visiting Terrans.”
“He hasn’t said any more about that male he wanted to bring— what was his name? The one we refused.”
“David Elliot, sir. No, apart from his initial complaint, nothing more has been said.”
“Vartra be praised you recognized the name, Myak. The last thing we needed was the human girl’s betrothed here tonight.”
“She wasn’t betrothed to him. From what I understand of their social setup, they can choose their own life partners. Her father chose hers for her without her consent.”
“No matter. Considering their strange views on sexual matters, we’ve enough problems brewing with her father. We don’t need the added complication of that male as well.” He looked sharply at Myak. “You realize this whole situation could still explode in our faces?”
“I know, sir.”
“Did you manage to pick up anything more from the Clan Leader?”
Myak gave him a reproving look. “You know I won’t probe for information, sir. Besides, I would have found nothing if I’d tried. The Clan Leader has a formidable talent.”
Raguul grunted. “Well, let’s be off. I want to get there early.”
*
Kusac returned to their suite feeling a lot calmer about the forthcoming reception. Carrie was sitting on the edge of the bed finishing her drink. He sniffed the air, nose wrinkling till he recognized it.
“Do I smell coffee?” he asked. “Don’t tell me they’ve had the sense to program it into the food dispensers.”
“Kaid had it done for us,” she said. “C’shar just isn’t the same. Do you want some?” she asked, getting up.
“Please. I’m sorry I had to spring my mother’s arrival on you like that, but I didn’t know she was coming,” he said, taking his uniform off and going over to the wardrobe. “I didn’t want to worry you because I hoped she’d go to her own rooms first.”
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