Yukihyo, Dario, and Fitz finished off what Violet and I couldn’t of the little feast the chef had prepared. I looked around. “Where did Eli go? He was just here,” I asked.
“Oh, Teagan, I don’t know. Where is Kaoti?” Violet asked.
I shrugged. “I have been learning about tracking devices,” I said suggestively.
She grinned at me. “Kaoti would find it immediately should we even manage to attach one to him. Then, he would toy with us by placing it on a drone or something.”
Of course, she was right.
Chapter Two
My thoughts of tracking devices and what I had been learning at the Academy sent my thoughts back to Drex and what had occurred on Chione. Having bound the hybrids to myself and providing them with stability, I could in turn draw upon their abilities.
I was well-protected. However, now that I carried a child, I wanted to be as careful as possible. I wanted to avoid all strenuous activities. However, there was nothing strenuous about studying. Learning to control my empathic and telepathic abilities could only increase my effectiveness in protecting my children, both born and unborn. In fact, it might be an excellent source of sedentary amusement. There were so many possibilities.
Deciding to experiment, I carefully stood and walked to the front sitting room where I reclined on the couch with my feet up. A pleasant breeze lifted the curtains, pulling them in and out as though our temporary home was breathing. Closing my eyes, I found the golden line belonging to Zared and followed it. I willed him to let me see through his eyes.
Telepathically, he said, “You aren’t going to like it.”
I let him feel my annoyance.
To prove his point, he granted my wish and showed me a stream of pee hitting the bowl of a waste unit.
Shaking my head and rolling my eyes, I broke the connection while his laughter echoed in my mind.
I heard the sounds of light footsteps. Momma said, “You were correct. It is good that we came when we did.”
“How are they?” I asked.
“Dizzy and sick, but it should pass or at least ease up in a few days with proper hydration and rest. Terre is Parvacian with human heritage, so her symptoms could go either way. As usual, Phillip is taking excellent care of each of you.”
“I feel guilty, like I should be doing something.”
“Nonsense. If you want to help them, stay put. Having them board a starship or travel anywhere would be insensitive.” She covered me with a light blanket.
“You’ll get no argument from me. How did Papa feel about you coming here to take care of us?”
Momma bent down and kissed my forehead. “He is excited about his new grandchild and insisted that I give you all of my attention.”
“Is Papa coming?”
“He may. However, he seemed distracted. I suspect that your Papa will take advantage of my absence and see exclusively to his duties as emperor while we are away.”
Closing my eyes, I could picture Papa seated behind his desk at the Palace. “I feel like I’m forgetting something.”
Momma lifted my feet and then sat with them on her lap. “It’s alright, my sweet. Whatever it is can wait. All I want for you to concern yourself with is how you feel and what you need.” Momma soothed me through our empathic bond in the same way that I soothed my own children.
It had me smiling. “I love you, Momma.”
“I love you, Teagan.”
The next few days were a sleepy, contented blur of naps, food, and the children. Then, suddenly, I felt amazing. My energy returned, my sickness, except for the dizziness, vanished, and a blissful happiness filled me. I did tire easily and seemed to exist in a ravenous state, but naps and food were easy solutions. Sparrow and Tracy were spending fewer hours in their rooms. Terre continued to suffer, but Victoria and Phillip doted on her. Inevitably, I was well enough to be bored.
“Momma, let’s go with Nico, Yukihyo, and Dario to the Galerius Estate for the children’s lesson. I could use a change of scenery.”
Her eyes lit up. “Oh, splendid!” Momma was a social butterfly and would be in her element amongst the Galerius ladies.
I couldn’t recall the last time I had left the house. I helped to get the children ready. They were dressed in little white shorts and T-shirts. I brushed Neema’s hair up into pigtails and tied white bows around them. I started giggling. She was so cute.
Momma said, “Here. Hold Peter and sit down. Children, stand by Mommy. Good. Now, smile!” She took our picture and sent it to Papa.
The transport ride didn’t cause me any distress. When we arrived at the Galerius Estate, I helped get my excited children out of the transport. The property was as cheerful as usual. I looked out over the lawn that had been cultivated to bring smiles to little faces. The beautiful merry-go-around with its elaborate bird seats made me feel as though I was water circling down a drain.
Slowly becoming aware of my surroundings, I realized I was lying comfortably on a soft bed. It was dark until I opened my eyes. Then, a luxurious and very feminine bedroom came into view. It was all light-blue and silver. “What happened?”
Dario’s concerned face gazed down at me. “You fainted. Are you alright?”
Sudden panic had my heart speeding up. “Did I hit the ground? Is my baby alright?”
Dario looked over at someone, and it frightened me.
I recognized Praetor Galerius’ Chief Medical Officer. He said, “Zared caught you immediately, Princess Teagan. Your knees did no more than bend slightly before you were safely in his arms.” He showed me proof on his scanner that my little indistinct blob was alright.
A smile lifted my lips, and I took the scanner from him. “Hello, little bitty one. Are you snug and happy like he says you are?”
The doctor chuckled. “You and your baby are doing quite well. The dizziness may or may not pass and could be an effect of the elevated levels of pregnancy hormones in your system.”
Concerned, I asked, “Is that alright? Does it mean something is wrong?”
“Oh, no. Nothing is wrong. It is a very good sign.”
“That’s a relief. Do the scans seem normal? Can you tell if my child has Eloneave DNA?”
He said, “I can tell you with absolute certainty that the child you are carrying has a Parvac father.”
A joyous sound burst from Dario.
So, the baby I carried wasn’t Yukihyo’s or Zared’s.
In my mind, Zared said, “A few months after the birth of our newest child, your Laconian husbands are hiding you away until one of us impregnates you. Prepare to be abducted.”
I laughed.
Dario asked, “Can you tell who the father is?”
“No, it will be a few weeks before scans can safely make that determination. In the meantime, spoil the Princess and give into her every whim.”
Staring at me with a look of absolute devotion, Dario said, “I would consider nothing less.”
“Help me up, Dario. I want to watch the children’s lesson.”
He kept his arm around my waist as he led me out to a padded chair under a covered patio where Nico and Yukihyo were already seated.
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
“Lady Wife, you asked if I knew whose child you carry. I do not know.” Yukihyo grinned at me.
Nico asked, “What have you learned?”
“I’m going to be pregnant for eleven months.”
Nico’s smile lit up his eyes. “It’s my child you carry.”
Dario said, “She could be carrying my child.”
“Or Fitz, Drex, or Eli could be the father. Let’s place bets,” I suggested. I laughed at their expressions.
At some point in our conversation, the Lady Galerius had joined us on the patio. Her eyes were so very large in her elegant face that it was all too evident that she had overheard us. “Teagan, have my ears played a trick and heard what my heart wishes to be true? Is there a chance you carry my son’s child within you?”
“Yo
ur ears didn’t play you false. Dario has a one-in-five chance. Do you want to place a bet?”
Yukihyo said, “Teagan, you can’t place bets on the baby’s paternity.”
“Why not? It will be a few weeks before we can safely discover his identity. Not even my all-seeing Omnes Videntes or Inquisitors will be able to figure it out. If it were a fight, you’d be okay with the betting,” I said primly.
“She’s got you there, Yukihyo,” Nico said. “What’s the prize for the winning guess?”
Yukihyo said, “We don’t need credits.”
The Lady Galerius had moved closer to me and bent to place a tender kiss upon my cheek.
“How about we spend a month at the location of the winner’s choice?” I suggested.
Nico said, “That, I like. My military base needs my attention. I’m sure Fitz would like in on that bet.”
Yukihyo grinned at me.
“Husband, you are the most beautiful man I have ever seen, but if you make me spend a month on Naxa, I’ll be furious with you.”
He smirked at me. “You had fun there with your ladies not long ago.”
“Well, we weren’t pregnant and got to have fun.” I grabbed Dario’s hand. “Remember the toboggan sledding in the ice tunnels?”
“It’s a memory I treasure.” Leaning toward me with love and something like conviction in his eyes, Dario placed a gentle kiss upon my lips.
Brimming with happiness, I looked out over the lawn where Niklos, Neema, Rory, and a few of their cousins learned how to stand still. “I was terrified about this for nothing.”
Nico said, “Dario, take her inside before they begin blaster target practice.”
I drew in a horrified gasp of air.
The two of them started laughing at my expense. I pinched both of them. Momma drifted out of the house with her vid-screen and recorded the children for Papa. Then, she turned it on us. “Wave, Teagan,” she cajoled.
Smiling, I waggled my fingers at her.
“I’m surprised she put Peter down long enough to pick up her vid-screen,” Nico said.
“He’s napping,” I said. My empathic bond with my adopted son had continued to grow stronger. The calm peacefulness he was currently experiencing was easy to interpret.
Momma had so much fun visiting with her contemporaries that we stayed for dinner. After dessert, Nico asked, “You’ve told us the prize should we guess correctly. What do you want if you win?”
“Nanite patches from Bosh Technologies,” I quickly responded. Shocked expressions covered their faces. “What? Eleven months…. Do you recall the huge, waddling planet on legs I became with Niklos?”
“I recall being terrified of losing you because of your failing heart,” Yukihyo said quietly.
“Well, you don’t have to worry about that ever again. I have the finest fancy artificial heart that credits can buy.” I winked at him. “Regardless, the last few months of this pregnancy, I’m staying put somewhere. Also, being waited on hand and foot while spending most of my time in a pool would be great.”
After we returned home that evening, I sighed in happy contentment with my head resting upon Yukihyo’s shoulder and Nico stretched out at my back. The children were sound asleep in their beds. My husbands had been on their best behavior all day.
I asked, “All teasing aside, why didn’t you tell me as soon as you sensed it?”
“You want to give me a son. You want to give Zared and Quaid children. We know this.” Yukihyo rubbed my back. “I am content with our life. I love you, our children, and the children yet to come. Each day with you is a gift for which I am grateful.” Yukihyo’s chuckle made his chest move up and down. I steadied myself with my hand along his ribs. “Did you ever imagine a day when I would not be jealous of other males?”
Answering for me, Nico said, “No.”
I laughed softly and fell asleep. In my dreams, I kept walking into rooms and looking for something that I couldn’t find and couldn’t remember. I knew it was something I needed, but I couldn’t recall what it was. When I woke up the next morning, I was tired and frustrated.
Yukihyo tightened his hold on me and whispered, “What troubles your heart so much as to make its way into your dreams?”
Relaxing into his warmth, I breathed deeply and closed my eyes. “I’ve forgotten something important.”
“No, something is being deliberately hidden from you.” His deep monotone was quiet but loud enough for me to hear.
I whispered, “What is it?”
A thoughtful frown was on his face. “For the last few days, I have felt the same. I should be concerned about something. However, it slips away before I can grasp it.” His confession was a deep rumble that I felt through my ear.
“Someone has ordered information to be withheld from us. Only two individuals outrank me within the Empire.”
“Many more than that outrank Zared.”
“Do you think one of my husbands is behind this?”
Yukihyo nodded. He rubbed up and down my back and soothed the worry from me.
“I can get it out of Zared.”
“Are you certain? They kept all of their plans concerning Inquisitor Flavian from us.”
The thought of their lies angered me. I sent my thoughts to Thunderdrop. I knew who I could trust. After a few minutes, he crawled up to join us on the bed. “They are hiding something from us. Do you know what it is?” I asked while stroking one of his front legs.
“Chirp!”
“What is it?”
Thunderdrop showed me an image of Commander Quaid Bosh, Captain Eric Alaric, and the Hadrian.
“What are they hiding about my husband and cousin?”
Yukihyo added, “And, Sparrow’s father, Lieutenant Gary Adair.”
“Chitter,” Thunderdrop said. He didn’t know.
Shifting his weight, Yukihyo reached over to the bedside table for his vid-screen. Then, after pulling on a shirt, he sat up with me cuddled to his side. He called Quaid. It took longer than expected for the call to go through. When he did answer, worry caused my forehead to crease at the unfamiliar setting behind him. Then, I realized that I had seen it before.
“You’re on a lunar base somewhere. Why? Are you in danger?”
Quaid’s eyes were solid black. It happened when Eriopis males went for long periods of time without the stabilizing bonds created by their patriarch or wives. Most Laconian males of Eriopis descent took several wives. The mental strain he was under was obvious. If I had been with him, his eyes would have had a white sclera around them and would have appeared almost human. With longing, I stared at his gorgeous face and sexy jawline. I missed him so much that my heart ached.
“I am unable to share that information, Princess Probus.”
I squeezed Yukihyo’s hand. Something was definitely wrong, or he would have called me Lady Bosh. “I see. Well, it’s no matter. We were calling to inform you that we intend to take a brief holiday. I desire your company, Lord Bosh. A distraction is exactly what I need before proceeding with the diplomatic mission to Earth upon which Papa seems inclined to send me.”
Yukihyo said, “We intend to visit the Laconian Sector to see family and check on our holdings. Will you condescend to make time for our wife while we are in your sector of space? Her physicians caution us that she is to remain calm and content. Sadness and longing brought about for a bonded mate, too long absent, is not beneficial to Teagan or the child she carries. You understand?”
Quaid nodded. “I do not wish to cause our mate any distress. Keep me apprised. Arrangements can be made. As always, Princess Probus, seeing your face and hearing your voice brings me peace.” He inclined his head to me and ended the transmission.
Sitting up, I frowned. “I can’t bring my ladies along. They need to stay put. What should we do?” I stared into Yukihyo’s white eyes. Worried orange and grey striations within them proved to me that his concern mirrored my own.
“Or, your mother,” he added.
“A
lso, I need to take it easy. I can’t risk anything happening to my baby.”
Yukihyo brought his arms around me and pulled me back against his warm side. I slipped my hand underneath his shirt, needing to feel his skin against mine. He soothed all of my worried emotions away. “There is nothing to fear. The child is healthy, and I will protect you, our unborn baby, and the three who are about to jump onto our bed.”
I looked over the edge of the bed and to the floor. Then, I busted out laughing. Neema, Niklos, and Peter were crawling into our room. The older two kept their baby brother between them, protecting him and teaching him how to sneak up on us. Peter didn’t need any help climbing up and into my arms. He loved to climb which terrified me most of the time.
Thoughtfully, I said, “The children are having so much fun here. They’ve been thriving and learning so much.” My feelings were conflicted. I needed to solve the mystery concerning Quaid, but my children needed to come first and were so content on Daphoene.
“It sounds as though you are talking yourself out of leaving.”
Peter nuzzled my neck. He had been growing bigger and stronger. I thought the daily swim lessons were helping with his development. “I don’t know. Things are different. I have you, the children, Momma and Papa, other husbands, and pregnant friends.”
Niklos straddled Yukihyo’s chest and laid his head on his shoulder. Yukihyo kissed the top of his head. “We could send a few of our clan to learn what it is that Quaid cannot tell us.”
“Good idea. Then, if he is granted leave, they can bring Quaid home to us for a visit.”
“I will speak to Zared,” he said quietly. It felt like a weight lifted from my shoulders. “All will be well, Lady Wife.”
Reassured by Yukihyo, I was able to enjoy snuggling with the children before breakfast.
Shortly after breakfast, the children and I had gone outside to play in the sand beside the pool. I was helping Peter fill his bucket when someone sat behind me and whispered into my ear, “All you needed to do was give me the word. I am at your service.” Eli stroked my hair. He was formidable, and of the Empire’s spies, one of the most lethal.
Materfamilias Page 2