Materfamilias

by Wendie Nordgren

  Enraged, Cormac yelled, “Get away from her! Now!” All of them came at us.

  Zared and Kaoti activated their visual displacement shields and ran with me through the kitchens. A door opened revealing pink and orange sky. They kept running until we were several yards away from the building. Behind us, the kitchen door banged open spilling out Cormac, Clark, Cedrenus, Binder, Stayton, and twenty or so others. They scanned the horizon for us. Cormac’s eyes narrowed in on depressed blades of grass from Zared and Kaoti’s boots. He started following our trail. Then, as he breathed in the fresh air, his eyes began to clear. Shock replaced the expression that had been on his face moments ago. Confusion filled the faces of the ensigns and cadets. Kaoti and Zared deactivated their shielding. My bacon was gone, so I licked my fingers clean.

  Instructor Rovek and another older instructor strode across the grass toward us with stern expressions. They had a doctor with them.

  The doctor scanned me. “Very healthy pregnancy indeed,” he said. “Carry on.” He turned to leave.

  “Wait. What just happened?” I asked. My brain felt fuzzy, but I was full and content.

  He raised an eyebrow at me. “You had a need, and your biology took over and made certain that it was met. It was a completely natural response, and your hormone levels are greatly elevated which is to be expected.” He saluted and left.

  Cedrenus, Binder, and Ross watched me the same way that Thunderdrop often watched Sue. Blushing, I said, “Clark, I’m terribly sorry. I didn’t know what I was doing.”

  Sweat beaded on his forehead. He said, “I never should have entered the ring with you that day. I was an idiot.”

  “No, you gave me a chance to prove myself.”

  He shook his head. “No, you’re delicate and sweet. You carry young. You should be worshipped, adored.”

  “Clark, snap out of it,” I said.

  Zared said, “His dick is going to snap.”

  Kaoti gave an indelicate snort. “Clark’s or Cormac’s?”

  Once the doctor had reentered the building, Rovek said, “Ensign Probus, you are expelled.”

  I felt at once hot and cold. My grades were good. I was passing. “Why? What did I do?” I couldn’t keep the terrified whine from my voice. “I’ve worked so hard! You can’t just kick me out and make it all worth nothing!”

  Cormac shifted his stance and adjusted the bulge in his pants to a more comfortable position.

  Rovek said, “Your hormonal state makes your presence a danger. Look what your pheromones did to Inquisitor Gordian, a grown male with strong mental and emotional control. We are responsible for the well-being of each student enrolled at the Academy. Pubescent males have no defenses against your pheromones. You robbed them of their will. The discipline committee will support my decision as will the Emperor once he views the footage.” Turning to the ensigns and cadets, he said, “Dismissed!”

  Cedrenus, Binder, and Ross gave me apologetic glances before bowing their heads and leaving with the others while I watched helplessly from Zared’s arms. The guys were bloody and bruised. Eventually, only Rovek, Cormac, and the older instructor remained.

  “Please! I’m sorry. I didn’t do it on purpose! Give me another chance.”

  Rovek turned his back on me and started to walk away. The other instructor fell in at his side. However, they stopped and stared at Clark, who had disobeyed the dismissal. Zared placed me on my feet but kept his arm around my back. Purposefully, Clark strode forward with determination on his face. He looked pissed.

  “Clark, please, forgive me. I swear it wasn’t on purpose.” It felt like my world was crumbling. I’d lost my new friends and everything for which I’d worked so hard over a craving, and there was nothing I could do about it.

  Instead of yelling at me, Clark went down to his knees at my feet. “Princess Probus, I offer myself to you. I am yours for now and forever whether you accept me or not. All that I am or shall be are yours.” He stared up at me with a fervor.

  He hadn’t abandoned me as the others had. He wasn’t angry with me as I had expected him to be. Instead, he was pledging his life to me. I hadn’t lost everything. I had gained the admiration and loyalty of the last person I would ever have expected.

  Rovek said sternly, “Dismissed.”

  It broke the spell under which Clark had fallen. Slowly, he stood, bowed low to me, and then returned to the building. Cormac watched him with cold, emotionless eyes.

  Zared picked me up and strode quickly to the parking lot. Kaoti jogged inside and then met us at a transport with Thunderdrop on his shoulder. Eight eyes blinked questioningly up at me from my lap.

  Once the doors were shut, I said, “I broke Clark. Can you fix him?”

  Chuckling, Zared said, “No, he is as lost as the rest of us are.”

  I whispered, “But he and I don’t usually even get along.”

  “It doesn’t matter. The boy is yours.” Humor filled his voice.

  “This isn’t funny,” I said angrily.

  “Oh, yes, it is.”

  I said, “I’ve never wanted him.”

  Kaoti said, “Currently, you only have nine husbands. What’s one more? You don’t have to play with him. He made his vows to you before witnesses, so he’s yours no matter what.”

  I dreaded speaking to Yukihyo about what had happened. Even worse, I had let Neema down. One day, when she was older, she’d learn I’d been a failure.

  Chapter Ten

  Disappointment kept my eyes focused on the tiles as we walked to my wing. I’d been expelled from the Academy. All I wanted was to sneak off into my room and cry. A few of my Omnes Videntes guarded the closed doors to my wing and unsuccessfully attempted to keep their laughter to themselves. I hung my head lower. If being kicked out wasn’t bad enough, I’d overwhelmed and trapped Clark without even meaning to do so. I couldn’t seem to do anything right. I thought it was really shitty for them to think it was funny. Then, the doors opened, and the teasing really began.

  My husbands laid in sexy poses around my sitting room dressed only in skimpy swim shorts and food. Yukihyo reclined on the couch with small bites of ice bear in a line down his chest and stomach. Fitz had chocolate icing smeared across his chest and held a piece of fudge. Drex dragged a piece of chicken through a dollop of peanut butter in his navel. I started laughing. Eli dipped his finger into a bowl of gravy and then licked it clean.

  “Shame on all of you!” I said through my laughter. I knew what they were doing. They were trying to cheer me up. “It’s not funny!” I said while crossing my legs. “Oh, stars. I have to pee.” Loud male laughter followed me along the hall. Zared opened his mouth, and Yukihyo tossed him a bite of steak. More laughter followed. When I returned to the sitting room, they were just as I had left them.

  Eli said, “We will appeal Rovek’s decision.”

  I sat next to Yukihyo and started eating the pieces of ice bear. Kaoti turned his back and left my wing, quietly laughing to himself. I said, “It’s just not fair. I’ve worked so hard. Can he really just kick me out, just like that? Can’t I just do my assignments here at home until the babies come?” My eyes started to fill, and the ice bear was gone. I went to Drex and took the chicken from him.

  “I promise to see what can be done,” Drex said. He didn’t sound optimistic.

  I wiped my fingers on a napkin and removed my jacket. “So, I take it you all aren’t angry with me?”

  Fitz knelt beside me and covered my stomach with his palm. “No, Lady Jiri. We are not angry with you or with the poor, helpless pup who you ensnared.”

  “He’s so young. He’s still in school.”

  “Teagan, he’s only about two years your junior,” Drex said. “He is far closer to your age than any of us are.”

  Fitz said, “I propose we go to the pool. You need to relax. Emotional upsets such as those you have endured today are not good for you or the twins.” He stood and undressed me in front of everyone. Then, he handed me a bathrobe. “Let’s go.”r />
  Each of them took a towel from a stack on a chair and followed us to the Palace pool. Momma didn’t suddenly appear to fuss at them for wearing skimpy swim suits into the pool. It made me regret not wearing one. Surrounded by my husbands, I floated in the water. They repeatedly assured me that they weren’t mad at me. Apparently, what had happened with my pheromones wasn’t unheard of. Occasionally, it happened with pregnant Parvac women. However, it was usually when they were much farther along.

  That evening, I heard that Momma and Papa had gone out to a dinner party. It seemed like they had been deliberately avoiding me since I had come home expelled from the Academy. We enjoyed a quiet dinner with the children.

  Zared said, “I sense dessert is ready.”

  I covered my stomach, too full, and afraid I would have to pass on it.

  “Here it comes,” Zared said.

  “Oh!” I cried as my blonde giant came into view. I struggled to push my chair away from the table.

  “Daddy!” Niklos yelled.

  “Coco!”

  The children climbed down from their chairs and ran to him. Nico bent down and picked up a kid in each arm.

  “Hey, Rio.” Neema smiled at him but didn’t release her arms from her Coco’s neck.

  Nico bent his knees so I could kiss him.

  Then, Dario was in the room. The look he gave me made me feel cherished. “My lady,” he said as he went to his knees and pressed a gentle kiss to my stomach. He looked up at me with adoration.

  I sent my joy to him empathically, so as to share with him what I couldn’t describe. “You and Fitz have given me babies to love.” Our eyes widened at the same time as we felt the bond form between us. I could feel Dario’s emotions. He felt boundless happiness, protectiveness, excitement, and an anxiety to keep me and the children safe and happy.

  Choked with emotion, I said, “Oh, I’m happy, Dario.”

  “And, she is quite safe,” Nico said.

  Dario looked at Nico. “How did you know that?”

  “I am bound to her. I am also bound to Yukihyo as a brother, and through him to Phillip and Hiroshi. Occasionally, through Teagan and Yukihyo, I’ll sense things from Zared and the others. In time, you will see.”

  Dario stood and gazed down into my eyes. “I have tried to find a gift befitting of you.” He looked at the wedding band Yukihyo had given me and rubbed his thumb across it, knowing how special the ring was to me. “You have given me my greatest wish. You have given me your trust and love and now carry our child. What is there in the universes worthy of you?”

  I laughed. “You are. You came home to me and brought Nico with you. What more could I want?” I kissed him, long and deep.

  Dario swept me up into his arms and carried me away while Neema and Niklos chattered away, telling Nico everything he had missed, and Peter sang baby gibberish to Zared who was feeding him mashed carrots. In my bedroom, he placed me on my bed, removed our clothing, and then proceeded to kiss every inch of my body. I was shrieking with laughter by the time he got to the back of my left knee.

  “No, Dario! No! I can’t take it. It tickles!”

  “Then, I will do something else.” Parting my thighs, he spent the evening making slow love to me.

  I woke up the next morning between Dario’s legs with my face on his stomach and his legs stretched out to either side of me. Nico was spread out on the other side of the bed. Then, I became aware of a few of my husbands whispering amongst themselves.

  “Teagan, I’m going to the factory for a few hours,” Yukihyo said softly.

  “Okay,” I mumbled.

  Dario began to grow beneath me. I spiraled pleasure through him with a spike to his endorphins before he could get any ideas. I’d gotten more than enough of his manly attention. However, doing so in my current position hadn’t been the best idea, as his seed hit me under my chin. I lifted my head and gave him a bland expression as it dripped down my neck.

  Nico snickered.

  “I’m surprised there is anything left in either of you after last night,” I said as I slid from bed and gingerly walked to the bathroom. Dario and Nico joined me in the shower.

  Nico boasted, “There’s plenty more where that came from, female.” Lovingly, he covered my stomach with one large hand. While I washed my hair, he took advantage and closed his lips over my right nipple.

  “I’ve had enough for a week. Get off of me, male.”

  His laughter echoed off the shower walls. “I know better than that. You’ll want me again by lunch.” His tone was full of smug self-assurance.

  I shrugged. He was probably right.

  After a leisurely breakfast with the children, I took them for a walk through the gardens. Thunderdrop ran along at my side while I pushed the stroller. My thoughts returned to yesterday’s events at the Academy. Maybe, Rovek had changed his mind about my expulsion. The brawl I had inadvertently started hadn’t been that bad. Had it? Sitting on a bench, I pulled out my vid-screen. Neema watched me with her jade-green eyes while I called Cedrenus.

  He answered immediately. “Teagan, are you alright?” He had a few bruises on his face.

  Guiltily, I asked, “Are you guys pissed at me? I couldn’t help it. Being pregnant with two Parvac babies is having some odd effects on me.”

  “No, speaking for myself, I could never be angry with you,” he said. The others looked at me from over his shoulders.

  “Nor could I,” Binder said.

  Ross said, “I’m not angry. I thought you were rather adorable yesterday.”

  “Do you think Rovek meant it?” Taking note of their bruised faces, I felt my hopes sink.

  Cedrenus nodded. “Rumor has it that females will still be allowed to enter but will be discharged if they become pregnant.”

  I felt my nose starting to tingle. “I have to go. I’ll talk to you later.” Quickly ending the call, I put my vid-screen away and started pushing the stroller along the path. They weren’t going to allow me back in. They’d made up their minds. It was over. Profound disappointment prevented me from enjoying the flowers we passed.

  My vid-screen signaled, and I wasn’t sure I even wanted to look at it. Curiosity had me pulling it out. It was Tracy. She wanted to take Jazon and visit the caves on Drex’s estate to study the fish inhabiting its waters. Apparently, she needed some extra credit because of her hastily completed assignment. After extending to her an open invitation, I kept walking. However, eventually my heartbreak over my expulsion turned to anger. I took the children inside and turned them over to Pierce and Lorca. Then, I went to the garage, got inside of my transport, and drove to the Academy. I wasn’t giving up without a fight.

  Inquisitor Rovek must have been alerted as to my intentions, because he waited for me at the door. He held his hands behind his back. “Princess Probus, my decision is final.”

  “I want to appeal.” Stepping around him, I went to the administrative offices and spent the next hour filling out forms.

  Rovek was nowhere to be found when I left the office. In fact, I didn’t see any instructors or Inquisitors anywhere. They were putting their skills to use and hiding from me. They were either afraid of my temper or didn’t want to risk upsetting me in my condition. Having done all that I could do, I entered the bathroom before driving home.

  When I came out of the stall, Clark was waiting, leaning against the sinks with his arms crossed over his chest and staring at the floor. Before I could scold him for entering the ladies’ room, he said, “I can’t give you homes, properties, or starships. Your husbands are the most powerful males in the Empire. I’m a fool, and I realize it.” Frustration was clear on his face. “I’m only a student. I’ve made myself a joke to everyone at the Academy for offering myself, pledging myself to you. I can never be worthy.” He lifted his hand and gestured at the facilities with considerable disdain. “This is the only place where I could get a private moment with you to apologize. My vows to you were pompous.”

  At first, I felt badly for him, but
I was beginning to feel offended. “So, you regret your words?”

  Frowning at the floor, he nodded. “I should be concentrating on completing my training.”

  Did he think I was a waste of his time? “So, you’re saying you didn’t mean what you said. It was temporary insanity brought about by my pheromones attacking you.” I understood, but it still kind of hurt. Yesterday’s looks of adoration had left Clark’s eyes.

  Furiously, he said, “I meant it. I meant every word of it. You burned me to ash and regrew me with a look from your eyes.”

  Confused, I asked, “Then, why have you reconsidered?”

  “Why? You are our Princess. I’ve embarrassed myself and my house by groveling at your feet like an idiot.”

  “Are you taking back what you vowed?”

  He glared at me, but pain was mixed with shame in his eyes.

  “Damn it, Clark. I didn’t do it on purpose. There’s no reason for this act of yours.”

  “Act?”

  “Yes, you’re acting like a poor martyr of unrequited love. It’s pathetic. You’re all full of impotent pain. It reminds me of your impotent rage when I kicked your ass in the ring.”

  Clark spluttered. “You didn’t kick my ass. You wrapped your legs around my neck.”

  “I won fair and square. It might be amusing to have a husband who I can best in a fight.”

  He looked at me like I had lost my mind. “You are a tiny female. You couldn’t win a real hand-to-hand fight with me or anyone else, and I am not impotent in any sense of the word. I begin to think you delight in tormenting me.”

  “I think you enjoy playing the part of the wronged victim. You did it on Arachne, and you’re doing it here with me now.”

  “I’m no victim. I’m a warrior, and I will be an asset to the Empire.”

  I snorted at him. “But, you’re afraid of me, a woman.”

  Clark crowded me against the wall, and the anger in his eyes caused me to feel a moment of fear. Then, he cradled the back of my head in his palm and brought his lips down to mine. It was a sweet, unhurried kiss. He placed his other hand on my hip and held me close. When his lips left mine, he looked down into my eyes. His eyes reminded me of hot, black coffee.