Materfamilias

by Wendie Nordgren

  He said, “It was on Arachne where I realized I’d die for you. I think dying for you might be easier than loving you.”

  “That’s a fucked-up thing to say.”

  “It’s true. The pain of death would be quicker.”

  Moving out from behind him, I turned and pushed his back to the wall. He held his hands up to show me he wasn’t fighting. An expectation of pain was in his eyes. It changed to shock when I kissed him and wrapped my arms around his neck. A hard bulge formed in his pants, pushing against me, begging me to touch it.

  “You are an infuriatingly stupid man,” I said against his lips.

  Something about Clark inexplicably drew me to him. I didn’t know why, but I needed him and wanted him. When I was near him, he was like a craving.

  I watched his eyes while sliding my hand along his chest and downward, watching for any sign of hesitation in his eyes. When my palm reached the front of his pants, he nudged against it and moaned ever so softly. Taking it as an invitation, I unfastened his pants and slipped my hand inside. A pained sound rumbled from his chest as I wrapped my hand around his shaft. An aching need throbbed between my thighs. I released him.

  “Teagan, please….” He reached for my hand.

  But, I reached under my dress and removed my undies, shoving them into his jacket pocket.

  With a maddening lust, his lips met mine, and our positions shifted. Grabbing my hem, he lifted the skirt of my dress, sliding his hands up my legs as he did so. I pushed his pants down his hips, freeing his impressive length. Clark lifted me under my thighs and pressed my back into the wall. Reaching between us and taking him in hand, I guided him into my entrance and closed my eyes in ecstasy as he sank himself into me.

  “Ahh.” I wrapped my arms around his neck and enjoyed the sensation of how incredibly hard and eager he felt. Fear we would be caught excited me even further.

  “Teagan. Oh, Teagan. I need to move,” he whispered.

  I gave his neck a gentle bite to encourage him. It was enough to spark a fire within him. Clark set a fast pace in and out of me. His needs drove him, and his wildness and mad desire caused my inner walls to contract around him as I came. The sounds I made as I found my release were his undoing. It felt as though he came with each of his three final thrusts. His eyes were dazed as he lowered me down the wall.

  Breathlessly, I said, “You told me you were mine, Clark. I intend to keep you.”

  He brought his lips down to mine.

  Hearing students out in the hall, we straightened our clothing. Clark checked outside and then motioned for me to hurry. In the hall, he gave me his arm and walked me out to my transport. He opened the door for me. After I had taken my seat, he kneeled on the ground beside my open door. Pulling out his vid-screen, he tapped away for a few minutes at the screen, looked it over, and then pressed his palm to it. He handed it to me. It was a standard marriage contract. I added my palm to his after a moment of panic and returned it to him. He stared at the contract in disbelief. Reaching up, he slid his fingers into my hair and kissed me once more.

  “I will come to you once my day has ended,” he promised. Then, he stood, bowed low to me, and closed my door. He watched my transport until it was out of sight.

  Whichever of my Imperial Guards who were on duty, stayed out of sight and gave me my privacy. I drove around for a while and thought. Eventually, I ended up in the Palace gardens, watching Thunderdrop while he watched his turtles. Several minutes passed. A bird swooped down but before alighting on a branch, it gave an angry squawk, flapped its wings, and returned to the sky. Staring at the spot, I watched in surprise as Eli separated from the shadows.

  “How long have you been watching me?”

  “Since I learned of your existence.”

  “Today….”

  Slowly walking over to me, he sat beside me on the bench. “I’ve watched over you throughout the day. I haven’t left your side.”

  I felt heat rising in my cheeks. “Even when I went to the Academy?”

  “Even then. When he entered the restroom, I followed.”

  Horrified, I stood too quickly and promptly started to faint. Catching me, Eli pulled me onto his lap. “None of that, Teagan. Don’t be angry with me. I’m your protector.” He positioned my head so that it rested on his shoulder while it continued to spin.

  “You were watching us?”

  “I turned my back once things became passionate, but I didn’t leave you.”

  So many thoughts and feelings were spinning around in my already dizzy head that I didn’t know where to begin. “It didn’t make you angry? Why didn’t you berate us for our behavior?”

  “Why would I do such a thing? I knew you wanted him, and I want you to have everything you desire. The boy can satisfy a need of yours that you have not yet chosen to accept from any of the rest of us. Yukihyo first impressed you as a wealthy merchant and powerful warrior. Now, he is so much more. Ponidi Propulsions continues to do quite well and has earned an honorable reputation. General Nico Cassian leads the forces of Apellan and has wealth to rival his power. Commander Quaid Bosh holds a rank in the Galaxic Militia of which I know you to be covetous. Aside from that, he is the wealthy son of a Laconian Consul. Each of us has earned a high rank and amassed fortunes, and even though you possess considerable wealth and are a member of the Imperial family, you often feel inferior to us.”

  I had gone still and quiet, even though my head had stopped spinning. I messed with his collar and listened. Hearing him say out loud what I had never voiced was somehow more intimate than knowing he had witnessed what Clark and I had done in the bathroom like a couple of out of control teenagers.

  “Clark is closer to your own age. He is still working toward his goals, as you are. You view him as more of an equal and are more relaxed around him. You argue with him and speak your mind.” He combed through my hair with his fingers. “You grew up too fast. Now, you have three children and two on the way. Clark answers a need within you, and I promise to be supportive. Alright?”

  I nodded, not trusting myself to speak.

  Eli helped me to my feet. “Now, shall we stop hiding out here and go inside?” He gave me his arm and led me to the Palace.

  Fitz said, “Finally, you got her to come inside.”

  “She’s feeling fragile,” Eli said.

  I sat on a couch. Fitz sat beside me, pulled my feet up to his lap, removed my shoes, and rubbed my feet. He winked at me.

  “Why did you do that?”

  “I’m proud of you. After suffering a disappointment, you got yourself a new toy to cheer yourself up.” He grinned at me.

  “He’s not a toy.”

  “No, he’s far too delicious to be a toy,” Nico said.

  Dario and Drex laughed. Eli shook his head and got me a glass of fizzy water. Zared bowed his head and laughed quietly to himself.

  I opened my mouth to scold them, but Fitz whispered, “The children are napping.”

  Zared said, “One of them is still awake. He’s walking toward us now.” He laughed quietly to himself before taking up a stance beside the wall. His attempts to quiet his laughter got Dario and Fitz going again. “Don’t worry. I’ve already alerted the Palace that he is free to come and go from your wing, all by himself like a big boy.”

  Eli and Drex started laughing.

  Otto announced, “Ensign Clark Flavian wishes an audience.”

  “Did you neglect to tell Otto and Rolf?” I asked as I scowled at him. He hid his mouth with his hand. Getting up from the couch, I went to the door where I found Clark waiting with a small bouquet of flowers.

  Extending them to me, he said, “These are for you.”

  Taking them, I held them to my chest. They were nothing like the extravagant bouquet Fitz had given me, but they meant just as much to me. I kissed his cheek. “They are lovely. This was very thoughtful of you.” I glanced behind me, worried about bringing Clark inside.

  As if he knew my thoughts, he stood straighter. “I c
an take it.”

  “I don’t know if I can.”

  Clark asked, “We’re still a team, you and I. Rovek’s shit decision doesn’t change it, Teagan.”

  Everything Eli said had been true. Clark and I were equals, but more than that, we had become friends. “Don’t say I didn’t warn you. Here are the rules. No yelling is allowed. My babies are sleeping. Also, there is no fighting in my wing. Papa became rather cross with Fitz and Luca….” I stopped what I had been saying and took a deep breath. “Let’s get this over with.” He started to follow me inside.

  “Clark!” a familiar voice called out.

  Both of us turned.

  A battered Inquisitor Flavian was heading straight for us. Clark began walking toward him, so I followed. Cory turned a corner and stepped inside of an unused office. Clark closed the door once I was inside. Cory’s face was full of shocked disbelief as he looked from Clark to me and back again. I kept glancing at his missing arm and didn’t have any idea how to make it better.

  Cory said, “I received a legal notification that my son had married. Is this a prank?”

  “No, sir,” Clark stated. “I offered myself to Princess Probus, and she accepted me.”

  Going to his side, I said, “I know this is rather sudden, but could you please try to be open-minded and supportive? I’m sure you heard about what happened yesterday.”

  Cory stared at Clark. Then, he noticed something out of place on his uniform. He reached out before Clark could back away without risking hurting me or his one-armed father. Cory pulled my panties from Clark’s pocket. When the Inquisitor realized what he held, his face turned crimson. Clark snatched them back and stuffed them into his pocket.

  “She’s married to General Cassian, Vice Admiral Galerius, Fitz Jiri, Inquisitor Beck, Inquisitor Licinius, Lord Yukihyo, Captain Zared Ponidi, Admiral Farowyn, and Commander Bosh.” He lifted his stub for emphasis on the last one. “They will eat you alive.” He ran his remaining hand through his hair. “Son, you haven’t even graduated.”

  “Neither has Teagan.”

  “I’m not even going to get the chance.”

  Clark met my eyes. My words had sparked anger in his. “It isn’t right of Rovek to cheat you in this way.”

  “No, it isn’t, but at least I know I can kick your ass. Somehow, that makes it better.”

  “Again, you cannot kick my ass.”

  “Oh, yes, I can. If I weren’t pregnant, I’d take you to the ring and kick your ass right now.”

  “Well, you are pregnant and won’t be doing any fighting even after our children are born.”

  Momentarily taken aback by how he already considered my children to be his, I said, “The fuck if I won’t.”

  “You won’t. If you need fighting done, I’ll do it for you. I’ll even try my best to hit with your same delicate touch and lack of power. I added a stipulation to our marriage contract. I will allow you to practice self-defense and the use of certain blaster weapons but nothing else.”

  “Clark!”

  “Don’t ‘Clark’ me. I assumed you wouldn’t read the contract. The opportunity for you to ever again sustain injury in the ring is in the past. The contract is legal and binding.”

  “You little shit! You know how important this is to me.”

  His look said he didn’t believe me. “Proving yourself academically is what matters to you, not fighting. Admit it.”

  I scowled up at him. “Fine.” I started to call him “Little Dick” just to be spiteful, but that sure wasn’t an accurate insult.

  “Impressive,” Cory said to Clark.

  “Fuck you, Flavian,” I said.

  “Teagan, don’t be disrespectful to your new father,” Clark chided.

  I clenched my teeth in anger while Cory grinned. “I’ve got a new daughter and grandchildren with more on the way.” He was way too pleased with himself. He threw his head back and laughed. “With the way the two of you argue, maybe you are a good match after all.” Meeting and holding Clark’s eyes, he kissed his son’s cheek. “You have brought great honor to our House.” Cory saluted me and left.

  We made our way back to my wing. It was worse than when I had stepped out. Cormac was there. He bowed to me and watched Clark as if he were a game animal he intended to put down. “Princess, might I have a private word?”

  “Are you here to tell me that I have been reinstated?” I asked.

  “No.”

  “Are you here to help me get reinstated?”

  “No, but surely you can spare a moment for other concerns.”

  “Actually, I’m overwhelmed at the moment. Would you like for me to meet you in your office to discuss this matter in the morning?” I rubbed at my temple. I could feel a headache coming on.

  “Baby, have a seat.” Dario took my hand and led me over to the couch. “Put your feet up.” He covered me with a blanket.

  Rolf took the flowers Clark had given me and put them in a vase. I smiled at Clark but then realized he didn’t have any bags with him. “Aren’t you planning to stay here tonight?”

  Clark remained silent as though unsure how to answer.

  Eli tapped Nico on the knee and made a small indication to observe Cormac. He looked like he wanted to hack Clark to pieces. Cormac said, “Most parents prefer for their children to remain in the dorms.”

  Clark worked to disguise his anger. I didn’t. “He is old enough to marry, and Cory has given us his blessing. I was younger than Clark is now when I married Yukihyo. Holding out my hand for Clark to take it, I said, “Husband, having you reside here at the Palace would please me. I will welcome you should you decide to join me.”

  Clark whispered, “I will live to please you.” Lifting my hand, he kissed my fingers.

  Cormac was on the verge of challenging Clark to a fight in the ring. The Inquisitor would beat Clark bloody. Fear that I shouldn’t let Clark out of my sight rose up within me. Then, just as quickly, calm washed over me as Yukihyo entered the room. He gave me a sweet smile and a kiss, but his eyes were fierce. He extended his hand to Clark. Hesitantly, Clark took it. Cormac might be able to beat Clark bloody, but Yukihyo could easily beat Cormac to a pulp.

  Yukihyo asked, “Is it official?”

  “Yes, sir.”

  “Then welcome, brother. Yesterday, I knew the very moment when our Lady Wife’s heart laid claim to yours.” Yukihyo smiled at Cormac just as Kaoti materialized from directly behind him.

  The message they had delivered was clear. They supported my choice, and Cormac needed to back off.

  Yukihyo said, “I spoke with Tavere on my way in. He wants to see you in his office immediately.”

  Clark paled. “Yes, sir.” He bowed to me, saluted the men in the room, and left.

  Cormac had a smug look on his face.

  “Should I be worried?” I asked.

  Yukihyo said, “No, he’s quite pleased with the clause Clark snuck by you.”

  Kaoti said, “He is now a member of the Imperial family. Also, anyone acting against him would bring about retaliation from his co-husbands. There is no need for you to worry.”

  Yukihyo said, “Zared explained to us that you need him. He’s an equal and is beneficial to your self-esteem. He’s close to your own age, you have similar interests, and he chose loyalty to you over his own House. I have not forgotten that.”

  “Why did my hormones go crazy for Clark and not for Cedrenus or someone else?” I looked pointedly at Cormac. It seemed to appease him on some level.

  Kaoti asked, “Would Cedrenus ever dream of arguing with you?”

  I snorted.

  Yukihyo said, “There is your answer.”

  “Do you think I’m subconsciously trying to ease my guilt with Clark over what Quaid did to Cory?”

  Drex said, “Teagan, enough of the therapeutic blathering. You and Fitz have mended your relationship. Rozz is correct. You invent things about which to worry. Enjoy your new playmate. I mean husband.”

  My husbands shared a go
od laugh. I shushed them and listened for the children.

  Yukihyo asked, “Does he have any hair on his chest? Has it grown in?”

  Zared said, “It is doubtful. We could paint his chest with gravy to give it a more masculine appearance.”

  “Why bother? Teagan would only lick it all off,” Nico said.

  “Would you all stop?” I asked.

  “That makes three Inquisitors for her,” Eli said. “The Princess has a thing for dangerous males.”

  “Ugh.”

  The smug expression had left Cormac’s face. Reclining back, I close my eyes and was soon napping just as the children were doing.

  Chapter Eleven

  After the children and I had gotten up and had spent some time together, their fathers took them outside to play, and I went off in search of Momma. She was in her sitting room with Aunt Seyla and Victoria. Plopping down on the couch beside her, I laid my head on her lap.

  “What’s the matter, my sweet?”

  “I took another husband.”

  “Oh?” She ran her fingers through my hair. Momma wasn’t surprised. She already knew. “Is he handsome?”

  I thought of Clark’s dark-brown eyes, brown hair, and pleasing features. “Well, yes. He’s attractive.”

  “Is he strong?” she asked.

  I remembered the first time I had ever noticed him. He had been leaping over the ropes and jumping into the ring to kick my ass. Afterwards, he had said something about being able to piss harder than I could hit. “Well, yes, he’s strong.”

  Continuing to brush through my hair with her fingers, she asked, “Does he come from a good House?”

  I shrugged. “He’s Inquisitor Flavian’s son.”

  “The team who captured the traitor is well-respected. Taking his son as a husband will send a powerful message to our people.”

  “That’s not why I wanted him.”

  “Then, why?”

  “He smelled so good that I had to have him. It wasn’t just the gravy he had spilled on himself.”