Materfamilias

by Wendie Nordgren

  Clark’s face became stone.

  Both of them had in common a fury with Cormac.

  A distant look entered the Inquisitor’s eyes, and he strode purposefully away toward the beach.

  “Izaac, what did you do?” I whispered.

  “Sent him for a walk. He’s out of line. Clark and I are off duty. We’re your husbands, not him.”

  Clark said, “I agree. You should take all of the comfort you need from a husband.”

  Izaac nodded, and the two of them followed me inside.

  “I haven’t seen much of either of you.”

  “Kaoti has been keeping our team busy. He’s taken over our training while Inquisitor Rovek is on assignment.”

  “Have they found Jazon?” I asked.

  Izaac shook his head. Telepathically, he said, “He’s alive, but unconscious and drugged. We know that much.”

  “He’s alive,” I said, greatly relieved. “Have you assured Tracy of that?” He nodded. “Oh, Izaac, what must they be like if they can take Jazon?”

  He moved toward me but paused at an angry thought from Clark.

  “Why must the two of you fight?” I found myself longing for Yukihyo. I needed his strong, reliable comfort.

  “He needs to do the honorable thing,” Clark said firmly.

  Blushing, Izaac removed his vid-screen from a pocket and presented me with a marriage contract to which he had previously affixed his palm print.

  “Should I sit and read it? Have you tricked me in some way as Clark did?”

  To us both, he said, “I have not, but you may sit and read it if you wish to do so, preferably with your feet up.” He strode over to the kitchen and began making tea with the beverage dispenser.

  “It was for your own best interests and for the sake of any unfortunate males who might have found themselves forced to enter the ring with you,” Clark said.

  I sat. Nervously, I pressed my palm to the document, sealing our fates once and for all. Joy from Izaac washed over me and burst against my skin like the bubbles from my bath had done. He brought cups of tea for each of us.

  “For how long, will you make Cormac walk?” I asked.

  With a wistful expression, he released the Inquisitor from his compulsion.

  Clark asked, “What had you pacing the room when we arrived?”

  I traded Izaac his vid-screen for a cup of tea. “My father-in-law is arranging for me to meet with Dr. Stanley Crispus in the morning.” I sipped at the tea which had soothing floral notes. “Of all of my fathers, he frightens me the most. I don’t know if it is because of what he did to my brain after I was born, the fact that he could have saved Momma and me from years of misery with one call, or that I had my heart attack when he tried to capture Isidora and me.”

  Izaac covered my free hand with his. “I will go with you to see my creator. You won’t face him alone.”

  “The three of us will go together,” Clark said. “You will be safe, Teagan. No one will hurt you.” He finished his tea and stood. Holding his hand out to me, he said, “You need to go to bed. You’ve got dark circles under your eyes.”

  “Wow. Thanks for noticing.”

  “You haven’t been sleeping well here,” Clark said.

  “She doesn’t like sleeping alone,” Izaac explained.

  “I would gladly sleep with you each and every night,” Clark eagerly offered.

  “As would I.”

  “It seems odd to share Quaid’s bed while he is away on a mission.”

  Izaac said, “He doesn’t want you to feel alone and frightened.” He removed his boots and started undressing on his way into the bedroom. He was all lean muscle and male beauty. I ogled the dimples in each of his butt cheeks as he dropped his pants.

  Clark tore out of his uniform just as quickly, wanting my ogling for himself. On opposite sides of the bed, they both reached down to turn down the blankets, which were of a denser quality for Epopeus’ winter than they had been on my previous visit. Watching the two of them standing bent over the bed with moonlight illuminating their naked perfection did nothing to induce within me a restful slumber. The juncture between my thighs came alive with yearning and a delicious ache. Getting into the center of the bed, I laid still and tried to be grateful that I wasn’t sleeping alone. Izaac had made it clear to me that sharing my bed while another male was in it was not to his tastes. I willed my needs away, but Clark had other ideas.

  His hands were rough with callouses from weapons practice. He kissed my shoulder while pushing my gown up my hips. Need pooled between my thighs, but I knew I had to ask him to stop. Izaac didn’t deserve to feel uncomfortable. As I opened my lips to protest, Izaac silenced me with a greedy kiss. His lips left mine to finish what Clark had started, the removal of my gown.

  “Hey, Teagan?” Clark said.

  “Yes?”

  “Remember that time you cheated and wrapped your thighs around my head?” He pushed apart my thighs and sucked between my legs before delving into me with his tongue, moving it within me as he might kiss my mouth.

  “Clark!” I gasped.

  Izaac captured my nipple in his mouth and caressed my other breast with his palm. I was nearly out of my mind when Clark filled me with his length and at a furious pace pumped in and out of me. What he had done to me and the cries I had made had affected him, because he came quickly. Then, Izaac replaced him. He tried to make slow love to me, but he too lost himself to the sensations. The three of us curled up in a contented clump and slept with the breeze gently caressing each of us long after our hands had ceased to do so.

  Chapter Twenty

  The next morning, I smiled happily when I woke up and ran my hands over the firm legs and butts to either side of me. Getting up, I slipped on a robe and went to the kitchen where I made myself a cup of coffee. I was dreading the visit to Dr. Crispus but eager to get it over with. I sat with my coffee on the patio while my husbands slept. The suns hadn’t yet risen. A soft noise alerted me of company.

  “Did they manage to put their posturing aside for your benefit?” Cormac asked.

  “Yes.”

  Squatting beside me, he asked, “Will you ever give me a chance?”

  “Cormac, did you know, before either of us was born, my Momma wanted to accept your father, but Papa and the Empress wouldn’t allow the break with tradition? If things had been different, you could have been my brother.”

  “Aw. So, that is it. I assure you. We are of no near relation.”

  Looking into his eyes, I considered my feelings for Cormac Gordian. I decided to be honest. “Cormac, I like you. I trust you. I even find you to be incredibly attractive….”

  He lifted my hand to his lips and kissed my knuckles. “You will also find me to be incredibly patient. Your coffee is cold. Please, allow me.” He took my cup away and refilled it. As he brought it back to me, a huge, satisfied smile was on his face, and I hoped he hadn’t gotten the wrong idea. “This is a beautiful planet, made more so with you adorning it.”

  I blushed at the compliment. “Has there been any news? Have they found Jazon?”

  He shook his head. “They are only a few parsecs out from Chione. We are keeping communications to a minimum. I’m sure I don’t need to tell you why.”

  I started to feel guilty. “Cormac, I’m grateful for all you have done for me. The day you gave me my cadet’s uniform was one of the happiest of my life.”

  “Teagan, I’m going to interrupt you. You don’t owe me anything. You aren’t beholden to me. Doing what I can to please you, to put the light in your eyes that sometimes sparkles there, is all of the thanks I want. It would be a lie if I were to say that I do not long to hold you in my arms. However, even should I have to wait for as long as General Stayton has waited for the Lady Valen, I should do so gladly.”

  My eyes widened. “What have you heard about Grandmother?” He gave me an innocent look. “Cormac Gordian, you tell me right now.”

  “An alert appeared announcing your acceptance o
f Lieutenant Izaac Ponidi of the Imperial Guard, and another appeared announcing that the Lady Ettie Valen had accepted retired General Stayton, after all of these years. Both of them are widowed. It isn’t uncommon for females of alien worlds to remain monogamous, but it is discouraged.”

  I sipped my coffee. “I have a new grandfather. Weird. What does that make me and Stayton?”

  I heard footsteps. “For starters, maybe you should call me by my first name. I see you’ve heard the news. I was on my way to tell you.”

  “What is your name?”

  “Don’t look guilty about not knowing. I don’t often share it. It’s a horrible name.”

  “It’s not horrible,” Cormac responded.

  “It’s Tad.” He shook his head.

  “Tad Stayton? What’s wrong with that?” I asked.

  A freshly showered and dressed Clark joined us. “Wife, would you like a tad more coffee?”

  “Ha ha. Tad, tadpole, and all of that. It’s not the kind of name to inspire dread. Why couldn’t they have given me an impressive name like Kaoti?”

  “You were given a family name. Be proud of it,” Clark said.

  “So, what are we if our grandparents are married?”

  “I’d say cousins.” Tad shrugged.

  “I’m still calling you Stayton. I’ll call the General Gramps or something.”

  Stayton said, “The Lady Valen accepted him. I expect his mood will be better than it has been in years. He’s going to let you call him anything you want.”

  The suns were rising. “I’d better get dressed and get this over with.”

  Cormac said, “Don’t let him redirect questions to you. You want him to do all of the talking.”

  I said, “From what I’ve heard, he may not even speak.”

  Stayton said, “Do your best. It’s all any of us can do.”

  Considering his words for a moment, I nodded and joined Izaac in the shower. I selected a long pink dress and wore the diamond necklace Luca had given me which he had commissioned reset in a simple setting. I touched it, remembering the hybrid’s cruelty in making me believe for a moment, for giving me hope, an irrational hope. Izaac and Clark waited for me dressed in their uniforms. Thunderdrop waited for us on the porch. Climbing to my shoulder, he nuzzled my cheek.

  The door to the house in front of us opened, and Tracy rushed out looking exhausted and worried. “Where are you going so early?”

  “To try and get leads so we can find Jazon and return him to you,” I said. “We won’t return home to Parvac until we have him. I give you my word.”

  “I’m going with you.” Tracy linked our arms together.

  Consul Bosh waited for us in the family room. Being telepathic, he knew that neither Tracy nor I could stomach any breakfast. Our guard detail was already in place, and once Tracy and I were seated, our procession of transports was underway. During the long drive, Tracy and I held hands. We didn’t speak. I sensed that Consul Bosh and Izaac were doing their best to keep us calm. I was more concerned for Tracy. It was her husband, the father of her unborn son, who was missing.

  When we arrived at the facility, we were identified before the outer shield was lowered for our transports. We had to go through five checkpoints before finally entering the building. Guards patrolled the grounds with a diligence which impressed even Kaoti and Cormac. Tracy and I continued holding hands as we entered the building. I wasn’t certain if it was my hand or hers which was sweaty.

  “It’s both,” Tracy said quietly, having read my mind.

  Consul Bosh spoke to the physician in charge of Dr. Stanley Crispus and his recovery. The doctor said, “I’m not sure he will so much as acknowledge visitors. He hasn’t spoken for days, or it is possible this visit may have an advantageous effect on him. I apologize. I can’t allow so many of you to visit him at once. Three of you may enter. The rest of your party may observe from an adjoining room.”

  Tracy had started to tremble. Reaching for her hand, I placed it on Consul Bosh’s arm. Into my thoughts, he said, “I will keep her mind calm. Do your best.”

  I nodded. “Izaac, Clark, will you please join me?”

  Dr. Crispus was Izaac’s biological father, so if anyone could pull truths from his shattered mind, it was him. I said to the doctor, “The last I had heard, Dr. Crispus had shown improvement.”

  “He had. I am uncertain as to what might have caused his psychological digression.” He led us through a set of thick metal doors which locked together with a series of clicks once we had passed through them.

  “This place certainly is secure,” I observed.

  “Yes, Lady Bosh. Some of our patients are dangerous to themselves and others. We have fail safes and checks in place in the event one of them manages to possess the mind of another in an attempt to escape.” He stopped in front of a door. “I will monitor. Should he become distressed, I will end the visit. In such an event, you will be allowed to try again once he has had time to calm.” The doctor’s eyes were comforting with white, visible sclera. He exuded safety and compassion, putting my nerves at ease. He opened the door.

  Dr. Crispus sat in a padded, molded chair that looked rather comfortable. He was reclined slightly back with his feet up and was swaddled in a cocoon-like white blanket. Soft noises filled the room, like a gentle breeze. The lighting was subdued, and the walls were interactive holographic screens. The images displayed upon them reminded me of the play of shadow and light as sunshine passed through leaves.

  “Well, this is a lovely room,” I said appreciatively.

  “Chirp.” Thunderdrop softly agreed. Hopping down from me, he walked to one of the walls and touched his claws to the subtly shifting images.

  Clark, Izaac, and I sat on the blue couch across from Dr. Crispus. His eyes began to water, and he trembled slightly as he moved his head. There was more silver in his black hair than when I had last seen him. He had been staring at the corner of the ceiling but turned instead to look at Izaac. His lips moved, and he drew in a breath as though trying not to cry. “My son,” he said in a weak voice. “I should have loved you.” Tears fell from his solid black eyes.

  Izaac answered so we all could hear him in our minds. “I have love now and a family. This is Teagan, my wife. Do you remember her?”

  Dr. Crispus nodded. “I’m so sorry,” he said. He closed his eyes.

  I looked at Izaac and then returned my attention to the man in front of us. “Dr. Crispus, we need your help. We need to find Jazon, one of your sons. He has been kidnapped. His wife carries his child, your grandchild, and she is distraught. Will you help us?”

  His eyes were closed, but he nodded.

  Continuing, I said, “We believe the males who took him are the oldest of your sons. They look like Xavier. Can you tell us about them?”

  Dr. Crispus took a few shaky breaths. He managed to lift his head and open his eyes. He struggled, trying to say something. Finally, he forced one word through his lips. “Run.”

  The lights in the facility shut off with a thud heard throughout the building. Thunderdrop jumped to my head. Clark and Izaac took up positions around me.

  From Dr. Crispus, his voice said words that weren’t his own. “We’re coming for you, Teagan.” Then, mad laughter spilled from him before abruptly stopping and turning into broken sobs.

  The door opened, and the doctor said, “This way! Hurry!”

  Izaac and Clark each took one of my hands. Emergency lighting kept us from stumbling blindly along the halls. “We should go back to Tracy and Quinn,” I said.

  “We must follow protocol,” the doctor said from ahead of us.

  Into our thoughts, Izaac said, “He is being truthful.”

  He took us into an emergency lift and down. Then, I saw him reaching into his pocket for an injector.

  “Watch out!” I yelled.

  Izaac, being firmly implanted within my mind, saw what I had seen and read the doctor’s mind before he could act, jabbing the injector into the doctor instead.
“They have tricked me! The doctor’s mind hasn’t been his own for quite some time.”

  Clark worked to keep the lift doors closed. “It’s being overridden!”

  The doctor collapsed senseless to the floor.

  Izaac bent his knees and jumped, reaching for the lift’s ceiling. “Sealed,” he said. He put himself between me and the doors, preparing himself to kill whoever was on the other side.

  We had no weapons. We had been forced to surrender them at the first checkpoint.

  The doors opened. Black and white mismatched eyes and blaster barrels stared at us. From the side, netting shot out. Thunderdrop, Clark, Izaac, and I were trapped.

  “Load them up. We have ten seconds. Go!” a male said.

  I could hear a surge of power. Then, Izaac and Clark jerked and slumped beneath me into unconsciousness. I covered my stomach with my hands, a pathetic protection for my daughters.

  “Cooperate and you won’t get hurt, and neither will your children.”

  I had fallen on top of Izaac and Clark and managed to shift onto my side. The netting was tight against my back, pressing into my hair and dress. Thunderdrop was trapped at my shoulder. We were dragged from the lift, across concrete, and into a food service transport.

  “Go! Go! Go!” a male yelled.

  We rolled slightly as the transport accelerated.

  “Visual displacement shielding operational and holding,” a voice reported.

  I screamed out telepathically to Consul Bosh, showing him what the transport and the males looked like.

  “Oh, she’s strong. She’s making me work. Give up, Goldie. I won’t let anyone hear you, but if anyone does, they’re dead. You belong to us. Father made you for us, not for anyone else.”

  “Where is Jazon?” I asked calmly.

  “To find out, you have to come with us.”

  The transport moved up a ramp. I could feel it.

  “Go!” a male ordered.

  I could feel a ship lifting off. I tried to keep my mind blank. A male with mismatched eyes, who was dressed as a delivery person, started freeing us from the netting. We were in the cargo hold of a small ship. From the feel of the engines, it wouldn’t be able to outrun Cormac’s warship. His Inquisitors had been diligently studying the comings and goings of every vessel from the planet’s surface. I was certain they watched us even now and planned. Half mad eyes drilled into Thunderdrop who was tensed to strike.