by A. C. Katt
::Yes. I’m afraid our new BondMate will be overwhelmed before we are able to educate her about Sarran.:: Zaron stroked her hair.
::And Council politics,:: Bron answered. ::She’s beautiful, Zaron. Her hair is the color of Ulna, the White and I’ve never seen eyes of such a vibrant hue, like the petals of the purple fantasies in the foothills surrounding Castle Air.::
“She is beautiful on the inside too, Poppie, but she is very sad, just like you and Zadda. But she can fix it all up.” Naffie nodded, adding his considered opinion.
Purple irises became visible under the veil of unusually dark lashes for someone of her coloring. Syn wiggled in Zaron’s arms.
“Naffie? Fix what up? Sir, eh, TeZaron, could you let me down. I believe I can walk by myself,” Syn said in a groggy voice.
“Why walk, Pa Chette, when I can carry you? Since you are our bonded I think you can drop the honorific, Te.”
“Syn, Cynthia Sinclair.”
“You bristled with energy when I first laid eyes on you. Deep inside, I knew you belonged to us, yet I never expected to be able to bond again so I dismissed the attraction. Forgive me, both of you, for my stupidity. My refusal to recognize the signs cost us time to prepare our Pa Chette for what is to come.”
::Naffie, what is a Pa Chette?:: Bron smiled as Cynthia effortlessly slipped into mind speech.
“The translation program has no Earthen word for this animal. Wait, I know…” Naffie giggled.
A picture of a small mammal with pale yellow spines rolled into a ball appeared in her mind’s eye. “Looks like a hedgehog…I wonder if there is a biologist among the women?” Syn mused.
Naffie sent another image. The little mammal sported a flicker of flame dancing over his head. ::See, Mommie, Chet is the mammal, te is fire. Put it together, Pa Chette.::
“And Pa…?”
“My, of course.”
Syn actually blushed.
Yes, Zaron interrupted with a chuckle, “That is the literal interpretation, my offspring. You missed the subtlety.”
Syn turned her face into Zaron’s neck to hide her expression. ::Prickly, and short tempered.::
“Poppie, you laughed. See, I said Mommie would fix it…”
“So you did, Naffie, so you did.”
Zaron set Syn on her feet. She turned and found herself encased in a second set of heavily muscled arms. Looking up she saw a very broad man with chestnut hair and golden eyes. A new voice tickled at her brain.
::Welcome, Pa Syn, I am Bron, your bonded and the WarriorMate of Zaron. I’m very afraid we have inadvertently thrown you into the middle of a volatile situation about which we have little time to explain.:: Bron’s face looked as if he smelled something foul.
“The idea that a traitor perpetrated the incident on the Brightstar will cause much distress in council at rising. I’m afraid we host for this moontine instead of courting you properly.”
“Just tell me what you need and I’ll help to the best of my ability.”
Bron brushed her forehead with his lips. “No worries Pa Chette. Your mates thought of this and asked one of the chefs from the Brightstar to prepare the Earthen dishes.”
“Oh, no!”
“What distresses you so, Cynthia?”
“The menus that the chefs on Brightstar used to fabricate Earthen cuisine came from the worst take-out menus in Washington D.C. We can’t serve that.”
::Take-out?:: three voices asked dubiously.
“Coffee, I need some coffee,” Syn murmured to herself.
::Coffee?:: asked Bron.
“A sludge-like beverage to which the Earthen fem seem addicted,” Zaron answered.
Nafer put in, “That is only because our chefs know squat about making it.”
“Squat?” Zaron inquired with a raised brow.
I’m going to tape that brow to his eyelid, Syn decided.
::I’ll immensely enjoy your attempt,:: Zaron said as he kissed her lightly on the nape of the neck.
* * * *
Syn shivered as molten heat spread between her legs.
“Squat…It is a word in an Earthen language called Slang, Poppie. It means they do not know how to do the job.”
“Naffie, there are some times when it is best to stay out of our minds.”
Syn’s brain worked at a feverish pace. She didn’t doubt the bond, she felt the pull and heat that Anya described along with the invisible tethers to these Warriors. She worried about the inevitable consequences. These men are at the highest social level on the planet. What will happen when they find my history? Maddy will be at great pains to tell them. If we complete the bond, they will be stuck with me forever and that will harm the Sarran cause. I need time to think.
“And you shall get it, Pa Chette.”
Two lines appeared atop Syn’s forehead.
“She doesn’t realize we know what she is thinking. She has many layers of deeply felt pain. But now is not the time.”
She spoke aloud. “Princess Anya said that all of our household goods were transported onto the Brightstar. Is that true?”
::Yes, Pa Chette,:: Zaron answered.
“There was a refrigerator, a type of cold storage box filled with Earthen food, and cabinets with boxes, cans, and dishes. Where would they be?”
“We put the items from the cold box in stasis. The crew packed the things in the storage units into crates and labeled each one. They can be transported home immediately if you like.”
“Cooking is a hobby of mine. I will need some assistance, but I believe I can produce an acceptable Earthen dinner along with Sarran delicacies by this evening with the help of the chefs.”
“Cookies and milk, Mommie?”
“If your Daddies can arrange for my things and I can figure out how the kitchen works, you will be eating cookies by twelve tines.”
Zaron interrupted her train of thought. “Pa Chette, you need rest and at least one rising to accustom yourself to the slight gravitational difference as well as the richer oxygenation of our air.”
Syn’s violet eyes blazed back and her jaw set in stubborn rebuke.
“We don’t have one rising. I have only one chance to dispel the ugliness Maddy spread. I need to do this right.”
She was overcome by the realization that she desperately wanted these two men and their boy to be hers.
Syn saw Bron nod discreetly at Zaron.
“It can be arranged.”
“Close your eyes, Pa Chette. We will teleport home.”
“What?”
“It will be all over in a mot.”
“Teleport?”
* * * *
Before the word completely left her mouth, Syn stood before a massive stone, wood, and glass structure, built into a cliff face. She saw terraces, gardens, huge windows and arched doorways on every level. Green clay-like roof tiles covered open lanais and flowers bloomed everywhere. She heard the gurgling of several fountains including a vast metal art piece. Cascading water decorated the main courtyard. Fish-like creatures swam in its depths. She could almost hear Duchess smacking her lips.
Syn stood wide-eyed before the sprawling home. She lived in a “McMansion” as a child but this looked like a combination of a modern home set in the woods disguised as an English castle and next to a cottage garden blessed with a riot of blooms. I can’t make up my mind as to which.
“Are all Sarran homes this large?”
Zaron took hold of her elbow and guided her toward the door. A massive wooden structure hobnailed with decorative silver metal studs stood before her. The top portion of the door shone with stained glass and pictured the traditional Sarran Tierest tree with clouds swirling around the branches. A brief glance around the courtyard revealed a long winding lane lined with the three-forked trees covered in silver leafed vines that hung down from the branches. Further down from the vast lawn stood massive conifers with teal blue needles sparkling in the sunlight. Going through the door, Syn marveled at how realistically the glass on the
door emulated the Tierest trees on the drive. She could see snowcapped mountains in the distance.
“Our family has one of the larger estates because of our council status. However, the planet is under-populated and has slightly more landmass than yours, so space is something we possess in abundance. We hunt our meat and game, so the forests are preserved. Those who hunt provide provender to the shopkeepers and trade for other goods. Fresh meat and game are a luxury since we synthesize food through the nano-fabricators. Because Bron is a brilliant engineer and I did well in PsyOps, we live better than most. On Sarran, handcrafted goods and non-synthesized foods are prized. It is for this reason that the Senior Warriors always invite their Juniors to their home as they have more to give. Hospitality is a revered custom.”
“So, no one goes hungry?”
“There is no poverty or hunger on Sarran. The Codex guarantees every citizen food, shelter, medical care, and education. We treasure artists and artisans, musicians and performers, and scientists and engineers in our culture. Every talent is respected because each one has worth. Without the woodsman there would be no food. Without the scientist and engineer, no fabricator. Each has equal value. The Elder Council draws Warriors from all of those at the top of their professions, not only Warriors, although all Sarrans are Warrior-trained.”
“The flowers are lovely. Some resemble Earthen flowers and I can see mountains in the distance.”
::Beyond the mountains is the sea, Mommie. The river on the grounds runs to it,:: Naffie piped into the conversation.
Bron interrupted. “Dragon, must we stand in the courtyard while you pontificate?
I’m sure Syn would like to see her quarters and freshen up and we must arrange for the kitchen goods.”
“Yes, Poppie, the cookies!”
“Only after Mommie has rested.”
Garlance and Stoker miraculously materialized inside the portico and opened the door for their party. Zaron and Bron sent Nafer off to find the cooks who Bron arranged to hire even before he found his family had expanded. His touch of pre-cognition served him well. Bron felt the slight anxiety that rolled of Zaron and the exhaustion that radiated from their fem. They needed to get their fem settled in their bed, safely, before they could deal with the ancillary issues of mind locks and their long separation.
“Pa Chette, I think it would be in all of our interest for you to take a brief nap. After which Warriors will come to you and attempt to explain some of the Sarran traditions, customs, and protocol you will need to handle our affairs. I’m afraid that due to our position, there will be a host of duties you need perform in addition to any life path you wish to pursue. Zaron and I will always be available to you, and in the rare instance where we are not, one of our aides will be close by. I’m sure by now you realize that you telegraph all of your thoughts to Zaron, Nafer, and me. After your nap we need to teach you how to filter and to only direct what you wish to convey.’’
“I could use a light nap, but no longer than an hour. I want to make dinner.”
“It shall be as you say, Pa Chette.”
Their fem seemed to consider his words as she made her way up the staircase between them with Duchess padding at their heels.
Their home gave the impression of antiquity, blended with modern conveniences. At the top of the stairs, she was escorted into the sitting room of a huge suite. To Syn, the style seemed to resonate with that of an English manor with some touches of the fabrics that resembled silks, velvets, brocade, and what looked like Chinese pottery and artifacts. She also noticed some uniquely Sarran themes that she remembered from the ship. Naffie and her Warriors lead her into the adjourning sleep area where a bed twice the size of the normal Earthen King took pride of place.
::Yes, the bed is overlarge. A Triad sleeps together and as you may have noticed, Sarrans are not slightly built.::
Naffie yawned loudly.
::Mommie isn’t the only one who is tired, Poppie. Zadda and I left early for the spaceport. Maybe I could lay down with Mommie for a while.::
Syn breathed a sigh of relief. At least the bonding would not take place immediately. She had some time to prove her worth.
Bron lifted her chin with the two fingers of his right hand, then boldly kissed her moist lips while Zaron stepped up behind her to caress the nape of her neck.
::There is nothing to prove, Pa Chette, you were meant for us and we for you. No part of your past or present is unacceptable to us. There is only you, perfectly suited to our needs as we will be to yours.::
Syn already began to differentiate between the voices in her mind. After kissing Bron lightly, she turned into Zaron’s arms and asked aloud, “Are you sure?”
“As sure as dawn follows moontines.
“It is only seven tines. I am a bit weary. Maybe if I lay down for an hour or two, then I can make some cookies for Naffie as a homecoming present of sorts and start preparing dinner.”
“Nafer will go to his own suite to nap, for I’m afraid he will keep you awake with all of the questions I hear bubbling up inside, and then he can supervise the making of the ‘cookies.’”
::Naffie, why don’t you go and get some rest. Maybe the fair Duchess will accompany you,:: Bron said, taking his hand.
Duchess jumped up on the bed and rubbed her whiskers against Naffie’s hip.
Syn, yawned. “I think that was a yes.”
* * * *
Chapter 3
“You never fall in love the same way twice.”
—Anonymous
Zaron entered the study where Sarran technical apparatus was strategically placed behind bookcases in hidden rooms. Bron sat in a very large overstuffed chair covered in an exotic fabric in deep purple with tapestry seat cushions. Before him stood two glasses of Asta brandy bottled on their own estate and served in one of the three purple glasses etched with the crest of Castle Air. Holographic units and various data screens peppered the walls when the Warriors opened the bookshelves and cupboards; even here in their home the heavy weight of the governance of Sarran held sway.
“We don’t have much time to do what needs to be done, Dearest.”
::I’m aware of that. The BondStir had to be very strong to have manifested itself despite the psy-blocks. We cut the first line while I was still on board the Brightstar. What do we need to do to erase the rest so we can bond with our fem?::
Bron rose from his chair and handed Zaron his drink. “The device at the nape of your neck is just under your skin and can be removed by the pneumatic tool we used to implant it.” Bron moved to the multi-paned glass windowpanes that looked over the lawn.
Zaron moved behind him and placed his arms around the muscular chest of his lover. Bron turned into his arms.
::…and the secondary blocks?:: Zaron’s eyes looked into Bron’s, begging him to unleash his captive emotions.
“We can deal with all of them as soon as you like.”
::Yes, please. My Dearest, I am so weary with being emotionally numb. I know it was necessary, but Goddess, I missed our connection.:: Zaron pushed back into his lover’s strong arms.
::We were frozen in our grief when you left, Dragon. You would not have functioned well on the mission if you felt the fierce emotions roiling through you from the death of our fem and fempring. Now we must confront those emotions and hope they do not interfere with the new bond.::
::What if we can’t deal with grief so long suppressed? What if we are unable to bond because we deliberately bottled up our emotions until such time we had the leisure to deal with them? We have to give ourselves whole-heartedly to our new bond— but can we?:: Zaron eyes echoed the fear held in Bron’s. The fem upstairs would be their last chance at a full life, love, and a renewed sense of purpose. They could not fail.
Bron rested his forehead gently against Zaron’s. He took his left hand and placed it on Zaron’s heart and moved Zaron’s left hand to cover his. His right hand reached for Zaron’s forehead. “Concentrate, if you visualize the locks opening, wi
th a key I provide, they will be gone.”
::What about the implant?::
::I’ll take care of it right away. Now concentrate, my Dragon, so both of us can be free of these emotional chains.::
* * * *
Syn sat straight up in the huge bed. She woke with a wave of overwhelming sadness that left tears running down her cheeks and almost silent sobs throbbing in her chest. Instinctively she jumped from under the silver linens trimmed with purple thread. She looked for her shoes but she was unable to find them so she went without. Following the invisible tether that tugged at her heart and mind, she bounded down the stairs, stood for a moment puzzled, then headed directly for the study. The double arched doors were made of some type of Sarran wood. They depicted a Tierest tree in bas-relief and were at least twelve foot tall. The stain colored the wood in a deep mahogany hue, showing clouds of silver circling the three-branched tree. The trim was a metal that resembled silver and the elongated handle of the same metal pushed down to open the door.
Syn swallowed hard, knocked lightly on the door, and stepped inside. She found the WarriorPair together on a long low violet leather couch with dark purple piping and large rolled arms. Tapestry pillows depicted bouquets of flowers in every hue. Zaron’s head was in Bron’s lap. Both Warriors’ auras emanated fresh grief. Auras—I see auras now?
Zaron lifted his head, “Come to us Pa Chette. We need the comfort of your arms.”
“I felt such deep sadness, almost mindless grief—it woke me and pulled me to this room.”
“We owe you an explanation. As you are aware, we lost a fem and fempring to the Zyptz attack. Nara was also pregnant, something that few of our people know.” Zaron sat up to make room in between them.
Bron continued, “The grief was overwhelming. Yet we were the heads of state and needed to function. As you know, Sarrans have certain psychic abilities. Zaron and I, plus an additional select few, have ability well advanced from those of the general population. It is called HiPsy and is but a legend in most circles of the planetary population.”
“But if it’s real…” Syn asked.
“It’s real and we used our powers to insert a mind lock that partitioned our grief off into a small section of our brains. Unfortunately, while enabling us to function for our people, it cut us off emotionally from each other. Those blocks were locked in place and reinforced by a small implanted device of Bron’s design. They held tight until I saw you on Brightstar.” Zaron stood and crossed the room to the cart which contained the Asta.