John nodded his understanding.
“Come, Seacat, I want you to meet my permanent mate. Excuse us, everyone.”
Audra reached for John’s folded clothes. “I’ll hold on to these for you.”
“Thank you.” John followed Bogdan up the right staircase.
They turned and passed three doors. At the fourth door, Bogdan softly knocked. A feminine voice bid them to enter. John stayed a few steps behind Bogdan. His lips parted at seeing the bedroom.
The large room was painted in earth tones—cream and brown. More cream, brown, green, and red were introduced in the pottery, artwork, and linen. The floor and furniture were made of solid, dark wood. The wall opposite the door was seamless glass. The cream-colored, billowing curtains were pulled apart. John could see the mountains in the distance. There was a bluish haze to them. Scattered white mists formed at their peaks. The view was impressive.
Beside the glass wall was an oval side table and a four-poster bed. On the bed sat a woman, propped up by large pillows. She looked like her elders with metallic-red hair and eyes. Dark red flames surrounded her eyes. She wore a silver chain around her head. At closer inspection, John saw flames carved into the medallion. Her pale mystical beauty could enchant the pickiest of tastes. John could see why Bogdan had married her.
“Darling, this is Seacat John McCall. This is my beautiful kindred soul, Mira.”
“Welcome to our home,” Mira said in a melodious voice.
John bowed at the waist. “Thank you, my lady.” Straightening up, he saw her hand pass over her large belly. John was relieved to see that Bogdan had not lied to him. John regarded the oversize belly. He felt it was too large to be hosting one child. Then again, he knew nothing about the Medlothian race. “I hope you are feeling better.”
“As long as I stay off my feet, my contractions are limited.”
“Bed rest is the best thing to do in your condition. Take it from me. My mother had twenty-four children.”
The coupled gaped at him.
John laughed. “Only five of my siblings were single births. The rest of us were multiples. Mostly twins and triplets, and a set of sextuplets. I’m part feline. That’s our usual birthing pattern.”
Bogdan nervously laughed. Mira nodded.
“I’m glad Mira’s not part feline. I can only handle one infant at a time,” Bogdan commented.
“Really?” asked Mira.
“Of course. Besides, it would be difficult for you. Remember, I’m gone for several lunar cycles at a time.”
John noticed Mira’s worried expression before she turned her face away.
So did Bogdan. “Darling, what’s wrong?”
Mira did not answer. She stared out the window.
Bogdan sat on the edge of the bed beside her. “Darling, what is it?”
“I thought you would be happy with this pregnancy.”
“I am happy, Mira.”
“You would not be with more than one infant.”
Bogdan placed her hand between his. “Do not be ridiculous. I love you. I want to create with you as many infants as we are allowed.”
“Even if they come in pairs?”
Bogdan kissed her hand. “As long as they come from you.” She faced him with love in her eyes. “Do not worry yourself over this. We’ll care for our infant when he or she arrives.”
“Infants,” she whispered.
“Excuse me?”
Mira made herself more comfortable on the bed. Bogdan quickly fluffed her pillows and helped her to sit back. “When I first became ill with this pregnancy, I was extremely weak. One day, Asher escorted me to the washroom while Audra got my things. His hand brushed my belly. He uncovered something I did not know at the time.”
John already knew what she was about to say. He folded his arms and passed a hand over his mouth to cover up his smile. He observed Bogdan’s reaction. The man slowly drained of color. He appeared to have made his own guess.
Mira caressed his cheek. “You will have a son and a daughter.”
Bogdan lowered his head onto his wife’s overly round stomach. “You have nothing to worry about. I will be here to help you raise them. I will speak with Gorwin. Perhaps I can cut back on my training. And while I’m away, we can find someone to aid you.”
“You will not cut back on your hours. You would have graduated years ago if you did not spend so much time with me. During your absence, I will raise our infants. Only the family can help. I do not want outsiders near our son and daughter. They would not understand a Medlothian infant.”
“As you wish, my love.” Bogdan kissed her.
John closed the door behind him. He did not want to see anymore. His thoughts had drifted to the reason he was there. He stopped by the railing and inhaled. Jasira. It was Wednesday, so she was at the schoolhouse by now. She had been angry that morning because he had asked her to leave his room the night before.
Sadly, Jasira was unaware of the chaos brewing in his thoughts, of the pain and loss swelling up in his soul. If only she were alive. John would tell her that he felt complete when she was near him. That his uncertain future seemed darker without her. That he no longer saw a path to walk on if she was not by his side.
John gripped the railing and took a deep breath. Only one person could make him feel like that. The more he thought about it, the more certain he became. Still, a part of him refused to accept it. What was he going to do? Even if he learned the war took place a thousand years ago, his feelings would remain the same.
Jasira, somehow, had seeped through his skin, took a firm hold of his essence, and refused to release him. It could only mean one thing. The fates had not given up on tormenting his family. He was their next victim. And they had gotten him where it hurt the most—in his soul. During the holiday his family loved most. Christmas.
John closed his eyes and bowed his head, fighting back tears. He would not breakdown. No matter what Bogdan told him, he had to remain strong.
“Seacat, are you all right?”
John had not heard Bogdan exit the room. He swallowed past the lump in his throat and inhaled deeply.
“Is something wrong?”
John sniffed. His head tilted back. Staring up at the blue sky, he blinked rapidly. He hoped Bogdan did not mention his tears. He was not ready to speak about Jasira, so he talked about his other ache.
“It’s one o’clock. The days seem to go extra slow on Surreal.”
“That’s because you long to go home.”
“You have no idea.” He took another deep breath. “Where I come from, the next two days are special days.” His gaze lowered to the floor below. “December twenty-fourth and twenty-fifth—Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.” He rubbed his eyes. “The days have a religious significance to my family. My family, along with dear friends, gather and celebrate. We open gifts, eat until our buttons pop open, and drink until daylight.” He sadly smiled. “It’s a joy to watch the children open their gifts and start to play with them.” His smile faded. “There’ll be no Christmas this year.”
Bogdan stood quietly beside him.
John changed the topic, wanting to get his thoughts off the holiday. “Congratulation on the twins.”
Bogdan smiled. “Thank you.”
“So your wife is really a Medlothian?”
“Yes.”
“Asher, also?”
Bogdan nodded. “He’s from the north side of Medlothia. My permanent mate is from the south.”
“Does he have family?”
“Yes. They live here, as does Mira’s family. Mira’s an only child.” He smiled guiltily. “Her parents and I spoil her.”
John stared downward. “I know how that goes. I spoil all my sisters.”
Bogdan patted him on the back. “Come. My sister is preparing lunch. You will meet the rest of the family there. Plus, yesterday I was informed of something that will be of great interest to you.”
“What’s that?”
He turned John to the rig
ht. “Lunch first.”
.
Chapter 10
John entered the large dining room. Bogdan’s family was already there. Bogdan motioned for John to sit in the seat beside him. While they ate the delicious lunch Audra prepared with her mother-in-law’s help, Mira’s father and the Starr men revealed who they were.
“Space Guardians!” exclaimed John, fingering his translator.
The men nodded in unison.
“I thought I flew into your jurisdiction, but I wasn’t sure. You can get turned around easily when your equipment fails.”
Andros reached for the pitcher in the center of the table and refilled his cup with the pink liquid. “Bogdan told us why you have not sent out a mayday signal. We hate to tell you this, but your noble action was in vain.”
John tensed. “What do you mean?”
Bogdan explained, “After I left you yesterday, I went to my ship. Sirius was receiving an update from Space Control. The Dominion’s tyranny is spreading. Fast.”
John sat straighter in his seat, his mind spinning.
“Headquarters received their first mayday call on July twenty-fourth,” Sirius said.
“That was after your attack, correct?” Bogdan asked.
“Yeah. We were attacked on May fifteenth. Did your superiors respond?”
“Naturally,” replied Sirius. “Their first encounter with the Dominion was on the tropical planet Florid. The planet was destroyed. Civilians were either killed or enslaved.”
Andros swallowed his food, then spoke. “The Guardians were outnumbered and outmuscled. They were not expecting to be confronted by a trio of races bent on conquering the galaxies.”
“The last galaxy war was only twenty years ago against the Terrorshans,” Asher said, wiping his lips. “The end result was catastrophic. Too many races were lost. If it had not been for the Medlothians, this side of the galaxy would have become a dead zone.”
John stared at the young man. “The war against the Terrorshans was twenty years ago?”
Emtage spoke. “Yes, it was. I was there.” He pointed to his son, then to Asher’s father. “So were Gorwin and Kenner and their wives.”
John quickly glanced at the two Medlothian women with newfound respect. Because of their femininity and meekness, he never would have pegged them as warriors.
“It was an ugly battle,” said Emtage. “So many races were destroyed. So many more were left to suffer, like the Surrealans. I hate to think this Daehog has picked up where the Terrorshans left off.”
John read the sorrow in his eyes. He felt impelled to apologize. “I’m sorry.”
“Why? Are you at fault?”
John shrugged. “Maybe we are.”
“What do you mean?”
“If we hadn’t built Sea Base Ten on the borderline to your space, then perhaps the Dominion’s carnage wouldn’t have spread this way.”
“You don’t know that,” countered Asher. “Besides, Space Control agreed it was a great idea to have an intergalactic space station close by. And who better to run it than the Seacats and Sea Rangers?”
“We were honored to hear the Sea Rangers wanted to work alongside us Guardians,” Andros said. “None of you are to blame—only Daehog and his Dominion.”
They all nodded in agreement.
“I still feel responsible,” said John, looking at his empty plate.
Bogdan patted his shoulder. “Do not.”
“We do have some good news,” Andros said. “When Space Control sent word out for those Guardians who were on leave to return to duty, Guardian Bankin went to planet Azeroth to retrieve several of our warriors. He was surprised to find a stranded White Star with them.”
John’s brows drew together. “Is everyone all right? Who was her captain?”
“Bankin reported that one of the ship’s dual engines was destroyed in a confrontation with Dominion forces. He informed Space Control about the attack on Sea Base Ten. Many of the passengers on that White Star were badly injured during the emergency landing. The captain, Sea Ranger Superior Delen Pike—”
“Delen!” John jolted upright.
“You know her?” asked Bogdan.
John did not hear him. “Is she all right?” he anxiously asked Andros. “Answer me!”
Andros nodded. “Her hips were broken during the crash, but she’s alive.”
John covered his face. “Thank God.”
“Space Control spoke to Sea Ranger Superior Pike directly. They announced that the Space Guardians will fight alongside the Seacats and Sea Rangers against Daehog and the Dominion. Sea Ranger Superior Pike gave Space Control clearance to enter Seacat territory.”
“Of course.” John met each set of eyes at the table. “The Space Guardians fight for justice, truth, and peace. You’re our brethren. Your presence in our sector of space would honor us Seacats.”
“My next good news,” continued Andros, “is that our friend, the Seacat King, is still alive.”
“We don’t have a king.”
“Lord Sev of Oceanica,” interrupted Bogdan. He quickly glanced at his family. “Remember what I told you. I met several feline Seacats with a different insignia. They are from planet Oceanica. The opposite direction you flew when you ended up on Cerko.”
“I know of an Oceana, but not an Oceanica.”
“Oceana was destroyed by the Terrorshans eleven years ago,” blurted Emtage.
John was taken aback by the old man’s words. He was slow to respond. “No. Oceana slipped out of her orbit and collided with her sun eleven years ago. I was there. That’s my mother’s homeworld.”
Gorwin and Kenner shook their heads.
“I regret to inform you that it was the Terrorshans.” Kenner explained. “You see, the Terrorshan leader believed he had this part of space under his rule, so he ordered several ships to travel to your part of space and begin their conquest. The first planet he ordered to be destroyed was Oceana.”
“Eleven years ago, most ships traveled below warp speed five,” Gorwin said. “There was no gateway linking our side of space to yours. It took eight years to travel to your sector on warp speed five. We believe the Terrorshans made the journey out of fear—they were too afraid to defy their leader.”
“When we learned of this order, a group of us Medlothians pursued them,” continued Kenner. “We tried to catch up to them, but they had too much of a lead. By the time we arrived, they had already used their molecular disruptor on Oceana, destroying its core and sending the planet spiraling toward its sun.”
John slowly digested his words. “You mean…the Seacats were attacked?”
“Yes,” answered Gorwin. “It seems the Terrorshan leader was aware of the Seacats’ reputation as fierce, tenacious, unbeatable fighters. He was unwilling to confront them head-on and chose instead to annihilate them while their guard was down so that Terrorshan progress would not be hindered.”
“Just like Daehog.” John covered his face. He could not believe what they were telling him.
“The gateway your warriors were given permission to use was not created until a year after,” inserted Andros. “That allowed the Medlothian ships on your side of space to return home in two years instead of eight.”
“I’m sorry,” said Kenner.
Gorwin added, “You would be pleased to know there are survivors. They are on their way to their new home, Oceanica. Sadly, their ships are traveling on warp speed three. They were well on their way to Oceanica by the time the gateway was opened, which is why it has taken them this long to make the journey. They have two years to go.”
John lowered his hands from his eyes, but kept his mouth covered. “Right,” he said through his fingers—as if Gorwin’s words made him feel better. He glanced at Bogdan. “When you said Sev, did you mean Lord Oren’s son Sev?”
Bogdan nodded. “Correct.”
“You’re joking.”
“Should I be?”
John mulled everything over. “Sev is alive,” he mumbled.
“He did it.”
Bogdan frowned.
“Sev arrived on Oceanica well before the others.” Asher finished his drink. “I always wondered why his ship was the only one capable of warp speed five.”
“That was my Uncle Challen’s doing.” John’s fingers muffled his words. “Against his will, he had the Emerald Tiger’s engines upgraded two months before—”
“Against his will?” Asher interjected.
John lowered his hands. “Lord Oren ordered it. Challen didn’t feel the Emerald Tiger was capable of withstanding the power it took to make a ship travel that fast without a major overhaul of its electrical system. He feared the wires would short-circuit and cause a malfunction or fire.”
Asher dropped his napkin onto his empty plate. “And he was right. According to Sev, there was a malfunction, and the computers failed to wake everyone up from their suspension capsules. The ship crashed landed, nearly killing all on board.”
John was not surprised. His uncle was a very smart man.
Bogdan was still frowning at John. “Who did what?”
John regarded Bogdan for a moment, wondering what he was talking about. Then it occurred to him. “Oh!” He sat back in his seat. “On evacuation day, my uncles Challen and Jugar went after Sev and my sister Areo. Jugar brought Areo back to our ship. He told us that Challen was taking Sev to the royal ship, the Emerald Tiger. Jugar went after Challen. We never saw either of them again. We thought they didn’t make it off Oceana.”
Kenner and Gorwin shared a look.
“I believe one of your uncles made it off Oceana,” said Kenner. “Jugar.”
“If he’s the same Jugar, that is,” Gorwin said. “He arrived on Oceanica with Sev.”
John raked his hand through his hair, disbelieving.
“You’ve paled. Are you all right?”
“Did they ever mention anything about Challen?”
Gorwin shook his head. “He is not with Sev. I didn’t know about Challen to ask his fate.”
John reached for his cup to take a drink.
Gorwin continued. “Sev has become a good friend to the Space Guardians since his arrival to Oceanica.”
A Lost Kitten Page 14