The Spider Queen (The Space Merchants Book 5)

by Wendie Nordgren

  A smug sense of masculine satisfaction became thicker than the shower’s steam. I grabbed a towel and dried off before Zared could get any ideas.

  For the next few days, Zared strutted around, Xavier and the other telepaths blushed at me, and I blushed back. Quaid had a similar attitude of prevailing testicular temerity. Whenever I called the Hadrian, Eric didn’t blush at me, nor did the bridge crew of whom I caught occasional glances. With their seduction of me, Quaid and Zared had relegated my standing back to that of baby seal amongst sharks. I didn’t know how I felt about that, but it made my ears burn in powerless embarrassment.

  I made myself feel better by using Fitz’s restraints on General Nico Cassian and having my way with him until he was sweaty and limp. However, once I freed him, he adopted the same cocky swagger that Zared had been sporting. In resignation, I realized that even with some empathic and telepathic abilities, men were a mystery. At the last relay, I almost didn’t fly over to Quaid.

  “Teagan, please. I’ve missed your touch. I’m alone here in my quarters without you or the children to pull me free of my own thoughts. Won’t you share a few short hours with me? We can do whatever you would like, watch a movie, have dinner together, practice with blasters, or even spar.”

  The lonely hurt sound in his voice was my undoing. This time, I decided to fly there on my own, which just made Zared strut around as before. I flew from the Empress and over to the Hadrian, careful to follow every docking order that came to me from the bridge. Quaid waited until the docking bay was sealed to approach and help me disembark from my fighter.

  As soon as my hand was in his, I knew he had tricked me. His slow, sexy smile was full of seduction. The kiss he gave me there on the flight deck left me light-headed. Quaid swept me up into his arms, kissed me breathless in the lift, and walked so quickly to his quarters that I didn’t even know if Eric had been sitting in his captain’s chair. Quaid kissed me again before helping me out of my flight suit. By then, I was achy and needy.

  “I have a beautiful dinner awaiting you. Will you join me, Lady Bosh?”

  After the way he had been kissing me, I knew I was looking at him funny. I glanced around.

  Quaid gave me a feral grin. “It’s in the officer’s dining room,” he said. I had worn soft grey pants and a pink shirt, not anything nice enough for a romantic dinner. Knowing my thoughts, he said, “You are as pretty as always.”

  My stomach seemed to flutter, and I blushed. “In that case, I’d love to have dinner with you.”

  Reaching down, Quaid laced our fingers together making my heart feel all bubbly. A few officers saluted us as we made our way to a table for two. It had a white table cloth, flickering flameless candles, and fresh flowers at its center. I smiled adoringly at Quaid.

  “You were incredibly sweet to go to so much trouble for me.”

  Quaid said, “Nothing is too much trouble if I am rewarded with one of your smiles.” He smiled up at the crewman who served us.

  “Quaid!”

  Spring rolls and sweet chili sauce had been artfully arranged on my plate. By the end of dinner, I was on Quaid’s lap admiring how big, strong, and handsome he was, and thinking how lucky I was to be his wife.

  “When we dock on Ephors, I get to spend a week with you.”

  I slipped my hands over his broad shoulders and around his neck. Then, I moved my fingers along the sharp line of his haircut against his neck. “When I thought that I had touched you for the last time, it hurt me so much that I didn’t know if I could survive it. If I did survive, I doubted I could ever truly be happy again.” Hurt tears slid from my eyes as I stared into his.

  “I don’t ever want to argue with you again. How can you stop me from behaving like an idiot?”

  “You aren’t. You are brilliant, and I love you.”

  I teased Quaid’s lips open with my own, and shuddered on his lap when he sent a jolt of pleasure from my tongue to my groin. Gasping, I wiggled on his lap to feel if he wanted to be with me as much as I wanted to be with him. Then, as I opened my eyes, I caught sight of them. A few of Eric’s elite soldiers sat watching us, food and utensils forgotten in their hands. Gary had his mouth partially opened. The others I recognized as Rafe, Oren, Levy, and Sebastian. They were Laconians who had guarded me on a few occasions.

  Quaid said, “Perhaps, we should go to our quarters before you have to leave.”

  “That sounds like a good idea.”

  Quaid stood with me in his arms.

  “Quaid, I can walk.”

  “Not as fast as I can.”

  I laughed at him.

  Quaid put me down on his bed and slowly removed his shirt, giving me time to appreciate the muscles in his arms rolling under his skin. Using my toes against the heels of my shoes, I pushed them off of my feet and to the floor.

  “I forgot your sheet.”

  My attention had followed his hands, now unfastening his pants and sliding them down his hips. Quaid Bosh was a beautiful man. Stunned from looking at him, I began removing my own clothes. Soon, Quaid had me on my back with my legs thrown over his shoulders. I dug my heels into his shoulder blades and grasped helplessly at the blankets. When he released his intimate hold, I laid trembling with my eyes closed trying to catch my breath. I moaned and drew my knees up from the bed as Quaid pushed a finger deep within me and rubbed me with his thumb.

  “Quaid, please.”

  He persisted until I could only whimper incoherently. Then, he took me with slow, deep thrusts. When he came, he was as far within me as I could take him. He gripped me by my hips, holding me to him as he emptied himself.

  “Teagan!” Quaid laid beside me and held me while our hearts slowed and our breathing returned to normal. A blue light flashed in Quaid’s quarters a few minutes later. “No, it’s too soon,” he said.

  “Come back with me, Quaid.”

  He smoothed my hair away from my forehead with his palm. “I can’t. To leave my injured Captain during a space voyage would be a dereliction of duty. However, if you don’t go soon, I would be happy to keep you here with me.”

  “Our babies wouldn’t understand. Help me get dressed.”

  Soon, I was flying my fighter out into the vastness of space. The massive Parvac warships which I darted around on my way to the Empress made me feel like a speck of dust in comparison. Zared waited to help me disembark. I wondered if he was disappointed that I had spent time alone with Quaid, but hoped he understood that Quaid and I had some healing to do.

  “I understand,” he said. Zared gave me his arm, walking with me into the lift. However, we exited on the crew deck. “Please, come with me just for a moment.”

  Curious, I followed Zared into a small cabin that contained a bed, desk and entertainment unit, and a bathroom. Zared’s hands were everywhere.

  “Zared,” I began.

  “Please, Teagan. I beg you. I’ll be quick. Just because you were on another ship does not mean your passions didn’t torment me.”

  The moment Zared realized that I would give into his needs, the room faded and changed. A breeze stirred the wind and lifted my hair from my shoulders. Zared stood before me with the sun glinting on his bare skin. My eyes left his of solid black to trail down his muscular stomach to the grey hair leading from his navel and downward. Inhaling, I smelled the clean scent of the ocean and ripening pineapples. With his large, strong hand, Zared cupped my jaw. I watched his face draw nearer as he brought his lips down to mine. He lowered me to cushions that were spread out upon the porch at Fitz’s plantation house.

  “This is where you became my wife,” Zared said as he took control of my physical responses.

  Chapter Fourteen

  The closer our ships got to the Parvac Empire, the stronger Peter Kivek Probus became. He had gained six pounds since I had adopted him, and at nine pounds he felt a lot sturdier. He was able to hold his head up, grab my fingers and hair, and enjoyed holding his hands in front of himself. Peter watched everything, especially whatever Th
underdrop did. I had been communicating with Papa daily since we had been back in range. We would sit for hours in front of our vid-screens. Papa enjoyed simply observing us. He would watch as I sat on the floor playing with the children. Niklos was now crawling everywhere. Neema’s favorite new activity was jumping on the furniture. Peter was mastering holding his head up during tummy time.

  Even with all of the help from Pierce and Lorca, I was forever grateful to Thunderdrop. Under his ever watchful eight eyes, my children seldom hurt themselves. On more than one occasion, he had saved Neema from bumping her head on the furniture by snagging her from harm with lines of silk.

  I had also been in contact with Simon and Isidora, who had welcomed a daughter into the family. Violet and Kaoti were overdue, staying with his family, and avoiding outsiders. I wondered if the pregnancy would last eleven months for her as it did for Parvac women. Kaoti had become dangerously overprotective of his waddling wife. I wanted to spend time with my Papa, but I was beyond eager to go to Arachne.

  “Simon has a daughter by Isidora. That poor man,” Nico said.

  “Why do you say that?” I asked, mildly annoyed at the comment.

  Yukihyo laughed and said, “If she looks like Isidora but has Simon’s business sense, males will chase her as they chase you. She isn’t Parvac and will have to make due with one husband.”

  Eventually, Ephors came into view. The land port had been prepared for our arrival. Several berths had been cleared for the Galaxic starships as well as for our returning warships. Yukihyo had made millions of credits during our absence. Each of the docked relief ships at the land port that prepared to go to Talpa gleamed with strategically placed photonic film. Those ships would journey to Talpa after being debriefed by the returning admirals and captains.

  “We’re home, babies! Yea! I can’t wait to splash in our pool and go for walks with our bunnies.”

  Neema had forgotten about our bunnies and was excited to see them.

  “That will need to wait for a few hours, my darling.”

  “Papa!” Overjoyed, I ran to him and threw my arms around his chest. “Oh, I have missed you so much.”

  “Not as much as I have missed you. Look how long your hair has grown,” Papa said as he hugged me and kissed my forehead. “I am pleased with the way you and your cousin comported yourselves in the Talpa System. In fact, I am proud. You were elegant and graceful, which you inherited from your dear mother. You and Kane cemented peace between the Talpa and the Eloneave, and proved to both races that the Parvac Empire is the power to be recognized, not the Galaxic forces.”

  I blushed.

  Papa said, “I see from the color of your cheeks that you doubt your role in the events that unfolded. However, it was on your authority that Kane had the ability to take action, while the Militia had to wait for orders.”

  I shrugged. I couldn’t read the thoughts in Papa’s head. I didn’t think anyone could.

  “Your humility must also come from your dear mother. Who do we have here?” Papa asked as he looked down at Neema. Her soft, dove-grey hair had grown to her shoulders and flipped up at the ends.

  Shyly, she smiled up at Papa. She was wearing a white dress with a poufy skirt that glittered with tiny pink dots. The shoes to match could be anywhere. It might take a search crew to find them.

  “And who is this beautiful little princess?” Papa asked as he bent down.

  Neema put her hand on her hip, tilted her head to the side, and asked, “Gapa, you don’t know Neema?”

  Papa burst out laughing, along with everyone else. “Of course, I do,” he said as he lowered himself to the carpet. Neema took that as an invitation to climb his back. As soon as Fitz put him down, Niklos crawled straight to Papa. “Oh, my goodness. Is this big boy my grandson? How much do you weigh? You are heavier than your big sister.”

  “Yes, he discovered Neema’s sippy cup and wanted no more of me. He enjoys eating.”

  Papa said to Niklos, “You are a handsome boy. Our troops are assembled to welcome you, your sister, new baby brother, mommy, daddies, and fleet of ships home. There will be a big party tonight for everyone.”

  Niklos laughed at him.

  “Where is my newest grandchild?”

  “I’ll get him,” I said as I went to the bassinet. “I’m sorry to wake you up, Peter. However, we have a very special family member to meet.” I picked up my little bundle, who felt much more solid to me, and carried him to Papa.

  “Gapa! Gapa! Gapa! Peter a fairy baby. See? See baby? Neema and Nik love baby.” Neema made sure that Gapa held the baby the right way.

  Yukihyo said, “The only times when Neema is still are when she is holding Peter or sleeping.”

  “He’s so light. Is your physician certain this little one is alright?” Papa asked with concern.

  “Imagine how tiny he was at three pounds,” I whispered.

  Papa looked at the hurt in my eyes. “That is behind him now. As your son and my grandson, he will want for nothing.”

  Feeling Papa’s sincere acceptance of Peter into our family meant more to me than I realized. “Thank you, Papa.”

  “Do not cry, Teagan. I want a brilliant smile on your face, one to rival the sparkles in Neema’s dress. Where is that crown that King Rorgowyn presented to you? I want you to wear it.”

  Lorca listened to Papa’s instructions about my appearance.

  I carried Peter in a red silk baby blanket. Papa carried Niklos in his right arm, and held Neema’s hand since she had insisted on walking. Thunderdrop clung to my shoulder. My hair was piled on top of my head with the tiara resting on my forehead. Yukihyo, Nico, Fitz, Zared, and Eli walked behind followed by my Omnes Videntes. The cheers at the land port were deafening. Neema let go of Papa’s hand, jumped up and down, and clapped. When that got her the attention of the photographers, she decided to spin in circles for them.

  I laughed at her. “Neema, come to mommy.”

  She smiled at me and ran to me, clutching at the skirt of my long white dress. Then, she decided to hide and smile coyly. Yukihyo picked her up and got a baby kiss on the cheek for it. Then, she began copying Papa’s wave to the crowds.

  I snorted. “Yukihyo, do you see our daughter?”

  “She already knows how to work a crowd,” Fitz said.

  We walked with Papa as he greeted the assembled officers who stood in ranks with their bridge crews. Papa gave Captain Eric Alaric a warm handshake and then a long arm clasp all while smiling for the reporters. I smiled up at Commander Quaid Bosh and then on impulse curtsied deeply before him.

  “I love you, Lord Bosh,” I said as I followed Papa to the next assembled group.

  When we reached Inquisitor Drex Licinius and his team, I kissed his cheek before continuing after Papa and Niklos. Vice Admiral Dario Galerius made a point of smiling adoringly at Peter. Neema cried to go to Dario, and wrapped her arms around his neck once she got her way.

  “Mommy, we give Dario kisses, too.”

  “You’re right, Neema,” I agreed. We each kissed one of Dario’s cheeks.

  Then, she went back to Yukihyo.

  When we reached General Luca Braga, I waited until Papa had congratulated his efforts. Then, I stood before him.

  “At ease,” I said so that he would relax and look at me. I stared up at him for a moment struggling with my emotions. “Luca Braga, I will never forget what you did for me on Talpa, risking yourself and your men to protect my new son and his people. You are loyal and brave. I would be honored to accept you as one of my husbands.”

  I had stunned everyone to silence, even the reporters and the crowd nearest us. Luca’s stunned expression morphed from disbelief to denial that he had heard me correctly. When I stepped close to him, gazed into his eyes, and then softly kissed his lips, he realized that I meant it. Luca went down to his knees before me, bowed his head, and removed his hat. I ran my fingers through his hair. Luca reached for my hand and kissed my fingers with feverish hope.

  I whispered in h
is ear, “The faster you present the marriage contract, the faster I can rip your uniform from your body and have my way with you.”

  Before I could blink, Luca pulled a vid-screen from and inner pocket of his uniform, scrolled for a moment, pressed his palm to the screen, and presented it to me. When I pressed my palm to its surface, the crowd went completely wild. Luca stood and stared into my eyes with loyal and willing adoration. Then, Luca kissed me passionately. Peter had become frightened by the noise of the crowd. Luca stroked Peter’s ear and made soothing noises which intrigued the baby.

  “Chirp! Chirp!”

  I said, “Yes, all of the yelling is too exciting for him.”

  “We will travel to our venue. It will be quieter there,” Papa said. He gave me a look that I knew very well. Papa was more than pleased with me.

  However, Zared was not pleased. Glacial might have been a better description. He seemed cold and angry about my impromptu marriage to General Luca Braga. I directed my thoughts at him. “You knew Luca won me on Talpa, standing in the jungle with dangerous and unpredictable aliens at his back and deadly Militia soldiers in front of him. Also, I know you have conspired to keep something from me. It is something deeply and cripplingly traumatic for me, something from a dream. If I knew that secret, would it raise or lower Luca in my esteem? He volunteered himself and his men. Don’t lessen it with your anger. Luca has much in common with each of you, and I want him. I have wanted him. It is why you have fought with him in the past.” I ended my silent communication and followed after Papa. He waved at Parvac’s citizens with Niklos perched on his arm and got into a transport.

  “Chirp,” Thunderdrop said as he nuzzled my neck. “Chitter chitter click chirp,” he added to Zared.

  “Of course, I want her happiness,” Zared said out loud.

  “Chitter click chirp chitter.”

  “No,” Zared said unconvincingly at the image Thunderdrop showed him. In it, I held Zared by a silk thread but let him blow away until he was lost from view in the distance.