“Mm. Surprising, isn’t it? She must have changed a lot. Rumor has it they’ve taken out a five-year bonding contract.”
“Really? But why? I can’t believe she’d be interested in having cubs, even if they could.”
“I told you, with medical help, that’s not such a remote possibility now,” said Vanna. “The leaps forward we’ve made in understanding the genetics of both the Humans and ourselves are incredible. The samples from the latest ni’uzu epidemic alone have made all the difference. I’m still convinced it’s something Kaid picked up in the Margins. Its ability to spread despite our quarantine restrictions convinced me. At least it was only in the form of a heavy cold.”
“Who knows?” said Kusac. “Since we’ve all been exposed to it, we’re stable now. That’s what matters. The new Leska pair that arrived yesterday from the Guild proved that. I think it far more likely that Mito and Anders have bonded because of Human conventions. If they’ve been living together on Keiss, it’s what the Humans around her would be doing, what Anders would want, and perhaps even herself. She was always insecure about herself as a female, though never as an officer.”
“I’ve another piece of gossip,” grinned Vanna.
“You’re full of it today,” said Carrie, sipping her drink. “With Kaid gone, we don’t hear so much.”
Vanna flicked an ear apologetically. “It comes to Garras now he’s acting as your second.”
“Well, don’t keep us in suspense. Who does it involve this time?” chided Kusac.
“Rulla. Looks like he’s lost his heart,” she said with a chuckle. “I suggest you appoint another minder for Mara and Zhyaf, Rulla’s too preoccupied right now. Although I don’t think he was ever really right for the job.”
“You’re telling me,” said Kusac ruefully. “We’ve already considered this and are looking for a replacement.”
“Who is it?” demanded Carrie. “Who’s he after?”
“Ruth! He’s besotted with her!” Vanna laughed. “He fusses round her, gets underfoot by trying to help her all the time, and generally makes a nuisance of himself!”
“That could be a problem. I wanted Mara free of male influences for a while, and Rulla, being their main guardian, carries associations of the life I want her to forget.”
“Oh, I wouldn’t worry about Mara on that score,” said Vanna. “She and Ruth’s daughter, Mandy, are having a great time laughing at his antics! Nothing like seeing someone who was in charge of you brought down to the level of a youngling by love! Does wonders for the ego. Believe me, she’ll not be harmed by having him around.”
“What about Ruth? How does she feel about all this attention?” asked Kusac.
“Amused, but we’ll see. It shouldn’t be long before Rulla makes his invitation.”
“What I want to know is why there’s no gossip about Mara’s Human loverâ the one who fathered her child,” said Carrie. “She refused to talk about it the night she spent with us.”
“Have you checked with all the Human male Leskas?” asked Kusac.
Vanna nodded. “I have, and if it’s one of them, they aren’t admitting to it. Personally, I don’t think it is. I’m sure she’s just confused and it’s Zhyaf’s.”
“No. She was so genuinely terrified at the thought of having a Sholan cub that I believe she really did make sure she didn’t get pregnant by Zhyaf and did search out a Human partner,” said Carrie, absently nibbling on a piece of rich fruit cake that Zhala had surreptitiously placed beside her.
“I thought there was no way for females in our Links to avoid becoming pregnant,” said Kusac. “I thought that was the whole point of Vanna’s search for a contraceptive.”
“Oh, there are ways Human females can avoid pregnancy,” said Carrie with a grin, “but the most common method wouldn’t be practical for you Sholan males.”
“It’s not much use for Human males with Sholan female partners either,” said Vanna. “At least, not according to Jack and Jiszoe.”
“Oh,” said Kusac, finally getting the drift of what they meant. “Then this unknown Human must be a potential Triad member.”
“Until you formed a Triad, there were none,” said Vanna.
“That we know of,” corrected Carrie. “You still don’t like to admit you’re part of a Triad yourself, even though Garras does.”
Vanna sighed. “I’m not going through all that again with you, Carrie. For the sake of peace, I’ve let Garras persuade me to register us as a Triad with Ghyan at the temple. Let’s leave it there.”
“Not all Leska pairs attract a third,” said Kusac. “I’ve been looking into details of the partners of the Sholan Leska pairs and only a small percentage of Leska-linked individuals seem to have a regular lover. Nowadays a Triad isn’t so socially visible. There hasn’t been the need to actively form them.”
“And from which guilds do these partners come?” asked Vanna.
Kusac grinned. “You don’t want to know, Vanna. It’ll only confirm what Carrie said.”
“Damn you both,” she growled in mock anger.
“I’ve got a theory for you,” said Kusac. “What if potential mixed Leskas are now being changed before they form a Link? I know,” he said, forestalling Vanna. “It needs the gestalt, but maybe the gestalt isn’t the only mechanism that triggers the change. What if there’s another?”
Vanna groaned. “Don’t do this to me, Kusac! We just got it all worked out! We don’t need a loose gun out there changing all the rules.”
“Why shouldn’t it change again? It’s an unstable gene. And since some of the Brothers and Sisters have been made genetically compatible with us by that new virus, why shouldn’t it affect Humans the same way?” he argued. “Maybe that’s a way to identify potential Leskas. We could bring them here and prepare them in advance for their Link. There’d be less shock to them both and it might even give them a choice of partners, avoiding mismatches like Zhyaf and Mara.”
“You’re dreaming, Kusac,” said Vanna, finishing her drink and getting up. “I’ve got to go. Garras wants to join the hunt today. It’s years since he’s been on one.”
A small mewl from the crib in the corner of the room drew Vanna’s attention. “Kashini’s downstairs and awake,” she said, her voice becoming instantly softer. “I haven’t seen her for a week or two. Her eyes’ll be open now.”
“They are,” said Carrie as Kusac got up and went over to the crib to pick up their cub. “She’s a lively little thing, and she’s grown.”
She watched as her mate carefully lifted the child, cradling her back against his upper arm so she could see properly. What filled both of Carrie’s arms, nestled happily in the crook of one of his.
I like your smallness, sent Kusac as he came back to them. It’s one of the things that makes you so very different from our females.
“Flatterer,” she smiled, admiring the picture they presented: their daughter with her blonde pelt so light against her dark-furred father.
Vanna reached out to touch the little one. “She’s got your eyes, Kusac,” she said as Kashini gazed up at her, both hands reaching out toward her. “And a look of you in her face, Carrie,” she said with surprise. “I can’t see Brynne at all in Marak.”
Little squeaks of delight ensued as Vanna tickled her behind her ears. “Can I have a cuddle?”
“I don’t know, Vanna,” said Kusac with a straight face. “How do I know you won’t drop her?”
“Oh, you…!” retorted Vanna, reaching out to take hold of her, but Kashini would have none of it and began to pull back and let out sounds of distress, ears now plastered flat to her skull.
“Don’t tease her, Kusac,” said Carrie, getting up and joining them. “He forgets she’s too immature to understand a joke. She takes things literally.”
Vanna looked on in a disbelief Carrie could feel as she took her daughter from Kusac. Holding her close against her chest, she began to make soothing noises, gently patting and stroking the cub until her distress fa
ded.
“Sorry,” said Kusac, ears flicking back and remaining there in apology. “She’s a fully active telepath,” he explained to Vanna. “She picked up the idea of you dropping her from me. I keep forgetting she can do that.”
“I should have guessed,” said Vanna wryly. “How could a child of yours be normal, even for a hybrid?”
“We’re pretty sure it was the power of the Margin gateways that wakened her Talent so early,” said Carrie, passing the now quiet cub to her friend.
“She’s so tiny, and so sweet,” purred Vanna as she gathered the cub into her arms. Kashini trilled with pleasure, and grabbing Vanna’s finger, pulled it toward her mouth, proceeding to chew on it.
“Ouch! You have sharp teeth, kit!” she said, removing her finger from danger and playing pat with her instead. “How do you manage to feed her, Carrie?”
“I don’t any more. Her nurse does for the moment, but not for much longer. We’ve had to give her solid food as well because she’s so hungry.”
“She’s lovely, cub, and doing so well!” she sighed. “I really have to go now.” She handed her back to Kusac. “We’ll see you later tonight when we’ll have your real presents.”
“See you then, Vanna,” said Kusac, tucking Kashini over his shoulder as she left.
Carrie moved to his side, lifting his free arm so she could wrap it around her shoulders. As she rested her head against his chest, she felt the almost inaudible purr that vibrated through him.
All I ever wanted, I now hold in my arms, he sent.
So do I, Kusac. She reached up to touch Kashini’s foot where it protruded from the bottom of the blanket. Cupping her hand around it, she gently rubbed her fingers along the webbing between her cub’s toes, feeling them open wider as Kashini began to purr with pleasure.
A discreet knock at the door and Yashui, the nurse, entered. “Time for her to go upstairs, Liegena,” she said quietly.
Carrie sighed and let Kashini’s foot go. “See you later, little one,” she said, moving aside so Kusac could hand her over.
As she sat back down at the table, she watched her life-mate lay his cheek alongside their daughter’s, his tongue flicking out to lick her gently behind the ear before he handed her over to Yashui. The sight brought tears to her eyes. She rubbed them away hurriedly, ashamed at being still so emotional.
“Could Brynne have fathered Mara’s child?” she asked when they were alone.
“It’s not him,” said Kusac positively. “Vanna told me he’s been too busy with that Derwent person. Despite some of his strange ideas, Brynne’s been settling down, too. No other females at all, and he’s devoted to his son. He wouldn’t risk all that to be with Mara, knowing the trouble she caused for Dzaka and Kitra.”
“Just a thought.”
“I’m sure it isn’t one of the Leska males.”
“Well, with Jissoh and Nyash watching her, we should know soon.”
“I’ve got to go and get ready for the hunt. Will you be coming up to Mother’s with me now?”
“Of course. Don’t forget, you’ve to bring me something back for the feast tonight.”
He laughed. “Don’t worry, I’ll make sure I get the biggest rhakla out there. I’ve got my reputation to live up to, after all.”
*
Lijou stood at his bedroom window looking down into the main courtyard. Below, the younglings were still sweeping the night’s fresh snowfall aside. Already the bones of the central fire had been relaid in preparation for the festivities later.
He felt Kha’Qwa’s presence draw nearer, feeling the gentle touch of her mind, then her hand as she joined him.
“Good morning,” she said, leaning against him, her tail twining round his leg. “What holds your attention so closely this morning?”
He hesitated. How to put it into words? “Have you ever felt as if you’re standing at the doorway to the future? I feel as if I’m there now, looking through it and wondering what will happen. And although I’m part of it, although I helped open the door, I’m afraid to go forward, Kha’Qwa.”
“Afraid of what?”
“The changes.”
“I see none, Lijou. I see only the traditions of over a thousand years as our people get ready for Nylam’s Day,” she said, looking out of the window.
“Look more closely and you’ll see.” He pointed to a couple of black-robed figures hurrying across to the courtyard. “Already our tutors are wearing their new colors, proclaiming them Priests, not lay-brothers. The old year ends tonight, Kha’Qwa,” he said, laying his arm across her shoulders and continuing to look down into the courtyard. “A new year, and new lives for all of us. Our right as a guild to choose those who possess lesser talents is being laid down in the new charter Rhyaz is drafting. In future, when we visit the guilds to recruit, we can openly take those we need. So much has happened this past year, and there is so much more still to come.”
“Are you that afraid of change?”
“Some changes,” he sighed. “But not others.” His hand tightened briefly on her shoulder. “Not our new life together. I don’t think Konis expected us to life-bond so soon!”
As he continued to watch the courtyard, he saw a small figure enter through the main gates. “I wonder what brings T’Chebbi here today. Who could she be coming to see?”
“It could only be Kaid.”
“You think so?”
“I know so,” she said with conviction. “I’ve never seen her so animated as she was when they were here to rescue him.”
Lijou thought back over his last few meetings with T’Chebbi. “You could be right. I hope so. It worried me when he said he intended to stay here for Midwinter.”
“If only for a short while, let the world take care of itself,” she said, lowering her voice to the level of a soft purr and turning him away from the window. “You should be enjoying this morning with me. With all your talk of new years and new lives, tell me, how does it feel to be a newly mated male, and a father?”
“Believe me, it feels good, Kha’Qwa, and I don’t mean to seem…” He stopped in mid-sentence, his attention suddenly completely focused on her. “What did you say?”
She laughed and began to move away from him. “I thought that would get your attention.”
Reaching out, he grasped her by the arm, pulling her close again. “What did you say?” he asked her again. Pregnant? It wasn’t possibleâ was it? How could they possibly raise a cub at Stronghold!
She stretched up to touch his neck. “You’ve never bothered to shield your thoughts from me, Lijou, and I’ve enough Talent to read you. You said the Clan Lord wanted us to set an example, so when I picked up what was in your mind last night, I decided it was time. I was right, wasn’t I? You do want us to share our cubs, don’t you?” She tilted her head on one side, widening her eyes innocently as she looked into his.
“You never told me.” A father? He was going to be a father at his age? And she could hear his thoughts?
“At your age?” she scoffed. “You’re of an age with the Clan Lord! As to being able to hear you, many of us had our gifts boosted by the new virus, Lijou, even you. I just never had the need to mention it till now.”
“You’re pregnant? Since last night?” He was finding it difficult to take in her news.
She nodded. “Did I make the wrong decision?”
“No. No, of course not,” he said. “Are you positive? How can you be so sure after only one night?” He suddenly realized he didn’t want her to be mistaken. She was right, this was their life. For too long he’d lived for his Guild, then the Brotherhood. Now, before it was too late, he wanted a life that was hisâ his and Kha’Qwa’s.
“I’m sure,” she answered with a gentle laugh as his hand touched her neck in an intimate gesture of affection. “We females know these things.”
“Perhaps we should make sure,” he said, running his fingers through her short flame-colored curls. He still hadn’t gotten over his relief at her a
cceptance of him as a life-mate. Tall, and slim as any youngling, it had surprised many of Stronghold when the lively fiery colored Kha’Qwa had become his Companion several months earlier.
“It only takes once, honestly.”
“I wouldn’t want you to be disappointed if you found you were mistaken.” He began to nuzzle her cheek. “It would be so upsetting for you.”
“You’re so thoughtful,” she purred.
“Better to make absolutely sure.”
“Mmm. What about your duties this morning?”
“Vriuzu’s on his way to see to them,” he mumbled, catching the edge of her ear gently with his teeth.
“That’s all right, then.”
*
When the library door opened, Kaid knew it was T’Chebbi. He looked up, eye ridges meeting in a frown. “Is something wrong at the estate?” he asked.
“Nothing,” she replied, approaching the desk where he was working. “Needed to come. Have things in storage to collect. Meant I could see you, too. Not good to be without friends at this time of year.”
“I’m used to being alone,” he said, turning back to his work.
“Maybe we share our solitude for a short while.”
He looked up sharply, catching her slight smile as she took the seat opposite him. He hadn’t expected her to pay him another personal visit, especially after she’d avoided saying good-bye.
“Look tired, Tallinu. Still get bad nights? What does Father Lijou say?”
“I haven’t mentioned it to him.”
“Should. You need help.”
He felt anger flare and repressed it, determined not to lose his temper with her. “Did you come here just to scold me, T’Chebbi? Or is there something else you want? I am capable of organizing my own life, you know.” He switched off his comp pad. She was obviously determined to talk to him.
Her mouth opened in a deep grin. “I haven’t eaten yet. Won’t serve me as first meal’s over, but they’ll serve you. Always would.”
“You’re hungry? That’s all?” Maybe it was no more than she said, a visit to collect the last of her belongings from the Guild.
She flicked her ears in agreement.
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