by C. C. Ekeke
“Mathematic seduction!” She made a face and pulled her sweatpants back on. “Help me, my knees are weak.” Playful yet cheeky, making Habraum ache for her even more. Sam scanned the room and slapped a hand across her flat and firm stomach, partly covering the thorny Kedri tattoo ringing her belly button. “Where’d you throw my—aha!” Sam dove down, snatching something velvety and red from the floor. Glittery green reflections from the Cantalesian heartknot danced across the walls.
The Cerc pushed himself into a seated position on the side of the bed and snaked a leg out around Sam’s waist—snagging her into his lap. “One more go, Sammie,” he whispered, wrapping his arms around her. Sam’s skin, bronzed and silky, smelled like heaven.
She cast an amused look over her shoulder. “Oh, stop,” she scolded. “I have to go.” However, her attempts to escape were half-hearted at best. Habraum grinned boyishly.
“All talk, but no walk...” He nuzzled her neck, breathing her in. “Stay.”
Sam’s eyes rolled all the way back just before she melted into him. “Mmmmmokay.”
Habraum whooped happily and pulled her down to bed with him. As soon as they landed, Sam twisted and straddled him in one fluid motion. He moved to sit up. She shoved him back down hard.
“Uh-uh.” Sam shook her head, causing golden sheets of hair to spill around her face. “I’m in the pilot’s seat now.”
The Cerc stared up and barely moved past her exposed chest. “Yes ma’am,” he murmured, wide-eyed and aroused.
Sam’s lips pulled into a lopsided smirk pregnant with mischief. Habraum couldn’t get enough of that smirk. She intertwined fingers with his and swooped down for the kill. Her kisses were eager and greedy, lingering awhile on Habraum’s lips before searching down the length of his throat and chest.
The Cerc shuddered, a blissful warmth flooding through him—
“We’re home!” yelled a female voice from downstairs—Tharydane.
Habraum and Sam froze. The kids were early.
Dread coiled within the Cerc’s belly. He sat upright and twisted to one side, accidentally flinging Sam off the bed. There was a hard thump, followed by an “OWW!”
“Sorry!” Habraum hissed contritely, throwing on his white V-neck and dark slacks so fast he nearly gave himself cloth burn. “Y’ollrigh’?” He didn’t wait for an answer. The image of Jeremy accidentally walking in on them consumed all thought. “I’ll go first!” he hissed again, and hurtled out the door.
Descending the staircase, Habraum heard Jeremy ask, “You think they’re at Aunt Sammie’s?” Just then, the Cerc saw two children in the foyer. The eldest was a slender Korvenite teen of unusual loveliness, standing just taller than Habraum’s nipples. She wore a little red dress, strappy and slim-fitting, perfectly complementing her chalk-white skin and that waist-length tumble of lazy violet curls. These past six months, Tharydane appeared healthier and more filled out, yet retained her svelte dancer’s figure. Her eyes, golden irises on black sclera, brightened when she saw Habraum.
The small boy at her side was eight years younger, half a head shorter, and human. The almond shape of his eyes came from his late mother, but the hazel-grey color was more Nwosu. He wore a slim school satchel over his maroon Poseidon Prep uniform. His dark-brown ’fro matched his light-brown skin well, having been trimmed down four days ago.
Seeing his son always filled Habraum’s heart to the brim. “Daddy’s right here!”
“Daddy!” Jeremy Nwosu dropped his satchel and launched himself at his father. Habraum stepped off the staircase and scooped his son up with one arm.
“Hey, sprout!” He kissed Jeremy’s forehead. The boy flung his arms around the Cerc’s neck. “Hello to you, Dani.” Habraum offered the Korvenite a warm smile. Despite his initial distrust, he had grown rather fond of Tharydane.
“Hi, Habraum,” she grinned, then wordlessly asked, Upstairs?
Yep, Habraum replied.
Jeremy seized his father’s chin and stared at him curiously. “You smell like Aunt Sammie.”
For a moment, Habraum could only stare blankly before the remark sunk in. Of course Sam’s spicy fragrance still clung to Habraum’s skin. “She gave me a big hug earlier.” A forced smile did little to sweeten his half-truth. Jeremy wasn’t ready for the full truth.
Really?! Tharydane hid her laughter behind a cough, but her psychic mirth rang loudly in his head. Habraum silenced the Korvenite with a look. Her amusement wasn’t appreciated.
“Who’s that I hear?” Sam’s smoky voice turned all attention toward the staircase. She came down the steps, fully clothed in matching velvety crimson hoodie and sweatpants, with her tousled hair in a loose ponytail.
“AUNTIE!” As soon as she stepped off the stairs, Jeremy ran to her.
“Jerm! Hullo!” With arms spread wide, Sam knelt and embraced the boy. Habraum didn’t miss how she gushed, “My favorite Nwosu.”
Jeremy pulled back, grinning from ear to ear. “Whatcha doing upstairs?”
“Work stuff with your dad.” Over the boy’s shoulder, Sam gave Habraum a look that made him gulp.
Ah, fekt. Obviously she was still seething over what happened upstairs. Before the children noticed, Sam stood up with a glowing smile.
“Hey kid!” She wrapped Tharydane in an enthusiastic hug. The petite Korvenite stood slightly shorter than Sam’s curvaceous five feet six inches. “How was your day?”
The teenager shrugged, her long and lazy ringlets of hair bouncing. “The usual. Academics and Telepathy lessons with Lethe, then picked Jeremy up from the hangar bay. Oh, we had a run-in with the biotech.” Tharydane spat out the last word like sour water.
“Really?” Sam’s features soured as she glanced at Habraum. “What happened?”
Habraum was confused. “Biotech?”
“What biotech?” Jeremy asked naively.
The Korvenite eyed Habraum and Sam cautiously. Drop the O and the E… Tharydane messaged telepathically.
Habraum’s hazel-gold eyes narrowed in distaste. Clearly, the “biotech” in question was Marguliese. He scowled at Tharydane, expecting better behavior.
“The name was her idea!” Tharydane jabbed an accusing finger at her adoptive parent.
Sam gasped and wheeled around on the Korvenite. “Snitch!”
“You mind-messaged Daddy!” Jeremy griped. “What did you say?”
“Not important, Jeremy.” The Cerc focused his gaze on Sam. “Name-calling? Very mature.”
“A lecture on maturity? From you?” She gave him a barbed smile. “Hi-larious!” The tension between the two Brigadiers hung thick in the foyer, even young Jeremy noticing.
Tharydane made the save. “Jer, let’s go play with that new Uniopedia expansion pack.”
Jeremy gave a cry of joy. “Non-Union Worlds and Moons?” He looked to his father for approval. “Can I?”
Habraum turned from Sam to his overeager son. “A short while.”
“YAY!” Jeremy immediately tore up the stairs, with Tharydane trailing behind.
Top marks for that save, lass, Habraum thought to her.
Once the children were upstairs and out of sight, Sam dropped the sugary-sweet facade and gave Habraum an irate onceover before stomping off to the kitchen. The halolights automatically brightened the wide, round cooking space as she entered.
“Samantha.” Habraum followed her, and for his troubles received a stinging smack to the forehead.
Habraum yelped as quietly as possible at the blow, staggering back and covering his head. “What the hazik?”
“That,” Sam hissed, “was for upstairs and making me hide like some backwater-world slut!”
“One accidental toss and you’re madder than a moonbat?” The Cerc raised his hands in resignation.
Sam looked away, frowning. “How long do we have to keep doing this?”
“Rogguts, woman,” the Cerc exclaimed, attempting at some levity. “Am I boring you already??”
Sam rolled her eyes, fighting back a
wistful look. “Never. I’m just sick of the sneaking around.”
Habraum stared at her, puzzled. “I clearly recall you enjoying that bit.”
“Initially,” Sam admitted. “But not after all the times I’ve lied to cover for our meetups.” She tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear. “Which I did for us.”
That made the Cerc shift uncomfortably. “I know. And I appreciate it.”
“What’s worse is having to lie about this.” She fingered her heartknot necklace, and Habraum grimaced. He had gifted that to her during their Cantalese trip, and knew how much she treasured it.
“Look,” Sam’s voice lowered, “I get being careful for Jeremy…and Jennica.” The air chilled at the mention of Habraum’s late wife. “I’m not asking for a defintion. But who cares if others know?”
Habraum gaped at Sam disbelievingly. “I do! Do you know how us being involved would look to anyone else? It could bring into question your promotion, getting your own CT!”
“I. Don’t. Care!” she overrode him, so angry Habraum thought she might hit him again. “I earned my CT and my promotion. But this is about us, not Star Brigade.” Sam’s eyes never left his face. “If ‘us’ means something to you, put your balls on the table and make a decision! Unless…”
Habraum shut his eyes and rubbed at the bridge of his nose. He had lost interest in this debate, waiting for her to finish so he could shut this nonsense down. Except she didn’t. Her silence grew in length, in awkwardness. The Cerc opened his eyes to see Sam watching him with a strange, dead-eyed expression.
“Unless you still haven’t forgiven me,” she finished, soft as silk. An angry flush crept up Habraum’s neck at her words, the loaded memories behind them stealing his voice. The indiscretion had occurred months ago, rebellion following several nasty quarrels just like this one. They’d since reconciled and moved on, but some old wounds reopened at the slightest push.
When the Cerc offered no reply, Sam’s features hardened. “Tell Tharyn I’m back at my place.”
Panic went off in Habraum’s brain. She always shut down like this when a conflict got too personal, too emotional. “Sammie—” He reached for her.
“Uh-uh.” She jerked away, about to walk past him and out of the kitchen.
He seized Sam by the waist, hoisting her up like a small child onto the nearest kitchen countertop. “Stop,” he growled. They were practically nose to nose now.
Sam’s face was a beautiful, unsympathetic mask. “Make it quick.”
Habraum leaned back, taking her face in his hands, knowing she wouldn’t make this easy. “I told you all that was in the past, and that I’m all in. So please have a pinch more patience with me. Let’s take these next few days one at a time. Then go from there, yea?” The Cerc’s heart thundered as he awaited Sam’s next words. She tried, and failed, to meet Habraum’s gaze directly. Finally, she shook her head and look away in defeat.
A smile tugged at the corners of her mouth. “It’s really hard to hate you sometimes,” she grumbled.
“I know!” Habraum crowed, relieved. He spoke now with sweet murmurs, “Must be my Cercidalean charm.”
Sam looked up, no longer smiling. “And then you make it so easy. Don’t push it, chief.”
“I believe I already did,” Habraum reminded with a bright, boyish grin. “Several times!”
Sam gasped and teasingly shoved him. “Dirty!”
Habraum had to smirk. “Now who’s complaining?” The Cerc took Sam by the hips, his mouth finding hers. He pressed her up against one of his cupboards, taking his time savoring the sweet taste of her lips.
And Sam readily gave in. Just like Habraum knew she would. She slinked a hand around the back of Habraum’s neck and they began devouring each other. Crisis averted, for now.
We’re back! Tharydane’s warning blared in Habraum’s mind.
“Incoming,” he cautioned. The pair reluctantly came up for air and disentangled.
Sam slid off the counter with a warning look. “Don’t make me regret this.”
“You won’t,” Habraum promised.
“Daddy.” Jeremy rushed into the kitchen moments later with Tharyn at his heels. “I’m hungry,” he announced. Jeremy always downed a snack or two after school, so Habraum wasn’t surprised.
“Sure, sprout. Pick from the fridge. No junk food!” the Cerc warned with a fatherly finger wag. “I know where you live and what you eat!”
As Jeremy pouted, Sam eyed the kitchen’s chronometer and then turned to Tharydane. “Ready to go, kid?”
“Always am,” the Korvenite retorted matter-of-factly. Habraum led them to the foyer.
“Bye, Jeremy!” Sam and Tharydane called out. The boy poked his head around the kitchen entry and waved.
“Bye, Habraum.” Tharydane breezed out as the apartment door slid open.
“See ya, Dani,” Habraum replied lightly. He turned to Sam, who stood before him.
Sam looked up with a glowing smile. “Ciao,” she whispered before sauntering out the door. She caught up with Tharydane down the corridor, draped an arm across her shoulders, and began chattering, “Alright, kid. Time for FSG and crescent mooncake!”
“Can’t wait,” Tharyn gushed. Habraum watched them disappear around the hallway corner with a slight ache in his heart, which began snowballing in strength. CT-1 was losing an XO. He was losing his trusted second-in-command and closest confidante. Tyris Iecen, Sam’s replacement, was none of those things. What kind of leader was Habraum Nwosu without her by his side? He almost didn’t want to know the answer, suddenly feeling alone and afraid.
By the Twins, you soppy squit, he chided, Sammie’s leaving to head another CT, not departing Union Space. Shaking his head, the Cerc headed back inside. In the kitchen, he found his son glowering into their fridge. Clearly, acquiring healthy snacks wasn’t Jeremy’s forte.
“Ollrigh’!” The Cerc scooped Jeremy up over his shoulder, much to the youngster’s squealing delight. “Here’s the plan. Homework after your snack.” Jeremy groaned loudly, and Habraum promptly shushed him. “Then dinner. After that, you can either doodle around in your Spacepedia thing or watch some holoview before bedtime. Sound good?” He turned his head around to see Jeremy’s response.
Slung over the Cerc’s shoulder, he nodded with an eager “yep,” probably because of the Uniopedia part.
“Okay,” Habraum beamed, “time for some apple slices!”
Chapter 12
On Faroor’s dayside, Herope peeked over the hills bordering Thasque and began its morning climb, crimson radiance washing away all remnants of night. But morning had little effect on a megalopolis never knowing slumber. Endless veins of hovercar traffic crisscrossed over and through the city-state. Thasque’s copious rows of majestic and old-world skyscrapers constantly illuminated the cityscape. Ttaunz merchant kings and financial traders within these buildings had workdays synched with the local time of whatever Union memberworld they did business with.
Near Thasque’s epicenter stood Magnasterium, home to Faroor’s Viceroy—known to the Ttaunz as Maorridus Magnus. Grand, sprawling, and ultramodern in design, the ruby and silver government building looked more like a fortress all the way to its coppery pinnacles. Magnasterium was a symbol to all of the Old Supremacy’s past grandeur.
That symbol had never been more crucial for Faroor’s Ttaunz populace since news of the abduction cascaded across the Galactic Union at light speed. Everyone from lowborn to highborn demanded that the Farooqua be dealt with, all while looking to Magnasterium for any word of assurance from the ruling family.
That was Defense Minister Haemekk’s hope when watching Gaorr son of Maoridius Magnus address several leaders in the meeting room of Faroor’s Planetary Ministry. Even seated the Minister appeared tall and wiry, simple gold and royal-purple robes adorning his whitish pelt.
Gaorr shared his father and older brother’s look, with the pinkish pelt and long raven-black hair styled in a series of elegant braids. Regretably, any s
imilarities ended there. “The Farooqua will pay grievously for their crimes!” he cried in fey tones. “I want ALL of their backwards tribes crushed!”
Gaorr stood at the head of the long Ministry table, donning the finest Pallanorian chael robes. His audience mostly cheered, consisting of almost every minister on Faroor’s Planetary Ministry along with the Assembly of Delegates Speaker and the leader from Faroor’s Council of Merchants. Others in the room included a few of the absent Viceroy’s principal advisers. Union Senator Praece son of Proejer, along with older counterparts Toniem daughter of Hauriq and Jaice son of Kuyver, sat across from Gaorr, their lifelike TriTran holos widecasting from Terra Sollus.
By everyone’s formal attire, this looked more highborn dinner party than crisis summit. Each male’s long hair was teased up in bird-like plumes or elegant braids. Every Ttaunz lady sported buzz cuts. Everyone had bright, button-like eyes and triangular faces. Despite small differences in skin-pelt color, robe styles, and hair—everyone looked physically faultless, thanks to mandatory genetic alteration before every Ttaunz’s ex vitro birth.
Gaorr continued with fist raised at the sea of proud homogeny, “Ttaunz and non-Ttaunz slain by the Ghebrekh must be avenged by fire and fury!”
Good. Show them your strength, Haemekk nodded approvingly, tossing back the dark-red braid draped over his shoulder.
Several ministers roared their approval at Gaorr’s words. The Minister of Energy, Koadox son of Furaan, however, was not quite onboard. “What if your brother and that Kudoban survived?” the stout minister asked. “Will you risk their lives just to get the Ghebrekh?”
Everyone waited for an answer as the young Ttaunz stared blankly. He opened his mouth but nothing came out. Trembling, Gaorr turned imploringly to Haemekk for guidance.
Senator Praece openly guffawed. Haemekk suppressed a cringe.
“It is alright, youngling,” the Minister of Defense reassured Gaorr as he rose. “We understand your passion for Faroor and your family is...overpowering,” he took over before Gaorr looked even more the fool. “We all warned Taorr this would happen should he continue his reckless pursuit of peace with those savages,” Haemekk continued in a soft voice.