“The Agraak... Never more was there a species who needed their entire civilization pulled down and allowed to restart. Their ruling family and government are a blight on the entire Intergalactic Union. They are never reasonable. Now you bring confirmation of their depravity. It cannot be tolerated. If they are doing that to those that they are claiming as their mates...”
She broke off and shuddered, barely keeping control of her infamous temper. When she refocused on Jenn, his mother blanched and hastened to reassure her.
“I assure you, Vori males are not like those of Agraadax.”
“No? That’s odd, because even some of the Vori males in the mountains wished to force me to be their breeder. While I’m sure the males of your clan are not so deplorable, you will have to forgive me if I am not so easily swayed to trust.”
A sharp hiss escaped his mother’s lips, her face darkening with anger. Even her crown coils writhed as if preparing to attack. Eyuul stiffened, prepared to protect Jenn if his mother assaulted her, and watched the matriarch of his clan pick up a delicate statue, a gift from the matriarch of the es’Agor clan when Shaagra had joined with Vadal, and smash it against the wall in a fit of fury.
Vadal, standing just inches from where it had shattered, glanced down at the shards of broken pottery. Med-kit in hand, he eased around the debris as he slowly approached Eyuul’s side.
“Maydor said my presence was needed. What did I miss?”
Their mother didn’t deign to answer, but instead barked to the comm screen on the wall behind her.
“Contact Lorieea es’Agor.”
The screen flashed with a rotating symbol, small bursts of light extending and retreating as it attempted to connect with the comm system of the es’Agor matriarch. After many minutes, the screen flashed, and a dark green male shifted nervously in front of the screen.
“Hey! That’s the guy who helped me escape!”
Esfalee spared a glance toward Jenn, her head inclining in acknowledgment before turning her attention to the male at the other end.
Vadal, cleaning Eyuul’s wounds thoroughly, even as far as breaking open dirty scabs to properly clean them, leaned forward and whispered, “What chewed you up and spat you back out.”
“Long story,” he muttered, his eyes riveted on the male who’d probably saved Jenn’s life by his selfless actions.
“Jiriel, where is your mother? I must speak with her regarding information that has come my way of the deplorable actions of some of the males in her clan.”
Face darkening with embarrassment, Jiriel spoke in a clear, if somewhat hesitant voice. “Matriarch Esfalee, I regret to inform you that my mother is unable to answer any communications.”
“Unacceptable. I demand that she speak to me.”
He smiled sadly in return. Unease skittered over Eyuul’s flesh and through his scales. How had the Ashier found them so quickly?
“No demand can raise my mother to speak again from the dark halls of the Mother of the Nest, Matriarch.”
Esfalee froze, her lips parting in shock. Eyuul understood his mother’s surprise. Matriarch Lorieea had been a formidable female, large and strong with an unbreakable will.
“How?”
“An Agraak hunter with several bestial creatures arrived not many days after the human female in your company escaped our nesting grounds. He was looking for her, and when none were inclined to give him information, his methods increased in their cruelty. My mother learned of this and hastened from her nest with my fathers in attendance. I am sad to report that all were killed. I, Jiriel, am the last of my family line. The clan females are, as I report to you, engaging in contests to determine who will head the clan.”
“My hearts to yours, Jiriel.”
Esfalee placed her fist over her hearts and bowed to the male in a show of sympathy. It was the only time a male might receive such honors from a female. For the son of such a great matriarch and ally, it was heartfelt. The male nodded his thanks, his expression strained with his own sorrow.
“With the coming of the rains, it is unlikely that we will be able to attend the fire ceremony, but please comm me of the day and I will arrange for remembrance and offerings to her spirit among my clan.”
“Thank you, Matriarch. Your kindness will be remembered. Is there anything else I can do for you? There is still much to be done here.”
“Yes, please have the next matriarch contact me once she has assumed control of the clan. We must have a long discussion regarding the behavior of some of her males.”
His lips twisted. “I sincerely hope that I am present to hear that conversation. The males in question have needed reprimand for some time, but my mother’s soft heart toward her departed sister’s hatchling blinded her at times. I will deliver the message.”
“Thank you.”
The male inclined his head again and the comm screen blanked out as communication was severed. Esfalee turned and regarded all those gathered in the room, a contemplative expression on her face.
“Eyuul, what news do you have of the Agraak?”
“That was another matter of which I needed to speak. The Agraak is an elite hunter called an Ashier, tasked to terminate Jenn before Agraadax’s secret can be revealed. He is currently injured from our confrontation low in the mountains, but is protected by a sentient enslaved species.”
His mother did not seem pleased by his report. Not that he blamed her. Knowing that their clan faced new enemies, ones with the capability to bring down a matriarch in her prime, was not an insignificant threat. That there would be difficulties in dispatching such a foe would make any of their kind anxious. Esfalee’s temper only grew shorter and fiercer the worst the odds got. She’d never been one to retreat in fear. At the same time, she placed great value on the intelligence gathered and brought to her. He couldn’t tell what concerned her more: the Agraak bounty hunter, or an unknown sentient predatorial species. Eyuul suspected it was the later. She distrusted and great disliked unknown variables. It was unpredictable.
“Why did you not dispatch them rather than leave a threat?”
“Because they were no threat to us. They are forced to serve and protect their master due to an implant that could kill them. They could not aid us without risking being destroyed, but nor did they seek to harm us.”
“An implant?” Vadal’s eyes lit with curiosity as he sealed the last of Eyuul’s wounds. “If it is a simple matter of a chip implanted in their brain, it should be easily extracted once they are safely separated from their master. I approve of your compassion, brother.”
Eyuul stared at his elder brother. It had been so long since he’d received praise that wasn’t barbed with someone’s damned commentary that he was momentarily at a loss. He was only distantly aware of Jenn pressing against him as she hugged him close. He instinctively slid his arms around her and dropped a kiss to the top of her head before he could catch himself. Vadal watched their interaction with open curiosity.
“What is your intention toward the human, Eyuul? Is she another conquest or something more?”
Although his brother’s tone held no contempt, unlike many others of their clan, Eyuul felt the words like a barb to his hearts. He attempted to ignore it, but Jenn was not willing to let it go.
“Don’t be an ass. So, he made a mistake in who he chose to mate with. It happens. Sometimes more often to some than to others. Making the wrong choice isn’t a character flaw. Eyuul deserves better than contempt.”
Vadal looked at her incredulously, his mouth opening as if to argue, but Eyuul interjected before his brother could quiz Jenn further. As much as he loved her loyalty, it wasn’t her fight. The truth had needed to come for some time. Well, there was no better time than the present. It felt almost cathartic being given an opening to talk about it. At least now someone in his clan would know the truth of the matter.
“It is fact, Vadal. Mother knew of my intentions toward the Edoka female, and though it is to my shame I wasn’t aware that the fem
ale didn’t return the favor, there was no other who I touched. Yet I return home and all the clan whispers that I lay with any offworlder female that will have me.”
Their mother glanced between them, anger and confusion in her gaze. “What is this you speak of? I have heard no such rumors. I have heard naught but what was being spoken of the Edoka female you were seen with, and that was resolved revolutions ago. Surely no one would believe such terrible, dishonorable things.”
Vadal cleared his throat. “Mother, they may not have spoken the words around you, but I heard nothing but rumors of Eyuul’s indiscretions from members of the clan since I returned to Vora, even more so since my arrival in the clan territory. For my part, I am ashamed to admit I believed them before verifying whether or not the rumors were true.” He looked at Eyuul, regret clear in his expression. “My nest is open to you.”
Eyuul’s chest expanded with barely contained emotion. By declaring his nest was open, Vadal confirmed that he trusted Eyuul completely. It was the highest compliment that could be paid from one Vori to another. Eyuul clasped Vadal’s hand, and they held their fisted hands between their chests as they leaned forward, their foreheads brushing. His hearts lightened, but Eyuul found it harder to extend that forgiveness to their mother. It was hard to believe that she knew nothing of what had been said of him. Despite Vadal’s words, he still had to satisfy himself on the matter.
“If you do not believe such things, why then did you call me home, and why do you not trust me to care for Jenn?”
Their mother sighed, her crown coils drooping. Suddenly, she looked tired, lacking the youthful vibrancy that had never seemed to have faded in all her years as matriarch. At that moment, she didn’t appear as a strong leader, but as a vulnerable, exhausted mother.
“Eyuul, I was always concerned, even when you were young, that you could be led astray by your desperate wish for a mate and act unwisely because of it. Not out of thoughtlessness or deviance, but from loneliness. I was angry when I heard of you with the Edoka female because I worried. I did not want your hearts toyed with by a female who did not know our ways. When she left you heartsbroken, I couldn’t bear to see you hurt again. This is why I called you home. As to Jenn, although I was disappointed in your choices, I didn’t wish you to be tempted into making another mistake and spend your hearts on a female who will not stay.”
“Matriarch, with all due respect, even though I don’t really know how to describe our relationship, I would never intentionally do something to hurt Eyuul. Beyond that, it’s no one’s business. It seems to me that you might need to do something to nip these rumors, and whoever is spreading them, in the bud... ah, remove it where it starts.”
“Perhaps so,” his mother agreed after a long moment of consideration. “We will deal with it. But first, Vadal, Jenn needs to use your comm system to contact the Intergalactic Council. Please escort Eyuul and Jenn to your nest.”
“Of course.” Vadal snapped his kit closed. “Come with me.”
Chapter 18
The matriarch’s nest had been impressive; Jenn couldn’t deny that t. It had contained almost all the familiar technology she’d seen on Agraadax and yet combined it with the grace and beauty of colorful textiles and ornate stonework. She’d been in awe the moment that Eyuul accessed the door through an identification panel. A door slid open on its own power to reveal the simple luxury of the Vori life.
She was no less enchanted with Vadal’s home.
Upon entering they were promptly met by a pair of males. The scarred orange one was almost frightening with his intensity, his eyes flickering over her with curiosity but lingered on Eyuul with a slight air of hostility. In contrast, the smaller red male at his side smiled shyly at her.
“Vadal, what is Eyuul doing here?”
“He is here with my welcome, Shaagra. We will discuss this later except to say that rumors are ugly, vicious things that deserve no credence by sensible individuals. Something I failed to consider until now. The human with him is Jenn. She requires use of our comm system.”
Shaagra’s expression morphed into disbelief and then comprehension. He gave his nestmate a short nod and moved aside to allow them passage into the nest.
Unlike the grandeur of the matriarch’s nest, this one was beautiful and comfortable. The stone carvings of creatures that Jenn assumed were native to Vora were worn with time, including the carving on the ceiling that showed a crowned female flanked by two males. In front of them was a shelf which held the remains of ash, flower petals, and a snuffed lamp. Catching the direction of her gaze, the one called Shaagra smiled kindly at her.
“The Mother of the Great Nest and the sentinel Fathers.”
“Do all homes have such images?”
“Most homes that I know of have them, but I suspect it depends much on the whim of the Vori who carve out the nests. This nest is very old in Vadal’s family, but we care for the aevials, the sacred images of the gods.”
A feminine voice interrupted, filled with warmth and laughter.
“And of course, Shaagra is most particular in meticulously cleaning and presenting offerings every morning at an hour when a normal person would be asleep.”
A curvy woman of a petite stature stood in the hallway, carrying two small Vori in her arms while another pair hung off her shoulders watching everyone with the wide-eyed curiosity of small children. The woman had a generous smile that she seemed happy to share with everyone.
“Eyuul, I see you’ve found and brought home another human. We can always use more females around here.”
All three males went immediately to her side and began to pull the young ones off her while Vadal chided her gently.
“Reggie, you shouldn’t let them hang all over you like that. Not in your condition.”
It was only then that Jenn noticed the swell of Reggie’s belly beneath the beautiful weave of her blue and green dress. Reggie waved Vadal’s concern aside with a snort of laughter.
“You act like they’re heavy or something.” Reggie giggled at her mates before grinning at Jenn. “Vori look huge, but their skeletons are different than what we’re used to. Much lighter. Probably why they can get around so quickly despite their size, and don’t crush us with their girth when they get down to business, if you get what I mean.”
“Reggie,” the red male protested, his face darkening with embarrassment. Reggie continued on cheerfully, only stopping long enough to blow a kiss to the male.
“These little ones are three revolutions old and weigh less than most human babies I’ve ever held.”
Jenn admired the four hatchlings, their faces each appearing delicate and almost what someone back home would have called elfin if one didn’t pay attention to the mass of crown coils and the long serpentine tails.
“They’re adorable. Are they all yours?”
All three males immediately looked offended. Jenn realized her error and groaned. Of course they were all hers. Vori mated for life.
“I’m so sorry...”
“Pshaw, you’re fine. I would’ve probably had the same thought. I mean, it’s not every day a human woman pushes out four alien babies. You’ll see how it is.”
“Reggie, Jenn and I are not mated,” Eyuul said in a low voice.
Reggie’s face promptly reddened.
“Or maybe you won’t see. Geez, talk about making unhealthy assumptions. For what it’s worth, you two would make a really cute couple.”
“You are interfering, Reggie.” Shaagra’s voice had a hint of rebuke to it, but the fondness it in his gaze softened his retort. There were no strained relationships in this home. It was truly a loving, comfortable family. Jenn assumed it would have been a testosterone overload living with three mates, but it seemed to not be the case.
Reggie smiled in faux innocence at her mate. “I’m observing, not interfering.”
“Have you finished speaking with Destiny? Jenn needs use of the comm.”
She raised an eyebrow at Vadal’s exasperate
d tone but nodded her head. “Yep, I’m all done.”
“She just finished. She’s been on since midday. I thought maybe she would want to sleep in there tonight,” the red male teased.
“Oh hush, Walooth. I wasn’t in there that long. Girl time is essential, and no offense but I don’t have much in common with the females of your clan. They are plenty nice,” she rushed to assure Jenn, “and there are a couple of them I consider friends, but it’s not the same.”
Jenn made a sympathetic sound but refrained from commenting. She didn’t know what to make of Reggie. The woman was obviously adored and spoiled by her mates, and she couldn’t help but love her sense of humor, but it seemed that the other woman was too sheltered—untouched by hardship—if she was complaining about needing girl time.
Jenn would have loved any sort of sympathetic female companionship to ease the pain of her life on Agraadax.
She was grateful when Vadal interrupted.
“The comm system is this way, Jenn.”
Following behind the male, with Eyuul close on her heels, they navigated a hallway that split off from the main one. Vadal glanced at her over his shoulder.
“I apologize if Reggie made you feel uncomfortable. My mate is very enthusiastic, and admittedly quite lonely. We try to be everything that she needs, but even our talents are limited when it comes to female company. The females, though many like Reggie, have as difficult a time as she does when it comes to finding common interests. I’d hoped that some of my clans-kin would send for mates, but this hasn’t happened yet.”
“If that’s all she has to worry about, she should consider herself fortunate.”
Jenn flushed at the bite that had slipped into her tone. She wished she could take it back. She wasn’t proud of that sudden animosity toward the other woman’s oblivious happiness. Vadal didn’t miss the inflection either. He stiffened, his crown coils tensing around him, but then he sighed and shook his head.
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