“What did they have to say about that?”
“Surprisingly, not a lot. The small one sat on my lap and called me Daddy. The older one tried to negotiate father privileges to get more insects for the entomology lab. Since she is destined to live among traders, I thought it best to encourage her negotiation. She drove a hard bargain. I agreed to three hundred new specimens, all with exoskeletons. She was quite pleased, as am I. I almost forgot. I have one lunar to come up with the new specimens or she will revoke my father privileges.”
Elaine palm smacked herself in the forehead, before sighing. “I’m so embarrassed. You shouldn’t have to negotiate to be her father. I’ll talk to her.”
“If you would like, however it is not necessary from my point of view. Among our people, she would be well thought of for such behavior. In fact, Candorians mark the joining of families with the giving of gifts. I have purchased a small token of my affection for each of you. Will you allow me to present them?”
“You’ve done so much for us already.”
His gaze turned momentarily heated, as his hand landed on her stomach. “You have done much for me as well.”
Her mouth dropped open as she realized that she could very well be carrying his child. It’s not like either of them thought to address the issue of birth control. For some reason, the thought a little Koal playing with the girls really thrilled her. “Yes. Give them your gifts.”
Koal left the room and Elaine got the girls out of the pool and helped them get dressed. They waited in the seating area when he returned a short time later with three boxes.
The first one he bestowed upon Amie. She started to shake it, but he made a clicking sound and she immediately stopped. They’d all learned that was the please stop signal among the Candorians. Putting it on the table in front of her, she gently lifted the lid off. There was some rustling of the paper and a tiny lavender nose poked out. Quickly lifting the shredded paper away, the little girl peered into the box. Koal reached in and pulled out a tiny creature, sitting it on the table. It looked a like a cross between a hedgehog and a marsupial, but made a chirping sound like a bird. Reaching back in the box, he handed her a dainty lavender harness and leash. It was clearly a pet and little Amie was in love at first sight. She gently sat it on the floor and scampered around the room after it giggling.
The second box, he handed to Emily. The little girl chewed her lip nervously. “I hope it’s not another animal. I can’t keep up with that thing.”
Koal smiled politely. “I would never think of giving you such a gift. This pet will be more to your liking. I am a thoughtful gift giver. Open and you will see.”
Elaine watched the back and forth between the two of them. Koal’s manner of interaction was so perfect for her daughter. He listened to her and responded to her concerns with respect. He was not only perfect for her, but for her children as well.
Pulling the lid off, Emily’s eyes lit up when she looked into the box. “It’s a beetle bug with an exoskeleton and pinchers, and he’s huge.” The awe-struck girl carefully grabbed the over-sized bug out of the box by gripping where the pinchers couldn’t get her. Sure enough, it had a shiny red shell and was roughly the size of a dinner plate. Looking into the box again, she pulled out a small data chip on the care and treatment of the creature. Her face beamed when she looked at her new stepfather. “Thanks, Koal. You really do give thoughtful gifts.”
“This one you may keep in your room. I have a large habitat for him that will hang on your wall.”
“You’re the best. Thanks again.”
“You are quite welcome. It gives me great pleasure to see you happy.”
The nine-year-old dropped a kiss on his cheek before strutting off with her new pet.
“This last box is for you, my beloved. I would not have my female walk around the ship with a naked neck.”
“I noticed that most women ware elaborate neck cuffs.”
“They were originally worn to protect the most vulnerable spot on a female’s body from attack by predators in an underwater habitat.”
“They’re so delicate.”
“The tradition has evolved to be more ornamental than functional out of concern for the female’s comfort. I hope you like yours; it has the sign of my house upon it.”
Taking it from the box, she held it up. “It’s absolutely breathtaking. Do I really get to wear this around for every day?”
One masculine toss of his head told her he was pleased with her response. “Today, you have made all my dreams come true. If ever you leave me, I will have had these precious few weeks with you at my side. Wear my collar with pride, knowing it will never touch another’s neck.”
Trying not to tear up, she whispered. “Will you put it on me?”
Standing, he draped the lightweight collar around her throat. It slid down her throat just a touch because her neck wasn’t quite as long as the average Candorian. She touched the intricate punched-out designs running around the bottom. It appeared to be made of some type of super flexible leather. The fit was snug but so comfortable, she could hardly tell she wore it.
“This is by far the most beautiful cuff of any I have seen. It has the same design as your tattoo.”
“The House of Koal. Each male chooses his own design when he comes of age. Mine is of the long-forgotten underwater seascapes of my home world. I always long for my home under the sea, though it was destroyed long ago.”
“You chose well. I was always drawn to your tattoo.”
“What else were you drawn to, my beloved?” The gentle teasing brought a smile to her face.”
“Well, your water freaked me out at first. After being in it the first time, I really loved it.”
His expression turned more emotional than she’d ever seen on him. Moving close, he wrapped his arms around her and drew her close to his chest. Taking her hands in his own, he cuddled them close to his body. It was an intimate pose and one that bespoke his growing love for her. He looked down at her, seeming to enjoy the sight of her in his neck cuff.
“Aren’t you going to kiss her?”
Two heads turned to look at Emily.
The tween balanced the huge beetle on her head.
“Careful you don’t get pinched.” Koal’s words of warning went totally unheeded.
“Kiss her already. You’re all hugged up. You are supposed to kiss, but you’re letting the perfect moment slip right by you. You do know what kisses are, don’t you?”
Elaine shrugged. “Children are God’s little awkward moment makers, don’t you agree?”
Turning his attention back the Emily, Koal spoke. “I am uncertain what you are referring to, daughter of my heart.”
The girl began making kissy noises with her lips. “Kissing. I can’t believe you’re getting married but you aren’t kissing.”
“That’s enough, Emily. Put your beetle away and help your sister find her pet.”
With a slight humph, she did as she was told.
Koal turned his curious eyes back on her and Elaine bit her lip as she tried to figure out how to explain romance-style kissing to him without ending up right back in the sack again.
CHAPTER 10
Selene turned around with a smirk on her face. “I just knew it. All this talk about Krylonian women being unstable is total bullshit.”
Shafra shook her head. “I really think some of them are unstable, just not all of us.”
Lar Jalon looked up from his molecular viewer. “That may mean some of you have a natural immunity or have encountered a pathogen that protects you from it. We need more study to determine the exact reason you are not affected. It would be helpful if we had an extremely unstable subject to study for comparison.”
“You need my mother. She’s the most unstable person I have ever met. It normally takes a squad of twenty warriors to truly contain her. I can’t image what kind of leverage we’d need to gain her cooperation.”
“If she has sons, perhaps we can offer to look for him a human mate.”<
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“The only son she cares for is the one my father raises as his own. I think she loves him so much because he was sired by her favorite male.”
“We’ll work on that. In the meanwhile, I have another favor to ask.”
Lar Jalon smothered a smile. “It seems that the favors you ask are mutually beneficial, so please let us know how we can be of service.”
Selene laughed at his sad attempt at humor. “The multi-language bacteria they gave me wrote over my native language and now I can’t speak to my mother in my own tongue. I can tell it makes her sad.”
“Just add your language to the serum.” Lar Jalon truly didn’t seem to see a problem.
“Korban said, it would take years to make that happen and it would only be considered if our world proves useful.”
“I hate to say this, but your mate is an ass.” Jacob stared at her defiantly, clearly thinking he spoke the pure truth. There was also a hint of pride because he was using human slang.
“Maybe, but he’s my ass.” When everyone turned to look at her, she backtracked. “That didn’t come out exactly right. I meant everyone is a bit of an ass sometimes. I love him despite his shortcomings.”
Shafra beamed at her. “You are truly the only one who speaks up on his behalf. My brother is lucky to have you.”
“I think that I’m the lucky one. Anyways, what would it take to get that problem fixed? I want my mother and me to speak together like we used to. It would also be helpful for any new humans who come to your world. You will want to say sweet things to them in their own language, won’t you?”
“I think you just found your solution to leveraging my mother into cooperating. Shar Jalon has been in contact with my father. It seems that the imperial father sent an envoy to the parley with the humans for women. Having a functional language program for them would probably increase the probability of success on their mission. How complicated would something like that be?”
“I could have that prepared in time for the Krylonian delegation to inoculate themselves on their way to Earth.”
“Make it so, Lar Jalon.”
Selene glanced at the door to once again see Shar Jalon filling it. “You sure do creep around, don’t you, big guy?”
His expression was totally blank, just as it always was. His tone of voice sounded flat and a little hollow when he replied. “I seem to arrive at the opportune moment at times. I will speak to His Imperial Highness immediately. I believe his intent was for them to meet us in preparation of visiting Earth.”
“Well, I can’t say I’m all that interested in supporting the trade in women from my home world. If you don’t mind, now that most of the sampling is done, I plan to spend time with my mother aboard the Candorian freighter.”
“I hope you will give her my congratulations on her pending nuptials.”
“Her what?” Selene gasped as she struggled to understand what Shar Jalon told her.
“I am sorry, Miss Selene. I was under the impression that she informed you she has agreed to mate the captain of that vessel. His name is Captain Koal, the same male who originally took you from Earth.”
Selene sunk back, sitting on an exam table. “I didn’t know. She was supposed to discuss the possibility of coming to the Sylon home world with me.” The room was quiet. Selene finally forced herself back together. “I can’t believe that of all the males in the galaxy, she had to choose that one.”
Shar Jalon frowned. “I am certain she does not know that interesting fact.”
Listening to the sweet little human become upset made his chest tighten, but Shar Jalon knew she had a right to know such information. Walking to his office, he opened his com and found another message waiting for him from Captain Koal. Pinging him back, the man answered from his own private office.
“Good day, Captain Koal. We will be within docking range within the hour.”
“I suppose the Lady Selene has told you that she desires to spend time with her mother aboard my ship?”
“She did mention that fact to me just now. She was disappointed to learn her mother was recently betrothed to the male who stole her away from her home world. I don’t know how this new information will factor in her decision, but I did not want you to be caught unaware.”
“Courteous of you to ensure she had all the information available to make an informed decision. Please know, I plan to stand behind whatever decision the females make. However, I will not abandon my mate nor her small ones to their own devices aboard your vessel.”
“Apparently, there is some new rule that every visitor to my ship comes with their own protectors. You’ll find no objection from me. We have a longstanding alliance, after all.”
“I suspected we agreed. I am aware that you will solicit my female for samples. Know in advance, I would not object to such. You must be careful, as it’s likely she now carries my child.”
“All due care will be taken. I have no wish to make an enemy out of a friend.”
“Once again, we agree. Forgive the directness, but I will take no risk where my betrothed is concerned.”
“Nor would I in your place. Please be aware that the Lady Selene has requested we solve the communication issues between her and the Lady Elaine.”
The Candorian nodded. “I have heard the Krylonians did not do a very good job of integrating their language into the multi-language bacteria.”
“It is a simple fix for us. If you will prepare the Lady Elaine. We would be honored to share it with her so she may communicate freely with all the major peoples of the verse.”
“You have our thanks, my friend. We will see you shortly.”
After a lengthy conversation with both His Imperial Highness and the emissary he sent to Earth, arrangements were made for three unstable women to be tested by his physician and for the language bacteria to be updated to include the primary human language on Earth and one additional Earth language. Shar Jalon was not certain why the second one was necessary, nor did he particularly care. The deal was simple and straightforward, just the way he preferred them to be. Trusting his physician and the new clone, Jacob to deal with the women had been a good decision. The women seemed well adjusted and happy, for the most part. Shar Jalon was not keen on spending enough time around them to misstep.
Heading for the landing bay, he knew they would be there waiting for him. The four of them chatted away, with the Krylonian Commander stoically standing watch.
Had the males attained a higher level of social skills from being around the females? They were certainly more individualized in their appearance. Jacob now wore his hair in a knot high on the back of his head with a thin stick through it. His pants were tucked into his shoes but his socks were strangely bunched at the top of his boots. Clones normally wore them folded neatly down with the pants over their boots. He also had a long-sleeved shirt tied around his waist, wearing only a sleeveless shirt.
Normally, Shar Jalon would not tolerate a clone being out of uniform, but in this instance, he could clearly see that it made the females see him as more individualistic. It was clear they needed to adjust their practices in such matters. Being individualized was clearly a valuable tool in their never-ending quest to gain acceptance by other species.
Shar Jalon immediately took off his jacket and unbuttoned his shirt halfway. He grabbed a piece of string and attempted it tie his hair back at the nape of his neck.
The Lady Selene saw him struggling and stepped over. “That is not a good look for you. Let me help.” She quickly stepped behind him. Grabbing his hair, she flipped it over and over, tying the string at the bottom. Glancing into the shiny metal surface of the wall support, he saw she made a long replicating knot halfway down his back before tying it off.
“That’s called a braid and you really have the hair for it, nice and thick.”
“You have my thanks, Lady Selene.”
A brief nod from Jacob and Lar Jalon told him it was acceptable.
Shaking out his shoulders slightly,
he had to admit to feeling more individualized already. Taking out his handheld, he typed out instructions to his clothing production team. He sent instructions for them to research current Earth fashions and come up with a subdued selection of clothing to assist the clones in appearing more individualized. Having the females around was proving beneficial on several levels.
The captain announced the freighter was connecting to the docking port. Shortly thereafter the huge bay doors swung open to reveal a small party of visitors. The women running towards each other alarmed him slightly, but the commander held up one hand, indicating that this must be normal behavior. The females’ behavior proceeded to get odder by the moment. When they were face to face, they threw their arms around each other and water leaked from their eyes. This happened occasionally for the Shardon. It was apparently a malfunction shared by the humans. Then they put their lips briefly on each other’s face repeatedly. It seemed to be a gesture of affection or something of that nature.
When the women turned and walked back towards him, Koal and the others followed slightly behind them.
“Captain Koal, it’s nice to see you again. You look no worse for having a human female in your bed.”
“It is by far the best decision of my lifetime. They are amazingly affectionate creatures. Perhaps you should procure one for yourself.”
“A clone would hardly know what to do with a female, Captain.”
Jacob spoke up flippantly. “Speak for yourself, my leader.” Casting a strange look at Lady Selene, he mumbled. “Some of us have a good imagination.”
Selene giggled and shoved him gently. “Good. You can be the test subject for the Shardon. We’ll see if you’re really that brave.”
“I’d be honored, if she were half as beautiful and smart as you.”
“It’ll take someone a whole lot smarter than me to keep you entertained, big boy.”
Instead of someone becoming highly agitated, they laughed. The situation perplexed him greatly.
Elaine smiled politely. “Are you ready to come aboard the Candorian freighter? We’ve made you a room.”
Celestial Mates Complete Series Box Set (Books 1-5) (Alien SciFi Romance) Page 16