by Gun Brooke
After another hour, Gayle rose, gently tugging at her daughter's hair. "It's way past your bedtime," Gayle told Dorinda, who seemed too tired and too full of ice cream to object.
Kellen watched Rae rise also and reach out for Armeo, who hesitated for only a fraction of a second, then took Rae's hand. You trust too easily, Armeo. Have you fallen for her act of protection? H'rea deasav'h! I didn't foresee Armeo bonding with Rae. It's evident that he admires her. Kellen wished she could take Armeo aside and warn him to guard his heart. She had a feeling they wouldn't last long on this station.
Rae held Armeo's hand for a moment. "I bet you're tired too. Tomorrow isn't a school day, but still..."
When Kellen tried to get up, she realized her pain relief had worn off. Forcing herself to her feet, she winced at the stinging sensation in her left thigh. Suddenly she felt Rae encircle her waist and hold her close. She s doing all the right things. If I didn't have to lean on her for balance, I'd show her just how superfluous these gestures are.
"You seem a little unsteady. Time for us all to get some rest."
"Yes," Kellen agreed, determined to play her part. "It has been a long day."
They accompanied the de Vies family to the rail system, watching as they boarded a car. In another minute, a car bound for Deck 3 arrived, and Kellen was grateful to sit down again.
"You're in pain, aren't you?" Rae asked in a low voice.
"It's not too bad."
"You don't have to be brave around me. If it hurts, you're supposed to tell me. I'm your wife." Rae looked surprised at her own words. "Guess what I'm trying to say is, we're responsible for each other now, for better and for worse."
Kellen considered Rae's words, glancing at the half-asleep Armeo who sat opposite them and leaned his head on the window. She was used to hiding discomforts from Armeo and not worrying him. However, between adults, candidness was the road to understanding. I'm just not used to it. "Very well. My thigh stings, but Dr. Meyer said it would, as part of the healing process after the derma fusion. It's normal."
"But still painful. I have some ointment she gave me for a similar injury. I'll give it to you when we get home."
"Thank you."
After a brief silence, Rae spoke again, her voice soft. "He's almost asleep."
Glancing at Armeo, Kellen smiled. "He had a long day too, and a lot of new information to deal with."
"He took it well. You're doing a wonderful job of raising him." Rae lifted her chin a fraction and looked determined. "Kellen, I know you still have doubts, but I'm going to do everything I can to make sure he stays with us."
For the first time since she had come to Gamma VI, Kellen began to feel a glimmer of trust. Something in the way Rae looked at her, the steadfast gaze, reminded her of Tereya. Armeo's mother was completely devoid of deceit, and Kellen saw the same loyalty and honesty in Rae. How easy it would be to just give in...To trust her, and let her help me. I can't. It s something I can never do. She felt sad and resentful, and her throat ached as she spoke.
"I can't lose him."
Rae nodded. "I know. Believe me, I know."
Rae rummaged through her cluttered medicine cabinet, scowling as she found one outdated container after another. Silently promising to sort through her old medication later, she sneered at her own delusion, knowing something more pressing would make her forget.
Triumphantly she grabbed the ointment she had promised Kellen and returned to the bedroom. "Here. I found it." She wiggled the tube. "This should take the worst pain away."
Kellen was sitting on the side of the bed, an odd expression on her face. "Thank you."
"What's wrong?" Rae sat down next to her. "Want me to help you?"
"No, I'm fully capable of rubbing ointment on my leg."
"Then what is it?"
"This is...awkward. I feel I'm invading your personal space. It was not so bad when I took a nap here earlier today, but now..."
"We're both here. Kellen, listen to me. Go take a shower, and then I'll help you with the paste. I'll use the guest bathroom to get ready for bed. We have to share a bedroom for appearances. I honestly don't mind." Rae was surprised how true the last statement was. She was used to having these quarters to herself, yet having Kellen and Armeo here didn't bother her.
Kellen had taken up a lot of her thoughts during the day, and having her in close physical proximity was logical. Armeo was endearing, someone she'd instantly felt protective about, and having him in her quarters would make this task easier. And unexpectedly, she enjoyed his company. After all, she wasn't used to dealing with children, not counting Dorinda.
The entire evening had been interesting and pleasant. Rae was happy that Gayle and Alex had readily accepted Kellen and Armeo. They would make it easier for her wife to acclimatize. Gayle de Vies was pivotal to the important social life on the station. She worked as a coordinator among the civilians with family members in the military and knew everybody.
Kellen rose from the bed. "If you're sure?"
"Very sure."
After her shower Rae stopped by Armeo's room and peeked inside, finding him fast asleep. The night-light shone dimly, and Armeo had tucked the covers close around himself.
In her bedroom, the sight of Kellen reclining on the left side of the bed made Rae stop on the threshold. She wore a fairy-silk mid-thigh shirt and rested her head against the bulkhead behind the bed, looking breathtakingly beautiful. Rae quietly observed her for a moment, trying to wrap her mind around the fact that they would share this bedroom from now on. Rae's past lovers had never reached "sharing bedroom" status, but now she had a wife, someone with as much right to this room and its bed as she had.
Kellen turned her head and gave a short nod.
"Armeo's fast asleep. I checked on him." Rae shrugged at Kellen's surprised look. "So while I'm on a roll, why don't I help you with the paste? It needs to go only on the scar, since it's pretty strong."
"Very well." Kellen pushed the covers down, nudged the shirt out of the way, and removed the bandage.
Rae grabbed the tube and a tissue, flipped open the lid, and squeezed a string of the white paste out on the tissue. Leaning over Kellen's leg, she gently applied the paste, cautious to rub it only on the scar. "There. It should last you all night." She attached the bandage again.
"Thank you." Kellen cleared her throat. "Do you prefer this side of the bed? I can move over..."
"No, it's fine. I usually sleep in the middle, but any side is fine." Rae climbed in between the sheets, ordering the lights to zero percent.
Lying there, she thought how her life had changed. She was now caring for two refugees who were fighting almost unbeatable odds, and she was not about to let them down. Kellen stirred next to her, her slender fingers ending up on Rae's shoulder. It sounded like she was already asleep, her breathing slow and deep. Determined to not disturb her new wife, Rae remained still, looking out at the stars.
In a few days her father would arrive. Admiral Ewan Jacelon was the highest-ranking officer in the fleet and set on running her life. Though she had never allowed it, he kept trying.
She turned on her right side and watched the woman next to her sleep. This was the person she would spend the next five years of her life with. The pale light shining in through the porthole illuminated Kellen's exotic beauty. Thoughts whirling, Rae gazed at her, dwelling on her soft, full lips, recalling how they felt against her cheek.
Kellen looked peaceful, but Rae was intensely aware of the barely harnessed force within this alien woman who now shared her bed. Fully unleashed, Kellen could become very dangerous. Will I be able to communicate with her on a daily basis? Will she understand what her new position as the spouse of a high-ranking SC fleet officer entails? Rae herself had a reputation for being a maverick, no matter how by-the-book she was, but she was also devoted to protocol. Was Kellen going to follow her example, or could Rae expect professional embarrassment when her wife disregarded rules, as she was prone to do?
Kellen stirred, and Rae held her breath, hoping she hadn't disturbed her when she shifted in the bed. Whimpering, Kellen contorted her face while she slept, and her fingertips trembled where they lay against Rae's shoulder. Afraid her wife was having a nightmare, Rae reached out and placed a hesitant hand gently on her cheek. To Rae's relief, Kellen's breathing slowed and the trembling ceased.
This is part of living together. Closeness, offering comfort, supporting each other. Can we do it, Kellen? Rae knew the cultural differences between them were oceanic. Kellen's main objective was to keep Armeo away from the ones out to use or harm him. Rae's role was multifaceted. On a personal level, it tied in with Kellen's, but professionally, it was more complex. The SC Council's orders dictated her actions, and the political aftermath of her victory in space was just beginning.
Kellen, now looking soft and relaxed, might be the best and most intriguing thing that had ever happened to her, but she could also mean Rae's downfall. Will I be able to keep my word to you? And will keeping my word to you be the end of my career?
CHAPTER EIGHT
The crew in the passageway snapped to attention as Admiral Ewan Jacelon entered Port 1. Rae stood in the middle of the passage and saluted him as he approached.
Admiral Jacelon returned the salute. "Commodore."
"Admiral."
"Permission to come aboard."
"Permission granted, sir."
Rae looked up at her father, who was more than a head taller than she was. He was impeccably dressed in his SC fleet uniform, as usual, with a few more impressive insignia on his collar. White, short-cropped hair and a neat mustache and beard accentuated his commanding persona, which impressed even Rae. So did the dark gray eyes beneath bushy, gray eyebrows. He looked as fit as he had the last time she saw him, and she felt a secret pride that he looked much younger than sixty-nine. If only he looked happier to see her. Instead, his eyebrows slanted at a foreboding angle, and he had that down-turned expression at the corners of his mouth that she recognized so well.
"Rae." Admiral Ewan Jacelon took her smaller hand in his. "You look well."
"Thank you, Father. So do you," she replied calmly. "If you'll come with me?"
"Lead on."
"I take it your trip was uneventful." Rae escorted him toward the mission room, where they took the elevator up to Deck 1 and to her office.
"Compared to what you've been up to, downright dull." His face looked solemn.
"Don't start, Father, until I get a chance to explain."
Jeremiah saw them coming and rose to salute.
"Admiral, you remember Commander Jeremiah Todd, my next in command."
"Of course." The two men saluted and then shook hands. Jeremiah had met her father on several occasions, and she knew the admiral liked the younger man a lot. It was more than obvious to her now when Ewan Jacelon shot Jeremiah a broad grin. "Always good to see you, Commander. Carry on."
"I'll brief you in my office, Admiral." Rae fought to keep her voice even. "After that, Kellen's offered to cook dinner for us. You'll be staying in the VIP suite." She showed her father inside the circular room and adjusted the transparency of the aluminum walls to a minimum, obscuring them from the mission room.
"All right, Rae, let's knock off the chitchat and get to the point. I'm here to see if we can work something out, since your actions seemed to have ignited an intergalactic incident." The admiral sat down in the visitors' chair. "What the hell's going on, Rae? The Onotharian government has inundated the Council with official protests regarding this latest stunt of yours."
Rae felt her anger rise like a solar storm. "And what stunt are you referring to, Father? My defense of our territory or my defense of my family? M'Ekar violated our rules and engaged in hostilities because of a little boy who is now in my care. Diplomatic immunity or not, he broke the law."
"What the hell are you talking about?"
"What M'Ekar wants, and I have, is Armeo, twelve years old and sole heir to the M'Aido estate. At your level, you should have heard of this dynasty."
Not many things fazed her father, but the name made him lower his lighter before he lit his cigar. "A M'Aido is still alive?" He sounded incredulous. "The Council believes this particular Onotharian dynasty is extinct."
"Well, it's not, and Armeo is very much alive. Kellen has been his sole guardian since he was five. The Onotharian authorities attacked them back on Gantharat and forced them to escape. Kellen is a trained fighter pilot and managed to get within range of Gamma VI."
"Does she know who he is? Does she claim anything of his?"
Though Rae realized these were valid questions, she still became angry. Kellen could be infuriating in her tenacious stance, but nothing she'd said or done hinted of greed. Rae knew in her heart she was concerned only about Armeo. "No. His biological mother died seven years ago. If Kellen wanted anything to do with his inheritance, she'd have filed a claim long ago. She's utterly devoted to him and was seriously wounded when they escaped."
"That's something M'Ekar made sure the Council never heard," the admiral huffed. "Damn. This complicates things." He shot her a sharp glance. "Why did you marry her?"
"To legally keep her in SC space. If they'd extradited her, the Onotharians would have found her guilty of kidnapping—and the penalty is death.. .by starvation." The words hurt her throat, and sudden images of a broken, emaciated Kellen flickered through her mind, making her briefly clamp her eyelids shut, to try to erase them.
"Barbaric." The solitary word displayed his contempt. "The SC Council has worked with the Onotharians since they applied for full membership, but their laws conflict with ours and their occupation of Gantharat is also controversial. Some members are more indulgent in their attitude toward Onotharat, but most are against membership unless they change their laws."
"If M'Ekar is an average representative of his country, I don't see that happening any time soon."
Ewan Jacelon lit his cigar. Rae wrinkled her nose and pressed a button on her console to boost the ventilation.
"I haven't told Kellen about the latest development yet," she said. "Before you arrived, the Dalathea responded to my request. They'll be here within five days."
The Dalathea was a court ship, one of several traveling through the SC sectors. The judges aboard these ships handled interplanetary law and legal disputes between SC citizens and non-SC aliens. Inside SC borders the court ships' rulings were beyond appeal.
"Have you discussed this situation with a lawyer, Rae? You need legal counsel."
"I know. Jeremiah's friend in our civilian legal department on the station says our chances are good, but..." Rae paused and pressed her fingertips against her temple in an attempt to align her erratic thoughts. "I want them to be more than good. I want to go into that courtroom knowing Armeo and Kellen will be safe when we leave. Right now, I'm not so sure."
The admiral bit into his cigar and leaned back into the chair. "What did the lawyer suggest?"
"He says we need someone beyond reproach, someone who can convince the court we're doing what's in Armeo's best interests. If the court thinks for one minute I'm after his inheritance or, like M'Ekar, using him as a political pawn, they might take him away from us. They might not give him to M'Ekar. Probably wouldn't. But they may give him to someone who can't protect him. Besides that.. .Kellen has taken care of him all his life. They'd be devastated without each other."
"I see." Ewan Jacelon rose from the chair and removed the cigar from his lips. "All right, let's go to dinner, then. I'm curious about this Kellen. You care about them, don't you?"
"Yes, I do, Father. Kellen loves that boy. She was willing to sacrifice her own life to save his. And Armeo, he's great. He's smart and has grit, but no child should have to deal with the things he's had to face."
"I see."
Rae tried to interpret the look in his eyes but failed, as usual, since her father had the best poker face in SC space.
He rose from the chair still gripping his cigar
between his teeth. "All right, let's go to dinner so I can meet your new family."
Rubbing her sweaty palms furtively on her trousers, Rae sighed in relief. Talking with her father had been easier than she expected. He drove her crazy because he always assumed the worst when she was involved, but he was fair when it came to others. She needed his help desperately, even if she cringed at having to ask for it.
The admiral towered over her and tapped her shoulder. "What are we waiting for? I'm hungry. Let's go."
Kellen came out of the kitchenette carrying two pots and placed them on the dining room table. The thermo technology would keep the food hot until they sat down to eat. Preparing food had calmed her temporarily; the mundane chore made her feel grounded. Unfortunately she had pictured the kitchen in her now-destroyed home, where she and Armeo had shared most of their meals. The thought of how the Onotharians had burned her estate and killed farmhands and her maeshas... Kellen tried to force the harsh memories to the back of her mind. I have to focus. One of the highest-ranking officers of the SC will dine at this table. Armeo's future depends on his benevolence.
She lifted the lid of the pot closest to her. She had made a version of her favorite vegetarian casserole, finding similar ingredients in the grocery stores aboard the station. Having tasted "new potatoes" for the first time two nights ago at the restaurant, Kellen had opted to serve them on the side. Surely this scene, domestic and harmless, could fool him? I just have to bide my time and see where all this leads. She had little knowledge of what a traditional marriage within the SC entailed, but she suspected nobody expected her to.
Jacelon and her father were due any minute, and Kellen hurried into the bathroom to check her appearance and make sure she looked the part. She made sure her blond hair was flawless, then glanced at an unused makeup kit, but it was too alien to even attempt. Hoping she would pass scrutiny, she examined herself in the full-length mirror attached to the door. She wore the same white suit as the other evening, since her wardrobe was limited.