Cali & Drake (The Alliance Book 1)

by Stormy McKnight

  After breaking her eyes from the woman’s face, Cali had to snap her mouth closed again. The dress the ambassador wearing was so…poufy! Layer after layer of material in a variety of the pinkest shades Cali had ever seen. From light to dark, it looked like a swarm of butterflies had attached themselves to her. The whole effect should have been ridiculous. Instead, Cali found the woman enchanting, it must have been the warm smile she wore that set her at ease.

  “This is Calinae Edal.” Drake drew her forward to his side and Cali felt plain in her purple dress.

  “Please, call me Cali.” She held out her hand to shake the ambassador’s and was drawn forward instead.

  “Cali.” The ambassador kissed her with a loud smacking sound on one cheek. “Call me Risenal.” Another smacking kiss on the other cheek. How did the woman get her lips so damn soft? With the glossy sheen, Cali had figured they would feel tacky with some type of lipstick. They didn’t.

  “Did you have time to read the report I sent you?” Drake moved to pull out a seat for Risenal, who sat with a flounce of material into the chair. Her guard moved from their silent vigil during the introductions to flank her seat.

  “Yes,” Risenal’s lips pursed, “What a mess.”

  Drake moved a seat out for her, and Cali sat down across from Risenal. “What are your thoughts on relocating those from Cestori to Atheon?”

  The glitter on Risenal’s eyelids changed color and Cali stared transfixed, “I imagine they would be happy on Atheon. The only issue I can see would be that we are a monarchy, and the refugees from your planet might not appreciate the way our planet is ruled.”

  “A monarchy?” Cali thought for a moment. “I’m not sure that is too much different than the Council of Three.”

  “The Council of Three is from a certain genetic line?” Risenal asked. “Your mother leads, with two others?”

  “Yes. Although I’m not sure the other two council members have much of a say.”

  “Then it is similar. Our royal family heads a legislature voted into office from the different districts. We would allow your refugees to live in an existing community or form their own. The details can all be worked out once it is decided how many we would be receiving.”

  “We have about one hundred on the ship with us, and there are bound to be more when word spreads that there is a sanctuary for them in another world.” Cali turned to Drake. “What are your thoughts on the refugees living on Titus.”

  “With the unaffiliated clans roaming freely on any unclaimed land, I’m not sure where the refugees would be happy living. They wouldn’t be able to sit on the council. With our special abilities, they wouldn’t ever win a challenge contest. Not that we wouldn’t strive to make them comfortable because we would do everything in our power to work toward their happiness. I guess it comes down to how the people of Cestori would react to not having a say in our government.”

  Cali listened to what Drake said and then turned back to Risenal, “I think Atheon would be a better fit for the people of Cestori. They would be able to integrate much easier into your way of life.”

  “I will send a message to Techarian City and arrange for emergency quarters for the one hundred refugees you have onboard right now. You can transport them at your convenience. By the time any additional quarters are needed we should have a long-term resolution in place for your people.” Risenal paused for a moment then continued, “In addition, I will send an emissary to Cestori to learn what we can do to make your people more comfortable. I know that some of our information regarding Cestori isn’t accurate. I myself warned The Council of Titus to avoid contact with your ships.”

  “I understand. You did get one thing right; my mother is crazy.” Smiling so Risenal wouldn’t think she was mental Cali continued. “Your emissary can ask to speak with my father, Eliav Edal. He is in charge of finding those that wish to leave. My friend Nellia Adet will also be able to give you information on the medical needs of the refugees.”

  “I will pass those contact names to our emissary. I’m sorry, Cali,” Risenal offered her sympathy. “I know how hard this must be for you and your people. We will do whatever we can to help.”

  “Would you like us to escort your emissary to Cestori?” Drake asked.

  “That won’t be necessary,” Risenal declined. “Our scout ships are fast enough to outpace anything in this sector. Except perhaps The Reliant and The Cali.”

  Cali was surprised that Risenal already knew about her ship. “You’ve heard about The Cali already?”

  Risenal laughed, “Yes, your mate’s declaration of affection has raised the bar for all males in the quadrant.”

  “It wasn’t me alone,” Drake protested, “The Council on Titus felt Cali deserved the ship.”

  “I’m sure Cali is more than deserving of the ship.” Risenal gave Drake a smile. “From what I’ve heard, she singlehandedly saved five heirs to five clans. That’s a feat that even your people will appreciate.”

  It was Cali’s turn to protest, “Finding Drake was an accident. I only did what any good captain would do in answering the distress signal.”

  “I think what you did took great courage Cali. You didn’t know what you would find and still you took your ship to help. That is one of the reasons I’m so willing to allow people from your world sanctuary on Atheon. If they have the same courage and sense of decency, we will get along famously.”

  Before Cali could respond to the flattery, one of the guards tilted his head and then motioned to Risenal.

  “Your Highness,” He bowed over her shoulder to speak. “His Majesty is asking for an update.”

  “I’ll return to The Cariyel and send father a message,” Risenal went to stand.

  “Your highness?” Cali was startled that an ambassador would be titled with a royal moniker.

  “Yes, my father is the head of our legislature…the King of Atheon. I’m trained for the position of ambassador so that I can learn more about our place in this sector. My father thinks it will make me a better leader when the time comes. I’ve been having a great time learning about Titus, and now Cestori.” Risenal pushed back from the table and stood. “If you’ll excuse me, I’ll return to my ship. Please, let me know if there is anything further I can do.”

  “Thank you for everything.” Cali stood, along with Drake.

  “Cariyel, away team to beam back.” Risenal stated then added to Cali, “I’ll try to make a trip to Titus soon, and we can get to know each other better.”

  “I’d like that.” Cali got out before the shimmering around their visitors told her transport was in progress, and a moment later Risenal and her guards were gone.

  “What do you think of the Atheon ambassador?” Drake took her hand and they walked out of the meeting room.

  “She’s nothing like I expected.” Cali thought of all the wasted years spent avoiding anyone from Atheon, “I think this is the beginning of something special.”

  Drake reached to pull her into his arms. “I think you’re something special.”

  The halls blurred past as Drake ran for their quarters. She knew what the glint in his eye, and the increased speed meant. Her body responded instantly.

  “I was talking about The Alliance we’re forming,” Cali teased. Her mother might work hard against Cestori joining them but Cali was determined that the people be given a chance. In time, she was certain they would want to stop the separatism and join with The Alliance.

  “The Alliance can wait,” Drake entered their quarters. “Computer lock this door. Restrict access.”

  “Confirmed.” The computer responded and the door chimed to indicate it was locked.

  “Now, let me see if I can get your mind off The Alliance for a few hours.”

  “Only a few hours?” Cali gasped when Drake tossed her into the air and caught her in a different hold. She was now draped over his shoulder.

  “Not long enough? I’ll have to work on my stamina I guess.” Drake slapped her butt playfully.

>   Cali groaned. If Drake had any more stamina, it might kill her.

  Cali slapped his butt in retaliation and grouched, “You’re too slow!” Then let out another shriek when she was flying across the room to land on the bed with a bounce. Drake hovered over her, his eyes a brilliant, electric blue.

  He was right. They would be home on Titus soon enough. There would be trips to Cestori and Atheon to protect the refugees and solidify the agreement they’d made today. All of that would be done another day, by liaisons and ambassadors. For now, The Alliance could wait.

  Other Titles available:

  Terraneu Series

  Kniam: A Terraneu Novel (Book One)

  Knollig: A Terraneu Novel (Book Two)

  Knaleg: A Terraneu Novel (Book Three)

  Kneus: A Terraneu Novel (Book Four)

  Marcael: A Terraneu Novel (Book Five)

  Knadyn: A Terraneu Novel (Book Six)

  Knacayn: A Terraneu Novel (Book Seven)

  Aquadomina Series

  Raife: An Aquadomina Novel (Book One)

  The Reborn Series

  Alea Reborn (Previously self-published as Maliuth)

  Coming soon:

  Emily Reborn

  About the Author

  What haven’t I talked about yet? I have gabbed about my two daughters, my husband, four dogs, one beta fish and one bird. The four Shih Tzu’s are still terrorizing the house and I continue my struggle to write around the canine fur ball(s) in my lap. That pretty much summarizes my life here in the Wild West!

  As always, my thanks go out to everyone whose support and kindness give me the push to make everyday matter and to write, edit and publish my stories.

  I wish everyone the best in 2016 and can’t believe how fast this year is going by!

  I am excited to say that Maliuth and Galan are at Ellora’s Cave for publishing. They are under the titles Alea Reborn and Emily Reborn. There has been some confusion about these two being new books and I’ve tried to be open that they are not new books. They are just edited, polished, slightly tweaked versions being published by a new company. I have warnings on my website, the book synopsis, my author page and in the forums to try to avoid any issues. I’m truly sorry if you purchased them twice.

  If you haven’t read Maliuth or Galan, I recommend the new and improved Alea Reborn and Emily Reborn. *Warning! Where I tried to keep Cali & Drake as a more romantic, clean read…Ellora’s Cave books (and my other books) are more on the racy side.

  There is a link on my website at http://www.stormymcknight.com/ if you want to sign up to be on the mailing list for release updates and events. Also, new covers, story ideas, book trailers and the latest news are posted on my website first.

  Stormy

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  [FC1]She seems to know what a brother is at this point .