The men and women parted to let them pass.
Lisa couldn’t help but feel a bit self-conscious as Taelon escorted her through the ship. The men and women they encountered all greeted Taelon with the same wide eyes and smiles, full of relief and excitement as they bowed. Once they straightened, they glanced at Lisa and the baby swathed in the sling’s fabric, then the toddler staring back at them from Marcus’s sturdier carrier, and stared with what she thought might be awe.
Sorrow rose, eclipsing her nervousness. Some of them looked as though they had never seen an infant before. A few started to reach out and touch the baby’s head, tears welling in their eyes, then pulled their hands back as though propriety forbade it.
Her steps slowed, then halted altogether. She glanced up at Taelon. “Have they never seen a baby or a toddler?” she whispered.
He shook his head. “Children are so rare now that few have the opportunity unless they live in a city that still has functioning schools.”
That was so damn tragic she wanted to cry.
After striding through an endless series of hallways and taking a ride in an elevator, they stopped in front of a wide door that—like the others—had no knob.
Taelon placed his palm on the sensor beside it. The door slid up with no sound, disappearing into the frame. This time her eyes widened as he led her onto what must be the bridge.
Several Yona soldiers manned high-tech-looking stations. On the far wall was what appeared to be a window that offered a truly amazing view of the stars and a close-up view of the moon.
The Yona soldiers’ expressions remained stoic as they all rose and offered Taelon and Amiriska a bow. Not one of them expressed the joy or relief the other crew members had.
Did these guys really feel no emotion?
She couldn’t imagine it.
Taelon frowned and turned to Ari’k. “Where the srul is my crew?”
Not one Lasaran manned the bridge.
“I dismissed them,” Ari’k answered.
“Why?”
“Article 65228379, Section 4. As head of the royal guard, I am granted leave to seize command of the ship if I believe the crew is not acting in your best interest.”
Taelon’s mouth fell open. “You commandeered the ship?”
“Yes.”
“Where the srul is Jamis?”
“I dismissed your second-in-command and locked him out of all systems.”
“Why?”
“He agreed with the king and queen. Instead of continuing to hold here and await word from you, he thought we should assume you dead and retaliate with full military force. The crew was of a similar mind.” His stoic face acquired that tiny hint of unease he wasn’t supposed to feel. “I believed their emotional involvement was driving them to make an illogical decision.”
Taelon exchanged a glance with Ami. “Are you sure you weren’t just reluctant to admit I was dead?”
Ari’k stiffened. “Such would indicate I exhibit emotion. If you believe I am malfunctioning, I will step down immediately as head of your royal guard and—”
“No,” Taelon interrupted hastily. “No, you’re fine. You did well. You saved my life.”
“Mine, too,” Ami added. “Thank you, Ari’k.”
He bowed. “I live to serve, Your Highness.”
Taelon motioned to one of the other Yona present. “Cral, do you have any temporary translators on hand?”
Cral tapped the screen in front of him, moving his fingers across the flat, shiny surface as though he were typing in commands. A drawer slid open. Retrieving something from inside, he rose and crossed to them. “These will translate audible Lasaran into Earth English but will not translate spoken Earth English into Lasaran.”
Taelon took the small objects. “That will do for now.” He handed one to Lisa, one to Marcus, and one to Seth.
She stared down at it. It sort of looked like a cordless earbud.
“Fit it into your ear,” Taelon explained. “It will translate my parents’ Lasaran for you.” After giving her a minute to adjust the device, Taelon asked, “Can you understand me?”
The ear without the translator heard Lasaran gibberish. The other heard English. “Yes.”
“Excellent. Cral, contact the king and queen and bring them up on the viewscreen.”
A large, blank gray rectangle appeared on the far side of the bridge, blocking the view of the moon.
Taelon started toward the commander’s chair in the center, but Lisa held her ground. Tugged to a halt by their clasped hands, he looked back at her. “What?”
“I think you and Ami should talk to them alone.” When he shook his head, she held up a hand. “Seeing you two alive and well is going to be enough of a shock. Throwing Marcus and me and the babies in, too, will be overkill, don’t you think? At first, anyway. Let them enjoy seeing their kids hale and hearty before you force them to shift gears from wanting all Earthlings dead to accepting two as their son- and daughter-in-law and having biracial grandkids.”
Marcus nodded, his glowing eyes reflecting his emotional agitation. “I agree.”
The siblings shared a long look.
“It is going to be a shock,” Ami said slowly. She glanced up at her husband. “And you need a minute to get your emotions under control so your eyes won’t glow.”
“Shit. They’re still glowing?” He again raised a hand to his eyes and rubbed them.
Sighing, Ami looked at their bright-eyed daughter. “Don’t say shit, Adira.”
Adira smiled. “Okay, Mommy.”
Lisa fought the urge to laugh. She had a feeling Adira heard a lot of words she shouldn’t, surrounded as she was by powerful immortal warriors.
Taelon dipped his head and pressed a kiss to Lisa’s lips. “You’re still going to meet them tonight,” he whispered, “but I’ll give you a minute if you need it.”
“Thank you.”
Taelon moved to stand in front of the commander’s chair, Ami at his side. He glanced at Cral, who had returned to his station. “Send them a translation upgrade and ask them to upload it before speaking.”
“Yes, Prince Taelon.”
A minute passed. Then another.
A woman’s voice floated through the room, but the screen remained gray. “You said the message was urgent?”
“Yes,” a deep voice responded. Both carried concern.
Ami sucked in a breath. Tears welled in her eyes.
“Why does Ari’k want us to upgrade our translators?” the woman asked as clothing rustled.
“I don’t know. He didn’t say.”
Taelon looked down at Ami. Winking, he reached out and moved her behind him so she was hidden from view, then nodded at Cral.
The gray screen vanished, replaced by an image of a man and woman who didn’t look much older than Taelon. No lines marred their features. But a hint of gray showed at the man’s temples. Both were as attractive as Taelon and Ami. Both wore clothing that was simple in design but conveyed quality. A suit cut differently than those on Earth hugged the man’s broad shoulders as he seated himself behind a massive desk. The woman wore a dress that covered her from her neck to her wrists and hugged a slender torso. The desk hid the length as she seated herself beside the man.
Large windows behind them allowed bright sunlight to flood the room. Filmy silver curtains concealed just enough of the view to prevent Lisa from catching a glimpse of Taelon’s world. Darker curtains bracketed each window.
It sort of reminded her of the White House’s Oval Office, but she had a feeling this room was larger.
Were these Taelon’s parents, the king and queen of Lasara? The family resemblance was unmistakable. And both wore a gold band across their foreheads, perhaps the Lasaran equivalent of a crown. But they looked so young, too young to have a son Taelon’s age.
Taelon’s mother frowned at her husband. “We’re going to have to rethink Article 65228379.”
His father nodded. “Either that or clarify Ari’k’s unders
tanding of it. He seems to think it gives him the right not just to commandeer Taelon’s ship but also to issue orders to the king and queen.”
“He has definitely become a problem.”
Taelon grinned at them. “You know he can hear you, right?”
The queen gasped and reached out to grab the man’s arm. “Was that…?”
The king blanched. “Taelon?” He scowled at the camera. “Where’s the drekking picture?”
“Language,” the queen whispered in what appeared to be a habitual response.
Behind Taelon, Ami covered her mouth to hold back a laugh, moisture glistening in her eyes.
Lisa, too, fought a laugh. Perhaps that was a universal response throughout the galaxy, offered by women who sought to avoid their spouses or their children using foul language when in public. Because she had heard the same many times from her own mother when she was a teenager.
“You’re never going to get him to clean up his language, Mother,” Taelon drawled.
The king pressed the hell out of some button off camera.
The queen joined him, hitting buttons, too. “Why the srul can’t we see him?” she muttered in frustration, forgetting her own admonition.
Taelon barked out a laugh.
The couple’s eyes flew to the screen and widened.
A cry escaped the queen. “Taelon! It really is you.” Tears filled her eyes and spilled over her lashes. “We thought we’d lost you.”
“Where the drek have you been, boy?” the king thundered, but his voice emerged hoarse as his own eyes welled with tears.
Taelon continued to grin. “It’s a long story. Damn, it’s good to see you.”
His mother sniffled, smiling as she produced a handkerchief or something similar to dab her tears.
The king reached to one side.
A door opened.
The king looked away. “Summon my sons. Quickly.”
“Yes, my king,” a man responded, and a door closed.
The king focused on the viewscreen once more. “We thought we’d lost you, Taelon. Why haven’t you contacted us? Did Ari’k know you still lived? Why would he keep that—?”
“Ari’k didn’t know. I’ll explain everything. But first I want to show you something.”
“What?” his parents asked.
He stepped aside, revealing Ami.
His mother released another cry as her features filled with astonishment.
The moisture in his father’s eyes increased, spilling down his cheeks. “Riska, baby,” he uttered hoarsely.
Ami grinned and wept at the same time. “Hi, Mother. Hi, Father. I’ve missed you so much!”
Lisa saw Marcus curl his hands into fists, clearly fighting the need to go to her and comfort her.
The king shook his head. “We were certain the Earthlings had killed you.”
Ami shook her head. “They captured me but didn’t kill me.”
Lisa suspected Ami’s father was going to blow his stack when he found out the dumb bastards had tortured and dissected his baby girl.
“They captured me, too,” Taelon admitted, somewhat abashed.
“But you escaped and are back on your ship?” his father asked.
The siblings glanced at each other.
“We’re back on the ship,” Ami said slowly.
“But how we got here is a long story,” Taelon finished.
A door slammed open.
“What happened?” a new male voice asked. “Tao said it was urgent.”
“Drek,” another male breathed. “Father’s crying.”
“Oh drek. So is Mother,” the first countered.
A third spoke grimly. “Is it Taelon? Did Ari’k send you confirmation of his death?”
The queen waved them over. “Come see for yourself.”
Three handsome men crowded in behind the sovereigns and peered at the screen. All bore a striking resemblance to Taelon. And all swore the moment they saw him and Ami.
The queen laughed and dabbed her eyes again. “Language, boys.”
The brothers erupted into rapid speech, all asking questions, all thrilled to see not one but both of their siblings alive and well.
“Did you annihilate the Earthlings?” one asked, louder than the others.
The rest of the family ceased speaking and awaited the answer.
“No,” Taelon responded.
His father frowned. “Shall I send the armada now?”
“No!” Ami came close to shouting in dismay.
“No,” Taelon parroted, more calmly. “We aren’t going to annihilate the Earthlings. Some of them helped us escape and have proven themselves to be valuable allies.”
Again the family quieted, sliding each other dubious looks.
“What?” one of the brothers asked, his face full of doubt.
“Some of the Earthlings have become valuable allies to us,” Taelon repeated.
Ami nodded. “We wouldn’t be alive today if it weren’t for them. I probably would’ve died long before Taelon arrived if some Earthlings hadn’t rescued me. They slew the ones who hurt me, then took me in. They protected me and have helped me in a thousand different ways.”
The family seemed quite stunned.
Her mother nodded slowly. “Then we owe them our gratitude.”
The brother who appeared to be the eldest, however, looked pissed. A muscle twitched in his jaw. “How did they hurt you, Riska?”
Ami shook her head. “Stop focusing on that and focus on what I’m trying to tell you. The Earthlings who helped me have come to mean a great deal to me and…” She bit her lip and glanced up at Taelon.
He nodded.
Drawing in a deep breath, she smiled at her family. “I’ve bonded with one.”
Mouths fell open. Eyes widened.
Ami turned and motioned to Marcus.
Marcus glanced at Lisa. “Are my eyes glowing?” he whispered.
They were a deep, dark brown. “No. You’re good.”
Marcus strode forward, Adira dangling from his chest and kicking her feet while she played with a stuffed bunny. As soon as he reached Ami’s side, he wrapped an arm around her and studied her pink cheeks and watery eyes with concern.
“I’m okay,” she told him with a smile. Rising onto her toes, she kissed his cheek.
Her family gasped.
Then she lowered her heels back to the floor, wrapped an arm around his waist, and leaned into his side. “Marcus, this is my mother, Queen Adiransia; my father, King Dasheon; and my brothers”—she pointed to them left to right—“Duras, Gefen, and Levik. Everyone, this is Marcus, my lifemate. Or as they say here on Earth, my husband.”
Marcus released Ami long enough to deliver a very nice formal bow. “Your Majesties.”
Adira giggled as she pitched forward in the carrier, then righted. “More, Daddy, more!”
All eyes went to the child.
Ami grinned as she swiped the tears from her cheeks. “And this is our daughter Adira.”
The queen raised a hand to her lips and spoke, her voice hushed and full of wonder. “She looks just like Riska did when she was a baby.”
Lisa couldn’t read the king’s expression when he shifted his gaze back to his daughter. “You bonded with an Earthling male and bore him a child?”
“Yes. I love Marcus, and he makes me very happy.”
Marcus cleared his throat as he wrapped his arm around Ami. “Ami believed she would never see her family again. Had I known differently, I would’ve waited to gain your permission before marrying—uh, bonding with her.”
Ami frowned up at him. “Well, I sure as hell wouldn’t have.”
One of her brothers snorted a laugh.
Taelon grinned. “I wouldn’t have either. And didn’t.” He motioned Lisa forward.
Her feet glued themselves to the floor until Seth touched her back and gave her a little nudge forward.
Heart hammering in her chest, she moved to Taelon’s side.
Taelon cu
rled an arm around her shoulders and drew her up against his side. “This is my lifemate, Lisa. Lisa, my family.”
Lisa glanced up at him and murmured, “Do I curtsy or bow?”
“Neither. You’re family.”
“You’re bonded to an Earthling, too?” his father asked.
They all seemed about as shocked as she expected. But she wasn’t seeing any overt hostility, so… that was good.
“Yes.”
“What’s wrong with her chest?” one of the brothers murmured with a frown. Lisa had forgotten his name.
Another elbowed him in the side.
“What?” the first protested. “It’s lumpier than a Lasaran woman’s.” His voice lowered to a whisper. “Do Earth females have more than two breasts?”
The queen spun around and swatted him on his arm.
Lisa glanced down and bit back a laugh. The carrier sling had shifted slightly. The baby’s face was no longer visible except from the side, so she didn’t blame them for wondering what was causing the extra lumps on her front.
Amusement dancing in his green eyes, Taelon drew the cloth back until Abby’s face and some of her red hair showed. He dropped a quick kiss to the baby’s head, then smiled at his family. “This is our daughter, Abby. She was born two days ago.”
Yet again, Taelon succeeded in rendering his entire family speechless.
Until one of the brothers blurted, “What the drek happened on that planet?”
Lisa, Taelon, Ami, Marcus, and Seth all laughed.
Five months later, Lisa smiled as she strode down a long corridor on the Kandovar. Once more, she carried baby Abby in a sling. But this time Abby faced away from her. Her little legs poked out the bottom, kicking idly while she chewed on the dinosaur-shaped teether clipped to the sling.
They had been on Taelon’s ship for four months now and were well on their way to Lasara. Weekly chats with Taelon’s family had gone a long way toward easing her fears regarding her acceptance on their planet. All were eager to meet her in person and couldn’t wait to hold the new baby.
Lisa hoped the anticipation of that would help ease their sorrow over Ami’s opting to remain on Earth. That remained a touchy subject. But none had been able to ignore her concern for her daughter, so most of the anger and hurt had faded.
The Lasaran (Aldebarian Alliance Book 1) Page 29