by Judy Mays
“It’s Eliana, Doctor. Odam has been arrested.”
Bakom became instantly alert. “What? Why?”
“He was implicated in the attempted kidnapping of one of the Hardan royal family, one of the king’s daughters.”
“That stupid son of a Varcian whore. How did that happen? My instructions were perfectly clear!”
“I don’t know, Doctor. I’d gone ahead to his room while he met with his contacts.”
“Fool! Odam thinks more with his tail than his head. I should not have sent him alone.”
“I’m sorry, Doctor.”
Bakom snorted. “Where is he now?”
“Police central headquarters. The charges are very solid. There is talk of extraditing him to Mediria.”
Bakom frowned, thinking rapidly. “This isn’t good. Have there been any inquiries directed to the Academy?”
“Not yet.”
“Well, at least he knows how to keep his mouth shut,” Bakom muttered to himself.
“What was that, Doctor?”
“Nothing.” Continuing, Bakom instructed, “Any personal inquiries to me, send to my Academy office. As far as you know, I left on a personal retreat to my family shrine yesterday and I plan to be gone at least two months. I want no hints that I am in any way involved with Odam’s illegal activities. Do you understand what I mean?”
“Yes, Doctor. The police already questioned me since I was with Odam the night he made arrangements for the kidnapping.”
Sweat began to trickle down Bakom’s back. If both of his personal assistants were implicated, he could expect the police to fetch him from his family shrine. “You are not suspected?”
“No. Neither of the men Odam met with saw me. The police believe I was there for sexual adventure because the inn was not what someone of ‘my obvious class’, as the arresting officers said, would frequent for any other reason. I agreed with his assessment of the situation.”
“Very good, my dear.” Bakom sagged with relief. There was no way he could be connected with Odam now. “We will simply have to cut our losses. Odam understood the risks he faced. We’ll stand back for a time and then seek ways to gain his release. Do you have any questions?”
“Do you wish regular reports sent to you?”
“No. It’s best if I remain completely shut off from Academy business. There will be no way I can be implicated if I have no idea what has been happening for a few months,” Bakom answered. “You have cleared my personal papers from my desk?”
“As soon as I left the police station.”
“Good. I’ll see you in two months when the Council returns from its vacation.”
Bakom ended Eliana’s transmission. He didn’t see the satisfied smile on Lorilana’s face as she locked eyes with her nephew’s sister-in-law.
The shuttle set down on the Alalakan estate’s private airstrip. Once its engines were shut off, wheeled transports rolled out onto the edge of the landing field to take everyone to the main house. Brianna was pleased to have a vehicle to just Char and herself. Sometimes she missed the weeks she had spent in forced isolation on the Restoration. Snuggling next to her husband in air-conditioned comfort, Brianna sighed with contentment.
Pulling her close, he kissed her forehead. “Happy?”
Brianna’s answer was to take his hand and place his palm on her stomach. Char felt a very definite kick.
“He doesn’t stay still for very long,” she said contentedly.
Char left his hand where it was, smiling at the movements of his unborn child. My child. Then. Bakom is going to make a fool out of himself before the council when they see exactly what his specimen looks like.
As the vehicle slowed to a stop, Brianna said, “You better get that silly grin off your face. Your parents are waiting for us.”
Char’s grin broadened. “I’m sure my grin is no sillier than that of my father when he felt a child of his move.”
He did compose himself somewhat, and the smile on his face as he helped Brianna from the car was simply that of a man happy to see beloved parents.
Xdana hugged him close. “Welcome home.”
Then she turned to Brianna, smiling broadly at her much-enlarged abdomen. “You are doubly welcome, Alalakan dem al’ Brianna.”
Before Brianna could reply to her mother-in-law’s greeting, Jamiros swept her up into his arms. “Welcome, Daughter,” he said and carried her into the house.
“Is this an old family custom?” Brianna gasped as she wrapped her arms around his neck.
“Old Drakian custom,” he answered with a grin. “Centuries ago, if the father of the groom could get his son’s new wife into the house without having her taken from his arms, he had the right to first sex with her.”
“What!”
Before Brianna could say any more, she was set back on her feet in an opulent foyer.
Xdana gave her husband a playful shove as she shook her head. “Can’t you wait until she is at least in the door, Jamiros?” Turning to Brianna she said, “You may as well prepare yourself. Jamiros is a terrible tease. Don’t believe anything he tells you, especially if he is smiling.”
Brianna looked to Char for guidance, but all he did was grin. She was saved from a reply though, by the arrival of the Hardan clan. Both Jamilinlalissa and her sister Vanilinlalissa leaped into Jamiros’ arms and were thoroughly hugged.
Xdana greeted the girls warmly but said in a wry voice to Brianna, “My house is not going to be the same after this visit. Sheala has great plans for the three of them.”
Barely had those words left her mouth than a younger version of Xdana rushed into the foyer, threw her arms around Char in an exuberant hug, gave Brianna a curious stare and a quick hello, and barreled out through another door with Jami and Vani in tow.
“See what I mean?”
Beti had been in the same car with the sisters. She stood silently inside the doorway.
Xdana greeted her with a smile. “Hello, Beti,” she said. “Is Kahn with you?”
Beti nodded once affirmatively and said, “and Dorce, Sloan, and Feni.”
Xdana’s eyebrows rose. “You remember where the rooms are?”
At Beti’s affirmative nod, Xdana continued, “Good. All of the Hardans will be in the blue suite. Char and Brianna will have the heir’s apartments.”
“And what about me, Aunt?” Bandalardrac asked with a grin as he walked in the doorway. “Do you think you have room somewhere in this great mausoleum for me?”
If Xdana was surprised to see Ban, she didn’t show it. Cupping his face in her hands, she kissed first one cheek then the other. “Silly boy, there has always been room for you here. You will be in the heir’s guest suite, but,” she added with mock seriousness, “I absolutely forbid you to wander around naked! I will never get any work out of the maids if you do!”
Ban was momentarily speechless. He was being given a great honor and he didn’t quite know how to react.
Char was equally surprised. Why did you put him in my suite, Mother? Why put him so close to Brianna? Unfortunately for him, his mother’s wishes overrode his.
Ban grinned and said, “I promise to be naked only under the right circumstances.”
“Or on top,” Meri grumbled as she entered the house followed by Ademis, who was carrying Celene.
Smiling with delight, Xdana accepted Celene from Adem’s arms. The baby chortled happily at the many colored beads she wore.
Jamiros took Brianna’s arm. “Come along, my dear. We have a wonderful lunch waiting.”
As his father led Brianna away, Char slowed his mother with a hand to her arm. “Where’s Rodane?”
“Char,” Xdana said with complete sincerity, “he wanted more than anything to be here when you arrived, but Todan don al’ Upin demanded satisfaction about a bill.”
Char grimaced. Todin don al’ Upin was the most cantankerous of all the merchants they dealt with. He didn’t envy Rodane his afternoon. Todan would not be satisfied until he thought he�
�d bested the Alalakans.
“We’ll be lucky if we see Rodane before tomorrow morning,” Char muttered mostly to himself.
Xdana chuckled. “He promised to be home for dinner even if he had to give the wool to Todan at a loss.”
Char sighed and shook his head. “Todan would still think we were cheating him. No one in the universe is more distrustful.”
Xdana patted her son’s arm as best she could while still holding Celene. Ban, Meri, and Ademis had followed Brianna and Jamiros into the dining room. Only they remained in the foyer.
Char placed his hand on her arm. “Mother, how does Rodane really feel?”
“Oh, Char, Rodane told you that he doesn’t begrudge you the status of heir apparent. I think he’s rather relieved, as a matter of fact.”
They entered the dining room as Jamiros was holding Brianna’s chair for her. Char had barely reached the table when a voice called to him from the doorway.
“Hello, Char.” The lovely young woman sauntered across the room, threw her arms around his neck, and proceeded to kiss him—thoroughly. Nor did he step away from her embrace.
Brianna stiffened and her nostrils flared. Who the hell is that, and why is Char kissing her?
Char reached up and pulled the woman’s arms from around his neck and pushed her away. “Hello, Singy. Visiting Crystas again?”
She snuggled closer. “She invited me for Solstice. Then when I heard you’d soon be home, I decided to come early,” the woman purred, caressing his arm. “It’s been toooooo long.”
Char nodded. “Quite a while, Singy.”
“Ahem.” Jamiros nodded towards Brianna. She was sitting in her chair, chin up, eyes sparkling, and she was very, very pale.
Char pushed Singy away and hurried to her side. “Brianna, do you feel all right?”
The woman followed him, snaking her arm through his. “A new…guest?”
“My wife. Brianna, this is Molontonon dem al’ Singy, an old friend. Singy, my wife, Brianna.”
The woman’s shock was apparent to everyone. “Wife!”
“Didn’t Crystas tell you I married?” He kept his attention fixed on Brianna.
Jamiros cleared his throat. “We thought it best to keep the information a family secret until you got home.”
Char nodded, but his immediate attention was still on Brianna. She hadn’t greeted Singy yet, and that wasn’t like her. She hadn’t shown any reticence meeting anyone up to this point, but she only stared at Singy. And she was still pale. “Brianna?”
“How do you do?” Brianna finally choked out.
Singy looked down her elegant nose and nodded—barely. Then she turned back to Char, pressing her body against his side.
Unlike Char, Xdana immediately understood her daughter-in-law’s reaction.
So did everyone else in the room, especially Ban. An amused grin settled on his face as he watched the tableau unfolding before him. I can’t believe you can be so stupid, Cousin. Why even look at Singy when you have perfection in Brianna?
Xdana handed Celene back to Meri. “I didn’t know you were joining us for lunch, Singy. You informed the kitchen you’d be eating with Crystas and Fio.”
Singy kept her attention on Char. “When I heard Char was back, I just had to see him. Sit next to me, Char. Or—we could have a…private…lunch?”
Brianna’s color rose again. She rose to her feet so fast, her chair slapped to the floor. “I’m suddenly tired, Xdana. Show me to my room—please.” Her request was more like a command.
Char grasped her arm lightly.
She shook herself free.
His voice sounded worried. “Brianna…”
Her tone voice was icy. “No. Stay with your…friend.” Head held high, she swept from the room followed by Xdana, who glared at her son over her shoulder. Both Beti and Kahn followed.
Confused, Char looked from his father to Ademis to Meri. Both Ademis and his father rolled their eyes.
Meri glared at him.
Ban grinned like an idiot.
“Char…” purred Singy, caressing his arm.
“Not now,” he said, shaking himself free of her clinging hands. “Father, have lunch sent to our rooms.”
Chapter Twelve
Xdana had barely shown Brianna to her suite when Char barreled into the sitting room. “Brianna, what’s wrong?”
Amazed, she stared at her husband. “What’s wrong? You play tonsil hockey with another woman and you ask me what’s wrong!”
Xdana withdrew. This was best settled between Char and Brianna.
“Tonsil hockey? Brianna, I don’t understand…”
She threw her braid back over her shoulder and fisted her hands on her hips. “How could you kiss her like that?”
Understanding dawned on Char’s face. “Singy? She was doing most of the kissing.”
Brianna’s mouth dropped open. She snapped it shut. “Most?”
Char combed his fingers through his hair. “Well, what was I supposed to do?”
“What were you supposed to do? You ass.” Jerking her eyes around the room, she spotted a small vase of flowers sitting on a nearby table. One step had her next to it.
Char ducked as it flew by his head, shattering on the wall behind him.
“Damn it, Brianna…” He was faster than she was and wrapped his arms around her.
“Don’t you ‘damn it’ me! You’re the one who…”
“Kissed somebody else. So?”
“So? So!”
Brianna struggled in his arms, but he refused to release her. “Brianna, stop, you’ll hurt yourself.”
She jabbed an elbow into his ribs then cursed when it hurt. “How could I possibly hurt myself? You’re the one holding me. Let me go!”
“Only if you promise not throw anything else. Why did you throw that vase?”
“Why? Why!”
Confused, Char stared into her face. She thinks I should know why she’s throwing this temper tantrum. Is it just because I kissed Singy? What of it? She’s a past bed partner. I couldn’t just snub her. Then he thought about the kisses from her point of view. And how is she supposed to know that? All she’s heard for months is how promiscuous Drakians are. She doesn’t understand.
Sure now that he understood why Brianna was upset, Char released her, slowly—with an apology. “I’m sorry, Brianna. I forgot you’re not Drakian.”
“And what does that have to do with the price of tea in China?”
“Tea? China? I don’t understand.”
Brianna crossed her arms over her chest and glared.
Grateful that she was no longer searching for things to throw, Char continued, “Singy isn’t a stranger. She’s a past bed partner. I couldn’t just snub her. Mother taught me better manners than that.”
Brianna’s mouth fell open. His explanation was not what she expected. “Past bed partner! Taught you better manners! You fucking asshole!” Whirling, she stomped into the bedroom, slamming the door behind her.
Char heard the lock click.
“I never realized how incredibly stupid you could be, Cousin,” Ban commented from the doorway.
Char turned furious eyes on his Medirian cousin. “What the hell are you doing here?”
Ban indicated the door to the suite’s guest rooms with his chin. “I live here, remember? Haven’t you learned anything about Brianna? Do you ever listen to what she says?”
“Of course I listen to my wife,” Char snarled. “And our marriage is none of your business.”
“You won’t have a marriage if you keep kissing women and introducing them to Brianna as bed partners.”
“It’s been almost two years.”
Ban sighed. “Damn, but you’re dense, Char. I don’t know why I’m bothering to explain this to you.”
Sneering, Char snapped, “I don’t need any explanations from you.”
Ban’s own anger surged. “Damn it, Char, Brianna’s afraid.”
That pronouncement drained Char’s anger.
“Afraid? Of what? Bakom can’t touch her here.”
“Don’t you ever think of anything besides Bakom? You no sooner walk in the front door than she sees you with another woman in your arms. Think. And remember, Brianna’s a Hardan princess now. If she wants to leave, I’ll take her.”
With those words, Ban strode past a now thoughtful Char and disappeared into his room.
Char turned and stared at the locked door that separated him from his wife. Jealous? Could she be jealous? A slow smile spread across Char’s face. His wife was jealous of another woman.
Brianna lay on the huge bed, curled on her side, silent tears running down her cheeks. Meri had warned her about Drakians. They jump from bed to bed to bed. Char was no different. He only married her to protect her from Bakom. If she hadn’t gotten pregnant, he would have divorced her. She was just another one of his “bed partners”. All she had to look forward to was a broken heart. Brianna stiffened at her own thoughts. A broken heart? Oh God, she loved him.
A soft knock. “Brianna, it’s Meri. Let me in. I brought you something to eat.”
Brianna’s stomach rumbled.
“If Char thinks he can use you to get me to open the door, he’s crazy!” she shouted.
“He’s not here, Bri.”
Fresh tears rolled down her cheeks as Brianna squeezed her eyes shut. He probably went back to—her.
“Brianna, are you all right? Please open the door. I’m worried about you.”
After fingering her tears from her cheeks, Brianna pushed herself off the bed and stumbled to the door. A quick turn of her wrist, and it was unlocked. Meri entered followed by Beti, who carried a tray filled with covered dishes.
Setting the tray on the table next to the bed, Beti bowed her head and left.
Brianna’s stomach growled again.
A half-hearted smile appeared on Meri’s face. “Well, you can’t feel too bad if you’re hungry.”
Brianna glared at her friend. “There’s nothing to joke about, Meri.”
“Well, there’s nothing to pout about either.”
Brianna’s nostrils flared and two red splotches appeared on her cheek. “Pout! Do you know what he told me? He slept with her!”