Alien Indiscretions (32 page)

Diltan nodded, feeling queasy himself. “I know. I wish I had kept it a secret.”

Wal shook his head and reached to squeeze the Dramok’s shoulder. “That would have ended with your reputation in shambles. Scholars would have gone over the documents and discovered the matter at some point anyway. It would only be a matter of time.”

It helped Diltan’s conscience a little to realize his Imdiko was right. Still, the impending trouble allowed little of the dread to be alleviated.

Wal offered a tight smile that was probably supposed to be comforting. “So much of historical significance happened at the end of Clan Zarl’s reign. No, you did the right thing.”

Rolat blew out a heavy breath. “There is little doubt the Empire will experience a tremendous upheaval, perhaps within a few days. The leaders of the would-be rebellion will make this their rallying cry.”

Cissy looked from one man to the next, worry clouding her pretty face. “Can it be avoided? I mean, you’re talking about the potential for civil war, aren’t you?”

Rolat considered. “A lot will depend on how the current Imperial Clan handles it. It’s going to be natural for Emperor Clajak to protect his surviving fathers. However, if the entirety of Clan Zarl ordered those abductions, then the surviving members have to stand trial both here and at the Galactic Council. It’s the only way to keep the peace.”

Diltan thought of the furious disbelief on Clajak’s face earlier that day. The Dramok Emperor had shown himself to be a man of honor since assuming the throne, devoted to the good of the Empire. Yet there could be little doubt he would want to protect Imperial Fathers Tidro and Yuder ... and if he did, all hell would break loose.

The safety of Kalquor and its people depended on whether Clajak’s loyalties lay most with his kingdom or his fathers. Diltan wondered which side would win ... or if there would be nothing but losers in the end.

Feeling hung over from fatigue, Cissy walked down the corridor of the Government House’s Imperial Level. She’d commed ahead to make sure Jessica had time to see her. Her cousin’s Imdiko receptionist had responded with a warm, “The Empress always has time for her family.”

That might change in the near future if things get as bad as Diltan fears,
Cissy thought when she got off the com. She had the feeling Jessica’s life, along with that of her clan, would be turned upside down by the coming revelations.

She was tired, though it only bothered her here and there. Mostly she basked in the sleepy feeling and wonderful aches that reminded her of the night before. After giving her a bath, Diltan’s clan had taken her to their bed and tucked her in between their magnificent bodies. Cissy had fallen into a deep, dreamless sleep that had ended all too soon with her companions waking early to prepare for their workdays. Wal had made a breakfast that was more like a feast. He’d also seen to it that her clothes had been laundered and pressed so she wasn’t forced to put on grubby things. Cissy had teased him that he made for a great wife.

She’d known about the strange Kalquorian tradition of men feeding the women. Cissy protested it of course, because she was an independent woman who didn’t need to be fed like a baby. Rolat laughingly put her in a headlock and Diltan used the opportunity to smear iced pastry over her lips and chin. Then Rolat licked her face clean, making sure he kissed her into arousal in the process. After that, Cissy didn’t argue about being given a food facial or what came of it afterward. She’d ended up making the men late for work that morning. She did not apologize and no one complained.

Wal had accompanied her back to the Matara Complex. “I hope to see you again soon,” he said in his quiet but intense voice.

Cissy grinned. “I think you can bet on that.”

Cissy had been sure Tasha would still be asleep. Guessing that Jessica would have to rise as early as other gainfully employed people on Kalquor, she’d made her appointment to see her cousin. The receptionist told her to come right over.

With the large breakfast in her belly reminding her of how displeased she’d been with her figure the night before, Cissy elected to walk. The morning air was cool, the skies were blue, and she set off with memories of Clan Diltan’s playroom in her head and a cup of coffee in her hand.

An hour later, she arrived at the Government House. The late night, early morning, and walk were telling on Cissy by then. She blinked tiredly as the in-house transport deposited her in the palatial corridor of the Royal Chambers.

The interior of the cliff’s rock had been polished to a high sheen from the floor to the arcing ceiling. A rich runner of soft carpet ran the length of the long hallway, which was lined with the red-uniformed Royal Guards. Had Cissy not indulged in Clan Diltan the night before, she might have viewed the muscled and armed Nobeks guarding the Imperial Clan like a buffet. As it was, she gave them an appreciative but passing glance once she let them confirm she was Jessica’s blood.

Emperor Clajak’s love for fine art was in evidence from the gorgeous paintings hanging on the walls to the exquisite statuary that dotted here and there. Cissy was impressed to see a couple of Earther pieces as well, rescued from her destroyed world. It made her smile while her eyes misted to see pieces from home.

Despite half a dozen other early birds waiting in Jessica’s reception room, the empress’ aide waved Cissy through to the inner chamber. Jessica greeted her with hugs and kisses. Cissy was just as fervently happy to see her cousin. After being apart for so many years, the joy of reuniting had not dimmed.

Jessica looked her over with a delighted smile. “Look at you! You seem relaxed and happy.”

Cissy shook her head in pretend humiliation. “For the most part. True to my contrary nature, I’m seeing a clan with a Dramok I could kick in the ass on a regular basis.”

Jessica pulled her over to a seating area consisting of a low, polished table and billowing seating cushions. “Why am I not surprised? So, Diltan drives you crazy, huh? No reflection on you because you’re wonderful, but I’m surprised he swapped out Tasha. He’s got a thing for appearances. I didn’t think he’d go for the jeans and tee-shirt type.”

Cissy stared at the younger woman as Jessica plopped indecorously on a cushion. “How did you know?”

Jessica poured herself a cup of coffee from the carafe sitting on the table. Cissy noted the room with its elegant pieces of furniture that belonged in a mansion was still arranged for comfort. The effect was cozy, far more warm and home-like than the corridor outside.

Jessica motioned for Cissy’s cup and refilled it. “You’re my cousin. That means your activities are scrutinized and gossiped over relentlessly. People are dying to know if Tasha and the rest of us are ready to disown you for stealing her clan.”

Cissy sank down next to Jessica with a groan. She’d never expected to be a subject of rumor, not over dating a clan. “You have got to be kidding me.”

Jessica gave her a wry smile. “Welcome to the Imperial Family, babe. So what’s up besides your incredible love life? There is an incredible love life, right?”

“Incredible would be one word for it.” Cissy thought about the playroom. A big, unselfconscious grin bloomed on her face. Once again, she felt all the aches from the night before, aches she thoroughly enjoyed at that moment.

Jessica laughed outright. “Being with three men who want to rule and serve you at once. It’s good stuff.”

“Damn right it is.”

“So did you come here to fill me in on all the dirty details? They’d better be dirty, cuz.”

Cissy shook her head at the roguish look on Jessica’s face. “I’m sure you have a few tales of your own, but no, I’m not here to brag on my love life. I wanted to check on you.”

Jessica sipped on her coffee, merriment leaking from her face. “I take it your pillow talk wasn’t all about future dates then.”

“Diltan told me about Imperial Father Zarl’s records and the trouble they could cause. Could it really erupt into a full-blown rebellion here on Kalquor?”

Jessica set her cup down and met Cissy’s eyes. The worry in her gaze was palpable, answering the question before her words did. “I think it could. We’re in a hell of a spot, Cissy.”

“Diltan says it could mean putting the Imperial Fathers on trial.”

Temper sparked in the younger woman’s face. “Clajak’s dead set against it, as am I. But how can we not allow it? On one hand, I’m not about to serve up Zarl’s legacy and Clajak’s other two fathers to those who would demand they pay for Armageddon. On the other, to not do so will invite the anger of those who want to blame them.”

Cissy pointed out what she thought was the best point of defense. “It’s not Kalquor’s fault Earth’s cities were rigged by our leaders to blow up in the event of an invasion.”

Jessica was just as quick to voice what Diltan and Wal had the night before. “No, no one could have ever predicted that. Still, it would never have happened if the Empire hadn’t abducted all those Earther women.”

Cissy rolled her eyes at the conundrum. “What was Kalquor to do? Roll over and die? You know if the shoe had been on the other foot, Earth would have felt justified doing the same thing.”

Jessica sighed. “It doesn’t change the fact that the kidnappings were, at their root, wrong. That can’t be denied.”

Cissy saw how it weighed on her cousin. “Others had to have been involved though. The emperors at the time couldn’t carry out such a thing on their own.”

If anything, Jessica turned paler. “The motives of the others would have been the same as Zarl’s: save the Empire. It’s what guides many of these men’s lives.”

Cissy hated to hear the pain in Jessica’s voice. “What do you do? Is there anything you can do?”

Jessica stopped pacing to look down at her. “I have an idea. It’s flimsy as hell, to be honest. It’s a defense tactic that has little to do with the truth of what the Empire did.”

“Then how can it miss?”

That made Jessica laugh a little. “I’m not going to get into it yet, because I haven’t figured everything out. Wish me luck. Maybe your sweetheart Diltan will help me.”

“Sweetheart,” Cissy snorted even though her being warmed at the thought of the Dramok. “How is Aunt Tara doing with this? Her lover is wearing a bulls-eye on this one.”

Jessica wrung her hands. “She’s being a good Buddhist, reminding us life is difficult and full of changes that we must accept. I know she’s hurting though.”

“No doubt.”

Jessica flicked away an escaping tear with impatience. “I wish I had half Mom’s strength. Despite everything, the Imperial Fathers are good men, Cissy. I loved Zarl as much as my own father. Yuder makes Mom happy. Tidro is too old to go to prison. Damn it, I can’t think badly of them no matter what they did. They felt they had to save Kalquor.”

Before Cissy could reply to that, the door to the reception area slid open. Prince Wayne and Princess Noelle dashed into the room with glad cries.

Cissy couldn’t help but chuckle as the children threw themselves at their mother. Five-year-old Wayne was a miniature version of Egilka with Asian-looking eyes and sharp features beneath his child-pudgy cheeks. His black hair was a wild tangle, his hugs exuberant enough to worry Cissy for Jessica’s well-being. The kid was physical, prompting Jessica to say, “Gently, Wayne!”

Noelle was more sedate, but still enthusiastic about greeting her mother. With Clajak’s steel-gray and an elfin face that seemed a darker version of Jessica’s, the three-year-old was a riveting sight.

An Imdiko followed the children in, moving to untangle the enthusiastic Wayne from Jessica. “Too rough, boy,” he said in a quiet tone. “Do you wish to hurt your mother?”

“I’m sorry, Ripua. I’m sorry, Mother,” Wayne said, going shamefaced. His purple cat’s eyes found Cissy sitting at the table. “Cousin!” he bellowed. He would have launched himself at her if not for Imdiko Ripua holding him back.

“Hello, Wayne,” she laughed. “If you promise not to tear my head off with those strong arms, I’ll have that hug.”

“I promise!” he yelled. Even so, Ripua hovered while the boy hugged Cissy, delivering a wet and sticky kiss to her cheek as well. His breath smelled of sweets.

When Noelle came over to shyly embrace Cissy, Wayne raced across the office to jump on the lounger there. He bounced across the upholstered piece, whooping with frantic energy.

Ripua bowed to Cissy before addressing Jessica. “I’m sorry to interrupt your cousin’s visit, my empress. Since the children will be gone overnight visiting Emperor Bevau’s parent clan, I thought you would want to say goodbye.”

Jessica smiled. “Of course. Noelle, I know you’ll be a good girl.”

The little girl smiled and ran from Cissy back to her mother. “I be good. I like staying with Grandmother.”

“Because she spoils you with shopping and getting your hair done,” Jessica laughed. She called to her son, who had calmed enough to pace the back of the lounger like a tightrope walker. “Wayne, no tantrums. If I you break one door or punch holes in any wall, I’m giving your Nobek grandfather permission to punish you thoroughly.”

The boy stopped, wobbling on his precarious perch. “I swear to be good, my mother. No biting, no fighting, no breaking. On my honor.” He puffed his chest out. Despite having Egilka’s features, his suddenly fierce attitude reminded Cissy of Bevau. “Besides, I can’t break any walls or doors tonight. My grandfathers are taking me camping outdoors. We eat for dinner only what we catch!”

“Sounds like fun,” Jessica said, but she rolled her eyes at Cissy and pulled a face that said she thought otherwise. Cissy fought not to laugh.

The empress shook her head at the balancing boy. “All right, I believe you. Come down from there before you break your neck and give me a goodbye kiss.”

Again the children clambered all over her, though Wayne did manage to hold himself in check better the second time around. After a full minute of hugs, kisses, and proclamations of love, Ripua took the children out.

Jessica’s smile faded into something sad as the door closed behind them. “Until the last year, it was Noelle’s temper that worried me most. Wayne’s getting wilder and wilder by the moment though. If that boy isn’t a Nobek, I’ll take the blame for the Earther abductions myself.”