Alien Refuge (40 page)

Maf smiled at Borl as if he was a star pupil. “Indeed, it is a very good start. One thing does bother me. That Earther priest is a weak link, in my opinion. You need to keep an eye on him, especially if the rest of the E.I.K. appears to be swayed by his worries.”

Borl snorted. “They were not. I think they’d set fire to the governor’s mansion if I gave them the go-ahead.”

Sitrel spoke, something he did so infrequently in the presence of others that Maf paid close attention. “Fanatical members already within the E.I.K. might not be swayed by one man’s conscience. However, the Earther resistance needs to grow as much as our side does. This Father Stephen could stand in the way among those still not totally committed.”

Maf nodded. As always, Sitrel had seen the heart of the matter. “Watch that Earther, Borl. If he becomes a problem, we might have to remove him.”

“Yes, my leader.” Borl looked properly chastised.

Maf moved on to the next point of interest, the bit he thought might truly undo Haven. “How close are we to destroying Ospar’s clanship with the woman?”

A little of Borl’s confidence returned. “Her rightful husband is due to arrive tomorrow. When he heard she was here, he couldn’t get on a transport fast enough, especially since you were so kind as to pay his way. Apparently, he is eager to regain his family as quickly as possible.”

Maf shifted, and pain flared in jagged pieces along his crooked spine. He held back a grimace with great effort. Sitrel no doubt noticed his discomfort, but Maf trusted his aide to not think him weaker for it. It was the others the resistance leader kept his worst frailties from. Those who followed him must not see him feeble for an instant. The Empire’s legacy depended on it.

“I’m sure this man wishes to reclaim what is rightfully his, but we need the right situation and time before we allow the reunion. Have it impressed upon him how dangerous Ospar and his Nobek might be if he approaches them without proper help. Tell him he will regain his wife and child, but it must be dealt with just so.”

Borl smirked. “I don’t think that will be a problem. Handling Earthers is not that hard. I do look forward to the coming fireworks.”

“You are absolutely sure Ospar’s clan will fight the husband’s claim?”

The aide chuckled. “The fools are in love. It couldn’t be more obvious than if they made a vid announcement and had it played through every news outlet.” He licked his lips, as if contemplating a delicious meal. “There seems to be some concern that Slade treated his mate harshly. It will make them even more determined to keep her from leaving.”

“That would explain why she assumed a new identity.” Maf thought over the situation once more. Things were moving along on the colony, perhaps faster than was prudent. Yet if this place was as ripe for trouble as it seemed, it would be wrong to delay the coming explosion between Earther and Kalquorian. The demonstration of how ill-suited the two species were for co-existence would make everyone take notice, bringing more disaffected Kalquorians to his side.

He smiled, the agony in his bones secondary to the thrill of sensing destiny on the brink of being realized. “Yes, I think Haven will certainly further the revolution’s agenda. Let’s plan the family’s reunion, shall we?”

* * * *

A shifting of warm, solid bodies in front and behind woke Iris. She blinked sleepily and found herself looking into Rivek’s eyes. Her whole body wanted to smile at the sight of the handsome Imdiko. The stretch of her mouth was so great it made her cheeks ache. He smiled back just as happily.

“Good morning, my Matara.”

“Good morning,” she answered. His kiss warmed her from head to toe. His words echoed in her ears. “So I didn’t dream all of yesterday, right? We’re actually clanned?”

Behind her, Ospar stretched. “Indeed we are.”

She turned to look at him. The Dramok was ridiculously sexy with his hair rumpled and the shadow of morning beard on his chin. His kiss wasn’t a mere welcome to the day; it drank her in, sending jolts of pleasure through her body.

Iris’ libido was firing on all cylinders despite the thorough lovemaking she’d enjoyed the night before. She wondered if there would be time to sate her appetite before Thomas woke up. In the dim light of the room, she had no idea what time it was.

When the kiss ended, her third – third! – mate spoke from behind Rivek. “You are ours for life, my beauty. And we are yours.”

Jol leaned over Rivek to add his kiss to the lovely start to the day. She sensed the Nobek slither over his clanmate to crouch above her. Hands moved across her naked body, waking her completely, bringing everything to full, eager consciousness...

The thud of fast-moving footsteps alerted the group. Jol had just enough time to shove a chuckling Rivek to one side and get off Iris before Thomas burst into the room. The little boy immediately flung himself onto the middle of the bed. Jol uttered a pained grunt when a bony little knee found a sensitive spot. Ospar turned away, making a sound suspiciously like a snicker.

Thomas’ voice rose in happy exuberance. “Wake up, wake up, wake up, Mommy!”

Pulling an apologetic face at the wincing Nobek, Iris said, “I’m awake, sweetie.”

Ospar twisted back towards them to grab Thomas around the waist and lift him into the air. Thomas squealed with delight.

The Dramok told the giggling boy, “Good morning, my son.” He lowered him down to place a kiss on Thomas’ cheek.

Thomas echoed, “Good morning, my son.” He imitated Ospar’s slight accent perfectly.

That earned laughter from everyone, including the seemingly recovered Jol. Ospar hugged Thomas tight to his chest.

The child wriggled loose enough to look his new father in the face. “Eat, Osbar. I think eggs.”

“You think eggs? Eggs sound good.”

“Milk. Yes.” Thomas nodded his head emphatically. “Eat, Osbar.”

Rivek stretched and yawned. “I believe this young man wants his breakfast.”

“And right now,” Iris sighed.

Jol raised his head to check the chronometer and winced. “So much for waking early to begin our day with intimate pleasures.”

Iris laughed. “Welcome to parenthood.”

Rivek nudged his Nobek. “I thought our son might have knocked you out of commission anyway.”

“A momentary shock, that’s all.” Jol winked at Iris. “I wasn’t expecting to fend off flying children this morning.”

She grinned at him. “Your love life will never be the same. Children change all the rules.”

Ospar lifted Thomas over his head again to the boy’s great delight. “Good. Let the adventure begin.”

In good spirits despite being denied the amorous start to the day they’d planned on, the men rose and dressed quickly while Thomas flopped about on the wide swath of bed. They took him out to get his breakfast, allowing Iris privacy to prepare for the day.

Knowing Thomas was in good hands, Iris took extra time to do more than simply shove her hair in its usual messy ponytail. It was nice to have extra people ready to care for Thomas. It was wonderful that they were happy to do so. The future suddenly looked like a bright, shining river leading to an ocean of happiness.

What was that saying? “Welcome to the first day of the rest of your life,” Iris whispered to herself, grinning from ear to ear.

* * * *

Ospar settled into the workday at his public office. He still had grim work ahead in the aftermath of the Jones homestead fire, but knowing what he would be going home to at the end of the day made it much easier to bear.

Borl reported to his office only seconds after Ospar’s arrival, and they immediately began wading through the many tasks ahead of them.

“You might alert Councilman Maf that Jol plans to beef up security around his quarters in the wake of that attack on Amgar’s clan,” the governor told his aide.

Borl’s brow creased with concern. “Do you think he’s in danger?”

“With evidence suggesting it’s both our own people and the E.I.K. behind the murder, I’m worried a royal councilman makes too good a target for them to resist.”

The aide considered. “I can’t imagine Dramok Maf would be attacked. He’s openly against the mixing of species. Wouldn’t the malcontents consider him on their side?”

Ospar nodded. “I know, it seems like a waste of our resources. However, what seems and what is are often very different things. I refuse to take chances with Maf’s safety.” He sighed heavily, the weight of his responsibilities chasing away some of his good feelings from having a Matara and child.

He told Borl, “I have not spent enough time with Maf during this visit. It is unforgiveable that I have neglected him so.”

“He attaches no blame to you for having to do your work. Councilman Maf has nothing but praise for your handling so many emergencies and routinely insists he not disturb you.” The aide added uncertainly, “I have taken the liberty of reporting to him once a day, keeping him abreast of the issues you’ve deemed acceptable for the public’s general information.”

Ospar relaxed a little. “Good. I do want to meet with him though. Perhaps tomorrow?”

Borl consulted Ospar’s schedule. While he frowned over the appointments, the governor reflected Maf’s visit couldn’t have occurred at a worse time. First was the growing agitation of the E.I.K., then Amgar’s murder.

More than anything else, I want to spend every available moment with my Matara and son rather than entertain a councilman. When things settle down, we are going to take a family holiday.

Ospar had heard of an Earther tradition called a ‘honeymoon’, a time for recently married people to get away for private celebration of their new union. His clan needed a honeymoon, a few days to indulge in their new status. The thought he had gained a lifebringer and son was still wonderfully overwhelming.

Borl interrupted his happy contemplation. “I can set aside an hour tomorrow afternoon, Governor.”

For a moment Ospar thought the aide was discussing his hopes to take time off. Then he remembered they’d been discussing him meeting with Councilman Maf.

“Excellent,” he said, his tone suggesting it was anything but. Making his voice bright, Ospar added, “Do that, please. Next item?”

“The announcement to the colony about what happened to Amgar’s clan. Do you want to include the suspicion the attack came from both Earthers and Kalquorians?”

Ospar leaned back in his chair. “Make all details known except for the specifics of how the attack was carried out. I want everyone to understand why there’s a curfew in effect that limits movement after dark. And I also want a reward offered for any information brought to security about the attack.”

Borl’s eyebrows lifted. “A reward?”

“A bonus for any Kalquorian that comes forward with valid information, consisting of ten percent of his annual pay. Twenty additional acres to an Earther’s homestead for the same or an equal value of goods and materials if the land is not needed.”

“Very generous.”

Ospar scowled at the forensic report floating over his desk. “I want the bastards who threatened a clan with children. Whoever these
gurlucks
are that took the life of a good man will pay dearly for it.”

Again he was reminded of how vulnerable Iris and Thomas had recently been. Had the attempt to abduct Thomas been successful, he couldn’t imagine what might have happened to the boy. It set his teeth on edge with anger. He realized his fists were clenched.

Ospar drew a deep breath. He counted as he released it and then drew another. The Dramok knew to keep a lid on his temper. He became much too overbearing when he allowed his mood to turn foul. It had been on the tip of his tongue to have Jol ordered to search every single homestead on the colony, a move that would have put all the Earthers at his throat. Not that Jol would have listened to such nonsense, but it was still not in Ospar’s best interests to lose control like that.

After a few moments of breathing exercises, Ospar was able to think clearly once more. His tone even, he told Borl, “The reward might bring results. At the very least, it should take some sting out of the curfew, which will no doubt have Hoover in my face.” He sighed at that idea. It was actually a surprise the Earther governor wasn’t already in here, screaming about Earther rights to self-govern.

Ospar had no doubt it would happen sooner rather than later. He gave Borl a dour smile. “Is that all?”