“It sounds like it’s just you and me,” I told Betra.
Oses was quick to say, “I’ll come tomorrow if I can. I will probably show up too late for anything but sleep though.” He wrinkled his nose.
“He’s so deprived,” I said with mock sympathy.
Betra grinned. “He’s Oses. He’ll get through somehow. Meanwhile, little mother, you need to get into bed and get some sleep.”
“Right, right,” I groused as I climbed onto his sleeping mat. But I was tired, so I didn’t miss that we wouldn’t be romping tonight. Now that I had my two favorite shipmates to snuggle with and the scare of my nightmare and stalking ghost was fading, I thought sleep would be a pretty good thing to tackle.
Oses undressed and Betra shed the skirt-like thing he’d pulled on before answering my summons at his door. Their skin was welcome warmth as they climbed up next to me, making me the very happy filling of our Shalia sandwich. Feeling quite secure, I went to sleep quickly.
Betra roused me this morning. By the time he woke me, Oses had already left to get ready for his shift. They’d seen nothing all during their vigil. Of course. The ghost doesn’t show up when someone actually wants it to.
Betra was a little cranky that Oses had been so dismissive of what the Imdiko had seen with his own eyes. Oses maintains that Betra had been too startled to realize he was seeing some man, possibly just an innocent passerby, walking around the corner.
I hated to feel vindicated that Betra was getting a little of what he’d given me. I swear I tried not to feel smug over his pique that Oses doubted his word. But hey, I’m only human.
April 7, later
Since our first portal jump had ended with Tragooms boarding the ship, we were pretty on edge about doing it again. Fortunately, nothing happened this time. The destroyers guarding the other side of the wormhole reported the situation was fine before we went in. All three of our escorts went in ahead of us, ready to fight anyway. When we emerged, all was quiet. I could see why on the vid: the Kalquorians had five of their lethal ships patrolling the immediate area, and all their fighters had been launched just in case some other species got stupid. None had, and the Pussy ‘Porter continued on its way.
There was good and bad news surrounding our jump. The bad news is that the ship is now going to suffer a week-long delay in transmissions to Earth. That’s a bit depressing when it comes to talking to my dads.
The good news was that I got a message from them just before we went into the portal. I’m glad it arrived when it did.
Nayun, Bitev, and Rak beamed at me from the vid they’d sent. Nayun was darned near bubbly. “We just got your message, Shalia. You look so good! Reports from Dr. Feru have been encouraging as well. Don’t worry about the nightmares; they will pass, my daughter. You just need time. The important thing is that the hallucinations have stopped and you’re no longer hiding from them.”
“I am glad the trauma is passing, my daughter,” Bitev added. “Dr. Tep says the pregnancy is progressing well too. It’s such a delight to hear nothing but good news.”
Rak was the one person who didn’t look as upbeat as the rest of his clan. “I’m concerned about this ‘ghost’ you told us about. It almost sounds as if someone has gotten on board the ship and is stalking you. I do hope it was confirmed that all the Ofetuchans on board that ship were killed.”
Bitev rolled his eyes a little at the Nobek. “It was confirmed. The ships in Shalia’s convoy have all been scanned for alien life forms and searches have been done. Besides, Shalia didn’t sound too worried about it.”
Nayun nudged Rak. “After all she’s been through, our daughter would be the last person to make light of such an issue.” His eyes twinkled, and I almost felt he was looking at me. “Ghosts and spirits, huh? I used to love such stories as a child.”
Rak, suspicious Nobek that he is, didn’t look convinced. I’m betting he’d seen right through my glib account of the strange goings-on lately. He knew I was worried about it much more than I let on. I decided I would not say another word about the restless spirit roaming around, just to save him from fretting over me.
Bitev prodded my Nobek dad. “Tell Shalia something nice. She’ll want to know about Clan Seot.”
Rak’s grimness eased a touch. He must have liked giving me good news. “Your prospective clan checks out. All three men are well regarded. Their reputation is without blemish. Plus they contacted us to introduce themselves. They have probably not received our reply yet, but we have sent one.”
Nayun nodded. “I appreciate that you asked them to speak to your parents. I also appreciate that they had the decency to do so.”
Bitev grinned. “They spoke to Joelle too. She was quite impressed with them.”
I snickered. I’d received Joelle’s message a couple of days ago. She had been impressed, all right. The middle-aged, perfectly coiffed Southern belle had fanned herself. She told me in her delicate accent, “Shalia, I’m going to com Dr. Feru to check your sanity if you don’t give those gorgeous boys a chance. My goodness, what a bunch of dreamboats! Don’t tell your fathers I said that, because I wouldn’t trade them for the universe. Still, I would not be offended to have you and them sitting around the dinner table in the future.”
I smothered my giggles as Rak finished up his assessment of Clan Seot. “I think they are worth your consideration, my daughter.”
“With your compatibility scores so high, you must certainly allow them to court you,” Nayun opined. He looked happier than ever. I guess the old man wants to clan me off so he doesn’t have so much to worry him. His hair was showing more gray than before, I thought. I hope it wasn’t because of me.
Bitev couldn’t resist weighing in. “Compatibility as measured by a computer is all fine and good, but you’ll still want to investigate other clans as well. Intangibles that can’t be found in questionnaires might make Clan Seot not so wonderful in person.”
Nayun nodded his agreement. “True. You should vet at least one more clan before getting to Kalquor. Check into several more once you get there and settled.”
“You have plenty of time and choices,” Rak added. “You’ll want to make sure you find the best mates and fathers for your child.”
Dads, dads, dads. I wonder how much nagging Kalquorian moms do? Jeez, am I supposed to date a hundred clans before picking one? I get tired just thinking about it.
Speaking of Clan Seot, I got a message from them only minutes after we came through the portal. The time delay between me and Kalquor is growing less, which is kind of a consolation.
Have I mentioned how delicious those three men look? For heaven’s sake, it’s wrong for one clan to have so much yummy going on. There should be laws against it.
Here I go again, getting all hot and bothered just from looking at those guys. Ladies, start your libidos.
When they appeared before me, I was glad I was sitting down. Those men make my knees weak. I was feeling pretty darn happy that my dads and stepmom approved of them so far. It would be depressing to have to shut down the potential for a groin-to-groin ... ahem, face-to-face meeting.
They bowed, as courtly as before. Seot, with his smooth-as-butter voice, said, “Greetings again, Matara Shalia. We were delighted to get your message.”
Cutie-pie Imdiko Cifa was missing a touch of his boyish exuberance when he said, “But not so delighted to hear of the horrible ordeal you went through recently. Thank the Mother of All that you are safe and on your way to Kalquor once more.”
“As well as your child,” rumble-voiced Larten added. “I am beyond glad to know the alien creature who abducted you is dead.”
That dark, stormy face didn’t look glad. Larten looked like he wanted to bite the heads off a few Ofetuchans. I got that thrill of excitement again seeing how dangerous he seemed. Boy, I’m weird.
Seot nodded in agreement with his Nobek. “Please offer my congratulations to the man who killed your captor and managed your escape. He deserves all the accolades the E
mpire has in its power to give him.”
“Plus many more,” Cifa added.
There was a growling sound that I thought might have come from Larten. I shivered.
Seot continued. “It was wonderful seeing you looking so healthy with your pregnancy. You are quite the beautiful mother-to-be, Matara. We are so very grateful that you have agreed to continue to speak to us. As to your concerns about your biological mother Eve—”
“Don’t be,” Cifa interjected. “Of course she should be a part of your life. There is no question about that.”
“Indeed,” Seot agreed. “Should we find ourselves compatible as lifemates, we would insist on your mother living with us. Our homes are large enough to accommodate her, and we have the funds to offer round-the-clock medical care. She will not go wanting for anything, including her daughter at her side.”
For heaven’s sake, could these guys be any more perfect? It turned out they could.
Larten’s grouchy expression eased. One side of his mouth twisted up, as if he was barely containing a burst of humor. He said, “If it would make your mother more comfortable, I would be glad to supply her with a full vocabulary of Kalquorian insults and profanities that she may use against us. Don’t worry; we can take it.”
Cifa slapped a palm to his forehead as he laughed. Seot closed his eyes and shook his head, but a grin split his face. “By the ancestors, Larten, you just had to ruin the pretense of dignity.”
I howled at them. They have a sense of humor, and a good one from the sound of it. Teach Eve Monroe Kalquorian profanities! As if she doesn’t have enough to pull from in English.
Larten winked at his Dramok. “Shalia might as well find out what she’s in for with us.”
Cifa snickered. “Larten is the Empire’s leading authority on put-downs and insults. You should hear what he calls his students at the training camp.”
Seot rolled his eyes. “I believe today’s best example was calling a tenth-year trainee, ‘prime flesh for a Tragoom loincloth’.”
“Harsh, my Nobek.” Cifa’s laughter filled my room. I had to laugh with him.
“But entirely true.” Larten’s expression was halfway between a scowl of irritation and hilarity. “That particular trainee has all the sense of a rock. If he asks me for a recommendation for future employers, I’ll recommend they use him for a doorstop. And I’ll suggest they have a back-up doorstop for when he screws that up.”
I could barely breathe for laughing at Larten. Who would have thought such a brooding, fearsome man could have a funny side?
He folded his arms over his chest and mock-glared at his clanmates. “If you’re going to tell tales on me, I have a few I can tell on you. Like why Cifa is not allowed to drink on his own cruise ships.”
“No drunk stories! No drunk stories!” the Imdiko yelled, waving his arms wildly. “Seot, make him stop!”
“Oh, don’t be so modest. I’m sure your passengers were greatly entertained by that soulful rendition of ‘Give Me Your Passion Tonight’... even though you sang it to a lighting pole in the dining room. No doubt they got all their money’s worth for the trip on that moment alone.”
Even the dignified Seot guffawed at that. Cifa sputtered and made as if to stomp off.
“We’re not done talking to Shalia,” the Dramok reminded him between snickers. He directed his next comment to me. “Don’t worry about our Imdiko. He doesn’t drink often, so it doesn’t take much to get him tipsy. Even when he does get drunk, he’s more cute than irritating.”
Aw, how sweet. As if Cifa needed to be cuter.
The blushing Imdiko said, “I know I can’t hold my liquor. That particular incident was a long time ago, when my siblings and I first started the cruise line. We’d hosted a clanning ceremony, and everyone kept handing me drinks to toast to its success. I knew better, but how do you refuse the happiness of new clanmates?”
It was amazing to see them get past the earlier formality and show me the real Clan Seot. Once again, I saw the easy affection between the three men. There seemed to be real warmth and love there. After watching the high level of angst between Betra and Oses in their star-crossed relationship, it was refreshing. I detected no drama.
Even if I don’t choose this clan, that’s exactly the kind of relationship I want to be a part of. The lack of tragedy is nice for a change.
After seeing more of Clan Seot, I’m finding it hard to go along with my dads’ suggestion to contact a second potential clan. They just seem so perfect. But I suppose it would be irresponsible to not look at more of my options.
But damn it, I really, REALLY like what I’m seeing from Seot, Cifa, and Larten.
I did what I needed to do though. Yay for responsible Shalia. I sent out an introduction message to Clan Candidates Number 2: Clan Aslada
Not a shabby bunch o’ fellas, if truth be told. I have a 92 percent compatibility rating with them. And yes, they’re pretty easy on the eyes. I’m trying to make myself as open to the possibility to this clan as with Clan Seot ... but my number 1 prospect is a hard act to follow.
Still, I can’t say I see anything amiss with Dramok Aslada, Imdiko Meyso, and Nobek Jaon. They look as good stat-wise as my first pick.
Dramok Aslada is chiseled perfection as far as looks go. Dark, kind of brooding. Stunning. Me likey. He’s a territorial governor living on a different continent than where the Matara complex will be located. He says that will be no problem when it comes to visiting and making time for me while we get to know each other.
Imdiko Meyso ... hello curls. That’s a dashing fellow that gives me visions of romping all over him. He’s more of an intense Betra-type than Cifa seems to be. There’s a lot of warmth in his demeanor, but he still puts off a more serious vibe. With his chosen profession, it’s no wonder. He’s a brain surgeon, of all things. I wonder if he’d be a good candidate for my mom’s issues.
Then there is the Nobek, Jaon. Just let me say, “Wow.” Big ol’ veined muscles. Big chunk of a man. He didn’t say much in the introductory vid. His smile was friendly enough, but I had visions of him eating raw, bloody meat for some reason. There is an intensity to him that makes me glad I’m not one of the people he goes looking for. He’s kind of a version of an Earther parole officer, except his job consists of hunting down escaped convicts and the most dangerous of felons. I have hopes that he’ll show some of the same personality that Larten did once we start talking a little more. Surely no one can be that serious all the time, right?
I introduced myself. I gave them the same spiel that I’d given Clan Seot about my mom staying in my life no matter how things turn out with her treatments. I want all the rough stuff right up front with these suitors so I can quickly weed out the ones that won’t work out for me.
I ended up rushing my message a little. I kept hearing funny noises from my sleeping room off and on while I recorded it. I’m pretty sure it wasn’t my imagination. As soon as I finished recording and sent the message off to Clan Aslada, I went to have a look.
I saw nothing amiss in my bedroom. I even challenged the spirit to come out and stop being a pussy. There was no answer, so maybe I was just hearing things. This is getting pretty old. Thank goodness Betra is spending the night with me.
April 8
What a day. It started out with a scare in the middle of the night.
I woke to find a dark, shadowy figure standing over me and Betra as we slept in my bed. I sat up with a scream, which made Betra jump up. He took a swing at the shadow, which blocked him with lightning-fast reflexes.
“Damn it!” Betra yelled. “Oses, what the fuck are you doing?”
The Nobek’s voice rolled over me. “I came in to sleep with you two. Last I heard, you were both perfectly fine with that. In fact, I believe I was invited.”
Shalia's Diary Book 5 Page 17
