by Pelaam
Nakai smiled as Einian touched the thick ruff of black fur and then stroked along its back. "It is canine rather than feline, very intelligent and loyal. I picked this one because its red-gold spots reminded me of your hair."
Einian smiled at him. “The color is very similar. His head is huge. Um, is it a he?" He eased cautiously from Nakai’s lap, and moved closer to the yona.
"Indeed," Nakai said. He reached forward and rubbed under the huge jaw. A purr-like rumble came from the yona's throat.
"He likes that." Einian duplicated the action, and the beast rubbed the side of its jaw against him. "What's he doing?"
"Marking you. He's making sure no other yona will come near. You're his now. When I can't be with you, he will watch over you and remind you of how much I care for you." Nakai rose and moved to stand next to Lansa.
Einian wrapped his arms around Nakai's waist and rested his head on Nakai's shoulder. "Thank you. He's beautiful."
Nakai kissed the top of Einian's head. The yona came and butted Einian's hip until he patted its head. “Now, the yona needs feeding, and I’m hungry, so I think we should all go to the kitchen. I bought dishes for the yona, so you can sort food for him, while Cook prepares food for us. I’m certain you’re hungry, too.”
Einian smiled and hugged him again. Nakai sighed softly. Thanks to Lansa and the yona, a potential disaster had been averted. He’d speak to Chua in the morning. Even if Einian had made a mistake, he wanted no one frightening or upsetting him. An idea bloomed brightly.
“Einian, how would you like to learn how we make wine from the riparia? Chua oversees the care of the trees and vines, but Lansa takes care of making the wine.”
Einian looked over at Lansa, his eyes wide. “You’d trust me?”
Lansa reached to ruffle Einian’s hair and then laughed loudly as the yona pushed its great head into his hand for the same attention. “I would indeed, my young friend. I’m even sure this beast can be found a suitable spot to lie in while we work. An excellent suggestion, Nakai.”
Unseen by Einian, Lansa winked at Nakai, who nodded almost imperceptibly. “That’s settled then,” he said. “Now. Let us all eat.”
Chapter Seven
Already a week had passed. So much had happened Nakai’s head was in a whirl. Einian worked alongside Lansa making wine and had proven very adept. Nakai frowned as he stroked his chin. The vines Chua insisted Einian had pulled had mostly recovered. Only a couple appeared to be struggling, but it was Lansa who tended them. He shook his head. Chua wanted nothing to do with Einian, and Lansa ensured he kept Einian at his side.
Sukh was healing with incredible speed. Now he only needed a brace on his leg while it continued to heal, and Nakai had removed the guards from inside his room. He made sure to visit the Xyran daily, taking him books, and talking about his home. Sukh said very little about his own life. At times Nakai felt that pulling the Xyran’s teeth would be easier than making him talk.
Nakai had even allowed Einian to visit Sukh. He sighed and rubbed the back of his head. That hadn’t gone as well as he’d hoped. Sitting at his computer, he tapped out a message to his brothers. He wanted them to visit and bring Mair with them. He hoped that seeing a successful and happy Alphan/human relationship would further reassure Einian.
Once his message was sent, he decided to visit Einian. He headed to the kitchen first. Lansa had mentioned Einian liked sweetmeats. His cook was more than happy to present a plate of bite-sized pastries and tartlets, along with some homemade dried fruits.
Nakai hoped Einian was awake enough to talk. Lansa looked up from a book he was reading and smiled when he saw the plate.
“Do you have one or two to spare?” he asked.
Nakai laughed and offered the plate. True to his request, Lansa took just one pastry and tartlet. “How is he?”
“Possibly asleep. He still tires quickly. I’ve started teaching him Alphan. I got some children’s reading books for him. Standard speech is all well and good, but nothing beats our own language.”
“I’m glad he’s shown an interest. That bodes well.”
“It does,” Lansa said with a slow nod. “But he still asks after the Xyran regularly, despite that fraught meeting. The tie is strong, Nakai.”
“I expect it is. I’ll speak more with you later.”
Nakai tapped on the door, but there was no answer. He stepped inside. Einian was stretched out on the bed, a couple of books at his side. Nakai coughed loudly.
Einian sat up with a yawn, as did Mo’ohta. The yona’s snout twitched as he scented the treats. He licked his chops, and his tail wagged.
Einian laughed with delight. “Please come in, Nakai.”
Nakai nodded and went to the bedside. He perched delicately on the edge of the bed and set down the plate of pastries. “For you. Although I can see you won’t eat them all.”
“Lansa’s been talking to you.”
“He has. And since these are something you enjoy, I brought them for you. Remember I mentioned my family?” Nakai hoped he sounded casual. “Well, they’re coming to visit. I’d like you to meet them.”
“Me? Meet your family?”
“Yes. Einian. You. For me, you are as much a part of my family as Lansa. I want them to meet you.”
Tears brimmed in Einian’s eyes. “Thank you,” he whispered.
The yona butted him gently, scenting his distress. Einian rubbed at his eyes and took one of the pastries, breaking it in half. He gave one half to the yona who lay at his feet, and the beast chewed his treat slowly, his tail wagging. Einian leaned forward and slid his arms around Nakai.
Nakai kissed the top of Einian’s head. “My family is looking forward to meeting you. But I give you warning.”
“Warning?” Einian leaned back to look up at Nakai.
“Warning. They’re bringing their children, two sets of twins, all equally inquisitive, demanding, loud…” Nakai winked, and Einian laughed.
“I see. Thank you, Nakai.”
“I’ll leave you with your pastries, and in peace that you should cherish while you can.”
Einian caught Nakai’s sleeve before he could move away.
“Your orchards are beautiful, and I love your vineyards. Although Chua doesn’t seem very happy I’m there. I’m glad I can go with Lansa. He tells me about Sukh, too. Does he really still need all those guards? I thought you were treating him as a guest?”
Nakai looked down at the ground, then back up into Einian’s mesmerizing green eyes. “Sukh is my guest. However, as much as he may care for you, he’s on Planet Alpha, not Xyran. We are not his people. Because you have faith in him, I have faith in him. But some of my community do not. I have to demonstrate that I am taking no chances with the wellbeing of those who live near me. When he is fully healed, Sukh has decisions to make. As do you.”
Einian’s shoulders drooped. “I love it here. I’m free. Apart from Chua, everyone seems genuinely interested and happy to talk to me. I never knew such peace and beauty existed. On Sukh’s home world, I needed to be kept on a leash wherever he went. It was as much to stop another Xyran snatching me away as to show he was my master. He knew I hated it, but there was nothing he could do. He couldn’t leave me at home, either.”
Nakai slid his finger under Einian’s chin and raised the human’s head so they gazed into one another’s eyes. “Chua is fastidious. He takes caring for my property very seriously. I will speak to him if you wish.”
Einian shook his head “I’d prefer to stay with Lansa. If that’s all right with you?”
Nakai grinned delightedly. This was the first time Einian had asked directly for something he wanted. The human’s answering smile was shy, but more than enough for a wave of elation to crash over Nakai.
“Then Lansa it shall remain. Now, rest, while you can.”
Leaving Einian, Nakai headed to the tower. He took more of his fruits. Sukh didn’t enjoy pastries the same as Einian, but he especially liked the riparia.
Enterin
g Sukh’s room at a wordless grunt, Nakai set the fruit in the now empty bowl sitting on the Xyran’s bedside table. Sukh sat close to the window, an open book at his side.
Nakai looked at the pile of books Sukh had already read. There was more than one tome of poetry.
"Surprised that an uncivilized savage can not only read but appreciate fine literature?" Sukh asked.
"Not at all." Nakai picked up one of the books from the unread pile. "I particularly like this writer. But seeing your preferences here, I'll bring a new selection for you."
Sukh glared at him, his tongue flicking back and forth. "Do you enjoy trying to make it hard for me to hate you?"
"I wasn't aware that I was," Nakai said. "You may think you're my prisoner. You're not. But if I didn't do this, the chances are you would be taken from me. There are hard decisions to be make, Sukh. I have repeatedly said that I would like us to be friends."
"You want Einian. Not me. Not my friendship. I can't fight you for him. I couldn't save him from Vachir, and I can't stop you."
Anger sizzled along Nakai’s nerves along with frustration. “It seems to me that you’re determined to be a victim, Sukh. You said that your injured leg condemned you to a living death. You’ll have a limp. A considerable difference. I have not tried to steal Einian away. If I’d so wished, you would have remained in the military facility until fit to be sent back to your own people. Would they treat you so hospitably? I think not. Stop lamenting and start living.”
Nakai hadn’t intended to become so passionate, but Sukh’s attitude was defeatist, and he didn’t want that from the Xyran warrior.
Sukh surged to his feet and swept the books from the table before tossing that aside, too. The display of anger elated Nakai. The emotion demonstrated the Xyran hadn’t given up in any way, despite his words.
“Master Nakai. Is all well?” A disembodied voice came from the other side of the door.
“All is well. Remain outside.” Nakai bellowed his order and then stood just a hair’s breadth from Sukh. The Xyran’s dark, glittering eyes were almost as mesmerizing as Einian’s.
“You dare speak to me that way? I have lost everything that was precious to me.” Sukh hissed the words.
“Einian is not lost to you, Sukh. I would gladly give up all of this for him. You will always have a piece of his heart that nothing and no one can replace. Open your eyes. See what is offered to you. I will not let you destroy his happiness. Become a part of it, or let him grieve you leaving him. I can give you gems enough to be a wealthy man on Xyran if that’s what you really want. Think! Make the right decision.”
Sukh drew in a shuddering breath and then grabbed Nakai, pulling him into a hard, crushing kiss. As quickly as he initiated it, Sukh ended it, shoving Nakai back so hard he staggered to keep his footing.
“Get out. Leave me.” Sukh turned his back on Nakai, moving to stand and stare out of the window.
Nakai didn’t answer. He straightened his robe to ensure he looked as dignified exiting the room as he had entering. As he came out, his men gazed anxiously at him, their guns in their hands.
“We thought you were having problems with the Xyran. They’re not to be trusted, Master Nakai. They’re savages.”
Nakai stared at the man who spoke. Until recently, he’d have thought the same, that they were nothing more than pirates, trafficking in stolen gems and people with equal disregard. But he’d seen past that. There was a lot more to a Xyran than met the eye.
“Some are, assuredly,” he said. “However, not in this case. We had a disagreement, and a table was knocked over. Nothing more.” The man didn’t look convinced, but Nakai wasn’t interested in speaking of it further. “If I’m needed I shall be in the orchard.”
Chapter Eight
Although Nakai would have liked to greet his family with Einian nearby, he’d deferred to Lansa’s counsel and the human was out in his orchards and vineyards with his friend. In truth Lansa was correct. While Nakai hoped Einian would soon be thinking of him as more than a friend, they had yet to cross that line. To present him directly to his family was to infer a relationship that as yet did not exist, and could make Einian feel pressured in a way Nakai desperately wanted to avoid.
His brothers seemed to glow with an inner joy as they stepped forward to greet him, and both men hugged him simultaneously.
“It’s so good to see you again,” Tse said.
“You haven’t come to us for an age.” Yas wagged a finger.
Nakai laughed. The only thing that separated his brothers was the color of their hair, Yas was still blonder than his twin, but his hair was slowly darkening even as Tse’s lightened. Soon there would be no way for even Nakai to tell them apart.
“I was with you less than a month ago. Then I got my call to take out another ship. I had to train.”
“When are you going to stop that?” Tse’s voice was edged with worry.
“That depends,” Nakai said. “I believe I have found a mate. The human I rescued. But the relationship is complicated.”
“Because of the Xyran? News reached us almost before your own communication. Some are quite scandalized.” Yas shook his head. “They forget your private life is no one else’s business. It doesn’t concern them. We support whatever decision you make about your choice of mate.” Yas squeezed Nakai’s shoulder
“Thank you,” Nakai said. “That means a great deal to me.”
“You’re our brother. We want you happy. We don’t care who your mate is, so long as they bring you joy.” Tse hugged him.
“I couldn’t ask for any more.” Nakai pulled both of his brothers back for another hug. Only once he’d released them did the children come running from their carriage.
Nakai knelt down to be enveloped in four children. He wrapped his arms around them, hugging them as four voices all vied to be heard first. Two sets of twins, each set a boy and girl. Their skin had a light golden kiss to its tone, and all had golden-brown hair. No one could guess who had fathered which child.
That his brothers had successfully sired girls was a miracle, but the children were all treated equally. However, in deference to the girls, they would be tutored at home. No risks would be taken with them. The girls, like other rare female children, were a vital part of his planet’s future.
He stood slowly, four sets of small hands still holding to him, to greet Mair. She, and human women like her, were the reason his world wasn’t dying. She came forward slowly, her hands on the swell of her belly. Nakai wondered if she carried more than one child again. His brothers would know, but they hadn’t revealed she was carrying twins on the previous two occasions. Nakai didn’t really care. He just hoped she had a successful birthing and that she and her child, or children, were well.
“It’s good to see you, Nakai.” Mair enfolded him gently and kissed each of his cheeks. She laughed as her children then bombarded her with pleas to be allowed in the orchard or vineyard. “Not yet, children. I’m sure Cook would like to see you. He may have even made some of his special pastries for you.”
Nakai laughed as the pleas instantly changed. “I think that’s a very popular choice.”
“We’ll take them,” Tse said.
“And we’ll help choose the pastries,” Yas said holding out his hands.
Nakai stood back and smiled affectionately as the two boys walked with Tse and the girls with Yas. “They’re growing so quickly.”
“They are,” Mair said. “Already we’re receiving offers for courtship for the girls. Tse and Yas have replied politely but firmly to any enquiries that while they are still children we will not give thought to adult matters. But enough of us. What about you? What of the human and the Xyran? How does your courtship progress?”
Nakai shook his head. “I don’t know that it does. Einian seems to have warmed to me. But he still keeps me at arm’s length. He is very loyal to the Xyran.”
“Have they spent time together?”
“Only under supervision. I couldn’t r
isk that Sukh would try to use him as a hostage to leave here.” Nakai rubbed his brow. “As I understand it, the meeting was … tense. The Xyran treated Einian coldly, which upset him.”
“I can understand his reaction,” Mair said. “The Xyran may have seen Einian as his possession; however, some do have a deep affection for their sex slaves. But on their world it’s something extremely personal and private. Any open display of affection is seen as weakness.”
Nakai groaned softly. “I never thought of that.” Mair had almost been a sex slave to a Xyran herself, and had firsthand knowledge of those who had. He deferred to her superior understanding of Xyrans.
“Why would you? You’re doing all you can to gain Einian’s trust. You already have a place in your heart for him. You aren’t thinking as a Xyran. That Einian is forgetting that, too, suggests to me that his mind is also elsewhere. Would you like me to speak to him?”
“Not in any way to persuade him to love me,” Nakai said. “But as a fellow human, with two Alphan life mates. I’d like you to let him know that he is free to make his own choice.”
“Even if that breaks your heart,” Mair said softly.
Nakai patted her hand as she slid it through his arm. “His happiness is more important. I don’t want a slave, or a man who thinks he owes it to me to offer his body.” He headed towards the vineyard. In the distance he saw Einian and Lansa plucking clusters of fruits from the vines that he wanted to offer to his family after the evening meal.
“He’s very beautiful,” Mair said. She stopped, reached up to framed Nakai’s face in her hands, and drew him down to kiss his cheek. “And I think he just may be very jealous,” she whispered. “I’ll catch you up later.”
At her deliberate wink, Nakai stood speechless for a moment, and then took his cue to hurry from sight. He took a circular route to end up nearby to where Mair and Einian were being introduced by Lansa.
Mair’s suggestion regarding jealousy seemed to be quite possible. Einian’s face changed from suspicion to delight. Nakai pressed himself back, not wanting to be seen, and yet too eager to listen to what Mair would say to turn away.
