by Diana Palmer
“Their children must be unique,” she said.
“They are. Rhemun and Dr. Mallory have two children as well, except that one of theirs is female. Princess Lyceria was the first girl child born into the Royal Clan in centuries. Rhemun’s was only the second. Girls are rare.”
“I’ve met the princess. She fascinates me.”
“She would have been there, too. But she’s nearly ready to deliver, and Chacon won’t risk moving her away from Enmehkmehk.” He chuckled. “They say he’s pacing around like a madman, worried to death, just as he was before the birth of their son.” He shook his head. “How the mighty fall.”
She smiled. “It sounds kind of nice. He seems to love her very much.”
“And that’s a story you’ll hear, too,” he said. “He risked his life and his career to save her life when she was taken to Ahkmau. In fact, in a way, the Morcai Battalion owes its existence to him.”
“I’d love to hear that story.”
“You’ll hear that one, and more, tonight.”
“I’m looking forward to it.” She sighed. “I’m just glad that the emperor doesn’t hold grudges.”
“He’s tolerant, when he wants to be. Still fearsome, at times, when dealing with insurgents.”
“That’s what emperors are supposed to be, right?”
He nodded. “I think so.”
They arrived at the medical sector. Jasmine smiled at Hahnson and went to the Cularian cubicles to help Tellas with the backlog. She felt happier than she had in years.
The only thing that saddened her was knowing that she and Mekashe could never have a life together. Probably he’d adjusted to the reality, because he’d known for years. But she’d only just learned many things, including the impossibility of any relationship with him. Secretly, all those years, she’d never stopped loving him. She’d hated him for what she thought was his betrayal, but the love persisted.
Now she had a barren future ahead. But at least she had a purposeful job, one that defined her existence. It was cold comfort. But she did have that.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
JASMINE HAD NEVER seen so much green, even during her first visit to Memcache. The skimmer flew over the capital city and out toward a line of distant mountains. The emperor had sent a skiff to bear Mekashe, Stern, Hahnson and Jasmine to the Fortress, the place the Imperial family called home.
The forests were just like those she’d seen in the holoroom with Mekashe, all those years ago. They looked like massive bamboo forests, with beautiful villas tucked into them, most made of some bright, hard stone that she’d also seen in the holoroom.
“It looks like marble,” she commented, only then remembering that she’d said that in the holoroom with Mekashe, long ago.
“It’s similar,” Hahnson replied. “It’s an igneous stone, but it conducts electricity. It’s used in construction because it retains heat and cold when they’re introduced to it.”
“The Rojoks mine a stone which they use in construction, some amber igneous sort of rock. It radiates heat or cold as needed,” she said.
“I forgot that you’d lived on Enmehkmehk,” Stern said, chuckling. “What was it like, being the only human on the planet?”
“Fascinating,” she replied. “I took a lot of heat at first, because I was such a wimp. But I toughened up pretty quickly when one of my fellow recruits, Rusmok, started chiding me.” She smiled. “He’s been my best friend ever since.”
“Aha,” Stern said. “A romantic interest?” he teased.
“No,” she said, aware of Mekashe’s narrow glance. “He has his heart set on a female who hates the military.” She sighed. “But he lives on hope. We meet on Benaski Port on liberty, when we can, to catch up on news. He’s second in command on one of the big battle cruisers now. He may make captain in a year or so. I’m very proud of him.”
“Maddie Ruszel is like that about Chacon.” Stern chuckled. “He saved her life a couple of times, and she saved his. Dtimun was a little jealous, but he got over it after Komak was born.”
“He sort of got over it,” Hahnson mused. “Chacon is a powerful rival. Or he would be, if he wasn’t head over heels in love with Lyceria.”
“A truly beautiful woman,” Stern said, sighing.
“And kind,” Hahnson added. “Which is more important.”
“Is that the Fortress?” Jasmine asked suddenly, as a huge gray stone structure began to fill the viewscreen. She leaned forward to look out. “It’s magnificent! And look at the gardens!”
There were flowers everywhere. In the late afternoon, with the planet’s two moons just becoming visible and the sun casting red-and-gold clouds as it began to go low in the sky, it was like a fairy setting.
“It’s so beautiful,” she said breathlessly.
Mekashe was looking at her with eyes full of pain. He averted them before she could see. So long ago, he’d dreamed of bringing her here, having her as part of his family, his Clan. And it was impossible. Impossible.
“The Imperial family spends some time in the capital. There’s a building that serves as governmental, religious and residential home. But this province is where they prefer to live,” Hahnson said. “Dtimun and Maddie live here at the Fortress. The emperor and empress have a huge residence of their own over the mountains. Rhemun has a villa not too far away, where he and Edris live with their children.”
The skimmer put down on the large stone-paved area adjacent to the Fortress. A woman with long red-gold hair was standing there with two children. She was accompanied by a tall Cehn-Tahr woman with long silver hair down to her waist.
“We’re truly honored,” Hahnson remarked. “That’s the empress herself, standing with Maddie and Komak and Clint!”
“Gosh.” Jasmine was totally surprised. She was certain that they were there to see the others, not herself. Still, it really was an honor.
* * *
SHE WAS VERY nervous as she exited the ship and approached the waiting group with her comrades. She was still wearing the uniform of the Rojok Republic, a black one with mesag marks on the sleeves denoting her rank. Her blond hair, which had been long and elegant, was now collar length, a visible symbol of her status as an officer. She was beautiful, despite her military trappings, something that was noted by both women in the greeting party.
“You are Jasmine, yes?” the empress asked gently. “I am Caneese.”
“Lady Caneese,” Jasmine said, bowing. “It’s an honor, Your Highness.”
“Just Caneese.” The alien woman laughed softly. “Here is home, or at least our second home,” she amended with a smile toward the other woman, who laughed. “Protocols are put aside when we are with family. Hahnson, Stern, Mekashe. I greet you.”
They bowed. Mekashe approached and she touched his cheek and laid her forehead against his. Jasmine didn’t know, but this was a greeting only used with family.
“You look well,” Caneese told him.
He smiled. “So do you, Your Highness.”
“The children keep me young,” she said. “And this is Madeline Ruszel. Lady Maltiche, when she is formally addressed, away from here.” She indicated the woman with long red-gold hair that showed only a few threads of silver.
Madeline laughed. “But since we’re not away from here, I’m just Maddie,” she said with a mischievous glance at the empress, and she moved forward to hug Jasmine warmly. “Welcome to the Fortress, Jasmine.”
“Thank you,” Jasmine said, smiling. “These are your sons?” she asked, brightening.
“Yes. That’s Komak,” she said, nodding to the eldest, who grinned at Jasmine with a very human smile. “And that’s Clint. He was named for my father,” she added as she indicated the younger boy, who was almost as tall as Komak, with the same dark hair and laughing green eyes. Except that his hair was black and Komak’s had red highlights.
“I’m happy to meet you both,” Jasmine told them.
“You’re in the Rojok military?” Komak enthused. “Gosh, that uniform is totally solar,” he added. “You’re a doctor, too, like Mom?”
“I am,” Jasmine replied, smiling. “I serve aboard the Kreskkom, the flagship of the Rojok fleet.”
“Wow,” the younger boy said, impressed. “Just like Mom used to, aboard the Morcai.”
“And Edris.” Madeline chuckled. “She’ll be over soon. Kipling had a test with his tutor, so she’s waiting for his grade. He’s very smart.”
“We’re very smart, too,” Komak murmured wickedly.
“Too smart!” his mother returned, with a glance. “How could you trap Larisse in the Nagaashe grotto?”
“She loved it!” Komak replied smugly. “She and the mother Nagaashe had a whole conversation about how they like snow.”
Madeline rolled her eyes. “Just the same...”
“I won’t do it again,” Komak promised. “Honest.”
“Children!” Madeline groaned. “I had an easier time in combat on Ondar!”
“Do you serve with a forward unit, like Mom did?” Komak wanted to know.
Jasmine nodded. “Yes, I do. We learn combat techniques in basic, and we have ongoing training under fire, even when we’re in port on Enmehkmehk.”
“Chacon and Aunt Lyceria come to visit all the time with their son, Lomek, except right now,” Komak said, “on account of the baby. We get to see as soon as it’s born. Mom’s set up the...!”
“Komak!” his mother warned gruffly. Because her son was about to mention the holon, which was top secret tech and not mentioned in company.
“Sorry.” He grimaced. “I mean, on the multiscanners, Mom,” he added quickly.
She shook her head. “You’ll be the death of me!”
“No, I won’t, and years from now, we’ll wreck bars together!” he replied with a mischievous grin.
She rolled her eyes. “Komak...!”
“You and your brother should go and play now. But we’ll expect you for dinner. And you’ll dress for it,” the empress said with twinkling green eyes.
They groaned, but they hugged her and their mother and ran off, laughing.
“Come in,” Caneese invited. “We have been looking forward to the company.”
“It gives us an excuse to get out of the lab,” Madeline said, tongue in cheek, smiling at her mate’s mother.
“Indeed. Oh, Rognan, I forgot...” She indicated a huge bird who was hobbling toward them, hampered by his damaged leg. He had black feathers and golden eyes and he went right up to Jasmine.
She stood very still, not knowing what to expect. She’d never seen a bird so big.
“You...are Jasmine,” the bird said in passable Standard. “Welcome.”
Jasmine’s intake of breath was audible. “You speak Standard!” she exclaimed.
“Yes.” He bowed his head. “I speak many tongues. She—” he indicated Madeline “—speaks my own.”
“Not as well as Komak does, but after a fashion.” She laughed, stroking the bird’s head. “Where’s Kanthor...? Never mind,” she added as a huge black galot appeared out of nowhere at the bird’s side.
Five years ago, Jasmine would have screamed and gone running out the door. But her fear of cats had long passed, and she surveyed the newcomer with utter fascination. He was as tall as Mekashe if he’d been standing erect. He had green eyes and white fangs. He padded up to her stealthily, as if trying to provoke her into running.
She stood very still and just looked at him. Behind her, Mekashe was grinding his teeth together, expecting a very different response from her.
She smiled. “You’re a galot,” she said, searching his eyes, which were almost on a level with hers. “You’re magnificent,” she added, studying him.
“And you are gracious.”
She caught her breath. He’d spoken. She’d never known that the great cats had speech, or that they were sentient.
“Yes, you are surprised,” the galot continued, and he laughed. “We do not share our culture with outworlders. Only with family.”
It took a minute for that to sink in. She fought tears. She bowed to him.
Mekashe’s quick breath was audible. She’d shocked him, apparently. But her concentration was on the huge cat, who seemed far more like a person than an animal. She knew from what Mekashe had told her that the Cehn-Tahr revered the galots, from whom their transforming DNA had been obtained. She could see why they were held in such great respect. She’d never known these things about the species. Her past behavior still shamed her, now more than ever.
The big cat moved closer. “We cannot relive the past,” he said softly, his voice much like a cat hissing, but the words quite well enunciated. “We must go forward. We do not prey on those who offend us. We wait and hope for their understanding.”
She bit her lip. Strong emotion buffeted her. “As we grow older, we grow in wisdom. And we learn from our mistakes. But I am grievously sorry to have offended as much as I did.”
The big cat lifted a huge paw to her shoulder. “You were a cub,” he said. “Cubs are not held responsible for their mischief. If you had offended as much as you fear, you would never have been offered such a position with the Rojoks.” He chuckled. “There was collusion.”
She was all at sea. “I don’t understand.”
“You will.” He brought down his paw. “Welcome.”
She reached out a hand and instantly drew it back, for fear of committing another offense. “Sorry,” she said, flushing.
“I will not be offended if you stroke me,” he said. “I learned to tolerate it from that one’s mate long ago.” He indicated Madeline.
“In that case,” Jasmine said, and she extended her hand to smooth over the beautifully soft fur of his head. She smiled and sighed. “You honor me.”
“Ah,” he said suddenly, and turned. “You have other visitors, as well.” He glanced back at her. “You have no fear of serpents...?”
“I have a virtual Nagaashe who lives with me,” she said, and flushed when she noted Mekashe’s sudden start. He knew where she’d gotten it.
“So.” Kanthor made a sound.
Two giant white serpents appeared beside him, along with a smaller one.
“These are our friends,” Kanthor told her as he and Rognan moved aside to let the serpents closer. “They wanted to meet you.”
She was fascinated. The serpents towered over her. They had blue eyes, like her little virtual one, and rounded instead of slit pupils. They swayed and began to purr.
“How magnificent,” she murmured. She bowed to them, as she had to Kanthor.
They bowed back and hummed. In her mind she heard soft laughter. There was another burst of purring and they vanished as quickly as they’d appeared.
“Oh my,” Jasmine said, stunned.
“Enough shocks for one day, I think,” the empress said, laughing. “Come inside. My mate and my son will be here soon, as will Rhemun and Edris and their children. We have much to discuss.”
* * *
JASMINE WAS STILL reeling from her recent revelations when they entered the enormous living area. There was an open fireplace where virtual logs burned with a blue flame. She knew from the past how the Cehn-Tahr revered trees and knew that wood would never be used in such a fashion.
“I forgot that I had told you that,” Mekashe said softly.
She turned to him. “I remember a lot that you told me,” she said, and her eyes were sad.
He turned away. The pain was terrible.
Caneese looked from one of them to the other, but she wasn’t sad. She was smiling secretly. Madeline caught that smile and echoed it. They were sitting on a major experiment that might have great benefits for these two in the near future. But it wa
s too soon to speak of it openly.
* * *
ROGNAN AND KANTHOR accompanied them into the house, but moved to the patio where Rognan ate a fruit that looked much like a Terravegan apple and Kanthor lapped milk from an enormous earthen bowl.
“How things have changed,” Madeline mentioned, indicating the two. “When I first came here, they were bitter enemies.”
Caneese laughed. “I recall when Komak was born and Dtimun tried to make them leave the room. They defied him.”
“I told him they were family. They are,” Madeline said. She studied Jasmine. “When we have time, I want to know all the new advances in med tech. It’s been a while since I was on active duty.”
Jasmine smiled. “There have been some major changes.”
“I keep up with them on the Nexus,” Madeline said. “But firsthand reports are better.”
A household worker brought a tray with refreshments, including coffee.
Jasmine caught her breath. “Java!” she exclaimed. “Real java! I haven’t had it in so long...! Rusmok managed to get two cups of it for our last liberty. He wouldn’t tell me how he managed it, but we were on Benaski Port. You can get almost anything there. Even java!”
Madeline sipped her own, noting Caneese’s pained expression. “They don’t understand this human compulsion to consume caffeine,” she told Jasmine teasingly. “They drink herbal tea that’s caffeine free. But I have to have my java jolt. I have it shipped in from the Terravegan colonies.”
“Admiral Lawson has it shipped in,” Caneese corrected mischievously, “and you have Dtimun wheedle it out of him. It is illegal in the Terravegan military,” she added for Jasmine’s benefit.
Madeline chuckled. “I got in trouble for brewing it in my medical bay,” she confessed. “The commander used to hold it over my head whenever I did something he didn’t like. The former commander,” she added, smiling at Mekashe, who grinned at her.
“That was when Dtimun commanded the Holconcom,” Mekashe volunteered. “Long ago.”
“Not so long,” came an amused deep voice from the doorway.
They all turned. Dtimun entered, smiling. He touched Madeline’s cheek and laid his forehead against hers, then repeated the action with his mother.
