The Inquisitors (The Space Merchants Book 6)

by Wendie Nordgren

  I could just see the top of Papa’s head and then his hand as he waved to the crowd. Everyone in the stands stood and saluted before being seated. An officer motioned for all of the cadets to be seated. Even with all of them seated, I struggled to see.

  “Team Bishop, approach,” Cormac ordered. Three cadets in the first row stood and marched smoothly to the stage. Then, as one, they dropped to their right knees in front of Momma. Cormac said, “The cadets before you were the first to complete the mission and in doing so set an academy record.”

  Momma attached rank insignias to each of their collars. Then, she gave each of them a kiss on the cheek which made me jealous. The cadets rose, the people in the stands applauded them, and then they marched back to their seats.

  “Team Flavian, approach.” Three more cadets marched forward. “The team before you captured two separate teams, preventing them from reaching their objectives. Fine job,” Cormac said with a pleased grin. Like the other team, they had gone to their knees before Momma. I began to feel proud of myself simply for participating. Then, Cormac said, “Team Probus, approach.”

  I froze.

  “Get up!” Zared silently ordered.

  I stood and heard the swishing of skirts that alerted me that Tracy and Sparrow did the same. Somehow, we made it to the stage and dropped to our knees as the males had done, although our skirts hid our legs from view.

  “The team before you was the second to complete its objective. However, had they not rescued a team in distress, aided a commanding officer in a medical crisis, and towed a stealth ship to port, they might have beaten Team Bishop’s time,” Cormac announced. Momma approached but paused. Then, Cormac said, “It is a great honor to accept the first members of the Materfamilias Caste to the Inquisitor Academy.”

  Momma bent forward, and her hair swayed toward me. She met my eyes. “I have never been prouder of my daughter.”

  I muffled a sob and blinked rapidly as she awarded me the rank of ensign. Tracy seemed to share my shock. Sparrow had the calm demeanor of Kaoti, and I envied her of it. The three of us stood and turned as the others had done. My family cheered the loudest. After we had returned to our seats, I saw Galina. Tears streamed down her face as she stared at us. Adini smiled at me with what I thought might be gratitude.

  Then, the ceremony was over. Tracy, Sparrow, and I followed in line behind Cadet Cedrenus into a reception room where food and drinks were being served. Momma and Papa met us there. I got hugs and kisses before they began interacting with other parents and the Inquisitors.

  “I’m an ensign. I’m an ensign.” I tried to see the pin on my collar, but had to satisfy myself by touching it.

  Jazon swept Tracy up into his arms. Galina ran to me and threw her arms around me. Then, she gave into a hard cry. I held her until she calmed.

  “I’m so proud of you, Aunt Teagan. They let you in! Maybe, I can be somebody. Will they let other girls in?” Her eyes were filled with striations of pink, orange, and grey, the colors of hope I assumed.

  “Is this young person interested in joining our ranks?” a male voice asked.

  Galina stared up at the Inquisitor with wet eyes. “Yes, sir.”

  He bowed to Adini and saluted her husband, Lonon Treves. “Let’s speak in my office.”

  Galina looked desperately up at Adini. She smiled and nodded. They followed after the Inquisitor leaving their other four children with me, Tracy, and Sparrow until Mrs. Tereas came for them. I saw a recruiter speaking to Tracy and Jazon. She shook her head and blushed. Another one had approached Gary, Sparrow, and Xavier.

  I heard her say, “I’m pleased to be an honorary member, but I have my own assignment for the Empire.”

  He smiled at her and bowed.

  I held my arms open to Neema, who ran to me with a smile on her face. I had done it. My little girl would have a chance to be what she wanted. Thunderdrop blinked at me from his perch on Eric’s shoulder.

  “I am proud of you, Lady Wife,” Yukihyo said.

  An Inquisitor approached us, bowed to Momma and Papa who had joined us, and asked, “Princess Probus, do you wish to join our ranks or remain an honorary member?”

  My world became still and quiet. “Join?” Desperately, I had wanted acceptance into the Galaxic Militia. Now, I was being offered a chance to become an Inquisitor.

  “Tegan’s foremost duty is to the Imperial family. Those duties take precedence over all else,” Papa said.

  “Yes, Emperor Probus. However, she might work toward being our first female graduate. Permanent field work would not be considered, but there are other avenues at which she might excel. Testing would make that determination.”

  Papa nodded.

  “I don’t want her being sent on any dangerous missions,” Momma said adamantly. “I want that understood.”

  “Yes, your majesty.”

  I whispered, “I would like to graduate. It might be difficult, but I’d like to try.”

  “Very well. Once you have returned from Thalassa, you will be given your course of study. I can place you on an accelerated program.” He bowed to us and excused himself to begin the arrangements.

  I hugged Neema to my chest.

  “Come along, my darling. Our ships await,” Papa said as he led Momma out on his arm.

  Yukihyo placed a kiss on my temple. “I have never sensed such happiness from Galina,” he said.

  “She will be the first little girl to enter the academy,” Nico said.

  My husbands ushered me out to our transports.

  “Chitter chirp clack chitter.” Thunderdrop showed me an image of his octopus.

  “Sue?” I asked for him.

  “On-board,” Zared responded.

  Yukihyo took Neema from me just as I was swept off of my feet and spun around in the air. I started screaming and laughing as Uncle Kagan blew raspberries on my neck.

  “Kagan, put her down. I can’t get to her all of the way up there,” Grandmother said. He minded, and Grandmother placed her hands to either side of my face. I looked from her white hair to her pale-blue eyes. “I couldn’t be any prouder of you, not because of what you did, but for whom you did it. Whenever you need help with your assignments, I will make cookies, and you will come to me.”

  “You mean it?”

  “Oh, yes. Who do you think helped Kagan and Kane? I’m no slouch. Even though I abhor space travel, I understand the workings of the Warrior Caste. Now, go to your ship. We are traveling in Kagan’s warship and will meet you there.”

  “You’re coming with us?” I squealed.

  Grandmother nodded. “I want my own picture of four generations of Valen women together on the beach. It will go nicely in my sitting room. Kagan, send that Medical Officer of yours to me with sedatives immediately.”

  “He will meet you in the sitting room, Mother,” Momma said. She put her arm around Grandmother’s back and rolled her eyes at me.

  I chuckled.

  Chapter Seven

  With everyone else fussing over the children, I took my seat, pulled out my vid-screen, and took pictures of my rank insignia.

  “I’ve never made love to an ensign,” Nico said.

  I looked up at him, blushed, and smiled.

  “Nor have I,” Drex said. “Perhaps, we should take turns.”

  “Drex!” I said, shocked he would say such a thing. His eyes darkened, and I noticed a growing bulge in his pants.

  Laughing, Zared said, “Nor have I. What of you, brother?” he asked Yukihyo.

  “Not yet, but it won’t be much longer before my answer will be yes. Quaid, what about you?”

  Zared laughed again at the look Quaid gave Yukihyo.

  “I have been faithful to Teagan since the moment I felt her desire for me,” Quaid said.

  I grinned at him. “And, he doesn’t have to be. I have placed no restrictions on my Laconian husbands. Should they desire other wives, they may take them with my blessing.”

  “But, it would anger you,” Zared said
. He grinned. My jealousy pleased him.

  “It would infuriate me.” Imagining some other female’s hands on any of my husbands made me want to rip out her imaginary eyeballs with my bare hands.

  Yukihyo, Zared, and Quaid grew bulges to rival the one Drex sported. With a naughty grin, I touched Yukihyo’s hand and flooded him with pleasure endorphins. Then, I satisfied Zared and Quaid in the same manner. Afterwards, I sat back in my seat and continued to admire my rank insignia.

  “Woman, what about us?” Nico asked jealously.

  I raised an eyebrow and stared at Nico and Drex. “I’m not making it easy for either of my Parvac husbands. You will have to work for your pleasure in my bedroom on our ship. The General and the Inquisitor will take orders from the Ensign.” The looks they gave me could have melted the snows of Chione.

  When our transport came to a stop inside of the Empress’ bay, Drex quickly exited, pulled me out, and threw me over his shoulder. My shock at his behavior changed to gales of laughter as Nico hurried after us into the lift.

  “If she wants to play games, I say we make one of our own for her to enjoy on Thalassa,” Zared said as he handed the stuffed bear Peter had dropped to Lorca.

  Quaid took Niklos from his transport seat. “What do you have in mind?”

  Zared removed one of Sparrow’s romance novels from an inner jacket pocket and handed it to his co-husband. Yukihyo looked at the cover over Quaid’s shoulder. “Sparrow, Teagan, and Tracy have each read this one. Do you recall what happened twelve nights ago?”

  Yukihyo grinned as he recalled their wife’s insatiable lust.

  Zared said, “It was after reading this.”

  Quaid laughed and read the title, “The Bride of the Barbarian Pirates?”

  “Give it to me when you’re done,” Yukihyo said.

  “Read quickly. We have two days to plan,” Zared said.

  “Drex, put me down!” I laughed. “What’s gotten into you?”

  “I’ll put you down, but it will be on your bed. Furthermore, nothing has gotten into me, but I intend to get into you.” More laughter bubbled out of me. Drex was true to his word, bending forward and depositing me on my bed. “Take your clothes off,” he ordered.

  Nico secured the door.

  I moved to kneel on the bed. “Insubordinate,” I scolded. “I’m giving the orders. Take your clothes off, and give me your jacket, Inquisitor Licinius.” I waited while he obeyed. “General Cassian, remove your uniform and stand at attention.”

  When each of my Parvac husbands wore wicked grins, painfully hard erections, and nothing else, I slowly stripped. I kept my tiara on my head but cocked it at a jaunty angle. Grinning, I picked up Drex’s uniform jacket and put it on, leaving it unfastened. Then, I walked slowly around them. I ran my finger down the center line in Nico’s back and down his butt.

  “I’ve learned the importance of inspecting my troops from General Cassian. From Inquisitor Licinius, I’ve learned to search for weaknesses.” I cupped Drex’s balls as I moved to stand in front of him. Drex had a thin hold on his control. Never before had he been so mad with lust and desire. I climbed the steps at the foot of my bed, stood before Nico, and kissed him. He brought his hands around to grab my butt. “No. You are supposed to be standing at attention. Obey your ensign.”

  I waited for Nico’s hands to return to their clasped position behind his back. Then, I licked my way down his chest to his cock, taking him as deeply as I could into my mouth. Drex groaned. When Nico’s hands moved to my hair, I stopped.

  Nico said, “Teagan, this is torture.”

  I sucked his tip. “I would never punish such loyal, upstanding officers.” I stood, climbed the steps once more, and reclined on the bed while admiring the medals on Drex’s uniform. Then, I lifted my left knee up and spread my legs to give them a good view. Drex trembled and veins bulged in his cock. “At ease,” I whispered.

  Drex surged forward and slid himself into me, pumping frantically. I had shattered my Inquisitor’s tight control. In turn, he shattered my own with his wild abandon. I bit his shoulder and clawed at his back as I came. Drex collapsed on top of me and panted, “Stars, dearest one. Stars.”

  “Let me show you how it’s done,” Nico said.

  He turned me to my side, lifting and supporting my thigh as he pushed his hard, long, thick shaft deep inside of me. I cried out at the exquisite feel of his cock, marble wrapped in silk. Nico’s control was unshakeable. After I came, he changed positions, throwing my ankles over his shoulders. My center rubbed against his chest as he rammed into me over and over.

  “Nico!” I begged as I clutched at his short blonde hair unable to move. I screamed as I shattered.

  Then, he turned me over to my stomach, pushed my legs far apart, lifted up on my hips, and showed me how much he had been holding back. I screamed my pleasure into my pillow. Finally, Nico found his release filling me with hot spurts. I laid beneath him, panting, and seeing stars.

  “That is how you do it,” Nico said smugly. He pulled Drex’s jacket from me along with himself. Nico patted my butt and covered me with the blankets.

  “Very informative. However, your seed is on my jacket,” Drex observed.

  “Some of it’s yours.”

  They laughed. I took a nap.

  By the time we docked on Thalassa, I was so relaxed that I no longer needed a vacation. On the other hand, Terre seemed ready to jump out of an airlock to escape Phillip’s continued attempts to flirt.

  I said, “He is so off his game, it’s like he’s trying to play a different sport.”

  “Yes, or like he’s trying to go sledding but on a rake. It’s painful to watch,” Tracy said.

  “What’s happened to him? You should have seen him on Scipio with Felicia, with Silvie on Ephors, or Flora of Amphictyon. This is so unlike him.” We watched and listened.

  “Lady Terre, I am your willing servant. I will escort you anywhere you wish and do anything to make you happy,” Phillip said.

  “What if being left alone would make me happy?” she asked.

  “I’d say you’re frightened. You’ve spent so long on Naxa, surrounded by snow, that on the beaches of Thalassa you’re terrified of thawing and becoming a melted puddle.”

  “Oh, and I suppose you would reform the wet sand into a facsimile of who I am but a less frigid version?”

  “Oh, no. There is nothing of you that could be improved, but I might fall to my knees and worship the puddle with my tongue.”

  Tracy and I snorted at the same time and dissolved into fits of laughter.

  “Princess, please allow me to assist you with your hair,” Terre said.

  Tracy and I followed her into my room. I felt my ponytail, wondering what was wrong with it. She took it down, brushed my hair, and plaited the strands into an elaborate braid. Then, she did Tracy’s hair. Her own hair was in a single braid that started at her left temple and wrapped around the back of her head before falling over her right shoulder. Each of us wore strapless sundresses in vibrant colors and flip-flops.

  “Chirp! Chirp!” Thunderdrop ran from Neema while showing me images of the big lizards he wanted to hunt.

  “Drop! Come back! Neema give you kisses!” Frustrated, she sat and cried.

  I picked her up. Her blue sundress had straps, so she wouldn’t lose it. “Don’t cry Neema.” Through our bond, I could feel her heartbreak, and it killed me.

  Thunderdrop warily approached.

  “Don’t Drop want Neema kisses?” she sobbed.

  He blinked at her and crawled to my knee. Then, for the first time ever, he gave Neema a spider hug. “Chirp chirp chirp.” He touched his feelers to her tears before climbing down. The encounter had calmed Neema making her downright sedate.

  “See? Thunderdrop loves you. He’s loved you since you were in my tummy.” I hugged her close and kissed her soft hair.

  “Neema loves Drop.”

  The quietest member of our entourage sat on a low bench seat and observed us, as wa
s her habit. Ember, Ambassador of Talpa, was looking forward to the touch of Thalassa’s sun upon her scaled skin. Papa had rented a house for her a short distance down the coast from our own home where we hoped she would be more comfortable. Our other ambassador, Farowyn, had been studying Phillip’s behavior with Terre which worried me. I could only assume he watched Phillip for guidance with me, and I dreaded the outcome. The lift doors opened.

  “Fitz!”

  He said, “Oh, no. Don’t get up. The two loveliest girls in the Empire have alighted on Thalassa, and I have gifts for each of them. For you, Neema.” From behind his back, Fitz handed Neema a gift bag. “One of those is for Niklos.”

  “What it do?” Neema asked as she pulled out a clear, hollow blaster. She squeezed the handle, and nothing happened.

  “Once you get it filled with water, it squirts,” Fitz answered.

  Neema’s face said she didn’t understand, but she went to show Niklos anyway.

  Fitz kneeled in front of me, gently placed his hands to the sides of my face, and kissed me tenderly. “I have missed you.”

  “I’ve missed you, too.”

  “It sounds as though we have both been busy.”

  “I had to do something to keep my mind off of you, Fitz Jiri.”

  “Such is no longer the case. You may put your mind along with anything else you would like on any part of me.”

  “I may have some ideas.”

  Images of Fitz tied to the bed while I sat above him with my knees to either side of his head flashed through my mind. Izaac began choking on something. I turned to watch as Rozz whacked him on the back. Izaac, the strongest telepath among my Ponidi brothers, was also one of the youngest and closest to my age. He had stopped choking but had turned pink in the cheeks.