“I promise!” he yelled. Even so, Ripua hovered while the boy hugged Cissy, delivering a wet and sticky kiss to her cheek as well. His breath smelled of sweets.
When Noelle came over to shyly embrace Cissy, Wayne raced across the office to jump on the lounger there. He bounced across the upholstered piece, whooping with frantic energy.
Ripua bowed to Cissy before addressing Jessica. “I’m sorry to interrupt your cousin’s visit, my empress. Since the children will be gone overnight visiting Emperor Bevau’s parent clan, I thought you would want to say goodbye.”
Jessica smiled. “Of course. Noelle, I know you’ll be a good girl.”
The little girl smiled and ran from Cissy back to her mother. “I be good. I like staying with Grandmother.”
“Because she spoils you with shopping and getting your hair done,” Jessica laughed. She called to her son, who had calmed enough to pace the back of the lounger like a tightrope walker. “Wayne, no tantrums. If I you break one door or punch holes in any wall, I’m giving your Nobek grandfather permission to punish you thoroughly.”
The boy stopped, wobbling on his precarious perch. “I swear to be good, my mother. No biting, no fighting, no breaking. On my honor.” He puffed his chest out. Despite having Egilka’s features, his suddenly fierce attitude reminded Cissy of Bevau. “Besides, I can’t break any walls or doors tonight. My grandfathers are taking me camping outdoors. We eat for dinner only what we catch!”
“Sounds like fun,” Jessica said, but she rolled her eyes at Cissy and pulled a face that said she thought otherwise. Cissy fought not to laugh.
The empress shook her head at the balancing boy. “All right, I believe you. Come down from there before you break your neck and give me a goodbye kiss.”
Again the children clambered all over her, though Wayne did manage to hold himself in check better the second time around. After a full minute of hugs, kisses, and proclamations of love, Ripua took the children out.
Jessica’s smile faded into something sad as the door closed behind them. “Until the last year, it was Noelle’s temper that worried me most. Wayne’s getting wilder and wilder by the moment though. If that boy isn’t a Nobek, I’ll take the blame for the Earther abductions myself.”
Cissy inhaled sharply. If Wayne was a Nobek, he was required by Kalquorian law to live in a training facility until he reached adulthood. “Do you really think so?”
Jessica came back to the seating area and settled on her cushion. She sighed. “We’re all pretty sure. He’s energetic to the point of hyperactivity, quick to anger, and destructive. He’s impulsive enough to put himself and others in danger. He loves Noelle, but you saw how extreme he was while hugging me. He’s no longer allowed to touch his sister for fear of hurting her.”
“But to have to give him up – I can’t imagine.” Cissy could have cried for Jessica.
“At one time I would have agreed with you. However, it is for the best given his behavior. He needs to be in the care of those who can help him learn control. Bevau is on the board of the training camp he went to, and he says Wayne will do well there.”
“When?”
“The formal testing for breed categorization takes place in a couple of months.” There was a catch in Jessica’s voice.
Cissy reached out to take her hand. “I’m sorry, Jess. He’s so young to be sent away!”
Jessica pulled her shoulders back and sat up straight. “He’ll only get more violent as he grows older if he’s not given the tools to cope with his nature.” She gave Cissy a brave smile. “It’s only training camp, not prison. It’s not like I won’t see him again once he goes in. We’ll have a visiting schedule, and he’ll come home for holidays.”
Cissy could see the struggle behind the courageous act. “Is it really necessary? Can’t he have tutors, something like that?”
Jessica shook her head. “I’ve researched this thing back and forth ever since I began to suspect what breed he would fall into. Tutors are not the answer, not for all the support a young Nobek needs. Training camp is highly structured, and the one Bevau went to turns out the most successful Nobeks in the Empire. The facility is newly upgraded, and some of the best minds teach at that place. Colleges back on Earth would have killed for this staff.”
“I guess you know best,” Cissy said, but doubt colored her tone.
“Trust me, it’s not easy to hand my son over for others to raise. But whatever it takes to give Wayne every chance for success, I’ll give him.” She even managed a snicker. “If you saw the state of my home right now, you’d understand. A cyclone would be kinder than my little Wayne.”
Cissy squeezed her hand. “I support you then. Whatever you need, I’m here for you.”
Jessica squeezed back. “Just having someone to talk to helps a lot. I’ve done a lot of wailing to Lindsey, Mom, and my friend Michaela. Still, I’m always happy to have another person to bitch to.”
Cissy laughed. “Bitch away. Threatened rebellions, your son going off to boarding school – what else do you need to unload?”
“I didn’t introduce you to Imdiko Ripua, did I? That was rude; I hope I didn’t hurt his feelings. I guess I’ve got too much on my mind to do everything right.”
“What is he, like the Kalquorian version of a nanny?”
Jessica nodded. “He’s been with us since Wayne’s birth. He’s practically one of the family. He won’t be with us much longer though, so I’m whiney about that. Ripua is getting clanned to a Dramok on the other continent. He put in his notice two days ago.”
Cissy clucked sympathetically. “As empress, you need all the help you can get. Particularly if Wayne is having all the problems you mentioned.”
Jessica looked despondent. “On a planet with damned few children born in the last decades, decent childcare is hard to find. Hardly anyone is qualified.”
Cissy moved closer to wrap her arm around her cousin’s shoulders. “Is anything going right in your life right now?”
Jessica laughed at that. “I could use a good party. How soon can you join Diltan’s clan so I have an excuse to throw one?”
Candy gave her a shove. “Don’t even try that, woman. I think Rolat and Wal are definite winners, but that Dramok still has a lot to prove to me. Don’t go renting a hall or ordering the cake yet.”
Jessica gave her a knowing look. “You know, I once felt the same way about Clajak and Egilka. Sounds like love to me.”
“Lust, you idiot. I want to screw that gorgeous man silly, nothing more right now.”
“Mmm-hmm.”
Cissy contemplated punching her cousin in that mouth. Jessica’s smirk reminded her way too much of a certain irritating man she knew.
Chapter 16
Diltan went over some pending matters with his aide, postponed a few appointments, and made sure nothing of an emergency status looked ready to erupt. With two hours left in the morning, he departed the Government House and walked the half mile to get to the cliff complex that made up the Imperial Justice Center.
Wal’s chambers were as large as Diltan’s, but the Imdiko managed to make his office space feel more intimate. It might have been the soft floor covering that Diltan’s expensive shoes sank a good two inches into. Or the pleasant landscape paintings on the walls that were made up of simple sky and earth. Perhaps it was the billowing cushions that made up the two seating areas. The low table in one of the areas looked lived in with cups and carafes, upon which Wal’s legal aides had casework notes spread over most of the polished surface. At Diltan’s arrival, the judge had shooed out the young Dramok assistants he presided over.
It might have been the low lighting of the room that gave the room its cozy vibe, set dimmer than what Diltan saw in most offices. Wal’s eyes were sensitive, spurring headaches when his surroundings were too bright. Even on cloudy days, he did not venture from the indoors without prescription eyeshades.
Wal rose from his desk as his legal aides departed. The desk was a crescent moon shape,
surrounding the judge as if it would hug him; another item imparting intimacy. Its surface was just as covered with work as the one sitting area, though more organized. Wal sat in the midst of two computers, a multi-frequency com unit, and half a dozen library tablets that contained the whole of Kalquor’s vast documentation of legal precedents, laws, and decisions. It also sported pictures of Diltan and Rolat, along with one shot of the entire clan.
When the last of his aides filed out of the room and the door closed to give Wal and Diltan privacy, the Imdiko’s face relaxed into a warm smile. Diltan, despite his concerns, could not help but return the caring gaze of his longtime clanmate. Things were tough and likely to get worse long before they got better, but at least he had his Imdiko and Nobek. It made some of the tightness in his chest ease.
He and Wal went to the seating area with the clean table top. They sat across from each other. Wal sat up straight, his smile disappearing as he put on what Diltan thought of as his ‘judge’ face.
“Record conversation. High Justice Wal discussing matter of Imperial Father Zarl’s records and its legal ramifications with Royal Councilman Diltan. Note that the councilman is this judge’s clan Dramok and agrees to the recording of this interview.”
Diltan nodded. “Dramok Diltan, Royal Councilman of the Kalquorian Empire, hereby confirms my understanding that this record may be made public.”
Wal flashed a quick encouraging smile before going back into judge mode. “I have gone over what we’ve discussed as clanmates and checked legal precedent for the matter moving into a discovery hearing. A lot depends on the timing of the matter. Upon any indictments made by the Royal Council, the court is required to hear testimony and recommend whether or not the case goes into trial in an expedited timeframe.”
Diltan pursed his lips. “Which my esteemed fellow councilmen, particularly those in the Ethics Committee, will insist upon.”
“A number of factors are in play that means I would probably have to sit on the hearing and perhaps even a trial, if it comes to that.”
Diltan’s brow lifted. “You have inside information through me, even though I’ve kept the specific details from you. We are courting a woman with blood ties to the Imperial Clan. These won’t have a bearing on your being selected?”
Wal shook his head. “We are short on judges at this time. If I am called to oversee anything to do with the Imperial Family, I will try to recuse myself from the proceedings. However, even with you giving me advanced notice and our seeing Cissy, it might not be enough to keep me off the bench. My oaths to perform my duties by the laws of Kalquor assure the public trust that I will put Empire before anything else.”
He didn’t have to remind Diltan the penalties that would befall him if he should break his oaths. A long prison term with brutally hard labor and financial ruin that the clan could never hope to recover from would be the mere beginning.
Diltan offered a wan smile. “I guess it doesn’t matter one way or the other what I tell you about the case then.”
Wal held his hand up, warning Diltan off. “Let’s not muddy the waters too much, my Dramok. Diltan, I have to be impartial about this case if it comes before me. I must be impeccable in my pursuit of the truth and justice, no matter how harsh.”
“I know. It’s just that the Empire could be at stake if the Basma uses this scandal to rally enough Kalquorians to his cause.”
“Even if revolt is threatened, I cannot allow that to subvert our laws. Kalquor’s government is all about openness. Zarl knew that, which is why he committed his dealings to his records and left them there for you to find. The truth must be known.”
“He’s right.”
Wal and Diltan started. They turned to the door, which they had not heard open to admit Emperor Clajak.
Diltan and Wal shot to their feet and bowed. It was Wal’s office, so it was he who spoke first. “Greetings, my emperor. I had no idea you were coming to visit.”
Clajak gave him a tight smile and motioned for them to sit back down. “Honorable Wal, excuse my rudeness at showing up without warning. Councilman Diltan, I hope you will pardon the interruption and that I listened to a little of your conversation before announcing myself.” He bowed before selecting a cushion at the table and sitting down.
Exchanging concerned looks, Diltan and Wal resumed their seats. The Dramok’s thoughts swam at what was surely an unprecedented move on Clajak’s part. Had he come to try and sway Wal in the matter of his father Zarl’s records? Diltan could not think of any other reason for Clajak’s sudden appearance.
Clajak addressed the Imdiko. “Perhaps my being here will keep you off the bench on this case. I do not wish my cousin Cecilia’s future happiness thwarted by ongoing events. I worry your clan will be forced to give up your suit for her, albeit temporarily.”
Wal recovered from his surprise at last. In typical caring fashion, his first act was to warn the monarch. “I am recording this discussion. Anything said here will be a matter of public record, my emperor.”
Clajak never flinched. “Good. Enough secrets have been kept already. I did wish to consult with you on one issue to do with this affair of the abducted Mataras. Imperial Father Tidro is on retreat, dealing with the trauma of Imperial Father Zarl’s death. I hesitate to recall him since Imperial Father Yuder swears Tidro had no idea of what transpired as far as the kidnappings were concerned.”
Wal’s brows beetled together as he considered for a few moments in silence. “Is Imperial Father Tidro’s health of great concern?”
There was an instant of profound pain on Clajak’s face, and then all expression smoothed away once more. “There are no life-threatening complaints at this moment. However, he is very old as well as devastated by his Dramok’s passing. The trip to retreat was harder on him than expected. Physicians attending him say he should not attempt a return for at least two months. Maybe not ever. They think he may be grieving himself to death.”
Wal again took his time considering before nodding to Clajak. “As no hearing has been scheduled yet, I would advise you to let him remain on retreat for now. Should close examination of Zarl’s records and questioning of Imperial Father Yuder necessitate Tidro’s return, the court can deal with it at that time. We would also take into account Imperial Father Tidro’s physicians’ reports. It could be a recorded deposition would be ordered before we would subject him to the rigors of space travel.”
Clajak rose to his feet gracefully and bowed to the Imdiko. “Thank you for your advice, Honorable Wal. Tidro will remain on retreat unless otherwise ordered.”
The emperor turned to bow to Diltan, who had also risen. “Councilman Diltan, I appreciate the diligence you have shown in the matter of Zarl’s records, no matter how this turns out. You did exactly as you were supposed to: you did your job as a trustee to the Empire’s welfare.”
Diltan couldn’t help but ask, “What will you do now, my emperor?”
Clajak’s expression was grave. “Kalquor must be able to trust its leadership. I will do whatever is necessary to not betray that trust. The people will be served.”
With that, Clajak turned and left.
Diltan met Wal’s gaze. His Imdiko looked every bit as morose as Diltan felt.
Wal sighed heavily. “Are we finished discussing the matter?”
“For now.”
“Conversation adjourned. End recording.”
Diltan rubbed his forehead. Yesterday’s headache was returning with a vengeance. With feeling, he said, “Fuck.”
“I agree.” Wal rubbed Diltan’s shoulder. For once, the Imdiko’s touch was not comforting.
His heart heavy and head pounding, Diltan returned to the Government House. In the lobby, he summoned the in-house transport. It opened a second later, telling him it had already been on its way.
He could hardly believe his luck when Cissy stepped out. She jumped a little and gasped to see him waiting there. They stared at each other. The Dramok returned the smile creeping over her pretty face.
All at once, Diltan felt a lot better.
He laughed at his reaction. He was actually glad to see the rascal. From the way she looked at him, Cissy felt the same. Would wonders never cease?
Cissy arched a brow and looked about as if about to impart a secret. In a loud whisper, she said, “We must stop meeting like this, Councilman. People will talk.”
Instead of hurrying out as Diltan half-feared she might, Cissy drew closer to him. The Dramok caught himself inhaling deeply of her scent. She smelled clean, but he fancied he detected a hint of his clan’s mixed aromas on her. Warmth swelled in his cocks as he thought of her lovely lush body and all they’d done to it last night and this morning.
Knowing how hopeful he sounded but not caring, Diltan said, “I can’t be so lucky as to be the reason you’re here.”
Cissy flushed. Could it be delight that he would want her to visit him that made her wiggle a little? It lasted only a moment before she put on her exasperated face. “Oh, you think you’re so irresistible.” She relented at once, grinning again. “No, I did not come to see you, but that is a pretty smooth line, you charming bastard. I came to see how Jessica was holding up, given what’s going on.”
That sobered Diltan right away. “I hope she is all right.”
Cissy shrugged. “Things are tough, but then so is she.”
Much like Cissy herself, Diltan thought. The idea brought him up short. He had always admired Jessica’s strength and her spunk ... even her temper that masked genuine heartfelt caring. Why had he been letting that same force of personality deter him from courting Cissy? He should have seen through the brash facade from the beginning.
I see this woman now, and I will not be blinded by surface appearance again, he decided. He gave Cissy his most charming look. “It’s a little early, but not too soon for my midday meal. Will you join me? I know a nice place not far away.”
Cissy looked down at her jean shorts and plaid shirt with its rolled up sleeves. She pulled a face. “Such a jokester. I’m not dressed to be seen in a nice place with such a high-ranking Dramok. Stop being a jerk.”
Alien Indiscretions Page 26
