One thing was for certain. Whatever differences she and Diltan had, sexual compatibility would not be one of them.
The Dramok’s big body covered her like the world’s best blanket, pressing her into the hard surface of the table beneath her. Cissy couldn’t believe the table hadn’t collapsed from their combined weight.
“It’s a good thing you’ve got such sturdy furniture,” she muttered.
Diltan chuckled lazily in her ear. “It has to be to hold men the size of my clanmates.”
Cissy thought about that, of the three muscular men wallowing on this very table, their bodies entwined with each other. Her pussy gave a little twitch. Despite its sated state, it responded to the yummy vision.
“I wouldn’t mind seeing that,” she grinned.
Diltan rose up on his elbows so he could look down at her. With a laugh, he delivered a sweet, soft kiss to her lips. “I’ll see what I can do.”
Chapter 18
Diltan’s heart pounded as he prepared to wrap up his report to the ethics committee. He’d saved the damning part of Zarl’s records for last. Once he revealed them, nothing else would receive due attention.
Not that he claimed much attention from the eight-man committee right now anyway. All the councilmen who served on it sat at a raised table, settled in hover chairs. Small vids of history’s most important and heroic councilmen lined the walls. A vid floated over the long table, the documents Diltan had gone over from Zarl’s reign as Dramok Emperor. In the dimmed light, the report shimmered bright, allowing the members to peruse the enlarged document easily.
So far Diltan’s report had been boring and mundane. All but Maf and Councilman Terbal looked on the verge of falling asleep. Terbal made notes on his handheld, looking very much the conscientious man he tended to be. Quietly handsome though rather unremarkable in appearance, the younger man was often quick to challenge the Imperial Clan. However, he did so in a polite way. With his average height, build, and unassuming demeanor, Terbal often escaped notice from the others. Much like his mentor Maf, Terbal preferred to let his votes speak for his beliefs.
Maf, however, looked nowhere near inoffensive. With a rapt look on his face, his bent body leaned over his end of the table as he waited for Diltan to get to the admission of abduction. Maf reminded Diltan of the mountain hereso, an arachnid that could reach the size of a man’s thigh. Diltan could almost imagine Maf pouncing on a luckless reptilian dril, the hereso’s favored prey.
With evidence of Imperial wrongdoing in his grasp, Maf showed his true colors. While Diltan had known Maf didn’t approved of Earther Mataras, he would have never thought the man capable of wanting an actual witch hunt to protest their presence. It made him wonder what other secrets Maf had kept about himself.
Maf’s bigotry, however repugnant, didn’t matter. The time had come to reveal the secret that could divide the Empire. Diltan took a deep breath.
“Next item, computer.”
The letter from Zarl to its unknown recipient appeared on the free-floating vid. Maf straightened as much as his twisted body would allow. He licked his lips. Terbal also straightened, his eyes moving as he perused the contents of the letter.
Diltan kept his voice as matter-of-fact as possible. “Five years ago, Dramok Emperor Zarl sent this communication to an unknown recipient ordering breeding compatibility testing of an Earther Matara. As we are all aware, that Matara turned out to be Amelia Ryan, then residing on Plasius. This is the same Amelia Ryan who became Matara to Clan Rajhir. Dramok Rajhir at this time is a councilman of good standing.
“The letter goes on to say that in the event of a positive outcome of such compatibility testing, Zarl commands that all Earther females available to us to be brought to Kalquor for purposes of continuing Kalquorian bloodlines and our culture. Even if it means abducting them against their will.”
That brought gasps and exclamations. The committee was awake now, their eyes wide as they stared at the vid.
Maf stood. “There it is. At long last, we know now who is ultimately responsible for the destruction of Earth and the polluting of our two species’ genes.” He ignored the shouts of anger that came from Dramoks Gamas and Efo. The councilmen had each clanned two of the first Earther women brought to Kalquor.
When he could be heard again without raising his voice, Maf continued. “Not only did the emperors themselves order this, but Councilman Rajhir, a cousin to the Imperial Family, is implicated. He must have had his Imdiko Dr. Flencik test Amelia Ryan. After her breeding ability with our kind was confirmed, he clanned her, perhaps against her will.”
There were more cries from all the committee members. Diltan rose to his feet and signaled for silence. He was amazed that he got it.
Diltan gave Maf a level look. “If Dramok Rajhir is indeed a part of this, I must point out it would have been by the order of his emperor, Dramok Zarl. There is no way of knowing for certain if Rajhir realized where that order originated from. He has always maintained he was not aware of its author, only that it came with the official governmental seal.”
Maf waved him off. “Even if that is so, Rajhir was a councilman at the time as he is now. Such an anonymous decree should have been brought to our attention. And what of the recipient of this letter? Who would that have been? After all, this person is just as guilty, as he would have known it came from Zarl.” He looked at the two councilmen with the angriest expressions. “Gamas and Efo? Your Mataras came from the abducted group of women.”
It was the powerfully built Gamas who stood to glower at Maf. “My Matara was not kidnapped, Councilman, and I take offense to your suggestion I would do such a thing. She joined my clan willingly and will tell you so herself. Beyond that, I do not care for your characterization that she pollutes our race, Maf. Were you capable of defending yourself, I would demand a physical contest. If you had a Nobek, mine would challenge yours in your stead for your insult.”
Efo rose to stand next to Gamas. Usually a man with elegant features, he looked as savage as any Nobek in full rage. “The same stands for me. Though you cannot fight, you will hold your tongue or it will find itself cut out of your head.”
The situation was getting out of hand. Diltan slammed his fist to the tabletop. “Enough! This is an ethics meeting, not a fighting circle. Committee Chairman, do you wish to say something about the evidence rather than provoking other committee members?”
Maf wasn’t smiling, but he was damned close to it as he stared at Gamas and Efo. “I wish to ask these two who told them to fetch their females. Who told you to go out and capture your mates? Where did your orders come from? The summons didn’t just magically appear in your hands.”
The two men exchanged a look. Their lips pressed together, as if to refuse any words to escape. It had been so with all the affected councilmen these past few years. Without knowing who the power behind the abductions was, the majority of the Royal Council had voted time and again to block investigation into any middle men who had passed the orders along.
Diltan kept all emotion out of his tone. “The Committee Chairman has posed a fair and just question, my fellow councilmen. It is time all the answers be given. We now know Emperor Zarl originated the first wave of Earther Mataras to come to Kalquor. If you know who his go-between was, you must answer now.”
“Not doing so in the face of this evidence is grounds to dismiss you from this committee,” Maf added with relish.
As the two bristled, Diltan offered the only concession he could. “Telling us who it was only means further inquiry into the matter. It could be this person was simply following his emperor’s ruling. Perhaps he felt he had no choice. If that is found to be the case, he may yet avoid indictment and trial.”
“He will be indicted. The people will demand it,” Maf promised. His eyes were hectic with light.
Diltan managed to keep from scowling. He kept his attention on Gamas and Efo. “That remains to be seen. Still, we must have everything out in the open now that Zarl’s pa
rt in the affair is known. Once again, who issued you the order to claim your Mataras? Who contacted you with the official governmental command?”
Efo scowled, looking more savage than ever. Yet he nodded his acquiescence to Gamas, who outranked him.
Gamas gave Maf a dark look of hatred and then turned to Diltan. “My contact was the then ambassador to the Galactic Council, Dramok Ospar. He sent out the orders, which bore the official seal.”
Maf’s smile was as savage as Efo’s glower. “The same Ospar who is now governor of the mixed colony of Haven?”
Gamas snapped a nod. “Yes. However, he never claimed to know the contents of those closed orders.”
Before Maf could do any further damage, Diltan grasped at the one straw of hope he could find. “Gamas, Efo. You say your Mataras were willing to join your clans, and I prefer to believe you. However, that is not the issue here. Were you instructed to kidnap them or only to seduce in the hopes they would agree to be clanned?”
Again the two men exchanged looks. Gamas closed his eyes and shook his head. Efo’s shoulders sagged and most of the fight left his demeanor.
He said, “We were told timing was imperative. The orders said that if we didn’t move quickly, the women would be taken away by Earth.”
Gamas added, “Their lives were in danger, Diltan. We all know what Earth did to their women, how they were tortured and killed for the slightest offense to their religion. It wasn’t just a matter of saving our culture. We went along with it to save our beloveds.”
Terbal’s mild voice was as inoffensive as ever. “I’m sorry, councilmen, but that was not Diltan’s question. He asked you if you were told to kidnap or simply lure the women to the Empire? This is an emotional matter, but stick to the facts, please.”
Efo’s gaze lowered to the table before him. “The order stated that if the women would not come with us willingly, to abduct them.”
Maf sat down in his chair. His gloating smile made Diltan feel sick. “I move we call for a council vote at the next open session to file indictments against surviving Imperial fathers Yuder and Tidro, along with Dramoks Rajhir and Ospar. Councilmen involved in spiriting away Earther women to Kalquor against their will to be determined and indicted as well.”
Gamas’ face lit with fresh fury. Efo’s shoulders drooped. Diltan’s heart was heavy, but he knew protocol had to be followed. “A motion has been made by the committee chairman. All in favor?”
Terbal and Councilman Osem, who was known to oppose Earthers breeding with Kalquorians, readily called out their agreements. Two other members more hesitantly added their voices.
Diltan shook his head at himself, but also said, “I must also vote affirmative as to Imperial Fathers Yuder and Tidro. I dissent as to voting to indict Dramoks Rajhir, Ospar, and others who gained Mataras due to those first Earther clannings until more information is forthcoming. Computer, note my dissent.”
“Noted,” the computer confirmed.
“Those opposed to the motion to order a vote for indictment?” Diltan asked.
Not surprisingly, Gamas and Efo opposed.
Diltan sighed. “Motion carried. At the next open council meeting three days from now, Imperial Father Nobek Yuder, Imperial Father Imdiko Tidro, Dramok Rajhir, and Dramok Ospar will be named as conspirators to abduct Earther women, leading to the destruction of planet Earth. An investigation will be launched against those councilmen who participated in the abductions of said Earther women to determine if they too are to be indicted.”
Maf’s hateful smile had dimmed to something a little more dignified. “Heard and affirmed by Committee Chairman Dramok Maf.”
Diltan stared at the damning letter floating in front of him. Wrong or not, he wished he had erased the awful thing the instant he had laid eyes on it. Unfortunately, it was too late.
If Maf had his way, it could very well be too late for the whole Empire.
* * * *
Three days later
With her sister at her side, Cissy stepped into the private viewing gallery overlooking the Royal Council’s chambers. The glassed-in enclosure already had two nervous women pacing within its small space: Lindsey and Aunt Tara.
The twins exchanged hugs with their kin. “Nice digs,” Cissy kidded in a weak voice. A couple of Royal Guards stood at the door; big, silent Nobeks in red armored uniforms. Several hover chairs took up most of the space, along with a table that offered coffee, water, mela, fruit, and vegetables.
Outside the glass walls, Cissy could see another larger gallery across the space that hovered over the council chambers. It filled with Kalquorian citizens; mostly men, but a few Earthers and even fewer Kalquorian women crowded inside.
After greeting her cousin and aunt, Cissy stepped up to the glass wall and looked down on the chamber itself. The floor below was a great round circle made of the cliff’s polished stone. Surrounding half of it in a divided semi-circle were carved tiers that looked like steps, but seemed to serve as seating. Many blue-robed councilmen were huddled in groups in that area, talking intently.
On the other side of the floor were two daises, one above the other. Chairs that could only be described as thrones, four on each tier, sat over the floor. Men that Cissy supposed were aides busied themselves setting up computers and vids before the uppermost thrones. More Royal Guards were stationed behind the chairs and on either side of the dais.
A large vid flashed to life over the chamber, showing a view of the currently empty floor at about eye-level. Then smaller vids came online, covering the top third of the gallery’s glass wall. Cissy goggled at the different views showing the council tiers, the upper dais where the Imperial Clan would sit, and multiple angles of the floor. She was impressed.
“Wow. This is better than most sports venues back home. Do you think a boxing match will break out in the middle of the meeting?”
Lindsey managed a small smile at her jest. “Considering what’s about to happen, I wouldn’t be surprised. Are you all right, Mom?”
Tara McInness looked as serene as ever, though her mouth was slightly drawn. “I think so. Yuder has prepared me for this as best he can. I don’t pretend it will be easy to hear him accused of treachery, especially not in front of this crowd. Kalquorians are passionate about their politics.”
Tasha sighed. “I hope our being here will give you the support you need to get through this.”
Tara hugged her niece, looking tiny and vulnerable next to the taller, curvier Tasha. “There is a season for everything. The past couple of years with Yuder have been wonderful, but change is the only constant of life. We enjoy the good times and accept the challenges that must come.”
“Do you think Jessica is ready for what is to come?” Cissy asked.
Lindsey shrugged. “As ready as she’ll ever be. Usually, she likes a good fight. I don’t think she’s looking forward to this one, not with those she loves in the mix.”
The door behind them opened, and they and the guards turned to see a dark-haired woman with a cherubic face walk in.
Tara opened her arms to the new arrival. “Michaela, how good to see you.”
Jessica’s best friend wasted no time in accepting the embrace. Orphaned in her teens, Michaela had been accepted as a part of the family. “Hello, Mom. Jessica said I might join you in here rather than jostling in the public gallery.”
“Of course. You don’t ever have to ask.”
Lindsey gave Michaela a peck on the cheek. “Serena’s uncles, particularly Japohn, want to know when she’s coming to visit us again. Between your daughter and Noelle, I think my clanmates are finally coming around to having children of their own.”
Michaela laughed, the sound throaty and deeper than one might imagine coming from a woman. “My little girl has your Nobek wrapped around her finger, doesn’t she? Japohn will be impossible if you give him a daughter. He’ll never let her clan.”
That got them all laughing. Lindsey’s Nobek was a fierce creature, but he was quick to play si
lly games to make Jessica and Michaela’s daughters laugh. The brute turned into goo around the girls.
Michaela turned her grin to Cissy and Tasha. “Okay, which is which? Neither one of you is in sweats or jeans, so I can’t tell you apart.”
“We’re going to make you guess,” Tasha teased.
Cissy had decided today’s proceedings deserved a nicer than usual outfit, so she had raided Tasha’s closet for a simple white blouse and a green skirt. She’d put on makeup and had laughingly called herself Tasha Two.
Michaela’s dark eyes sparkled. “Cissy, whichever one of you is you, you look great in a skirt. I’m mad at you though. You’ve got nerve missing the last two dance lessons. Explain yourself.”
Faced with Michaela’s gentle censure, Cissy held her hands up in mock surrender. “I’ve been ... busy. Distracted.”
“Good for you. What are the names of these distractions?” Michaela’s eyebrows waggled knowingly.
Tasha was the one who supplied the answer. “Clan Diltan. Ridiculously rich men with rank, including a Royal Councilman. Can you imagine?”
Cissy didn’t miss the face Lindsey made. She would have to discuss the matter of her relationship with her cousin. Things these last few days with Clan Diltan had gone well. Extremely well. Cissy hadn’t been back to the Matara Complex in the last two days until this morning to get ready for the council session.
Sorry, Linds. As much as it shocks me too, you may have to deal with a lot of contact with Diltan in the coming years. Hopefully you’ll see he’s not the same idiot who made that awful proposal to you a few years ago.
Michaela took Tara to one side, speaking to her in low tones. Lindsey and Tasha had their heads together too, allowing Cissy to ruminate over the past few days.
There had been sex. Lots of sex. Tons and tons of sex. Cissy thought about all the ways she’d had sex with Clan Diltan, and her body warmed. She had it bad all right, when just the thought of Diltan, Rolat, and Wal made her wet.
Alien Indiscretions Page 29
