Phillip held up the smaller box. “This one here will return your boobies to their nubile state without interfering with lactation. This one will do the same for your abdomen,” he said of the larger box.
I froze. “Seriously? Put them on me!”
Phillip, Simon, and Isidora laughed. Auria rolled her eyes at me and squeezed my toes through my blanket.
“Privacy, please,” Zeth said to my family. Unapologetically, Zeth stood sentinel as Simon, Auria, and Isidora filed out.
“I’ll be right back,” Phillip said. When he returned, he carried with him sterilization wipes. Then, he went to work. “This one will help with the swelling as well, but to lose the baby weight, you’ll still have to exercise.” Phillip’s hands moved quickly and efficiently as he placed and activated the patches.
I felt excited and hopeful. “Phillip, I remember you saying once that even though you spend time with lots of lady friends that you are careful not to leave anything behind.”
His blue eyes focused on mine as he continued to work. “Yes, I’m not ready to settle down.”
“Is there a way to prevent anything from being left behind in me after my hormones go crazy?” Phillip, the Hadrian’s Chief Medical Officer, and Dr. Fotri, continued to research the reproductive cycles of Parvac females. I had discovered first hand a few months after giving birth to Neema an unrelenting need to mate which hadn’t dissipated until I had become pregnant with Niklos. “I need a break, Phillip. Back to back pregnancies and this new artificial heart have worn me out.”
“Have you spoken to Yukihyo, Nico, and Quaid about this?”
“No.”
Phillip, satisfied with his work, covered me up. “I agree that you need time to recover, but birth control is considered taboo among the Laconian cultures. They have that in common with the Parvac culture.”
I met Phillip’s eyes. “Then, we can give them choices. I can seclude myself for a year, they can take something to obliterate their abilities to perform, or I can protect myself. No, forget it. I’m not asking their permission or opinions. I need to do this for my own self-preservation. They will just have to deal with it.”
Phillip’s eyes twinkled at me. “I’ll go check my medical supplies.”
I began to wish I had a cup of coffee. Within minutes, Rolf, my other Palace butler, appeared with cups and a carafe. “Thank you! How did you know?”
“Your Omnes Videntes informed me, Princess,” Rolf said.
I sipped my coffee. Rolf was tidying up my bathroom when Phillip returned with a strange looking injector and another sterilization pad. He moved my blanket down. “I’ll insert this just under your belly button. It will be visible, and anyone who sees it, well anyone with any experience, will know what it is. It will prevent pregnancy until you decide to have it removed. Are you sure about this?” Phillip asked.
“I’m sure.” I heard the packaging rip and felt the cold swipe of the sterile cloth against my stomach. Then, I felt a fast sting as Phillip inserted the implant under my skin.
“Cupcake, I must insist that you spend the day in bed. With this procedure and the nanite patches, you need to rest.”
I looked at the greenish-blue circle under my naval under my skin. “It’s almost like jewelry,” I mused. Phillip gathered up his medical supplies.
“Your highness, Lord Alaric and Lord Montgomery are here to see you,” Zeth announced.
I smiled at his formality and tried not to laugh. “Which ones?” I asked. Zeth moved aside and held open the door. Ethan and Sherman entered with amused expressions. “How are you enjoying Uncle Kagan’s house?”
“The Valens have made us feel right at home. Mother glows with happiness. She and Aunt Ettie were baking when Sydney and I left,” Ethan said with a grin. He was dressed casually. He wore tan slacks and a pale blue shirt that matched his eyes. My jaw dropped at the sight of the brown leather sandals he wore. Ethan raised an eyebrow at me. “I’m on vacation. I’m making the most of it. The Princess leaves Parvac for Thalassa in the morning. Tavere has offered us your house on the beach while we are there. Mother insists she is remaining on Parvac until the Princess returns to Galaxic space.”
“You’ll love Thalassa. I wish I could go with you.” I glanced over at one of the decontamination bots that had been carefully placed around the Palace. Phillip and Dr. Fotri insisted that I stay put and safe until my breastbone was healed and my strength was regained. They were both adamant that I remain free of any infections.
“We brought you a gift. Tell us what you think,” Sherman said.
I smiled lovingly up at Sherman with his bright red hair and pale blue eyes. Ethan placed a box on the foot of my bed and pulled from it a black uniform. The jacket had a mandarin collar with a barely discernable silver piping at its edges. The uniform appeared at once elegant and lethal, a perfect combination for my personal guards.
“I love it! They will blend in with our Parvac soldiers, but stand out as being something special.”
“Only the best for our girl. Yukihyo and Eliot went to purchase additional weavers. Let me load this design into your vid-screen,” Sherman said.
I reached to my left and handed it to him from where I had laid it down on my bed.
“Teagan,” Gina softly called as she entered. “The girls and I are going to do a bit of shopping. Where do you suggest we go?”
I gave Gina directions to my favorite shops. “Zeth, will you take two guards and assist the ladies, please?”
Gina’s expression turned worried. “Is that necessary?”
“For your safety, no. However, for appearances, yes, it is. All of the ladies will be paying attention to you. If I send you out without an escort to drive you and carry your bags, it will lower their opinion of me. You don’t want the socialites to think I’m a savage, do you?”
“Of course, not,” Gina said acquiescently.
“I hope you are going to take Violet with you. She’s been trapped here with me and hasn’t gone out once in months.”
“I’ll try to convince her to come,” Gina said. I smiled. Gina could convince anyone into doing anything.
“Rolf, would you please load a couple of thousand credits onto a chip for Violet and get Kaoti for me?” Rolf bowed and left to fulfill my wishes. Sherman and Ethan wandered over to the corner to watch the babies sleep.
“Yes?”
I jumped. Kaoti made no noise when he walked. Rolf came to me and handed me a delicate platinum and diamond bracelet onto which he had loaded credits onto a hidden chip.
“Will ten thousand suffice, Princess?” Rolf asked.
“Yes, thank you.” Rolf took my cup. “Kaoti, will you please convince your beautiful wife to go shopping with the other ladies? Violet should get out and have some fun.” I held out the bracelet. Kaoti held out his hand, and I placed it on his palm. “Tell her to buy everything she wants. If she finds jewelry she likes, and this isn’t enough, tell her to charge it to my name.”
Kaoti’s usual flat expression masked his features. He bowed to me and left.
“That man would do anything for you,” Ethan observed.
“He already has,” I said. Kaoti had used his own body to shield me from a shot from a blaster cannon when I had been pregnant with Neema. He was the bravest, most loyal man who I had ever met, and my love, trust, and respect were his. “He and Eli should have uniforms like these. I have placed them in charge of my soldiers.”
Sherman winked at me. “You’ve got your own little private army.”
I nodded. “I needed one.”
The next morning, my family members gently hugged me goodbye, excited to see Thalassa. Once they had gone, I called Fitz Jiri, owner of a pineapple plantation on Thalassa and son of Thalassa’s Praetor, Finn Jiri, who ruled the planet for my Papa. Fitz answered my call from a starship.
“Hello, Fitz! Are you not on Thalassa?”
“Princess Teagan, I am deeply honored to receive your call. Currently, I am on my way to Parvac to pay my r
espects to you and Prince Niklos on behalf of House Jiri.”
Fitz’s eyes had begun to sparkle as he looked at me. Fitz Jiri was one of the Parvac men who Papa had approved to court me. While Fitz was in love with me and wanted to become my fourth husband, I had no romantic feelings for him or anyone else to whom I wasn’t already married. By Parvac’s standards, Fitz was handsome with his brown hair and eyes. He and Phillip got along and had fun fishing together. However, I was loath to select another husband as was expected of my position and rank in Parvacian society.
“Oh, well. I will be pleased to see you and to introduce you to my new little spiderling.” I turned the screen toward the cribs, but not before Fitz had caught sight of my disappointment.
“If there is something you want, I will have the captain change course immediately.”
“No, Fitz. It’s nothing urgent. My family is on their way to Thalassa. I only intended to beg you to show them around.”
Fitz’s face brightened. “Father will be overjoyed to be of service, Princess. He will make certain that they have a remarkable time.”
I smiled. “Really? You don’t think he’ll mind?”
“He will be delighted. You look well. May I be so bold as to inquire how you are feeling?”
“I’m okay. I’m still in some pain. They continue to make me wear this.” I showed him my heart monitor. “I’m not allowed out of bed again today, and they have germ zappers all over the Palace.” I turned the screen to show Fitz the device in my room. “I’d have gone to Thalassa with the Alarics and Montgomerys had I been allowed. It’s not like I couldn’t lay on a bed underneath the pavilion and enjoy the waves and the breeze.”
“You are beautiful when you sulk.”
“I’m not sulking. Okay, maybe I am just a little.” Soft cries made my eyes whip to Niklos’ crib. “The baby is awake. I’ll talk to you later. Oh, wait. Do you want to see him?” I grimaced in pain as I got out of bed which caused Fitz’s features to darken. “Don’t get that look. I refused to feed my baby from a bottle.” I continued to walk hunched over. “Mommy’s coming, baby.” Thunderdrop blinked at me. I held the vid-screen so Fitz could see my sweet baby. “Twelve pounds, Fitz. He came out the size of a one-month-old baby.” Niklos wailed. “Bye, Fitz.” I ended the call and put the vid-screen down on the changing table. “Well, hello. Let’s get in Mommy’s bed.”
I shuffled back to bed and stared at Niklos’ tiny face as he nursed. Nico crept into the room, kicked off his shoes, and got into bed beside us. Nico was greedy. He didn’t want to share Niklos with anyone. I had to make him put his son down in his crib to sleep. A permanent smile had been on Nico’s face since his son’s birth.
“I think you have made your daddy fall completely in love with you. I’ve forgotten what he looks like without that big smile on his face.”
Thunderdrop chirped at me that he was going outside to play. Pierce had taken Neema out for a ride around the gardens in her stroller, and my spider intended to find them.
“I love you and Neema, but what I feel for our son….”
“I understand. I don’t think I could ever put it into words. It’s at once tender and powerful making me feel fiercely strong and incredibly weak.”
Nico ran his fingers over the top of our baby’s bald head. Then, he kissed me slowly.
The next day, Papa had to insist forcefully on a turn with his grandson. However, soon Neema became too much for me, and Papa traded babies with me. Slowly, we walked to his office. I was excited to leave my wing. Papa had agreed that sending Quaid another message so that he could see that the children and I were healthy was past due. After we had sent our recording, Papa played for me the most recent transmission he had received. Kane reported that the five warships had arrived in Sector 45320B. The ships had shielded the planet while systematically destroying a mass the size of Apellan’s moon that hurled through space on a collision course with the inhabited planet.
Kane reported that attempts at intelligent communicate with the alien race had failed. However, Xavier and Jazon were able to sense gratitude from the alien ruler for the rescue of their planet and all life on it. Also, the aliens made kind gestures, offered gifts, and behaved in a welcoming manner. Lieutenant Dalus, along with communications and science officers working together from the other ships, had deduced that the humanoid race communicated through thermal fluctuations in their dermal layers combined with subtle changes in the coloration of their flesh.
“The aliens, who we have named the Talpa, are bipedal hominids with the ability to change their skin color to blend in with their surroundings,” Kane reported.
A visual appeared on the lower portion of the screen. The paper white lifeform had arms, legs, head, torso, hands, and feet. It was hairless. The alien’s scaled skin changed color to blend in with anything near it. A close-up showed us its slit-pupiled eyes, flat nostrils, lipless mouth, teeth, and earholes.
“Weird,” I said. I switched Niklos to my other arm. Neema touched the diamond pin Papa had worn simply to get her attention. She concentrated on touching it. I could hear her breathing. The pin was designed to resemble a large spider. I wanted it.
Kane’s report continued. “The species is oviparous. They lay eggs three to six weeks after mating. Their diet seems to consist of insects, small reptiles, and plants. Their dwellings are tall and deep.” Pictures appeared in a slide show on the bottom right corner of the screen of the bugs and things they ate followed by pictures of their architecture. “Apparently, they keep their eggs in deep underground nurseries beneath their homes. However, they seem to prefer spending their days in open sunny areas.” Papa and I saw pictures of roof top patios and balconies on the sides of their structures. “The planetary mass we destroyed had them suffering through a long period of cold. It will take decades for their ecology to repair itself. Vice Admiral Valen out.”
Papa bit Neema’s fingers with his lips making her giggle. Then, he began making faces at her just so he could hear her laughter. “I realize you wish to explore space as your cousins do. However, I hope you will humor me for the time being and familiarize yourself instead with our Empire. My darling will not always be so restricted in her movements. Would you like to accompany me to the land port to welcome Ambassador Stine’s return from the Galaxic Expanse?”
I nodded and smiled. I was eager for even such a short venture away from the Palace. Papa walked us back to my wing where Violet helped me into a pretty white and light blue dress. Then, she put my hair into a low chignon. Once I was appropriately dressed, Yukihyo picked me up.
“I can walk to the front of the Palace.”
“Yes, but the walk and the transport ride may cause you discomfort.” Yukihyo smiled at me and held me carefully so as not to hurt my chest.
Papa carried Neema, and Nico carried Niklos. Since we would not be gone for long, Pierce and Lorca were remaining at the Palace. Yukihyo placed me gently on my feet beside the long black transport. We would be travelling to the land port in the midst of a procession of them full of guards. Now, there were two baby seats within the transport. I took the seat directly across from Neema and Niklos. Neema sat in her seat and stared adoringly at her brother. Before Niklos had even been born, I had felt the bond as it had formed between my children. Yukihyo had assured me that it was a natural occurrence between Laconian siblings.
When our line of transports arrived at the land port, a few reporters were there to document Ambassador Stine’s return. I stared through the transport window with longing at the fighter ships. Clarity came to me.
“My heart was the true reason you wouldn’t let me fly my fighter ship!”
Yukihyo covered my hand with his and patted it sending me feelings of love and protectiveness. More protectiveness flowed over me from Zeth, Izaac, and Zared who had taken up positions around us.
Papa suggested that we pose for a few pictures. For Papa, the reporters were sedate and professional. However, once Yukihyo exited the transport with Princess N
eema, they became more animated. Once Nico got out with Prince Niklos in his arms with me slowly following, the reporters were as excited as Silk spiders with a new ball. More reporters rushed to the land port.
I raised an eyebrow at Papa.
“They hire men to watch and alert them anytime we leave the Palace,” Papa said.
I carried Niklos toward them. A few of them began to shout to get my attention. I scowled at them.
“If you want to see Prince Niklos, there will be no shouting,” I said quietly but loudly enough to be heard through their amplification devices. I felt Nico’s warmth at my back and turned my head to smile up at him. Nico gave me a chaste kiss upon my lips. The reporters had become practically silent, so I moved the blanket down a bit from Niklos’ face. They took turns taking footage. “He has the same cute little nose as his daddy. Yes, he does.” Nico’s grin became even larger. “Say, bye-bye. We need to go say hello to our friend, Ambassador Stine.” We turned from them and returned to Yukihyo, Neema, and Papa. Neema had her arms wrapped around her daddy’s neck. Yukihyo winked at me.
Ambassador Stine made sure to kiss both Neema and Niklos for the reporters.
Phillip was waiting for me with a scanner when we returned a short time later to the Palace. “Good work, Cupcake. You, Nico, and the little prince are all over the news. They love that you scolded the reporters to be quiet.”
“Well, why would someone yell next to a baby?” I asked.
Nico took Niklos to change his diaper. Yukihyo, Phillip, and I followed with Neema. Yukihyo helped me to sit on my bed against my pillows. Then, Phillip, Yukihyo, and even Zared began to laugh. Seeing why, I quickly activate my vid-screen. Nico floundered trying to cover his son. I had gotten what I needed. I sent the picture I had taken of Nico and the large wet spot on his chest to the reporters who had interviewed me while we were on Naxa with a short note saying that, “Daddy forgot to keep me covered.”
When the picture hit the news, Abbie laughed hysterically, and all of Nico’s brothers called to tease him. Nico was shocked that I had sent a picture of him soaked in baby pee to the public.
Omnes Videntes (The Space Merchants Book 4) Page 5
