Materfamilias

by Wendie Nordgren

  “The jacket was my favorite part,” I told them.

  That evening, Yukihyo, Fitz, and Zared joined me in bed. They massaged every one of my aches, including my pulled muscle. Then, they cuddled me until I fell into a deep sleep.

  Chapter Seven

  After waking up feeling cherished and loved, the four of us had breakfast on the patio with the children. Thunderdrop ate quickly. Then, he ran off again to the gardens. He had been spending most of his time there. Curious, I decided to follow.

  “Will you all watch the children? I’ll be back.”

  Yukihyo asked, “Where are you going?”

  Fitz listened while feeding Peter rice cereal.

  “To find out what that’s about.” I pointed after Thunderdrop. Zared had a small smile on his face. “You know?”

  He stood and pulled out my chair. “Yes, see for yourself.”

  I tied my robe more securely and then followed the garden path. I tried to recall which pond he had shown me the other day. A light fog from the lake shrouded the gardens, and I imagined myself as a spy, hunting out my best friend’s secret. Why would he be hiding something from me? I didn’t hide anything from him. I sensed him near and knew he could sense me. Then, I saw him, blinking his eight eyes at me from his low perch on a branch.

  “What are you doing? You’ve been spending so much time out here.”

  His legs moved, carrying him down the tree and over to me. “Clack chirp,” he said as he urged me to return to the Palace.

  Instead, I stubbornly sat on a bench. “You don’t have to tell me if you don’t want to, but I don’t want for there to be any secrets between us.” Sadness began to fall over my heart as the fog had fallen over the gardens.

  “Clack chitter clack.” He was afraid of getting in trouble.

  “I won’t let anyone punish you.”

  “Clack chitter.”

  “It’s me about whom you are worried? Me? You’re my best friend.”

  Eight eyes blinked at me as he decided whether or not to trust me with his secret. “Chirp.” He wanted me to follow him and led me to a small pond. He hopped onto a stone bench, so I sat beside him, wondering if he had wanted a more private spot in which to share his thoughts. He stared intently at the water.

  Small, colorful fish swam beneath the surface. Tiny bugs buzzed above the water, serving as meals for the fish who sucked them down. A frog, frightened by my presence, plopped into the water and swam to the bottom. Thunderdrop climbed down from the bench and walked over to a few stones where a pair of tiny turtles rested. They were not afraid of the Arachnean Silk spider. They didn’t look like the other turtles around the lake, but they did look familiar. My mouth opened in shock when I realized from where I had seen their species.

  “Oh, Thunderdrop. Those are turtles from Thalassa. What are they doing here?”

  He bombarded my mind with images of an evil red bird, a ruined turtle’s nest, and a secret trip home to Parvac.

  “You got Puff to help you?” Puff was the Aegisthus family dog. It looked like a cup of sentient hair.

  “Clack chirp?”

  “No, I’m not mad at you, but we aren’t supposed to take species from one planet to the next. Anytime it is done, like with Dr. Savelli’s slug from Talpa, the specimen is kept isolated from the indigenous populations.”

  “Chitter clack?” He wanted to know if he had done the wrong thing.

  After considering his actions, I said, “I understand why you did it. You wanted to save them, and that was good. What we need to consider now is whether or not they can survive in this environment.”

  “Chitter chitter chirp!”

  “Yes, you have selected a safe pond, but Parvac isn’t as warm as Thalassa. Think about Ambassador Ember. She didn’t feel well on Parvac. She felt better on Thalassa, but she needs more warmth. She thinks a younger member of her society, one who grew up with their sun blocked by the meteor, will do better here, being more acclimated to cooler temperatures. Do you understand?”

  Sadly, Thunderdrop chirped that he did.

  “Is it okay if we ask Tracy for her opinion? She knows all about sea creatures.”

  Thunderdrop blinked at me. “Chirp!”

  “Okay. I’ll talk to her today after I get home from the Academy. Are you coming with me today?”

  He looked at his turtles and back at me. “Chitter.”

  “Alright. I love you.”

  “Chirp.”

  Scooting to the edge of the bench, I slowly stood and began the walk back to my wing. A large shape loomed nearer, frightening me. “Princess Probus, I didn’t mean to startle you. From the Palace, I noticed you were unattended and thought it would be prudent to guard you.” It was Captain Merick Carus, the tallest man who I had ever met.

  Zeth, one of my Laconian hybrid brothers, had married Merick’s sister, Mara. Rather than serving as one of my Omnes Videntes, Zeth worked with Yukihyo at Ponidi Propulsions. Kaoti had once dealt Zeth a wicked injury, and I wasn’t sure if it still pained him, not that he would allow it to stop him.

  Merick offered me his arm. It was a good thing his arms were long. Otherwise, I wouldn’t be able to reach. He said, “I hear congratulations are in orders.”

  Looking straight up, I beamed at him. “Yes! Fitz, Dario, and I are having twins.”

  “Twins? That is remarkable news indeed. Your husbands are most fortunate. I must admit to being jealous of them, just as those who see me enjoying this moment in your company must be envious of me.”

  “Oh, Merick. You are simply flattering me. I’ve only just woken up, my hair is a mess, and I’m in my robe and slippers.” I laughed at him.

  Stopping on the path, he cupped my cheek and kissed me. “You are at your most beautiful.”

  “Teagan! Teagan!” Sparrow called.

  Her interruption saved me. I had no idea how to respond to Merick. “I’m here!” We continued forward and found Sparrow on the path coming toward us wearing underwear and a T-shirt. I froze in my tracks. “What’s happened?”

  She threw her hands up into the air. “Nothing fits! Xavier’s pants are too big for me. Can I go look in your closet?”

  “Sure.”

  She stomped over to me, took my arm from Merick, and dragged me back along with her to my room.

  “Help yourself. Take whatever you want.” I pointed toward my closet and went to my shower. Yukihyo watched us with laughter in his eyes from where he stood shaving at the sink.

  Sparrow was a little smaller than me, so she ended up with a closet full of dresses that Rolf came to help her organize. She said, “Your clothes are nice, but your dresses don’t have pockets.”

  “Wear a jacket over them,” I said as I kissed her cheek on my way out to meet my team.

  As he opened the transport door for me, Ross said, “Inquisitor Rovek modified all of your course work himself so that none of the illustrations spin.”

  “That’s a relief.” I kept my eyes on my knees for the duration of the drive, just to be safe.

  As Cedrenus parked, a realization came to me. “Where the hell are Eli and Drex? I haven’t seen them in days!”

  My transport door opened. Kaoti offered me his hand. He said, “Don’t ask.”

  I stared at him in horror. I knew where they had gone. They had gone on the mission to rescue Flavian and Maxim from Militia captivity. “No.” I buried my face in my hands. “They’ve been hiding it from me.”

  Kaoti said, “Yes, they have. You would overreact. You need to remain calm. Think of the children.”

  “They shouldn’t have gone!”

  “Their lives didn’t end when they married you. They have duties, as do we all. Now, get inside and do your assignments.” Kaoti stared at me with emotionless eyes.

  Ross and Cedrenus glared at him. Binder gave me his arm.

  I heard Kaoti say to them, “Make a move, or get your scrawny asses inside.”

  I made a rush for the restroom, but Rovek was in my way. “Are you alright
?”

  “No.”

  He lifted his arms which I took as an invitation. I hid my face against his chest and cried. His arms came around me. “There, there. Can you tell me what is wrong with you? Do you need a doctor?”

  Ross said, “Something about Inquisitors Beck and Licinius had upset her.”

  “I see. Ensign Probus, do you doubt their abilities?”

  I hiccupped. “No.”

  “Then, why are you crying?”

  “They left and didn’t tell me or even say goodbye.” I looked up at him. How could he not understand this?

  “Had they done so, would you have reacted in this way?”

  “Probably.”

  He patted my back. “Then, there is your answer.”

  “What?”

  “Your tears are unsettling,” Rovek said.

  Kaoti held a silk square out to me. “Go do your work.” Kaoti pointed.

  We had gathered an audience. Releasing Rovek, I took Binder’s proffered arm and walked with him to our classroom.

  “It is villainous to treat her so coldly,” Cedrenus said.

  “If she hadn’t snapped out of it, she could have spent weeks crying and depressed. I’d rather rip your leg off and beat you with it than watch her crumble. I’d rather her be mad at me. Anyway, if I bring her home depressed, my wife won’t have sex with me.”

  I stopped, turned, and gave Kaoti a withering stare.

  He grinned at me.

  “I’m not depressed. I’m pregnant and emotional. Go get me some pancakes, or I’m telling Violet on you.”

  Kaoti saluted and jogged off to the cafeteria.

  Cedrenus was coldly furious. “I’m going to challenge him. His treatment of you is unacceptable.”

  “Please, don’t. I’m overly sensitive to smells.”

  Ross laughed, getting my joke.

  Cedrenus asked, “What does that have to do with it?”

  Ross explained, “He’d beat the shit out of you.”

  I held my lips between my teeth to keep from laughing.

  Cedrenus said, “I’ll train even harder until I can beat him.”

  “Cedrenus, then you would make my daughter cry. She loves her Koty. You know that if it weren’t for him, Neema and I wouldn’t be alive, right?” Taking his hands, I lifted up on my toes and kissed his cheek. “Kaoti isn’t just my bodyguard. He’s family. I love him. He’s like a protective but annoying older brother, and Violet is one of my best friends.”

  The anger left him. I sat in a much safer chair at my study station and got to work. Kaoti appeared and placed a stack of syrupy pancakes beside me. I ate while I caught up on my reading.

  After my team returned me to the Palace, I found my children. They were outside enjoying a brand-new playground courtesy of their Gapa and Gama. Lorca was pushing Peter in a baby swing. Grandmother waggled her fingers at me. Since I wasn’t needed, I went off in search of Tracy and found her mumbling to herself over her vid-screen.

  “Hey, do you have a minute?”

  She glanced up at me. Frustration was clear on her face. “Sure. What is on your mind?”

  I whispered, “There is something in the garden I need you to see.” Since I had had time to think about it, I was worried about both Thunderdrop and I getting into trouble over his turtles. I had remembered how Simon had gotten me a permit to take Thunderdrop off world. Curious, Tracy came outside with me.

  Thunderdrop was still watching his turtles and seemed sad.

  Tracy understood the situation immediately. “Oh. No, Teagan. This won’t do. They are young now, but if they were to one day breed, it would be detrimental to the ecosystem.”

  “What should we do?” I whispered.

  “I’m sorry, but I really think I should contact one of my instructors at the university.” Tracy took out her vid-screen and made a call. She showed the instructor our situation along with a heartbroken spider.

  “I see, and I know a simple solution. May I meet you there in an hour?” she asked.

  “Yes, thank you,” Tracy said.

  We decided to wait with Thunderdrop and keep him company while he watched over his baby turtles.

  “Don’t worry, baby. No one is going to hurt them.” He gazed sadly back at me, and it made me feel like shit. He had trusted me, and I had betrayed him.

  Finally, the instructor arrived. We met her at the main entrance. She was very nervous, had frizzy brown hair, and an amazing figure. She could have made Silvie, formerly of Malta’s leading brothel, jealous. She said, “I have some fencing in my transport. Who should I speak to about getting it approved?”

  Both women looked at me.

  “One moment, please.” I turned and jogged away. I’d ask Otto or Rolf. They would know.

  “Teagan! What’s the matter?” It was Cormac Gordian, an Inquisitor and member of my Military Advisory Committee.

  I stopped and turned to him. I whispered, “I need help. Do you know any of the Palace gardeners, a nice one?”

  Cormac came to the rescue.

  A few minutes later, the ladies and I had plenty of help. The Professor of Ichthyology had brought a clear, plasti barrier system. The groundskeeper erected it around the turtles’ pond area. It was only a few inches high, but it would be enough to keep the turtles contained. Next, she scanned the turtles, made sure they were healthy, and embedded small tracking chips into their shells.

  She said, “The turtles are contained, recorded, documented, and tagged. Thank you for allowing me to follow protocol. However, it is best to leave wildlife in its natural habitat when possible.”

  “Yes, ma’am. Thank you,” I said with considerable relief.

  “Chirp? Chirp?” Thunderdrop was confused. “Clack chitter clack?” He wanted to know if she was taking his baby turtles away.

  I understood his pain and fear with absolute clarity. He had worked hard to save the lives of his babies, and he loved them. I had felt the same fear and pain over Peter on Thalassa when I had been terrified that Farowyn intended to take him to Talpa. “No, baby. They get to stay. You are a very good adoptive father. She made sure that they are healthy and will be safe here in the pond. You did the right thing in telling us about them. Now, all of us can keep them safe.”

  Thunderdrop leapt to my chest and wrapped his front legs around my neck. I petted his abdomen. “I love you, too. You’re a good, sweet boy.” Thunderdrop had stayed to watch over his turtles after the rest of us wandered back inside of the Palace.

  I said, “We really appreciate your help. Thank you so very much. I feared Thunderdrop’s heart would break.” We shook hands.

  She said, “I’m honored to have been of service to the Imperial family.” She wasn’t joking. She meant it. “Lady Ponidi, if your assignment on cartilaginous fish is in order, I can take it with me now and save you the trip.”

  Tracy smiled. “I have a few finishing touches to make but thank you.” We waved goodbye. I was so relieved. “Shit,” Tracy said through her smile and without moving her lips.

  “What?”

  “I forgot all about that fucking assignment. Now, what am I going to do? Where am I going to find an appropriate species?”

  “The market? The lake?”

  Tracy shook her head and showed me her vid-screen and the types of fish she needed.

  “Hey! We can take a shuttle to Drex’s estate in Cephissus. It’s by the water and even has a creepy cave with creepy cave fish!”

  Excited, Tracy said, “Yes! Let’s go.” She grabbed my hand. “Jazon!”

  We went to my wing where she grabbed a backpack. Jazon and Kaoti stared at us. “Hurry!” she fussed.

  I said, “Let me tell Momma where we’re going.”

  I left my wing and found Momma and the children in the kitchen where the kids were eating. After hearing our plans, she had the chef make us a picnic basket. After kissing Violet and Poppy on their cheeks, Kaoti took the basket.

  Jazon asked, “Do you need a tank?”

  “
No, just live scans. Hurry! I’m going to be up all night. I can’t believe I forgot about this.”

  “I can. I’ve been forgetting everything, even two of my husbands. It’s the hormones.”

  Jazon made sure we were seated. I closed my window so I couldn’t see outside and dove into the basket. Kaoti was hungry, too.

  “Oh, stars,” Tracy moaned as we darted through the sky.

  Jazon said, “I can make it so that you smell nothing and sleep until we arrive.”

  “Do it,” she said.

  He said, “Recline back.” After his wife had gotten comfortable, he used his Eriopis abilities on her.

  “Do you want a sandwich?” Kaoti asked. He tossed him one.

  I ate the entire way there.

  Once we landed, Jazon insisted on airing out the shuttle so that it didn’t smell like food before he woke Tracy. I stood outside and looked around. Drex’s caretaker came out to greet us, and I explained to him why we were visiting. He explained to me that the house was mine. I glanced out over the churning waves and back at the mountains with their hidden caves. I decided to make use of the amenities rather than helping Tracy. Why let an empty bed go to waste when I could take a nap?

  “I’ll be inside waiting whenever you are ready to go.” I gave her my sweet smile.

  “Okay,” she said absently. Her mind was occupied.

  Jazon asked the caretaker, “Is there a safe roller in which I can transport my pregnant wife?”

  Tracy rolled her eyes at him.

  “Tracy, it is a reasonable request,” he said in defense of himself.

  I went inside of Drex’s house and straight to the bathroom in the room he had given me to use the last time I had unwillingly stayed here. Then, I wandered around and looked out of a window. I watched as Tracy and Jazon drove off down the rocky shoreline in search of whatever type of fish she was after. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw something move.

  In the hallway, a man was in the shadows and had deactivated his visual displacement shielding. I had opened my mouth to scream when blonde hair and solid black eyes stunned me to silence. Commander Quaid Bosh strode forward. Behind him and with his back turned was Captain Eric Alaric. He was armed and held a blaster aimed up and at the ceiling. Both of them were dressed in black body armor.