They ate their last meal in the cabin again at Rissta’s suggestion, and for a few hours everything was right with his world. He showed Tavi a few simple moves, and discovered she had already had some defensive training. They snuggled together while Joanna told her a bedtime story. Then his mate was in his arms and nothing existed except the bliss they found in each other’s embrace.
He was just reaching for her a second time when Tavi screamed. He raced into her room, Joanna right behind him.
“What is it? What’s wrong?” he asked frantically, searching for intruders.
Her face was pale and damp with tears. “He left me. Father left me.”
He sank down on the bed and lifted her into his arms, his heart pounding as he stroked her back with his tail.
“You know he didn’t want to leave you, Tavi,” Joanna said gently, smoothing the damp hair back from their daughter’s face.
“I know, but he did.” Her little face crumpled, but she didn’t start crying again.
Joanna hummed softly as they comforted their daughter, and finally her body sagged sleepily. But when he went to put her down, her eyes flew open.
“No! Papa, don’t leave me.”
He looked at Joanna, and she smiled a little ruefully. “He’s not going to leave you, sweetheart. Do you want to sleep with us tonight?”
“Yes, please.”
“Come on then.”
The three of them settled down in the big bed, and Tavi was asleep within minutes, her small body curled between them. His plans for his mate had ended sooner than he had anticipated, but he was filled with contentment as he too drifted off to sleep.
At breakfast the next morning, Jed shyly offered Suzanna and Adam two new outfits. She gave him a suspicious look, but accepted them with a muttered thanks. Relief swept over Craxan when she reappeared in the new clothing a little later. She no longer carried any trace of his scent. He felt relief and a little envy—his friend’s tailoring skills were much better than his own. He would have to ask Jed for some tips.
Suzanna left again, and he remained in the kitchen with his family, entertaining Tavi and admiring the ease with which his mate moved around the kitchen. She even dared to challenge Rissta, and they had a spirited argument over the correct amount of seasoning for a grain dish. The argument was just coming to a close when he heard a scream.
“Stay here,” he ordered.
He followed the sounds of a struggle into the cargo hold and found Jed pinning Anaeus face-down on the floor, one arm wrenched up behind his back. Suzanna was cowering against the wall, her new dress ripped open across her breasts.
“What happened?” Merios demanded, following him into the room.
“He… he attacked me,” Suzanna sobbed. Her face was so pale she matched the color of the wall.
“I did nothing of the kind,” Anaeus snarled. “The little bitch was asking—arrgh!”
His words ended with a scream as Craxan heard his arm snap. Jed’s face was a livid mask of anger.
“Shut up,” Jed ordered.
“I just wanted to see the other fabrics,” Suzanna said, giving him an imploring look.
She was still sobbing, and he was afraid that she was going to throw herself at him, but then his mate joined them and drew the girl into her arms.
The captain’s face was almost as angry as Jed’s. “Seems you didn’t get the message. Such behavior is not allowed on my ship. Throw him in the brig, Jed.”
“You don’t have a brig,” Anaeus sneered, defiant despite his obvious pain.
Merios didn’t bother to respond. He went to the far side of the hold and lifted the metal grate off of one of the storage compartments in the floor.
“In here,” he ordered, and Jed obeyed.
The grate settled back in place with a loud clang, and Anaeus started to scream obscenities as Merios locked it in place.
No one gave him a second glance as they headed for the exit, but as they passed through the door, Suzanna bit her lip and turned to Jed.
“Thank you,” she said softly, even though she couldn’t quite look him in the eye.
“It was my honor. I am only sorry that I was not in time to prevent him from touching you.”
Suzanna tugged nervously at her torn gown, but she dipped her head in acknowledgement of his words.
“Come along,” Rissta said as she appeared at the end of the corridor. “Time for a meal—which we are all going to eat together.” She gave them a fierce glare. “And no argument.”
No one argued, and they all gathered around the big table as Rissta carved a roast beast and piled their plates high.
It was a silent meal, but not uncomfortable. No one discussed the incident with the cargo master. Suzanna no longer carried his scent which helped him relax. She also did not demand that Jed leave the room, although she chose to sit at the opposite end of the table.
As the meal came to an end, Joanna leaned against his side, while Tavi curled up in his lap.
“We will reach Rafalo’s station tomorrow,” Merios announced as he pushed away his empty plate. “I will warn you in advance that although it may not look… desirable, it has some hidden benefits.”
Rissta shook her head. “You’re always so cryptic, boy. Just spit it out.”
“Since I’m sure Anaeus can’t hear us, I suppose it’s okay,” Merios said reluctantly. “Essentially my cousin runs a rescue operation for escaped slaves. There is a secret area within the station itself, but also…”
“Oh, for pity’s sake,” Rissta snapped. “What he’s trying not to tell you is that there’s a colony on the surface of Tyssia which includes some humans.”
Craxan frowned at her. “I thought the planet was uninhabitable.”
“The upper atmosphere is poisonous, but the surface is fine,” Merios said, glaring at his grandmother. “Which I was about to tell you.”
“More humans?” Suzanna whispered. “Were they all taken? Like we were?”
Merios nodded uncomfortably.
“And none of us can go home?”
“It’s possible that the Patrol could wipe your memory and take you back, but—” Rissta looked at the baby in Suzanna’s arms, her eyes sad. “But you could not take the child.”
He could almost see the temptation on the young female’s face, but she looked down at her son and her arms tightened. “Then I guess I’m staying too.”
The next morning, Joanna followed Craxan and Tavi onto the bridge. She wasn’t sure what a spaceship bridge would be like, but it looked exactly like she would have pictured. Two chairs for Merios and Hagrin faced a complicated array of controls, while a large screen above showed the surrounding space in astonishing detail. A large circular object floated in the center of the screen, and as they grew closer, she could see the surface was pockmarked with scars and pieces of it appeared to be coming loose.
“Are you sure it’s safe?” she asked doubtfully.
Merios laughed. “I warned you. But avoiding the appearance of prosperity makes it easier to avoid unwanted visitors.”
“If you say so.”
Craxan’s tail tugged her closer. “I have been here before on business. Rafalo is a competent administrator.”
A voice came over the speaker asking their business, and a few minutes later they were gliding into a large open hangar. Their final approach had revealed the size of the station and the knowledge that it was just floating there in space was surprisingly nerve-wracking.
The outer doors closed behind them, and Merios turned off the engines.
“Are you ready to meet my notorious cousin?”
“Notorious?” she whispered to Craxan as they followed him off of the bridge.
“He has a reputation as a pirate.”
“Oh.” A pirate? “Tavi, why don’t you go and visit Yengik?”
“I want to see the station.”
“And you can, but we’re just going to talk business at first.”
“Oh, all right.”
Tavi skipped off ,and she looked up to find Craxan smiling at her. “What?”
“You do not need to worry. He is not a bad male.”
“Let me decide that,” she muttered.
Her first impression was not favorable. Rafalo was an older Kissat male, flamboyantly dressed, and with the same air of mockery that Merios liked to adopt.
“Ah, Merios. Did you bring me some new victims?” he asked lazily.
Joanna tensed, but Merios just laughed.
Rafalo was accompanied by an absolutely stunning black woman with a tall, slender figure and close-cropped grey hair. She was so elegant that Joanna immediately felt small and untidy, but the woman gave her a warm smile as she elbowed Rafalo.
“I’m Alicia. Just ignore my mate. I do.”
Joanna couldn’t help smiling, especially when Rafalo assumed an outraged look. “I am many things, but I am not to be ignored.”
Alicia did just that, speaking to Joanna as if he hadn’t said anything. “I’m very pleased to meet you, although I know this is an… unfortunate situation.”
She spoke as casually as if being kidnapped by aliens was of no more consequence than a parking ticket, and Joanna choked back a laugh.
“I’m Joanna. I’m happy to meet you as well.”
“My mate tells me you are considering settling here. I would be delighted to show you around, both here and on the surface. Do you have a preference yet?”
“It would be easier for me to find work in the station,” Craxan admitted, “although we would prefer the surface for our daughter.”
Alicia’s eyes lit up. “You have a child?”
“I think you’re about to meet her,” Joanna said, just before Tavi came flying into the room. Her robobeast was hot on her heels, making adorable little growling noises. Yengik also followed her, giving them an apologetic look.
Tavi came to a halt, her eyes widening as she took in Rafalo and Alicia, then she gave them her sunny smile. “Hello. I’m Sultavi.”
“I’m very pleased to meet you, Sultavi,” Alicia said, as politely as she had greeted the others. “That’s a very pretty dress.”
Tavi beamed. “My papa made it. And my white one is even prettier, but it’s only for special occasions.”
“I hope we will have a special occasion while you are here so you can wear it.”
“I do too. With sweets,” she added pointedly.
Joanna shook her head. They’d had a rather lengthy discussion this morning when Tavi wanted sweets for breakfast and Joanna had refused. It hadn’t helped that Craxan would obviously have succumbed to their daughter’s big eyes and pleading face, even though he supported her in front of Tavi.
“You can’t spoil her,” she’d told him after Tavi reluctantly ate a healthy breakfast and went off to find Yengik.
“I want her to be happy.”
“I do too, but getting her own way all the time will not make her happy.” She hesitated. “Lord K’herr did that sometimes—giving her presents instead of his time. She had just started using that to manipulate him when I came. We had a few battles at the beginning. Fortunately, she has a sweet nature and K’herr did not prevent me from disciplining her, even though I was a slave. For all his faults, I do believe he wanted the best for her.”
A shadow crossed his face. “I cannot offer her many presents.”
“You have love,” she said firmly. “Just give her that and your time. Everything else will work out.”
She remembered that conversation now as Craxan drew Rafalo aside to ask him about job prospects. His ability to provide for them obviously weighed heavily on his mind. She would ask Alicia about any cooking opportunities, she decided, but she would wait until they were alone.
The rest of the crew trickled in, even Suzanna and the baby. Alicia cooed delightedly over Adam.
“I love children,” she told Joanna as she rocked the little boy. “My daughter has two, with a third on the way.”
Joanna couldn’t help giving her a horrified look. “Your daughter was taken too?”
Alicia laughed. “Not exactly. Daughter by love, not by birth.”
“Like me,” Tavi said, appearing at their side.
“That’s exactly right, sweetheart.”
Rissta entered with a tray full of delicacies, and Tavi danced off again.
“She’s very sweet.” Alicia hesitated. “Would you mind if I took her shopping? Children and clothes are my passions. And we women have to stick together out here.”
Her first impulse was to say no, but she didn’t see any trace of condescension in the other woman’s eyes, just an unmistakable warmth.
“You’re sure it’s safe?” She couldn’t help the nervous question. It would be the first time they had been separated since they had escaped the compound.
“Absolutely,” Alicia assured her. “We’ll go to the hidden part of the station and Rafalo will accompany us.”
“Then I guess it’s all right. If you really want to—and if you don’t let her talk you into buying out the store.”
“I won’t.” Alicia looked pleased, turning to watch as Tavi ran over to Craxan and he lifted her into his arms. She hesitated again. “If you don’t mind my asking, are you happy with your mate?”
Joanna could feel herself blushing. “Very.”
“Good. My daughter is also mated to a Cire and very happy. Although that tail…” Alicia shook her head, and Joanna knew her cheeks were getting redder.
“Speaking of mates, we should rejoin ours,” she said, changing the subject.
Alicia laughed, and they went to join the rest of the party.
Chapter Seventeen
Later that day, Joanna paced back and forth at the top of the ramp. As promised, Alicia had taken Tavi shopping, with Rafalo as their guard. Joanna had been tempted to accompany them, but she had wanted a chance to talk to Craxan about their different options. Unfortunately, Merios had dragged him off for some no doubt nefarious purpose, and they hadn’t returned yet. The rest of the crew had hauled Anaeus to the station authorities, then disbursed to seek entertainment. Even Suzanna and the baby were sleeping, while Jed lurked in the hall outside their door.
“So the male was right, after all. The Cire has a human female too.”
The sound of the deep, mocking voice made her whirl around. A Skaal stood at the base of the ramp, and she knew immediately that he must be Adam’s father. No wonder Suzanna had been so scared of Jed at first. Even though the newcomer was covered with elaborate piercings and wearing an embroidered robe, he oozed menace.
“My first thought, of course, was that one of the rival families had come after my son, but I could find no evidence,” he continued, his voice casual, his eyes anything but. “Then one of my guards, a remarkably stupid male, finally thought to mention that he thought he had seen a Cire warrior later that night. It seemed a little too… coincidental.”
“This is private property. You need to leave.” Thankfully, her voice didn’t shake.
“Property? The only property I see is you.” His gaze roamed over her, and she saw the flicker of a forked tongue between his lips. “I will admit that the Cire has taste. You are far more interesting than that skinny bitch. I shall enjoy making you scream.”
She couldn’t suppress a shudder, and he laughed. “But that will have to wait. Where is my son?”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Don’t play innocent with me. I know he is on board.”
“And why would you think that?” she asked, playing for time. Could she find a way to alert Jed and have him get Suzanna and Adam off the ship? “Just because my mate is a Cire warrior?”
“Because that Persat idiot contacted me and confirmed it. He actually tried to sell me the information. As if I would pay the likes of him.”
Anaeus had contacted him? That bastard. He must have done so almost as soon as they left Driguera, since Rulmat had arrived so soon after they had.
“Now give me
my child,” Rulmat ordered, losing the mockery.
“He’s not yours, he’s Suzanna’s,” she said defiantly.
He stared at her, then started to laugh. “You stupid female. He is my son. My legacy. He will inherit everything I have built—my wealth and my power. I intend to see that he is raised appropriately, surrounded by only the finest of everything. What would his life be like with her? A useless female who only has one thing to offer—her body.”
“Suzanna is not a whore,” she hissed, and he laughed again.
“Perhaps not. She was a frigid little thing.” He ran his eyes over her again, and she did her best not to react, even though his gaze felt like it left a trail of slime behind. “I suspect you will be a lot more enjoyable.”
“You’ll never get a chance to find out.”
“Oh really? Who’s going to stop me?”
“I am.” Jed stepped up next to her, gently urging her behind him.
Rulmat gave him a contemptuous look. “Who the hell are you?”
“Jed’Ta Sa’Konin.”
“The drunk responsible for the wreck of the Farseer?”
Jed’s shoulders stiffened, but he answered calmly. “Yes.”
“This would almost be amusing were it not so pathetic. Out of my way.” When Jed didn’t move, Rulmat sighed. “Fine. Let’s get this over with.”
Joanna wasn’t sure what she had expected. Guns perhaps, like an old-fashioned shootout, or even swords, but instead the two males simply flew at each other, fangs and claws flashing. They met with a brutal thud, each straining to knock the other to the ground.
From what she could tell, Rulmat was older, but he had the weight advantage. He managed to force Jed down, but Jed twisted as he went, locking his legs around Rulmat and carrying him down as well. Then Rulmat roared and a splatter of blue blood hit the floor. Jed clutched his arm, and Joanna started to panic.
She looked around desperately for some kind of weapon, but the heavy crates filling the hold were sealed tight. More blood slicked the floor, but Rulmat’s scales glistened and she thought Jed had managed to use his claws on the other male.
The Nanny and the Alien Warrior Page 14
