Valan answered her question. "Whenever someone commits a crime that doesn't involve physical violence to another that person is judged. If he or she is found guilty bands are placed around their ankles and they are assigned to work for someone until their time is served. They wear brown clothing so they're easier to recognize."
"So, only violent criminals go to jail?"
"Yes, and the rules governing their service are very strict. Anyone who abuses a lawbreaker will find themselves judged and sent to jail for a very long time."
Daria smiled. "It's an interesting system. I wonder if it would work on Earth."
"We've suggested it to them and I believe your leaders are considering it."
"That's good." Daria smiled at Lia. "I'll wait for you in the living area."
"I'll join you in a moment and I'll bring you some paper as well. You'll want to make notes about the houses you see."
"Thank you, Lia." Daria wandered around the living room, examining the carvings on the tables. When Lia entered she put the one she'd been examining down.
"Dane and Dev taught you how to operate the viewing screen on the Invincible didn't they?" Lia handed Daria a notebook and several writing tools.
"Yes."
"This one is the same except it has channels like your television on Earth. See?" Lia demonstrated it and Daria laughed. It was the Zarronian version of a home shopping channel.
Lia handed her a remote controller. "When you want to see a different house you push the forward button and it will change to another house. Also, you can go back to a previous one if you like."
Daria eagerly sat down on the couch and began pushing buttons, watching as the house on the screen changed and a voice began telling her about it. Lia smiled then told her to have a good time as she left.
Daria made a mental list of the kind of house Thorn would need. Dane and Dev would need a big garden to play in so that was a priority. Also, Thorn would need at least four bed chambers. She didn't know what style architecture he liked so she decided to choose the one she liked and show it to him later for his approval.
Four hours later she'd narrowed her selections down to three houses. They all had big gardens and plenty of rooms but she finally settled on the one that reminded her of a Tuscan villa. It was three stories with large balconies. Flowers bloomed in the garden and there was a huge tree that would be perfect for a treehouse. Happy with her selection she decided to find Thorn and tell him about it just as Lia walked in and asked if she'd made a selection.
"Yes, but I want Thorn to see it."
"He won't care, Daria. Show it to me then we'll purchase it for him."
Daria smiled and Lia nodded as several pictures of the house flashed on the screen. "You're right. The house is perfect. Also, you probably don't realize it but it's located very near here. Dane and Dev can walk over and see us whenever they like."
"Then, that clinches it. Let's buy it." Daria watched, fascinated, as Lia entered Thorn's credit code and purchased the house.
"When the floor plans of the house arrive in three cycles we'll have Thorn take us there and we'll walk through it," Lia said. "Then, you can begin choosing furnishings."
"I've never bought and furnished a home before. If the Council lets me return to Earth I'm going to buy a house."
Lia sent her a sympathetic smile. "I'd be very surprised if that happened. I know you're missing your family and friends but the Council will get a message to your parents so they'll know you're safe."
Daria shook her head. "My mother died when I was two. I don't really remember her. I lived with my father. He was in the Army and we traveled all the time."
"The army? What's that?"
"It's a government organization that men and women join to serve their country." Daria saw the questioning look on Lia's face. "It's like warriors. They fight wars."
"Even the females?" Lia asked, astonished at the idea of females as warriors.
"Yes. Even the females."
"Your father was a warrior."
"Yes. He died six annuals ago, when I was twenty. That's how I became friends with Marie. She was my roommate at college. After my father died, she insisted that I go home with her for the holidays and summer vacations."
"Don't you have grandparents? Or anyone?"
"I have an uncle on my mother's side but I haven't seen him since I was little. He and my father didn't get along."
"That's so sad," Lia said.
Daria smiled. "Marie became my family."
Lia smiled. "Minda is like a sister to me."
Daria smiled then decided to change the subject. "Why does Valan carry a pink handkerchief?"
Lia laughed, but before she could tell her, Valan and Thorn came into the room. Thorn sat down across from Daria while Valan took a seat next to Lia.
"Have you chosen a house?" Thorn asked.
"Yes, and I've purchased it." She waited to see what his reaction would be. He nodded. "Don't you want to see it?"
"No. Whatever you chose will be alright. Where is it located?"
Lia answered him. "Only a short distance from here. The plans should be here in a few cycles then you can take us to see it."
Thorn frowned. "No. Daria isn't leaving the house."
"Oh, yes, I am," Daria said. "You are not keeping me locked up in this house, Commander."
"Yes, I am. For as long as it takes and that's final."
Valan jumped into the conversation. "When the plans arrive your mother and I will accompany you and Daria to the house. Between us, we ought to be able to protect Daria."
"Fath-"
"You can't keep her locked up here or the plan will never work. People will never believe that you're happily bonded."
"Very well, but I'm against taking her," Thorn said.
"Yes, Son, I know." Valan said.
Chapter Eleven
The next morning, Daria had to make her usual run for the bathing chamber as soon as she woke. When she walked out she found Lia sitting on the bed waiting for her.
"I came to tell you that breakfast will be ready soon," Lia said.
Daria busied herself choosing a gown and avoided meeting her questioning eyes. "I'll be down in a few minutes."
"Valan told me you're pregnant. I hope you don't mind. We're concerned for you."
"I don't mind that you know."
"Is that one of the reasons you wanted to return to Earth? Because of the baby?"
Thank goodness, Daria thought, she could answer this question truthfully. "Yes. Because of the baby and the baby's father." Would she really return to Earth if she was given the chance to go? She'd miss Lia and Thorn as well as Dane and Dev. Anyway, according to Thorn they were stuck with each other for life so she might as well accept the inevitable.
Lia patted her arm as she passed her and told her to take her time coming down for breakfast.
Daria carried the gown into the bathing chamber, showered and dressed. She brushed her hair until it was smooth then left her chamber.
As she descended the stairs she saw Thorn enter the den. She followed him. He looked up from the high-backed chair he'd just settled into and smiled as she appeared in the doorway. Daria stared at him for a moment wondering what he looked so happy about. She frowned at him then planted her hands on her hips. "You're mother knows I'm pregnant. You don't have to worry about it though. I didn't tell her you're the father."
"I'm grateful," he told her with another smile.
"Bastard." Spinning on her toes she stomped away. The big oaf. He was grateful. Grateful!
# # #
Soren looked at Thorn and laughed when he saw the expression on his twin's face. "I guess I don't have to ask what you've been up to, brother."
"The baby isn't mine." Thorn frowned.
"You're bonded?"
"Yes, but I haven't claimed her." Thorn glared at him.
"What happened?"
Memories of their childhood rushed through Thorn's mind. It had always been him and
Soren, standing together, no matter what the situation had been. Looking at him, was like looking in a mirror except Soren's eyes were aqua like their mother's eyes. Thorn sighed, then began telling him about Daria. When he finished, they sat together in the silence of the room.
"Are you sure you don't want to claim her completely and keep her with you?"
"Yes. I don't want her or any other female as a permanent part of my life."
"Do you realize what you're saying? You're condemning yourself and Daria to a life alone and don't forget you're a level five and can't live away from each other."
"I'm aware of that."
"What about her baby? Are you going to be a father to the child?"
Thorn's eyes blazed, and his jaw clenched. Daria's condition was constantly on his mind, reminding him that she'd given herself to another warrior. Just the thought of it weakened his control. He blamed the fever they shared, assuring himself that soon these feelings of rage and jealousy would disappear.
"Thorn?"
"The baby's not mine."
"I realize that but a lot of warriors have accepted the children their bondmates produced during a previous relationship."
"Not me. I don't want her or her lover's child." Thorn's voice was hoarse with anger. He rose from the chair and walked toward the door. "They'll be waiting for us."
Soren went after him. "Our law gives her the right to choose mentors for her child if you refuse to claim him or her. What will you do if Daria does that, Thorn? They'll be a part of her life as well."
Thorn gripped the doorframe, his fingers digging into the wood while a shudder of rage and jealousy swept through him. He hadn't even considered that possibility. Telling himself he wouldn't care what she did once he was away from her, he regained control. "Daria can do as she pleases."
Soren nodded, then followed Thorn into the hallway. Dane and Dev ran out of the dining area, shouting a hasty farewell as they hurried past them. Soren reached down and caught their arms, pulling them to a halt in front of him. "Hey, where are you two young warriors off to in such a hurry?"
"Daria wants to see a horned beetle so we're going to the garden to find one, Uncle Soren." Dev wiggled to be let loose. "You want to help?"
Soren laughed. "Not right now, Dev. I haven't had breakfast yet."
Dane looked up at his father. "Grandfather said you knew the best place to find horned beetles. Do you, Father?"
Thorn glanced at Soren. "Do you think we should tell them?"
Soren laughed. "I don't know, Thorn. It's always been our secret."
Dane and Dev watched them for a moment then started pleading to be let in on the secret. Their father knelt down and whispered the location of the beetles to them and their eyes grew round with excitement.
Dane told him in a whisper, "We're not supposed to go in there."
"Neither were we, son. Just be careful and don't get caught or I'll be in trouble for telling you."
The boys nodded, then took off. Thorn and Soren watched them as they ran out the door and into the garden. Grinning at each other, they walked towards the dining area, side by side.
Daria heard Thorn's approach but she was so angry she wanted to scream with fury. Angrily, she stirred her spoon through the food on her tray, and ignored him when he sat down in the chair beside her. A chair across from her made a scraping sound on the floor as it was pulled back. Curiously, she looked up to see if they had a guest.
Thorn sat across from her, smiling. She frowned at him, then glanced to her right. Thorn sat beside her. Her eyes flew from him to the man across from her. Then, back. Twins. Just like Dane and Dev. She'd forgotten that Valan and Lia had told her they had two sons. Panicking, she wondered who she'd spoken to in the den. Thorn, or his brother? She looked across the table, saw him wink at her and realized she'd spoken to him. She gripped the edge of the table and took several deep breaths, fighting the nausea and dizziness that rushed her. A small whimper of distress escaped her lips. She was going to be sick. Here. Now.
"Thorn, catch her," Soren shouted, leaping from his chair as Thorn wrapped his arms around her and held her against him.
"Daria?"
"Sick," she gasped against his neck.
"It's alright. I've got you." He lifted her into his arms and carried her from the room. "Daria, how long have you been sick?"
She heard his question, but was afraid to answer him. With every step he took the nausea grew worse. Closing her eyes, she took short breaths, desperately trying to hold it off until she was alone.
"Do you want me to lay you on the bed?"
"Yes."
Gently, he laid her down then smoothed her hair away from her pale cheeks. "Better now?"
She kept her eyes closed and stayed as still as she could. Clenching her hands, she pressed her nails into her palms, and wished he would leave so she could be sick. She swallowed. "I'm fine now. I just want to rest. Alright?"
Thorn sat down on the bed, shaking it. Daria's violet eyes popped open. Moaning with distress, she leapt from the bed and ran into the bathing chamber, slamming the door behind her.
Thorn eased the door open.
Daria ignored him as she leaned over the sink, crying. He dampened a cloth, then stroked it over her cheeks, wiping away her tears. When she swayed, he grasped her waist and held her, gently patting her too slender back. "Are you going to be sick again?"
"I don't know." She clutched his vest and he picked her up and carried her back to the bed and sat down beside her as she curled onto her side and closed her eyes.
"Tell me how long you've been sick."
She thought about it for a moment. "A moon cycle or so."
"You've lost too much weight. Are you sure it hasn't been longer?"
"I don't know."
Thorn rubbed her back. "I'll be back in a few micro-units. Try to rest while I'm gone."
Daria closed her eyes. Now that everyone knew she was pregnant it would be easier for her especially in the mornings. She could avoid those foods that made her ill especially the strong smelling blue roots that Thorn seemed to eat at every meal.
# # #
As Thorn descended the stairs, he saw his mother waiting for him in the hallway. He stepped down beside her and escorted her into the den seating her at a chair by his father's desk.
"Daria's lost too much weight. I'm calling Borg. He's still practicing medicine and I trust him."
Lia nodded. "Perhaps that would be best, Thorn. Daria and the baby need to be checked by a doctor, anyway."
Thorn activated the communicator.
"Dr. Veeson," Borg answered.
"Borg? This is Thorn, I—."
"Thorn, my boy! It's good to hear from you. Eirik told me you were back."
Thorn rolled his eyes, and heard his mother's giggle. Borg had been present when his father had been born, just as he'd been present when he and Soren had been born. He still called all of them boys. "Did Grandfather mention Daria, the Earth female, to you?"
"Your bondmate? Of course, he did," Borg said. "A most interesting situation. Most interesting."
Valan heard the speculation and amusement in Borg's voice and grimaced. Borg and his grandfather were known for their meddling and practical jokes. "Daria is pregnant." He had to force himself to say the word. "She's ill. Will you come to the house and check her?"
"I'll be there in ten micro-units."
Thorn set the communicator down, then dropped into his father's chair. His mother watched him and he recognized the look of concern in her eyes.
"Daria still wants to return to Earth, Thorn. I've discussed it with your father. He said it won't make a difference. The Council won't let her return."
"I know. I've already told her I'll find her a house when this is over."
"I don't think she'll let you do that."
"We'll work it out."
"We need to take care of her until the baby comes and afterwards."
"I'll handle it, Mother. She'll be fine."
&
nbsp; "But, Thorn, how will she live? How will she buy food, and the other things she'll need for herself and the baby?"
Impatiently, he told her, "Don't worry about it. I'll take care of her. I don't have a female to spend my credits on anyway. I might as well spend them on Daria."
"She won't like that. Earth females have strange ideas about independence and things like that."
Thorn frowned. This entire situation was becoming too complex. Every time he thought about it a new problem presented itself. He was spared from answering when the chimes on the front door sounded. Relieved, he hurried to the door and greeted Borg.
Borg smiled and didn't bother with greeting him. "Where's the patient?"
"Upstairs, in her chamber." Thorn turned and bumped into his mother. He caught her as she stumbled, then set her on her feet. His father joined them as he led Borg to the stairs.
"What happened, Thorn?" Borg asked him as the four of them climbed the stairs. "Did she fall?"
"No. Nothing like that. Daria was sick on the starship and she's lost a lot of weight. With the morning sickness she can't regain it and I think she's too slender."
"I see. What made her sick on the starship?"
"She was upset and she couldn't eat."
"I see. Was she upset because you'd found her and accused her of spying?" Borg asked.
"She was spying. She had a notebook full of information about us. So, yes, I'd say that upset her."
"The best thing to do for the morning sickness is give her bread and tea in the morning before she gets up," Borg said. "But, I want to check her anyway. Just to make sure she and the baby are healthy."
"Good." Thorn opened Daria's door and stepped aside so Borg could enter. When he started to follow him his father grabbed his arm and pulled him back as his mother brushed by him and closed the door in his face.
"You can't go in there. Your mother and Borg will take care of Daria."
Thorn's Bondmate (Zarronian Warriors Book 2) Page 17
