TALON (RIBUS 7 Book 4)

by Shae Mills

  Korba shrugged. “The child, no. Your loss… Well, we will never know for sure.”

  Chelan sniffled. “I am afraid that even after all these years, I still have trouble understanding your ways.”

  Korba smiled. “It is not our ways you do not fully understand, Chelan. Our ways are clear. Had there been a true Let, Dar would have died at the time of your bonding. It is the magnitude of our love for you that at times overwhelms you.”

  Chelan nodded and smiled as she sniffed back more tears. “You are right, my Lord, so very right.” Then she lay back into the pillows and stared off into space. “How long has Marri had him?”

  “Since his birth. Almost four of your years.”

  Chelan looked at him and blinked. “How? The birth was premature. Talon… He… He took him from me. I thought he was dead. At the birth, the doctor…”

  “Shhh… As soon as you were abducted, and Dar told me of him, I took Marri out of the ranks and sent her back to Iceanea. There, with Lethiason’s help, she was successfully integrated into Talon’s people and, when Iceanea fell, into the main childcare facility. Talon knew not that the doctors who attended you were also aligned with me. He intended for the baby to die, but the injection only induced a temporary paralysis and nothing more. Talon was none the wiser. Lethiason then took the baby and turned him over to Marri. She took care of him, and for years had the insufferable task of keeping his hair colored.”

  Chelan finally laughed. Then her eyes sparkled. “Did she mind looking after my baby?”

  “Not at all. Remember, the child was Dar’s also, and no woman I know was immune to his spell.”

  Chelan looked up into Korba’s luminous eyes. “Who named him?”

  “Dar did.”

  Chelan took several quiet breaths. “That is what he called himself on Earth.”

  “I know. And Dar knew very well what his own odds of survival were. He asked that we name the boy Jason.”

  Chelan closed her eyes. “I am so overwhelmed, I am completely drained,” she uttered weakly.

  Korba released her hand and stood. Slowly, he shed his jacket, his eyes never leaving her pretty face. Then he stood still, holding his breath.

  Chelan’s eyes finally fluttered open, and she smiled. Then she shuffled over, offering him a place beside her. Korba lay down next to her, gathering her into his powerful arms, and watched her as she drifted into sleep, his goddess once again by his side.

  Chapter 31

  Chelan awoke a long time later, still warmly entangled in Korba’s arms. She looked up, his azure eyes meeting hers.

  “How about a workout, sleepyhead?” he asked.

  Chelan smiled, her body and soul at peace, so much so that she did not want to move. Then she pushed herself up and peered down at him. “Actually, I was wondering if I could invite Jason here now.”

  Korba’s eyes shone. “Of course, you may. You have a lot of catching up to do.”

  Chelan smiled. “You don’t mind him coming here?”

  Korba shook his head. “No, my Lady. He comes here frequently.”

  Chelan scampered over him and jumped to the floor. “I have something to do first. I shouldn’t be long. Then we can call Marri.”

  Korba sat up. “I will wait right here.”

  Chelan ran to the Command Center. She thought of checking in on the progress of her room but decided to leave the workers alone. Her real purpose was Lethiason, and within moments she had contacted him.

  The huge man walked in through the doors, greeting her warmly. “My Lady. What can I do for you?”

  Chelan stared up at him. “Thank you for saving my son, Lethiason.”

  Lethiason smiled. “It was no trouble, my Lady. I wanted the baby to live as much as you did. He was the last of Commander Dar’s soul.”

  “Oh, Lethiason…” She sighed. “How can I ever repay you?”

  He beamed. “You already have.”

  “I have?”

  Lethiason nodded toward the workout area. “You have set him on his feet again, my Lady. If you stay, we will soon have our Emperor back.”

  Chelan glanced down. “Actually, that is the other thing I wanted to talk to you about.” She began fidgeting with her dress. “I had promised Braedon that I would stay here for three days. I am to go home tomorrow.”

  “Yes, my Lady. I know.”

  “Well, I think that I will be staying a little longer now. I want to get to know my son.”

  Another smile lit Lethiason’s face.

  Chelan hesitated. “Could you notify Braedon for me? I can’t leave right now to do it myself.”

  “He already knows.”

  “Knows what?”

  “He knows you will be staying.”

  Chelan became still. “What do you mean, staying?”

  “My Lady. I do not mean indefinitely, but he knows that you need time, especially because of your son.”

  Chelan hesitated. “He knows of Jason, that my baby lived?”

  “Yes. Korba had prepared him in the caverns, both for you and for the child. If plans with Marri fell through, or if for any reason Talon found out the boy was not dead, he was to be taken to Braedon.”

  “Braedon never said a word.”

  “He was sworn to secrecy, my Lady.”

  Chelan’s shoulders sagged. “I have been so unfair to Braedon.”

  “No, you haven’t. He took on his post willingly, knowing full well he could end up caring for you on a more personal level. But he is also loyal to Korba. He never entered any arrangement expecting to hold on to you.”

  Chelan turned away. “Everything is so convoluted and complicated.”

  “It does not have to be so anymore if you follow your heart.”

  Chelan faced him. “But I don’t want Braedon living alone in the caverns.”

  “That was a fate you chose. Was it distasteful?”

  Chelan went to speak but then stopped.

  Lethiason smiled. “Besides, you forget: Braedon is not marooned there. He has friends and family in the South, and he is more than welcome here.”

  Chelan eyed Lethiason. “How welcome, and by whom?”

  “He is very welcome by Korba himself. It has always been a standing order that Braedon may reside here if he wishes. He has served Korba for many years. Korba also has decreed that you may be with Braedon in any manner you wish, even as you used to be with Dar and Fremma. There are no sanctions on the two of you. It is a true Iceanean relationship.”

  Chelan took a moment. “Once again, I experience the generosity and true scope of our Lord’s love.”

  Lethiason nodded. “He loves you more than life itself. Now, is there anything else I can do for you, my Lady?”

  “No, but thank you once again for everything.”

  Lethiason bowed and left.

  Chelan then bounded back to Korba. She found him dressed in his uniform and waiting patiently. “All ready?” she asked.

  Korba nodded and pressed in a code on the wall panel.

  “Marri here.”

  “Marri, could you bring our exuberant bundle of energy to my quarters?”

  “Right away.”

  Chelan could barely contain herself. “This will be wonderful!”

  Korba took her by the hand and led her to the Command Center. Within moments, the doors parted, and the little blonde boy stepped in, holding the hand of the very tall and beautiful Marri. Instantly, he released her and ran to Korba, hugging him tight. “Can we go for a swim? Can we?”

  Korba laughed. “Well, we will see. How about we ask your mom first?”

  Jason looked up at Chelan. “Can we?”

  Chelan smiled broadly. “I don’t see why not.”

  “Yay!” And he sprang from Korba and began running toward the workout area.

  “Hey!” commanded Korba simply, and Jason skidded to a halt. “You know that you always wait for me first.”

  Jason smiled. “Yes, Sire.”

  Marri chuckled. “I will leave the th
ree of you. Page me when you are ready.”

  Korba nodded, and she left. Chelan followed him into the workout area. There he knelt down and helped Jason with his top. Then Jason sat down and kicked off his boots and pants. Chelan watched as Korba began undressing. Suddenly, Jason ran up to her and tugged on her gown. “You can come too.”

  Chelan smiled longingly. “Oh, I would love to, but…”

  Jason’s smile faded, and he looked up to Korba in confusion.

  Korba chuckled. “You forget our ease, pretty woman.”

  Chelan immediately blushed. “Oh, ah, I would love to swim with you. How about you go in with Korba while I undress?”

  “Great!” And Jason leapt at Korba. Korba grabbed him up and settled into the pool with him. Then, the little tadpole began to swim with ease.

  Korba smiled at Chelan. “Your turn.” And he swam away.

  Nervously, Chelan slipped out of her gown and into the pool. She watched as the two of them splashed water at one another, Korba’s deep voice punctuated by Jason’s shrill expressions of glee. Then suddenly, Jason changed direction and began dog paddling toward her.

  “Here I come!” he informed her loudly.

  Chelan held her arms out and caught him. He splashed water on her face and then giggled. Chelan looked into his big, blue eyes. “You swim wonderfully.”

  He smiled. “Can you swim?”

  Chelan nodded. “Yes, I can, but not as well as Korba.”

  “That is okay. No one can swim as well as him.”

  Chelan laughed. “I think you are right.”

  Then Jason stopped his splashing around and stared at her. “You have funny-colored hair.”

  Chelan smiled. “I know. It is not pretty like yours.”

  “My dad had my hair color.”

  “Yes, he did. And it was beautiful. Do the other children tease you about it?”

  “No. They all want my hair. They know how special my dad was.”

  Chelan nodded, her throat suddenly burning. “They know a lot,” she whispered.

  Jason continued to study her. Then he looked down, and his little hand brushed over her breast. Chelan blanched and looked frantically at Korba, but the Warlord only smiled. She held her breath and peered back into the child’s guileless eyes.

  Jason smiled broadly. “You are very pretty.”

  Chelan went from white to bright crimson, and Korba laughed. Then Jason pushed away and began to frolic once again. Korba looked at Chelan and shrugged. “He already has an eye for exotic, alien beauty.”

  Chelan tried to catch her breath. “But he…”

  Korba laughed again. “Oh, my shy lady. He has seen hundreds of naked women by now. He thinks nothing of it. Just like he noticed your hair, he also noticed your fullness. That he has not seen before. This is all.”

  Chelan swallowed. “I see that I still have a lot to get used to. After all these years, I was just beginning to feel more at ease with your men. Now I must start over with the children.”

  Korba went to speak, but Jason splashed him in the face, and the two of them began tussling with one another once more. Chelan finally began to relax. But it was not long before Jason headed for her again, his little hands pounding the water for all he was worth. Chelan submerged and came up behind him.

  Korba’s deep voice resonated from behind her. “You do not play fair.”

  Chelan turned around and was hit by a face full of water. “Darn you,” she spluttered. But before she could retaliate, Jason tackled her from behind.

  His arms tightened around her neck. “I got her for you, Sire. You can catch her now!”

  Chelan’s eyes went wide as his little arms crushed her wind. Korba laughed, but he stayed where he was. Jason giggled as Chelan reached around and dug her nails into his squirming little ribs.

  “Come on, Sire!” he squealed.

  Chelan glanced at Korba, noting his reluctance to approach her in her naked state. Then she took a deep breath and submerged herself, and as expected, Jason let go. She kicked off the bottom and surfaced in front of the boy. She grinned. “Let’s get Korba.”

  Jason’s eyes lit, and he paddled toward the Emperor. Chelan sank from the surface and waited until Jason was close to Korba. Then she came up behind the Warlord and grabbed onto his neck.

  Korba’s hands fended off Jason while Chelan bore down on his shoulders, pushing him under. Jason hollered with delight. “You got him, Mom!”

  Chelan laughed but suddenly gulped for air. A massive hand seized her ankle and yanked her under. Then Korba released her, and she clawed for the surface.

  Jason was laughing. “And he got you!”

  Chelan swirled around, but she could not find the man. Then she felt his hands briefly surround her waist before slipping down over her thighs and legs. Chelan gasped, but still, he did not surface.

  “Where did he go, Mom?”

  Chelan was still trying to recover from the intense body heat Korba’s simple touch had ignited. Then she saw him surface at the edge. “There he is!”

  Jason swam toward him, blowing bubbles in the water as he spluttered along. Korba held his arms out to him. “Come on, little man. It is time to get out.”

  “Oh, so soon?”

  Korba smiled and gathered him into his arms. “Yes, so soon. You can have a snack, and then Auntie Marri says you have some work to do.”

  Jason grabbed onto him, and Korba set him on the edge, wrapping him tightly in a towel. Jason looked out over the pool to Chelan and called to her. “Come on! We are going to have a snack.”

  Chelan swam up to the edge just as Korba pushed out. He grabbed a towel and dried himself quickly. Jason stared at her. “Aren’t you coming out?”

  “Shhh,” came Korba’s gentle command. “Look at me.” Jason looked at Korba as the Warlord knelt down and began drying his blonde hair. “Listen. Your mom is not from here. You know that.”

  “Yes, Sire.”

  Korba smiled. “She is not used to us yet, okay? So let her do things as she wishes for a time.”

  “I thought she was used to you.”

  Korba chuckled. “She was once, but that was a long time ago. Now she must start all over with both of us. So do not push her, okay?”

  Jason stared at Chelan and then smiled. “But she is pretty. I want her to come out.”

  Korba laughed. Then he looked down at Chelan and raised his brows. “He has a point.”

  Chelan blushed but then remembered just whose world she resided in. She moved to the edge, pushed herself out, and sat beside Jason, trying hard to resist the temptation to cover herself.

  Jason smiled and stood, retrieving a fresh towel and handing it to her. Then he beamed at Korba. “There, Sire. Now she is used to us.” And he plunked himself down triumphantly.

  Korba and Chelan laughed as she rubbed the towel through her hair. Then Korba spoke. “Okay, once you get dressed, I will order some food.”

  Jason squirmed into his clothes and then looked at Chelan expectantly. “Are you going to eat with us?”

  “Uh-huh.”

  Jason smiled at Korba and watched as the Warlord dressed. Then Jason looked around and found Chelan’s gown. He picked it up and handed it to her. Chelan took a deep breath, finally gaining the courage to put her towel down and slip into the gown. She glanced up into Korba’s amused eyes, and she pinked once again.

  The Emperor moved off to an intercom, and within moments, Marri arrived in the workout area carrying a large bowl of fruit. The four of them sat together and ate while Jason babbled away. Then all too soon, Marri whisked him away.

  Chelan sighed as they disappeared. She turned to Korba. “I love him to death already.”

  Korba smiled. “It shows, my Lady, and he knows it.”

  “I hope so. I hope he knows I never abandoned him.”

  Korba took her by the shoulders. “He knows all, my Lady—as much as he can understand, at least. He knows he was taken from you and why. And he knows that you thought he was de
ad all this time.”

  Chelan shuddered. “What of Talon?”

  Korba’s hands left her, his voice lowering. “He knows Talon took you as his captive. He would not understand the marriage.”

  Chelan looked away. “I never want him to know of that.”

  “When he is older, he will know, and he will understand. Remember, I ordered Lethiason to push you to accept the man in every way. In essence, we used you. You did not go to Talon willingly.”

  Chelan’s eyes watered. “No secrets, I guess.”

  “No secrets,” Korba uttered.

  Chelan sniffled and looked up at him. “I want him back as my son.”

  “He has always been your son. Marri has never claimed to be your substitute. He is in the Imperial training system, as are all the children of the Prime Breeders. You may participate in that training as much as you wish and as much as you can. Marri just understands the system best, and she has been his primary caretaker. They have a bond, but he has always known that you would return to him one day.”

  She shook her head slowly at him. “Such confidence,” she whispered.

  Korba smiled. “I could not fail, my Lady. I refused to lose you completely.”

  Chelan glanced away again. Korba hesitated. “Look, I never brought you to see him under any false pretenses. I want you to know that.”

  “What do you mean?”

  Korba took a step closer to her and gazed deep into her eyes. “I know you are returning to Braedon tomorrow. I just wanted you to understand before you left that I introduced you to your son because I believed that you should know him, and he you. I know you will love him, and this love should be allowed to flourish. I did not tell you of Jason to trap you here. When you leave tomorrow, I will make all the arrangements necessary so that you may see him as often as you wish, here, in the caverns, and in the South. He knows Braedon is taking care of you for now. If the relationship becomes permanent, that too will be explained to him. I do not want you to feel in any way cornered or manipulated by me. I have not filled his head with false hopes for us or any unreal expectations. I am his guardian, as is Marri. And right now, he knows that you belong to another.”

  Chelan felt her throat constricting. “I do not feel trapped, my Lord.”