Riona didn’t know how to respond. She stood in the middle of the room, feeling like her life had become a strange play. If she didn’t move it would be over and she could resume normality.
“I know we haven’t always been close in the past, but that’s about to change.” Aeron got up from the bed and came to her. “We have a second chance here.”
Riona looked at the pregnant belly. Aeron was right. They hadn’t been close as adults. However, that did not change the fact that Riona knew her sister. This was not Aeron. This excited, bubbly, pregnant, unconcerned creature was not her sister. Riona was positive she could sleep for fifty years and Aeron would not be this changed.
“What about the aliens?” Riona asked. “The Tyoe might come back.”
“The threat has been averted. We did it. The planet is safe. All know of your part in it. You got me here to protect them. Already they look at you as family. The locals are kind and so giving. I can’t wait for you to meet them.”
Riona rubbed her head. The bump from the rock was gone. “Oh, I met the welcoming party.”
Aeron ignored her ill humor. “Our sister Clara has visited you every day. Kendall checks on you often.”
“Kendall doesn’t like me. I know that much from the ship,” Riona disputed.
Aeron was supposed to be somber and moody and judgmental. She didn’t embrace motherhood and wifehood. She liked her little room on her little Federation ship, living in her little lonely air pocket of a life.
“Why are you looking at me like that?” Aeron tilted her head in question and placed a hand protectively over her stomach.
“I don’t feel like myself,” Riona lied.
Aeron’s smile fell some but she nodded. “I understand. You look better. We are all very happy you’re awake. Mirek has been taking very good care of you, even going to the temple to pray to his gods every chance he gets. Who knows, maybe it worked. You’re awake.”
“How did I fall asleep?”
“The best anyone could tell is that you had a severe allergic reaction to something they call the yellow. It’s a plant found in the forest by the palace. The pollen can render someone unconscious if they breathe it in.”
“Allergies?” Riona looked at her arm. Splotches still marred her flesh but they had faded to a light pink. The explanation sounded questionable to her.
“I couldn’t believe it either. With everything we know about illnesses and plagues, the Medical Alliance couldn’t pull you out of an allergy coma.” Aeron lifted her hand to touch Riona’s cheek.
Riona automatically stiffened at the gesture. “What have you done with my sister?”
“What? Ri, what are you saying?” Aeron frowned.
Riona pointed at Aeron before ticking points off on her fingers. “My sister never acts like you do. My sister doesn’t marry people. My sister doesn’t live on an alien world. My sister is not pregnant. My sister can’t stand to be in the same room with me for longer than a minute. She always lectures me. She’s so by-the-book Federation it’s disgusting. So either you’re an imposter, or you’re under the influence of that crazy Killing Maiden wine we drank at the festival.”
“Maiden’s Last Breath,” Aeron calmly corrected. “And I don’t drink liquor. I’m pregnant.”
“Correcting me is the first Aeron thing you’ve done. My sister always has to be right.” Riona placed her hands on her hips and glared at the woman. She wanted to feel normal. Arguing with Aeron was just that—normal. “Two days ago, you were lecturing me about being irresponsible. You threatened to have me arrested for forging your name on a bridal procurement contract.”
“That was months—”
“It was two days for me, Federation.” Riona expected a fight from her baiting. She was disappointed.
Aeron slowly nodded and took a step back. “I’m sorry. I didn’t realize you thought I was so horrible.” Turning, she made her way to the stairs.
Riona watched her sister walk away. Actually, it was more a strange shuffling motion. Sighing, she made a move to follow. “Aeron, wait.”
Aeron lifted her hand and shook her head, not bothering to turn around.
Riona let her go. To herself, she mumbled sarcastically, “Well played, Ri. You attacked a pregnant woman.”
The long shirt she wore to bed went to her thighs. Not really thinking about what she was doing, she went to the wardrobe to change her clothes. To her surprise, she found pants in her size had been placed next to the gowns. They hung loose around the legs and pulled together with a drawstring. Matching tunic shirts hung on hooks. They were simple in design but very well made.
When she walked down the stairs, she hoped to see her sister waiting for her. Instead, Mirek glanced up from a handheld unit. He sat on the couch, one ankle crossed over a knee. His pants looked like hers, but he wore a Fajerkin tight shirt and long-brimmed hat with sweeping feather that framed his face. Riona arched a brow but said nothing as she made her way to a tray of food left on a table. Whatever she had been tube eating the last several months was wearing off and she felt the first pangs of hunger in her stomach.
“Lord Mirek?” the handheld inquired.
Mirek turned his attention back. “My apologies, Jerk. I am communicating from home today. My wife was ill but is better now.”
Riona stiffened and snapped her head to look at him.
“My lady, please,” Mirek looked at her and gestured that she should come toward him.
Riona looked behind her, though she knew very well there was no one else in the home with them. She ran her fingers through what had to be a mess of hair and hesitated before moving forward. Mirek turned the handheld viewing screen toward her. A Fajerkin nobleman waited expectantly. Riona stiffened, waiting for the man to recognize her. His hat was like Mirek’s only with two feathers signifying his great rank amongst his people.
Mirek started to speak, but Riona interrupted him. “A pleasure, Jerk.” She rolled her hand in the air and touched her chin to her chest. The noble returned the greeting.
Mirek smiled and moved the handheld camera around to again pick up his conversation. Riona listened for her name, but they didn’t mention her. Instead, they negotiated ore trade. The Fajerkin people owned a few fueling docks. When Mirek ended the transmission, he pulled the hat from his head.
“You just made a deal for a hundred-thousand space credits with one communication,” Riona said, unable to hide her surprise. “From your couch.”
She didn’t care much for the hat, but the tight shirt did have some appeal. Her breathing deepened and she forced herself to look away from the dragon man’s chest to the food. Suddenly, she wasn’t as hungry. Her heart quickened and a small tremor worked its way up her legs. She wasn’t an idiot. She knew what attraction was. Of course, she’d never felt it so deeply before, but that could be because anytime she was attracted to a man she ran the other way—not giving herself time to feel it.
“I did. They’re a smaller account, but they like to negotiate large orders at one time and spread the delivery out over the year.” He lifted the hat, shook it lightly so the feather danced and then tossed it next to him on the seat while adding, “It almost makes wearing this thing worth it.”
“They why do you? I know for a fact the Fajerkin noblemen wouldn’t put on Draig clothing. You should wear yours, as he wears his.”
“I find it puts others at ease during negations. Plus, I make them fly here to pick up their ore since we don’t deliver out of our airspace. So it is a gesture of goodwill and respect.”
“Well, you won’t find me wearing Fajerkin attire anytime soon.” Riona sat on the bench seat next to the table. A hundred thousand in one deal? So much money. Mirek acted like the sum was an afterthought, barely worth working for. She thought of Range. Riona desperately needed to find a way to pay him off. Surely these people wouldn’t miss fifty-thousand, not when they made deals like this every day.
Too bad I’m not that kind of thief, she thought. Naturally, she wanted t
o take the money and run, but she wouldn’t. She had standards.
Mirek tilted his head thoughtfully. “I don’t believe I’ve ever met a Fajerkin woman before.”
“You wouldn’t have.” Riona looked at the food but didn’t touch it. “They keep them locked up with chains and little to no clothing.”
“I try not to judge how others do things, but that is startling news.” Mirek made his way toward the table and sat across from her. She wished he hadn’t. When he was close she found it hard to concentrate. He continued, “The food is for you. Lady Aeron brought it. She thought they were flavors you might like. You sister has become quite the cook.”
An assortment of cooked meat slices, cut blue bread, crusted pastries and tiny round fruits were arranged prettily on a tray. Riona merely stared at it.
“You should probably refrain from introducing me to your trade contacts in the future,” she said.
“You say you forgive me, but you have not.” He slowly nodded as if he understood. “What is it you would have me do? Find a cave in the mountains? We can leave today if that is what you wish. Will the mines do, or would you rather it be a natural cave?”
Riona frowned and rubbed behind her ear. Cave in the mountains? Was her universal translator broken? She’d won it in a game of chance, but still, it had never failed her. Then, realizing he spoke the old star language, which didn’t need translating, she answered, “I told you I forgive you. I see no reason to go underground unless I’m on the run from the authorities.”
His pleasant expression wavered. That comment affected him, though he tried hard to hide his worry. “Do you often find yourself on the run from the authorities?”
“Define often.” She reached for the tray and forced herself to take a small piece of fruit. The sweet flavor exploded in her mouth.
“More than three times in the last ten years,” he supplied.
“Then yes,” Riona gave a small laugh. “Very often. Though to be fair, authorities is a very subjective term. Some people call themselves an authority, but I don’t necessarily recognize their authority over me.”
“But you do intend to obey the laws of your new world, do you not?” Mirek’s eyes stayed steadily on her, piercing in their green intensity. She tried to avoid eye contact by looking at the food tray. “We are nobles. Others will look to us to see how to act. Honor and duty are a part of the title. I am Ealdorman of Draig and, as my wife, you are Lady Riona.”
In her nervousness, she ate a little too quickly and began to cough. She? A noblewoman? The idea was hysterical in and of itself. She cleared her throat. “I can’t really say. I don’t know all of your planet’s laws.”
“Our planet. Qurilixen in your home now.”
Riona’s hand stopped mid action and she dropped the piece of fruit pinched between her fingers. Even now, in this moment, the sight of the explosion was clear in her mind. She didn’t want a home world, not ever again. “It’s a kind offer.”
“You do not sound pleased.” Mirek reached his hand to stop the discarded fruit from rolling off the table.
“I’m trying to be polite.”
“I would rather you speak honestly than politely. How else are we to learn about each other and fall into a happy marriage?” There was that hopeful look again. Did the man have to be so positive?
He wanted honesty? Okay. Wish granted. “That Fajerkin noble you were speaking to, I don’t remember his name.”
“Jerk Kando,” Mirek said. “I was very impressed with your knowledge of their greeting. You questioned why the gods sent you here. Perhaps your skills will compliment mine as Mining Ambassador.”
“You run the ore mines?” Riona swallowed nervously. Just how powerful was this husband of hers?
“Control of the mines is a long-held tradition with my family. It ensures the king and his sons have full focus on the enemy Var who live to the south of the palace. My brother Vlad handles the day-to-day operations onworld. He is Ealdorman Honorary of Draig and the High Mining Official. As the offworld ambassador, it is my duty to see to trade negotiations, orders, shipping, payments, and politics. We have a launch pad and fleet of ships here in the mountain fortress. A few alien ambassadors land, such as the Redde, who are here visiting their daughter, Lady Clara. For the most part, we greet them in space and keep work off the planet. The locals prefer it that way. Not many know of the Fajerk greeting. If you are skilled in alien customs, it will be a great asset to our people.”
“Yeah,” Riona drawled. “I wouldn’t be so quick to assume as much. You’re lucky the Jerk didn’t recognize me.”
“Why?”
“A ship I happened to be on crashed into a fuel station’s communications tower. The station was owned by Kando’s brother. They tried to force us to pay for the damage, but it was determined they had drifted a parsec out of their assigned territory and thus couldn’t insist we compensate them for damages since they were not where they should have been. We left before the Federation could get involved.” She studied him. He didn’t move, merely fingered the piece of fruit in his hand, as if testing its firmness. The slow motion of his fingers made the trembling inside her start anew. “Fajerk is a small planet and I believe I’m still on their wanted list. So you see, as long as I don’t land there, I’m technically not under their authority. However, if they see you married me, it’s possible they’ll try to maneuver to get me in their custody.”
“If you damaged property, you should compensate them for it.”
“I didn’t say it was my proudest moment,” she mumbled. “They have insurance. They wanted a double payday. And they shouldn’t have been there.”
“And how did you crash? Was your ship damaged?”
“I bet the pilot he couldn’t fly blindfolded. Turned out I was right.” She gave a light shrug. “If they had been where they were supposed to be, it would have been fine.”
“A bet?”
“I said I wasn’t proud of it,” she answered through clenched teeth. “I don’t live my life apologizing for who or what I am, or for what I’ve done. Frankly, there is only one person in all the universes who I care about—my sister.”
“That is a cold view, my lady. It saddens me that you would have it.”
It was better he knew the truth. He seemed to really believe in this destiny nonsense. If there were gods moving the population around like little pieces in a game, gambling with people’s lives, she wanted no part of their ill-fated playtime. They had destroyed everything.
“It is what it is,” Riona said. “That’s it. Aeron is all I have room for inside my heart.”
“Then why did you send her away crying?”
“Crying?” Riona glanced at the door leading from his home as if she’d be able to determine for herself if he spoke the truth. “Aeron never cries.”
“She was after she left you.”
Guilt racked her. She pressed a nail into the webbing between her thumb and forefinger until it hurt. “What did your people do to her?”
“We gave her a home, a family, a life. All that we have is hers, as it is yours if you allow it to be.”
“No.” She shook her head in denial. “I know my sister.” She pointed at the door. “That’s not my sister.”
“Perhaps she suffers from the joys of pregnancy.”
“Joys?” Riona shot to her feet. “You mean horror. Pregnancy is a death sentence for our kind. Well, not necessarily the pregnancy itself but the sex to get pregnant.”
When Aeron died, she’d be the only one left. Forever. Tears burned her nose and her eyes but she refused to cry. It was unknown if the baby would take after them. By all accounts, the Draig only produced male children. A boy wouldn’t have the same lifespan as a female Jagranst.
“Joys is a polite way of saying pregnancy hormones.” Mirek remained calm.
Riona found his persistent niceness irritated her. She wanted him to tirade and act like an ass…mainly so it would excuse her behavior.
“Because of Aero
n’s concern, and because you are sisters and my wife, and because you were sick, I had the Medical Alliance doctors run the same tests on you as they did Aeron. You are genetically human. They could find no medical reason as to why you would be immortal, let alone how that immortality would be tied to your sexual practices.” He stood and went back to the couch. Lifting the handheld he’d been using to communicate with earlier, he pressed the screen and then handed it to her. Riona instantly recognized it to be a medical report. “Everything is right there.”
Hadn’t Aeron said the same thing? She didn’t want to believe it, but what if it was true? If she was genetically human then that meant… “I’m dying too.”
“Not for a long time,” he said, clearly trying to be comforting. “You are a very tough woman. Just look how sick you were a few days ago and now you are almost completely healed.”
Riona scrolled over the report, picking up keywords and stopping once she’d arrived at the summary. Her eyes turned from the words on the screen to her arm. Her skin did look better. She touched it with shaking fingers as if feeling it for the first time. “Mortal.”
“Yes.” Mirek nodded. “But you have many years left, more so now that you are my wife. My life force is yours. Your new home world is special. The blue sun’s radiation—”
“Mortal,” she repeated, not really hearing him. “I’m mortal.”
* * *
Mirek forced himself to meet his wives tortured eyes. Why had he given her the medical reports? Yes, she had a right to know, but the look on her face tore at his heart. Everything in him wanted to hold her, but he forced himself to be patient.
For months, he sat by her side, worrying for her. He had become used to the idea of her, of them. And, oh, how he was ready for their lives together to start. Months of unspoken conversations welled inside him. He’d thought of many things he wanted to tell her. Stories he wanted her to know—anecdotes from his youth, tales of his meetings with bizarre aliens, dreams of their future together. In his mind she knew everything about him. He’d imagined her answers.
The Impatient Lord Page 9
