by Carol Buhler
"Oh, like what you're doing is so important to anyone."
His sarcasm got me to twist away from my microscope. "Why don't you go bother someone else with your love-sick moping?" I snapped.
Raedon's eyebrows flew sharply up and he pulled himself upright to stand stiffly beside the table. "I'm sorry to have bothered you, my Lord Supreme Don." He swept an exaggerated bow and stormed out of the room. I sighed, but did not call him back.
"That was pretty insensitive of you." Lillith had been standing near the window admiring the blue sky with its whiffs of clouds. The day and scenery outside the broad, curved window in the lab were evidently stunning and she'd been sending me little messages about frolicking in the sunshine instead of sitting hunched over what she considered a dreary machine.
"I'm getting sick of..." I mocked Raedon's words by dropping into a low, melodramatic tone. "... She's so beautiful, so smart, so clever." I raised my eyebrows and opened my eyes to their widest, running a hand down make-believe hair. "Her hair is so soft, so black, so long. Her skin so blah, blah, blah." Changing back to my own voice, I continued. "His endless talk of the glorious future he sees for their marriage makes me numb. He should face facts and admit that the Speaker's Council is going to poke their long noses into anything he does once he's married."
"You can't blame him for being excited," Lillith countered. "Right now he's expecting everything to be wonderful. Surely you don't think he should worry about the Council at this stage?"
I leaned back in my chair and flung out my arms in exasperation. "I think he should worry about the Council constantly. They won't want to give up their power, especially to him during the time he'll be regent."
"You're anticipating actions that may never happen." She walked carefully away from the window, wings clamped tightly to her side, and stopped close to my chair. "They have to get married and Saradon has to get pregnant. From what I hear, that's not a foregone conclusion."
"What do you mean? It shouldn't take long once the ceremony's over!"
She projected overwhelming amazement, rather than replying.
"What?" I tried for innocence. Should have known it would never work.
"Haven't you heard a thing that's been said at dinner recently?" she demanded.
Rubbing a hand over my weary face, I turned away from her. "I guess not. What am I supposed to be aware of that I'm not."
She explained Sara's fear of never having a child.
"So what's that got to do with me?"
"How can you be so dense?" Slowly, she spelled it out for me, even though I already knew. "If Saradon has no child, which apparently is the pattern among femm these days, then you are not off the hook for your hereditary position." Her mental voice kept rising as her muscles tensed. "And the don will eventually die out. No offspring, no species." Her pause felt heavy. "Is that what you want?"
"Lillith, not you too!" I flung myself off the chair and stormed toward the door. "You want me to let the Council run my life?" I whirled back to face her. "Well, I want to be left alone!"
She shook her head and stalked out of my lab.
A week passed without words between us. I stayed in my home, avoiding contact with everyone. Truly, I was miserable, but I was not going to let myself get pushed into dealing with the Council, heritage or not. Then, the invitation arrived via Memm, handwritten in fine calligraphy: an engagement fete for the impending royal couple hosted by Saradon's equally royal but reclusive parents, my adoptive aunt and uncle.
I couldn't ignore the occasion or I would insult my cousin's gentle and kind parents who were stretching their own comfort by inviting the don society into their home. Finally, I yielded to Lillith's arguments that I must support Raedon and Sara and this chuten party.
Late afternoon weeks later, we departed for Center in due splendor, me outfitted in formal black Speaker's uniform with the silver piping elegantly tidy, black boots polished to a high sheen, white hair cut short. When I saw the pride in Lillith's eye, I felt horrible about my past ugly behavior. She doesn't deserve my petulance. I smiled at her, letting my love and appreciation flow toward her and received her happiness and relief in return.
Someone had brushed her within an inch of her life. Her soft white coat gleamed in the sunshine, her hooves glittered with polish, and her satisfied twinkle added the final touch to her glory. "We'll out sparkle them all," I said with a flourish as I swung myself to her back.
"Yes, we will," she replied, taking off smoothly from the ledge, headed toward Center.
~Lillith
Inside the Sar mansion's ballroom, I nibbled from a basket of barley as I followed Joedon's mind through the salon. He held up well, adroitly opting out of any political conversation. Although he smiled and nodded, he avoided all commitments. Contented to observe his social acumen reappear, I dropped my close surveillance and began to enjoy the party, mingling with reeth I hadn't seen for years.
A loud clamor caught my attention and I spun to race into the study. Pildon slumped against the desk with Raedon bending over him, his chest heaving as he drew in deep breaths. I swept the room in a glance; Joedon leaned negligently against a bookcase with a crooked grin on his face, an empty glass in his left hand. A jagged tear separated the left side of his tunic from its closure and one of his pant legs flapped open. Below the huge glass window, the remains of an oak table covered the carpet.
"What happened?" I snapped.
"Pildon said something he shouldn't have and Raedon tried to teach him a lesson." Joedon waved a limp hand toward the pair by the desk. "I'm not exactly sure who came out the winner."
"No thanks to you," Raedon snarled. "You just had to egg him on with your blather of the dismal future." He pulled a cloth from a ripped pocket and wiped the blood off his forehead. "And then you laughed!"
"Joedon!" I hurled the word at him; he flinched. "You're drunk!"
"Why, yes, I am!" His eyes sparked as he lifted the glass high. "More Lareina, Raedon."
"No way." Raedon pulled Pildon up to sit on the desk. The older don seemed conscious but dazed, the left side of his face swelling, and his usually impeccable suit a mess; he clutched at his belly with both hands. "Lillith, can you get him out of here? I don't want to ruin my future father-in-law's party."
"Which him are you referring to?" I asked as I sent a call for help to Lillyon.
"Me, of course." Joedon tried to stand only to topple over to lie laughing on the rug.
"Yes, him," Raedon snapped. "If you could call one of Pildon's friends to help, I'll send him home. Oh yes, and call one of the doctors to come check him over."
"What about you?" Anxiously, I aimed a call at two of Pildon's cronies just as Lillyon and Memmyon pushed their way into the study.
"I'll be fine, Lillith. Come here and I'll hoist Joedon up." He pulled Joedon roughly from the floor and threw him across my back; Joedon's arms dangled down my right side, his legs drooped from my left. Raedon stood back and a sneer crossed his face. "Take him home, and when you get him sober again, tell him thank you very much, from me."
I pinned the dark haired don with an eye swirling red with fury—not at him but at my mind-mate. Fortunately, he knew that. "Leave Pildon to his friends, clean yourself up, and get back to Saradon," I ordered.
He nodded brusquely and left. Minutes later, two don pushed themselves past Memmyon's large body blocking the door. Without giving them a chance to ask questions, I told them to help Pildon get home, promising to send one of the doctors after them. Once they'd carried the semi-conscious dandy out, I walked carefully through the double doors giving onto the patio. When I realized Joedon had passed out, I shifted my shoulders to balance his limp body more securely behind my wings and took off for Eyrie, Lillyon at my side.
When we entered Joedon's bedroom, I stopped next to his bed and leaned to my right; Lillyon took Joedon's shirt in his teeth to pull him off my back. He flopped onto the bed without stirring. We stood staring at him, one on either side of the bed, for sever
al minutes.
I finally raised my head and met Lillyon's eye. "What should I do? He's getting worse." My mind clouded with worry. "I've never seen him like this—like he doesn't care about anything."
The long night passed; I watched over Joedon as he mumbled, stepped back when he vomited, nudged him when he fell off the bed, and placed my head under his armpit to push as he dragged himself back onto it. When morning came and light streamed in the wide windows, he rolled over, groaned, and covered his head with pillows. I withheld my sympathy.
"We were doing fine until Pildon burst in," he mumbled. "The things he said—too much after the insinuations in the ballroom." He rolled up to sit on the edge of the bed and focused on his scratched boots. "Raedon, of course, got mad, but he was handling Pildon's words pretty well. I just couldn't stand to watch him snivel."
He winced at the torn jacket, the rip down one leg of his formal trousers. As he dropped his head into his hands, I thought I heard sobs between the broken words. "I had no idea Pildon would fly off the handle like that."
Still I didn't comment.
Finally, he raised his head, bloodshot eyes glaring. "I'll apologize to Raedon but I won't let the Council push me into rejoining them."
Furious at his insensitivity, I spun on my haunches and stalked out of the room.
Back in my own room, I lay down on the bed of straw and placed my head on Lillyon's shoulder. "He didn't even offer me an apology." Once again, I wished I could cry.
Chapter 15
~Lillith
After a week of miserable separation, I happily greeted Sissith, with Saradon and her mother when they arrived early one morning. I escorted them into my dining area and offered refreshments, my heart lifting with hope that Sara and her mother could do something to pull Joedon out of his funk.
"I assume you've come to see Joedon," I said when the femm continued to avoid the subject by sharing inconsequential gossip from Center.
Sara blushed, then nodded. "Someone has to. His behavior was reprehensible and even though he sent an apology, it's not enough."
"I agree. I just hope he'll listen to you." I walked down the hallway, leading the way to Joedon's home.
"You mean he hasn't listened to you?" Sara's voice rose with surprise and I felt her mother's shock.
"I haven't talked to him about it." I kept my mind tightly closed so Sissith couldn't sense the hurt I felt and pass it on to her mind-mate. When the door opened in front of them, they entered the living room, stopping just inside. Sara glanced around and dropped gracefully into an easy chair near the door, folding her hands in her lap; her mother took a seat at the huge table and gazed at the wall hanging; Sissith stood beside her mind-mate, a hind leg cocked as if relaxed. I wasn't fooled by their postures; they were worried, but determined.
I sent a gruff call for Joedon to come out of his lab, then walked into the kitchen, prepared to listen but not participate. He entered from the far door, stopping short when he caught sight of Sara, not having sensed her presence. He noticed Sissith and nodded, then flushed when he encountered Sara's mother. I felt him questing; I let him know I was present but didn't leave the kitchen. "You're on your own."
~Joedon
So. Lillith's still angry. She has a right to be. I forced a smile and walked over to Sara, pulled her into hug, and buried my face in her neck. "I'm sorry, Sara. I was a bore and ruined your party." Letting her go, I turned to her mother, my dear aunt, grasped her hand and bowed my head. "I am so sorry," I whispered, forcing the words past the lump in my throat from having hurt this wonderful fem who’d always cared for me.
She nodded but said nothing, her face a quiet mask. Sara gave me a tiny smile. "You didn't really ruin it, but you made Raedon mad, and hurt my parents. Fortunately, we're the only ones aware of the incident, except Pildon of course." She paused and her face became stern, mouth pulled down in a frown. "Now, you need to make it up to us."
I sensed her nervousness even as she spoke so strongly. She shot a glance at her mother for support. My aunt rose and took my arm, making me face her. Her gentle gaze pierced me to the bone. She'd been like a second mother to me; she'd always been quietly pleased with my every achievement, subtly indulgent when I erred. Her velvety voice tore at me. "Joedon," she said. "You have to help support this union before the Council."
I backed away. "I can't." Fear flashed through me. "You know I can't deal with them. I made a mess last time!"
"Then you'll have to do better next time."
~Lillith
“You’re the logical one to help me set this into motion,” I said as Memm waffled over aiding me. The young bay that I’d always thought of as willing to try anything, regardless of consequences, was not leaping into my scheme with adequate enthusiasm. “Once we get them stuck in Center, Joedon will get bored quickly and will do almost anything to defy the Council.”
“Of that I have no doubt. Raedon, too,” he said with a snort. “It’s the risk to Raedon I don’t find tolerable—and the lying to Sissith, not to mention Saradon.”
“Yes,” I had to agree with him. “However, the fewer who know what we’re up to, the less likely for things to go awry.”
THE END
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Glossary
Vocabulary
Don: human-like alien native species on Gareeth
Fem: female don
Femm: female don plural
Fym: don wife
Fymm: don wives
Hom: male don, or husband
Homm: male don plural, or husbands
Reeth: winged-horse-like alien native species on Gareeth
Yon: male reeth, singular or plural, can also refer to a reeth husband
Mare: single female reeth
Mar: plural female reeth
Human: colonizers from Earth who came to Gareeth 400 years in the past
Lord: head of human city-state
Lady: lord's spouse
Soer: legitimate daughter of Lord
Sor: legitimate son of Lord
Characters
Reeth:
Lillith: Joldon’s mind-mate
Lillyon: Lillith’s husband
Lilladd: their older son
Lillene: their older daughter
Lillail: their younger daughter, a twin
Lillaird: their younger son, a twin
Memmyon: Raedon’s mind-mate
Sissith: Saradon’s mind-mate
Tallyon: Taldon’s mind-mate
Finnyon: Lord Joedon’s mind-mate
Qurrail: Lady Soreladon’s mind-mate
Sellyon: Sardon’s mind-mate
Zippith: Benetadon’s mind-mate
Don:
Lord Joedon: Joldon’s father, Supreme Don
Lady Soreladon: Joldon’s mother, Royal Fem
Joldon: their son who inherits his father’s name, Lillith’s mind-mate
Raldon: Joldon’s best friend, Memmyon’s mind-mate, inherits his father’s name
Raedon: Raldon’s father
Romdon: Raldon’s uncle
Saradon: Joldon’s cousin, Sissith’s mind-mate, becomes Royal Fem
Sardon: Saradon’s father, Sellyon’s mind-mate
Suridon: Saradon’s mother
Taldon: Chairman of Speaker’s Council, Tallyon’s mind-mate
Pildon: Pil family speaker, non-melded, hates Joldon and
Lillith
Eledon: physician, Ele family speaker
Benetadon: Eledon’s fym
Nandon: physician, Nan family speaker
Aradon: Ara family speaker
Hindon: Hin family speaker
About Carol Buhler
I spent sixty years working with horses in between being a wife, a mom, and having different non-equine careers (had to pay for the horses) until finally I could devote my full-time attention to them. Raising, training, and competing on various breeds in multiple disciplines, I consider myself a jack of all horse venues, master of none.
I’ve traveled the US hauling a horse trailer with my one horse on the left side of the two-horse divider, the household furnishings on the right side, and the fishing boat tied to the top. My family moved to Texas from Colorado with my barrel horse and my son’s pinto pony in that same trailer and my daughter’s white Shetland poking her nose at the traffic through the stock racks of the pickup. And I’ve hauled a nine-horse trailer with living quarters over the mountains and across the plains or desert to wherever a horse show could be found.
In Wyoming, I raised Appaloosas and went on cattle drives. In Colorado, I road quarter horses to barrel race and Gymkhana. In Texas, I exercised polo ponies and trained parade Palomino Walking Horses. Tennessee and California saw me compete in Eventing. I’ve ridden trails all over the west on everything from a Thoroughbred to a Draft Horse to a Mule. And when we finally settled in Utah, I not only competed in Dressage, Hunters, Jumpers, Polocross, and Combined Driving, I developed the Pegasus Event Center which has hosted competitions in all the above venues, and still does.
However, I learned the most about horses from managing the Pegasus herd for over twenty years, at one time numbering 145 horses. They were competitive horses of every breed, from mustangs to miniatures to a $65,000 Lusitano. Every horse had a unique personality and was willing to teach something if a human would but listen.
