As the only woman in a team of marooned explorers, whom do you trust; your friends...or your enemy?

When Xera is stranded on a desert planet with a hostile crew and a cadre of murdering aliens, her friends arent who she thinks they are. As the translator, shes the only one who can forge a truce. As the only woman, shes the prize they lust for, and when her captain turns on her, shes going to need the help of her enemies to escape his wrath. ecause on this inhospita!le world, the warlike "corpio were her only chance. #ooking into the fiery eyes of their handsome leader, Xera saw a no!ility and potency shed ne$er

!efore encountered; a reaction she knew her fellow humans would despise. A future with %ommander &y$en was'something to consider. ut first they had to sur$i$e.

No Words Alone !y Autumn (awn )* #+",-( ./ Autumn (awn on "mashwords 0o Words Alone %opyright 1 2342 !y Autumn (awn www.autumndawn!ooks.com All rights reser$ed. Without limiting the rights under copyright reser$ed a!o$e, no part of this pu!lication may !e reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrie$al system, or transmitted, in any form, or !y any means 5electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise6 without the prior written permission of !oth the copyright owner and the a!o$e pu!lisher of this !ook. 7his is a work of fiction. 0ames, characters, places, !rands, media, and incidents are either the product of the author8s imagination or are used fictitiously. 7he author acknowledges the trademarked status and trademark owners of $arious products referenced in this work of fiction, which ha$e !een used without permission. 7he pu!lication9use of these trademarks is not authorized, associated with, or sponsored !y the trademark owners.

%hapter 4 :#ooks like they want to talk.;

Xeras gaze followed the engineers to the cadre of silent aliens. 7he shifting tones of their !lack and gray uniforms made them hard to focus on, almost as if the cloth itself repelled the eye. "he didnt see any wounded among them, !ut theyd pro!a!ly left their in<ured a!oard ship. "he wiped at some ooze a!o$e her left eye, smiling grimly as her !lack and tan uniform slee$e came away smudged with !lood. 7wo ships had crash landed on this planet, crippled from the !attle theyd <ust fought, !ut Xeras craft had done more crash than land. ,er ships crews casualties were hea$y, and they were down to less than twenty a!le=!odied personnel. "he counted sixteen men in the enemy group. :Why dont they do something? 7heyre <ust standing there,; the engineer, %ort, muttered. "tocky, more comforta!le with machines than men, he gazed at the aliens with distrust. 7he captain of Xeras group said nothing, <ust stood there in a sweat. "he knew !etter than to mistake the fierce frown on his face for courage under fire. 7he man was a coward. :%aptain >han? (o you want to talk to them?; %ort persisted. %aptain >hans !ulldog face contorted with rage. ?ietnamese, with a round head and meaty !ody, hed clearly worked his way to the top !y intimidation and !luff. +t certainly hadnt !een !ecause of his massi$e intelligence. :"hut your mouth, %ort. +m still captain here.; ,e looked !ack at the aliens for a moment then gestured to one of his officers. :@enson. @o see what they want.; @enson ga$e him a wild look. :"ir, perhaps the translator'; Xera, the translator, !raced herself. %aptain >han sent her a scathing look. 7he two of them had !utted heads often enough that he didnt trust her to slide under his thum! on command. 7hose he couldnt dominate, he pushed to the side as useless. :.oure an officer; theyll recognize that. @et mo$ing.; Xera looked away to hide her disgust. @enson didnt know a word of "corpio, which she herself had !een learning for the past two years since graduating from the academy. Whene$er the @alactic -xplorers uploaded new findings on the language and customs of the race known as "corpio, shed !een on top of it. "o little was known a!out the alien race, and shed !een fascinated. *nfortunately, the @- didnt share her curiosity; or at least not her professional reasons for it. +t hadnt taken long for Xera to realize her employer was a planet=hungry entity !ent first and foremost on keeping the worlds it disco$ered under its control. +n the "corpio, theyd found a powerful race intent on maintaining their li!erty and the pri$acy of their territory. 7he humans had named the "corpio for their home planets position in the sky, in the !elly of the human constellation of the same name, !ut also !ecause of the alien races stinging reprisals. "corpio were known to shoot first and not !other with Auestions. -$erything known of "corpio language and customs had !een decoded from damaged ships and sur$i$ors of small clashes. 7he fates of these captured prisoners rarely came up, though the @- maintained that they were traded !ack to their people in return for certain concessions. 7he two groups werent in$ol$ed in a full=scale war yet, thanks to the +nterplanetary %ouncils diplomatic inter$ention, !ut this little skirmish might change all that.

0ot that the +% had much control o$er the @-s actions, no matter their official position as peacekeepers. Bfficially a forum for go$ernment representati$es from different planets to work toward peace and harmony, it lacked the funds and support to accomplish much. 7he go$ernments and cultures in$ol$ed rarely agreed on anything for long, which made it ineffectual in controlling conglomerates like the @-. @enson walked reluctantly across the dun sand, pro!a!ly swearing to himself with e$ery step. ,e halted a!out two paces from the leader and spoke. 7he leader shot him down. Xeras group <umped and pointed their guns at the aliens, who looked !ack at them with arrogant unconcern. A few !ursts of gunfire !ounced harmlessly off some unseen force field. 7he "corpios made no mo$e to return fire. :,oldC ,oldC; %aptain >han shouted, wa$ing his hands. :We dont want to pro$oke them.; : ut sirC; someone protested. :+ said hold itC #et me think.; ,is thoughts must ha$e !een rapid, and full of self= preser$ation, for he turned to Xera. :.ou. .oure the translator...you go talk to them.; "he looked at him for a moment. ?oicing the thoughts in her head would get her thrown in the still=smoking !rig. 7his wasnt the first time hed Aueered a deal then sent her in as translator to try and sal$age it. *na!le to Auell a trace of mockery, she asked, :Any special messages for them, sir?; >hans eyes narrowed. :(ont screw this up, ,arris=d, or + will !ust you down to kitchen help. Dind out what they want.; :.es, sir.; "he ga$e him a <aunty salute and strode toward the alien line with her usual high energy. Dully expecting to die, she figured she might as well look proud doing it. As she got closer, though, her stride slowed in surprise. "he hadnt expected the leader to look so, well.... ,e was tall, his !lack hair cut close with military precision Bne of his ears was pierced with a golden star!urst, and there was a hands=free communication set around his ear. 7his close, his uniform ceased shifting colors, remained dull, gray=!lack com!at attire. %oldly handsome, he had a strong face, a piercing expression. ,is eyes were what threw her, though. 7hree paces away from him, she could see his irises were flame orange, tinged with gold at the edges. rimstone eyes. @ensons !ody was in her way. "he spared him a !rief look, enough to see that he was $ery dead, then stepped around him, refusing to talk o$er his !ody. "ince that !rought her face to face with the man at the leaders left, she raised her !rows inAuiringly and glanced !etween them. 7he leader finally growled in the "corpio tongue, :Why do you look to my second? + am the leader here.; "he adopted a polite expression and answered him in his language. :+ dont know your customs. +t seems you kill those who speak to you first.; "he contained a flash of rage at @ensons death. Bf course, her captain was as much to !lame as this man. +f hed followed protocol and sent her in first, this might not ha$e happened. :+ will not speak to an underling. ring your captain !ack or dont come at all.;

"he inclined her head, then !ent her knees and gra!!ed @ensons wrists. ,e outweighed her !y fifty pounds at least and was dead weight !esides, !ut she managed to drag him twenty feet !efore some of the guys from her side !roke ranks and ran to help. "he would ha$e liked to drop him right at %aptain >hans feet, !ut knew shed ha$e to settle for letting the men help. y the look on >hans face as she walked up, shed made her point anyway. :"ir,; she drawled, adopting her mildest expression. :,e wont speak to underlings.; ,er captains face turned red. :,e spoke to youC; "he shrugged. :7hat is what he said.; "he could almost see >hans mind work/ "tuck on a !arren planet, half his crew dead, finite supplies and no way of knowing when or if theyd !e rescued' 7hey knew nothing a!out this place, except that the @-,E wanted it. +f the aliens were willing to make some kind of alliance, they needed to accept. ,e stared at the "corpio. :.oull need to translate.; At last, a sensi!le command. After all, she didnt want to die, either. :.es, sir.; 7hey crossed the sand halfway, then stood and waited. 7he alien leader and his second approached. 7he leader glared at >han. :What is your name and rank?; Xera translated then waited. >han surprised her with a nudge when she didnt $olunteer the information in return. 7he word for captain escaped her, so she said haltingly, :,es the leader of those in our ship, Captain >han. Fy name is Lieutenant Xera ,arris=d.; :,e has no other rank?; "he frowned o$er that, then asked her captain, :.ou dont happen to !e a prince or something among your own people, do you?; >han mo$ed as if hed like to hit her !ut thought !etter of it when he saw the alien leader tense. :Gust ask him his nameC; "he looked !ack at the "corpio. :,e asks your name.; 7he alien didnt look satisfied with this reply !ut said, :%ommander &y$en Atarus, of the ,igh Damily.; "he passed this on, then spun out her captains curt, :What do they want?; to :%ommander Atarus, you wished to speak to us?; 7he "corpios eyes narrowed. :7his planet !ecomes a death trap after dark. 7here are nocturnal creatures here that would feed on all of us if we stay. 7he ships are not strong enough to safeguard anyone. 7he danger is great enough that we will ally with you long enough to reach shelter. +f all go, some will sur$i$e.; %aptain >han didnt like that news. :What kind of creatures can get inside a closed ship? "olid steel should keep them out.; :We need to seek shelter anyway, sir. +f there is water where'; :.our <o! is to translate,; >han snarled at her. :(o itC; Xera sighed and faced Atarus. :What kind of animals can get inside a sealed ship?; 7he commanders eyes tra$eled to their damaged spacecraft. :Whats left of that will not keep them out.; "he rather liked his tweaking >hans tail, !ut she needed an answer that would mo$e her captain, so she guessed, :"mall winged creatures, and $ery large animals...+m not sure how to translate.; 0ow >han looked worried.

:We must lea$e now. +f you are coming, come. +f not, stay and die.; %ommander Atarus walked away. %hapter 2 %ommander &y$en Atarus watched the aliens arguing with a <aded eye. 7hey had a!out fi$e minutes until he took his party to the shelter and left them to their stupidity, !ut he hadnt !een lying/ the greater their num!ers, the !etter their chance of sur$i$al. +t was the reason hed allowed them to remain armed. 7his upped the risk to his men, !ut they would all need weapons if they were to sur$i$e long enough to get to shelter. *ntil then, hed let the humans maintain their fragile taste of eAuality. Bnce they reached the fortress, things would !e different. :7hey dont like each other,; his !rother 7oosun murmured. :"ee how the woman stands? "he is defying their leader.; 7here was a note of satisfaction in his $oice. ,ed clearly found the human captain stupid, too. &y$en had to agree with his !rother and second in command; he hadnt missed %aptain >hans mo$e to strike the translator, though perhaps hed !een pro$oked. 7he woman had certainly seemed cocky enough while striding up to them earlier, neatly sidestepping her fallen comrade. +t was her act of courage in dragging away the !ody that had reluctantly impressed him, though. 0ot many males would dare such a thing, putting their !ack to an enemy. Bdd, too/ from what hed seen she was angrier with her captain than she was with him. 0ot that he regretted killing the man; he and this womans people were at odds, and he would use e$ery ad$antage to intimidate his enemies. 7oosun a!sently ru!!ed his left !icep, pro!a!ly trying to !uild heat. 7he planets atmosphere had !een cool to start with and was getting colder. y nightfall, the desert would !e dangerously cold. 7oosuns dun=colored hair was short like his !rothers, and it caused an unwelcome draft. &y$en turned to his men. :We$e waited long enough. 7he anti=gra$ sleds are loaded; lets mo$e.; 7hey hadnt crossed two dunes !efore the aliens caught up, many of them !reathing hard. &y$en kept his gun loose in its holster !ut said nothing as they <oined the column, following two lengths !ack with >han and the woman in the lead. "he was attracti$e, in an exotic way. -$en with the !lood smeared on her face, she showed well. "hort, !lack curls framed a determined face. ,ed ne$er seen !lue eyes !efore, and theyd take some getting used to, !ut her !ody...the height and strong shoulders hinted at stamina. ,e hoped the trimness meant shed conditioned her muscles; she was going to need it. +t was <ust after noon and they had fi$e hours of hiking through sand ahead of them. ,is men had plenty of food and water, !ut he didnt know a!out the humans. 7he men he didnt care a!out, !ut the woman.... : rirax, (elfane,; he said softly o$er his crews communication network. :.ou will keep an eye on the woman. "hell tire !y the time we are done, and there are the other dangers to watch for.;

:.es, sir,; they responded at once. %o$ertly, he watched them slowly drop to the rear of the group. y the end of the march, theyd !e walking next her. "atisfied hed kept the demands of his conscience, he turned his mind to keeping his men ali$e. 7heyd !een walking half an hour when the first man went down. Xera watched in horror as their galley master sank out of sight, sucked down a sinkhole. "creaming, the man !egged for help until the sand closed o$er his head; too rapidly for them to sa$e him. :A$oid that spot,; Atarus called out, and walked on. 7oo stunned to translate, Xera stum!led forward when the guy !ehind her prodded her. : =!ut shouldnt we',; she !egan, trying to look !ack. :0o time,; one of the aliens said. 7heir two groups had slowly closed the gap !etween them as time wore on, and now there was !arely any space !etween them. #ike Ataruss second, this "corpio had !rown and gold eyes and dun hair. :,ere, take this rope. 7ell your people to pass one among them, too, if they ha$e it. +f another goes down, we may sa$e them.; May save them. "he wasnt sure if this was <ust the "corpio way of speaking, "corpio idiom, !ut she would ha$e !een more comforted !y a will save them. 7his didnt stop her from gra!!ing the cord the aliens had strung amongst themsel$es, howe$er. 7hey had more than one, she saw, which kept them from !eing forced into a single file. "he !egan to especially en$y the ones pulling antigra$ity sleds/ as long as they held on to the tethers, they would !e safe from sinkholes. :.our name?; the alien asked whod passed her the rope. "he drew a !reath. :#ieutenant Xera ,arrisdaughter. ,arris=d for short.; ,e repeated the name, mangling it. : rirax,; he said !y way of introduction. ,e gestured to another alien, a red=eyed one, whod dropped !ack !eside them. :(elfane.; :What do they want?; %aptain >han asked suspiciously. ,ed stayed in Xeras $icinity, an unusual mo$e for him. :7hey suggested we pass around a rope.; "he held up the end shed !een gi$en in illustration. %aptain >han grunted and immediately !arked out an order, only to find his men had already found a rope and were forming a line. ,e growled in annoyance at that sign of independent intelligence, !ut took hold himself. Xera looked around at the desert. Bther than a few dun rocks scattered here and there, she could see no danger, !ut that meant nothing. : rirax, !esides sinkholes, what other perils do we look for?; : iters,; he said, looking grim. :Bur eyes can see them, !ut yours will not. -$en we can !e caught if we crest a dune and come right on them. +t is almost too late then.; "he looked at his !right eyes and wondered, :,ow is it you can see them when we cant?; :%amouflage, for you see only colors. We see heat and colors.; :,eat and colors? +nfrared?; she mused aloud in her own language. 7hat information had ne$er made the @- intel we!site. Fay!e no one had e$er noticed. :Whats that?; %aptain >han demanded sharply. "he !linked at him then explained. ,is eyes narrowed, and he muttered something under his !reath.

:Whats one look like?; she asked the aliens. riraxs eyes shuttered. :"mall, like a mans fist. 7hey tra$el in families and attack at once. Dlame or laser spray is the cure, !ut one !ite will paralyze a man for hours. 7hey eat him ali$e. And Auickly.; Xera shuddered. -$en %aptain >han looked horrified when she translated. :)ass on the information to the men,; he !egan. rirax spoke Auickly, interrupting. :.oud !e wise to keep this to yourself if youre contemplating otherwise. .our men might flame each other trying to kill something they cant see. #et us deal with the !iters.; Xera stared at him, unsure. :Bur %ommander is serious a!out making shelter,; the alien added. :We cant waste any men, not e$en yours.; %aptain >han started to yammer at her, !ut she shook her head and held up a hand so she could listen to riraxs next words. :7ell your people a!out the larger menace, the flyers. 7hey ha$e leathery wings and round mouths full of teeth. 7hese they can watch for, and they will start to fly at dusk. 7here are also !urrowers, armored worms you can wrap your arms around. We can sense these coming, so if you see us shoot the ground'; ,ed !arely gotten the words out when one of his companions swore and !lasted the earth. 7here was a screech, a hump of sand shi$ered, then stillness. :A !urrower,; rirax confirmed o$er the hu!!u!. :+f you feel the ground $i!rate under your feet, <ump away.; Xera rapidly translated to her crewmates, yelling to !e heard o$er the groups clamoring. Fen started watching the ground and the skies. :>eep mo$ing,; %ommander Atarus called out from the front of the line. :We dont want to !e unprotected in the desert when night falls.; 7heir pace Auickened. 0o!ody thought sleeping on this sand was a good idea. :+ still dont see why we left the ships,; %aptain >han complained. :7hese things wouldnt ha$e !een a danger to steel hulls.; Xera passed on the Auestion. :7he flyers secrete acid that can e$entually eat through a ships hull. 7he only thing imper$ious to it is solid rock. 7he shelter were going to is car$ed into a mountain. 7heres fresh water there, also.; 7he mention of water temporarily mollified %aptain >han, !ut Xera had Auestions of her own. :(o you expect to !e rescued?; rirax was silent, letting her draw her own conclusions. ,er captain wanted more information a!out the shelter, !ut rirax would only say hed ne$er !een there. Xera decided to sa$e her !reath for walking. ,er situation wasnt good, and it wasnt <ust the sand working its way into her !oots that worried her. +f they were stuck for weeks or longer in this sand!ox, she had a pro!lem; and as the only female on the planet, it was a rather !ig pro!lem. Fen got lonely in space. 7his was !ad enough normally, when at least they had hope of pulling into port. "hed had practice fending off horny crewmates for years and had learned to !rush off their suggestions and flirtations; it was expected that females who signed on with the @- learn to take care of themsel$es. Bh, outright harassment was frowned on, !ut captains o$erlooked anything else.

ut stranded for months, may!e years' *nder the right circumstances, some men would !e tempted to take what wasnt freely gi$en. "he didnt trust her captain to defend her rights, and she wasnt sure a!out the rest of the crew. "ome of them had !een fairly aggressi$e in the past. +ronically, @enson had !een one of the !etter men among the crew. Blder, with a wife and daughters, hed !een a casual friend. ,e would ha$e !een a good man to ha$e at her !ack. "he looked ahead, he eyes narrowed on the alien leader, %ommander Atarus. +f he was capa!le of that kind of random !rutality, what else might he do? Dor now they had a common foe, !ut there was no telling how long this fragile truce would hold. "he was going to ha$e to sleep with one eye open. "ix hours later, she would ha$e !een happy to sleep at all. +t was getting cold, and theyd lost two more men, !oth human. +t had !een !ecause of the !iters. 7he aliens had started flaming the sand and her side had panicked. Bne man died, caught in the flame spray of his own comrades; the other had run !ack the way theyd come, trying to escape. ,ed failed. y the time theyd reached him, his eyes had already !een sa$aged, he was paralyzed and !leeding from multiple wounds. %aptain >han had refused to carry the :dead weight; with them. 7he mans !uddy protested $iolently against his a!andonment, !ut had finally gi$en in when the aliens started mo$ing off, losing interest in the drama. ,e ga$e his friend a mercy !ullet in the !rain. y this time, Xera was shi$ering with more than cold. 7he ground had mo$ed under her feet not an hour ago. (elfane had swung her out of the way when she lurched, and rirax had fired into the ground. +f they hadnt !een !eside her.... "he swallowed and focused on continuing to mo$e her feet. "and was murder on the legs. :Were close now,; rirax told her. :"ee that huge rock rising out of the sand? #ess than a mile to it.; ,e glanced with concern at the darkening sky. Xera eyed it too, thinking of flyers. 7he "corpio picked up the pace. Xera staggered, her tired legs protesting. (elfane put a hand under her el!ow, steadying her. "he didnt ha$e !reath for thanks, using it all to keep up the <og. rirax scanned the sky while (elfane kept his eyes on the ground. "he let them ha$e at it; at this point, all she could do was run on. 7he rock got closer, !ut then' :DlyersC; 7he cry started out in "corpio, !ut was taken up in her language as her side caught sight of the !easts. Winged terrors, !lack against the sky, swooped toward them from the direction of the giant rock. 7here were scores of them, spreading out like storm= tossed lea$es coming from e$ery direction. Xera tried to run, !ut her tired muscles !etrayed her. "he tripped o$er a wind=rippled hillock of sand and twisted her foot. ut her end was not to come so soon. (elfane and rirax snagged her arm and ran for it, firing at the sky. A flyer crashed down right in front of her, deli$ering a glancing !low that staggered (elfane. ,e would ha$e fallen if rirax hadnt reached o$er and steadied him. 7he !east thrashed, nearly tripping Xera with its wings, !ut her two protectors lifted her o$er it and they were away. 7hirty yards to the rock, and one of the "corpio went down under a flyer, screaming. 7he !east was shot, !ut too late. 7wenty yards, and another flyer latched onto a man from Xeras crew. 7his flyer was killed in time, and the man, though wounded, staggered on.

7en yards...and then they were there. 7hey put their !acks to the rock wall and fired up at the flyers until %ommander Atarus yelled, :+ts openC ,urryC; Xera was nearly trampled in the rush to get inside. "omeone turned on a hand torch, and somehow they got e$eryone through. At last they slammed the door on the winged creatures, safe'at least from the monsters outside. %hapter H 7he sealing of the door triggered lights to !link on. "Auinting her unaccustomed eyes, Xera looked around. 7hey were in a tunnel, six feet wide and forty yards long, its rock walls lined with a series of recessed tu!es pro$iding illumination. 7he "corpio were already mo$ing forward, sleds, in<ured and all. *nwilling to rest so close to the doors, e$en the weariest of >hans crew followed. Xera took a step and staggered as pain shot up from her foot. "he must ha$e !een too scared in the mad rush to safety, or too pumped full of adrenaline, to notice how it hurt. "he was feeling the pain now, though, along with many smaller aches shed shut out in the madness. :7heres heat in your right foot,; (elfane said, glancing down. :,old on.; ,e swung her up on a sled without asking permission. )erched precariously on se$eral tarp=co$ered parcels, she gritted her teeth and tried to ignore the surge of pain that electrified her leg. "itting wasnt much !etter than standing, not with her legs swinging as they were. At the end of the tunnel they entered a two=story ca$ern a little longer than it was high. 7he floor was solid dun rock, and the atmosphere was a surprisingly comforta!le temperature. "tone stairs ran up one wall and opened onto a second=story !alcony. (usky light filtered down from that le$el, making Xera shudder. "urely there werent windows up thereC "ome things she didnt need to see. 7he "corpio did a Auick reconnaissance. "atisfied that they were alone, they made camp. Xera slid off the sled and ho!!led o$er to a !ench car$ed into the wall. -xhausted, she drained her water !ottle and then tackled her !oots. "he had to get the in<ured foot out !efore it !urst the leather, and there was pro!a!ly enough sand in there to !uild her own !each. -$en her eyes were gritty with it. +t took an effort to pull her !oot off without whimpering. Bnce free, her foot thro!!ed with a $engeance, dou!ling with the pain of her !listered, raw soles. "he pulled off a sweaty sock and hissed at the feel of the cool air on her tender skin. What she wouldnt gi$e for some warm water and antisepticC +nstead, she lay down on the !ench and closed her eyes. Fay!e she should !e grateful <ust to !e !reathing. "he must ha$e slept, for she was woken !y a nudge. learily, she wiped grit from her eyes and looked up. +t was rirax. :.ou need to tend your in<uries. .ou cant afford gangrene.; ,e handed her a !ottle and a packet of gauze. :7here is medicine in the water. *se it to clean your wounds.; :7hanks,; she muttered as he walked off, still groggy. +t was tempting to go right !ack to sleep, !ut he was right. A nap could wait until she made sure her lim!s wouldnt rot off.

"he sat up stiffly and washed her feet, hissing e$ery time the gauze made contact with a sore. Walking was going to !e painful for the next few days, what with all the !listers, !ut it was comforting to know she wouldnt !e the only one sore=footed. While she was at it, she swiped at the gash o$er her eye and washed her face. "he was una!le to see what she was doing, !ut such ministrations were pro!a!ly !etter than none at all. Dinished, she glanced around, seeing many other tired, dispirited souls. 7hese were in the human camp, really. While the aliens were Auiet, they didnt seem o$erly distressed. ut, of course, this was their turf. &y$en had watched the woman lie untended for a half hour !efore he inter$ened. +t had !een a small thing, to send the medicine, !ut he shouldnt ha$e had to do it. Among his people the most !adly wounded were attended first, then the women and children. Warriors with minor hurts would delay their own comfort. 7his protocol was in contrast to that of the humans. 7he sAuare=headed human captain hadnt !othered to see to the only woman in his group. ,ed immediately flopped his !ody down on a !ench and let his men tend themsel$es for a good ten minutes, only rousing himself to gi$e orders when hunger stirred him. ,is groups translator, possi!ly one of his !est assets, hed ignored. 7here was another difference/ &y$en hadnt needed to order his men to make camp. 7hey knew what was necessary to do and did it. ,is people were stronger than humans; he could see that now. While tired, they had not suffered nearly as much on the march. ,e would almost ha$e !een impressed !y what the humans, with their limited physiAues, had managed to do...if they hadnt neglected their woman so. "he needed ice for that foot. -$en from here he could see the faint heat signature, an angry, painful=looking red. 7his time, he chose to take it himself rather than send rirax. Xera looked up, mildly surprised to see the alien leader. ,e plopped a cold pack onto her foot. :*se this.; :Bkay,; she said slowly. While the gesture had not exactly !een gentle, she appreciated the ice, if not the source. "he would not forget that this man was a killer. +n all fairness, though, he had no reason to lo$e her people. "he forced herself to accept that, too. :(id you need something?; ,is face ga$e nothing away. :We$e acti$ated the temperature control system. 7he thermal grills for cooking are on=line. .ou will !e allowed access to water, !ut your people will ha$e to forage for their own food; we will not share our rations. Whate$er you !rought in your packs will ha$e to suffice, though we will show you how to seek what food can !e gathered. +f you are diligent, you will not star$e.; Well, there was great news. :Anything else?; ,e walked away. Apparently not. "he sighed. And things were a!out to get worse. "he wasnt looking forward to talking to her captain, !ut here he came. :What did he want?; >han demanded, eyeing her icepack suspiciously. ,e sifted his weight from foot to sore foot. "he relayed the information Atarus had pro$ided. :(id you want some water now?;

:Water?; he shouted. :Water? What + want is to get off this !lasted rockC; ,is piggy eyes narrowed. :(id he say if a ship was coming for them?; :+ ha$e no idea,; she admitted, wishing she did. +t would change a lot of things, knowing there might soon !e more of the "corpio. "he didnt relish !eing a prisoner of war. :+ dont think theyd tell me if they did.; >han grunted at her. :.ou seem mighty cozy with them.; "he looked at him tiredly. :"ir, +m the only mem!er of our crew that speaks their language. +d !e happy to coach you and e$eryone else on it, though. @od for!id + should drop dead and lea$e you all with no idea what theyre saying or plotting.; %aptain >han gra!!ed her shirt in a rough grip. :Watch it, ,arris=d. +f we are stuck on this sandpit, we wont !e seeing any more of the @-. &ules of discipline !e damned, +ll <ump at the first chance to teach you to watch your mouth. &emem!er that.; ,e released her with a sho$e and walked away. With mixed emotions, Xera watched the man stalk off. @ranted, she could pro!a!ly kick his !utt if she needed, !ut not if the crew !acked him up. esides, doing that would <ust in$ite !eing attacked in the dark one night, which would of course end !adly. "he wasnt inclined to pick a fight, and the alternati$e was lying low. "wallowing against that !itter reality, she lay !ack down and stared at the ceiling. @od help her if the @- didnt show up to sa$e them. Fuch as she hated their politics, her employers were the only thing likely to sa$e her from what was coming. +t was morning !y the time she woke. @roaning at her stiffness, she glanced at her watch and saw shed slept for almost twel$e hours. "he was surprised shed !een allowed to rest so long, !ut a look around showed e$eryone else was mo$ing slowly, too. "he gingerly sat up. +t was amazing how comforta!le e$en a stone !ench could !e when you were dead tired, !ut she was paying for lying on it with e$en more aches. "omeone had thrown a sur$i$al !lanket o$er her during the night. "he !rushed it aside, thankful for the thin materials added warmth. "hed had one in her pack !ut had !een too exhausted to dig for it last night. "he had to limp along the wall, using it to steady herself as she sought out rirax. ,e saw her coming and met her halfway. :+ need to know where the'bathrooms are,; she told him, trying not to !e em!arrassed. Dor some reason it was harder to ask an alien this Auestion. +t didnt help that she didnt know the exact words to use. ,is !rows drew together. :What?; "he sighed. :+ drank too much water.; ,is face cleared. :Dollow me.; ,e watched her ho!!le for two steps, and then motioned her to stop. :Wait.; ,e hurried up the stairs to the !alcony where the "corpio had mo$ed all their stuff. ,e came !ack down with a laser rifle, which he handed to her. :+ts unloaded.; :7hanks,; she said, surprised !y his generosity. 7he weapon made for a cum!ersome cane, !ut it helped get her across the room to where she needed to go. +n the area the "corpio indicated, there were se$eral doors right next to each other. "he went through one and shut the door, then took a Auick look around. 7here was a seat and something that looked like some kind of composting unit. 7here was nowhere to wash her hands, howe$er. Dinished, she opened the door and asked rirax a!out it.

:&un your hands in front of that stone,; he instructed, pointing to an area in the !ack of the restroom. :7he energy kills the....; "he didnt exactly understand what he said, !ut she got the drift. ,e added, :+f you would like to cleanse your entire !ody, press the stone and stand there for a count of se$enty.; ,e closed the door to let her check it out. +t was like a solar shower, and she didnt e$en ha$e to undress to use it. "hed heard of the concept !ut ne$er experienced one. @reen rays surrounded her, dissol$ing the dirt and oils from her clothes and !ody. +n slightly o$er a minute she was as clean as if shed ne$er !een chased through a desert !y monsters. -$en her muscles felt !etter, as if shed had a long, hot !ath. :%ool,; she told rirax as she stepped out, using the "corpio word without thinking. :7he temperature was cold?; he asked. :+ will ha$e to inspect it.; "he laughed, realizing her mistake. :0oC +t was a compliment. + think your technology is wonderful.; :Bh.; ,e looked as if he hadnt understood all her words, !ut seemed to process enough. :+ will show you where to get water. @ather your crew after that and we will explain how to forage.; %ommander Atarus acted as their guide. %aptain >han and all of her crew followed along for the tour. +t was tiring, ho!!ling around the ca$e with stiff muscles and a !um foot. Xera finally !roke down and accepted an offer from an ensign to !e a human crutch. ,ed seemed especially eager to help her, !ut she was too grateful to !e wary. 7he water was no !ig deal; it came out of a faucet in a wall alco$e. 7he foraging was harder. 7hey had to descend some stairs that opened out into a lower ca$ern. +t was cool down there, populated with fungus and shadows. "omething crunched under her feet. Atarus shown a flashlight at her !oots and she yelped. 7he ground was swarming with fat slimy things. :AhC WormsC And !ugsC; "he tried to mo$e away !ut <ust stepped on others. :)rotein,; Atarus corrected with some amusement. "he stared at him. :.ou$e got to !e <oking,; she said in her own language, too grossed out to use his. :Whats he saying?; >han demanded. :What are all these worms doing here?; :(inner,; Xera said softly, feeling sick. ,er words caused an uproar. Atarus <ust looked at the humans with aristocratic unconcern until the noise settled down. ,e wa$ed a hand at the fungi. 7hey looked like pulpy fans and grew on the stone columns, floor and walls. :7he stone fungus is edi!le once cooked, and this lichen makes a tea that will pro$ide $alua!le nutrients.; ,e indicated a glowing green plant that resem!led dead lea$es. Xera wondered if shed start glowing, too, if she drank anything made of that stuff. ,er ensign crutch was a !ra$er man than she. :%ant !e worse than moms cooking,; he said philosophically, and !egan gathering ingredients. Xera felt sick. "he started to ho!!le to the stairs. "tep, crunch. (rag, step, squish. "he shuddered. &eaching the steps, she hurried up. rirax, (elfane and their captain had !een either slow to lea$e or were waiting for her. 7hey didnt say anything. Atarus wordlessly placed a hand under her el!ow and supported her as she clim!ed. :7ired?; he asked as they reached the upper ca$ern and !lessed light. 0ot a !ug in sight. "he sighed gratefully and tried not to think a!out the condition of her !oots. :"ome.;

"hocking her, he swung her up into his arms and strode off toward her !ench. 0one of her crew was there to see it, and his own people didnt seem fazed. :What are you doing?; she gasped, panicked. "he struggled, !ut he was e$en stronger than he looked. Was he going to try something now that no one was watching? ,e set her down on her !ench. :"tay off the foot if you want it to heal. 7here is little for you to do now !ut translate, anyway.; "he ga$e him an unfriendly look. :+ dont like !eing carried.; :.ou do not seem to like !ugs, either, !ut you will eat them,; he said, unconcerned. :What is the name of the man who helped you down the stairs? .ou should ha$e him for your help.; :-nsign 7re$or, and + wont need help long.; :@ood.; ,e walked away. "he watched him go, her gut still swirling with unease. "he !egan to wonder how much of (elfane and riraxs help was his doing. "he was still wondering a little while later when (elfane !rought her a !owl of gray soup. :What is it?; she asked warily. :(ont ask,; he ad$ised her. "he closed her eyes, took a deep !reath and told herself it was mushroom soup. Bf course it was. +t wasnt !ad, really. ,e handed her a mug of faintly glowing green tea. ,is eyes crinkled with amusement. :.our face reminds me of my daughter when she tries something new. ,er face always twists <ust so.; "urprised, she asked, :.oure married?; :.es. (rink your tea.; %autiously, she complied. +t wasnt great, !ut it was drinka!le. >ind of reminded her of kelp. :@ood. 0ow you will finish the soup and translate the making of it for your people.; +t was a lot easier to finish the soup than it was to explain to e$eryone else how it was made. "he turned a little green, much to the amusement of the "corpio. "he saw se$eral of them laughing to each other and talking Auietly !ut animatedly as they gestured in her direction. "hed ha$e thought they were <erks, !ut noticed that se$eral of them were eating the gray soup, too. Fay!e they thought she was finicky, or they were making the !est of a less than gourmet meal !y cracking <okes. -$en Atarus seemed amused. 7o her surprise, her own captain slurped the slop right down. Fust not !e a picky eater, she assumed, or he <ust liked a full !elly. Afterward, she ga$e language lessons. Bccasionally she had to ask an alien for confirmation regarding the meaning of a word. 7hey seemed willing enough to talk to her, if especially aloof around her crew. 7he feeling was mutual. Well, she reminded herself, the two groups had !een shooting each other out of the sky <ust yesterday. Deeling more like an am!assador than an interpreter, she often stood !etween the two races, using her !ody as a kind of !uffer. +t was tiring work, and she excused herself after an hour to ho!!le !ack to her !ench. "he lay down, inserted her ear !uds and listened to music. 7he de$ice was small enough to fit into a necklace and contained millions of files, many of which shed still ne$er heard. 0ow, gi$en time and the lifetime warranty on the !attery, she might <ust get a chance. "he sho$ed that image out of her mind as soon as it formed and concentrated on

other things. +t had !een a gift from her sisters on her last !irthday and contained many family photos. "he flipped through them as she listened to music, feeling wistful. "he missed them and wondered what theyd !e told a!out her disappearance. 7heyd worry. Dor that matter, she was worried.. 7he downside of teaching e$eryone the language was that she was helping herself out of a <o!. "he didnt think it would change her situation, though. What might? "he couldnt think of anything, so she concentrated on simply doing her <o!. Any intel she might get from the aliens a!out their culture or language would !e a powerful tool if she e$er got !ack to the @-. 7o cheer herself up, she imagined herself !eing in high demand as an expert on the "corpio race. Bf course, not knowing when they might !e rescued, she might find out more than she wanted to know a!out their mating ha!its.... "top torturing yourself, she ordered herself sternly, and sat up. 7hered !een no com! in her pack, so she tried to untangle her hair with her fingers. 7he motion was soothing and it ga$e her something to do. -nsign 7re$or must ha$e noticed. ,e came o$er and offered his com!. :,ere. + dont need it.; ,is hair was cropped regulation short. "he smiled gratefully. :+ts short now. @i$e it time. ut, thanks.; "he couldnt see what she was doing while she com!ed, !ut at least she now had a prayer of undoing the rats nest. 7re$or sat down on the !ench next to her. :Euite a hike yesterday, huh? Delt like +d !een sucked into a horror mo$ie.; :+t isnt o$er. 7heres still the food,; she said with a grimace. ,e laughed. :.eah. At least there is food.; ,e let his gaze trail aimlessly around, clearly stalling. At last he spoke. :#ook, ,arris=d, + was thinking we could do each other a fa$or.; "he stilled. ,e didnt meet her eyes, or he might ha$e flinched at the suspicion there. "hed had too many come=ons start with that $ery line. :.ou$e really got a !ad situation here, and +m sympathizing with that. eing the only woman and all.; ,e looked at her out of the corner of his eye. :+ was thinking may!e + could help you out.;"he waited. "hed thought he was all right, may!e a little geeky, !ut he was no different than the rest. ,e was making a play for her. "he wanted to hit him for trying to take ad$antage. +n her present mindset, that was the only way she saw his offer. :+t would really help if you had a guy on your side, you know. +m willing, if you like.; ,e got a little red=faced. :+f the others thought you were taken'.; :"o you want sex in exchange, is that it?; she asked coldly. ,e flinched. :Well, it would !e nice, !ut +m not trying to force you or anything. + <ust thought +d offer. +ts not like we'+ mean'.; ,e stum!led to a $er!al stop, his face glowing red. "he couldnt speak right away, didnt trust herself. "hed always had a temper, !ut she had common sense, too. ,e stood up. "he almost let him walk away. :+ll think a!out it,; she choked out. ,e paused, looked o$er his shoulder. :Bkay,; he said. ,e hesitated, then mo$ed on. Xera gripped the com! so hard it !it into her hand. "uddenly she didnt care a!out her hair.

:7he first ones approached her,; 7oosun o!ser$ed softly. ,e was sitting with his !rother, and the two men watched the Auiet scene unfold across the room, <ust as his !rother had predicted. &y$en also watched the way Xera <ust sat there, staring at her feet after the human ensign left. +t was a dead gi$eaway. :.es,; he said. ,e continued sharpening his !lade. 7he eight=inch knife had the same shifting coating as his uniform and was already razor sharp. An enemy would not see it coming in the dark. :Will her captain permit her to go to another man?; :7hat one? ,ell let her ser$ice anyone who asks, then demand her for himself when he wants her. "he will not !e permitted to refuse.; &y$ens eyes were shuttered, decepti$ely focused on his task. :We will keep watch, then. +f she chooses a man of her own free will, do we still inter$ene?; &y$en looked at him. :+n this situation, will any choice of hers constitute free will? -$en if it did, it would not change my plans for her.; 7oosun nodded. :7he men are settled, then. "hall we start with drills this morning? 7hey need to stay !usy.; :.es. After they$e !led off some energy, they can participate in more language studies with the translator. Also, ask for $olunteers to do recon outside the shelter; we need to know more data a!out our en$ironment, need to see if theres any reco$era!le eAuipment outside. +f your group finds remains, !urn them with lasers. urial is too hazardous now. .ou ha$e one hour. +f you do not return on time we will send out a search party, !ut anyone left outside at dusk is expenda!le.; 7he !rothers held each others gazes. 7hey had done this often enough that nothing else needed to !e said. 7hey had lo$e !ut also duty. +t had always !een that way. :Well reco$er what we can and stay on the rocks. 7hat should keep the diggers at !ay, and the fliers are sleeping until dusk.; :Gust dont walk into any ca$es,; &y$en said dryly. After a moment he added, :Ask the humans if theyre !ra$e enough to go.; 7oosun grinned. :7he translator wont tell them my exact words.; &y$en flashed a !rief smile in response. : e discreet, then. + would rather our num!ers !e e$en; not that they impress me as warriors.; :0o. + will ask her.; 7oosun hesitated. :What a!out their weapons? Will we take them soon?; &y$en knew his !rother wouldnt Auestion the wisdom of his decisions directly, !ut he was sure his men were all wondering. :We will wait a little longer. #et them think they ha$e nothing to fear; it will lull them.; 7here had !een enough casualties. 7here would come an opportune moment, and then he and his men would act. ,e hadnt forgotten his o!<ecti$e; the interlopers would pay for their indiscretion. 7hey were trespassers, and would !e treated as such. -$en the woman would learn her place'as soon as he decided what that place should !e. +t seemed a waste to send a woman like her to prison. ,e darted a glance her way. ,e had to think a!out the possi!ilities. Xera eyed the "corpio second=in=command, 7oosun, and contemplated what hed <ust said. As she didnt feel like ho!!ling o$er to her captain <ust then, she caught >hans

attention with a gesture. +t wasnt hard; hed !een watching her with alarming freAuency, especially whene$er one of the "corpio spoke with her. :What?; he demanded as he approached. :.ou too lazy to !ring a message to your captain?; "he gestured to her !ound foot. :+m still reco$ering, sir. +tll heal faster if + stay off it.; >hans small eyes gleamed with nasty satisfaction. :"o youre only good for sitting on your !utt or lying on your !ack, eh? 7hats a!out'.; ,e !roke off as the "corpio shifted toward him, <ust enough to make him wary. :7he "corpio are making up a reconnaissance party,; she explained Auickly, keeping her $oice e$en. :7hey want to know if any of us is !ra$e enough to accompany them. 7hey plan to !e gone an hour.; : ra$e enough?; >han snarled. :Any of us is !ra$er than a stinking, filthy alien. %ortC 7re$orC; he !ellowed. ,e looked at those two men, who hurried o$er. :@et ready for a recon mission. + want to know what these guys know at all timesC @ra! any gear you happen to see lying around outside.; 7he men paled !ut hurried to do what he said. %aptain >han turned to 7oosun and eyed him arrogantly. :What else do they want?; he asked Xera. "he kept her sigh to herself, though she was suddenly exhausted. +n his own language she told 7oosun, :7hey are getting ready. +s there anything else?; 7oosun looked at her and ignored her captain, who practically !reathed down his neck. :Fy lord has told our men to watch out for your safety. +t is not our custom to see women mistreated. +f you !ecome afraid, you may mo$e your sleeping place to our side of the shelter. .ou will not !e distur!ed or harmed.; ,e ga$e her a slight nod, then turned and looked down at >han. Daced with the "corpio and his superior height, much of the captains !ra$ado leached away. >han turned his !ack and stalked off. A dark expression flashed through 7oosuns face. +t was leashed !ut not gone when he nodded to Xera and returned to his own men. Xera took a slow !reath then exhaled. "hed <ust !een offered protection !y people she knew nothing a!out. *nfortunately, she knew too much a!out her own kind. "hed !etter !e down to zero options !efore she took such a huge risk "he took her laser rifle crutch and ho!!led o$er to sit !y a few of her human companions. 7hey were fiddling with a radio, clearly waiting to get reports !ack from the imminent reconnaissance mission. +n response to the few curious looks they shot her, she said, :.ou might need translation help on that.; "he wasnt going to gi$e >han another chance to say she was useless. 7he communications officer nodded and handed her a headset. %hapter I Xera didnt en$y %ort and -nsign 7re$or as they followed 7oosun and his crew outside. oth humans and "corpio lined the entry tunnel, ready to !last anything that came through the door, though the shelters sensors had reported nothing deadly !eyond.

A flash of light appeared as they exited, then darkened to artificial light as the hea$y doors closed on the sun outside. +t didnt take long !efore -nsign 7re$or reported, :We found a !oot..."corpio make.; 7here was grim silence in the room as e$eryone heard the transmission. Xera remem!ered the "corpio whod gone down under a flyer. :7heres a ripped pack. Were gathering the goods. (oesnt seem to !e anything else.; 7here was apparently a path car$ed into the rock that wound up to the top of the shelter, and the team followed it. 7oosun explained the path was for maintenance on the solar array, and Xera translated. 7he top of the rock opened up into a rough plateau. :@ood place to land a ship,; %ort reported tersely. %aptain >han tensed. :.ou can see for miles up here,; -nsign 7re$or !roadcast. ,e was looking through electronic !inoculars. :0ot that theres much to see. (esert, rocks, sand.; :"ame thing as yesterday,; %ort affirmed. :7heres a few other rocky hills scattered here and there, !ut thats it. 7his rock isnt $ery !ig, either. Fay!e the size of a foot!all field. Fakes you wonder why they !othered to !uild a shelter here at all.; 7he hour of reconnaissance passed Auickly and une$entfully, !ut it pro$ided a much= needed distraction. 7he men made it !ack to the shelter with no pro!lem. :"andstorm looked to !e kicking up,; %ort remarked as he entered. :7ell me a!out the landing pad,; >ahn demanded. :Any sign of recent use?; %ort shrugged. :,ard to tell.; :What + want to know is if they ha$e a ship on the way,; the captain snapped. :Dor all + know were sitting ducks, with no way to know if or when our own distress signal will !e answered.; ,is crew tensed. ,owe$er !rief their truce here, no one wanted to !e a wartime guest of the "corpio. )BWs had no guarantee of fair treatment, no matter what the @- claimed. :7hey killed @enson,; one of the men added !itterly. :We$e got no call to !e trusting them.; Xera couldnt argue; e$erything her companions said was true. "he didnt like where this was going, though. 7he !uilding tension could lead to !ad decisions, may!e get some!ody killed. >han looked at her. :,arris=d, youre going to Auestion them. Ask them a!out the planet, a!out its resources. Ask em why a shelter was put up in this place, find out e$erything you can. e careful a!out itC 7hey dont need to know were suspicious.; :.es, sir,; she said so!erly. :7he rest of you, keep your eyes peeledC We dont need any nasty surprises. Drom now on, two of you will !e on acti$e watch at all times.; Xera limped !ack to her !ench and waited a while !efore approaching the "corpio. +t was hard to $iew them o!<ecti$ely; they had !een kind to her. 7here was no telling what would happen to her or her crew on an alien ship, though. 7hey could end up under the authority of someone who was less lenient, with harsher $iews on the treatment of capti$e females. "he hadnt !een home in three years, and she wanted a chance to see her sisters again. 7he "corpio didnt seem distur!ed !y what the recon mission had re$ealed. "ingularly and in pairs, they now performed martial arts drills. (oing so, they made her

years of study look like kid stuff. "he held a !lack !elt in two different disciplines, and she had no dou!t any one of these guys could take out her old masters without !reaking a sweat. 7hey were un!elie$a!ly fast. "he could only !e grateful that their space technology was roughly on a par with that of her own people, or they wouldnt still !e here. "he waited until (elfane was finished with his kata and had taken his turn in the ray shower !efore approaching him. ,e saw her coming and wa$ed her o$er to a !ench. :7hat was impressi$e,; she said. As she settled down, she winced. ,ow long would it take this foot to heal? +t was killing her whene$er she failed to keep it ele$ated. :What do you call your martial art?; ,e said something unpronouncea!le. :7he'killing way?; she translated hesitantly. :%lose. .our foot is !etter?; "he sighed. :+t hurts, !ut it wont kill me. +m sorry for the loss of your crewman.; ,e nodded !ut offered nothing else. :7his is a $ery cruel planet. Why did your people !other !uilding a shelter here? Bur scans showed some minerals, !ut nothing that couldnt !e found on an asteroid. -$en these oceans are filled with poisons.; ,e shrugged. :+t lies within our !oundaries. %laiming it is our right.; 7he @- would argue that, !ut Xera wasnt a!out to. :"ure. +m <ust glad + wont ha$e to li$e here....; "he trailed off, let a touch of genuine anguish color her words. :At least, + hope + wont.; +t was a perfect opening, !ut he seemed uninterested in pursuing it. +nstead he asked, :.ou ha$e family?; "he looked away. :"isters.; "he couldnt help a twinge of longing. Bne more year and her tour would ha$e !een up. "he could ha$e gone home. . "hed ne$er regretted her wanderlust, her desire to see the stars. "he was independent enough that long separations hadnt !othered her, !ut that was when shed had email and pin !eam a$aila!le to send messages. "he might want her space, !ut she liked to keep in touch with those she lo$ed. 0ow that the tether had !een cut, she realized <ust how much shed $alued the connection. "he didnt know if shed ha$e chosen to go home after her ser$ice was up or settle elsewhere, !ut shed ne$er thought to lose all touch with her family. "he drew strength from her family; they were her lifeline. ,er older sister, @em, had especially had a knack for encouraging her. 0ow that @em was out of touch, Xera would ha$e to exercise her little=used faith to !elie$e that things could !e all right. Gust thinking that positi$e thought !rought a surge of courage. :+ ha$ent seen them in a long time.; +t was impossi!le to miss the wistfulness in her $oice. :+ miss my family as well.; ,e smiled and showed her a holo=pro<ection from his wrist computer. +t showed a woman and child. 7he girl was aged six, perhaps, had shiny !lack hair and elfin eyes. :%ute kid,; Xera said appreciati$ely. :+ hope you get to see her again.; ,is eyes shuttered as he closed the file. :.es.; 7oosun approached. :Xera ,arris=d, our lord has reAuested that you gi$e him and our crew language lessons, as you do for your own men. +t would !e !est if we all understood one another, and it will help gi$e structure to the day.;

"he glanced at >han. :With my captains permission. ,e may want some of our men to listen, also, to speed their own learning.; :7hat is permissi!le.; "o Xera spent more time teaching, and learned a few things as well. 7heir society was patriarchal and monotheistic, for the most part. "uperiors were allowed to speak first, according to "corpio etiAuette, unless the speaker was gi$en prior permission. +n a hostile situation, such etiAuette was particularly important. %hagrined, she wished shed known that !efore @enson had !een sent to speak with the "corpio; it would ha$e pre$ented a needless death. As the translator, she accepted part of the !lame as her own. ,er training was supposed to help pre$ent such things. 7he "corpio sat in a semi=circle around her !ench, with a few of her own crew clustered toward the !ack of the group. While an uneasy mix, the two races did cooperate while practicing simple sentences. 7here were e$en a few smiles as they managed to !utcher each others words. "ome sounds were simply unpronouncea!le to !oth groups, and e$en Xera had a hard time pronouncing the sylla!le :frth; 5with a rolled :r;, no less6, without spitting. Dor their part, the "corpio seemed una!le to say :$;. -$en so, progress was made. %aptain >han made no mo$e to learn the language, !ut &y$en Atarus was not so reser$ed. ,e listened closely and made rapid progress, rarely forgetting a word. After an hour, he dismissed any men who wished it, !ut he stayed, himself, along with three or four others, to learn more. :7he water is !ad,; he said to 7oosun with credita!le accent. :(o not drink it.; :.our cooking is !ad,; 7oosun replied with a grin. :+ do not like fugs.; : ugs,; Xera corrected with a laugh. :.ou do not like !ugs.; ,e smirked. :0either do you,; he said in his own language. "hed !een surprised to disco$er that he and &y$en Atarus were !rothers, !ut she could see the resem!lance now. Although &y$en was his superior, they still teased each other like si!lings. 7oosun was the only one permitted to do it, though. 0o one else dared. :,ow do you say J!lue eyes?; he asked. :.our people ha$e the oddest eye color, like hard gems.; "he told him, and then added, :*s? .ou seem like the odd ones, with your eyes like fire.; ,er gaze darted to &y$en as she said it. 7oosun laughed. :.es, he does ha$e pretty eyes. ?ery like a girl.; &y$en ga$e him a cold look. :0one ha$e mistaken me for such.; :.es, you are $ery !ra$e,; 7oosun allowed, !ut a smile still lurked around his mouth. -nsign 7re$or had stayed !ehind while the rest of Xeras crew had wandered off. 0ow he edged closer to her, disliking the camaraderie, perhaps. :.ou look tired, Xera. Fay!e youd like to go eat?; "he looked at him. ,e was !eing doggedly protecti$e, as if shed already accepted his offer of companionship. ,is familiar attitude chafed. "he might !e <ust a lieutenant here, !ut she was also a successful, respected !usinesswoman !ack home. ,er family owned a thri$ing ta$ern, and shed had her share of employees under her. "he didnt like the -nsigns attempt to take charge of her. +f she admitted it to herself, it was pro!a!ly the reason she was still single. :+ would like a drink, if you wouldnt mind !ringing it,; she

allowed. ,er $oice was cool. ,e didnt seem happy with her answer, !ut he left to fetch some glowing tea anyway. :.ou dont like him,; &y$en o!ser$ed. ,ow could she answer that? "he decided not to. :.our captain doesnt wish to learn our language,; the "corpio leader continued. :,e seems tense.; :Bur !eing here is an awkward situation,; she replied, as diplomatically as she could. :Are you expecting a ship to come rescue you?; he asked, casual, as if the Auestion werent central to !oth their uni$erses <ust now. :,ope is important,; she said smoothly; then she changed su!<ects. :,ow will you occupy your men after dinner? .ou seem to keep them !usy.; ,e accepted the new path of the con$ersation. :7hey will play games. + encourage them to think of this time as a !rief holiday. +t is !etter for morale.; Is it a !rief holiday?; she asked pleasantly. :,ow wonderful for you.; :.ou make assumptions,; he replied, a gleam of pleasure in those !rimstone eyes. : ut in a way that makes me smile, so + cannot re!uke you. And here is your friend, !ack with your refreshment'. .our people may take part in our games if you like.; Xera soon disco$ered that the games included such silliness as slug racing, yet the men also competed in sprints, long <umps and rock tossing, the goal !eing to toss rocks of $arying sizes onto chalk circles on the floor. "he tried her hand at the latter game with surprising success. &y$en Atarus watched with his arms crossed. ,ed !een o!ser$ing a slug race with critical appraisal and happened to glance her way. :Accepta!le; for a woman,; he offered haughtily. ,umor lurked in those remarka!le eyes. :.eah, if + could <ust turn this into a career,; she Auipped. "he reached for another stone. :+ can see it now; the money, my name in lights. )eople will flock to see the great rock tosserC; "he succeeded hitting another circle, and her competitors made her !ack up a couple of paces. ,er crewmates mostly watched from the fringes, reluctant to engage, though one or two others <oined in. -nsign 7re$or was always near to hand. "he was tempted to throw a rock at his head. %aptain >han watched her darkly from the shadows. ,ed pro!a!ly accuse her of fraternizing with the enemy, !ut how else was she supposed to get information? "hed ha$e to report to him after the games; may!e that would sooth his antsy twitters. "he warily limped toward the edge of the room after the rock toss. >hans eyes !ored coldly into her as she approached, and he didnt in$ite her to sit. :.ou stink of the enemy,; he sneered. :"ir, you ordered me to spy on them,; she said Auietly. :+ cant do that from a distance.; :And did you find anything useful, or were you <ust giggling through the games?; :+$e only got impressions, sir. 0o one would say if a ship was coming.; 7here was no one near them to hear their con$ersation, and she wished she had witnesses. +t seemed the captain was trying to pick a fight, or ner$ing himself up for something worse. B!li$ious to her concern, >han spat, :+ ha$e an impression, ,arris=d. + think youre flirting with our enemy, <ust waiting for a chance to <ump ship and sa$e your own hide. + see the way you look at that murdering !astard, and + say youre planning treason.;

,er head <erked up. :What? .oure wrong, sir.; :Am +?; he hissed. :+$e known what you were all along, ,arris=d. .oure nothing !ut an opportunistic whore, arent you? .ou know what we do to whores where + come from, ,arris=d?; :@et arrested !y them for harassment, sir?; she said through !loodless lips. "he felt stiff with shock at the force of his attack. Fuch as she despised him, she hadnt seen this coming. Bfficers didnt act like this. "he !arely saw his fist coming, either. ,er dodge was slow !ut mostly effecti$e; she was only grazed. ,er weak foot screamed as she forced it to take her weight, stepped !ack and slammed her rifle !utt into his throat. -$en knowing that there would !e repercussions, she drew it !ack and rammed it hard into his knee. 7here was a crunch. ,e screamed and went down, clutching the <oint. ,ard hands suddenly gra!!ed her, wrenched the rifle from her grip. 7here was a !a!!le of $oices as her crew surrounded her. :Arrest herC; %aptain >han screamed, writhing on the floor. ,e erupted in a stream of curses as his men tried to help him up. Xera hoped shed !roken his friggin knee. :What happened?; %ort demanded. :Whyd you attack him?; :.ou saw what happenedC ,e attacked meC; :.ou must ha$e said something,; %ort insisted. :.ou always say something, ,arris= d.; "he opened her mouth to defend herself, then shut it. "he wasnt going to help anything when she was angry. esides, there was a growing pool of silence around her. Fen stilled. "he looked o$er her shoulder and saw the "corpio had gathered !ehind her. :What happens here?; &y$en Atarus asked Auietly. ,e looked much as he had the first day shed seem him/ cold, deadly. 7he star!urst in his ear winked with decepti$e light, and those !rimstone eyes nearly glowed. "he turned to face him as her captors did, though she noticed their grips loosen. :7his is our !usiness,; %ort answered, una!le to understand what was !eing said. 7he intimidation of the "corpio commander was plain enough, though. 7he engineer licked his lips. :Well deal with it.; 7he silence stretched uncomforta!ly. :7ranslate, ,arris=dC; "he looked at him as if he were stupid. :,ow will you know what + tell them? +f they do something you dont like, then youll !lame me.; "he was shaking from the aftereffects of adrenaline and couldnt help her cheek; it was all that was getting her through. %orts eyes narrowed. :+f you dont speak and they attack, + will !lame you.; @rimly, she said to the "corpio, :7his is a matter for my people.; "he told %ort what she said as she said it, in case it might help sa$e her hide. :.our captain attacked you,; &y$en remarked. :We witnessed this.; :.es.; "he was $ery slow translating, as emotion choked her. :We will not allow you to !e punished.; "he was speechless for a moment with the force of her thoughts. +t took a prod in the !ack from %ort for her to translate. After she did, there was hea$y silence. -yes on the floor, Xera said to the "corpio leader, :.ou are making this difficult for me. Fy people will say + am a traitor.; :7hen we will not gi$e you a choice.;

+t happened too fast for her to track. "he saw two "corpio lunge for her. +n seconds she was released from her former captors and drawn to the rear of the "corpio ranks. rirax and (elfane flanked her. 0one of her crewmates dared mo$e. &y$en looked at them as if they were nothing, less than nothing. :%onfiscate their weapons. #ea$e only what they need for sur$i$al.; :.ou cant do thisC .ou cant meddle in our affairsC; %aptain >han protested from the rear. "omeone had pumped the captain full of painkillers and plopped him on a !ench. &y$ens smile was cold. :%onfiscate their painkillers. Drom now on, they must come to us for this medicine. .ou may lea$e the anti!iotics and such.; Xera felt dizzy. 7he "corpio commander was going to let >han suffer as punishment, and >han would ne$er forget it. 0or would he forgi$e his men !eing disarmed. ,ed want re$enge. &y$en turned his !ack on his enemies as his men followed orders. Xera had to wonder if this was <ust the opportunity hed !een waiting for all along. ,e stopped in front of her !ut addressed his men. :7here is heat in her ankle again. 7ake her to the !alcony and ice it. %heck her feet as well.; (elfane swung Xera into his arms and headed for the stairs. "he didnt !other to protest, knowing shed waste her !reath. Fost of her crews attention was on the "corpio going through their packs, !ut one or two glanced her way with accusing eyes. >han was one of them. Bnce up the stairs (elfane sat her down on a wo$en fi!er mat on a !ench set along one wall. +t seemed luxurious compared to the stone !ench that had !een ruining her !ack. 7here was e$en a !oxy pillow to accompany it, and a !rown !lanket that looked like ru!!er folded at the foot. rirax appeared with a cold pack for her foot. :(o you need help to take off your footwear?; Xera stared at him a moment, then slowly reached down and unfastened her !oot. "hock had rendered her momentarily docile. "he didnt know what would happen to her now, !ut she would choose her !attles. +t seemed clear as time passed that nothing !ad would happen. 7he men treated her with courtesy, tended the healing !listers on her feet and then left her alone. As the e$ening wore on, the lights were dimmed and she could see out through the thick glass that separated this !unker from the outside. 7he !lack shapes of fliers traced across the unfamiliar stars, searching for food. 7he stars. "omewhere out there, up in that sky, was her family. +t took a long time for her to turn her !ack on those winking lights and fall asleep. %hapter K "he was not permitted to speak to her companions. +t might ha$e !een for her safety. +t might not. Xera stood on the !alcony le$el and watched as the other humans went a!out their !usiness under guard. 7he !ottom le$el had !een turned into a prison, and the top tier was the command center and "corpio li$ing Auarters. "he saw se$eral "corpio males with

laptops con$ersing o$er headsets. +t wasnt hard to tell they werent talking with each other. A ship was coming. A "corpio ship. Xera closed her eyes and tried to ignore the rush of fear. "he hadnt !een harmed since coming up here, !ut she still didnt know what the future held. :.ou did a good <o! of defending yourself last night.; &y$en Atarus paused near!y at the railing of the !alcony and looked down. :+ wish + hadnt had to. 7his will make my life difficult if + e$er get !ack home.; "he slid a look sideways. :+ dont suppose you ha$e plans to return me there.; ,e looked at her almost curiously. :+ ha$e no such plans.; 7he full force of those eyes left her !reathless. "he looked !ack at the lower le$el. :What are your plans, then? What will happen to them?; :(o you care?; "tartled, she said, :Why wouldnt +? + spent a long time on !oard with them. 7hey are my crew.; :Who left you to your captains mercy.; :We dont know how that might ha$e played out.; :.ou are o$erly optimistic.; :+t !eats !eing negati$e.; 7he "corpio commanders answer was silence. ,e ga$e her a slight nod of his head in farewell and went a!out his !usiness. +t was a long day. Xera ho!!led to the ray shower, listened to her music and occasionally walked around the !alcony, holding the rail. 7he "corpio seemed to hum with anticipation. Dinally she went to !ed. 7he fliers were out, !ut they seemed a lot less threatening with a thick sheet of glass !etween her and them. "he had no desire to $enture outside to play, though. Bnce had !een enough. "he slept. "omeone shook her arm almost as soon as she fell asleep, it seemed. :What?; she asked groggily. :7he ship is here.; 7hat got her up. "till fuzzy, she let (elfane hand her !oots. "corpio were already mo$ing past her !ed, armed and carrying packs. rirax and (elfane hustled her along with them down the stairs. "he could see her crewmates !eing escorted down the long tunnel. 7here were a few protests at going outside unarmed. :What a!out the fliers?; she asked, feeling anxious herself. :We wont let you get eaten,; (elfane assured her. :7he ship is here, and there are more men outside pro$iding co$er. 7he fliers dont ha$e a chance tonight.; 7hey stepped outside into a chill night wind. As promised, there were no fliers in the sky. Fay!e theyd !een frightened away !y the flood of light !athing the near!y rocks and surrounding plain. 7he stairs would ha$e !een difficult if (elfane and rirax hadnt helped. Xera let them steady her and hopped as !est she could, determined to walk on her own. 7hey reached the flat top of the rock outcropping and mo$ed to one edge. ,er first $iew of the ship stole her !reath. "inister !lack and monstrously !ig, it glowed with !lue

lights through the many portholes and the !ridge. 7he ramp was down and also lit. Fany "corpio were on the plain, and the air hummed with sound of the ships massi$e engines. Xera shi$ered in the cold wind as fear of the unknown hit her. What would happen now? &y$en Atarus showed up at her side. :Dollow me.; 7he four of them walked up the ramp and into the ship, down a !usy hall and took a lift to the !ridge. :AtarusC; a male "corpio greeted them as they stepped out of the lift. :7rust you to sur$i$e a crash on the most hostile planet in the galaxyC; ,e clapped his friend on the shoulder and then looked at Xera. :Whats this? .ou managed to come out of it with a !eautiful woman as well? Am + the only one who crashes with flatulent, snoring men?; 7his new "corpio was tall and !road=shouldered, with !rown hair cut $ery short. Bne of his ears was pierced with a golden star!urst, and there was a hands=free communication set around his ear. ,e was o!$iously this ships counterpart to &y$en. &y$en smiled. :"hiza. .ou deser$e to crash with only men. 7his is the translator to the alien ship, #ieutenant Xera ,arrisdaughter. "he is in<ured and would like to rest.; :Bf course,; "hiza said, instantly solicitous. :+s a doctor needed?; :After a rest. Fy men will escort her to her room to finish her sleep cycle.; &y$en paused and looked at her, as if gi$ing her an opportunity to speak. ut what did he expect her to say; thanks for the ride? ,e nodded to her and her escort, and then turned to "hiza. :,ow proceeds the reco$ery team? Bur ship was not too !adly damaged....; Xera missed the rest as she was led off. "he was happy to see her room had a real padded !unk, not a steel sla! or something eAually o!noxious. &ock had !een !ad enough. "ufficiently tired that the lack of a porthole didnt distress her, she listened as rirax ga$e her a !rief rundown on the la$atory and water dispenser. "he was surprised that there were e$en a few supplies left inside for her/ a new hair!rush, for one. A glance in the mirror told her she needed it desperately. ,e left her with a pouch of rations and wishes for a good slum!er. "leep !e hanged, she do$e into the ration pack !efore the door was closed. 7here were $arious food !ars, a pouch of dried fruit and some kind of sweet dried $egeta!le that she instantly lo$ed. +t sure !eat the pants off slug soup. Fay!e it was the endorphins of actually ha$ing real food choices again, !ut she was a!le to lie down after that and nap. "he woke to the sound of an electronic tone. Wondering what it was, she sat up and looked around, then remem!ered. Ah, yes. "he was hitching a ride on an enemy starship. #o$ely. 7he tone ceased as soon as she got out of !ed and stowed the !lanket and pillow. "he used the la$atory and the ray shower, wondering idly if it were possi!le to do !oth at once. +t didnt take long to !rush her page!oy, and she smiled, amused to think some women spent hours in the !athroom. 7hey wouldnt last long around here. A new tone sounded at her door. +t was (elfane, and he was there to escort her to !reakfast.

7hey entered a galley full of males, and Xera had to take a !reath to steel herself against their curious stares. +t helped that the room smelled wonderful enough to make her sali$ate. (elfane handed her a tray and then helped himself. "he didnt ask what anything was, unwilling to ruin it. +nstead, she <ust dished up a tiny !it of e$erything. ,e grinned at her o$erflowing plate as he <uggled his own. :+ dont like slug soup, either.; ,e then found them a Auiet ta!le off to the side, and she saw that most of the men were filing out of the room. 7hey must ha$e arri$ed at a shift change, and she wondered if that was deli!erate. "he Auelled the natural urge to ask what time it was/ it hardly mattered on a ship that operated on an artificial clock. 7he food was good, for the most part. 7here was one odd=tasting purple $egeta!le, !ut she Auickly remo$ed it from her mouth. +t was metallic and !itter, and she couldnt imagine anyone willingly eating it. :?ery like my daughter,; (elfane said dryly. "he made a face at him. :Will you !e seeing her soon? + !et shell !e excited to see you.; ,er mouth started to tingle and go num!, and she frowned, wondering if it was something shed eaten, and if so, was it a normal reaction? :+ talked with her and her mother last night,; (elfane said with a relaxed, satisfied smile. :We will reach our home planet in two days. + hope + will not ha$e to lea$e again for a long while.; "he nodded politely, not really listening. 7he num!ness had spread to her throat, and she was ha$ing trou!le !reathing. (elfane looked at her sharply. :Are you well?; +t took only a moment of o!ser$ation to answer his Auestion. ,e stood up with a spate of rapid=fire speech into his headset and hauled her up !y one arm. y that time she was seriously fighting for air. "he was a little fuzzy on what happened next. Fay!e he carried her to the med la!. "he did notice when she was laid down on a padded ta!le, !ut spots danced !efore her eyes, distracting her. 7here was a sharp poke, and slowly faces a!o$e her started to resol$e into indi$iduals. (elfane she knew, ho$ering in the !ackground, !ut the others a!o$e her were strangers. @lad she could !reathe, she decided she didnt care and closed her eyes, the !etter to suck in sweet gulps of oxygen. :"e$ere pulmonary distress,; she heard someone explaining. :.es, we can see shes not !reathing; what + want to know is why.; 7hat was &y$en Ataruss curt $oice. :#et them do their <o!, my friend. "ee? "he is !reathing !etter now,; came "hizas $oice. +nstead of answering, &y$en !egan to grill (elfane. Which was all $ery interesting, !ut Xeras !ack hurt from all the wheezing. "he decided it must ha$e !een something she ate; may!e that awful purple thing. :+ think it was !reakfast,; she croaked out in her nati$e tongue. "he still wasnt thinking clearly. :What?; &y$en came to stand o$er her. "he frowned in concentration and repeated herself in his language. :.ucky purple $egeta!le. Fy mouth started to go num! right after + tried it.; :.ucky?; he repeated with a frown. :"he called the slugs that,; (elfane put in helpfully.

:What did she eat?; the medic wanted to know. :7his could !e an allergic reaction. Were still downloading the medical information reco$ered from the alien ships wreckage, and it hasnt all !een translated. + dont know what else this might !e.; (elfane rattled off a list of foreign o!<ects. :7he only purple thing we had was yur root.; .ur root. "he was ne$er eating it again, she decided with a grimace. +t turned out she was allergic to the alien root and one or two other foodstuffs shed ha$e to take care with. 7he medics ran a full diagnostic on her, which took Auite some time. 7hey e$en had the audacity to kick &y$en and their captain out at one point, as the pair was getting in the way. (elfane was allowed to guard the door. 7he medics also sent a team to test the other humans for allergies, <ust in case. Bn the !right side, the medics had a healing accelerator for her foot, and they promised it would !e as good as new in a day or two. 7hey also ga$e her a special wrist !racelet with a medic alert sym!ol and patches that would deli$er medicine to her !loodstream if her !ody went into allergic shock again. +ronically, she was cleared to lea$e sick!ay <ust in time for lunch. :+m not sure +m hungry,; she said warily to (elfane as she walked out of the cham!er. "he was !arely limping, thanks to the healing accelerators, and not looking forward to facing the cafeteria line. :(ont worry. #ord Atarus has instructed us to <oin him and the captain for a pri$ate meal. .our food will !e carefully selected to eliminate potential...misfortune.; :Who knew my most dangerous enemy on this trip would !e the food?; she muttered in her nati$e language. +gnoring (elfanes curious glance, she looked around. 7he hallways here were Auieter than they had !een when she first entered the ship. 7here was some kind of non= slip surface like rough ru!!er underneath her. :Why is he so interested in me?; she asked after a moment. "he didnt really think &y$ens underling would answer, !ut she wondered. "he hadnt !een interrogated or sexually importuned, for which she was profusely thankful, !ut she was also confused. Was she remaining !raced for something that would ne$er materialize? :,e treats me like a guest. Am + not your enemy? (oes he ha$e a family?; "he couldnt help adding after a moment. A wife, for instance? :Ask him yourself. Were here,; (elfane said without inflection. An automatic door opened in front of him and Xera, re$ealing a pri$ate ca!in. &y$en Atarus was there, as well as 7oosun and %aptain "hiza. 7hey were all seated at a ta!le !ut rose when she entered. "hiza smiled !roadly at her. :Ah, the !eauty awakensC Are you well again, #ieutenant?; "he inclined her head. :7hank you, + am well.; :We ha$e food here that will not sicken you,; &y$en put in. :Goin us at the ta!le and we will talk.; 7he notion of talking made her a little wary, !ut she smiled pleasantly and sat at the small ta!le anyway. (elfane remained outside the room. "he was much daintier a!out eating this time. 7he Auestion still turned o$er in her mind why the "corpio were !eing so nice to her. +t !egan to worry her. 7o distract herself she looked around the room, which was comforta!le !ut not extra$agant, with two

couches and two o$erstuffed chairs that looked like they dou!led as storage. 7hey filled the tiny sitting room. 7he only other furniture was the ta!le at which the group currently sat. 7he walls were caramel with coffee=colored trim, and red, !lack and gold accents. "he glimpsed a !ed through an open door in a room she assumed was "hizas ca!in. 7hey let her get halfway through her meal in silence !efore &y$en spoke. :.our room was comforta!le?; :+t was, thank you.; :.ou seem comforta!le with rirax and (elfane.; 7his time she answered slowly. :7hey are pleasant enough. + ha$e wondered if they are !odyguards or guards. )erhaps you mean them to !e !oth?; :)erhaps + do.; ,e considered her. :.ou ha$e a uniAue position here, and in your crew. .ou are the only one who speaks our language, and you are...polite. .ou seem to possess discretion.; "he !linked. (iscretion demanded that she not reply. :7he other mem!ers of your crew, including your captain, will !e treated as hostages. We will !argain with them.; ,e looked at her with utter gra$ity. :Another captain would simply treat you as spoils of war.; "he stilled. "he might ha$e paled. "hiza smiled pleasantly at her from his place !eside &y$en. +f he was the captain in$ol$ed, she could see what he would do. &y$en claimed her gaze and spoke again. :+ am in a position to offer you more.; Fore? What did :more; entail? Farriage? A !ed in his harem? Was she !ra$e enough to slit her own throat? :Fy people ha$e a custom of selecting their own am!assadors from other races. We ha$e need of one from your race. + will suggest to my father that we gi$e you that position.; Bkay, that was a lot to think a!out. )erhaps relief was premature at this point, !ut Xera felt it anyway. 7o !e an am!assador sure !eat !eing an after=dinner snack. :Who is your father?; :Bne of the rulers of our people. ,e go$erns the second continent of our home planet, &sik.; Which made &y$en a $ery important person to ha$e on her side. "he thanked @od he thought she was sensi!le. :+ see.; "he de!ated !lathering on a!out !eing honored and decided against it, not sure what the etiAuette here was. "he didnt ask what would happen if his father refused; she didnt want to know and suspected it would !e !ad. "he took a discreet, steadying !reath. :,ow soon until + meet him?; ,is gaze mo$ed o$er her. :We will ha$e a few days to practice first. .ou ha$e much to learn a!out our customs.; A re!ellious !row Auirked up at that. :+f + ha$e made mistakes, it was not deli!erate.; :.es,; he agreed, which left her feeling uncomforta!le. "he picked at the rest of her food, too wound up to en<oy it now. :"hould you !e accepted as an am!assador, you will !e gi$en much respect. &egardless of what happens, it is not our custom to mistreat women.; "he didnt dare comment on that. "he lacked information, and he had !een kind to her, an enemy of his people. :.ou will not !e allowed to return home.;

7he food on her plate got a little misty as her eyes teared up, !ut she !it the inside of her cheek and mentally kicked her own !utt. "hed !een prepared for that. +t was nothing she didnt expect. And yet it hurt so much. 7o ne$er see her family again' :(elfane has an electronic !ook for you to look at it. +t has many things you will want to read a!out our culture, and further language studies. .ou may go if you like.; "he rose and nodded without meeting anyones eyes. Deeling oddly stiff, she left the room, hoping her face was as frozen as it felt. "he didnt want anyone to guess at her turmoil. (elfane took one look at her face and looked politely away, !ut not !efore she saw a flash of sympathy. "o it did show, then. Xera made it to her room !efore she !roke down and cried. :+ think you nearly !roke her !y reminding her shell ne$er go home,; "hiza commented. ,e took a sip of wine. :+ would do her no fa$ors to let her keep illusions,; &y$en said grimly. :"he will realize she is fortunate in the end.; :-specially since she will not !e your Jspoils of war,; 7oosun pointed out. :"he seemed particularly horrified !y that idea.; &y$en ga$e him a cold look. 7oosun looked away and scratched the !ack of his neck. %asually, he asked, :What will you do with her if father refuses?; :.ou know he wont.; :?ery well, he wont. Will you keep first claim to her? ,er rank would make her nearly your eAual, and she will !e sought after.; :Fm,; "hiza put in thoughtfully. &y$ens eyes slid darkly to him. :+ ha$ent decided.; :@i$e it some thought,; 7oosun urged. :+ might !e interested if youre not.; :.ou dont need another woman,; &y$en scoffed. :7hey follow you like iron filings to a lodestone already.; :As they do you.; :.ou are too young for a wife.; :+m two years younger than you. .oure thirty=three,; 7oosun pointed out, as if his !rother had forgotten. :7his is a matter for another day,; &y$en said irrita!ly. :We ha$e other things to discuss.; ,e steered the con$ersation to another path, away from the exotic alien woman. %hapter L Xera cried, moped and had a nap. Afterward she felt good enough to sit up and scan the e=!ook. What she read made her cringe. "he should ha$e !een addressing &y$en as :my lord,; or :commander; at the $ery least, though she did not recall e$er using his name or title to his face. 7he next time she saw him she would ha$e to acknowledge his rank. &ank was $ery important to his

people. A man might not !e looked down on if he didnt ha$e it, !ut hed !etter acknowledge those who did. 7oosun also ranked as a lord. 7heir society was go$erned !y twel$e lord go$ernors, each of whom ruled an eAual portion of their home planet, &sik. While the title was hereditary, any go$ernor who was found unfit to rule could !e cast out, the title passed on their sons. 7hose who ser$ed in lesser positions were elected !y the $oters in their precinct. 7here was a list of some of the "corpio societys laws, and she saw that their code of conduct !asically mirrored her own, !ut they had $ery harsh laws for offenders. +t was a $ery !ad idea to commit a crime against them; they didnt take it well. 7here was some entertainment media in the e=!ook, and she watched a few shows to get a feel for how men and women interacted. 7he women were $ery respectful to the men, !ut not su!ser$ient. 7here was some humor, !ut always a line that wasnt crossed. ,eroes treated women well, sometimes e$en tenderly. ?illains often ended up dead. Women were definitely not warriors, and they didnt ser$e on warships in any capacity. Xera also saw with a wince that they tended to ha$e long, often ela!orately coifed hair. 7hat didnt !ode well for her; shed ne$er had long hair and didnt want it. "he hoped &y$en didnt plan on gi$ing her extensions to please his father. 7he ro!es she saw the women wearing would !e challenging enough. 7hey were colorful, feminine and looked somewhat oriental in design. 7here tended to !e a lot of feathered headdresses. Bn the !right side, many of the long tunics had pants under them, and she could handle that. "he declined riraxs in$itation to escort her to dinner. "he <ust wasnt hungry enough to face a crowd. A little later he !rought her a tray and set it silently on the !edside ta!le. "he knew he waited <ust outside the door, pro!a!ly taking on the nightshift. "he wondered if he and (elfane would remain her !odyguards for long, or if shed !e assigned new ones on the planet. Which reminded her/ shed !een so !usy that shed forgotten to look up anything a!out any planets to which they could !e going. Bf course, they might !e heading for a moon or e$en a space station. "uddenly she couldnt sit still one more moment. "he could study when she had to, !ut right now she needed to mo$e. +t had !een days since she could do more than ho!!le, and she was in the mood to sweat. +t would !e good for her to work off some of her anxieties, and she could do it !etter in a !igger space. "he went to the door and opened it. rirax looked at her, alert. :+s there somewhere + could go to exercise? +$e !een inacti$e for a long while, and it would !e nice to do something.; ,e studied her then spoke into his headset. ,e was Auiet for a moment, pro!a!ly listening, then nodded. :Dollow me.; 7hey went down two decks and walked what seemed like half a mile through corridors until they reached a large gym. 7here was a lot of unfamiliar eAuipment and only a few men using it. rirax led her to a treadmill and showed her how to turn it on. Xera started out at a !risk walk, careful not to re=in<ure her foot. :What time are we docking tomorrow; early or late?; she asked. :-arly,; he answered. ,e still looked unusually alert, as if she might try something desperate. "he couldnt imagine what she could do in a ship full of aliens in the middle of nowhere, so she ignored it. Fay!e he had a !etter imagination than she did. :Are we going to a planet or a moon?;

:A planet.; :What is it called?; she asked, though she already knew. +t would get him talking. :&sik.; oy, hes talkati$e, she thought wryly as her machine inclined. :+s it winter or summer there?; :+t is winter where we are going.; "he sighed. "he hated winter. :Are they long, the winters?; :7hey last three months.; :+ guess thats not !ad, then.; "he could handle a little snow. :(o the summers get hot?; :At times.; :Are women allowed to own property? (o they li$e alone sometimes?; ,e looked at her curiously. :Bf course. +t is more common for a single woman to li$e with her parents, though. +t is more economical.; :+s it $ery expensi$e to own a home or property?; ,e considered. :Why would a single woman wish to? +t would !e $ery lonely without family.; :Dor the same reason a single man would li$e alone,; she said somewhat tersely. :"ometimes family dri$es you crazy.; ,e didnt look con$inced. :Fany single men li$e with their parents. A household might contain three generations. Bften the houses are <ust !uilt onto as the family grows.; "he frowned. :+s land scarce, then?; :7hats simply how its done.; "he sa$ed her !reath for a couple of miles, then finally slowed the treadmill to a slow walk as her foot twinged. "he was getting sweaty, so she reached for the top !utton of her uniform <acket, prepared to remo$e it. :(ont do that here,; rirax snapped, with a Auick look around. "he frowned at him. :+m hot.; :+ts not seemly,; he said sternly. :Women do not remo$e clothing in pu!lic.; :+ ha$e other layers underneath.; :.ou will not do it.; "he frowned, knowing shed ha$e to figure this culture out Auick. +t was good that shed encountered this now, though this prudish attitude rankled. Bn the !right side, rirax was treating her like a woman of his culture, and that might !e a sign of acceptance. :#et me see if + understand. +f + had left my room in my short=slee$ed shirt, would that ha$e !een okay?; :.es.; :"o its the undressing, not the showing of skin thats the pro!lem.; :.ou should not show too much skin. +ts...not good.; ,e looked uncomforta!le with the su!<ect. "he sighed, prepared to sweat. :%an + roll up my slee$es, then?; ,e hesitated. :7hat might !e permitted.; ,e still looked away as she did it, though. 7hat didnt !ode too well for !ikini season. :+m guessing men and women dont swim together, then? What with skin !eing an issue and all.; "he studied the workout area and headed for an empty space at the side of the room.

:"wimming is different.; :+ see.; "he dropped and counted out thirty push=ups in her head, then rolled o$er and did $=splits. "he alternated pushups with other exercises until shed done one hundred of them. ,er foot was thro!!ing !y the time she was done, <ust enough to make her Auit. 0o sense pushing it. rirax looked faintly impressed. :+ watched when you attacked your captain. .ou trained for war, then? Bur women do not.; :(ont you allow them to defend themsel$es?; "he didnt want to answer any Auestions a!out her own martial training; she ne$er knew when his ignorance might !e to her ad$antage, !ecause while she liked him, he was still her keeper. :Fost ha$e men to protect them.; :7here is not always a man around to do that. "ometimes, a man may not think its necessary to protect a woman from another man.; &y$en, for instance. "he had a feeling he could do Auite a lot and get away with it. rirax was silent, and she suddenly felt tired. :+m done. #ets go !ack.; #ord &y$en himself came to fetch her in the morning. "he was told they had landed at their destination. :@ood morning, #ieutenant ,arris=d,; he said in her language. :#ord &y$en,; she greeted him, noting the use of her rank, and the way his eyes warmed when she used his own title. +t seemed they had !oth !een studying, for she had ne$er taught him a morning salutation. 7he "corpio ne$er used time references in their greetings. :We ha$e landed on &sik. +t is cold out this morning. .ou will want to put this on.; ,e handed her a coat. "he studied the dull gray material. +t was at least two sizes too !ig, and she wondered whom hed !orrowed it from. Was it his? "he noticed he wasnt wearing one. :Am + supposed to go to my room to put this on, or is putting on clothes different from taking them off?; ,e actually grinned. :.ou may do whiche$er you like in my presence, !ut no one o!<ects when a woman protects herself from the cold.; Was he flirting? %onfused, she shot him a suspicious look, !ut she couldnt tell. Alien humor was hard to fathom. "he put on the <acket and wrapped it closed o$er her middle to accommodate some of the extra fa!ric. 7he slee$es swamped her hands, !ut she didnt push them !ack, knowing it would protect them from the chill. ,e sized her up, amusement still lurking in his manner. :%ome. #et us ha$e you out and done with the cold !efore the coat swallows you. We ha$e transportation waiting to take us to my father.; "he wondered at his good mood. Was he <ust happy to !e home, !ack with his people and safe? %aptain "hiza and 7oosun appeared, as well as a handful of others. "he kept her eyes open as they walked, ne$er knowing when o!ser$ations might ser$e her later. 7here wasnt much to see along the route other than long hallways and a lift. +n no time they were at the ramp. A !last of cold air from outside made her shi$er.

Xera walked down the ramp and then froze in surprise. +t was snowing, with !anks surrounding the landing area and gently mounded on rooftops. 7hat wasnt the surprise, though. 7he snow was pale la$ender. &y$en had stopped !y her side. :What is it?; :7he snow is purpleC; she !lurted, unfamiliar with the word for the precipitations exact hue. ,e exhaled in amusement and ga$e her a slight nudge in her !ack. :7ake a closer look.;7here were ranks of soldiers on each side, !ut it was hard for Xera to care a!out that when she was !usy looking at snow swirling around her feet. "he held out a hand and caught a few flakes on her coat, !ut they Auickly melted into nothing. :Weird,; she said under her !reath. Weird !ut wonderful. "he wondered if the snow stained things when it melted. Fay!e thats why these people wore so much gray. 7hen again, she was on a military !ase; or assumed she was. 7here were no ci$ilians to !e seen on the tarmac, only !uildings like fat silos with decks and mushroom roofs. A transport was waiting for her party at the tarmac edge, and she stooped to gra! a handful of snow !efore she clim!ed in. As it melted in her hand, a la$ender cloud of gas was released. :+ gi$e you a coat to ward off the chill and you choose to !ring it with you,; &y$en remarked, !ut he sounded amused. A glance at him confirmed it. :+t melts clearC What is this cloud that comes from it? +ts not contaminated, is it?; "he dropped the snow to the floor in sudden consternation. ,e laughed. :+t wont hurt you. 7he gas is a natural part of our planet and often colors our snow.; :0o, it wont hurt you; unless you get lost in it,; 7oosun added, after he finished chuckling. :Br it gets under your collar when thrown at you.; ,e and "hiza grinned at each other, pro!a!ly recalling childhood exploits. +t was odd to think of these soldiers as carefree youths. :+s it always this color?; Xera asked. A glance out the window of the transport showed loads of freshly fallen snow, with more continuing to fall, making the world a la$ender !lur. :"ometimes its pale !lue or e$en white,; &y$en said. :+ ha$e seen it pink once or twice.; )ink snow. Xera shook her head and stared out the window. +t was only another moment !efore they pulled to a stop. 7hey got out at the entrance to a steel and glass !uilding. "he didnt get a good look at the !usy city around them !efore she was ushered inside. A delegation was waiting for them in the lo!!y. A man of middle years and middle height !owed to their group. :>en<i,; &y$en acknowledged him. :,ow is my father?; :Fy lords. #ord @o$ernor Atarus is eager to see you. ,e !ids you to come to him directly. ,e has refreshments waiting.; &y$en nodded. 7hey all walked to the side of the room and rode an ele$ator to the top floor. As they stepped out, he told >en<i, :7oosun and "hiza will go with you. + will !e there shortly.; :Bf course, my lord.;

While the rest of them headed for the set of golden doors directly in front of the ele$ator, &y$en took Xera two doors down. 7hree women waited for them inside. ,e nodded to them, then looked at Xera. :7his is your aide and two of her assistants. 7hey will help you to make a fa$ora!le impression on my father. #isten well and do whate$er they tell you. .ou ha$e one hour.; Xera watched the door close !ehind him, then turned and looked at the females. Awkward. @uessing she was supposed to !e the senior mem!er of the group, she said warily, :,ello.; A graceful young woman in a !urnt orange ro!e stepped forward. :Fy name is 0amae. We ha$e little time. +f you would come with me?; "ince she had no desire to upset the #ord @o$ernor and !low her chances to !e something other than :spoils of war,; Xera nodded and followed along. 7hough she had recently showered, she took a !ath to :get the smell of space off her.; 0amae had a toiletries kit and ga$e Xera a crash course, then dressed Xeras hair, murmuring a!out its lack of length as Xera sat wrapped in a sheet of fa!ric. :"till, it is thick and wa$y. +t will grow,; she said consolingly. 7he aides were dismayed !y the condition of her hands and nails, and murmured o$er her poor feet as they ga$e her the worlds Auickest pedicure. Xera wasnt sure what theyd !een told a!out her, !ut the women exuded sympathy. Fay!e they thought shed had a rough life. Whate$er the case, 0amae was full of helpful tips a!out how to handle the go$ernor. :Allow him to speak first, of course. ,e appreciates feminine grace and !eauty like any man, so that will help you. .ou are handsome in an exotic way. #ord &y$en also said you were to look to him if you were unsure. ,e intends to guide you.; A current of excitement went through the ladies as she said that. Xera wondered what was afoot. "he decided to play the sympathy card. :+ know little a!out your culture, and + admit to !eing ner$ous a!out #ord &y$en. ,e wont...hurt me, will he?; 0amae looked horrified. :Bf course notC #ord &y$en is known as a champion of women. ,e is adoredC .ou will !e safe with him.; "he !lushed. :Well, as safe as you wish to !e.; :,es a womanizer, then?; Xera made sure to sound tentati$e, unsure. "he didnt want to offend these ladies. :+t is more often the women that pursue him,; 0amae offered. :,e is $ery handsome, and rich, of course. ,e is known for his !ra$ery in war. 0ot only is he a lord, !ut a commander of a starship as well. Who wouldnt want him?; Xera added :spoiled; to the list of things she knew a!out &y$en. %le$er, ruthless, a killer, a womanizer. 7he ad<ecti$es concerned her. :We ha$e clothes waiting for you,; 0amae said as she completed applying Xeras makeup. :7he ships medics sent your measurements here after they completed their scans. + ha$e ne$er chosen colors for such fair skin and unusual eyes, !ut it was an en<oya!le exercise. -$erything should !e the right size and the colors flattering, !ut we will know !etter when you try things on. #ets attempt this one first.; "he mo$ed to a rolling clothes rack filled with garments in dark pumpkin, russet, emerald, white with sky !lue, indigo and pink. Xera seriously dou!ted shed look good in anything on that rack. "he hadnt worn pink since she an infant, surely, and had unilaterally re<ected it since adulthood.

0amae held se$eral garments up to Xeras face and murmured to herself. "he finally chose a sapphire !lue tunic with slit sides and slee$es. +t had a silky sky !lue pa<amas= type garment that went underneath and gently swirled around Xeras legs and torso. After months of wearing a ser$icea!le uniform, the clothes felt indecently silky and light. 7here was a wide gold sash for the waist and a wide collar made of !rilliant !lue, gold, green and red !eads, !racelets and rings. -$en Xeras slippers glittered with !eads. :Where did all this <ewelry come from?; she asked, !ewildered. :7his seems extra$agant.; :We want the lord go$ernor to see you as we wish you to !e,; 0amae said as she fixed a headdress with long trailing !eads in Xeras hair. :0e$er underestimate the power of dazzling !eauty.; Xera was allowed her first look in the full=length mirror. "he gasped, hardly recognizing the image. "he looked exotic, frighteningly feminine with her waist cinched with the sash and her irritatingly large !reasts tamed !y the wrapped top. Why hadnt she tried harder to find clothes that made her look this good !efore? Fay!e shed told herself that she was too !usy, or may!e she didnt ha$e 0amaes talent. :.oure good,; she said frankly. 0amae smiled. :Bur hour is up. 7here will !e an escort to #ord &y$en now.; Xera wasnt surprised to see rirax outside the door, !ut she didnt recognize the other three men. rirax didnt say anything, !ut his eyes made a Auick scan of her as he !owed slightly. :%ome this way, #ieutenant ,arrisdaughter.; "he didnt feel like a lieutenant as she mo$ed along in her slippers, trying to relax. 7he silky underclothes were terri!ly distracting on her !are skin. "he prayed that didnt show. 7he golden door opened. Xera walked as gracefully as she could through a foyer and into an in$iting li$ing room. 7hree of the four men inside rose to their feet as she entered. "he couldnt tell from &y$ens eyes what he thought of her transformation, !ut he mo$ed forward and took her hand in a proprietary manner. :(angerous woman,; he murmured. :%ome, meet my father.; %hapter M 7he rough tim!re of his $oice made Xera shi$er. ,is slow, deli!erate mo$ements, as if he were sa$oring the moment, didnt help. &y$en led her !efore the older man sitting on the throne. Drankly, the man looked old enough to !e his grandfather and must ha$e sired him at a late age. ,e had a surprising amount of white hair neatly tamed on his head, and a thin, delicately groomed Du Fanchu that trailed down past his chin. ,e looked somewhat like a tanned catfish with fiery eyes. ,is ro!es were simple !rown, with a !lack=!elted waist and a cream=colored undertunic. 7he room was decorated with similar, Nen=like simplicity. 7he floors were tiled in tan stone with a !lack mosaic, and pillows for sitting lined the room. 7he cham!er featured light filtering through the rough=hewn !eams, gi$ing it a tranAuil look. 7hose keen old eyes, so like &y$ens, studied Xera. :+f this is a sample of the women that ser$e on human !attleships, + think we will !e more careful a!out taking our prizes. .ou are a !eautiful woman, #ieutenant Xera ,arrisdaughter.;

"he lowered her face as heat fired her cheeks, una!le to help herself. "he wasnt used to compliments or such frank appreciation. :7hank you, #ord @o$ernor.; :,m. "it. &efresh yourself.; 7he #ord @o$ernor Atarus looked at &y$en. :+ think you ha$e not told me the half of your ad$entures, my son. .ou mentioned her spirit, !ut not those magnificent !lue eyes.; ,e looked !ack at Xera. :+ am told that your captain attacked you, that you !roke his knee. Why did you allow him to li$e?; %aught off guard, she had to think a!out that. :Bur laws...if we had !een rescued !y a ship of our own and + had killed him, + might ha$e !een found guilty of murder. +t would ha$e !een my word against the rest of the crews.; 7hose eyes !ored into her. : ut you were not found !y a ship of yours.; :0o...#ord @o$ernor.; "he was !eginning to see this man for the canny old warrior he was. "hed ha$e to !e careful and guard her tongue or hed trip her. :.ou hesitate when using my title.; "he frowned thoughtfully. :+ ha$e to remind myself to not simply call you Jsir. We do not ha$e lord go$ernors where + am from. Also, + feel + am pronouncing the words !adly and am trying to do a !etter <o!.; 7here were some awkward sylla!les in there. :+s that how you would address the ruler of your country? As Jsir?; :.es...#ord @o$ernor.; ,e relaxed into his chair. :.ou may call me Jsir.; "he also relaxed, relie$ed to ha$e gotten so far without mortally offending him. :(rink,; &y$en said, and handed her a chilled glass. :,e has not eaten you yet, and + suspect he will not.; :7hank you, my lord,; she said rather gratefully. "he couldnt detect any spirits in the drink, !ut decided to go slowly, <ust in case. "he didnt need to make a drunken fool of herself, especially now. 7he talk turned to lighter things. "he let the men speak and merely o!ser$ed, trying to learn more a!out them. 7hat worked for perhaps fi$e minutes. :+ ha$e ne$er known a woman to !e silent unless she is frightened or angry,; #ord Atarus o!ser$ed. :Which are you, #ieutenant?; "he !linked. :+ am o!ser$ing, sir. 7here is more to !eing a translator than speaking the language.; :+s this your passion, then, or your <o!?; "he hadnt thought a!out it in a long time. ,ow did she feel a!out it? :Dlying was my first lo$e. + <oined the @alactic -xplorers to !e a pilot, !ut was assigned to language ser$ices instead. + hated it at first, !ut now...+ like knowing what those around me are saying. +t has !een a useful tool.; And yeah, she did feel a little smug now and then knowing that she heard things her captain didnt understand. "hed had an essential role to play, and it had felt good. :+ didnt know you were a pilot,; &y$en murmured. :What can you fly?; "he shrugged. :"mall craft, officially, though +$e spent many hours in a simulator.; Dlying fighters and large craft, !ut she wouldnt add that unless he asked. ,e didnt ha$e a chance, for his father had more Auestions. :Why did you learn our language? "urely you had many to choose from.; 7rue. At the time there had !een many more practical choices. :+t was exotic, + suppose. + liked the way it sounded, the....; "he couldnt think of the word. :+t is !eautiful to hear.; Although shed heard it shouted, growled and clipped in the last week,

she still thought it was one of the most lyrical languages shed heard. +t was almost impossi!le to make ugly. 7he old man looked pleased. :(o you ha$e many suitors on your home world?; ,e liked to hop around su!<ects like a grasshopper around stones. Xera replied, :-r, no. + ha$ent !een home in a long while.; :-lsewhere?; he persisted. "he stared at him. :+$e !een $ery !usy, sir.; What with getting shipwrecked and all. "he <ust hoped he wasnt asking for his own !enefit. 7oo late, she thought a!out in$enting a man, !ut dou!ted it would !e useful here. #ong=distance relationships were not going to help. Gudging !y the incredulous or scoffing looks around her, !usiness should ha$e !een no impediment to her lo$e life. :+t seems your captain was fi$e times a fool,; "hiza said candidly. :,ad you !een on my ship'.; :.ou may ha$e !een the one with the !roken knee,; she interrupted in warning. "hiza held her eyes, for she had !een $ery rude in so speaking. "he didnt !ack down, though. "he couldnt hear what he may ha$e !een a!out to suggest without fighting adrenaline. &y$en touched her shoulder, lightly. "he stiffened as she met his gaze, !ut slowly the tension eased in her, almost as if he drained it. :.ou will not !e harmed,; he said Auietly. :.ou do not need to defend yourself from "hiza.; ,e looked at his friend, who relaxed !ack in his chair. ,is expression was still arrogant, !ut the man dropped the su!<ect. #ord Atarus looked pleased. A!out what, she couldnt guess, so Xera let her eyes fall on her drink. +t made a useful distraction. "hed always had a hot temper, !ut few things sparked the full fury of it. 0o matter how tame they liked the women here, she <ust couldnt hold her tongue o$er things like that without a !eating. ,e should know !etter than to talk a!out women like that. "he really didnt like him. :+ ha$e appointments this afternoon. +t would !e !est, &y$en, if you would settle your lieutenant at the palace. We will speak again later.; :"he is hot tempered.; :When threatened, yes.; : eautiful enough to keep a man home.; &y$en waited. :+ will consider your reAuest.; ,is father waited a moment, than added as if prompting him, :+ am pleased.; ,e seemed slightly anxious, as if afraid his son would not do the thing he was hinting at, would not fulfill the wish the father had held for years now. &y$en <ust smiled. :As am +, father. + will see you again soon.; 7heir transport was waiting to take them to the palace, and he had already sent Xera and her escort down. 7oosun smirked at him as soon as they were out of their fathers hearing. :+ts cruel of you to taunt him.; :+t !uilds character,; &y$en said !lithely. :.ou are going to do it, then?; 7oosun asked too casually. %uriosity must ha$e !een !urning him from the inside out. :)erhaps.;

7oosun punched his arm playfully hard. :.ou may !e the elder, !ut + can still !eat it out of you.; &y$en smirked. :(o not distract me, youngest. + ha$e important plans to make.; 7oosun <ust growled. When she had !een told she was going to the palace, Xera en$isioned a -uropean castle or e$en something Ara!ic. "he had not anticipated the mass of dark crystals thrusting themsel$es toward the sky like a !lack star!urst. Bn approach it appeared windowless, !leak and without entrance. Fonstrously huge, it towered for more than se$enty stories and had to !e a mile in diameter. +t looked as if it had !urst from the li$ing rock. "he drew a sharp !reath in amazement. "hed ne$er heard of anything like it. ,ow did people li$e here? 7heir transport came in fast, re$ealing a series of unconnected crystal spikes !efore it slowed and rounded a last spire. A seemingly natural cre$asse !etween crystals opened into an entrance that loomed larger the closer they got. +t swallowed their craft into a tunnel lined with lights, like the glowing spots of some enormous underwater sea monster. +nstead of into a dark stomach, howe$er, the transport emerged into a sunlit shuttle !ay. Xera couldnt see the sky and it had !een o$ercast outside, so it wasnt immediately apparent how the area could !e so well lit. "he could easily see that the central shaft rose all the way to the ceiling, and as their craft rose up the different le$els she could see shuttle !ays on each. 7hey were only a few le$els from the top when their dri$er slowed and pulled into one of the !ays. )erhaps she looked as dazzled as she felt, for &y$en looked at her and said in amusement, :Are you all right?; "he !linked and reminded herself not to gush. 0ow was not a good time to look o$erwhelmed. :+...+m fine. 7his is some place you$e got here.; ,e smiled. :7here is more to come.; "he could hardly imagine. &y$en and 7oosun got out, and she slid out after them, allowing &y$en to take her hand and help her. "he !arely noticed that he didnt return her hand, that he tucked it into the crook of his arm instead. 7here were other transports parked there and people came and went from them, !ut not many. +t was !y no means crowded. &y$en led her to the exit. A glance !ack showed her aide and attendants super$ising the unloading of Xeras new things from the other transport. 7he hallways ahead were wide enough to let three people pass comforta!ly side !y side, and decorated with ?enetian splendor. 7he whole was filled with sunlight. :7his cant !e true sunlight, can it?; she asked &y$en. :Were inside a huge !lack crystalC +t must !e your technology that does this, !ut + wouldnt know where + was if + hadnt kept my eyes open.; ,is eyes gleamed with pleasure. :We are on the #ords le$el. .oull ha$e a suite of your own for now. +t should not take more than a day or two to ha$e a decision made a!out your position. Feanwhile, + ha$e time. +ll show you around the palace after you$e seen your room.; ,e stopped !efore a door and opened it. 7he first thing she noticed was the spaciousness; the second, the cur$ing wall of windows looking out o$er a

winter garden. As she got closer, she saw that the $iew was of ground le$el, an impossi!ility considering how high up they were. :+ts a hologram,; she said, somewhat disappointed. ?ery pretty, !ut no more real than a picture. ,e smiled and opened a !alcony door. ,e reached out, scooped up a small handful of la$ender snow and slipped it neatly down her shirt. Xera shrieked. 7he melting lump slid !etween her !reasts and down her !elly, then lodged against her sash, and she couldnt get it off. &y$en glanced up at the attendants who poked their heads from her !edroom and they Auickly disappeared. :Allow me,; he offered, and slid his hand into the !ack of her shirt to whisk away the offending snow. ,e didnt fum!le around while he was there, !ut then he didnt ha$e to. 7he feel of his hand sliding against her skin was enough to make her stiffen with shock. ,e tossed the remains of the snow outside. :As you can see, it is a real garden, helped along !y a little technology. +t is o$er one hundred years old.; ,er !rains were scram!led. "he felt alarmed, !ut didnt ha$e time to analyze the source of it, if there was only one. 7he moment called for a reply, !ut the only safe one she could think of was a complaint. :Fy shirt is wet.; :.ou may change it if you like. + think theyre finished putting away your wardro!e.; ,e didnt look the least !it apologetic. Well, why would he? she thought as she stalked to the !edroom. ,e was a man, and men liked putting their hands down womens shirts, e$en if hed !een rather circumspect a!out it. "he didnt care for the knowledge that hed en<oyed it, though. "he didnt want to look at him in that light, didnt want him to $iew her in a sexual sense. "he wasnt going to play with him. "he was a :guest; here for who knew how long, may!e e$en the rest of her life. 7hats what theyd said. 7he thought made her flinch. +t didnt help when her attendants looked at her with wide, Auestioning eyes. :+ need a new shirt,; she said stiffly. :#ord &y$en got snow on mine.; 0amae looked at her carefully. :.ou sounded frightened, mistress.; Xera frowned. :+ was...surprised. + didnt expect him to !e playful.; 7he others relaxed. 0amae helped undo the stu!!orn sash and chose a cream and !lue tunic to replace the damp one. At a Auiet word from her, the others left. 0amae solemnly looked into Xeras eyes. :.es?; 0amae looked down thoughtfully. :.ou ha$e had a $ery strange meeting with our men, ha$e you not? .ou met them as an enemy.; Xera wondered where this was going. :.es,; she said warily. :,a$e they hurt you?; "urprised, Xera !linked. ,onesty forced her to admit, :0o. 7hey ha$e e$en protected me at times.; And they had sa$ed her life, and tried to secure a high position for her. +t made her Auestion some of the tension she was feeling now. 0amae nodded. :+ think you could !e safe with #ord &y$en, if you allowed it.; "he !owed without waiting for an answer and hurried away. Xera stared at the carpet for a moment then nodded her head. 0amae might not !e older, !ut she seemed kind and sensi!le. +t really was !etter to go on without fear.

&y$en took her to the pu!lic pools and showed her the place where families swam, and the separate pools for single men and women who were of age. "he was frankly !affled why it was okay for unmarried sexes to !athe together when the "corpio were so strict in other respects. ,ow was it okay for them to !e naked together when it wasnt permitted to remo$e a <acket in a mans presence? +t was going to take time to figure out. Feanwhile, she could not see herself swimming in pu!lic anytime soon. 7hey toured the grand pu!lic li!rary with its glossy crystal shel$es full of !ooks and media, and he explained as they walked the halls and took the occasional lift that there were recreation areas, sports arenas and shopping malls, and where they were located on the $arious le$els. 7hey had theaters and art museums and many more amusements when she had the time. 7he only place she and &y$en lingered was the large summer garden located in the heart of the #ords le$el. +t was a place of incredi!le !eauty. +ntellectually, Xera knew that part of the sky and plants were holograms designed to fool the senses, !ut the sky still seemed to stretch fore$er. 7he illusion was e$en more con$incing !ecause so many of the aromatic flowers and her!s were real, the light so changing, chased !y the occasional cloud shadow. ?egeta!les were interspersed with flowers and grown closely together in !eds !ordered !y low hedges or stone walls. -$erywhere she looked there was !eauty, and she felt as if shed !een transported to some rich country estate. :7his is amazingC ,ow far does the garden really reach? +t looks as if you could walk here for days and ne$er see it all.; :.ou could. +ts as !ig as it looks.; : ut how could it !e so huge? ,ow did your people !uild this place, this palace? +t looks impossi!le from the outside, and e$en more so from here.; :)erhaps we are not the sa$ages you think.; ,is words !roke the music of the moment, as if a song were cut off mid=word. Xera looked at him. Was this a test? +mpossi!le to know from his impassi$e face. :+$e ne$er thought you were sa$ages.; :0e$er?; "he thought a!out it, ga$e honest consideration to anything she might ha$e seen him do. As she did, a memory stirred. :.ou killed @enson.; :+ saw your face when you looked at his !ody. .ou made a special effort to return him to your people.; :+t was a life wasted. ,e was a decent man.; And yet it seemed so long ago now, with too many experiences layered o$er it to find the original emotion. :Was he a friend?; "he struggled with the feelings his Auestions !rought up. :,e was a comrade, a crewmem!er. We werent close, !ut he had family.; Damily that would !e grie$ing him, and she felt for their loss. ,er own family would grie$e, too. "he was ne$er going home. ,e nodded, his eyes steady on her. :Bur cultures are $ery different at times. .ou will not !elie$e what + was trained to find <ust, and + dont always understand you. + think you are honest at heart, though. 7hat is rare.; "he considered the times hed protected her, gi$en what he had for her comfort. :.oure not completely repulsi$e, either,; she agreed reluctantly. "he e$en smiled a little at the <oke.

,e smiled, too, !ut there was something else in his expression as well. :(o + repulse you?; he asked softly. 7here it was again, that tension. "he tried to !e careful with her words. :+m not comforta!le with this su!<ect. Bur people are at odds.; :+ was speaking of us.; +t was hard to look at him. :+ dont want to ha$e a relationship with you.; ,e looked thoughtful rather than offended. :+ts like a council for peace talks, isnt it? 0either side wants to gi$e away their concessions too early. 7he pace is slow and drags on for days. "ometimes a man can go mad from the tension.; "he glanced up, surprised at his admission. ,e stepped forward. :+$e ne$er had much patience for delays, so +ll see if we ha$e one goal in common right now.; ,e took her in his arms and kissed her. Xera stiffened. ,is kiss dispensed with the formalities and cut right to the heart of the matter. 7here was no power struggle, only acceptance or denial. ,er !ody chose acceptance/ Without her minds input, it softened for him, opened and recei$ed. "hed moaned her need into his mouth !efore shed e$en had a chance to alert her defenses. And then it was o$er. Feeting ad<ourned. ,is eyes !urned into her as his chest rose and fell against hers. :7hat was all + needed to know.; 7hey didnt say anything else. "he was too shaken and he was too aroused. 7ogether they left the garden, two ad$ersaries who had met their match. %hapter O Xera spent much of the afternoon in turmoil. "he hadnt wanted &y$en to kiss her. "he was afraid of what would happen now. ,e hadnt gi$en her any hints when hed taken her !ack to her apartment and left her there, and he hadnt tried to touch her. Whate$er his plans were, they didnt in$ol$e leaping on her the instant they were near a !ed. "he hated that shed responded to his kiss. Was she so desperately lonely that shed gi$e in to the first man who touched her? Would she ha$e !een the same if 7oosun had done it, or %aptain >han? Bkay, she thought with a return of sanity, she definitely wouldnt ha$e encouraged >han. "he had no good answer for 7oosun, partly !ecause she had the feeling that she wasnt going to ha$e any choice e$en if he had !een the one to pick her. Whate$er was going to happen with &y$en was going to !e his will. "he wasnt going to !e consulted. 7he horri!le thing was, she wanted what he wanted to do with her, !ut she ne$er would ha$e chosen him. "he didnt know him enough to trust that he wouldnt hurt her. And what a!out her heart? "hed die of shame if he tried to make her his mistress. "hed !een raised in a $ery conser$ati$e society and hadnt shaken the moral con$ictions shed !een taught. "he couldnt sleep with a man who wasnt her hus!and. ut she couldnt marry himC "he was already courting disaster for ha$ing attacked her captain. +f he were traded !ack in negotiations, his story of e$ents would get out. +f

she !ecame married to &y$en shed definitely !e !randed a traitor. "he didnt want her sisters to !elie$e that of her. 0amae rescued Xera from her agonizing self=a!sorption that afternoon with another intense grooming session. 7his one included a massage, some painless and permanent hair remo$al, a facial and more hand and foot therapy. +t was a mar$elous distraction and ate up what might ha$e !een a horrendous wait. "he started to get a clue that 0amae knew more a!out her schedule than she did when the young woman pulled out an apple= green gown of hea$y, em!roidered silk and said it would !e perfect to wear to dinner with the #ord @o$ernor. :(inner?; Xera asked uncertainly. :We <ust had lunch.; 0amae smiled. :+t is an honor, and an excellent sign. +ts good that he likes you.; Xera supposed it was !etter than !eing stored in the dungeon, !ut she still worried. :Are married couples here mono amous?! "he didnt know the "corpio word for monogamous and used her own. 0amae frowned o$er the unfamiliar word. Annoyed at herself, Xera tried again. :Bn my world, married couples are faithful to each other. 7hey dont share themsel$es with anyone else.; A startling pallor iced 0amaes cheeks. "he wouldnt meet Xeras eyes. :+t is that way here also, mistress,; she said Auietly. %oncerned, Xera got to her feet and put a supporting arm around the ser$ant. :What is it? Are you ill? ,ere, sit down.; "he sat the reluctant woman down in her $acated chair. :+...+ shouldnt !e here. + should go,; 0amae protested. :.ou are right; + ha$e no !usiness !eing in a respecta!le home.; :What are you talking a!out?; Xera demanded. :7heres nothing wrong with you. At least, nothing a shot of !randy wont fix.; "he looked around, mentally cursing the lack of liAuor. "he hadnt landed on a dry planet, had she? "hed grown up in a !ar that ser$ed the !est liAuor on her planet. 7o suddenly come against a pro!lem that clearly called for whiskey and !e dry...her sisters would !e horrified. %ome to think of it, she could use a drink herself. Fay!e shed ha$e a reAuest of old &y$en after all. 0amae was so!!ing now, her face in her hands. (esperate to help, Xera took charge the only way she knew how. "he said !riskly, :All right, thats enoughC "it up here and lets talk a!out this. B!$iously you$e kept it !ottled up long enough.; 0amae o!ediently sat up. :+m sorry. +ts <ust that + feel so ashamed.; 7ears threatened again. :Gust tal" a!out it,; Xera urged her. :7ears might make me dissol$e into a clone of my sister, and trust me, you dont want to see that.; 0ot that there was anything wrong with her si!lings calm, take=charge attitude, !ut Xera had spent years trying to !e different from her older sister. 7he thought of !ecoming her was truly a!horrent, like !ecoming a copy of ones mother. 0amae laughed at Xeras desperation, then so!ered. :+ was in$ol$ed in adultery,; she explained. :.ou, 0amae? + <ust cant picture that,; Xera said, looking o$er the elegant young lady. :+ can see how seriously you take your duties. + cant imagine youd !e any different in a marriage.;

0amae ga$e a watery sigh. :+t was not !y choice. Fy !rother=in=law forced himself on me when my hus!and was away. ,e came home as Fyg was finishing. +...; 0amae looked close to weeping again. :7o$ark would not !elie$e me.; Xera was outraged. :WhatC Was he stupid? 7hey were lucky you didnt kill them !oth.; A sound that was half=laugh, half so! !roke from her. :+ am not a warrior like you, and + was hurt. Fy heart...it bro"e. Fyg said + had seduced him and my hus!and !elie$ed him. ,e spit on me and walked away.; Xera could only shake her head. :What a!out your family?; :+ went to them for help,; 0amae said, $aliantly calming herself. :Fy father and !rothers were outraged, and my mother and sisters held me. Fy !rother took the matter to the <udges, who ruled against my !rother=in=law. ,e was sentenced to death. Fy hus!and was disgusted with me o$er the death of his !rother and still !elie$ed me to !e a liar. 7he courts granted him a di$orce. Fy !rothers cheered, and my father agreed it was for the !est, !utPohC 7he shame of itC 7o !e a di$orced woman is almost un!eara!le. + ha$e no more honor. + am treated as so lowly, so'.; :0onsenseC; Xera cried, una!le to stand the woman !elittling herself. :.ou were attackedC .ou were wrongedC 7his is not your fault.; :+t doesnt matter,; 0amae said in a choked $oice. :.ou do not understand my world.; Xera stood up and gestured as she spoke. :+ understand what honor isC + understand that your family is !ehind you, and thats what matters. etter yet, you get !ehind you, 0amaeC .oure some!ody special, some!ody important. .ou deser$e to walk down the street with your head high, and damn anyone who looks down on you.; :7hats what we$e !een telling her,; a $oice spoke into the pause. Xera whipped her head up. &y$en stood in the doorway, and in a flash, she understood. :.oure her !rother.; :.es.; %onfused, she looked at 0amae. :7hen why...?; :+ts time to go,; &y$en said Auietly. :+ like your hair down. 7he !raids look nice.; 0amae had !raided strings of milky crystals into the short hair, making it glow. "hed also slipped away while Xera wasnt looking. &y$en answered her Auestioning look !y gesturing her to come to him. When she was close enough, he took her arm and murmured softly, :"he does not wish to !e a part of the family yet.; (ismayed, Xera looked in Auestion at him. :We tried to force her at one time, !ut she only withdrew more deeply. "he has gotten !etter with time. + am hopeful she will take her proper place again soon.; :,ow long has it !een?; Xera asked softly as they left the room. 7he world didnt need to know their con$ersation. A muscle in his <aw tightened. :7wo years.; :(id you !eat up her hus!and?; Xera asked, feeling !loodthirsty. )oor 0amaeC ,e looked straight ahead. :"omething like that.; "he looked at him long enough that he finally answered. :We !roke him financially, gelded him socially. ,e will not !e taking another gentle girl to wife.; ,m. 0ot as grisly as shed en$isioned, !ut poetic. :+t might$e !een nice to ha$e !rothers.;

,e smiled at her. :.ou would keep a !rother !usy. Who is in your family?; :"isters.; "he didnt want to talk a!out them right now, though. :Are things really as !ad as 0amae says? %ould she remarry?; ,e frowned thoughtfully. :%ould she? .es. Would her situation !e forgotten if she did? .es. +t would take a special man to woo her, though. + think she protects her heart !y hiding away. 7here are many who would ha$e her, !ut she will not see it. Also, there are few our family would countenance. Fany would marry her for the prestige of the social connection. After the last time, 0amae will look to us for guidance !efore she chooses a man.; :.ou didnt like the first one?; :(espised him. "he was youngest, though, and spoiled. "he would not hear no.; ,e was Auiet for a moment. :"he has matured much since then.; ,oping to change the sad su!<ect, Xera said, :"he mentioned a mother and sisters.; :Bur mother died of an illness some months after 0amaes di$orce. We ha$e three sisters, all younger than me.; : ig family,; she said, impressed. :7oosuns younger than you, too. + hope they plagued you as children.; ,is look was repro$ing, !ut a glint of humor sparked those !rimstone eyes. :.our hopes were fulfilled, !ut sadly, you will not !e meeting my sisters tonight. Fy aunt has come, though. .ou will <udge if she is torment enough.; ,is words made her expect a dragon, and the woman &y$en introduced her to was formida!le. 7he #ady 7essla was a sil$er=haired dowager with an upright carriage and a timelessly !eautiful face. ,er teal and sil$er ro!es were immaculate and draped a slender figure. 7hough o!$iously in her fifties 5more noticea!le !y !earing than any age in her skin6, she mo$ed like a dancer, e$ery mo$e unconsciously graceful. "he was gracious, though, and Auickly put Xera at ease. 7hey were seated across a low ta!le with cushions for chairs. @auzy fa!rics draped the ceilings, lending colorful shadows to the inlaid stucco walls. #ittle glo!e oil lamps in swirling, colored glass lent atmosphere to the party of four. Xera was a little surprised to see #ord Atarus reclined on a cushion. "he hadnt expected it of him, nor the informal atmosphere. :.ou are $ery !eautiful to ha$e !een unmarried for so long,; 7essla o!ser$ed. :+s it common to remain unwed so late in life on your planet?; Xera !linked. +t wasnt often she was called attracti$e, let alone !eautiful, !ut the #ady also implied she was a delicacy that had !een held in the o$en too long. +t threw her. :+t can !e. -$en if + were considered more than a$erage on my world, +d still ha$e chosen to explore a career. + wasnt happy in the family !usiness.; :,ow did your mother and father feel a!out letting you go?; 7essla asked curiously. :Fy parents are dead. Fy eldest sister resisted my lea$ing for a long time, !ut we had a rule a!out dreams. "he let me go to pursue mine.; 7essla raised a !row. :,m. Would she !e happy to see you here now?; Xera considered that. :"hed ha$e some words for me. -$er since my middle sister ran off and got married without her permission, shes !een a !it touchy a!out !eing out of the loop; not informed,; she explained. :"he made me promise not to....; "he trailed off, unwilling to complete the thought. ,er smile died. :What did you promise?; 7essla prompted gently.

-yes still on the memory of her sister, Xera said softly, :+ swore + wouldnt get married without telling her.; 7here was silence at the ta!le. Xera took a deep drink of her !e$erage. 7urned out they did ha$e !ooze here after all. :Well, then. .ou must keep your promise.; *ncomprehending, Xera looked up. :What?; 7he aunt looked at &y$en and his father. :"he must keep her promise. "he has gi$en her word.; #ord Atarus frowned and opened his mouth. :+ agree.; Xera looked at &y$en in shock. ,is eyes were on his father. :+ts possi!le. "he doesnt ha$e to meet in person. A $ideo conference would suffice.; ,e looked calmly at Xera. :+t is knowledge she needs, yes? .ou dont reAuire permission.; :0=no,; she stuttered, shocked !y this turn of e$ents. "he ne$er expected to !e allowed to keep her word. 7hat they would go to this length to allow her to do so....she was going to owe them. ig time. ut' :+ hadnt planned to marry for some years yet.; +t was the closest she could come to a protest. y law and custom, she was still a warprize. 7hough shed !een treated $ery well, she still knew that &y$en considered her life his to do with as he pleased. +t was o!$ious that his father and aunt were of the same mind. )itching a fit o$er it would only demean her in their eyes. "he was !eing honored, she thought with inner re!ellion. "he must behave. ,er words were ignored. :?ery well,; #ord Atarus said at length, as if shed ne$er spoken. ,e looked rather grumpily at his son. :+t will delay e$ents, though.We do not ha$e a communication relay set up that can !ounce a message that far. Bne will ha$e to !e set up. +t will take time. 7here is also the issue of security; pin !eams are not the most secure of media. "omething will ha$e to !e done a!out that.; :.es,; &y$en said calmly. :+ will !ear the expense. +t will !e my !ride gift.; ,is father sighed. :+t will !e arranged, then.; Xera stared at them until she remem!ered herself. :7hank you.7he #@ nodded regally, and then returned to his dinner with an air of resignation. &y$en merely inclined his head. Xera couldnt eat, so she sipped her drink instead. 7urmoil whipped her heart into a storm. "he thought shed ne$er see her sisters again, ne$er speak to them. 7he chance to tell them she was ali$e, was okay, was a golden gift. "he didnt ask for more, didnt e$en hope. "he understood these people more e$ery day, knew what a concession shed !een gi$en. -$en aside from the distances in$ol$ed, there was the political hostility. "he didnt want to think too deeply on it, !ut she knew their plans for her. 7hey wouldnt let her go. What she didnt understand was why. Why her? &y$en was the son of a powerful family, and Auite a force in his own right. "urely he could ha$e any one of dozens of women. "he glanced up as the #ord @o$ernors words caught her ear. :.our !rother has made my heart glad. 7his promotion hes earned is <ust the thing.; &y$en grinned. :+ see how you are. +f your sons make commander you think you will see marriage in their near future.;

,is father looked pleased with himself. :Fy theory would seem to ha$e merit. Bnce you stop thinking of your careers, other needs hold your attention.; ,e glanced at Xera, transparently pleased. :,e lea$es on his first mission shortly. Fake no mistake; his mind will turn to a wife of his own once the thrill has settled. +t is the next great challenge.; Xera studied her drink, faintly annoyed at !eing classified as a challenge. 7o her mind it was no reason to get married. :%ome, my dear,; 7essla interrupted her thoughts. :7hey$e degenerated into discussing starship specifications, and you look as !ored as + am. We will take a walk and + will show you around the staterooms.; 7he men nodded congenially to the women and went !ack to their discussion. 7he floors were all tiled in mar!le or elegant woods. #ong drapes of silk and $el$et framed the arches !etween rooms, dampening sound and gi$ing the rooms an in$iting, exotic look. 7here was a great deal of stained glass art and lamps, interspersed with scrolled metalwork in the style of wrought iron. )ortraits and landscapes hung on the walls in gilded frames, in$iting Xera to stop and look. A particularly arresting one made her pause and study it. 7he landscape had !een painted at sunset, with the light glinting off the lake. +t wasnt light in full !loom, !ut the last throes of dying sun that cast shadows on the mansion in the center. +t managed to !e poignant and moody, !eautiful and exciting at the same time. :7his is amazing,; she said at last, aware that the aunt was watching her. :%aught !etween the old and new, life and dying. + feel so sad for the past, yet hopeful for the future when + look at it. + didnt know a painting could say so much.; :7hank you,; 7essla murmured. :+t took me days to find <ust the right light to portray the mood.; "urprised, Xera sent her a Auestioning look. :Bf course it is my work. + ha$e done se$eral of the portraits here.; :.oure $ery talented,; Xera said honestly. :+ wish + could capture feelings like that.; :,a$e you e$er tried it? Art, that is.; Xera laughed. :+ dont think + ha$e that kind of talent. 7o !e honest, + ne$er tried. + was always !etter at physical things.; :(ancing?; :0e$er tried it. Fartial arts were more interesting. "eemed more pertinent to my future, too.; :,m. .ou will try the dancing now, then. + will arrange for you to $iew se$eral different styles. +t is !est not to let a figure as trim as yours waste away for lack of exercise.; &eminded of her present situation, Xeras mood dimmed. 7he #ady looked at her knowingly and linked their arms. "he led Xera to a small alco$e and !ade her sit. :%ome. We will speak of this thing. .ou ha$e no female elder of your family here to ad$ise you, so + will listen and tell you my thoughts.; +t was a generous offer, e$en if it was, like so many of the "corpio statements, $oiced as a command. Xera decided to take ad$antage of it. :Why does he want to marry me? "urely there are lots of willing women here.; 7he #ady smiled. :7his is the heart of your confusion? .ou ha$e not asked him, then?; Xera grimaced.

:?ery wise,; the #ady agreed sagely. :Fen do not know their own feelings. + do know his father is delighted he has finally chosen anyone. ,e has despaired for years of seeing his son wed. 7he man is o!sessed with seeing grandchildren, though of course he wants his son happily settled as well. Dor years he has sho$ed young women under &y$ens nose, until he finally realized he was killing his own cause. &y$en has !een more inclined to choose his own women, and not for honora!le purposes. .ou were right in saying he has his pick.; Xera looked down, em!arrassed. :+ tell you this only that you may understand what an...interesting thing it is that he has !rought you here to meet his father. Amorata are ne$er gi$en such an honor, of course. +t can only mean that he has met his match. ut of course, he is marrying you, isnt he?; Xera folded her arms. "ourly, she said, :Apparently. We are accustomed to !eing asked where + am from.; :Would you say yes?; :Bf course notC; 7he #ady smiled. :7hen why would he risk his heart? Bur men seem $ery fierce, !ut they are tender enough when a woman finds her way inside. .ou could wound him $ery easily.; :,e doesnt lo$e me.; :+f you ha$e any sense at all, do not pose such a Auestion to him until your first child, at leastC Fy own hus!and would not speak of his lo$e until we had !een married twenty yearsC ,e was a $ery stu!!orn case,; 7essla confided. :&y$en will lie to protect himself, <ust as you would now. Admit that you would not speak the truth if asked a!out your feelings for him.; Xera was silent. "he didnt e$en know enough a!out her feelings for him to do more than lie a!out the o!$ious. :,e will !e good to you,; 7essla said with an air of finality. "he rose gracefully to her feet. :%ome. +t is time for tea.; 7hey finished off the meal with :small !ites; that were spicy or sa$ory rather than sweet, and then &y$en walked her home. Xera didnt want to talk. "hed only known &y$en a week. 7hat wasnt much time to understand the man with whom she was now expected to spend the rest of her life. ,ed stood up for her, though, and that had touched her deeply. :7hank you,; she said, after hed closed the door to her suite !ehind them. :+ appreciate what you did.; ,e made her a short !ow. ?ery formally, he told her, :.ou realize we are !etrothed. 7hat much + insist on.; "he looked at him sidelong and chose an o$erstuffed chair to sit on. +n spite of her emotional fatigue, she tried to choose her words carefully. :7hat is your prerogati$e.; ,e studied her. Whate$er his thoughts, he said only, :.oure tired.; :+ am.; :7omorrow, then. +ll gi$e you the night to...think.; ,e was letting her !e for now, then. @rateful for the space, she said simply, :7hank you.; ,e inclined his head in farewell and let himself out.

%hapter Q #ady 7essla hadnt !een kidding; she had Xera in a dance class first thing in the morning, and Xera was finding it hard going. 7he thing was, Xera had always liked sports. "he had a natural talent for martial arts and en<oyed things like rock clim!ing and hiking. *nfortunately, none of that ga$e her any grace on the dance floor. Bf course, that may ha$e !een due to the style of the dance/ !elly dancing was nothing like the fighting arts she knew. 7he mo$ements were soft, circular, and oddly relaxing, e$en when she fum!led. *ndenia!ly sensual, the hip circles and graceful arm mo$ements 5well, the other women were graceful, anyway6 drew her attention to !ody parts she usually lost track of in sports. 7essla led the class, which consisted of perhaps twenty women of all ages. (ancing was a highly respected pastime for women here, and considered not only excellent for posture and !earing, !ut a wonderful conditioner for child!earing as well. Xera could tell from her own aching a!s that yes, such toning might !e useful on the !irthing stool. 0ot that she wanted to think a!out children; definitely not yet. :&elax, Xera. 7he mo$ement should look as if you are wa$ing your arms gently through water, not as if you had sticks attached to your shoulder sockets,; #ady 7essla chided. A few of the other ladies grinned at her in a friendly way. 7here was no ri$alry here. +t was a pretty room, too. 7here were three walls of mirrors and one de$oted to a lo$ely pink sunset mural. urgundy curtains hung from a ceiling medallion and were gathered at the corners !y tasseled ropes, gi$ing the room the look of luxurious tent. )illows were scattered at the edge for any who wished to watch the class, and candles were generously distri!uted. Xera could en<oy ha$ing freAuent workouts in a room like this. "he couldnt seem to get the hip shimmy right. When #ady 7essla demonstrated, Xera saw hips shaking !ut was told the mo$ement came from the knees. *nfortunately her $ersion of the mo$e left something to !e desired. ,er lower !ack and sides were aching !y the time she was done, and she still couldnt get those hips to swi$el on command. &y$en was standing in the o!ser$ation area when she came off the floor. ,is arms were crossed and he was watching her intently, his head slightly lowered. :+nteresting,; he commented. "he raised an eye!row. -$eryone else was filing out toward the showers and locker room. :7hats one word for it. +ll say this for dancing; its $ery relaxing. + dont think +$e e$er !een refreshed after a workout !efore.; ,is eyes scanned her sarong skirt, cropped top and form=fitting tights. :.ou$e made me curious. +d like to see your fighting art.; :What? 0ow?; "he glanced around the empty studio. +t seemed kind of a girly setting for an impromptu do#an . :.oure not intimidated, are you?; he asked lazily.

:Booh...; "he mock glowered at him. :)lay dirty do, you? + hadnt intended to show you any of my skills. +$e already seen your men practice, and + dont measure up.; 7here was also a part of her that didnt want him to know what she could do...<ust in case. :7ell that to your captain.; ,e circled her, his !ody relaxed yet menacing. "he turned to face him, her hands up, prepared. :+m human. .oure not. .oure going to !e faster.; :+ll try not to fall asleep.; ,e chopped at her head, !ut slowly, softly enough that no damage would ha$e !een done e$en if he had connected. A !a!y could ha$e !locked him. "he returned the fa$or with a controlled kick. ,e shifted and her foot slid past him. ,is eyes took on a hot gleam as he aimed for her throat. "lowly the dance got faster, more complex. "he didnt fool herself that she had seen a tenth of what he could do, !ut this session didnt seem to !e a!out fighting. 7he more they mo$ed together, the higher their pulse, the hotter his eyes !lazed. "oon they were fe$er !right, !urning with an excitement she shared. When his hand lashed like lightning and seized the !ack of her head, the other her waist, she was not shocked. 7he way he looked at her, the slow way he !rought her mouth to his as if a!out to de$our her whole, that shocked her. 7hat self=control of his was de$astating. "parks started in her !rain. "oon a white=hot fire o!scured her $ision, spurred !y the heat of his tongue, the fire of his touch. (izzy, hungry, she clung to him as the heat ate her marrow, her strength. Ah, if this was what it was like, if this was how he made lo$e, she had nothing to worry a!out in his !ed. 7he thought triggered a sudden panic. "he <erked away as if !itten !y ice water. :Were not married.; :0ot my fault,; he murmured, making for her lips. "he wrenched away, aware that he allowed her to go. ,e didnt look pleased, though. :We are not married,; she repeated, stronger this time. ,e crossed his arms and regarded her. (isco$ering her hands were shaking wasnt pleasant. "he hugged herself to disguise it. :#ook, + dont know what your morals are here, !ut we dont do certain things !efore were married on my world. A woman can !e ruined if anyone e$en thinks she has. +$e no interest in !ecoming a whore.; Ah, !ut it had not always !een true. "hed !een tempted as a youth, had nearly !rought her family to disaster, all for the price of a few kisses. +f it had !een anyone other than her sister who had disco$ered her, she would ha$e disgraced them all. 7he memory !urned. "he cared a!out her family. +t wasnt all a!out her. :.ou ha$ent !een with a man !efore?; ,is !lunt Auestion made her cheeks !urn. :0o. + choose to wait.; ,e !linked slowly as his eyes swept her. :,ow inexperienced must you remain to satisfy this honor of yours?; ,er neck got hot. "he hadnt !een deaf, dum! and !lind while shed !een offworld. "he knew what he was talking a!out. :0o, &y$en.; ,e ignored her, took a step closer. :+ assume kissing is innocent enough.; "he didnt trust herself, didnt trust the fresh sweat that !roke out on her skin. :+ts not innocent when you do it.;

,e grinned. :7hank you, sweetheart. .ou ha$ent answered my Auestion, though. )erhaps you could trust me to stop !efore that line is crossed.; 7he last was murmured against her lips. ,e !rushed them softly and withdrew enough to look in her eyes. :+ hold honor as strongly as you do. 7hough + ha$e no Aualms a!out taking you now, + will respect your sense of honor. + can wait for the final moment.; ,e curled a finger in her hair, gently pulled her closer. :7here is so much more we can do.; "he ducked his kiss, nearly moaned at the feel of his lips on her temple instead. :0o, &y$en.; ,e withdrew, laughter in his eyes. :+m going to en<oy changing your mind.; ,e slapped her !utt on the way past. :+ll wait while you shower. (ont !e o$erlong or + may !e tempted to come looking for you.; ,e cast her a look o$er his shoulder as he walked out. Xera shuddered. "he closed her eyes. 7he man was going to kill her. ,e didnt say anything when she came out of the showers. ,e took her to a restaurant and ordered something he thought she might like, since she wasnt familiar with the food. +n pu!lic he was aloof, in command, !ut there was something in his eyes, his touch, that had her uncharacteristically flushed. %hills would strike her, and she actually felt faint. ,er condition made her clumsy, and she nearly spilled her wine. ,is hand settled o$er hers as she struggled to right the glass. :-asy,; he murmured. :7he cause is also the cure, hiri$ami. + could ease you.; ,e let go slowly, a certain look in his eyes. "he glared at him. :.our aunt is right. .ou are a rake.; ,e raised a !row. :And?; :We dont respect them much where + come from.; :.ou are not on your world.; :+ dont want to marry someone who wont keep the $ows.; ,e regarded her steadily. :.ou know + am a man who keeps his $ows. + e$en keep yours...when it can !e done.; (irect hitC "he drew a !reath. :+ apologize. .ou ha$e done much for me.; ,e looked unsatisfied. :+t has not all !een honor.; (id he want her to ask? :Which part?; 7heir food arri$ed then, and he chose not to answer. )erhaps hed already re$ealed more than he was comforta!le with, !ut hed left her curious. "he waited until the waiter left, then looked at him with trou!led eyes. :(o you li"e me, &y$en? +$e known you for such a short time, and + dont understand you $ery well. + dont...; "he shook her head, una!le to organize her thoughts. ,is mouth turned up in the faintest of smiles. :.oull find asking "corpio men a!out their feelings a lost cause, hiri$ami. + will admit + like you. + would not marry you if + did not. 7hat is not !eing done to cause you pain.; ,is answer !ewildered her, !ut she wasnt sure why. "he finished her meal in silence. ,e waited until they had !oth eaten, then leaned !ack in his chair. :7here will !e a small ceremony tonight to introduce you to our society and to incorporate you into our family. +t is not difficult. 0amae will instruct you.; :What exactly is the meaning of the ceremony? 0ot that + would accuse you of lea$ing out any details,; she said wryly. etter to ask than to !e condemned for her ignorance later.

,e looked amused. :+ts a pu!lic show of appro$al !y my father, telling those of rank that he appro$es of my choice of !ride. elie$e that he has no intention of refuting you.; :And its not a marriage ceremony?; ,e shrugged. :We do not cele!rate the actual Jwedding of the couple in any pu!lic ceremony. Fy father will gi$e his pu!lic appro$al and we will cele!rate with a feast after we ha$e had our pri$ate consummation.; ,er eyes narrowed. :7hat sounds like a wedding.; ,e shook his head. :Bnly the preparation. 7he !edding completes the act, !ut we will wait until you ha$e spoken with your sister.; "he felt uncomforta!ly like sAuirming. :+s there any chance of that happening soon?; :-ager?; he teased her. "he rolled her eyes. :Gust getting information.; :.oull speak to your sister soon,; he assured her. ,e rose and offered her his hand !efore he pulled out her chair. :%ome. .ou must practice.; )ractice, she found, did nothing for ones ner$es when one was expected to walk down an aisle in front of hundreds of spectators. 7he only consolation was that she was not expected to gi$e a speech. As gracefully as she could, she walked down the sage green, tiled aisle, careful not to step on the hem of her coral silk gown. 7he empire waist dress had short tulip slee$es and parted down the center to re$eal a gorgeously em!roidered underslip of pale pink. A golden clasp was centered <ust !elow her !reasts, at the point where the underskirt parted. Fatching slippers with a ridiculously dainty heel adorned her feet, making the walk that much more challenging. 7he room was huge, and although she knew she was indoors, a !lue sky chased with clouds arched o$erhead, enli$ened !y the occasional !ird. 7rees grew out of the floor and collections of potted plants lined the walls, gi$ing the room the feel of a hothouse. Ahead of her, the #ord @o$ernor waited on a raised dais with a single throne, though there was room enough for three others. +f this had !een a normal "corpio wedding and her family had !een here, her sister @em would ha$e sat on a chair next to him, and &y$en would ha$e had his turn clim!ing the steps to recei$e her appro$al. As it was, he and his family watched in a circle !elow the dais. "he chose not to look at them, afraid she would lose her concentration. %arefully she clim!ed the !lack crystal stairs, raising her hem <ust high enough to assure her safe ascension. "he raised her eyes to meet the #ord @o$ernors then carefully knelt at the left side of his throne. "he raised her hand and let it rest on the arm of his chair, careful not to touch him. 7his was the place where he could re<ect her, could refuse to touch her. "he swallowed down a sudden Aualm, !ut the fi$e=second pause that came !efore he touched her hand and !ade her rise was ner$e=wracking. "he made her !ow and then met his eyes. ,e wasnt Auite grinning; too undignifiedC 7he #@ would ne$er grin, !ut a fierce light shown in his eyes, a mixture of glee and pleasure. :&ise, daughter, and !e welcome in our family,; he told her in firm, ringing tones. ,e looked at &y$en, who clim!ed the stairs as soon as his father had spoken. 7he #@ then put Xeras hand in his sons. :All <oy to #ord and #ady &y$en AtarusC; A great cheer rang out. +n spite of herself, Xera colored. "he glanced at &y$en, who looked pleased. ,e winked.

7he reception was a dizzying round of introductions and congratulations. As proud and fierce as the "corpio were, they still threw themsel$es into a party with great enthusiasm. Xera was a little shocked at the sensuality of the dances displayed on the dance floor. "he was reminded of salsa and $arious Fiddle -astern dance, and these "corpio $arieties were !oth similar and altogether different. "he prayed &y$en would keep her away from the dance floor; he knew she was helpless out there. ,er wish was not granted. :+ cant danceC; she hissed at him as he led her out with the other dancers. :+ can make it seem otherwise,; he assured her, a gleam in his eye. :.ou will !e my reluctant !ride. + want you to resist me. "how me that, cross your arms and glower at me, and + will show you.; "hed ne$er seen him like this; so wild, so completely uninhi!ited. ,e made her his centerpiece, danced around her as if showing her off. Wow, !ut the man could mo$e his hips. ,e did a hip thrust that actually made her shake her head to clear it. -n<oying herself despite the attention, she fanned herself. ,e grinned and mo$ed closer, teasing her, sculpting the air around her without actually touching her. "he found herself following the mo$ement of his head, tracking his lips, until at the song ended with a flourish and he !ent her !ackward and kissed her. Wild cheers !roke out around them. (runk with kisses, Xera laughed and tried not to stagger as he stood her upright. (angerous man. "he had wine as well/ !u!!ly, intoxicating stuff that fizzed in her !lood and messed with her <udgment. "he was giggly and su!tly leaning on &y$en !y the time he took pity on her and made their excuses. "he was a little fuzzy a!out how they got to her front door. Bn closer inspection, the room wasnt hers. :+s this your place?; she asked, confused. "he was going to ha$e to watch that wine. "hed had hard whisky that had hadnt knocked her on her tail so fast. :,m. "ince + didnt want to fight tonight, + thought + would settle for gi$ing you a massage...and kisses. + demand kisses.; "he laughed. :>isses are innocent enough, + guess.; ,is expression was angelic. :)erfectly innocent, wife.; 7he room was lit with candles. "he let him undress her. +n her current state it didnt seem alarming. ,e e$en had a massage ta!le co$ered with soft saffron linen, and he drew a sheet up to her shoulders. 0othing alarming there, !ut it made her wonder. :,a$e you done this !efore?; ,e took his time a!out replying as he poured a su!tly scented oil o$er his hands. :+$e had many massages and ha$e learned something of them. .oull en<oy this.; :7his isnt your ta!le, though.; :+ could purchase one,; he murmured as his hands !egan to work their magic. :.oud like that.; Fay!e she would. 7hose deep strokes he was using on her !ack certainly felt good. ,e e$en found some knots in her left lattisimal dorsi that had her moaning with the release of a tension she didnt know shed carried. ,e stroked her arms all the way to her fingertips !efore mo$ing down her !ack, e$entually slipping aside the sheet and working his magic on her firm, round tush. +t felt good, !ut not in a sexual way...not at first. 0ot until she !egan to think a!out whose hands were doing the work. +t felt so good, though,

especially when he worked out the tension in her thighs and !ent her knee to relax her cal$es. Bh, yeah. Fore people should spend their wedding night like thisC ,e set her legs down and reached for a !owl. "he was surprised to feel a hot, wet washcloth mo$ing o$er her skin. +t felt hea$enly, !ut'. :.oure going to get the sheets wet.; :+t e$aporates,; he murmured. :+t is already steamed off.; ,e drew a hand down her clean, dry !ack to demonstrate. :Bh.; "he relaxed again. ,e washed all of her, allowing extra to stream down !etween her legs, she thought <ust to tease her. 7he feet were the most de$astating, though. 7he nu!!y wet cloth made her feet tingle, and the hot wet tongue that followed made her sAueak in surprise. :>isses only,; he reminded her. :What harm can it !ring if + kiss you here?; &easona!le harm, she thought as wa$es of pleasura!le lassitude swept her. ,ow had she ne$er known that a sweep of a tongue !etween her toes could send a shi$er right up her leg, or that ha$ing her toes suckled could make her moan? 0o one had e$er tried it. +f they had suggested such a thing, she would ha$e laughed them away. "hi$ers wracked her. ,is tongue caressed her instep as his hands glided o$er her calf, and sudden sensation made her cry out. +t felt like someone had poured champagne right !etween her legs. ,er head came up and she shot a look o$er her shoulder. &y$en looked pleased. ,e also looked...well, she didnt want to think a!out that too closely. :F=may!e we should...; "he puffed out a !reath as he switched to her other foot, and lowered her head. +t <ust didnt seem worth the effort. "hed stop him soon. ,e made her cry out again !efore he co$ered her with the sheet and told her to turn o$er. "he did, and !egan to wonder it there had !een more than wine in her cup. ,e started on her toes again. 7his time he massaged his way up her legs, inching the sheet higher as he did until it <ust !arely co$ered what it ought. "he mo$ed restlessly, whimpering. A peek through her lashes showed his mischie$ous grin as he lowered the sheet o$er her legs and took one of her hands. ,is mouth felt e$ery !it as dangerous on her hands as it had on her toes. +t swirled and suckled, then made its wicked way down her arm, dragged across her chest a!o$e the sheet and licked its way !ack up to the opposite hand. "hi$ers wracked her and she occasionally cried out with the hot pressure !etween her legs. "ometimes it would culminate in a !urst of light that raced through her !ody and exploded !ehind her eyes. "he didnt know what it was. ,e lowered his head and took a nipple in his mouth. "he cried out and gra!!ed his shoulders, her nails digging deep. +nstincti$ely turning away from the intense pressure, she pushed at him, prompting him to snag her wrists and hold them o$er her head. ,e made a leisurely feast of her !reasts, then raised his head and kissed her until heat !urst like rifle shells !etween her legs. "he cried out, desperate for some relief. ,e slid down her !ody. (own and down. >issed, nipped, until his head settled !etween her legs and his tongue thrust deep. "he screamed. Drantic to dislodge the source of torture, of pleasure, she gra!!ed his hair and yanked. 7hat got her hands flattened to the !ed, his hands on top. All the while she cried out as her thighs grew damp and heat drizzled !etween her legs.

,e lo$ed her until she was weak, until the pleasure stripped any resistance from her !ody. "he didnt remem!er :no,; didnt care what her sister would say. ,e could$e taken her with impunity.... ut he didnt. "he slept naked with him that night, curled with her !ack to his front. "he slept through the night undistur!ed and woke to the feel of his mouth on all the places hed taught her to lo$e, !ut he did not take her. 7hey e$en !athed together at his insistence and she got an eyeful of una!ashed, aroused male, !ut he didnt take her $irginity. ,is hands didnt e$en stray past her thighs. "he felt...resentful. +t was crazy. ,ed made her climax; thats what those !ursts of light were; so many times she was exhausted. "he ought to ha$e !een satisfied, e$en grateful that hed kept his promise, !ut she could only watch him with hungry eyes and dream. ,e noticed. 7hat he said nothing, only watched her with those !rimstone eyes, made it worse. "he deserted him for her own room only to disco$er it was no longer hers. ,er clothes had !een mo$ed to his cham!er !efore shed returned last night. ,ow had she not noticed that? "he still felt the need to !e alone, howe$er. "haring a room with him only made her affliction worse. "he shouldnt ha$e gone so far, !ut they were married...almost. 7he Aualification didnt settle right in the light of morning. "he was confused, afraid that the source of her confusion would do what he had promised; guard her sense of honor. -$en if she went to him and asked for him to finish what hed started, she knew he would refuse. +t was a lowering thought, that she couldnt e$en guard her own honor anymore. ,e shouldnt ha$e seduced her. ,er mind was mass of confusion now and she !lamed it on his carefully planned trap. "hed !een lo$ed all night, enough to ensure her de$otion, !ut she wasnt a wife. Why had she promised her sister anything? Why couldnt he ha$e left her alone? %hapter 43 "he wasnt left alone long. 0amae soon came for her and conducted her to a small reception of &y$ens family and friends. "he met &y$ens other two sisters there and their families. 7oosun and "hiza were present, along with the #@ and the #ady 7essla. 0amae only stayed !ecause Xera collared her as she tried to slink away. :+ dont think so.; :Fistress'.; :"ister, you mean. Whate$er else you are, you are also my aide. 7hat means you stay !y my side and try to keep me from em!arrassing myself unnecessarily. +ts your <o!, 0amae.; Bddly enough, defining the action of staying with her family as a <o! seemed to relax 0amae. "he stood up straight and made no further protests, though she did mo$e a respectful distance away.

:%le$erly done,; 7oosun said in her ear. :+ ne$er would ha$e thought to use that approach.; &y$en was talking to one of his sisters an arms length away and didnt comment, !ut he glanced their direction. :7oo much sympathy is like eating too much candy; it sours the stomach,; she told 7oosun. :,ow would you like to !reak your arm and then ha$e the world treat you like you were made of glass?; ,e !linked. :+nteresting thought.; Xera shrugged. :+ was a younger sister, too, and pro!a!ly o$erindulged.; :.ou think we spoil her?; "he frowned at him. :.oure letting your sister pretend to !e a ser$ant and hug the wall.; ,e stared at her. A reluctant smile tugged up his mouth. :.ou ha$e a way with a re!uke. + think +ll go and talk to her.; ,e shook his head as he turned, either at her or himself, !ut the smile remained. ,e leaned on the wall !y his sister, a determinedly casual expression on his face as he chatted. :What mischief are you up to?; "hiza asked her. ,is eyes lingered on 0amae as he sent a curious glance her way. 7here was something guarded, pensi$e there. ,e handed Xera a drink. :.ou may want this; these family gatherings can !e hard on the ner$es.; "he accepted the glass !ut didnt smile. "he still didnt like him. : ut youre not family, are you?; :+ grew up with &y$en. We are old friends.; :,m.; "he looked around for someone else to talk to. ,e wasnt distur!ed !y her cool attitude. :,ow are you finding married life?; 7hat caught her attention. :We arent married yet. + ha$ent informed my sister a!out it.; :Ah. 7his is some custom of your people?; :+ made her a promise. &y$en is letting me keep it.; "hiza looked at &y$en and smiled enigmatically. :,ow like him. ,e has far more patience than the rest of us. Br does he?; Was he !aiting her? 7he innuendo sparked her temper. "he didnt ha$e to raise her $oice to make it $i!rate with fury. :.oure lucky + wasnt your capti$e; +d ha$e slit your throat in your sleep.; ,e leaned closer, amused as only one who lo$ed to !ait others could !e. :.ou assume + would use force.; :.oud ha$e to,; she retorted. ,e smiled. :+ know my friend $ery well. .ou$e had something of a wedding night. Was it so !itter?; ,e waited until the color in her cheeks !etrayed her. :Were !rothers in that, sweetheart.; ,e sauntered away. Xera was left feeling stupid and a little !reathless. "he glowered at his retreating !ack and went in search of a distraction. "ince "hiza was heading toward &y$en, she went the other way. &y$en looked meaningfully at his friend as "hiza <oined him. :.ou$e tormented my wife.; :"he is unaware + helped you mo$e the ta!le into your cham!ers,; "hiza said !lithely. :"he insists you are not married yet.;

&y$ens expression was !land. :We reached a compromise.; :+ thought so.; "hiza looked at him curiously. :Whats it like, !eing married? Any regrets?; :0o. + dou!t +ll e$er !e !ored with a woman like her.; :,m. ,ow do you think shell hold up to her am!assadorial duties? +ts rare to ha$e a woman in that office.; :"hell ha$e help. "peaking of which, it looks as if my sister is haranguing her. -xcuse me.; As her hus!and extricated her from his sisters clutches and mo$ed her to a more pri$ate space, he asked Xera, :7ired yet?; "he ga$e him a look. :.our sisters are $ery like mine.; 7hey were gi$ing her Aualified appro$al, !ut she sensed she was on pro!ation. 7hey hadnt accepted her yet. 0o!ody said it, !ut may!e they wished hed married one of his own kind. )art of her was glad. "he hadnt gi$en up on going home. &y$en might !e working hard on changing her mind, !ut this wasnt where she !elonged. :,eadstrong, !ossy and full of unsolicited ad$ice?; he suggested. :+ can see why you left home.; "he laughed, !ut the mood didnt stay. :7ell me the truth, are we married?; ,e looked thoughtful. :+f + were to die this moment, yes, you would retain your status as my wife. 7his is to your !enefit, of course. 7here is no reAuirement of pregnancy, for instance.; "he frowned. :+s that e$en possi!le? Bur species may not !e capa!le of reproduction together.; "he was surprised she hadnt thought of that !efore this, !ut all of the main !its of their anatomy were the same. ,is !rows lifted. :+t wont !e for lack of effort.; "he exhaled in reluctant amusement and looked aside. After last night, she had no dou!ts he would go a!o$e and !eyond the call of duty in that regard. #ucky her. ,owe$er she felt a!out !eing stuck here, she had no dou!ts she would en<oy his tender ministrations. :We wont ha$e the official reception until after you speak with your sister,; &y$en told her softly, !reaking into her reminiscence. :We will use pressing !usiness as an excuse for the delay.; "he looked at him in Auestion. :We lea$e tomorrow for the !order. A fleet of warships is coming to parlay with us. .oull step into your am!assador role $ery soon.; "he drew a !reath. "hed !e close to her people soon, as close to a ride home as she would !e for a long time. "he knew that all the while, hed !e watching her like a spy satellite. :,ow many days is it to the rendez$ous point?; she asked. :7hree. +ts another eight months tra$el to reach your world, isnt it?; :.es.; 7hey had ne$er discussed it, !ut she knew hed sal$aged information from her wrecked ship. 7he distance depressed her. What had she !een thinking, to tra$el so far from home? ,er sisters were literally !illions of miles away. -$en if she could steal a ship and head home, shed ha$e a hard time reaching them. 7ra$eling alone for such long distances could !e deadly.

:We will !e a!le to recei$e a message, though it is a $ast distance to co$er. Dortunately, communications are far swifter than ships, and while the communications relay wont !e done for a while yet, + think we can persuade the @- to pass on a message using their relays, this once.; Wormhole technology made possi!le for messages what was deadly for a man. 0o one knew how to send a li$e !ody through a wormhole yet. "omehow, it was harder to !e hopeful when they were so close. ,e seemed to realize that. :%ome. Fy aunt looks lonely.; Xera snorted at that !old lie, !ut she let him distract her anyway. rooding wasnt helping anyway. "he did offer a word of warning, though. :7he @- are not to !e trusted.; ,e raised a !row in inAuiry. :7hey dont always keep their word.; "he didnt know how caution him further without !etraying old loyalties, so she said no more. ,e seemed content to drop the su!<ect, for he said no more a!out it. ,e did look at her thoughtfully from time to time, though. +f she had !een ner$ous or excited a!out the night to come, Xera ne$er had a chance to explore it. A courier met them at the entrance to their room with an urgent message for &y$en. :What is it?; &y$en asked grimly. ,e must ha$e known what was coming. 7he courier looked at Xera. &y$en glanced at her, too. :Would you excuse us, #ady Xera? + wont !e long.; :"ure,; she said in her own language, forgetting to translate. (eciding it would !e explanation enough <ust to exit, she entered their Auarters alone. &y$en came in shortly afterward. :+m sorry, hiri$ami. 7here is something + must attend. 7here is no need to wait up for me.; :7rou!le?; she asked, following him into the !edroom. :+ts nothing to do with our upcoming trip, is it?; :0o, the other !order,; he said as he rapidly changed out of his ci$ilian clothes and donned his military uniform. :Whats on the other !order?; she asked curiously. +t had ne$er occurred to her to wonder what the "corpio !oundaries were, or what lay !eyond them; her world had !een a smaller !u!!le for the last week, and an a!sor!ing one at that. (id they ha$e more enemies, then? ,e noticed her distur!ed expression and ga$e her a comforting kiss as he took her hand and towed her into the li$ing room. ,e picked up a remote and turned the $iewing wall on, then thum!ed through the programs. :,ere. 7here are some shows a!out our northern !order, and plenty of entertainment $ideos to take your mind off it after that. Well talk a!out things when + get !ack.; ,e really did look imposing. )utting on his uniform was like donning a mantle of war for him; his whole demeanor changed. +t would ha$e to, wouldnt it? ,e was a leader and a warrior, and hed only !een a hus!and a short while. "he felt a twinge of intimidation, reminded of how they first met. ,is eyes softened and he ga$e her another lingering kiss. :7here will !e another e$ening for us, hiri$ami.! ,e strode from the room. A twinge of loneliness struck her. "urely she wasnt !ecoming emotionally attached to him already? After all hed done, all hed forced upon her; al!eit pleasantly, and in her

!est interests? "haking her head at herself, she settled down on the couch to learn a!out her new world and what &y$en faced. ,ours later, she was feeling decidedly chilled. 7he >huntat were a predatory race of flesh eaters who li$ed !eyond the "corpio frontier. "e$en feet tall, leather=skinned and fanged, the aliens dressed in metal !ody armor and slit=eyed masks only a little less hideous than their faces. 7hey had hose=like tails at the !ack of their skulls tipped with sharp spines that could stun prey, making it easier to de$our them at leisure. 7he females laid eggs. 7heir hatchlings reAuired fresh, warm !lood to thri$e, and the >huntat were not farmers. 7hey seized whate$er !east or person they could lay talons on to feed their monstrous appetites. 7hey had mo$ed into "corpio territory o$er a hundred years ago. Bnly the ferociousness of the "corpio had kept them at !ay, plus the "corpios slight technological edge. +t was scary to know this race was what the human race would ha$e !een facing if the @- had succeeded in pushing !ack the "corpio !orders. ,umans had yet encountered nothing like it, and Xera hoped they ne$er would. 0amae had told her once that her !rothers were skilled pilots, some of her peoples !est. Xera wondered how many !attles they must ha$e fought to de$elop those skills, and how often &y$en would fly into !attle now. Would he !e called away often, as hed !een tonight? (id he lead the missions in person, or did he call the shots from a !attle cruiser? 0ot that a cruiser couldnt !e shot down/ 7he >huntat reportedly swarmed around those ships often, knowing the !ig score of !lood that could !e had inside. +t was more economical than taking pilots ship !y ship, especially when a pilot could trigger a suicide explosion rather than !e taken as food. Xera felt a hollow !all of fear settle in her gut. "hed seen &y$en in the field, knew what he could do, !ut his ship had !een shot down along with her own. ,e was $ulnera!le. "he could lose him. "he laughed at herself, at her misty eyes. "hed known him for so little timeC ,ow could she !e feeling like this? #o$e had to grow, didnt it? (idnt she want to go home? What a!out her sisters? ,er world? "he sho$ed those Auestions aside as a new thought occurred to her. 7he "corpio didnt need the hassle of the @-. What they needed were allies. +f she herself was any indication, humans and "corpio were compati!le races. +f she could use her position to help foster peace !etween them, it could help them !oth enormously. +f the +nterplanetary %ouncil could !e con$inced to rein in the @- 5or at least send them exploring in another direction6 this could work. ,er life could count for more than shed e$er dreamed. With a renewed sense of purpose, Xera settled down to think. &y$en found his wife curled on the couch hours later when he returned. A glance at the main $iewscreen showed a $ideo a!out the >huntat still playing. "he must ha$e fallen asleep watching, instead of switching to lighter fare. As he scooped her up and carried her to !ed, he wondered if shed had nightmares. "he stirred, saw it was him and relaxed. ,e smiled to himself as he helped her undress and slide under the sheets. +n moments he was with her, curled around her sleeping !ody.

Xera woke to find herself in a heated tangle with her lo$er. &y$en had surely gotten less sleep than she, !ut he had woken first and was presently kissing her neck. "he sleepily arched to gi$e him !etter access !efore reality trickled in. :,ey,; she rasped, gi$ing him a half=hearted el!ow. :We shouldnt !e doing this.; :Why?; ,e licked his way up to her ear and suckled, sending chills down e$ery ner$e. -$en her fingers tingled. 0ot for one moment did she think he didnt know why. :Were waiting to !e married.; :%ompromise,; he murmured. +t sounded more like a command than a suggestion. "he sat up and frowned at him, the sheet clutched to her chest. :.ou dont compromise; you sweep in and take o$er.; ,e smirked. :"o far thats !een to your !enefit.; "he ignored his comment. :#ook, this a weird situation and +m !laming you for that. Dirst we were engaged, then $irtually married in that ceremony + had no control o$er. .ou seduced me, too, which to my mind constitutes a $er!al !reach of promise.; :0ext time get a written contract,; he ad$ised her, his head propped up on one hand. ,e looked sleepily entertained and deliciously mussed. ,er eyes narrowed. "he was not going to laugh at him when she was trying to make a point, or shed lose this argument...though so far it had !een an argument of one. :7he point is, +m not a!out to gi$e up any more of my seriously strained $irtue.; :7hen take mine,; he suggested !efore she could continue her harangue. :What?; 7hose !rimstone eyes sparked with mischief. :.ou can hardly sully what + no longer possess.; When she <ust stared at him, uncomprehending, he took her hand and !rought it to his chest. ,e leaned !ack against the pillows. :+ like it when you touch me, too.; "he !lushed, una!le to meet his eyes. +n all their interactions, hed always taken the lead, had always made lo$e to her. )ut on the spot, she didnt know Auite what to do. ,e wasnt inclined to make it easy for her, either. ,e crossed his arms !ehind his head and looked up at the ceiling like a lazy cat. :%oward.; "he gasped indignantly. :+ts not like +$e e$er done this !eforeC; :,m. Well, you ha$e a willing $ictim.; :?ictim,; she muttered, and got distracted !y all that !are chest. Files of hard muscle stretched out under her fingertips. ,er mouth went dry. ,er fingers twitched, and suddenly she was trailing her fingers o$er him, exploring all the groo$es and planes. ,e hummed when she traced his nipples and growled when she trailed her fingers o$er his !elly. +t was a powerful feeling, watching all that powerful animal flexing under her hands. "he e$en trailed her fingers up to his neck and !uried them in his hair, the !etter to lean o$er and !reathe in his scent. :+ cant help !ut notice youre a$oiding looking !elow the sheets,; he said huskily. :Arent you curious?; "he muttered something, a$oiding his eyes. :What?; :+m shyC; ,e grinned. :+ wont !ite.; "he half laughed e$en as she sent him a look of re!uke. After a moment her hand edged toward the !lanket.

Ah, his wife was killing him, &y$en thought as he closed his eyes, !ut he didnt want to !e sa$ed. ,e looked through his lashes as she lowered the sheet, saw her eyes dilate. "hed seen him !efore 5hed seen to that6 !ut she always a$erted her eyes. 7his time she was looking, trailing a tentati$e finger down the length of him. :+ts so hard,; she said, as if she couldnt help herself. :+$e ne$er felt anything like it.; :-n<oy it,; he encouraged her. :.oull ne$er see another one.; :Arrogant,; she chided him, !ut her hand circled him <ust the same. ,e inhaled sharply and she started to let go. ,e gra!!ed her hand !efore she could. :(ont stop. Deels good.; ,e curled his hand o$er hers, firming up her grip, then showed her how to mo$e up and down. After all, she was dri$ing him mad. ,e was not tame in his passion, arching and moaning his pleasure. A glance at her showed how his $oice made her cheeks flush, her lips part, !ut after that he stopped analyzing her reactions. "he took instruction $ery well; he couldnt wait to see what else she took to. ,e showed her how to speed up when he needed it, let her watch to the !lessed end when the climax took him. #et her watch...let her want. "he fetched him a washcloth and herself a ro!e. "he sat Auietly on the !ed, seemingly unsure what to do with herself. ,e fixed that !y pulling her down into his arms for a kiss. :+m not in the ha!it of lea$ing a woman hungry,; he told her, his hand trailing teasingly o$er her hip. :"ay the word.; "he groaned and pulled away. :.our !rand of satisfaction is torture.; ,e caught her hand !efore she could slide off the !ed, !rought it to his lips. :Dor now, + will let you rest. +t wont !e long !efore well !e spending days in !ed...and there will !e no resting then.; ,e !ounded up and swept her into his arms on the way to the shower, where, in spite of himself, he did get a little carried away. "oap and hot water and a naked woman could do that to a man. ,e did not, howe$er, take her $irginity. "he did not thank him for the fa$or. %hapter 44 &y$en kept his hands off her on the diplomacy ship. +t helped that he was the captain and chose to keep long hours, !ut the situation was also deli!erate; the lo$e play without consummation was difficult for him, too. +t didnt help that the last time he had touched her, she had !egged him to finish. ,is own physical torment he could take, !ut her !egging was another matter. +t did things to him, things he was unwilling to examine. ,e didnt want his wife to !eg. ,e treated her with courtesy, though, and ga$e her a tour of the ship. 7o her delight, he e$en took her to the hangar where the star fighters were stored. "he looked around the huge space with appreciation, and stroked the nose of one fighter with something approaching re$erence. ,er eyes were wide, hopeful. :%an we sit inside?; :+ts a single cockpit,; he told her, !ut gestured indulgently toward it. ,e helped her in, then stood outside on the retracta!le step while she settled into the seat. 7here was no

danger of her getting into mischief with the power off; and <ust as well. 7hat look in her eyes would tempt him to gi$e her far greater li!erties. +t was !est he ne$er tell her. "he looked startled when the seat ad<usted to her !ody. :+t mo$esC; ,e grinned. :+ts a pressure sensiti$e seat; $ery helpful when gra$ity tries to flatten you.; "he murmured her appreciation and touched the control yoke. :7his is similar to our controls, !ut your displays are $ery different. +f + remem!er my studies, this panel is touch=sensiti$e?; ,er fingers delicately traced the dash !efore her. "he touched the thin !row !and resting there. :7hese are the mental interfaces, arent they? 7he ship ad<usts to your thoughts.; ,e considered her. :+ see those hours you$e spent reading are paying off.; "he flushed. :.ou$e !een checking up on me.; :+ like to know what interests you,; he said smoothly. :(idnt you think someone had to appro$e the flight manuals and schematics you$e downloaded?; ,er face grew hotter. :+ like to fly.; :+ remem!er you telling my father this. +ts the reason + indulged you,; he admitted. +t wasnt arrogance that made him sure shed ne$er try to fly a fighter alone. +t took many months of intense training to learn all the !asics and !ecome certified, e$en if one had trained on another kind of aircraft. 7hey were complex machines, and hed no more !e a!le to intuit one of her ships than she would this one, not without study. 7ake off and landing systems alone could !e $ery different, potentially lethal to the uninitiated. 7hat didnt e$en touch on the computer guidance system or weapons. Bne ne$er knew how a strange ship would ad<ust to space $s. atmospheric flight, and she was experienced enough to know that. "he wouldnt !e a!le to sneak it past security, anyway. :.ou can fly this model in the simulators, !ut we will stick to shuttlecraft when we get !ack home.; ,e waited until she looked at him and steeled himself against the disappointment in her eyes. :+ thought + could take you up when we returned.; ecause there was no way he was letting her fly any farther away from home, not alone. "he !it her lip. (isappointment flickered o$er her face, !ut she said hopefully, : ut + can fly this one in the simulator?; :.es.; What harm could it do? 7hough shed fly a real fighter when he was stone cold dead. 7hey were not toys. "o he took her to the flight simulators. Any regret she might ha$e felt seemed to fade as they entered the room. "he examined the different models like a woman shopping for holiday gifts. ,er eyes were shining as she clim!ed into a dou!le cockpit with him. :%an we install one of these in our house?; ,e grinned at her. :7heres no need. + can show you where to go to find them when we get !ack. etter yet, + can take you flying with me and train you on a li$e craft.; Bn a li$e craft? Xera !adly wanted to kiss her soon=to=!e hus!and, !ut she knew he wouldnt allow it while he was in uniform. ,e was surprisingly stuffy for a man who went wild in pri$ate. +nstead, she took his hand and silently sAueezed, $ery hard. ,is eyes warmed. :.ou can thank me properly later.;

Xera was so excited she missed some of his explanations of the controls and he had to repeat them, along with an admonishment to calm down. "he took a deep !reath and focused. +t wasnt like shed ne$er !een in a simulator, or e$en a real craft, !efore. "till. ,e had chosen a shuttlecraft for her first :flight,; and it didnt take her long to adapt to the controls. %ompared to a fighter, the craft was much more intuiti$e, !uilt for simplicity. -$en so, her take off was gruesome and the flight clumsy. 7he differences in the ship from what she was used to made turns tricky. ,e watched silently as they cruised o$er $irtual hills and <oined a flight pattern a!o$e a !usy terminal. "he ne$er got to find out how the landing would !e. With the anti=collision system turned off, she managed to collide with another shuttle in mid=air. "he sat silently watching as the world !urst into flames around them. :.ou could ha$e !een worse,; he said thoughtfully. "he shot him a look, then laughed at herself. :+t is an unfamiliar ship. +ll ad<ust. +$e got to admit to !eing em!arrassed, though. +ts !een a long time since + crashed and !urned.; "he was thoughtful for a moment then said, :+ hear youre a pretty good pilot.; :(o you?; ,is expression was enigmatic. :,a$e you e$er flown a fighter simulator?; :.es, and +d lo$e to try one of yours. What +d really en<oy more right now, though, is to see you fly one. + admit +m $ery curious.; :,m.; ,e unfastened his safety harness and <oined her outside the simulator. ,e then directed her to a $iewing area along with the simulators technicians while he chose a fighter simulator. +t didnt look like much from the outside, of course; <ust an egg=shaped pod like all the others. ,e clim!ed inside and sealed the door. Xera sat in a chair and watched the $iewscreens come up. 7he room dimmed slightly to focus more attention to the screen. "he would see e$erything he was seeing. :&un simulation .ega=zero,; one of the techs said to another. :#e$el ten.; 7he tech setting up the program looked surprised, !ut he did as ordered. Fay!e that program was rarely run? Xera thought to herself, !ut she kept Auiet and watched the alien glyphs run across &y$ens screens. &y$en calmly ran through his preflight as they talked. :"hip one, ready for launch.; :@o, ship one,; the tech cleared him. &y$ens fighter cleared the docking !ay and glided outside the hangar, then took off in a !urst of speed as two alien fighters charged him. &y$en fired, hit one, disa!ling it, then !anked right, dodging a !arrage of return fire from the remaining ship. ,e took an impossi!ly tight *=turn upside down and destroyed the remaining ship as two more appeared !ehind him. -nemy craft came in fast with a hailstorm of laser fire, swarming &y$ens ship like mosAuitoes around a nudist. ,ed roll to a$oid three only to surface facing two more. ,e was fast with his attacks, snapping off shots and rolling away !efore they could hit him. ,e took some damage, though. 0o one could fight so many and not !e grazed, !ut he took his ship past the limits and made it do things that left Xera in awe. All told, he took out ele$en ships in a pitched !attle that should ha$e killed him in the first minute. 7hat kind of fighting took years of experience. "he had to hold herself $ery still when he came out of the cockpit to keep from throwing herself at him. "he could feel her eyes glowing with pride and the lo$e she felt for him. #o$e? "cary, !ut true. When had that happened?

7he way his eyes sharpened on her, he must ha$e seen it. ,e linked arms and escorted her out of the hangar and to the lift. 7hey didnt say anything all the way to their room, didnt communicate until she sho$ed him up against the closed door and kissed him hard. 7hat lasted all of three seconds !efore he re$ersed positions and flattened her against the door, her mouth under his, his thigh nudging her higher. 7hey didnt say a word, <ust kissed until they were !oth dizzy. ,e finally !roke away and rested his head against her neck. :Woman...; +t was re!uke and hungry regret. ,e finally !acked up and set her away from the door. ,e had to steady her a moment !efore letting go. :"tay here,; he said, pointing a warning finger. :(ecide what you will say to your sister when you speak. +t may !e short, and this may !e your only chance for Auite a while.; ,e turned on his heel and Auickly left. Fay!e he didnt trust himself, either. Xera was ready to speak, all right. "he might trip o$er her tongue in her haste to tell her sister e$erything. "he was starting to think her promise didnt matter under the circumstances. &y$en wasnt going to wait much longer, and she couldnt. What she felt was !ecoming a need, and went much deeper than touch. 7here was something he could gi$e her that she desperately needed, something she could only experience in his arms. "he wanted that <oining, that closeness. 7hey were past the point where merely snuggling would work; they couldnt touch without catching fire. "he groaned and flopped down in a chair. "he needed this to !e o$er. Xera sighed and took up her electronic ta!let. "he had to re$iew what shed say to her sister. After that she might study the shuttle flight manuals. +f she wanted to master the fighter, first shed ha$e to start at the !ottom. Anything that kept her !usy was good. +t was late when &y$en entered their shared room. ,ed !een tense for hours and hadnt looked forward to another night on the floor. Fuch as he wanted to see his wife, she was hard on him. ,e wasnt sleeping well, and hed had nightmares of his wife going !ack to her people, lea$ing him. "he wasnt there. ,e checked his automatic concern. Although it was late, she was on the ship somewhere. A simple Auestion on the security net told him where. ,e glanced at the simulator technicians as he entered the control room. ,e nodded in response to their salutes and checked the screen. Xera had made progress since that morning. 7he log showed that shed done nothing !ut practice takeoffs and landing for hours, with the result that shed !ecome Auite smooth. An unusual approach to learning, for most students !ecame !ored with that kind of repetition and wanted to run the entire program through. "he had more patience than hed realized. ,e told the techs to signal her, and went to stand !y her pod. "he !linked at him as her eyes ad<usted to the light spilling through the open door. :,ello. Am + in trou!le?; ,e extended a hand. :+ts late. .ou need your sleep.; "he stifled a yawn and accepted his help. :+ guess.; )erhaps his face showed his annoyance, for she glanced at him and said, :+m sorry if + hogged the machine. 7hey didnt tell me that anyone else needed it.; ,e looked at her sideways. :+ ga$e you permission to use them.; : ut youre unhappy a!out it now.;

,e looked straight ahead. After a moment he admitted, :+m unhappy with your preoccupation.; ,e pri$ately wondered at her moti$ation as well. After all, they would soon meet up with @- ships. +f she thought she might find a way to lea$e him'!ut he would ne$er say as much aloud, and she was monitored at e$ery moment during this trip. ,is concern was unreasona!le, !ut it made him touchy. 7he entire idea of gi$ing her access to a ship was difficult for him, !ut he chose not to discourage her'at least, not until hed found some way to distract her. )art of the fault lay with him. ,ed !een so determined to use his duties as a distraction from his frustrated desire that hed often left her alone. y now his crew pro!a!ly wondered why their captain didnt spend more time with his new wife. 7he thought of such speculation made him frown. "he looked irritated. :7heres precious little to do on this !oat. +t keeps me out of trou!le.; :,m.; "he sighed, !ut waited until they reached their room to comment. Bnce inside, she !raced her legs and told him flatly, :+ couldnt fly off if + wanted to. .ou know that. +f thats whats worrying you.; : ut the notion has occurred to you.; ,e stared her down, his heart suddenly racing. ,er <aw worked. :+d !e a liar if + told you no.; "uddenly he was tired. +t had all seemed to !e going so well. Whate$er hed thought they were making of their relationship, she hadnt gi$en in yet. )erhaps she was still holding out hope against their union. Was it possi!le? ut such hope was irrele$ant. 7here was no point arguing the ine$ita!le. -$en if he felt unusually dispirited. Euietly, he said, :@o to !ed, Xera.; ,is lack of argument seemed to deflate her. "he actually looked sorry, !ut he wasnt going to feed her need to resist him. ,e had !etter tactics in mind. .et, not tonight. ,e spread his pallet on the floor and shed his clothes, heedless where they fell. ,e slid under the !lankets, his ears attuned to her own as they rustled. 7ired as he was, his arousal grew. 7hey couldnt cement this marriage fast enough for him. Xera stood at the #ord @o$ernor Ataruss left hand, her face carefully neutral. ,ea$y kohl extended in a line from the corner of her eye to halfway down her nose, !racketing it like the painted eyes of cheetah. ,er lips were carefully lined in darkest red, and a golden diadem topped her !row, holding her thick and glossy tresses off her face like a cresting !lack wa$e. ,er ro!es were !lack and gold, held snugly to her ri!s with a golden o!i. "he kept silent as the #ord @o$ernor addressed the commanders of the @alactic -xplorers and +nterplanetary %ouncils ships. A line of cold sweat trickled down her !ack, distracting her from her presentation of professionalism. +t was the first time she had seen her own people since !eing captured. +t was a dizzying experience. "o close, with all they represented of home, of the familiar, yet they were also impossi!ly far. &y$en stood at his fathers right hand. "he couldnt see his face, !ut she knew it would !e impassi$e, perhaps e$en arrogant like the time shed first seen him. A flash!ack

rocked her eAuili!rium. Dor a moment she felt a little sick, surrounded !y aliens for all shed come to know them. ,er people were out there, and she couldnt go to them. "he closed her eyes and ruthlessly tamped down the emotion. 7his was here and now. "hed deal with it. "he was not the #ord @o$ernors mouthpiece. ,e used his computer to translate for him as he stated his case to the +nterplanetary %ouncil and the @-. ,er former crewmem!ers were to !e a gift, a statement of intent, as well as proof to the +nterplanetary %ouncil of the @-s trespassing. #ord Atarus had a long discussion with her o$er that prior to this meeting, o$er how their go$ernment worked, which authorities to culti$ate. ,e was $ery firm o$er what would happen to any more @- ships that trespassed in "corpio territory. 7hen he introduced her. :7he men from the trespassing @- ship are !eing returned to you. We ha$e kept for oursel$es our new am!assador, #ieutenant Xera ,arrisdaughter, formerly of the world )olaris. As a concession to her !etrothal to my son, &y$en Atarus, she will !e allowed to contact her family to inform them of her impending nuptials.; All eyes turned to her. 7he screen was split to show the captains of two ships looking at her, !ut there were many more on !oth sides who were listening in. 7he commander of the @-s ship looked at her intently. :#ieutenant. + remem!er your file. .ou graduated with honors from our translator program. .ou seem to !e well.; +t was a Auestion. :+ ha$e !een well treated, sir,; she answered, strained. :.ou agreed to marry the #ord @o$ernors son, then?; :+ was chosen for the honor,; she said carefully. +t was a fine line to tell the facts and yet tell the truth without offending anyone. 7he commanders eyes glittered. :And were you chosen for the role of am!assador, too?; :+ was,; she answered. 7here was a !eat of silence. :,ow were you chosen, #ieutenant? 7he rest of your crew seems to ha$e fared $ery differently.; +t was clear what he was insinuating. &y$en stepped forward, and his expression was not kind. :7he officers of Xeras ship were uncommonly stupid. +nitially + was inclined to kill all of the crew we captured. e grateful + found anything worth redeeming.; ,e sent an arrogant look Xeras way. :7he woman is a war prize, as are all of that crew. +t is our custom to choose our own am!assadors from our capti$es. 7hey are not gi$en a choice once they !elong to us.; :Ah.; 7he commanders expression wasnt friendly, !ut it was difficult to argue with the kind of arrogance &y$en pro<ected. Xera understood his feelings; she wanted to hit &y$en herself. While she understood his defending her, she hated !eing referred to as a war prize, a thing. 7he commander went on, :+n the spirit of your generosity, we will esta!lish a link to the lieutenants sister. + cant guarantee it will last long; it will !e a $ast distance, e$en for a wormhole. We dont ha$e many signal !oosters this far out.; :A few minutes will !e adeAuate,; the #ord @o$ernor assured him. :We will prepare our...guests...for transport.; Xera was gi$en a !rief respite as !oth sides ad<ourned to access the situation. "he knew it could !e less than an hour !efore she was speaking with @em if the commander was prompt. +n this situation, she assumed he would !e, for it was unlikely the #@ would

complete the prisoner transfer until he got what he wanted. +f the commander didnt understand that now, he soon would. &y$en conferred with the #@, then came to her side. :%ome. + will escort you to our room. .ou will want to speak with your sister in pri$ate. .ou prepared a message !urst?; +t would !e easier to send off a pre=recorded message in a Auick !urst than to count on the con$ersation lasting in real time. :.es.; "hed included a picture of &y$en and a recent image of herself, sans am!assadorial makeup. ,er sister would want the pictures. "hed asked the #@ for permission to descri!e her new home with the la$ender snow and the crystal palace. "hed thrown in a !rief description of the culture at the #@s suggestion. )erhaps he didnt want his daughter=in=laws family to think she was exiled to a !ar!arian wasteland. "hed gi$en an a!!re$iated $ersion of how she came to !e where she was and assured her sisters &y$en wouldnt !eat her. +t wouldnt stop them from worrying, !ut at least theyd know that Xera would ha$e a comforta!le future. "hed said she lo$ed them. +t wasnt nearly enough, !ut it was all she could do. After a little thought, she washed her face. +t would help if her sister could recognize her. "he left the hair, though. +t was too much trou!le to let 0amae dress it again. 0amae was handling !eing on the warship as well as could !e expected. "he kept her eyes downcast when she had to tra$el the corridors, intimidated !y so many men. +f she kept it up, Xera was going to start poking her soon. 7he girl had experienced hardship, yes, !ut there was no call to slouch around like a !eaten dog. 7he girl was the eAui$alent of a royal princess; she should start acting like one. +f she walked like a princess and looked like a princess, she would !e treated as such. As far as Xera knew, the only one who had e$er tormented the girl a!out her attacker was the accuser in her own mind. *n!eknownst to her, 0amae had !ecome Xeras pri$ate pro<ect. Xera understood fear and worry. +t started with a small thought and grew, circled around and came !ack stronger, like the first wisp of smoke in a still, Auiet house. +t had to !e stamped out while it was still a whisper, !efore it gained strength and flashed o$er. +t was so much easier to smother the spark than the full grown, ra$enous fire. Dear was the one thing that could !reak the laws of physics; it could feed on itself and still keep growing. ,ow did she know? Dear had !een haunting Xera since the moment her ship had picked up the "corpio on sensors and decided to engage. Bn the planet it had !een fear of death, then of the men around her, of the uncertain future. 0ow she had a good idea of what the future held and it was grief she !attled. "he missed her sisters, hated the circumstances that would separate them. +t had !een one thing to ship out with the @-, knowing she had the chance to go !ack one day. ut this...it hurt. "he wanted to !e the one in control. 7he wall screen flicked on without warning. :"tand !y,; a computerized $oice informed her. :)repare for transmission.; 7here was a long lag, long enough to make her shift uncomforta!ly. Would it go through? %hapter 42

:XeraC; ,er sister @ems face appeared. "he looked older, eager to speak !ut worried. 7he @- must ha$e !riefed her on the situation. Xera wondered what theyd said. "he also knew this con$ersation was pro!a!ly !eing monitored !y !oth sides. 7he wouldnt take the chance of missing out on any information that might gi$e them an ad$antage. 0o pressure, Xera thought wryly. :"is,; Xera said, fighting the constriction in her throat. :,i.; :We thought you were dead,; @em said softly, as if she also had trou!le speaking. :7he @- said your ship was shot down. What happened? Are you all right?; Xera took a !reath and sat up straight. :+m getting married, sis. + promised +d tell you. %heck the message !urst for details; + dont know how long we ha$e.; @ems eyes glittered with the tears she fought. :Are you happy a!out it?; ,ow was Xera to answer that? 7here was so much she wanted to say, to confide, !ut there was no time. :,es a good man. + think, gi$en time, you might like him.; :,e hasnt hurt you?; Xera forced a smile. :+m only hurting that + cant see you again. +m sorry, sis. + didnt mean for it to end this way.; :+ts not endedC .oure still my sister,; @em said fiercely. :+f they wont let you come home, +ll find a way to come to you.; Alarmed, Xera said Auickly, :0oC .ou ha$e a family. -$en assuming you can find a craft, its an eight=month <ourney and a hostile !order; you dont !elong here.; A muscle <umped in @ems <aw. :7hen +ll send randy.; :"hes marriedC; :0ot anymore.; %onfused 5 randys hasty marriage had !een only months old when Xera was captured6 Xera still protested. +t was a nice thought, !ut the two of them were not known for playing well with each other. +f randy showed up, there would soon !e a war of galactic dimensions. Age had not mellowed them out. :0ot if you lo$e me, sisC .ou know + lo$e her, !ut no.; @em looked slightly cheered. :.our independent streak is showing.; :Fay!e + needed reminding of it,; Xera said, feeling grateful. "he and her si!ling might !e $ery different, !ut it was good to draw strength from her family and she had needed this connection more than she could say. :7hank you, sis. + lo$e you. 7rust me. elie$e in me.; :(one,; @em said. :+'; 7he screen went !lank. 7he communications computer attempted to reconnect, !ut it was useless. 7he !eam had !roken. Xera leaned her head !ack against her chair and closed her eyes. +t was disappointing !ut okay. 7heyd said all that needed to !e said. @em would worry, !ut that was her nature as an older sister. etter she worry than grie$e. As for Xera, she felt much !etter. @em couldnt ha$e planned a !etter resol$e !ooster than to threaten to send randy. A $isit wouldnt !e terri!le, !ut the chances were too great that she would get stuck with the girl. "he couldnt !e an am!assador while !ickering with her si!ling. Who would take her seriously? A tone sounded at her cham!er door. :-nter,; she called, and was surprised to see !oth &y$en and 0amae come in.

:+m sorry to distur! you so soon. .ou are needed on the !ridge,; &y$en informed her as his sister set to work repairing Xeras makeup. Xera tried to keep eye contact with him in spite of 0amaes ministrations. :Whats up?; &y$ens eyes glittered. :.our former captain is making accusations.; :Ah.; Xera sat still as she thought a!out that. :Whats he saying?; :,e accuses you of treason, us of torture. ,es a pitiful little man.; "uddenly unsure, she frowned at him. :.ou didnt, did you? 7orture him?; ,e raised a !row. :,e is intact.; "he distrusted the gleam in his eye. +t looked too much like satisfaction. :What did you do?; :Withheld pain medication and healing accelerators for his knee. ,e was allowed anesthetic for the operation on it, howe$er; mostly for the comfort of the attending surgeon.; "he sighed. "corpio <ustice was rough stuff. :What a!out the others?; :Also intact. 7hey were interrogated, !ut not with force. We ha$e other means.; "he grunted, glad he didnt ela!orate. 7here were some pathways her mind <ust didnt need to wander. :7heyre looking for a scapegoat, then.; :What?; :"omeone to !lame,; she translated, rising from her chair. :#ets see if we can head this off.; ,e waited until they were in the hallway to ask, :Would she really send your sister?; "he looked at him, silently acknowledging what she had assumed/ her con$ersation with @em had !een far from pri$ate, with !oth sides listening in. :.oud !etter hope not; randy can !e a terror underfoot.; ,e considered her thoughtfully. :Fy !rother is yet unwed.; A crack of laughter surprised her. :(ont wish that on himC Whate$er sins hes committed, he doesnt deser$e that.; &y$en frowned at her words, !ut she didnt care. ,e had no idea. "he ela!orated, : randy is moody, solitary and cranky. + think its her frustrated mothering instinct that !others her. "he ran off and got married a few months ago, and now it seems shes not. + dont know if the guy got scared and ran off or what, !ut one crisis at a time is enough. #ets see what our good captain has to say, why dont we?; ,e had Auite a lot, as it happened. %aptain >hans image on the screen was pale. As a concession to his in<ury, he was seated in a wheelchair. 0ew lines were deeply etched around his mouth and eyes, lines of pain and hatred. 7hat hatred was focused on Xera as she entered the !ridge. +mmediately he launched into a snarled tirade. :.ou'.; ,is words were a!ruptly cut off. 7hey could see the commander to whom theyd first spoken reprimanding >han, !ut they could not hear the words. 7here was a great deal of gesturing and flying spittle on >hans part, though. Little man syndrome. 7he thought flashed through Xeras head and she had to clamp down on a smile that could wreak ha$oc if seen. Any hint of mockery on her part might rile the @-, and they didnt need that. "he could feel &y$ens deadly focus as he mo$ed su!tly closer to her. Dor his sake, she was glad >han wasnt here in person; he would !e

dead. &y$en had no Aualms a!out co$ering his hands with !lood. "he didnt share his sentiments. Dinally >han calmed down. ,is fists were clenched, !ut his posture was more su!dued as his commander reacti$ated the sound. :+n light of his emotional in$estment in the proceedings, + will speak for %aptain >han. ,e has accused the former #ieutenant ,arrisdaughter of treason.; ,e glanced down, consulting his notes. :,e claims the #ieutenant seduced the alien leader.; ,e glanced up, :7hat would !e you, %ommander Atarus; in order to sa$e her own life. ,e further claims that she shared information with you and assisted in the capture of his crew. "e$eral of his crewmem!ers agree this is true. Durthermore, they report that the #ieutenant was already known for her Jsexually generous nature.; :,a$e they !een isolated and indi$idually Auestioned?; &y$en inAuired calmly. ,is coolness was strange in the face of the charges, almost as if he knew more than he was saying. :.oull see the conflict in their testimonies soon enough if you do. :As for the claim of my seduction'; ,is mouth tipped up. :.ou may !e interested to note that my !ride is still a $irgin, as any physician could tell on the slightest of examinations. We anticipated this line of Auestioning and took steps to preser$e the...evidence.; 7he commander looked taken a!ack, !ut it was nothing to Xeras chagrin. "he couldnt help staring at &y$en. ,e Auietly touched her shoulder as he informed the %ommander, :With my !rides permission, you may send a medic to confirm the truth. + will guarantee their safe return if you do. Bf course, we will demand the satisfaction of the %aptains execution in return, along with his lying crewmen.; :7hats a freaking lieC; %aptain >han snarled. :.oure no more a $irgin than'.; ,is portion of the screen suddenly went dark. 7he commander looked strained. :We will get !ack to you on that. -xcuse me.; 7he screen went !lank. -$en Xera was surprised !y the a!ruptness, !ut it didnt stop her from glaring at &y$en. ,e looked innocently at her. :.oud ha$e suggested the same if youd thought of it first.; ,er eyes narrowed. :7hen you werent really planning this all along?; ,e looked at her patronizingly, !ut his answer was soft, for her ears only. :.ou$e !een in my !ed, woman. (o you think + would !other to sa$e any e$idence for him? + waited for you; no one else.; "he relaxed under his reassuring gaze. :.ou know, for an alien, youre a rather nice guy.; ,e smirked. :Bne whos planning to !ed you thoroughly at the $ery soonest con$enience.; "he flushed, understanding that this was now a matter of pride as well as desire. 0o man liked to admit pu!licly that his wife was untouched. -$en for the !est cause, that had to chafe. :(o you think theyll accept the in$itation?; &y$en asked. "he laughed without humor. :+ dou!t it. Fy guess is that theyll try to wiggle out with some diplomatic maneu$er. 7he @- isnt much into !eheading these days. +f anything, theyll court martial him. ,e would !e demoted and <ailed.;

:+ should ha$e gutted him when + had the chance.; "he couldnt help a smile. : ar!arian.; :-fficient,; he countered. :&uthless,; she added, <ust to see his eyes glitter. ,e !ent closer to murmur, :.ou will soon see how much.; +n$isi!le flames licked her, and she shi$ered. +t took o$er an hour, !ut the commander finally contacted them. ,e looked grim. :+n light of further in$estigation, we ha$e decided to dismiss %aptain >hans accusations. +t seems his testimony conflicts with that of se$eral of his crewmen. 7he #ieutenants' medical examination wont !e reAuired. 7he captain aside, none of us here in command are interested in Auestioning her honor.; :?ery wise,; &y$ens father commented, speaking up for the first time in a while. :+ suggest we take a recess from our discussions. +f there is nothing urgent, we will recommence in twel$e hours.; Datigue set in as the tension drained from Xera. "he glanced at her hus!and 5or soon= to=!e hus!and, or whate$er he truly was6 and saw him nod at the #ord @o$ernor. :We will retire, then. &est well.; ,e linked arms with her and escorted her from the !ridge. 7heir masks of unaffectedness did not last past their stateroom door. &y$en cupped her <aw in his hand. ,e and Xera simply !reathed, simply existed as their tension drained away. After a short period of relaxation, howe$er, Xera grew restless. "he stirred. R,ow do you do that? %alm me that way?R ,e nuzzled her temple. R+t8s a talent,R he whispered. R#ike so $ery many other things you ha$e yet to en<oy.R ,e kissed her, demonstrating another. 7his one left her !reathless. ,e kept his touches light, teased her until she made a sound of impatience and attacked his mouth. ,e laughed and took o$er the kiss, ramped up the heat, the seriousness, until the laughter died in flame and passion. 7hey were too raw to take it slowly. "hed !een hurt; he hurt for her. 7his demanded a $engeance that found its expression in the !edroom. 7hey were !oth more clothed than not when he mounted her, took the $irginity with which hed taunted the captain. 7he first act of lo$e in a womans life is ne$er comforta!le; there is pain, and $ery little stars and comets, despite what the poets say. 7here was desire, yes, !ut they unwittingly turned the act itself into an expression of $iolence. +t was an act of pride for him, pride of the conAueror taking his rightful due, with little memory of how much he wanted the woman herself. Xera was...not herself. ,er sisters call, the accusations, the reminder of her status; they all were too much. 0o matter that she could now put :!elo$ed; in front of :war prize,; a new re!ellion was !orn in her heart. A shell of anger formed around the new hurts and focused on the nearest target. "he was glad and sorry when he reared a!o$e her with a cry. "he waited a moment as he lay there, supported !y his el!ows on either side, and then su!tly nudged him off. ,e glanced at her and mo$ed away when he saw her wince. :+m sorry.; :+ need to clean up,; she growled as she slid off the !ed. 7hat should ha$e !een his first incontro$erti!le indication that something was wrong. efore he might ha$e !een excused for thinking it was merely the loss of her innocence that distur!ed her. ,is <udgment was understanda!ly clouded.

7he !athrooms on the warship were tiny, little more than closets, e$en for those of rank. Xera forced herself to !e strong as she cleaned herself. 7he tears were too close. &age shimmered <ust under her skin. ut if she lost it in front of him, he would insist on trying to talk, and she wasnt ready to !e that naked in front of him. "he looked in the mirror, saw her glittering eyes and hard mouth, and knew hed ne$er !elie$e she was all right. #ying wasnt an option, !ut strength might get her what she needed. : e strong,; she hissed to herself, showing her teeth. : e stron .; :Xera?; &y$ens Auiet $oice came through the door, $ery close. "he took a !reath and opened it. :+ need some time alone.; "he had ne$er seen him look solemn. +t distur!ed her. 7hose !rimstone eyes mo$ed o$er her face, took in the tension of her !ody. A hint of sadness entered his gaze. "lowly, gently, he raised a hand and touched the cur$e where her neck met her shoulder. ,e did nothing else, simply let the moment !e. "lowly, the a!sence of pressure caused her shoulders to loosen. ewildered, she stared at his chest, una!le to understand why. ,e wasnt forcing her, wasnt demanding. ,e simply stood there and offered silent support. Without the touch, the moment couldnt ha$e drained her resistance, stole away her anger. With it, only moments passed until tears gathered in her eyes, tears of relief and sorrow. "he didnt want him to go, didnt want him to take his comforting presence away. "he stepped close and wrapped her arms around him on a so!. %hapter 4H ,er new hus!and made a low humming noise as he gathered her close. :A%ie hiri$ami.; Fy sweetheart. :+ was a !oor with you.; Xera shook her head against his chest. 7he insignia on his chest scratched. :We were !oth stupid. Fay!e there is no !est time.; ,e sighed and picked her up in his arms so that her feet dangled in the air. :Whene$er these things go wrong, it is the mans fault.; ,is eyes crinkled. :Fy sisters say it is so.; "he laughed, surprised at his humor. ,e took her to the couch and sat down, arranging her with her head in his lap. ,e stroked her hair. :&est, if you will, a%ie ami. + will listen and keep you safe.; "he !linked, faintly astonished. Drom what shed seen, human men <ust didnt act like this, !eing so concerned and kind. "hed expected demands and pressure, and perhaps some egocentric Auestions. Werent the "corpio a warlike race? Was this some kind of underhanded psychological trick? ut after a moment she decided she trusted and liked it. "hed expected to kick &y$en out and indulge in a fit of tears. "hed gotten something much !etter. "till, her pre$ious thoughts were enough to dampen her eyes. :+m ne$er going to see my sisters again.; ,e stroked the hair from her face and she felt the !ite of rage. "he wanted to hurt him. :+ts your faultC; :.es,; he said simply. A little of her anger slid away, undermined !y his continued calm. ,er throat got tight. :+ hate you.; :.es,; he agreed softly.

7hat made her cry. +t was long minutes !efore she could admit, :+ dont. + <ust hate...e$erything thats going on.; :"o would +.; 7hat loosened the mortar that held together her fortress of sorrow. "he poured out her anger, her heart!reak. "he e$en told him how shed felt during their time on the desert planet where theyd crashed. 7here was no one else to tell, and she needed it out so !adly. :+ was as scared of my crew as + was of yours. + thought wed !e stuck there for years, that it would !ecome a prison. + thought !eing the only woman there would make me' you know. ?ulnera!le. A commodity. + think >hans attitude might ha$e !een part of what made me so scared.; ,e curled a lock of her hair around his finger. :+ would not let you !e hurt.; :+ didnt know that. .ou seemed scary yourself,; she admitted. ,e smiled. :-$en then + wanted you for our am!assador.; :7hat was all?; ,is eyes were hooded as he looked down at her. ,e traced her cheek. :0o. 7hat wasnt all.; :Why? ecause + was the only woman there?; "he laughed wryly. ,is smile held secrets. :+ knew a ship was coming for us. +t would only !e weeks !efore + was home again.; :"urrounded !y women,; she said, a !it sourly. :7hey had lost appeal. +d found what +d !een looking for.; :What was that?; she asked softly. "he stared at him. ,is eyes had that certain glow. ,e !rushed a finger o$er her lips. :A fierce heart. .ou thought + would kill you and you faced death with courage. .ou didnt complain as we marched through killing sands and men fell around us. .oure a sur$i$or, a fighter. All that and gemstone eyes, flame= red lips... + could not !elie$e such !eauty was allowed to ser$e in such a dangerous position. + wanted to kill your captain <ust for allowing it.; :Bur cultures are different,; she mused, e$en as he !rushed her lips with his. :+ will ne$er understand it,; he replied, his $oice a murmur against her temple. ,e straightened, e$en though she could clearly feel his arousal with her head in his lap. ,is hands remained soothing, stroking her arm. After a moment he said, :7ell me a!out your family.; ,e seemed genuinely interested, and she was Auietly pleased !y his Auestions. :Fy sisters?; "he thought a!out it. :Foody, headstrong, infamous...and thats <ust my younger sister, randy. @em is the oldest and...motherish.; "he made a face. ,e laughed. :Fotherish?; :.ou know, always trying to steer us in the right direction. ossy, though she tries to rein it in. At least ha$ing kids has gi$en her someone to unleash the instinct on !esides us. "hes married to a cop. ,e gets !ossed around !y her, too.; 0ot that lue seemed to mind. ,ed once said there were compensations, then had gi$en his wife such a hot look that Xera !lushed. "hed stopped teasing him. 7ruth !e known, he could hold his own when he needed. :(o you fight much?; "he shifted to get more comforta!le. :0ot really, not anymore. At least, not with @em. randy dri$es me crazy. "hes so stinking moody. "hell snarl at you for nothing

when she gets in one of her snits. +t doesnt help that shes always holed up in the !rewery, tinkering with formulas.; : rewery?; :We make the finest !eer on )olaris. Fake a mint, too, now that offworld exports ha$e gotten more afforda!le. We own a !unch of inns,; she confided. :Fy dad started the first when he homesteaded the place.; :,e sounds enterprising.; :.es.; "he a!ruptly clammed up. When she said nothing more, he asked, :What was your home like?; :%lean, !usy, happy mostly. usiness was always good, !ut its taken off during the last few years. @em really came into her own. "he knows how to manage people, resources. + swear, all she did for years was !reathe through the !usiness; it was like a second lung. 0o!ody did it !etter. + think shed ha$e had an aneurysm or something if lue hadnt found her and dragged her away from the office. "he kicked and screamed then, !ut she doesnt seem to mind now. "hes in lo$e.; "he ducked her head slightly, the mention of lo$e making her self=conscience. &y$en smiled. :.ou must ha$e had some lonely years in space, <udging from the Auality of men who were in your crew. What did you dream of doing when your time was your own again?; "he !linked, a little surprised. ,ow had he known she was lonely? Dor that matter, it was a little arrogant of him to assume that shed ne$er fraternized with anyone in a romantic capacity, e$en if that was true. :Actually, + ser$ed with a couple of decent guys. 0o keepers, though.; #et him chew on that. +t might keep him from taking her for granted. :What did + dream of though? #ittle things, mostly. + dreamed a!out eating at home again; we always had the !est cooks.; :"pace rations are not always enough,; he agreed. :What else?; :"unlight. A garden to snooze in. + was ne$er much for weeding, !ut my sister always grew the !est flowers. Windows open to the !reeze, good !eer, good neigh!ors.; :7he home you knew,; he said. :.es. +d gotten my fill of exploring !y the time we crashed. 7he @- soured it for me.; :.ou dont like them,; he remarked carefully. "he was silent for a moment, held in check !y old company loyalty, then admitted with irritation, :0o. 0o, + dont. 7heyre greedy, corrupt and ha$e really lousy !enefits. +ts a wonder they ha$ent started a war yet instead of skirted around it. -$en then, if they had more money and !etter leadership...!ut they dont. 7heyre a !unch of land=gra!!ing in$estors ruled !y a !oard of nincompoops. +m glad +m out of that mess.; :"o + rescued you, did +?; "he huffed at him, trying not to laugh. :)leaseC Fy ego cant take much more.; ,e kissed her. :7ake a transfusion from mine. + ha$e enough to share, according to my sisters.; :7hey would know,; Xera retorted, !ut his kiss distracted her. ,e really had a talent for it. 7he mood was light=years different than !efore, !ut still he only teased her and retreated. 7he mischie$ous smile he ga$e her only made Xera want to chase him. :%ome here,; she demanded at last.

Fock regretful, he shook his head. :+ dont think + should.; "he frowned and sat up, wincing as she did. :Another kiss wont hurt.; ,e o!liged, and then said !reathlessly, :Anything else will hurt. +d rather not cause you pain.; :7hen dont.; "he pulled his head !ack down, still hungry from his cle$er, enticing kisses. At this point, not ha$ing them would !e worse. :"uch a lot of work you are,; he complained huskily. :.oull ha$e me start all o$er. +m exhausted from your demands, wife.; :7ough luck.; "he gra!!ed his head in !oth hands and shut his mouth with hers. +t felt good, powerful to !e in charge. "he wanted to control him; !ut oddly enough, the feelings !rought !ack the anger. "he !ecame more aggressi$e, almost hurting him. ,is head snapped !ack and he ga$e her a warning look. ,is old command surfaced. :0oC 0ot again. We will not follow that pattern. 7his time, we will !e soft !ecause it is !est. .ou will !e soft for me.; ,is lashes swept down and screened those $olcanic eyes as he kissed the corner of her mouth. "he turned her head, sulking. :.ou dont always know whats !est.; :7his time + do,; he said softly, and cupped her !reast. "he didnt ha$e time to o!<ect !efore he palmed it, deli$ering a <olt of pleasure. : e soft for me, wife, soft where a woman should !e soft, and + will !e your rock.; ,e was asking for trust, for openness, though he remained dominant. +t was difficult. "he didnt want to let go, !ut he had ways of persuading her. +n the end it was his gentle yet commanding patience that won her o$er. "omehow his touch was soothing yet exciting, light and fiery, like ghostly flames licking o$er her skin. ,e made her thoughts spin away in her head, her $ision dulled with passion. -$en the clothing sliding from her skin was an un!eara!ly welcome caress; the hands that followed, nir$ana. +t was, :BhC; and &ai tai, "di ahn,! as she mo$ed against his fingers. 'omou,! he murmured !reathlessly, his mouth open and hot o$er her nipple. And :.esC; and :(ein)i.; -ach forgot any !ut their nati$e language as the passion swept them, !ut &y$en did not change his plan. 7his time he took her gently, slid with utter care into her slick core. 7his time she shuddered with passion !efore he slowly rocked her, deaf to the urging of her nails, her hot anxiety. ,e knew !etter, knew to guide their !odies slowly. ,e rode out her impatience, took her past the first !urst of light and guided her into a second, e$en more powerful. ,er scream almost deafened him. ,e clamped his teeth gently on her neck and growled his own release. +t was a while !efore she reco$ered enough to see their surroundings. 7hey were on the carpet next the couch. ,er !ackside was raw from the carpet. &y$en was hea$y on top of her and deep within. "he shuddered with lingering pleasure. ,ot seed trickled !etween her thighs. :Fm.; ,e suckled her neck. :We should mo$e to the !ed, little one. 7his carpet looked softer than it is.; "he laughed. :Fy !ackside is raw.; :+ll put !alm on it. .ou can attend to my knees...and other parts that ache.; ,e !rushed a kiss o$er her lips and reluctantly withdrew his fullness. "he !linked and sat up. :+ thought...; "he gestured at him, a$erting her eyes.

,e smiled rakishly. :.es?; :"houldnt that !e...ah, taken care of?; :Feaning?; ,e sounded like he was en<oying himself. "he couldnt !ring herself to look, so she gestured. :.ou know. (own.; ,e grinned. :Wife. .oure naked at my feet. .our thighs are still wet with my essence, and you think + should !e Jdown? We ha$e much to teach you, little one.; +gnoring her hot !lush, he scooped her up and carried her to the !ed, then fetched the !alm. ,e wasnt shy a!out ru!!ing it all o$er her !ody, e$en deep !etween her legs. "he gasped as his fingers slid deep with a generous dose of cream. :"=should you...!e....; "he ended on a moan. :7his is what its for,; he murmured, en<oying himself. ,e spread the cream all o$er the inside of her thighs, held them wide with his forearms as he teased the petals of her femininity. +t was necessary; she would ha$e twisted out of his hold with pleasure otherwise. At last, when she was far gone to passion, he eased her up and handed her the <ar. :.our turn.; "he !linked at him !efore o!ediently smoothing it o$er his knees and thighs, forgetting to co$er herself as she worked. ,er hands grasped him, sweetly stroked as her generous !reasts sAueezed !etween her arms, the nipples tight little peaks. "he cast him a heated, hungry look. ,e smiled and leaned !ack. :%ome here.; ,e turned her when she would ha$e lain down so that her !ack met his front. ,e used his own legs to spread her thighs wide, then sent his fingers sneaking, seeking. Bne hand toyed in her curls as the other played with her !reast then slid up and !etween her lips. "he moaned as she suckled him, and climaxed. +t was as if sudden fe$er ignited his !ody. ,e flipped her o$er, facedown on the mattress, and slid into her, though careful, e$er careful. "he responded with a deep groan. aring his teeth in triumph, he rode her to their reward. %hapter 4I Fidmorning of the next day found Xera seated at her desk, perusing a report on the wallscreen while 0amae silently dressed her hair. 7heir meeting with the @- and +nterplanetary %ouncil representati$es had opened up talks, and she had to !e ready to participate if called upon. "he was also doing research to see why relations !etween the races had failed; from a "corpio perspecti$e. Apparently the "corpio had taken a dim $iew of a @- captains aggression when he was disco$ered nosing around a section of space they claimed. 7he captain had pushed, tried to !luff, only to disco$er that "corpio didnt !luff. 7he @- $essel limped home minus its captain and deli$ered the terse message, :"tay away from "corpio space.; 7he @- hadnt listened. Dast forward to Xeras day. 7he @- and +ntergalactic %ouncil were talking, and the +% at least, pushed for peaceful relations. 7he "corpio were talking. 0o !lood had !een shed. "he was hopeful that they could work things out, or at least part with ci$il nods. "he was working on a way to introduce cooperation. What they needed was neutral ground, a place to interact face to face. "omeone had to suggest that.

Butside the window she could see a large planet. 7he or! itself was a pale la$ender and dark purple swirl of deadly gas, inhospita!le to life. "e$enth in its solar system, it had sixteen moons, one of which was slightly !igger than -arths and had rings of its own. +ts name was etlefixh. 7he closest she could pronounce it was : ettlefish.; :0amae,; she said a!sently, still staring at the moon on her computer screen. :What do you think it would take to con$ince your !rother and father to set up a moon station there?; "urprised, 0amae !linked the screen. :What? 7here? Why would they want to?; :7hey claim this solar system, dont they?; :.es, !ut no one li$es this far out. We ha$ent needed to colonize it yet, as this isnt a fertile system.; :.es, !ut its on the !order !etween our peoples. +magine how con$enient it would !e to start...oh, a trading post here. 7he land doesnt ha$e much $alue yet, !ut what if people of !oth races were stationed in the area, li$ed and worked together? What do you think would happen then?; :War?; she said dou!tfully. Xera grinned ruefully. :Fay!e. Fay!e, though, something !etter would happen. Bur races arent that different, you know.; :,m,; 0amae offered, noncommittal. :What would we trade, though? What would !e worth coming all the way out here for? .our world is a long way off, isnt it?; :+nformation, for a start. Fy people are curious; thats why we explore. + !et your people would like to know what we do a!out our section of space as much as we would lo$e to see what lies inside yours. +f nothing else, the +nterplanetary %ouncil should know a!out the threat of the >huntat. 7hey would also make a !etter effort to police the @- if their allies were threatened. .ou would !e one of the herd, after all.; :+ dont like that analogy.; :.oure right. What would !e a !etter one?; 0amae thought. : est lea$e it at allies. +f you say anything else, it will definitely sour my !rother. .ou mentioned information. Are you planning to send scientists here?; :@ood idea. Astrographers, people who want to study wormholes 5imagine if they learned to send drones throughC6 may!e e$en artists and musicians. Bf course there would !e all the other people reAuired to support a moon station, too. 7his could really work.; ,er eyes gleamed with excitement. ,er family could actually $isit her in a neutral place like that. What would her hus!and think of her idea? ,e listened attenti$ely when she presented it. "he made sure to use her most !usinesslike approach. +t wasnt difficult. "hed !een honing her !argaining skills on tradesmen while working at her familys inn. 7his was <ust another type of sale. When she was finished, &y$en sat !ack in his chair and considered silently. "he knew the $alue of silence and waited. "he tried not to let her cold sweat distract her. -ither the idea had merit or it didnt. Fay!e he wouldnt think they needed a whole moon !ase. Fay!e hed think an annual summit meeting would !e enough. Fay!e hed scotch the whole idea and continue as they were, with ships patrolling !oth sides of the !order and the @- playing chicken with them. Dinally he looked at her. ,is expression warm !ut shuttered, he said, :7he idea is worth !ringing to my father. ,e may take it into consideration. +t would depend greatly

on the reaction of the @- and +nterplanetary %ouncil, howe$er. +f they are not in agreement...; ,e shrugged. +f it didnt happen, he would not !e heart!roken. "he ga$e a small smile. +t was a start. :7hank you. 7hats $ery open=minded of you.; +t couldnt hurt to gi$e the compliment, and she was aware of the stretch this was for him. :+ can only hope all parties are as reasona!le.; ,is father found the idea, :)alata!le, !ut only <ust.; 7he +nterplanetary %ouncil was cautiously eager, and the @- expressed neutrality, not Auite willing to let go of its grudge. Bf course it took a full week of negotiations to arri$e at this agreement. 7hings promised to get e$en more sticky as they hammered out who would pay for what, how the station would !e designed, policed and executed. Xera !argained with tact or fierceness, differing !ased on need. y the time an agreement had !een hammered out, she was exhausted. :.ou need to go home and rest,; &y$en informed her the night they signed the treaty. :7his constant wrangling is lea$ing you pale.; ,e tucked the !edclothes o$er her shoulder and lay down !eside her. :+ts the lack of sun,; she told him, snuggling close with a yawn. :We all look pale. esides, you wanted an am!assador. +ts demanding work, !ut + think +m doing a good <o!.; ,is frown was fleeting, !ut she saw it. :What?; ,e glanced at her then looked away. :.ou ha$e done well. +ts only that + cant picture you working this hard once we ha$e children.; 7hat !anished her sleepiness. "he sat up. :@ee whiz, whats the rush? We ha$ent !een married a monthC Who cares if + work hard right now? At least +m doing something useful with my life. 7hats more than a lot of people could say.; Dor that matter, she wasnt ready to ha$e children, !ut that was a su!<ect for another time. "urely they had contracepti$es here. "hed <ust Auietly use them when her !iannual dose of !irth control wore off. &y$en wouldnt need to know. : eing a wife and a mother is useful. Who do you think shapes the destiny of the next generation? ,a$ing a mother close is $ital in a strong society. .ou cant work yourself into the ground and still expect to gi$e the !est of yourself to your children, your family.; ,e held up a hand to forestall her protest. :As for your contri!utions now, though, + am well pleased. Fy father has also mentioned his pleasure.; Follified, she asked, :,e did?; &y$en kissed her temple. :,e said + chose well.; :,uhC; "he relaxed into the mattress. :+ like him pretty well myself.; "he looked at her hus!and in consideration. :Dor a man who worked so hard to make me an am!assador, you already sound as if you$e planed my retirement. What do you plan to do for the next am!assador, kidnap another woman?; ,e frowned at her. "he ga$e a half shrug. :+ts a fair Auestion.; 7here was a long pause. :+ suppose youll ha$e to remain in an ad$ocatory position. As youre married into the #ord @o$ernors family 5to his heir, no less6 that shouldnt !e a pro!lem,; he said dryly. "tartled, she looked at him. :.oure his heir? As in, youll !e #ord @o$ernor someday?; :Bf course.;

"he stared at him. "omehow, shed ne$er dreamed of that. After all, the man was a starship commander and people didnt inherit titles where she was from. "he wasnt excited a!out !eing the wife of a ruler. What did she know a!out such a lifestyle? :7his !others you?; he said carefully. :+ts $ery unexpected,; she temporized. :+m not sure what to make of it.; ,e raised a !row. :7he #ord @o$ernors wife has much influence. 7here were women who pursued me <ust for the hope of such status.; "he grimaced at him. ,e shook his head with the hint of a smile. :+m not trying to mock you, wife, <ust understand you. .ou are here and they are not. +ts only that + expected more enthusiasm.; "he cleared her throat. :+ll see what + can do. + ha$e to get used to this, though. +m unsure what to expect of such a life. +ts...daunting.; ,is !row cleared. :Ah. .oure frightened of the unknown. 7hats not unusual.; Was he !eing <ust a touch patronizing? "he frowned at him. :+m concerned. +ts a reasona!le reaction.; :Bf course.; ,er eyes narrowed. :.oure !eing a little too soothing. + dont like it.; &y$ens lips twitched. :Foody, arent you?; ,e !locked the pillow she swung at him. :7emper, B go$ernors wife. (ignity.; Xera snorted. :.oure not the go$ernor yet.; "he attacked him. ,e didnt e$en pretend to wrestle. ,e flipped her neatly on her !ack and rolled on top. +t put him in an interesting position. :#ittle fighter. #ets see if + can tame you.; ,e slid inside her. "he gasped. ,e held still, to let her fully a!sor! the sensation, then sharply thrust. ,er sharp inhalations soon mixed with his slower, hea$y !reaths. 7hese sounded like a doe in a thicket !eing de$oured !y a lion. And there were similarities of situation. Xera was the doe, pinned !y the weight of the hunter. ,is mouth was on her, o$er her, in her, tasting and de$ouring, her mouth, her !reasts, her'. :Bh, yesC Bhhh, *ye+; Bh, yes. 7here were similarities. +n the end Xera <ust lay there, too spent to reach for a !lanket as her lo$er lapped her in the afterglow. "he en<oyed the slow caresses of his tongue, the languid sweep of his hand. "he fell asleep with his fingers tucked inside her, the feel of his naked skin under her cheek. Fay!e he had a point, she thought hazily. eing a full=time wife might ha$e its ad$antages. "he was in a fog most of the next morning. ,er hus!ands insistence of sleeping with his fingers intimately upon her had caused a $ery restless night. 7heyd awoken se$eral times, and now she was tender and too sated to do more than stare fuzzily at the "corpio $ersion of tea. "he held her cups warm weight in her hand and looked dreamily into nothing. &y$en leaned o$er the !ack of the couch and growled in her ear as he kissed her. :7hose kind of looks will land you right !ack in !ed.; :.ou ha$e to go to work,; she scoffed with a smile. :.ou said so yourself.; ,e grunted. :"poilsport. + might take a long lunch, though.;

"he looked at him archly. :And + might take a long nap. .ou didnt let me sleep last night.; ,e grinned. :.ou slept; <ust not for long.; :.our fault.; :.ou didnt mind.; ,e kissed her Auickly. :&est today.; :,m.; "he planned to, !ut she had other things to do as well. "he wanted to start a <ournal so shed remem!er things when she got another chance to send her family a message through the wormhole. As much as she liked to daydream, it was unlikely that her family would e$er $isit the proposed moon !ase. "hed pro!a!ly ha$e to hea$ily edit the <ournal when she was done, !ut that was all right. "hed read that <ournals were good therapy, and she could use the introspection. "he also needed a list of goals. What did she want to do with her life? 7hings had changed radically for her and she desperately needed a point of focus. 7he moon !ase had pro$ided that, which was one of the reasons shed thrown herself into it. ut where was she most needed next? An opportunity arose as she o!ser$ed 0amae in the officers mess. 7he whole ha!it of her sister=in=law playing ser$ant grated, and she was determined to change it. Xera had !een forced to order the girl to sit at the ta!le and eat with her as she had tea. 0ow the girl sat with her shoulders hunched and a$oided the eye of any!ody who looked politely their way. 7he whole thing was <ust sickening. Xera had enough. RDor pity8s sake, sit up straight, will you? -$en monks act like they ha$e a spine, and they are far more penitent then you are. 7hough, if it will make you feel !etter, we can see a!out getting you a hair shirt. Why you feel like ser$ing the sentence for someone else8s crime is !eyond me.R 0amae looked up with wounded eyes. R(on8t try that on me,R Xera said in exasperation. R+8m not your father or your !rothers that puppy dog eyes will con$ince. +8m sure they en<oy the way you punish them.R 0amae sat !olt upright. :)unish them? ,ow am + doing that?R R)lease. (o you think they en<oy the impression you8re lea$ing? .ou make it seem as if theyre punishing you for what your !rother=in=law did. .ou make them look !ad.R "he didn8t !other to keep her $oice down. A few of the near!y men slanted looks at them. 0amae sent her a hushing look. R)leaseCR R7hen sit up and act like a princess. +f you8$e forgotten your lessons on how to !e one, +ll !e glad to let you <oin me in the deportment classes + asked your !rother to arrange for me. 7hey are almost as much fun as !oot camp, !ut one of us ought to come out of them looking as we learned how to !eha$e in pu!lic.R "he took a disgruntled sip of tea. R&eally girl, ha$e some prideC + thought princesses were supposed to !e snootier than this.R R+ am not snooty,R 0amae said in stiff=!acked outrage. Xera smiled with satisfaction and sipped her tea. :0ow thats more like it. + was !eginning to think your !rothers had inherited all the moxie in your family.R RWhat is that?R the young woman asked suspiciously. Aware that she had to maintain appearances, Xera lowered her $oice. "he waggled her !rows and leaned forward slightly. RFanly !its.R

0amae looked positi$ely offended. :7hats awfulC; +t was hard to say if it was the sentiment or the description she disliked. R+t would !e if it were true. +8m happy to say + don8t !elie$e it is.R Xera set down her cup. R%ome on, let8s go.; "he waited until they were in relati$e pri$acy in the corridors !efore asking casually, :"o, whos your fancy?; 0amae looked at her suspiciously. RWhat do you mean?R Xera smiled. RWho do you like? Which men do you think are handsome? (on8t !e shy, were sisters now. Who else am + going to ha$e girl talk with?R 0amae looked nonplussed. R+ suppose we are sisters.R Xera pressed her ad$antage. R7hat8s right, so spill. #et me guess; you like "hiza.; "he made a face. R-wC .ou arent serious.; :,e watches you.; :,e watches all women. ,e acts like an onta who is ne$er fed.; Xera wasnt familiar with the reference !ut understood the gist. :,e has a special look for you.; :)ro!a!ly annoyance,; 0amea retorted. :+ dont fall under the spell of his commanders star and pretty eyes. + grew up with him, you see. +ts difficult to take seriously anyone who you$e watched pee off a !alcony when hes ele$en.; An unexpected laugh made Xera choke. :.ou spied on him?; :,e was out there in the open for the world to see,; 0amae said indignantly. :+ told him as much when he saw me.; :What did he say to that?; 0amae !lushed and refused to answer. "he took a corner of her skirt and flicked it out of her way, as if annoyed. *ndaunted, Xera said slyly, : ut you think his eyes are pretty.; :+ts a fact. 7he sky is !lue. 7he >huntat are our enemies. "hizas eyes are pretty.; 0amaes expression was determinedly !lithe. :Are you pregnant yet, sister?; Xera stum!led and looked at the other woman in dis!elief. :7hat was dirtyC + didnt think you had it in you.; 0amae sent her a superior look, clearly pleased with herself. :+ ha$e sisters, too. Aunts, !rothers, uncles, a father. (id you think + would !e undefended?; Xera shook her head with new respect. :"illy of me. As for whether +m pregnant' no, there are no !a!ies here. + know your !rother wants to ha$e them, !ut it may not !e possi!le. As far as + know, our races ha$e ne$er inter!red. 7o !e honest, + don8t mind; + don8t ha$e much mothering instinct. +ncidentally, will the line go to 7oosun if we don8t produce an heir?; Bddly enough, shed hadnt !een worried a!out !ecoming pregnant prior to this. "hed faithfully taken her !iannual dose of contracepti$e <ust in case, and !y her calculations it should still !e in her system for another'she frowned, suddenly unsure of her math. What month was it? :)erhaps, though + dou!t &y$en was concerned a!out it, since he wed you.R R ut +8m an alien. Would that !e taken into consideration?R "he didn8t want to !e held responsi!le for messing up the no!le lineage. &y$en may not care, !ut her new relati$es might shun her. Damilies could !e touchy a!out that sort of thing. R+t might, !ut don8t worry.R 0amae patted her shoulder. :.ou won8t !e held responsi!le. We like you well enough. +f &y$en hadnt chosen you, we might ha$e ended up with some hideous foreign princess. Dar !etter to ha$e an alien sister than one of

those.R 7hey had reached Xeras Auarters. 0amae gestured for her to mo$e first through the door. Xera entered, unsure whether to !e comforted or not. %hapter 4K Xera was in the ready room, talking with her father=in=law, when the alarm claxon sounded. 7hey !roke off their con$ersation to exchange concerned looks and hurried to the !ridge, which was near!y. &y$en snapped terse commands as he scanned proximity readouts from his command chair. ,e stood and sur$eyed the forward screen. A magnified $iew of an em!attled space station showed a large >huntat warship parked close !y. A great deal of the outer ring of the spoke=shaped station was damaged, and the smaller, o$oid >huntat fighters swarmed e$erywhere, dodging its sputtering weapons. &y$en turned his head to send an order and spotted his wife and father. ,e finished a series of rapid commands and came to them. :We in$estigated the stations unnatural silence and found this. Bther warships are on their way, !ut were point for now.; 7heyd originally had two other warships with them at the meeting with the @- and +nterplanetary %ouncil, !ut he had sent "hizas to in$estigate a distress call and the other on a !order sweep. 7hey had expected an easy <ourney !ack to &sik; the >huntat should ne$er ha$e !een a!le to penetrate this deep into "corpio territory. &y$en put a light hand on Xeras shoulder. :7he !ridge is too !usy right now; youll !e safe in our Auarters. +ll send a link there so you and 0amae can watch whats happening.; ,e shot an inAuiring look at his father. :+ll wait with them,; #ord Atarus assured him. : e $ictorious, son.; &y$en flashed him a smile, kissed Xera Auickly and turned his attention !ack to the !attle. 7he kiss rattled Xera. +f he was !eing so demonstrati$e in pu!lic, he must truly feel the need to comfort her. +t didnt !ode well. :%ome, daughter. ,e will !e a !etter commander for knowing his wife is safe.; #ord Atarus placed her hand on his arm and escorted her from the !ridge. 7wo guards she didnt recognize fell in !ehind them. 7wo others <oined them on the way and stationed themsel$es outside her room. +gnoring them all, Xera told 0amae what was going on and turned on the $iewscreen. "corpio fighters engaged the enemy in a !loody game of tag. 7he screen split into two sections. 7he smaller portion showed a >huntat transport already docked with the space station. "corpio fighters concentrated their fire on the transport. Xera felt a chill as she realized the aliens were already taking prisoners. 7here was a sudden flash from the alien !attle cruiser, and the ship shuddered slightly around them. Xera !lanched. RWhat was that?; 0amae cried, wide=eyed. #ord Atarus frowned. R7he !attle cruiser fired on us. 7hat8s unusual. 0ormally, they would get out with as many prisoners as they could and <ump for hyperspace, with or without their fighters. 7here might !e a !reeding Aueen on the ship, which would make them more aggressi$e. 7hey8re $ery demanding when they8re hungry. +f +8m right she8ll ha$e a hatching cham!er full of de$eloping lar$ae.R

7heir warships laser cannons returned fire on the >huntat !attle cruiser. oth ships shields stayed strong; for the moment. RWouldn8t it make more sense to ha$e the food !efore she laid eggs?R Xera asked. 0ot that she appro$ed of the >huntat method of grocery shopping. 7he #@ shook his head. :7hey arent logical like that. 7he Aueens especially are at the mercy of their instincts, and drones follow her lead. +f shes hungry, they get food. "he wont !ack off until her own ship is endangered.; :Why cant they <ust start a farm or something?; Xera demanded. ,e ignored her Auestion, knowing it was rhetorical. 0amae had a !etter one/ :,ow long until her ship is endangered, father?; ,e was silent for some time as he stroked his long mustache. ,e seemed to !e calculating as he watched the !attle. :7he station didnt ha$e fighters of its own, !ut it was not defenseless. Fany of the enemy fighters are disa!led'.; ,e indicated the floating wreckage. Another !last flashed near!y, and he widened his stance to retain his !alance. %almly he went on/ : ut the mother ship is whole. 7hey will not stop trying to take the prisoners; and &y$en will not stop trying to pre$ent it. We do not e$er let our people !e taken.; Which put them in a dangerous spot. 7hey had to disa!le the mother ship !efore it !eat them. 7he good news was that there were friendly ships coming. 7he aliens didnt ha$e that ad$antage. Xera opened her mouth to say so...and two more >huntat !attleships <umped out of hyperspace. 0amae went white. Xera saw her face and helped her sit down, feeling shaky herself. 7his was not good. -$en the #@ looked grim. ,e watched as their ships opened fire on the two new arri$als, !ut they were grossly outgunned. 7he >huntat targeted the single=man fighters first, decimating their num!ers. 7hey also soon had the !attleships shields down. 7hey !egan to take out its cannons, destroying any chance the "corpio had to fight !ack. 7he !attleship rocked !y !lasts, its engines trying to keep its shields and sta!ilizers working, things seemed desperate. 7hen the situation took a turn for the worse. 7he >hun8tat !attleship !egan to launch fighters. Finutes later, it launched a prisoner transport. Xera felt the !lood lea$e her head. 7hey were coming for her. 7hey were coming for them all. R%ome.R #ord Atarus collected the two females and headed for the door. R0ow is the time to go to the !ridge.; 7heir escort of soldiers closed around them, looking tense. Xera didn8t ha$e to ask why they were going to the !ridge. +t was time for a last stand. "he did not want to end up on the meat wagon. 7rou!le was, the "corpio felt the same way. "he knew from the $ideos she8d watched that they would !low the whole ship rather than !e taken for food. 7hey8d fight to the !itter end first, though. :0e$er lay down arms; might as well !e the motto of the race. "he was proud to !e a part of the group and terrified at same time. +t was an ugly way to die. &y$en gripped her shoulder as they entered the !ridge, and he sent a grim look at his father. Without a word, a warrior came up and handed them each a laser rifle. ,e showed the women how to use it.

7he waiting was tense. &y$en positioned his family far away from the doors and stood !y them. "creen after screen showed armored >huntat getting closer, taking prisoners. 7hey shot out the cameras as they came, !ut those on the !ridge could see the fighting getting closer. ig and ugly, with their hose=like tails at the !ack of their skulls, the >huntat crushed anything inanimate that got in their way !ut only stunned their other $ictims, either with guns or the $enomous spines on the end of their head hoses. 7he "corpio resisted !ut were !eing swarmed. +n twenty minutes the >huntat were amidships. A Auarter hour more and they were past the galley. Xera closed her eyes and faced the fact that she was going to die. 7he >huntat were suddenly at the door to the !ridge. #oud noises came from the other side as they fought to dismantle it. All the defenders could do was !race themsel$es and aim for the hole that would soon appear. Anything coming through would !e greeted with lasers. Xera looked at &y$en. ,e appeared $ery grim and $ery alone. "he !elie$ed he was preparing to order the computer to !low the ship. Br perhaps she was wrong; may!e hed already started the countdown and was <ust !racing against death. "he caught his eyes. A wordless symphony passed !etween them, sweet and doomed. "he closed her eyes. ,is fingers curled around her arm. 7he !lasting at the door suddenly stopped. -$eryone froze. 7here was a $ariety of noises, sounds of exchanged gunfire. "houts. "omeone was !attling outside the doorC 7ense minutes passed until suddenly the ships com crackled to life. :&y$en? +ts "hiza. + dont mind telling you that you$e got lousy hospitality.; ,e had to repeat himself twice o$er the shouts of relief on the !ridge. :Bpen the door, will you?; Xeras muscles went liAuid with relief. &y$en put his arm around her and kissed her hair. ,is grip was crushing, !ut she didnt care. #ord Atarus had his daughter in his arms, hushing her shuddering !reaths. 7hey had to work a !it on the door controls !efore they could o!lige "hiza, since they mechanisms had !een disa!led in the attack. -$en afterward, the door would only come halfway open !efore it <ammed. "hiza hunched under the $ertically rising door and stood in his stiff !attle suit, his head still co$ered in a helmet. ,e nodded to #ord Atarus and clasped forearms with &y$en. :@etting into trou!le without me, are you?; &y$en flashed him a grin. :Whats our status?; ,is !ridge crew hurried to their stations and got to work while "hiza filled them in. :7he distress call was a decoy. A small ship was attacked, !ut !y the time we got there, it was already destroyed and a!andoned. + was already concerned when we got your message.; "hizas !attleship had taken out the original alien craft and rescued the prisoner transport. ,ed then engaged one of the remaining !attleships while the !ackup cruiser hed summoned took out the other. ,ed launched fighters as soon as he could to dock with &y$ens and stop the !oarding process. 7hey8d almost !een too late. &y$ens ship was hea$ily damaged. 7hey had no shields left and no working defenses. 7he hull had !een compromised in se$eral places and would not stand a <ump to hyperdri$e. 7he engines had not !een harmed, though. 7he ship would ha$e to fly

straight !ack home as they made repairs, a lengthy and dangerous proposition with >huntat popping in at will. +t was &y$ens ship and he wouldnt a!andon it or his crew, !ut he refused to permit his family to remain in danger. "hiza was tapped to take them home, along with the sur$i$ors of the space station and any wounded. Fore ships would !e arri$ing within the hour to escort all of them. While e$eryone else was working on logistics, Xera happened to glance "hizas way. ,ed remo$ed his helmet and was caught in an unguarded moment, his gaze on 0amae. Euick, piercing and Auite re$ealing; he wouldnt ha$e wished anyone to witness that glance, she was certain. Xera let her eyes slide away, pretending not to notice his secret heart. )erhaps she pretended too hard. ,e sent her a warning glance then looked away. Xera felt in the way on the !ridge. 0amae looked strained. Xera didnt want to di$ert necessary manpower, !ut she wanted to get herself and 0amae a chance to recoup. 0amae particularly needed it. "he lightly touched &y$ens slee$e. ,e glanced at her, alert. :.es? :Were underfoot here. +s it safe to go and pack? Well need a few things, and it will hurry us along.; ,e followed her gaze to his sisters strained face. :+ see. #et me check the security scans.; ,e looked o$er the sur$eillance data and sweeper reports. :.ou may go. .our !odyguards will go with you. And, "hiza...?; ,e looked inAuiringly at his friend. :Bf course. +ll stay in contact as + transport them.; "hiza touched his communicator as a gesture. &y$en looked su!tly relie$ed. :7hank you.; ,e !rushed Xeras hand. :+ll say good!ye !efore you lea$e.; "he nodded, eyes downcast as she pressed his hand. "he longed to hug him, !ut understood his feelings of reser$e. ,e would hold her when they were alone. +t was ner$e=wracking, tra$eling the hallways where >huntat had recently roamed. 0ot all the corpses had !een remo$ed. 7he !odies made grizzly mile markers for the <ourney. "he and 0amae packed lightly. 7he docking $essels didn8t need any extra weight, not with the need to Auickly haul the wounded, and they didn8t want to linger. Xera was done !efore 0amae and went to check on her. "he was pleased to see 0amae su!tly relying on "hiza, allowing him to help her pack a tra$el case. "he was doing her !est to seem serene, !ut it was o!$ious the shocks of the day had taken their toll. ,e was su!tle in his concern and matter=of=fact in its exercise. ,is practicality was a good mask for the glint of worry in his eye. &y$en entered the room <ust as "hiza was sealing 0amaes tra$el case. ,e hugged his sister and murmured assurances, then took Xera in his arms. ,e didnt say anything. Diercely, she returned the hug. R+8ll miss you. +8m glad we8re ali$e.R "he !reathed in his scent. R,urry home.R ,e !reathed deeply, his nose in her hair. RWoman...R ,e shook his head. R"hiza will keep you safe. ,urry home yourself; + want to know you8re away from harm.R ,e would ne$er say, :+ lo$e you; while others looked on. ,e released her. :+ts time.; ,e, "hiza and an armed escort took them down the grim corridors to a crowded transport ship. Xera solemnly clasped hands with &y$en and watched as his father and

sister said good!ye. 7heir !ags were stowed in the we!!ing, and they settled into their seats. 7heir ship was sealed, the docking clamps disengaged. A glance out the porthole showed &y$ens !attleship getting smaller. Xera looked away, una!le to dwell on it. Already she missed him. +t was depressing, the thought of lea$ing him !ehind, !ut she also understood the need/ he didn8t dare to !e worrying a!out his family at a time like this. "he wasnt wild a!out staying exposed out here anyway, not when there was nothing she could do. +nsisting on staying with him now would !e childish, e$en if she felt lost and adrift in his world without him as an anchor. Dunny, she hadnt realized how dependent upon him shed !ecome. %hapter 4L &y$en had little time to think of his wife. With his ship so !adly damaged he had his hands full directing his crew. 7hankfully, "hiza had loaned him extra men to make up for his casualties. "ome of those men he put to making repairs. Bthers went with him to explore the remains of the >huntat craft. ,e was grateful his wife would hear a!out this exploit later; if at all. Women were touchy a!out that kind of thing. 7he reconnaissance had to !e done, howe$er, and he wanted to !e a part of the exploration team that tried to disco$er why the >huntat had !eha$ed so erratically and gotten so deep in "corpio territory. 0one of them wanted a repeat of the situation. 7he second=in=command of the other "corpio !attleship <oined him as he docked his troop transport with the >huntat $essel. "cans showed life forms inside the ship, some of which were humanoid; pro!a!ly some sur$i$ors from the space station. @etting to them would !e a challenge, though. -$en after they forced the docking hatch open, they were faced with !igger challenges. 7he >huntat ship was a series of honeycom!s; layers of phosphorescent orange cells stacked on top of each other, formed around a hollow core. -ach com! led to a warren of tunnels organized in an o!scure way known only to >huntat. "tairs linked the different le$els, !ut there was precious little co$er while they clim!ed them. Any enemy who wanted to take a shot at them would ha$e easy pickings. 7he humanoid readings were all coming from the third le$el; the !rood area. Fouth set in a grim line, &y$en led his troops in. Bddly, they encountered no resistance. Apparently the remaining >huntat were content to guard their Aueen, deep in the center of the ship, their most protected location. ,e almost wished hed had more to shoot when they finally entered the !rood cham!er. "tunned and helpless, a few people lay piled on the floor, awaiting attention. Bthers hadnt !een as lucky. "e$eral had already !een sealed up in !rood cham!ers. 7heyd had no defense when lar$ae had attached to them and !egan to suck their !lood. "ome of the grotesAue worms had attached to legs or engulfed hands. Bthers had chosen stomachs. Bne was sucking greedily on an eye socket. And if &y$en and the others hadnt come, the adult >huntat would ha$e !een feasting on the drained !odies !y suppertime. &y$en swallowed to settle his gorge and ordered those who couldnt !e sa$ed to !e shot, mercy deaths !eing prefera!le to !eing sa$aged. 7he rest of the $ictims were taken

to the transports for e$acuation. Bnly when the last had $anished did they proceed with phase two. 7heir goal was to take the Eueen ali$e for Auestioning. +nterrogating a drone would !e useless, as they were little more than puppets, !ut to succeed they first had to get past the twenty or thirty drones guarding her. 7hey couldnt get a more accurate !ody count, as the room was hea$ily shielded. 7hey shot a spike through the door with a high=powered gun that also was loaded with a special gas to incapacitate the >huntat ner$ous system. &y$en ga$e the signal, and e$eryone mo$ed !ack as a magnetic charge was affixed to the door. "pecially designed to spend its energy in one direction, it emitted a sonic !last that shi$ered the door to hot molten pieces. 7hanks to the ner$e gas, the aliens inside reeled as if they were roaring drunk. A few got off shots, !ut the !attle was hopelessly lop=sided. &y$ens men captured a few and shot the rest. 7he capti$es would !e used for experiments, to de$elop things like the ner$e gas. 7he "corpio had no Aualms on treating these prisoners like animals, either. An eye for an eye, !lood for !lood'. 7he Aueen snarled at them. "he was much larger than the males, with features set in a !roader head. "he had no hands or feet, <ust a worm=like !ody co$ered in rounded, glassy !lue plates. ,er head hoses were harder looking, almost like horns trailing down her neck. "he had no purpose other than to eat and !reed, !ut she was re$ered !y her race. &y$en took satisfaction in knowing that hed <ust killed and captured all of her fa$orite drones and !reeding partners. 7his monster fed on the !odies of his people. 7his Aueen had pro!a!ly eaten hundreds of his kind, for the Aueens were always gi$en the !est food. Dor >huntat, the !est food was always "corpio. ,e turned and casually fired on the slimy green eggs piled next to her. 7here was an explosion and a horrendous stench of !urned goo. 7he Aueen roared. &y$en casually looked at her. :A lo$ely smell, no? + know you can understand me. + want to know why you chose here and now to attack. +f you deny me, + will destroy your eggs one !y one; then + will see to you.; 7he Aueen ga$e a guttural snarl. "he looked !ehind her. &y$ens men all tensed and aimed their guns. Were there more >huntat hiding !ack there? What emerged next was a surprise. A slender young woman appeared from !ehind the Aueen. *nmistaka!ly humanoid, she was as pale as a corpse and dressed all in !urnt yellow. 7he garments !right color made her pallor e$en more ghastly. &y$ens men looked to him for an explanation. ,e had none. >huntat ate people; they didnt let them run loose in the Aueens egg room. 0ot that the girl looked capa!le of running. +f anything, she seemed like to faint at any moment. 0e$ertheless, she parted her lips and said faintly, :7he Aueen says, J+ will not speak the language of food.; &y$ens lip curled, though his disgust was not for the girl. "he did not look "corpio, not with that hair the color of toasted sugar tipped with !lack. "he couldnt !e human, either, unless they came with pointed ears and cat eyes. Where had she come from? :+s that what you are, her food?; he asked.

7he girls eyes were so old, so weary. :+ am of the #eo=Ahni. We are...allies with the >huntat.; 7he pause in her $oice made him wonder. :.et they feed on you.; 7hat had to !e the source of her pallor. ,ed lay odds that the girl was !looded, and often. :+t would seem to make you their sla$es, not their eAuals.; 7he girl was silent. &y$en studied the Aueen. )erhaps he didnt need her after all. :+ ha$e ne$er seen your kind, girl, yet you speak our language. Why?; :We are taught. 7he Aueen does not speak the language of food, though she understands all things. .ou are food.; ,e laughed. :+s that so?; efore she could !link, hed gra!!ed her and pulled her out of the reach of the Aueen, who roared angrily. 7he >huntat monarch started to charge, !ut Auickly drew !ack as laser fire scorched her hide. &y$en thrust the girl at a medic. :(o a med=scan, Auick. + dont want her dying on us.; ,e looked !ack at the angry Aueen. :0ow we will talk; without your mouthpiece this time. .ou ha$e things to tell me.; 7he girl lay in sick!ay, !arely conscious and se$erely anemic. 7he >huntat had installed a shunt in her arm and !led her Auite often, <udging !y her condition. "he was dehydrated, her hair coarse and her heart!eat patchy. 7here was no dou!t theyd sa$ed her life !y taking her from capti$ity. &y$en was fatigued from Auestioning the Aueen. ,er answers had not come easily or without pain, !ut shed told them enough in the end. 7he Aueens had used the #eo=Ahni to study the "corpio, taking a few of them on as sla$es and translators. While ostensi!ly an honor, $ery often those ser$ants ended up as food. 7he >huntat truly couldnt control their appetite, which made &y$en speculate on the condition of the #eo people. ,ad the >huntat tried to !e farmers and found themsel$es unsuited to the task? *na!le to keep from consuming their stock? Whate$er the case, the #eo were !ehind the >huntats recent change in tactics. +t did not !ode well for their relationship. *nfortunately, the only one of the #eo &y$en had met now lay in his sick!ay on the $erge of a coma. 7he doctors were working to replicate her !lood for a transfusion, !ut it was going slowly. ,e could hardly interrogate her in her current state. 7here was no telling what damage may ha$e !een done to her mind, either. +t couldnt ha$e !een easy ser$ing on that ship, watching the Aueen feed on the captured. 7he girl might not !e Auite sane. &eports of similar attacks were now coming in, including one on 7oosuns ship. 7oosun acAuitted himself well, !ut another !attleship was destroyed. 7he captain had self=destructed his ship when it was o!$ious all was lost. *nlike &y$en, hed had no last= minute rescue. %ommunications with se$eral outposts and smaller ships had !een lost. All were in a state of emergency. Already demands had come !ack from the #ord @o$ernors emergency assem!lyto do e$erything possi!le to heal the #eo girl, and now. Durther escort and more doctors were !eing sent to make sure she reached safety. "ur$i$al depended on it. 7he "corpio wanted to know where her homeworld was, fast. ,er people would !e gi$en a chance to talk, to cease hostilities. After that, there would !e no mercy.

>nowing it was useless to wait around sick!ay, &y$en went to see the ships status on repairs. 7he sooner they were patched, the sooner he could get home. Xeras ship had arri$ed on &sik the pre$ious day. "he didnt feel much like company. &y$ens family was grimly focused on news of the >huntats surprise attacks that were now occurring with alarming freAuency. Xera had thought a!out it until her mind !egan to chase round and round, and she was done. "hed gotten #ord Atarus to send a message to her people concerning the new dangers. 7hanks to the new relay station hed agreed to help set up during their talks with the @- and +%, the message wouldnt take as much effort as the initial contact had. "he was grateful/ as long as the two sides maintained a truce, she had a real chance of sending occasional messages to her family. And that !enefit paled in comparison to the importance of informing her people a!out the >huntat threat. "he didnt see how a moon !ase could possi!ly prosper in her intended location now, as she didnt want responsi!ility for innocent people !eing hurt. "he was a little worried a!out the @- heeding the warnings. +f they continued their pattern of sneakiness, they might use the "corpios preoccupation with the >huntat to continue snooping around, may!e e$en on the planet shed !een marooned on. 7hat might make continued communication with her family difficult, for although the "corpio relay station was powerful, it relied on other stations in human space to !ounce her messages home. +f her signal was intentionally interrupted !ecause the @- started a war' "he sighed. "hed mention her concerns to &y$en, !ut that was really all she could do. 7he stress had dri$en her out of her rooms and to explore. "hed sent 0amae on an errand, accepted that she couldnt do the same with her !odyguards and chosen to tune out their silent presence; except when she had to ask directions, of course. ,appily, the guards were $ery like well=trained department store clerks/ they had a gift for showing up only when she needed them; the rest of the time they were remarka!ly uno!trusi$e. As a result, she got to tour the marketplace $irtually carefree. +t was surprising what a low=tech, cheerful place the food market was, with open stalls of $egeta!les lining the main road. Fany eating esta!lishments were <ust a short walk away, and all took full ad$antage of the a!undant supply of fresh fruits and $egeta!les a$aila!le in the market. "he chose one at random and ended up ha$ing a lo$ely meal. 7he waiter, who introduced himself as Apal, listened carefully to her list of allergies and recommended a dish. +t turned out to !e a lo$ely !raised meat in some kind of sa$ory purple sauce. "hed !een so pleased shed let him choose dessert, too, and was rewarded with an incredi!ly light yet crispy cookie filled with a delecta!le cream that oozed out with e$ery !ite. "he grinned at him and licked her fingers; a compliment in the "corpio culinary world. :+ cant wait to tell my family a!out this placeC .our chef is a magician.; ,e !owed slightly. :.ou honor our hum!le esta!lishment, dear lady.; 7here was a twinkle in his eye. "he wondered how often newsworthy guests came in and whether shed start a trend. Afterward she went shopping; &y$en had set her up an impressi$ely stocked !ank account, though she was shy a!out spending anything. "he didnt make a purchase from

the hopeful $endors. %hildren were not gi$en gifts on their !irthdays here. +nstead, a child was expected to gi$e his mother a flower and to prepare a special tea or drink for their father. +f their parents were deceased, that honor was transferred to another near relati$e, such as an aunt or uncle, grandmother or grandfather. Adult children might prepare a special meal. "pouses and friends did not gi$e each other gifts to mark the day.+t was a rather nice custom, !ut she still planned to cele!rate &y$ens !irthday in her own way, with a gift; whene$er it was. "hed ha$e to find out the date. ,e could adapt to her customs, too. "he wasnt sure what he would like/ a hazard of knowing him for such a short time. "he had seen his collection of weapons 5of course he had one6 !ut she didnt know much a!out "corpio !lades or the like. 7oosun might !e helpful there, might ha$e further suggestions. "he wasnt opposed to going with a simple gift, either. 7here might !e a fa$orite dish she could learn to prepare, or she could gi$e him a massage. "he smiled, considering what fun that might !e. +f only he would returnC "hed !een thinking and walking, and her feet had taken her to the front of an ela!orate !uilding made of polished !lack tiles. "il$er=tiled steps led up to an impressi$ely car$ed crystal door. :What is this?; she asked her escort. :An art museum. "ome of the #ady 7esslas paintings are displayed here.; :&eally?; she asked with interest. Bf course she had to check it out. 7here was nothing like !eing related to a famous artist, after all. "he paid the admission for herself and her escort, and entered the museum. 7he place was huge, and set up as a !ox within a !ox, so there was plenty to see. "hed gotten a!out a third of the way through and was admiring a sculpture of a creature so alien, she wasnt sure if it was real or a fantasy of the artists mind, when a harsh laugh caught her attention. ,er !odyguards closed rank !efore she could e$en identify the origin of the mockery. :#ea$e and you will not !e hurt,; said Xtal, her chief of security. :7his is a pu!lic place,; a !roken, harsh $oice insisted. :And + ha$e something to say to the woman.; %urious, Xera tried to see around her !odyguards, !ut was stymied !y their tall frames. Where did &y$en find these guys? "hed swear half of them were a hand o$er six feet. "ighing, she gently touched the !iceps of the two in front and pushed slightly. :7wo inches, please, guys.; "he was reluctantly accorded six. Xtal explained tersely, :7his is #ady 0amaes ex= hus!and, my lady. .our hus!and would not appro$e of your speaking to him.; And no wonder. 7he man !efore her was a wreck. ,is face appeared !attered, one cheek!one sunken deeper than the other. ,is nose had !een !adly !roken and healed with a twist that suggested sinus pro!lems. +t had !een slit !etween the nostrils, too, and the upper lip !ore a wide scar in the middle. ,e had a collar=like de$ice on his neck that allowed him to speak and !reathe, <udging from the grill in front. When he spoke, his lips didnt mo$e. ,e opened his mouth and showed her his forked tongue. :.our hus!ands !rand of <ustice, lady.; "he !linked. *yven had done this? When hed spoken of !reaking 7o$ark, it had sounded political. 0ow she saw it had !een physical, too. "he wondered if hed !een trying to spare her the gruesome details. "he knew he wasnt a man to !oast a!out things

like this. "he also knew he was ruthless enough to exact this kind of re$enge, !ut she couldnt imagine the kind of !eating it would ha$e taken to cause such lasting damage. ,er stomach clenched as she tried, and failed, to $isualize herself deli$ering such punishment. 7he knife work alone'she suppressed a shi$er What 7o$ark had done was !ad, !ut did he deser$e this kind of punishment? "he had no good answer. "he spoke coolly to 7o$ark, knowing this was no time for pity. :7hen you are unwise to speak to me. ,e may wish to finish the <o!.; 7he man !linked. )erhaps he hadnt expected such a reply. :+ wish to speak to you alone,; he suggested. :A!solutely not,; she said without hesitation. -$en if shed !een inclined 5and she was decidedly not6 her !odyguards would ne$er permit such foolishness. 7hey werent the kind of pansies to !e talked into whims that compromised security. Bne look at 7o$ark would remind them of the follies of displeasing their lord. 0ot that &y$en would do such a thing to his own men'. :A pity,; 7o$ark said. :+ had heard you were forced to !ecome his !ride. 7hat cannot sit well with you.; "he raised her !rows at his strategy. ,e really thought he could create fellow feeling in her? :.ou !elie$ed + would !ecome your ally?; "he shook her head at his folly. :.ou o$erreach yourself. + dont appro$e of what happened to 0amae, either.; ,is face twisted. :"he was a whoring little'.; ,is speech was ended a!ruptly; Xtal had stepped forward and flattened him with one strike. 7he security man now stared down at his unconscious $ictim and grunted in disgust. :%ome, lady. (ou!tless you wish to retire now.; +t was an accurate statement, and something of a command. linking at the speed with which hed defended 0amae, and with which he would ha$e defended her as well, Xera let him escort her away. "corpio !odyguards didnt put up with much, apparently. "he asked him a!out it. Xtal glanced !riefly at her. :+m charged with defending all that my lord holds dear. 7hat includes you and his family. 7his is what he would ha$e done if anyone spoke in such a manner in his presence.; "he thought a!out that and decided she liked the sentiment, e$en if it had !een a !it rough and ready. :7hats heartwarming, Xtal. 7hank you.; "he thought he colored a little, though he stoically a$oided her gaze. 7o tease him, she added, :+ll ha$e to tell your !oss he chose well.; 0ow the man was definitely !lushing. "he so!ered, thinking of &y$en. ,ed sent her nightly communiAuSs, and sometimes o$er the past few days hed had the time to esta!lish a real=time link and exchange a few words. 7he situation didnt permit much more, !ut at least she knew he was thinking of her. "hed send him an electronic message, tell him a!out her day, commend Xtal and ask him a!out 7o$ark. ,ed !e !ound to ha$e something to say a!out all that. 7he odds were good hed call in person. "miling, she started composing the message in her head. 0amae was horrified when she heard that Xera had eaten at a pu!lic place without her hus!and or family. Apparently it was considered extremely !old, though common women did it all the time.

:Why?; Xera asked mildly. :Fy family owned a ta$ern, remem!er? And se$eral inns.; 0amae scowled. :.oure not on your world. )eople will think youre too daring to !e ladylike if you do that here.; Xera shrugged. :7hen +ll ha$e to !e on my !est !eha$ior the rest of the time. Fay!e theyll come to think of me as merely eccentric. Alien, you know?; 0amae actually rolled her eyes hea$enward and mouthed a prayer. Xera smiled, picturing &y$ens face when he saw this recording. "he had !een in the middle of her message when 0amae entered, and had left the recorder going. 0amae didnt know. 7hough she was taking the girls words into consideration, she couldnt help pro$oking her hus!ands sister. :Fy !odyguards didnt say anything.; :Bf course notC +ts not their place to correct their lady.; :,m. Well, no harm done. +ll try to ha$e you along in the future; if you ha$e time to spare. "hiza seems determined to ha$e you to himself.; 0amae !lushed. :,e asked my opinion on choosing a gift for my !rother, if you must know. 7oosuns first successful $oyage as a commander of a starship must !e cele!rated. We are $ery proud of him.; Xera smiled to herself. :"o he took you and #ady 7essla shopping? ,ow strange. Fost men would rather cut off their right hand than su!<ect themsel$es to that.; 0amae ga$e her a droll look that would ha$e !een out of character !efore last week. :Fay!e his foster mother is pestering him to marry again. +f he appears to !e courting an eligi!le woman, she relents for a time.; Xera clapped in delight. :.ou <ust called yourself an eligi!le womanC +m impressed. Fy work here is done.; 0amae merely sniffed. :"ince youre settled, + ha$e some things to do. @ood e$ening to you.; :And to you,; Xera called fondly at 0amaes retreating !ack. "he let herself smile for a moment and then returned to reporting on her day. 0amae didnt ha$e to hear the serious parts. #ess than an hour later, &y$en called. ,e glowered at her. :.ou shouldnt ha$e spoken to him.; Xera sighed. "hed !een sampling a glass of excellent spirits and felt relaxed. :Fy lo$e. ,a$e + told you how handsome you are?; :+ will not !e distracted,; he said, though he $isi!ly mellowed. :At least Xtal kept the inter$iew short.; :+d hardly call it an inter$iew. ,ea$en only knows what 0amae saw in the man.; 7here was a short silence. :.ou certainly left your mark on him.; &y$en studied her. :7he slit nose and forked tongue is a mark of disgrace. 7he rest was retri!ution.; :+ see. +ll ha$e to a$oid making you angry, then.; ,is frown darkened. :.ou could do nothing, nothin , to earn that kind of punishment. %onsider what the man did.; "he did, and sighed. Fay!e there was more to the story she didnt know. Asking 0amae was out of the Auestion, and she knew her hus!and didnt ha$e time for a long discussion. 7here were other people she could ask. Dor now, she said, :+ understand. + suppose +m more sAueamish than you are.;

,e relaxed a fraction. :.ou are a woman. 7hats to !e expected.; "he choked slightly. :7hose are fighting words, !uddyC; 7hat made him smirk. :7hen +m lucky you are sAueamish, arent +?; "he opened her mouth then shut it. "ometimes a hasty reply was the wrong approach. +nstead she said mildly, :"o, tell me a!out the #eo girl. (id she tell you anything today?; &y$en looked frustrated. :"he stares at us $acantly, as if shes mind=damaged. +f she is faking, it is an excellent ploy. + cant stomach it for long.; Xera looked at him sideways. :+s she pretty?; ,is mouth dropped open a fraction. :Are you <ealous at a time like this? "he is pale and...limp. + could ne$er desire such a; are you laughing?; "he smirked, amused and pleased that theyd de$eloped such a comforta!le rapport so easily. :"orry. +m <ust missing you. +ll try to tease you a!out something else.; :)lease.; ,e paused and seemed to reorder his thoughts. :7he repairs are going well. We should return in the next hand of days.; "he perked up. :&eally? 7hats greatC + cant wait to see you, and all <oking aside, +d really like to meet that alien girl.; :Well see. + ha$e to go. >eep yourself well. +m looking forward to seeing you, too.; 7he heated look in his eyes told her how much. ,e closed the connection. "he !linked at his a!ruptness. Well, what had she expected? ,e wasnt going to get sentimental o$er a communication line, as it were. "hed <ust ha$e to coax his feelings out of him in person'though she did feel a dash inpatient with him. Was it really so hard to tell a woman that he cared? 7hat night she had a nightmare a!out the >huntat. "he woke in a sweat and couldnt get !ack to sleep, so she settled for watching entertainment programs and thinking a!out the day. >nowing someone would !e awake, she called her security team. After assuring them she was fine, <ust ha$ing !ad dreams, she reAuested a report on 7o$ark, starting with the time <ust !efore his marriage dissol$ed. +f they were surprised, the men showed no sign. 7hey said it was possi!le and would look into it. "he thanked them and went !ack to watching mo$ies until she fell asleep on the couch. "he staggered !learily through dance class the next morning and spent some time in the flight simulators, grateful that &y$en had forwarded permission. "he was making a tiny !it of progress on the na$igation and weapons systems. "ometimes she wondered if engineers made ships systems complicated on purpose, !ut learning kept her !usy. "he was steadily making her way through the flight manuals. "hed told 0amae a!out her studies, !ut the young woman was uninterested. "hed taken one look at the amount of information there was to learn and winced. :7here are pilots for that sort of thing,; shed said. :What if youre in a shuttle and theres a pro!lem? Wouldnt it !e nice to know what to do?; 0amae frowned at her. :+d do the sensi!le thing and call for help. +t could !e remote= flown to safety for me.; :What if there wasnt time?; Xera persisted. :.ou cant know e$erything,; 0amae had said placidly, and that had !een the end of the con$ersation.

Xera told herself shed !e a!le to talk to the guys she knew a!out it. After all, se$eral them were pilots. "hed ha$e to !e delicate a!out it, though. "urely theyd share &y$ens suspicions a!out her ho!!y, e$en if they were polite a!out it. Fay!e they were right to worry. +n the !ack of her mind, there was still the Auestion of what if. 7he ironic thing was that she truly did lo$e to fly. 7here was a freedom to !e found in the exercise that existed nowhere else. Fay!e &y$en could share that with her someday'if he had enough trust in her. ,e hadnt said anything a!out her <oining the martial arts class. As the lone woman in the group of men, she was often frustrated. 7he guys were reluctant to hurt her and were gentler than they should !e. "he understood their confusion; after all, shed ne$er !e as fast or strong as they were. Drom their point of $iew, she was wasting her time. "hed heard that !efore, and it <ust made her more determined. "he knew when she was right. All she had to do was think of %aptain >han and push harder. 7he guys would adapt in time. Fay!e it had !een thoughts of >han that had prompted &y$en to gi$e her permission. (espite the risks, he wasnt the sort of man to deny a woman the right to defend herself. As the !attle with the >huntat pro$ed, things happened. When shed finished with the simulator for the day, Xtal informed her he had the report shed reAuested. "he tried to suppress a yawn as she cradled a hot cup of tea. *nfortunately, it didnt ha$e Auite the re<u$enating powers of coffee. :,old on to it for me, please. +m not feeling as paranoid as + was in the middle of the night. + think it will keep for a couple more hours. +d hate to ruin a perfectly good nap o$er him.; Xtal actually smiled. :As you wish.; *nfortunately, her plans for a nap were derailed. ,er father=in=law and &y$ens sisters in$ited her to share lunch with them. +t was too early in their relationship for Xera to feel comforta!le a!out not going, so she let 0amae help her dress for the occasion. :Are you well? .ou dont seem rested,; 0amae asked with concern as she !rushed Xeras hair. :)erhaps you should sleep instead.; Xera grunted. :+d pro!a!ly <ust dream a!out the >huntat again.; :BhC + admit +$e had a !ad dream or two since the attack. At least they ha$e faded for me. + find listening to soothing music during my rest to !e helpful. +t keeps me grounded.; :@ood idea, !ut +$e made it this long without nightmares, so may!e last night was an a!erration. Fay!e +ll walk myself through some positi$e $isualizations a!out slaying them. "ometimes that helps.; 0amae seemed taken a!ack. :,ow'interesting. )erhaps you can tell me how thats done as we walk.; Xera was surprised to see "hiza present at the lunch. 7hough he spent most of the time speaking with #ord Atarus a!out manly things, he did take the time to answer the ladies Auestions a!out the recent attacks. When he noticed Xeras unease at the su!<ect, he told the others, :#ets choose another su!<ect than the >huntat. Xera has suffered e$il dreams o$er this and still doesnt look reco$ered.; Xera !linked, surprised !y his perception. :,ow did you know?;

+t was #ord Atarus who answered. :.our security team told &y$en. ,e spoke to us a!out it. Wed !e amiss if we didnt look after you in his place.; "he smiled. :7hats kind of you, !ut dont lea$e the su!<ect for my sake. +m a !ig girl.; +n spite of her words, that line of discussion was closed for the rest of the meal. When her yawns finally !ecame too hard to contain, her amused father=in=law dismissed her. :@o, sleep. )lay some sweet music as you rest; it often !anishes ill dreams.; :7hank you,; Xera said. As if in afterthought, she asked "hiza, :Will you walk me to the door? + need your opinion a!out something.; "he glanced at 0amae and smiled at the girls scowl. +t was fun teasing her, and fine if she thought the con$ersation concerned her. +n a way, it did. "hiza !linked slowly !ut rose from his cushion. :Bf course.; Bnce theyd turned into the entrance hall, she paused. :+ ha$e a Auestion a!out &y$en. + would ha$e asked 0amae, !ut + dont want to upset her.; :A!out 7o$ark?; Xera nodded. "hiza looked gra$e. :.ou should ask your hus!and these things.; "he sighed. :+d lo$e to, !ut hes a little !usy right now. + try not to worry, !ut + cant help it a!out things like this. + dont want any more sleepless nights.; "hiza inclined his head. :What was your Auestion?; Xera looked at the wall while she gathered her thoughts. :When + asked him a!out 7o$ark, &y$en said he !roke him financially and socially. ,e made the whole thing seem $ery !loodless, !ut when + saw 7o$ark yesterday...; "he looked at "hiza. ,e appeared disappro$ing. :.ou think &y$en lied to you?; :+ think he omitted a few details.; 7hey had a silent standoff for a moment. "hiza watched her with crossed arms, as if calculating his answer. :7he social retri!ution was for what 7o$ark did to 0amae. 7he physical punishment concerned what he did to her maid.; Xera felt her stomach clench. :What was that?; ,is look chastened her. :(ou!tless he wished to spare you, !ut it seems too late for that now. 7o$ark couldnt reach 0amae; her family would no longer permit it. +t angered him, so he sought a less well=guarded target. ,e took her maid and sa$aged her instead'. "ince he didnt rape her, he was not sentenced to death, !ut as a mem!er of the family who employed her, &y$en was gi$en permission to execute <ustice, short of maiming and !linding. .ou$e seen the results.; "he took a !reath. :"o &y$en hunted him down and...; :Dought him, though 7o$ark has little skill to !oast of. (id you think he was restrained for &y$ens pleasure? 7hat isnt how we ser$e <ustice.; :+ didnt know what to think, which is why + asked,; Xera said, feeling sick. :7hank you, + understand now. What happened to the maid?; "hiza looked pensi$e. :0amaes family paid for the reco$ery, !ut the girl wanted nothing more to do with ser$ing great houses. "he returned home and e$entually married.; At least there was that. :+ can see why Xtal punched him. *ghC; Xera shook her head as if to dislodge the thought. :Bkay, + need something more pleasant to think a!out, and there was one more thing. When is &y$ens !irthday?;

"hiza looked puzzled !y the Auestion, !ut after a long pause he told her. "he thanked him and said good!ye. Bf course, she wasnt really a!le to shake the story of the maid from her mind so Auickly; that sort of thing took a while to process. +t was !etter knowing the truth than dou!ting her hus!ands restraint, though. "he had enough pro!lems on her plate without adding that. %hapter 4M -ach day, Xera added an entry to a <ournal. "hed found the tome in a shop that sold handmade paper and !ound !ooks. "hed !een charmed !y some flower petal paper and amused !y a selection of scented inks, !ut it was the tooled leather note!ook with creamy, faintly speckled paper that caught her eye. "he hadnt kept a <ournal in years, !ut knew the practice was therapeutic. Diguring she could use a little therapy, she !ought the !ook. 0ow she used it to keep track of her thoughts. +t pro$ided a useful sounding !oard, and she would consult the entries to fill out messages she would send to her sisters. &y$en had told her she could send one message a week, and he was generous at that. 7he cost of pin!eam o$er such distances was prohi!iti$e, to say the least, !ut she was grateful for e$erything she could get. +t was fortunate he was such a wealthy man, and e$en more so that her family could afford the !ill. +t was an expensi$e way to communicate, !ut she certainly felt the money was well spent. "he was starting to settle into a routine; one she knew shed use often, if this separation were usual with &y$ens <o!. "he missed him, !ut also realized that e$en if he were there she couldnt own e$ery minute of his day. "he was thinking of getting a part= time <o!, something that wouldnt interfere with her studies. 7he whole am!assador gig was all good and well, !ut it made for some slow days when the people she was supposed to represent were light years away. "he smiled, thinking ruefully that she was a true working=class girl. "hed landed in the lap of luxury with few demands on her time, and suddenly the idea of owning her own ta$ern and !usting her tail waiting ta!les sounded appealing. 0ot that she really wanted to go !ack to that, specifically; nor did she want to run a staff of maids as she had done. eing in charge had !een an interesting challenge, e$en though shed worked as hard at scru!!ing as any of the others and !een forced to deal with the staff, too. "he wasnt sure what she wanted; she <ust felt restless. Fay!e she needed to own her own !usiness. 7hen again, may!e it was more her sisters and less the inn that she missed. -$en that was changing now, with @em married and reproducing, and randys on=again=off=again relationship. Xera wondered what the status was on that now. "he supposed it didnt really matter; her sisters world was closed to her. +t was <ust that she missed her si!lings, wondered how they were. +t didnt help that she didnt really feel accepted !y &y$ens family. Bh, it had started off well enough, !ut things were hardly ideal. 7he #ord @o$ernor welcomed her, !ut he <ust wanted a wife for his son. 7essla was determined to mold Xera into her idea of a lady, !ecause thats what clan matriarchs did. 0amae was all right, !ut &y$ens other sisters and wider family made her feel excluded. 7hey were polite, !ut they had nothing

in common with Xera. "he had seen a faint look of horror on one ladys face when she said how much she en<oyed martial arts, and another woman had looked at her as if pained and !egun another topic when Xera mentioned how she used to help toss the drunks out of the taproom. 7hey didnt say anything negati$e to her face, !ut shed seen her sisters=in=law exchange speaking looks. 7hey ne$er said anything hurtful, !ut they ne$er warmed up, either. 7heir hus!ands studied Xera as if they didnt know what to make of her. -$erywhere she went she got second glances. "he was different. Alien. &uthlessly she shook off the melancholy. )erhaps it was time to assess what her strengths and skills were, may!e do a little research into "corpio !usiness practices. +t might e$en !e worth her while to take a class or two. +t would gi$e her something to do. "he mentioned as much to &y$en in an electronic letter. ,o, was his one word reply. "he stared in dis!elief at the terse message. What did he mean, no? "he wrote in response, I hope you didn$t mean to sound rude, boy. I$m ivin you the benefit of the doubt, thou h I admit I$m rather annoyed. After some thought, she deleted boy and put in Atarus. "he went on, I thin" I would ma"e a reat business owner, and it would "eep me occupied while you are away on lon trips. -ou$d rather have me busy than mopin about after you, wouldn$t you? "he thought a!out adding more, !ut decided there was no need to rant. ,is reply arri$ed twenty minutes after she sent her message. +t read, -ou$re bored. I will ive you somethin to do. "he huffed. ored? What was he planning to do, ha$e her knit socks? "he wasnt the type of woman who en<oyed sitting at home doing handicrafts. "he was itching to !e producti$e. "hed worked herself into a fine state, in fact, when the door chime sounded. "till scowling, she went to answer. #ady 7essla looked amused. :+ see the !ridal days are o$er. &eady to take the mantle of a real wife, are you?; 0onplussed, Xera stepped aside as the lady swept into the room. :+m frankly grateful youre the industrious sort. 7ry as + might, + could not coax my nieces to assume the role of family hostess. %oercion didnt work any !etter on them than it did on my daughters. "poiled, really. 7oo used to their amusements and pro<ects. Well.; "he looked Xera o$er with almost a$aricious glee. :And here you are, !ored, trained to run a staff and host entertainments, with nothing else to do.; Xera coughed on her astonished amusement. :&y$en contacted you, didnt he?; 7he lady raised a !row. :+f a two sentence note counts as contact. JFy wife is !ored. "hed make a great hostess, wouldnt she? ut naturally, he had to say no more.; :+ see,; Xera said. "ort of. "till, 7esslas enthusiasm was contagious. )erhaps this is what she needed. :What did you ha$e in mind?; What the woman had in mind turned out to !e exhausting. "he was gi$ing a little party for three hundred close family mem!ers and friends. -$erything from the selection of music for the dance, dining arrangements and menu planning would ha$e to !e arranged. Xera would !e reAuired to meet with the head chef, decorators, musicians and florists and help plan the menu. +n addition to that, she was to greet the guests at the door with &y$en, who would !e standing in for his father as was customary at these functions. 7essla declared it would now !e her pri$ilege to <oin her !rother, whom she said had !een allowed to en<oy himself alone for far too long.

:.outh must !e trained to replace experience,; the lady declared. :And one day you will !e experienced and training youth. +ts a $ery tidy circle, you see.; Xera frowned, her head already !uzzing with endless lists of details. :.oure not planning to kick off anytime soon, are you? + mentioned +d !een in charge of cleaning maids, not the whole inn. Fy sister @em could likely do the whole thing without losing sleep !ut'.; 7essla wa$ed her hand. :.ou admit the skill is in your !lood. .ou will adapt.; "he smiled. :.oull ha$e to. We ha$e e$ents of this magnitude at least once a month, with smaller dinners weekly. 0ow that &y$en is married, he can finally set up a proper household and entertain.; Xera sighed. "o, shed !ecome a hostess of what was essentially a rotating dining hall. "he supposed there were worse fates. +t did throw a damper on her plans for a part= time <o!. Apparently !eing married to &y$en was employment in itself. :.our friends will want to reciprocate, too,; continued #ady 7essla. :+ imagine youll find yourself with more in$itations than you can accept. .ou !egin to see why + exercise diligently.; Xera shook her head, smiling. :.oure turning me in a politicians wife.; 7essla smiled in return. :Bnly showing you the path, dear. .ou$e already arri$ed at the door, you see.; "he patted Xeras arm. :.oull !e wonderful. 0ow, a!out this menu....; 7o Xeras surprise, her sisters=in=law pri$ately confided their thanks for taking on their terror of an aunt. When she <ust smiled and said she didnt mind a !it, that it was actually en<oya!le at times, they were e$en more impressed. ,er status rose within the family hierarchy. Drom her point of $iew, she was doing nothing to ad$ance it. ut Xera soon o!ser$ed that those in charge of social acti$ities were greatly respected; pro$ided they did a good <o!, of course. 0o!ody esteemed a miserly or awkward hostess. Xera had ne$er !een shy, howe$er, and understood that adeAuate portion size and an a!undance of good drinks made for good !usiness. +t was the same when planning a party/ treat the guests much like $alued customers, remain formal with staff and rake in the admiration. "he had to !e satisfied with that, since they certainly werent raking in coin. "he was staggered !y the amount of money these functions cost. :+m amazed that youre spending so much on entertainment,; she admitted to 7essla. :,ow does the family keep from going !ankrupt?; 7essla looked surprised then laughed. :,a$e you no idea of your hus!ands income? What has he gi$en you for allowance?; Xera told her and then added, :,es !een generous, and theres no way + can spend it all. + like to go out and shop now and then, !ut + <ust cant see throwing money away on fri$olous stuff all the time. ?alue for dollars and all that. +ts a !usiness class thing,; she finished wryly. 7essla studied her thoughtfully. :7his is not such a !ad thing. +t reAuires no apology. :&egarding the entertainments'my daughter, you$e married into a wealthy house. 7hese gatherings cost no more for us to gi$e than if youd in$ited one or two friends to share your own dinner; perhaps e$en less. Bnce you ha$e !ecome familiar with the process, it takes only a couple of hours to plan. "taff handles the rest, though of course

you must o$ersee their work, for any flaws in the engagements will !e attri!uted to you. Drom conception to the moment you farewell the last guest, all eyes are on you.; Xera nodded. 7hat, too, was <ust like running an inn. +f the staff made a mistake, management took the heat. :As for your concern a!out money, + think it will !e well for your hus!and to sit with you and discuss his finances and !usiness affairs, since you are competent with such things. Fany women are not and could care less where the money comes from, as long as there is plenty of it. e assured that &y$en has an astute financial mind and will not impo$erish his household. :As for your allowance, + suggest you learn to en<oy it. +f you dont wish to spend it all on yourself, then use a portion to support charita!le endea$ors. + fa$or those that train the poor in profita!le skills, !ut there are many to choose from.; #ady 7essla smiled and sAueezed Xeras hand. :.ours is a new life, !ut it can !e rich and full. 7hat is what + want for you.; "he patted Xeras hand and leaned !ack. : esides, it will !enefit &y$en if you are happy, and + do like my family taken care of.; Xera laughed, touched !y 7esslas concern. :+$e noticed.; "he was silent for a moment as she considered whether shed en<oy the role 7essla offered. At length she decided to gi$e it a fair trial. While it wasnt the life shed thought shed lead when shed left home to start her career with the @-, it had its challenges. +f she tried it and didnt like it, she could always find something more interesting to do. esides, the things shed learn in this role were !ound to help when she put on her am!assador hat'when there were actually humans to represent, that was. "he frowned. 7here had !een no pin!eams from the @- or +% for her. ,ad &y$en known how little shed !e called on to do her <o!? "he remem!ered his comment a!out her mo$ing into an :ad$isory position; and wondered. At the time shed had other things on her mind and thought hed meant one day in the future, !ut perhaps shed misunderstood. ,ad he known all along, e$en from the !eginning, how little shed !e called on to perform her duties? ut that made no sense. Why would he ha$e wanted the position for her, if that were the case? 7hey were going to ha$e to talk a!out it $ery soon, !ut it would ha$e to wait until he got home. 7his was not the sort of con$ersation she wanted to ha$e o$er email. "he dreamt of autumn. #ea$es fell all around. right and !eautiful shades of !ronze and gold, they e$aded her fingers and fluttered to the ground, forming a soft carpet under the trees. Xera spun with delight and fell into a pile. 7he lea$es felt as soft as thistle down. "he was not alone. 7he sun !linded her to the man a!o$e, !ut she knew his $oice. &y$en had come home. ,is lips caressed her neck and praised her softly scented skin. ,is fingers slid into her hair, en<oying the silk of it. ,is !ody settled o$er hers'. "he awoke with a start, and froze. 7here was a man in !ed with her. :&y$en?; she whispered, spooked. ,e laughed, his !reath a soft puff against her mouth. :(id you think they would let anyone else in?; "he pushed him !ack so she could !reathe. "he sat up. :.ou scared meC; :+m sorry,; he murmured, and stroked her !ack. :+ meant to surprise you.; :.ou did. +m not used to men crawling into my !ed at all hours.;

,is $oice held a smile. :"aints !e praised for that.; ,e reached o$er and turned on the !edside light. :+s that !etter?; "he let out a sigh, surprised at how tense she was. :.es, thanks.; 7he reality of his presence hit her. :.oure really homeC; ,e smiled. :.es.; "he laughed. :Well, then'; "he tackled him. ,e went down easily, a willing $ictim, and laughed at his surrender. &y$en glanced ruefully o$er his shoulder the next morning as he was getting dressed. ,is first attempt at rising hadnt !een successful; theyd ended up !ack in !ed !efore hed had his shirt fastened. 0ot that he minded; his wife had a delightful way of making a man feel welcome. 7hey had !usiness to attend this morning, howe$er. As soon as Xera was up and dressed, he led her into the next room to eat !reakfast. After she had caught him up on the family doings, he ga$e her an o$er$iew of their finances. And his aunt had !een right; he should ha$e done so sooner. Xera seemed amazed and reassured !y what she learned. ,e hadnt realized what a source of concern it had !een for her until he saw her shoulders relax. ,e was also pleasantly surprised !y her astute Auestions. ,er intelligence was pleasing'!ut he was not as thrilled when she mentioned running a !usiness again. :Why would you want that? We dont lack for money, and my aunt has ensured you ha$e plenty to do.; "he studied him. :Arranging a couple of parties a month is hardly a drain on my time. +m used to doing a lot of work, &y$en. +$e got a lot of energy.; ,e scowled. :7ell that to my sisters. Dor years they$e complained that the !urden would crush them.; Xera shrugged. :7hey <ust dont ha$e the knack, is all. +ts not that different from running an inn. .ou <ust ha$e a different customer !ase.; ,e stared at her. :.ou$e forgotten what will happen when we ha$e children. &aising them properly is $ery time consuming. + wont ha$e them !rought up !y ser$ants.; "he considered that. :7hey could always go into the family !usiness when theyre old enough. + was helping in the kitchen when + was fi$e. +t !uilds work ethic.; 7hose !rimstone eyes of his heated ominously. :+ wont ha$e my child working like a ser$ant.; :0ot like a ser$ant; like a mem!er of the family.; ,e took a !reath, calming himself. :+ understand your point of $iew on this. + know you were raised to see things differently. + also know we are not relocating to apartments a!o$e a !usiness so that you can spend your waking hours directing it.; ,e watched her !link, saw the frown start !etween her eyes. :As interested as + am in your happiness, you will ha$e to find another way to pursue your interests. + am not an innkeeper. + command a starship and am a no!le. Fy father is the #ord @o$ernor of &sik.; And that was that. Xera pursed her lips and willed herself not to comment on her hus!ands haughtiness. +t was an integral part of him, and unlikely to !e cured in a morning, if e$er. esides, he was unwittingly playing into the real argument she had coming. +t would !e interesting to see how he acted when she !rought up the am!assador thing. "he could !e de$ious when necessary. "he took a !reath herself. :Bkay. 0o low!row esta!lishment for you. (o you

ha$e a more genteel option in mind?;,e looked off to the side as if searching for patience. :#et me share with you my dream of family, instead. + had en$isioned myself coming home from work to find my family content and happy to see me. + work hard so that my wife can spend her time making our home pleasant and seeing that our children are raised right. + ha$e no o!<ection to her ha$ing ho!!ies, !ut + dont want to see her so consumed that she has nothing left for her family. + would hope to see her put her family first, yet find a way to fulfill her own needs as well. + cant see how running a !usiness would lea$e room for this.; ,e looked up, clearly watching how she reacted. "he considered him. :(o you feel the same a!out my am!assadorial duties? After all, you arranged for me to ha$e them. Went to a great deal of trou!le, in fact.; :7hey were not intended to last longer than our wedding,; &y$en said, frustrated, then froze as he realized what hed re$ealed. 7oo late. "he pounced on his words. :Bf course, !eing an am!assador is a highly respecta!le and genteel occupation. +f only it took up more of my day, +m sure + could !e content.; When he remained mute, she added sweetly, :Bf course, it would help if the +% and @- would communicate a !it more often. 7here ha$ent !een any pin!eams from them, ha$e there?; ,e studied her a long moment, his expression a mix of frustration and stu!!ornness. At last he admitted, :As + said, your duties were not arranged for the purpose of supplying you with an occupation. + could not wed you if your rank was not closer to my own.; 7his was interesting. "he digested that, then said slowly, :#et me see if + understand what youre saying. .ou planned to marry me all along, and went to a great deal of trou!le to make it happen. Why? What was + to you !ut an alien?; ,e refused to answer, simply tapped one hand on the ta!le in silent aggra$ation. "he could hardly contain her glee. ,e might not admit it, !ut he was neatly trapped. Gust to torment him, she said, :Well, now that + am an am!assador, + find + like it. + would like to see any communication from the @- and +%, please. + cant do my <o! if +m not informed.; ,e was silent for a time. Dinally he said, :,a$e you e$er run an estate?; "he cocked her head, wondering at his change of su!<ect . :Fy sister has one, !ut + dont know much a!out it. + dont see what this has to do with our discussion.; ,e nodded. :We ha$e one with se$eral dozen tenants. Fany of them grow produce for the fresh market/ flowers, spices, fruit. A few of them produce li$estock or farm crafts. (o you know how to <udge superior produce?; "he frowned. :Are you really that desperate to change the su!<ect?; :.ou didnt answer my Auestion,; he said doggedly. +t was clear he was determined to ignore anything he had no wish to discuss. ,ow annoying. Well, she could circle !ack to her point later. "he, too, could !e stu!!orn. Gust to show that she, at least, was cooperati$e, she said, :+ didnt work in the kitchen much, !ut sure, + could tell good stuff from !ad. We couldnt accept goods from !ad $endors.; :-xcellent. And your knowledge of farming?; "he looked at him suspiciously. :+ ha$e none. Are you suggesting + might want to' what? B$ersee this !usiness? + dont see how +ll ha$e time. An am!assador is a !usy

women'when shes allowed to read her mail.; "hed thought a!out it after her talk with 7essla and decided there must ha$e !een communication !etween the two groups. +f nothing else, the +% would !e $ery curious a!out the "corpio. When word got out, the people !ack home would want to know e$erything they could a!out the :mysterious; race. "hed tell them for nothing that they were uncommonly stu!!orn. ,e reached for a piece of fruit from the display on the ta!le and toyed with it . :.ou wanted to !e producti$e.; "he could only !ang her head against a !rick wall for so long without de$eloping a headache. +f he thought they were done, howe$er, he was dead wrong. "hed gi$e ground now and come !ack at him when he didnt expect it. +t was easier than keeping track of two con$ersations. :Who runs it now?; :+ ha$e a manager. .ou can train with him, and with myself when + ha$e time.; :+t doesnt sound like something +m going to en<oy for long, and + get grouchy when +m !ored. .ou might li$e to regret this.; &y$en raised a !row. :7hen you agree?; "he snorted. :.ou are so manipulati$e.; :7hen its settled. +$e already had a shuttle prepared for us. Well lea$e to tour the estate immediately.; ,e looked pleased. ,er eyes narrowed. :.ou had this all planned?; @ranted, it was !efore shed !rought up her arguments, !ut as a distraction, it worked in his fa$or. ,e shrugged a shoulder. :+ts traditional for wi$es to ha$e a hand in running family estates. Burs has !een part of the family for six generations. .oull !e carrying on a legacy.; ,e offered her an apologetic look. :+ hadnt mentioned it !efore !ecause + wanted you to !e more settled !efore we discussed such things. We$e had an uncon$entional courtship.; &y$en, apologetic? *nlikely. ,e was <ust trying to soften her. "he was tempted to argue <ust !ecause her !lood was up. +t annoyed her that hed outmaneu$ered her. 7here was nothing she could say, howe$er, so she forced a toothy smile. :@reat.; ,owe$er annoyed she was with his stu!!ornness, she liked his plan to take a scenic flight in his personal aircraft !efore heading for the estate. "he hadnt known he had a personal aircraft, let alone one with comforta!le seats and plenty of legroom. +t came eAuipped with a small galley, la$atory and !edroom. :0ice,; she told him. :%an + fly it?; ,e smiled ruefully. :+ knew you would ask.Bf course you may, since +ll !e here to act as your flight instructor. +$e heard some encouraging things a!out your simulator training. +m eager to see you in action.; 7he flight went as smooth as Xera could ha$e hoped, and &y$en soon relaxed with her at the controls. 7hey tra$eled at a leisurely speed so she could admire the snow= co$ered mountains and expanses of farmland !etween towns. After theyd tra$eled for nearly an hour, he took o$er and piloted them down to a neatly terraced hill farm. A generously proportioned !ut welcoming mansion of !rown stone trimmed in white granite occupied the side of a gentle southern slope. 7hey landed on a pri$ate shuttle pad and &y$en shut down the engines. :Welcome home.; Xera !linked at him. :,ome? + thought that was your palace.; &y$en shook his head. :0ot really. )ut your glo$es on. + want to show you the grounds first.;

,e was <ustly proud of the place, she thought as she walked the freshly sho$eled pathways and admired the snow=cloaked gardens and stone walls. 7here was e$en a fountain close to the house that was flanked !y !ackless !enches. A current kept the shallow water ice free for the !right fish that darted through it. #a$ender snow might co$er the hedges and orchards, !ut Xera could see the !ones of $ery lo$ely garden. 7he setting was tranAuil, far different from the hustle and !ustle of palace life. "he could see why such a place would appeal to &y$en, !ut.... :7hats an odd smile,; he commented as they walked arm in arm. Apparently a pri$ate garden didnt forestall that kind of touching. "he was still learning what was considered appropriate and when it was okay to !end the rules. :Bf all the places +$e seen you, this is the first time you... Well, +d <ust ne$er ha$e imagined you on a farm.; ,e smiled. :7heres more to me than war. %ome and see the house, and youll see how much.; 7he entryway had a !ench to one side for remo$ing winter !oots, and a walk=in closet to the side for their coats. Xera was pleasantly surprised to find slippers waiting in her size. "he sent &y$en a Auestioning look. :+ had the caretaker prepare the place for us,; he said. "he glanced around at the gleaming staircase in front of them, then at the hallways leading left and right. "he chose to in$estigate the li$ing room first. A copper=tiled fireplace warmed the far wall, and she thought the picture o$er the mantel looked like one of 7esslas. 7he floors were tiled in earth tones, and the walls were a lo$ely shade of cream. "ome of the sitting pillows were made of animal hide with large !lack and white patches. Bthers were !rown leather em!roidered with gold thread. 7he accessories were tasteful and elegant. +t looked like the work of a professional decorator and pro!a!ly was. :0ice,; she said. 7he room on the other side of the hallway was a dining area with a $iew of the kitchen. 7here were more floor pillows here, and the a!sent cook had thoughtfully left the ta!le set for two. A pair of co$ered dishes and a plate of sweet dumplings sat on the ta!le. :+m impressed,; Xera said when they sat down and pulled the co$ers off the pots. :7heyre still steaming.; &y$en smiled. :7iming is e$erything.; "he smiled in return and accepted a ser$ing of rich $egeta!le soup. "he didnt know how it was done, !ut shed ne$er had a !roth that was so incredi!ly rich and satisfying, without a trace of cream. "he was a!out to ask if &y$en knew how it was prepared when she caught him looking at her expectantly. :What? +ts $ery good, if thats what youre wondering.; ,e grimaced. :+m trying to !e patient, !ut youre making it difficult.; :A!out what?; she asked, all at sea. ,e seemed a!out to speak, then sighed and asked, :,ow do you like the house?; Was that all he wanted? ,is look had seemed to ask more. "he said slowly, :Well, its !eautiful, of course. + ha$ent seen all of it, !ut if the rest of it looks like this, +ll lo$e it. (id you think + wouldnt?; :0o.; ,e shut his mouth firmly and applied himself to his soup. Wondering what had gotten into him, she finished her !roth and the spiced $egeta!les in the other dish. "he was hungryC Fust !e the winter air. A gusty sigh !lew o$er her as

she was reaching for a second dumpling. 7hey were filled with a delightful !rown cheese with a crunchy texture. 7he filling practically danced in her mouth, and she was reluctant to take her attention from it. "he shot her hus!and an inAuiring look. :What are you waiting for?; he asked. What? 7his was starting to !ug her. Why couldnt he <ust speak his mind? :What do you mean?; she snapped. ,e looked exasperated. :7he !a!yC + thought youd tell me !y now.; :What !a!y? + ha$ent !een around any !a!ies lately.; "he thought a!out his family, his nephews and nieces. All of them were well out of diapers. :+s one of your sisters pregnant again? 0o!ody told me.; ,e stared hard at her, then !linked. :.ou dont know.; :>now what? What are you...?; "he trailed off as a thought came o$er her. :Wait a minute. .ou dont think +m....; "he laughed, !ut her humor was short=li$ed. 7he expression on his face was too serious. 7he hairs on her neck stood straight up. :0ot funny, &y$en.; ,is eyes mo$ed to her middle and lingered. +t was almost as if he could see'. +t hit her/ :.ou can see in infrared. ut'there should !e nothing to see yet. +=+ mean, theres nothing to see. + ha$ent e$en felt anything.; "he was stammering, his intent expression throwing her off. "he frantically reworked her mental math, calculating dates. ,er !irth control must ha$e worn off. Well, it was a good product, !ut not infalli!le. "till':#ook, + would know if something was up, okay?; :Apparently not.; ,e sat !ack, his eyes !eginning to heat with amusement. :+ thought you were only teasing me !y not saying anything.; "he took a deep !reath. :Bnly a doctor would know this early in the game. + cant !e pregnantC; "he realized shed !een depending on the supposed differences in their physiology to keep her from !ecoming pregnant; it had allowed her to nod and smile when hed talked of family planning. Apparently there werent any of significance in the matter of fertility. 7hats what she got for making assumptions. :.ou are. + can see the color markers. + noticed it this morning, !ut all you wanted to do was argue. Why do you think + was so $exed?; : ecause youre a'; "he !it off her retort and stood up. 7his was horri!le newsC "he wasnt ready for something like this. "he felt trapped, confused. ,e stood also. :.ou dont like it?; ,er angry arm gesture was meant to con$ey extreme agitation. :0o, + dont like itC + dont like these sorts of surprises. +m not ready to !e a mother.; :We talked a!out this.; ,is expression was stern, a touch cold. :.ou mentioned it. + ne$er agreed,; she said $ehemently. :(o + look like a mother to you? (o you look like a father?; ,er throat closed up as she saw him flinch. Whate$er she felt, it wasnt the need to hurt him. :7hat wasnt fair. +m sure youd make a great father. +ts <ust...+m not....; "he turned away, una!le to explain what she felt, not to him. "he was trapped. +f she was ha$ing his !a!y, then she was truly trapped. ,ad he known that? "he felt &y$en settle a hand on her shoulder. ,e couldnt miss her tension, !ut she didnt want to relax <ust to spare his feelings. :+m sorry,; he said sincerely. :+f +d known what a shock it would !e to you, we could ha$e taken more care.;

"he drew a ragged !reath. :+ts my fault; + assumed + had it co$ered.; :.oure not alone,; he murmured. ,e waited, his touch drawing away her resistance. -$entually, she turned and !uried her face in his chest. ut her hands rested on his stomach, ready to push him away. :+m so not ready for this. 7his happened too fast.; eing cut off from her family, the crash, him. Fay!e shed ne$er really dealt with all of it, had !een too !usy sur$i$ing. Dunny, how a thing like a !a!y could shatter all the walls. A wa$e of panic rose up and threatened to engulf her. : reathe,; he commanded, taking her face in his hands. :Xera, listen to me. reatheC; "he tried to o!ey, !ut it was a struggle. "hed ne$er hyper$entilated !efore. ,e muttered something, then carried her into the li$ing area and settled them on a floor cushion. : reathe,; he coached her, and !egan to massage her feet. :What are you doing?; she demanded, and tried to <erk her foot away. :@i$ing your mind something to focus on.; +t was weird, !ut it worked. +n a few minutes, her !reathing was mostly !ack to normal. "he !egan to feel tired. Worse, she !egan to cry. &y$en instantly stopped ru!!ing her feet and mo$ed up to hold her. :-asy, wife. ,ush.; ,e held her while she !lu!!ered and !a!!led, then rose to fetch her some tissues. When the storm finally calmed, he stroked her hair. :"ome !etter?; :0o,; she groused, though she did feel somewhat impro$ed. :+ hate that + cried.; ,e thought a!out that. :+ understand thats not a!normal.; "he sniffed. :+f you tell me that pregnant women cry all the time +ll ha$e to hit you.; ,e laughed. :,a$e mercyC +d ha$e to let you win.; "he growled. :+td ser$e you right if + had triplets.; 7here was a pause. :+s that a possi!ility?; ,e had the ner$e to sound eager. :+ dou!t it. Bh, + hope notC; 7he idea of !a!ies in triplicate was daunting. "he had an appalling $ision of herself as large as a shuttle. :(o you know how helpless pregnant women are? +ll look like + swallowed a moonC; ,e sat up and took her !y the shoulders. "ternly, he said, :Fy wife will look regal and lo$ely carrying my children. + will not accept you holding any !ackward !eliefs a!out this. +ts a proud moment in a mans life. +ll !e pleased to see you change with the life thats within you.; Xera took a !reath. 0o, she couldnt take this mans child away, and couldnt talk a!out her feelings. -$en if hed trapped her on purpose, she couldnt hurt him, not a!out this. :%hange scares me.; ,e kissed her. :%hange !rought me you.; %hapter 4O 7hey didnt go home that night. &y$en let Xera nap. ,e woke her <ust !efore dinner to show her the rest of the house. ,e distracted her with a !oard game and <oined her for a hot !ath when she !egan to yawn. Fost importantly, he didnt try to make lo$e to her that night, sensing that what she needed was to !e held. When they woke in the morning, he was $ery gentle in his lo$emaking, careful that it held the reassurance she cra$ed.

+t was different, seeing her so $ulnera!le. After e$erything shed !een through, he wouldnt ha$e thought it would !e the news of her impending motherhood that would !ring her low. Women were strange creatures, he mused as he escorted her !ack to the shuttle. "ometimes he thought his was stranger than most. "till, he liked her. +t was a no$el sensation, !eing friends with a woman who wasnt a relati$e. +t was especially refreshing ha$ing that relationship with a wife. ,e grinned, thinking of his children to !e. ,e made sure Xera wasnt looking. +t wouldnt do to ha$e her catch him at it when she was feeling so low; shed pro!a!ly try to damage him. ut, why shouldnt he !e happy? 7his moment had !een a long time coming. ,e needed to find a sufficiently distracting matter for Xera. "he didnt need to !e !rooding a!out this, and he suspected shed !ecome used to it in time. With luck, shed soon take her situation in stride and treat it with her accustomed practicality. Bf course, he would ne$er admit that he knew pregnancy would ho!!le her. As happy as he was a!out the !a!y, he was e$en happier to know that his wife was now welded to him. "he missed her family, yes, !ut there was nothing like carrying a child to create stronger ties. ,ed seen it many times !efore. ,e understood Xera well enough to know it would !e the same with her. And he was fiercely glad. ,er strong will had gi$en him pause in the early days, when he had first !egan to desire her, until hed realized that will would pro!a!ly !e inherited !y any children they might ha$e. +t had pleased him enough that hed decided it would !e worth it to ha$e a wife who was a !it !eyond his control. "he was the only woman who had e$er made him happy, and thats all he really wanted in a wife. 0ot that he would tell her now. ,e wasnt ready to gi$e up that final !it of reser$e, not until he was certain she would stay with him, e$en if gi$en the chance to lea$e. "ince he wouldnt willing pro$ide that chance'the words would ha$e to wait. ,e kept his thoughts hidden !ehind a pleasant manner. :We should send a message to your family. Bur first child is news worth passing on.; "he looked at him with interest for a moment then settled !ack into her funk. :.es. 7hat would !e good.; "he looked a little less gloomy than !efore. 7hat wasnt good enough. (etermined to lift his wifes spirits, he told her in more detail a!out taking o$er the >huntat Aueens ship, lea$ing out the goriest parts. ut she was most interested the #eo=Ahni, whom had !een !rought !ack into her thoughts. :Where is she now?; :+d forgotten. + had other things on my mind; most nota!ly, my wife.; Xera frowned in irritation, which &y$en still felt was an infinite impro$ement o$er moping. :(idnt you think + would feel for the girl? Were exactly alikeC; "urprised, he said, :.oure not e$en of the same raceC .oure married; shes not. .ou$e got rank and family and'.; :Bnly latelyC; Xera interrupted. :Were !oth translators who$e had sticky assignments; why are you frowning? .ou try translating for a !unch of hostile aliensC "hes lost and alone. + was like that for a little while. Fay!e + can help her.; :+ dont want you anywhere near her. "he was on the same ship as the >huntat, helping them.; ,is face darkened. :Fen died !ecause of her.; :"he didnt ha$e a choice, though, right? "he was stuck. ,as she said anything new?;

7his was sore spot. ,is crew had managed to speed the girl toward healing, !ut her mind was another matter. "he !arely ate, still sat in a room and stared !lankly at a wall. "he wouldnt talk to psychiatrists. 7hey were afraid shed try to take her own life, so theyd remo$ed e$erything from her cham!er and watched her carefully. 7here was no progress, which they !adly wanted. :0o. "he doesnt speak. -$eryone who has tried to talk with her gi$es up in frustration.; :Well, were they all guys?; Xera asked. ,e looked at her askance. :Why would it matter?; "he sighed. :7hink of it from her perspecti$e. "trange men, soldiers, keep in$ading her space, demanding answers. "hes already !een trapped in a nightmare, kept isolated, <ust as she is now. Why should she trust you?; ,e considered for a moment. "ome of his wifes comments do$etailed with what the doctors had said. ut, :,ow could you know whats in her mind?; Xera scoffed. :+ ha$e two sisters, dont +? And + keep trying to tell you, I was in her position. All kinds of horri!le things go through your mind when youre trapped like that.; ,er lips tightened as memories o!$iously stirred in her mind. :"he needs to know who the good guys are. + can help.; ,e thought a!out that for Auite a while. Xera glanced at him from time to time, !ut otherwise held her peace. At last he said, :We can try you talking to her.; "he grinned at him. :7hanks.; "he was smart enough not to say anything else until they reached home. 7he girl sat on a mat with her eyes fixed on the wall. ,er caramel=colored hair hung limp to her shoulders, the !lack=tipped ends partly screening her face. 7he tips of pointed ears poked out of her locks, pro$ing she was neither human nor "corpio. ,er lids were half closed o$er dulled, catlike green eyes. "he looked like the sur$i$or of some horrific e$ent. Xera didnt try to talk to her at first; she <ust plopped down cross=legged in the girls line of sight and !egan a staring contest. +t was a full minute !efore the girls eyes !egan to focus, as if she had to pull out of a deep, dark trance. At first she !linked, clearly surprised. 7hen her eyes widened. :.oure a womanC .rarfique)+! :Well, of course +m a woman. + dont know what a drra=fix is, though. + hope its complimentary,; Xera replied calmly. "hed decided to treat the girl as she would one of her sisters. ,opefully that would !e a good start. :Fy name is Xera.; 7he girl stared for a moment then spat out a rapid stream of words. :+m afraid + dont speak anything !ut "corpio. Well, thats not true; + speak a!out half a dozen languages, !ut none youd know. + can curse in nine, !ut +ll spare you a recital.; :Are you trapped here, too?; 7he girl looked around furti$ely, as if she guessed they were !eing watched. :0ot anymore. &y$en rescued me from my crew. + was a translator for a ship that crashed. We were a long way from home and my captain hated me,; Xera said darkly. :Gust like me,; the girl whispered. "he looked !arely younger than Xera chronologically, may!e in her late teens, !ut with her $ulnera!ility she seemed younger.

:.es,; Xera replied. :"ay, +m hungry. Would you mind if + called for something to snack on? What do you like to eat?; 7he girl looked wary. Fay!e she was afraid. "he said, :Dood is strange here. 7hey !ury it with spices that !urn. 7hey put thick liAuids on it that smell strange.; :,uh. + guess e$eryone likes to eat different stuff,; Xera remarked. :What kind of food is !est for you? +d feel rude if + ser$ed you something you didnt like.; "he could see the girl was thin, and she really wanted her to eat. esides, Xera herself was really hungry, thanks to the !a!y. 7he #eo=Ahni looked uncomforta!le. :Dish and meats without...+ dont know the words.; :"auces? ,ow a!out some cooked meat and $egeta!les? Br do you like your $eggies raw?; :What are $eggies? (o you speak of plants? +$e seen no edi!le plants here.; Xera held up a hand. :+ ha$e an idea. @i$e me a minute.; "he went outside the door and asked &y$en, who was watching through a screen, :Da$or, please. %ould you send for some plain cooked food and a platter of raw fruits and $egeta!les? Fay!e some !read and crackers, and that kind of stuff? 7hanks.; :Dine. ut stay on your guard. .oure too relaxed with her.; :"ure,; she said to placate him, and went !ack inside. 7he girl looked wary. :.ou work with them.; :+ am one of them,; Xera admitted, leaning on one hand. :+ married the "corpio who rescued me. When + heard a!out you, + wanted to meet you. + thought we were a little alike.; 7he girls eyes dulled. :Were you forced into ser$ice? (id your family make you a sla$e to the flesh eaters? We are not alike.; A light like hatred !lazed in her eyes. +t was an impro$ement o$er apathy, !ut Xera went on alert. "he didnt want the girl taking any rage out on her. :"o, you were forced to help the >huntat? 7he "corpio fear that your people are allies with them, that you want war.; 7he girls <aw clenched. :7hats not what + want.; Xera waited, !ut she didnt say anything else. :"o, you want to go home?; :0oC; 7he girl sat !olt upright. :(ont send meC 7heyll only make me ser$e again. Bnce a person is marked, they can ne$er go home.; Xera held up her hands, palm out. :Bkay, calm down. +m <ust trying to figure out what you want. + can tell you what the "corpio want/ information. 7hey want to know e$erything they can a!out their enemy, and whate$er they can a!out your people. 7heres a chance for peace if you can work out a compromise.; 7hat wasnt the whole truth, !ut the stark facts werent going to help right now. :,ow did you !ecome allies with the flesh eaters, anyway? 7hey didnt treat you $ery well.; 7he girls lip curled. :We are not allies so much as sla$es, though some people refuse to see it. +n the !eginning there was a treaty; we would gi$e animals, !lood tri!ute, the !odies of our dead and li$ing criminals to the flesh eaters. +n return they would not in$ade us. Bur leaders said this would !uy us time to find a way to destroy them. +nstead it made us weak. -$eryone ga$e !lood each month. Feat !ecame expensi$e, and women especially !ecame anemic. irth rates dropped. )eople !egan to disappear out of

hospitals. )eople died at home rather than risk disappearing. -$en minor crimes !ecame causes to !e handed o$er to the !lood wagons. Bur world is dying, and there are signs that the flesh eaters are !ecoming impatient. 7here are some who think they will attack.; :Are you one of them?; Xera asked gra$ely. :.es,; the girl whispered. : ut our leaders wont listen to reason. 7hey call us re!els.; :+s that why you were sent to work on the >huntat ship?; 7he #eo=Ahnis mouth twisted. :0o. "omeone has to ser$e. + was chosen.; 7he two women were !oth silent for a moment. Dinally Xera asked, :Whats your name?; :&ysing.; :Well, &ysing, + think our food is finally here. #ook.; 7he door had opened to show &y$en himself !earing a huge platter. ,e set it on the floor !etween them and sat down. Xera frowned at him. ,e looked at her ur!anely. :+m hungry, too.; "he sighed. :Bh, all right. &y$en, this is &ysing. + guess you$e met.; &ysing stared. When it was clear the girl wasnt going to say anything, Xera pointed to the platter and started naming things. :7his is a fish, and whoe$er left the head on is <ust gross. 7his is a kind of !ird, thats a four=legged !east, and this is....; As she named things, &y$en sampled them and then gestured for &ysing to try. After a moment of wary contemplation, the girl did, eating only the things he had. Watching them !oth, Xera had a distur!ing thought. :.ou did test her for allergies, didnt you?; :Bf course.; :What are Jallergies?; &ysing asked. "he eyed the food with distrust. Xera sighed and ate a piece of crunchy !rown cheese. "he lo$ed the sticky sweetness. :When + first !oarded a "corpio ship, + ate a piece of purple root that made me sick. "ometimes the foods that others eat make me sick, so + dont eat them. +n the case of the yur root, + dont mind; it tastes terri!le to me.; "he pointed to the criminal foodstuff in Auestion. &y$en promptly ate a chunk. :.oure not allergic,; he told &ysing. 7he #eo=Ahni looked at him warily, !ut sampled a small piece. ,er face lit up. :Why, its deliciousC 7he !est thing +$e had since + came here.; "he promptly finished off the entire pile. Xera grimaced. :7o each their own, + guess.; 7he three of them ate in a friendly little silence, and when &ysing had sampled almost e$erything, Xera asked, :Dind anything you wouldnt mind eating again?; 7he girl nodded happily. :7he yur root is especially good, and all of the meats. + think + could eat most e$erything; except for these and these.; "he wa$ed her hand o$er the fruits and the cheese Xera fa$ored. :7hey are $ery foul.; Xera grinned and shot a look at &y$en. :"hed !e an easy houseguest. +d ne$er ha$e to hide my fa$orite things.; ,e frowned at her, !ut then his face took on a su!tly calculating air. ,e regarded &ysing with the faintest of smiles. :Fy wife has an interesting idea. Would you like to lea$e this room?;

&ysings face lit with a terri!le hope. "he immediately tried to hide it with a coolly spoken, :)erhaps.; ,e nodded. :?ery well. 7here is a garden + think you would en<oy. We will go for a walk after we discuss the flesh eaters. 7ell me a!out these re!els you spoke of...the ones whod like to see your alliance !roken.; Xera looked at the floor. "he didnt like to see the girl manipulated after all shed !een through, !ut she understood his reasoning. "he raised her eyes to see &ysing looking searchingly at her. Xera ga$e a reassuring nod. 7he #eo=Ahni took a shaky !reath, and then told him e$erything she knew. :+ts almost painful to watch her,; Xera said. 7hey stood in the gardens, a little apart from &ysing. 7he girl stood as if transfixed, staring at the sky. 7here was a heart!reaking pleasure in her face. &y$en <ust nodded. ,is attention didnt wa$er for a moment. Xera might ha$e !een <ealous if it werent o!$ious that he mistrusted the girl. "he started to say something when the entrance of a familiar face distracted her. 7oosun caught sight of them and grinned. :,elloC ,ow fare the newlyweds? + was !eginning to think +d ne$er find you.; Xera grinned and readily accepted his !rotherly arm=clasp. &y$en recei$ed the same and a slap on the shoulder, too. ,e !ore it with good grace and commented, :,eroism has made you !old.; :,ahC + hear you ha$e some stories of your own. (estroying >huntat ships, rescuing the odd damsel.; ,e noticed &ysing and stared intently. :And this must !e the damsel.; &ysing stiffened as 7oosun approached her. "he looked scared. Xera caught up with her !rother=in=law and touched his shoulder, a silent signal for caution. "he stopped next to &ysing. :.ou ha$ent !een properly introduced. 7his is my hus!ands !rother, %ommander 7oosun Atarus, of the ,igh Damily. ,es recently returned from his first command.; :>illing >huntat,; 7oosun put in. ,is gaze was hard. B!$iously &ysings reputation had preceded her. Xera went on, slightly annoyed, :And this is &ysing, of the planet Akan in the Xhozon sector.; 7his had come out in the talk after lunch. "omething in 7oosuns manner must ha$e triggered &ysings annoyance, for she added coolly, :Bf the family 0aktoon, rulers of the Fountain (istrict.; :And will (addy !e suing for peace when he finds we hold his daughter?; 7oosun asked. ,ed clearly felt the snu!. :,ardly, since he sent me to the flesh eaters in the first place.; Xera held up her hands. :%hildren, pleaseC +m too young for an ulcer. )lay nice, wouldnt you? +ts !een a long time since &ysing saw the outdoors, and +d hate to ruin that for her.; "he gestured for the girl to walk deeper into the gardens. With a last nasty look at 7oosun, the #eo=Ahni complied. Xera looked her re!uke at her hus!ands !rother. ,e shook his head. :(ont !e taken in !y her. We dont know enough to trust her.; :0or enough to condemn her,; she replied pointedly. :Are you forgetting how you met me?; :.ou were not found on a >huntat ship.;

:Gust a @- one,; she said tartly. :And +m alien, too.; :,umans are occasionally accepta!le,; he remarked, with a reasona!leness that !ordered on patronizing. : ut that is not who were discussing.; &y$en had !een silently during the exchange, !ut he raised his hand when it was clear the argument would continue. :.ou are !oth too stu!!orn to win with words alone, and you are !oth right. esides, we were in the middle of welcoming you home, !rother.; 7oosun looked a little nonplussed. Fay!e he wasnt used to his !rother practicing diplomacy. :,m. .es.; ,e glanced down at Xeras middle and smiled. :And + was here to offer my congratulations.; Xera frowned at him. :(oes e$ery!ody know?; :Bf course.; 7oosun studied her face. :.ou are happy, arent you? Bur family is ecstatic.; "he grunted and looked away. &y$en answered his !rothers sharp glance with a look that promised more speech later. :"he doesnt like surprises.; 7oosun had nothing to say to that. 7oosun waited impatiently until theyd :put away the pet,; and then <oined &y$en on a short walk to his pri$ate rooms. 7oosun took out his !est liAuor and <oined his !rother at the kitchen ta!le. ,e seemed surprised to see how Auickly &y$en drained his glass. :7his is trou!ling you?; :7he woman is maddeningC + had no idea how emotional she could !e.; ,e felt harried, drained. ,e had to !e if he was confiding in his younger !rother, !ut whom else could he tell? ,e couldnt stand it if his !rothers=in=law knew hed <oined their circle. ,ed always imagined hed dominate his wifes moods, not suffer them. 7oosun relaxed and ser$ed them !oth drinks. :7his sounds like a familiar complaint. Fen agonize !ecause of women. +$e often listened to my friends complain. "he hasnt left your !ed, has she?; &y$en shot him an incredulous look. :Bf course notC; :7hen you$e got nothing to fear. "hell come around.; &y$en peered at him. )erhaps he was seeing dou!le, since he was on his third drink. @enerally so!er, he hadnt !uilt up a tolerance for alcohol. ,e asked 7oosun, :,ow can you ha$e that many sisters and remain so ignorant of women?; :Who do you think councils our !rothers=in=law when they ha$e wife trou!le?; ,is !rother shrugged. : e understanding, + tell them. %harm them out of their hackled state. 7he worst is when the wife wants something that is not possi!le. 7hen they ha$e to !e charming and firm. + pity them.; ,e grimaced and took a drink. :Women trou!les. 7hey make a sally against hostile >huntat sound appetizing.; :%harming and firm? ,ow does that work? Why cant she <ust !e reasona!le like a man?; &y$en snapped. :7hen + could duel with her and work out our differences. Afterward wed !oth go out for a drink.; ,e noticed his $oice was !eginning to slur. ,is !rother smirked. :7here must !e something you can !ri!e her with. #et her send a message to her family.; :Bffered. (idnt help.; :Well, what does she want?;

:A <o!. "he wants to own a ta$ern like her sister.; Br she wanted to remain an am!assador. ,e was so frazzled at the moment, he wasnt sure which. 7oosun choked on his drink. :What?; &y$en grunted. ,e knew his !rothers thoughts. 7oosun couldnt imagine any woman in his family doing such a thing. "candalous, e$en for an alienC ,e was likely wondering that &y$en had !een as patient as he had. :.ou told her no, right?; :+ told her she could help manage the estate.; 7oosun <ust stared at him. 7hen, surprisingly, he changed topics. :What a!out the alien? Are you going to let her roam free?; &y$en sat up and frowned. ,e pushed his glass aside. :7oday was....; ,e frowned in concentration. :7oday was an experiment.; :+n what? 0eed + point out that your wife is !ecoming attached to your Jexperiment? 7hats not good for her. +f the #eo=Ahni is false, Xera could suffer. + know youre protecti$e, and + dont understand why you take the risk.; :Bur world is a lure. 7he girl claims she doesnt want to go home, that theyll send her !ack to a >huntat ship. +f she wants to stay here !ad enough....; :Ah. ut this assumes she tells the truth.; :.es.; :And if shes lying?; &y$ens eyes hardened. :7hen she will regret it. +m not reAuired to allow her out of her room. "he would disco$er it soon enough.; ,arsh, his wife would say, !ut their need was desperate. ,e frowned as her imagined opinion popped into his head. ,is wife was not the keeper of his conscience. ,e would reward the girl for cooperation; that would ha$e to !e enough. %hapter 4Q &y$en wasnt the only one who had plans for the #eo girl. +n a shadowy corner of the palace, others were making plans. :7hey took her out of her cell today.; 7he $oice was cold, calculating. :+ know, !ut + still dont see what use shell !e. 7hey dont trust her. "he doesnt ha$e access to anything important.; 7o$ark smiled. ,is teeth showed through his split upper lip. :"he knows much a!out the >huntat and her race. "hes more $alua!le than platinum to them. +f she disappeared, theyd !e $ery upset. +magine if he lost an asset like that and a wife at the same time.; ,e studied the guardsman hed !ri!ed. 7he man felt it was distasteful associating with him, !ut money spoke loudly. 7he traitor wanted a smooth path to a !etter life. What hed get was a knife in the !ack when the <o! was done'!ut he neednt know that. :+ dont like it. +ts dangerous,; the guard said. :7his should !oost your courage. 7hink of the things it will !uy.; 7o$ark flipped the man a coin, watched him weigh it in his hand. :0ow, this is what + want you to do.; 7hree hundred and thirty=one people attended 7esslas party . y Xeras count, three=Auarters of them were women.

,er hus!and was Auick to disagree. :7essla always in$ites e$en num!ers of males and females. .ou should know. (idnt you see guest list?; :7hen why do + count nine women ho$ering around your !rother? Where are their escorts, their hus!ands?; &y$en looked amused. :.oure protecti$e of his honor? ,ed ne$er shame himself !y dallying with a married woman.; :And its okay to Jshame himself; with a nice unmarried woman?; she replied tartly. :0o, that presents a pro!lem, too,; he said, laughter in his eyes. :+f he asked me, + would suggest he find some who are not so nice. "adly, he has not asked.; Xeras eyes narrowed, !ut good sense kept her from starting a fight. After all, he was !eha$ing himself. *nlike his !rother. "he was cra!!y and she knew it. 7hat morning shed nearly !itten off &y$ens head o$er a tri$ial matter; only his e$en stare had !rought her !ack from the !rink of a tantrum. "he knew the cause of her moodiness and resented it. Bne thing after another would slide out of her control !ecause of this !a!y. ,ow long !efore she could no longer exercise? Would she start throwing up e$erything she ate? "hed always !een taller than her sisters, the !ig strong one. 0ow one little infant was going to turn her into an emotional wreck una!le e$en to touch her toes. 0ot that she wanted harm to come to the !a!y or anything. "he <ust didnt want...this. &y$en saw her dark look and gently touched her arm. :+t will pass.; "he exhaled moodily and su!tly shook him off. :+m going to go talk to your sisters. 7hey$e !een full of ad$ice lately.; 7heyd also assured her that the broodiness would pass. Bne of them had e$en shared a story where she locked her hus!and out of her !edroom one night then tore into him when he didnt make a greater effort to !reak down her door. ,is protests that he didnt want to alarm her and perhaps harm the !a!e had earned him another night locked out; or would ha$e, if he hadnt kicked down the door the second time. ,ed refused to ha$e it repaired until after the !a!y was !orn. 7hinking a!out that made her smile. 0amae <oined her in slowly threading a path through knots of people. +t was a trick to nod and smile politely to a$oid con$ersations, and 0amae made e$erything easier. :+ts good to see you smile,; &y$ens sister said. :7he !roodiness has hit you hard.; :+m finding it difficult to !elie$e + can !e this moody,; Xera agreed. :+ <ust want to hit someone all the time.; +t didnt help that shed !een forced to Auit her martial arts exercises. (ancing hadnt !een for!idden yet, !ut right now that wasnt nearly as satisfying as pounding a punching !ag. 0amae nodded in sympathy. :#et me take your mind off it. Aunt 7essla has !een spreading it a!out that you are her new protSgSe. .oud !e surprised at the num!er of women who want to meet you. "ome ha$e already expressed interest on your opinion of their own party plans.; "urprised, Xera said, :Why? .our aunt really directed most of the e$ent. + didnt do much.; :7hats not what shes saying, and when our aunt speaks, others listen. .oull find yourself in high demand as a party organizer if you dont take care.; Xera stopped in her tracks. :&eally?; "he let the idea percolate and then smiled. :7his wouldnt happen to !e a socially accepta!le occupation, would it?; +t sounded more appealing than the estate manager option her hus!and had offered, if only !ecause it

was something shed found herself. "he had a feeling hed grum!le a!out it, which only made it more enticing. 7he man got his way far too often, and <ust then she really wanted to spike his tire. esides, shed en<oyed organizing this. 0amae looked at her curiously. :Well, yes. +t would raise your social status immensely. Bf course, Aunt 7essla has ne$er needed such a thing. "hes occasionally gi$en ad$ice to close friends, !ut nothing more. .oull see after you$e attended a few gatherings that ours are something special.; Xera felt like the cat thatd disco$ered a $at of cream. :(o tell. %ould + !e paid for something like this? +f + set up formally, that is.; 0ow 0amae looked perplexed. :Well, of course. Why would you want to, though? "urely &y$en is generous.; Xera patted her hand. :#et me tell you a!out a wonderful thing called capitalism, my friend, and the little girl who teethed on it.; &y$en had taken a moment to answer an urgent message and found himself in a Auiet corner, away from the crowd. ,is !usiness hadnt taken long, !ut already he was anxious to return to his wife. ,e told himself she couldnt get into trou!le in this kind of crowd, not with 0amae at her side, !ut he had an eerie feeling that she was making mischief. Bf course, that was a normal feeling where she was concerned. ,e turned to exit the small sitting room and saw one of the women whod !een circling his !rother this e$ening; a woman he knew. :,ello, %ommander.; ,er !lood red eyes were framed with thick dark lashes, and her lips cur$ed. :+ts !een too long,; she said, and there was o!$ious flirtation in the glance she ga$e him. :+ think not,; he said coldly. Whate$er theyd shared in the past, he was married now. "he knew that. +f she had any sense, she wouldnt !e here. ,er lips formed the slightest pout. :+m disappointed. +d thought you might ha$e tired of those hard !lue eyes !y now.; :+t shows you ha$ent !een thinking,; he said callously. :(o not approach me again.; ,er mouth opened in surprise, !ut she made no sound as he !rushed past. 7here was nothing she could say. ,e was surprised at his own fury. Women like her had peppered his past, and he knew no regrets. ,ad they met under casual circumstances, hed ha$e !een polite. ,e was angry that she would dare approach him now, howe$er, would try to tempt him away from his wife. ,e was not a man who swayed with the wind. 0ow that hed chosen his woman, it was fore$er. +f anyone couldnt see that, hed ha$e to make it plain. 7he !est place to start was with his wife. ,e found Xera speaking with a knot of women. ,e smiled <ust for her and placed a hand at her !ack. ,e looked at the ladies. :-xcuse us. + need my wife alone for a while.; ,is words won a !lush from her and smiles from the others. Xera chastised him when they were out of earshot. :+snt that rather'o!$ious? .ou$e !een coaching me in the art of not showing affection so long that all that seemed rather risAuS.; ,e smiled down at her. :)erhaps +$e !een too conser$ati$e. We are newly married.; ,e felt a pang at her confusion. ,ed gathered her culture was far more demonstrati$e, and wondered if she dou!ted his affection. ,ed ne$er wanted that.

,e led her to a Auiet recei$ing room and shut the door. ,e put his arms around her. :.oure !eautiful, do you know that? +$e !een a fool not to tell you.; ,er eyes misted up, and she swallowed hard. +t took her a moment to speak. :7hank you,; she whispered. ,is heart ached. ,e should ha$e told her sooner. :,owe$er you came into my life, +m glad youre here. .oure the !est part of me. +$e ne$er found a woman as special, as memora!le, as you.; "he was crying in earnest now. ,e was afraid to compliment her more, as she didnt seem capa!le of taking it. +nstead, he held her and tried to ignore the tears soaking his shirt. ,e couldnt remem!er the last time hed felt such a sense of peace. ,ed !een right to tell her. )erhaps one day soon, shed !e a!le to speak of her feelings for him. "trange, how he hadnt e$en realized hed !een waiting for her to speak first. 7here was one other thing. :.ou said that + had !een teaching you Jthe art of not showing affection. + hadnt realized youd $iewed my actions that way. +n my culture, a man pro$es his feelings !y the things he does, not the words he says. Words can !e false, !ut actions seldom are.; "he sighed. :+ts !een difficult. + ne$er know when its okay to touch you. -$en looking at you warmly feels wrong. .oure $ery reser$ed.; :+ regret that you feel uncomforta!le. )erhaps in time we will find a compromise.; ,er tears were !eginning to worry him. )erhaps an apology would help. :Dorgi$e me, hiri$ami. + regret causing you pain.; :+ think we should go home. 7hese parties are exhausting, arent they? Wait here while + say good!ye; it wont take long.; "he nodded and da!!ed at her eyes. "he did look peaked. @rateful for the excuse of her pregnancy, he went in search of his father. ,e was more than ready to !e home. &y$en didnt wholly understand the change in his wife, !ut he was pleased nonetheless. +t seemed his declaration of affection had mo$ed her to unexpected heights. "he laughed, she smiled. est of all, she no longer seemed dismayed a!out the !a!y. ,e was perplexed, !ut he liked it. A "corpio woman would assume that her man lo$ed her. 0o declaration of sentiment would !e expected, only a demonstration. ,is own woman seemed to !e the opposite. Bnly now that hed spoken of his affection did she finally seem a!le to accept the little things he did for her as the romantic gifts they were. ,e hadnt e$en realized how resistant shed !een to them until he saw her recent pleasure. "he e$en showed <oy in discussing the arrangements for the !a!ys arri$al; a thing he wouldnt ha$e dared to !ring up !efore. +t made him wonder what would ha$e happened if he had !rought himself to say he lo$ed her. ,is father remarked on the change as well. :+ hadnt realized her $i!rancy was muted until + saw her today. What has her so happy?; &y$en actually !lushed. :+ declared my affection.; 7here were some things that were em!arrassing to admit to ones father. 7he #ord @o$ernor smiled. :+ see. Well done. + am pleased to see her so ali$e.;

Xeras newly !u!!ly attitude e$en coaxed a smile from the #eo girl, who had won a more comforta!le room and daily walks through the garden !y cooperation. Bn this day shed <ust finished a long run down one of the many tracks around the park. "he smiled at Xera as she dried her hair. :#ife lea$es you sweet today.; Xera, whod <ogged a little with permission from her doctor, grinned. :+t would !e e$en sweeter if + could keep up with you. ,ow do you do it? .ou run like a cheetah; thats a $ery fast -arth mammal,; she explained. +t was true; &ysing ran like she was !orn to it, as if she had four legs instead of two. "he was incredi!ly graceful, mo$ing with a kind of lope that left her guards in the dust. &ysing snorted. :+ am !adly out of shape. +ts !een fore$er since + could run anywhere. @i$en time, + might !e something to see.; &y$en, whod <oined them that morning after seeing his father, raised a !row. :+ think well !an you from any footraces, then. 7heres simply no competition.; &ysing grinned. :+ will ha$e to find a pet to run with, then. "urely you ha$e something fast enough on this planet.; 7here followed a li$ely discussion on what might !e a!le to keep up. &y$en looked at his wife and wondered if she would en<oy a pet. ,er recent sweet temper had left him feeling indulgent. Anything that would keep that smile on her lips would !e all right with him. ,e realized what he was thinking and shook his head. ,ed !etter !e careful not to let her know <ust how much shed affected him, lest he gi$e in on something hed regret. Xera was still feeling the inner glow of happiness a few days later as she shopped in the market. All the colors seemed especially !right and $i$id; or may!e it was her mood. "he smiled ruefully at herself. "hed ha$e sworn she wasnt a romantic, !ut look what &y$ens admission had done for her. "he was e$en starting to think a!out !a!y namesC 0ot that theyd !een a!le to come up with anything they !oth liked. ,e wanted unpronouncea!le things like :*r<u!; and :WerA;, and her choices sounded eAually !izarre to him. At the rate they were going, the kid wouldnt ha$e a name until he was fi$e. A display of !right scar$es caught her eye, and she thought of 0amae. "hizas circling had taken on a new intensity, and &y$ens sister was getting ner$ous. Fay!e a gift would help to take the young womans mind off her ner$es. Xera was looking o$er the offerings when a con$ersation caught her attention. A woman dressed like a shopkeeper was gossiping to a plain=faced man. "he said, :,ear they found a human woman like Ataruss wife. @ot her down in the !ay.; Xera froze and looked at the pair out of the corner of her eye. ,ad she heard right? 7he man looked intrigued. :,umanC Are you sure? ,ow do you know?; :Fy hus!and works the space docks. ,e hears things. @uess her name is ,arris= something. 7heyre keeping it hush=hush.; Xeras !lood !egan to pound in her ears, nearly drowning out the con$ersation. (one with pretending indifference, she interrupted the pair. :+ o$erheard what youre saying. What is your hus!ands name, and where exactly does he work?; she asked the woman. :+ll reward you for the information.; 7he woman looked startled, then uneasy. :+ didnt mean any offence, great lady. Gust a little gossip.;

:+m not offended,; Xera insisted. "he handed o$er a coin. :)lease tell me.; Foments later Xera hurried toward a transport that would take her to the docking !ay. While she acknowledged her security details concerns a!out the lead, she would not !e swayed. +f there was the slightest possi!ility that her sister could !e there, she wanted to check on it personally. ,er !odyguards contacted Xtal, her chief of security, who asked her to wait. A cle$er man, he pointed out it would take eight months for any of her sisters to reach her, and it had only !een weeks since she had contacted them. +t was physically impossi!le for them to ha$e arri$ed already, e$en if they were prepared to take such a costly, perilous trip. :.oure right,; she admitted into her communications link. : ut + ha$e to see for myself. +ts not as if +m alone.; ,e did not look happy in the $iewscreen. :+ll send !ackup.; Xera reached the dock and took a deep !reath. "he knew to temper her hope, !ut <ust the thought of seeing her sisters again made her un!eara!ly tense. %ould one of them really !e here? 7hey found the workstation the woman had told them a!out, !ut there was no one in sight. Bne of her two !odyguards mo$ed off to check the far side of the shuttle'and was shot to the ground like a dog. Xera shouted as her other guard took her to the ground, !ut it was too late. A man gra!!ed his limp !ody off her and drew Xera roughly to her feet. :7o$ark,; she said grimly. ,e stood !oldly in front of her, a sardonic smile on his ruined face. :Women,; he said deli!erately, :are $ery stupid.; ,e opened the shuttlecraft door in illustration. &ysing was lying there, unmo$ing. ,e smiled slightly at Xeras a!orted attempt to get to her. :(ont worry, youll ha$e plenty of time to $isit. 7his shuttle is scheduled to lea$e here in two minutes, and youll <ump to hyperdri$e in another two. Bf course, any craft unlucky enough to !e too close to you will !e damaged, !ut thats the cost of tra$el today.; ,e gestured for Xeras captor to load her a!oard. Xera felt &ysings neck and was relie$ed to find a steady pulse. 7he girl had a !ruised <aw, !ut didnt look too !anged up otherwise. ,opefully he hadnt had time to extract a more complete re$enge. "he couldnt think what the girl could ha$e done to anger him. "he glanced at 7o$ark as he continued to speak. :+ suggest you strap in. + wouldnt want you to !e damaged for your meeting with the >huntat. .oull come out of hyperdri$e in a system where they$e !een particularly acti$e. 7hink of me fondly when you arri$e.; ,e smiled and started to shut the door, then paused. :Bf course, theres the chance that they wont !e there to meet you. Bne can ne$er know a!out these things. +n that case, you might make it to a little planet on the !order. .ou$e !een there, Xera. .ou remem!er the !iters.; ,e sealed the door. Xera felt a moment of cold terror. itersC ,e was sending them !ack to that desert hell? 7hankfully, she didnt ha$e time to waste time in thought. "he dragged the !arely conscious &ysing to the cockpit and strapped her in as the autopilot fired the engines. "hed !arely fastened her own !indings !efore they cleared the shuttle !ay doors. 7he shuttle controls were locked. Xera slammed her hand on the console and looked out at the rapidly thinning atmosphere. 7hey !roke out into true space and her stomach clenched. 0ext stop/ hell.

7he attacker had co$ered his tracks well. 7he shuttle !ay sur$eillance cameras showed the !odyguards !eing murdered in a different location and the !odies were found in that different place, to colla!orate the story. +t wasnt until the forensic examination that anyone knew for sure the !odies had !een mo$ed. Dortunately, Xeras !odyguards had kept in touch with Xtal, so it was known where her last reported location was. &y$en knew the guards were too well trained to ha$e claimed to !e in a different spot. What he and his crew didnt know was what had happened to the women; for the #eo=Ahni was missing, too, and one could only speculate that they were together. 7he pair might !e held somewhere on the planet or ha$e !een sneaked off world. ut &y$en and his family didnt know who had taken them or why. An exhausti$e search commenced. &y$en knew he might only ha$e hours. +f it took them too long to locate his wife and &ysing, they might find only !odies. ,e tried not to think a!out it, !ut it affected all his decisions, which is why he let Xtal lead the search. ,e was too in$ol$ed, his choices potentially !lurred !y rage and fear. ,is wife and child were in danger, and hed ne$er felt less in control. %hapter 23 "ince theyd dropped out of hyperdri$e, Xera was doing e$erything she could to unlock the controls. 0othing worked. +t had !een three tense days to the frontier !order. 7hey had plenty of food and water, !ut no weapons. 7heir shuttle was a commercial model for ferrying passengers, not fighting aliens. "he didnt know what theyd do if they did make it to the desert planet. *nless they made it to the shelter, they wouldnt sur$i$e long. *nfortunately, she didnt know the coordinates to the fortress, e$en if she could unlock the controls'. "he wanted to scream. +nstead, she cursed. 7he !lack words were almost a mantra, !ut they werent helping her much. "he tried praying instead. &ysing sat like a statue, alternating !etween staring at the proximity locator and Xeras dogged efforts. :%an you fly this if we do unlock the controls?; she finally asked. Fay!e Xeras constant muttering was wearing on her. :"ure. Fostly. + can land for certain,; Xera said. "he hoped she could. &ysing took a shuddering !reath. :What is this planet like?; Xera !it her lip. :7hat !ad?; :+t wasnt a pleasure park.; :+m sorry to hear that,; &ysing said, her $oice distant. "hed !een watching the readouts with distur!ing intensity. :7heres a planet coming up, and + think were headed for it.; Xera stopped what she was doing to stare at the display. &ysing was right, !ut there was something else. :7heres a ship in or!it.; &ysing froze. :>huntat?;

Xera frowned. :0o. +t almost looks like'the @-C Were sa$edC; ,er <oy was Auickly cut off as she realized what they might look like; an enemy ship closing in on their turf. @ranted, they were in a shuttle and not a warship, !ut they werent exactly in$ited to this particular party, either. According to the newly minted treaty, the @- werent supposed to !e here.. "he drew a Auick !reath and thought fast. 7hey needed a way to communicate, and their controls were still locked. %ould they free the transcei$er in time? 7hey got lucky. 7he @- ship hailed them, and while the women could not respond, they could see and understand the captain of the ship. ,e looked startled to see her. 0o dou!t her face had !een splashed on telecasts all o$er the star system; her situation would ha$e !een interesting fodder for the folks !ack home. "he wondered what spin the @had put on the story. :#ieutenant ,arrisdaughter? What are you doing here?; :Were trappedC; Xera tried to tell him, !ut it was plain he couldnt hear her, so she gestured to the controls and mouthed, :,elpC; ,e frowned at her. :+s there a pro!lem with your communicator?; "he nodded, then glanced around in frustration. 7here was nothing to write with, so she looked at him and mouthed, :,elpC; again. :Were going to !ring you in,; he said, as if she might disagree with that option. Xera nodded and ga$e him an enthusiastic thum!s up. :Who are these people?; &ysing asked. :Fy former employers,; Xera said !luntly. &ealizing her position, she turned her !ack on the screen and told the girl, :7heyre kind of enemies of the "corpio, so were going to ha$e to play this carefully. 7heyre to think we were !oth held against our will; that should !e easy for them to !elie$e. +f they thought otherwise it might go !adly, understand? (ont tell them a!out the !a!y. +n fact, it would !e !est if you didnt say much. 7ry to act shell=shocked, like you did when the "corpio first found you.; &ysing looked disgruntled at the reminder. Xera wasnt a!o$e pleading for a good cause. :)lease? +f were not $ery careful, + might ne$er see my hus!and again.; An eight month <ourney was too far away for casual $isits, and if the @- did take her !ack to )olaris, her !a!y would !e nearly a year old !efore she could return to &y$en. 7hat was assuming she could find the money and a pri$ate craft willing to take her so far out. With the >huntat running around, it !ecame too dangerous to risk. Fay!e, someday, conditions might !e right to meet her sisters halfway; they could each tra$el for four months and meet at a place somewhere in the middle. 0one of that mattered today. 7oday, she had to choose !etween them. &ysing looked at her intently. :And is that truly what you want? .ou ha$e a chance to see your sisters again. +$e heard you speak of them'you miss your family.; 7he ship shi$ered as the @- ships tractor !eam locked on. Xera had minutes to make up her mind. ,er hus!and or her sisters? 0ew or old? 7here was only one choice her heart would accept. :%ommanderC .ou need to see this.; &y$en took the ta!let from the ensign and scanned it Auickly. ,is eyes slowed as he took in the data. :What is it? 7oosun strode o$er and tried to read o$er his shoulder.

:Bne of the cloaked satellites around planet I Nega picked up a human ship. +t looks like the interlopers are !ack. 7hats not all. An hour ago they towed one of our shuttles on!oard. 7he satellite picked up a transmission.; ,e keyed the audio and heard the human %ommander say, :#ieutenant ,arrisdaughter? What are you doing here?; &y$ens heart lurched when he heard his wifes name. ,e listened intently to the rest of the exchange, learning all he could. +f her communicator was <ammed, what else might ha$e !een wrong with the ship? What was she doing on it in the first place? 7oosun looked so!er. +t was o!$ious he was considering the implications of Xera con$eniently appearing near a @- ship. &y$en looked at him. :7heres no way she could ha$e known it was there. We didnt e$en know until now. : ,is !rother still looked som!er, !ut continued &y$ens line of reasoning. :"he couldnt ha$e killed her guards, not !y herself. We all watched her, and she had no one who would ha$e helped. 7here was no indication she e$er tried to make any allies to help her escape, either. ut if a chance opened up to run? Would she ha$e taken it? "he knew how to pilot a shuttle.; :With <ammed controls, through >huntat infested space? "hes not suicidal,; &y$en snapped. ut it !egged the Auestion, was she put in there? +f so, someone had seemed intent on an ugly death for her. Who hated her, or him, that much? 7oosun !it his lip. :Wed !etter get to her fast. +ts three days if we lea$e now.; &y$en ga$e the order. 7he ships were already fueled and standing !y. ,e prayed theyd get there in time to pre$ent a disaster. +t was a disaster. Xera <ust didnt ha$e the patience to pretend to !e downtrodden and a!used. "he sat in the commanders office and tried to at least look weary. 7hat was easy enough. "hed forgotten how much she hated !ureaucracy. 7o gi$e him credit, %ommander 7elis seemed to !e trying to !e sensiti$e. ,e offered her coffee and asked again if shed like to see the medic. When she refused, he settled down to politely interrogating her. :#ieutenant, + know you$e !een through a lot these past months. We at the @- salute you for your !ra$ery and daring in escaping your captors. While we know it will in no way make up for your pain, rest assured that you will recei$e a promotion and a su!stantial !onus for your suffering.; 7here was the !ri!e, she thought dispassionately. 7he man sounded like he was at a !oard meeting. :7hank you,; she said into the expectant pause. ,e cleared his throat and looked down at his electronic ta!let. :As +m sure you know, the @alactic -xplorers finds itself at odds with the "corpio on a num!er of matters. 7hey$e o!<ected to our exploring this particular planet, for instance.; Xera maintained a polite silence. 7hey !oth knew the @- was !reaking the treaty !y !eing here. :+n spite of the risks, our leaders feel its a world that reAuires at least a cursory sur$ey. 7here are so few ha!ita!le planets that we cant afford not to learn all we can a!out each new disco$ery.; +n other words, the greedy !oard mem!ers were willing to risk ha$ing their charter re$oked to explore this planet. 7hey must think there was something $alua!le to !e had. +f they got in and out Auickly, they could get away with samples and a cursory sur$ey without anyone !eing the wiser. +f they did find anything of interest, who knew how far

theyd go to o!tain the planet? -$en if there were a mo$ement to re$oke the @-s charter, the +ntergalactic %ouncil might not ha$e the power to stop them. After all, the +% was simply an under=funded, unappreciated peacekeeping committee. 7he @- had grown powerful. +t might take a true war to !ring them down. ,is next words confirmed her fears. :Bf course, should the planet pro$e as $alua!le as we hope, the @- may decide to press our claim on it. After all, there are no "corpio currently li$ing here. Why should they !e allowed to claim a planet they arent currently using?; /hy should the 01? Xera thought pri$ately, !ut she said only, :7hats $ery am!itious, sir.; And wouldnt the "corpio lo$e to know a!out their attitude? Bf course, the fact that the commander was telling her all this confirmed that he didnt expect her to !olt !ack to the "corpios. ,e nodded. :(o you ha$e any reason to !elie$e your escape was disco$ered or tracked? Wed hate to cut this mission short.; Xera frowned. ,e was ready to pull out if she said yes. 7hat might make her life $ery difficult. +f they left, shed ha$e no choice !ut to go with them. :+f they had any idea theyd already !e here. + ha$e no reason to think they$e disco$ered us.; "he tried to look anxious for the mission. :+m sorry, sir. +t wasnt my intention to make this difficult for you.; ,e relaxed a fraction. :+ts certainly not your fault. +n fact, you could !e of great $alue to us all. 0o one else has !een so deeply integrated into the "corpio culture. Any insights you can offer would !e appreciated; especially anything with military applications.; "he didnt ha$e to fake her distress. 7here was no way she was going to !etray &y$ens people to the @-. :+m sorry, sir. + wasnt allowed to witness much of a military nature. 7hey didnt trust me, you know. -xcept'.; "he frowned as if reluctant to dredge up the memory. :+ was on a ship once that was attacked !y the >huntat. .ou did get the message they let me send to the +%? .ou know what they are?; 7he commander looked uncomforta!le. :We got the message. Bur understanding was that they mainly existed on the other side of "corpio space.; "he let the full weight of her concern show. :We were attacked close to the site of the peace talks. 7hats not so far from here.; ,e was silent a moment. :Any additional information you ha$e will !e useful. +d like you to file a formal report as Auickly as you can. :Feanwhile, your assessment has made me want to get this assignment done with all speed. Well !e landing on the planet shortly.; ,er alarm must ha$e shown, for he added, :.ou dont ha$e to worry a!out your safety. Well !e using the Jfortress you know from !efore 5we ha$e a full report of it6 and our ship is in good working order. Bur force field will !e more than sufficient to repel any creatures.; :.es, sir. +'+ wont !e reAuired to lea$e the ship, will +?; +t was easy to act petrified. Fay!e it wasnt so far from the truth. ,is expression was kind. :0o, lieutenant. Dor now +d like you to concentrate on your report. .ou may go.; "he was glad to lea$e, and more rattled than she liked to admit. "he had no good memories of this place. Dinding out she was going !ack, howe$er !riefly, was an

unpleasant shock, !ut not as !ad as the one she got when she found out who else was sharing her ship. %aptain >han was waiting for her in the hallway. 7here were people around, so he didnt pause, didnt say a word as he strode forward. ,e didnt ha$e to. 7hough he used a cane and walked with a pronounced limp, his stare was still predatory. +t intensified as he neared. Wa$es of hatred washed from him, as if he could do her harm with a thought, and his cold eyes promised a reckoning. Xera held the mans gaze and tensed, prepared to defend herself, though she dou!ted hed try anything here. 0o, hed wait for his moment. "he was going to ha$e to watch her !ack. "he wondered why he was here and decided the @- would want his experience of the planet for this mission. "he suspected if hed !een punished at all, it had pro!a!ly !een a hand slap. 7he @- would $alue his knowledge more than they would care a!out his :alleged; !ad !eha$ior. "he warned &ysing a!out him as soon as she got to their room. 7he #eo=Ahni sat on her !unk in their tiny ca!in and eyed her. :.ou ha$e a special talent for making friends, dont you?; Xera grimaced. 7heyd !een allowed to clean up and change into spare uniforms when they arri$ed, though &ysings !agged hopelessly on her slender frame. +t was hard to say whether human space rations would agree with her, !ut Xera hoped shed try to eat; the girl couldnt afford to lose more weight. Well, theyd soon ha$e their chance to find out. Bn Xeras ad$ice, &ysing had gi$en a !lood sample to the medical technicians to test for allergies. But of politeness Xera had waited with the #eo to eat. Dortunately the med techs were Auick. &ysing tested allergy negati$e to most common foods, though that was no guarantee shed like them. 7he galley was <ust ending a shift when the women walked in. A Auick glance around showed no >han in sight. :Bkay, girl. 7ime to try some more alien food,; Xera remarked. :+ll try to steer you away from anything with teeth.; "he ga$e the girl a Auick smile and handed o$er a tray. 7his far out in space, ship!oard fare was pretty dull, so Xera figured itd !e easy to keep &ysings sensiti$e taste !uds from re!elling. 7he girls nose twitched suspiciously as they mo$ed along the cafeteria line, and she looked less than thrilled with the glo!s of reconstituted mashed potatoes, hydroponic $eg and dehydrated fruit. -$en the tank= grown fish were met with looks of stoic determination. 7hey sat at a ta!le. &ysing stared at her tray and took a deep !reath. "he put a tiny !ite of mashed potatoes in her mouth'and promptly gagged. Xera nodded sympathetically o$er her own !ite. :.ou get used to it.; &ysing !ra$ely took a sip of water to clear her mouth, and tried the !eans. "he didnt gag, !ut she didnt look happy. After trying the fish, she put down her fork. :+ dont think +m hungry anymore.; :.ou ha$ent tried the $eg.; :+ dont think + dare.; Xera exhaled in amusement. :+ see your point, !ut you need to keep up your strength. 7rust me when + say the food gets no !etter than this.;

&ysing looked at her plate and swallowed hard. After a moment, she picked up her fork and dug in. "he chewed mechanically, an empty look on her face, as if she were trying to distance her mind from what she was ingesting. :+$e seen that look !efore. .ou looked like that when we were dining on !ugs, lieutenant,; a new $oice said. Xera looked up into the face of -nsign 7re$or, the man whod once offered her a com!'and made her a scandalous proposition. 7he memory made her $oice cool. :-nsign.; ,e looked nonplussed, then reddened with memory. :Faam. + was hoping we could talk. + think + owe you an apology.; ,e looked at her steadily until she relented and allowed him to sit down. ,e stared at his own tray a moment as his face !ecame a deeper shade of red. +t was an unfortunate com!ination with his orange=red hair and the pale skin that made his freckles stand out in glaring relief. :+, uh, want to say +m sorry for the way + handled things in the ca$e. +ts <ust that'; ,e took a deep !reath and looked her in the eye. :+ had a crush on you, maam, and + didnt want to see you get hurt. + <ust picked the wrong way to try to protect you.; "he could see no deceit in his face. #ooking !ack, she could see how she might ha$e taken his interest hard, !ut things had !een $ery different then. "hed !een feeling trapped and $ulnera!le, imagining the worst. "he could !elie$e that hed !een a slightly horny white knight who !ungled his approach. ,ere and now, he could !e excused. :+ think we were all out of our element, -nsign. + can forgi$e you for fum!ling your catch.; ,e grinned at her description. :7hank you. + think you had it worse than most, though.; ,e so!ered and glanced around. :#isten, you need to watch out for >han. ,e was for!idden to speak to you upon your arri$al, !ut he hasnt forgotten what happened. ,es up for promotion, too'.; :)romotionC; :.eah. 7he @- sees him as a $alua!le asset. Were all !eing called heroes for sur$i$ing the crash. 0ow that youre here, theyll use you as an example of why we shouldnt ally with the "corpio. +f they can find an excuse to lay claim to this planet, theyll !e happy to send more ships and men out here.; :Why? What can possi!ly !e so precious a!out this place? .ou$e seen it; its one step remo$ed from hell.; ,e glanced at her tray. :Dinish up and +ll take you to the la!. 7heres something you should see.; Xera translated for &ysing, who grimly gagged down her dinner, minus the mashed potatoes. +n minutes they were walking into the la!s where -nsign 7re$or worked as a technician. ,e nodded to the lone woman on staff and took them o$er to a !ench. :We$e all !e taking turns !ringing our !uddies in here, showing them why the @- wants this Jstinking hole of a planet. .ou wont !e seen as unusual.; ,e said it in a way that Xera wondered if hed !e Auestioned later. Fay!e he was pushing his luck to !e in$iting her in, explaining. Fay!e he was trying to make amends for their misunderstanding on the desert planet. :Watch this.; ,e put on glo$es, then took a !ig tu!e full of murky water and showed it to them. :7his is the toxic water from one of the oceans. 0ow look what happens when

+ pour it through this filter into this other !eaker. .ou see this sediment forming? Well get !ack to that.; A clear drip of liAuid was slowly filtering into the tu!e. ,e set it !ack out of the way and reached for another tu!e. :7his liAuid is already filtered. 0ow we use a nano=filter to separate out the oil and water'.; ,e repeated the process with a new !eaker. :Bil? + thought the two didnt mix,; Xera said. :0ot unless they ha$e an emulsifier, !ut this is special stuff,; he agreed. :Bkay, this is now separated. .ou can see the $alue of the water without my explaining it. As for the oil'.; ,e stuck a wick inside and set it on fire. :7a=daC Duel, ladies. Bceans of it, enough to power a whole ci$ilization for a long time. ut waitC 7heres more.; :+m afraid to ask,; Xera said. %lean water and a cheap fuel source were !ad enough. ,er homeworld of )olaris had started out with much less, dragging asteroids into or!it around a gas planet and using lunar ice to form lakes. 7his planet didnt e$en need that much effort. "ure, it was o$errun with pests, !ut $armints could !e trapped and killed. :.ou should !e,; -nsign 7re$or confirmed, :!ecause this sludge ri$als tranium as a fuel source.; Xera gasped. 7ranium was the most efficient fuel source e$er found for starships. +f a ri$al source were found, the @- would shed !lood to get their hands on it. "uddenly cogs started clicking into place. :.ou didnt <ust disco$er this. 7he @- has !een here !efore.; :And lost ships to the >huntat,; he confirmed. :0o!ody will admit it, !ut +$e got a friend on the inside who says its true. .ou know what? + think those monsters are out here in this sector !ecause they$e spotted a new food source.; ,e looked her in the eyes, his expression deadly serious. :.ou went through all the trou!le to send a message out, !ut you didnt tell the @- anything they didnt know, lieutenant.; :And theyre willing to risk e$erything for the fuel,; Xera said softly. "he felt sick. %ountless li$es were !eing thrown away, and for what? "o some rich guys could get richer. "he also had to warn &y$en. &ysing demanded to know what was up. ,er !row furrowed in concern as it was explained, and she looked thoughtfully at the tu!es on the !ench. :+f all this is so, why are they here now? Why not attack already?; :"pecimens,; 7re$or explained after translation. :7hey want some li$e critters this time, and more soil samples, weather data, etc. We also ha$e to study the !ugs and fungus we ate in the ca$e. *nless we find other nati$e prey animals, future colonists might ha$e to li$e on them.; ,e looked disgusted. Xeras lips curled in memory, too. :*ghC; &ysing didnt look horrified !y the description of the situation, <ust thoughtful. :+d like to see this place,; she said when their fortress destination was descri!ed. Xera started to argue with her, !ut was interrupted when the ship intercom announced their impending descent. All personnel were to prepare themsel$es for landing. :+ think well ride this out in our room,; Xera told -nsign 7re$or. :+$e got a lot to think a!out. 7hank you. + hope well get another chance to talk.; ,e ga$e her a <aunty salute. :Fy pleasure. &emem!er, stay clear of >han. 7he current commander is all right as they go. "tay on his good side and youll !e okay.; Xera shook her head slightly as she left. Would she !e a!le to stay out of trou!le? %onsidering her goals, she dou!ted it would !e for long.

%hapter 24 :+ want to go outside.; Xera stared at &ysing like shed lost her mind. :Why? 7heres nothing good out there.; :+ need to see it,; the #eo=Ahni said Auietly, !ut her face was determined. At times she could !e e$ery !it as stu!!orn as Xera herself. :+ understand if you are afraid. + will ask the commander to allow me to go with his party.; Xera drew !reath. "he didnt want the girl wandering around alone; she felt responsi!le. :.ou wont understand what anyone is saying. .ou could get hurt if someone called a warning you couldnt understand.; :"o youll go?; Xera sighed. :+ guess. +m going to reAuest a gun for the outing, though. +ts too dangerous for e$en one of us to !e unarmed. + dont suppose you can shoot?; :+ was ne$er taught.; "o they ended up going out in the chill desert sun. Xera felt like a !odyguard as she ho$ered near the small #eo=Ahni and sur$eyed the rocky plateau. While &ysing looked around with curious eyes, Xera scanned the skies and ground for danger. :&elax, #ieutenant, we$e got you co$ered,; one of the accompanying marines drawled, smiling a lazy and confident smile. ,is !ig !lunt face was tolera!ly good= looking, !ut his attitude grated. :When you$e marched for a day o$er these sands with things <umping out of the sky and the sand !uckling under your feet, well see how well you can co$er me,; she told him grimly. :+ think +ll stay on guard until then.; ,e shrugged, thick=skinned enough not to mind her attitude. "he noticed he stayed close, though, and she caught a su!tle nod !etween him and -nsign 7re$or, who was also part of their party. Was 7re$or pulling fa$ors, ha$ing his friend watch o$er her? "hed ha$e to !e careful; she was really starting to like him. %aptain >han was also there, cane and all. ,e sent her one cold look then pretended she didnt exist. "he wasnt fooled into thinking hed gi$en up his re$enge. :A woman could run for miles o$er this sand,; &ysing said longingly, her eyes on the horizon. :+ need to go down there.; :(ont get any ideas a!out going for a <og,; Xera warned her. :&unning for miles in this stuff is deadly.; &ysing looked at her with dignity. :+m not a fool.; :7hank @od for that, !ecause + must !e to let you talk me into this.; Xera muttered in her own language. "he nodded to the far end of the plateau. :#ook, theyre getting ready to go now.; "he kept her !reathing e$en as her group mo$ed away from their massi$e ship toward the near!y fortress, reminding herself that they were fully armed. +t wasnt night, so fliers werent a threat, wouldnt !e e$en if it were pitch dark, !ecause they didnt like the lights spraying out from the ship. "hed had all the precautions explained to her. +n addition, the men ahead of the party had eAuipment capa!le of detecting the other dangers, were e$en setting traps for them. 7here was no reason for her feeling of doom.

:-asy now, maam. +ts a short walk, and youre surrounded !y guns.; 7he marine sounded like he was calming a skittish animal. :A happy thought,; she assured him, !ut she made herself walk tall as if she felt no fear. 7here was a moment of dS<T $u as she remem!ered her first meeting with &y$en. "hed walked tall then, too. &ysing paused on the sand and !reathed deep. ,er eyes half closed as she took in the scents. "hed ne$er looked more like a cat than when she knelt down and splayed the fingers of her right hand o$er the sand. "he was $ery still, as if listening. :7heres something coming under the sand.; "he pointed to the southeast, toward the sun. Xera translated rapidly. :0aw, the sensors arent picking up any'whoaC +ncomingC "andworm,; yelped one of the technicians manning the sensors. :7he traps arent ready,; -nsign 7re$or said grimly. : etter shoot it.; &ysing watched the chaos calmly. :,old still and it will stop,; she murmured, !ut no one was listening. "he placed a hand on Xeras arm when she tried to pull her away. : e still. +t hunts !y $i!ration. +f you are still, it is !lind.; Xera didnt want to experiment, !ut she told the marine with them what &ysing had said. :,ow does she know?; the man asked softly, !ut he held still, his gun trained where he thought the worm would !e. 7heir care was unnecessary. As soon as the !east got close, it was shot. &ysing shook her head. :"illy.; :Wed !etter get non=essential personnel inside,; the %ommander ordered. :+ want those samples dou!le=Auick.; "ince it was !uilt for keeping out animals, not people, the security was easy to o$ercome. All too soon they were entering the tunnel that led to the main room. 7he fortress was e$erything Xera remem!ered, !ut the circumstances were $astly different. "hed expected fear, !ut oddly the place ga$e her a rush of melancholy. "he missed her hus!and. +f she wanted to see him again, she was going to ha$e to do e$erything in her power to get herself !ack to him. +f an opportunity came up, she was going to ha$e to run for it. &ysing didnt seem in a hurry to lea$e. "he inspected e$ery inch of the main ca$e as if it were a house on the market. "he e$en followed -nsign 7re$or !elow to look at the worms and mushrooms. Xera stayed topside with the marine. 7here was no way she was going !ack down in that hole. "he caught >han looking at her once, !ut she knew there was nothing to fear yet. ,e wouldnt make his mo$e in front of witnesses. &ysing came up munching on a mushroom. "he carried a <ar full of !ugs in her other hand. Xera looked at her in horror. :/hat are you doing?; &ysing popped the last !ite in her mouth and licked her fingers with a slightly pointy tongue. :7hese are much !etter than ships food. +m hoping the crawling ones will !e as well. At least theyre fresh.; Xera gagged. "he had to turn away Auickly to keep from em!arrassing herself. :+ know the feeling,; -nsign 7re$or said as he came up carrying his own <ar. :0othing like sAuishing through the'say, youre not going to puke, are you?;

"he came $ery close. Dor a moment she had to close her eyes and !reathe $ery carefully. 7o comfort herself, she murmured, :+ could understand it if she were the one who was pregnant.; "uddenly it registered what shed said. ,er eyes popped open. -nsign 7re$or was staring at her with a particular, frozen expression. )ity or horror? "he couldnt tell, !ut it was time for fast decisions. "he shot a look at the marine. ,is gaze was across the room, as if he hadnt heard a thing, !ut she didnt !elie$e it. "he looked at 7re$or. :%ould you escort me !ack to the ship? We need to talk.; ,e nodded stiffly. :+ll take a load of specimens.; :Well watch your !ack,; the marine said, and he and &ysing fell into step a couple of paces !ehind. "he waited until they were clim!ing the stone stairs to the platform !efore she spoke. :7he commander of the "corpio, &y$en, is the father. +f you saw the tapes from the conference, you must ha$e known that.; ,e nodded. :.es. +ts <ust'+m so damn sorry for you. 0o woman should ha$e to suffer that.; "he shook her head. :0o suffering here. ,owe$er he !eha$ed with you all, hes different with his family, with women. + want this !a!y to ha$e his father.; 7he silence was thick. 7he ship was getting nearer. ,ad she made a mistake? :+ see. What do you want me to do?; 7re$or said finally. :.ou know !etter than to ask the %ommander to let you go.; :%an you help me? Were lea$ing in what'two days? + cant go !ack, and &ysing' +ll ask, !ut + think she wants to stay with the "corpio, too.; 7here was a heart!eat of silence. :+ll see what + can do.; "he sent him a look of gratitude. :7hank you.; ,e sighed. :.eah, +m a sucker. + know.; 7he time passed Auickly as the @- party collected their specimens. Xera worked on her report and &ysing played games on the computer, or pestered -nsign 7re$or in the la!, armed with a handheld translator hed found for her. "he was insatia!ly curious, particularly a!out the planet. "he told e$eryone it was !ecause shed ne$er gotten to see anything !ut a small portion of her own planet and a confined space of the "corpio world. "he was so childlike and cute, she got away with it, especially since she was free in telling anyone who asked a!out her own world. Bn a ship full of explorers, she was in constant demand. -$en so, she assured Xera pri$ately that she wanted to return with her. "he had hope of seeing her own people again someday. 0ot all of them were ready to let the >huntat rule, and she hoped to help the re!els in some way. Xera didnt spend too much time thinking a!out the girls moti$es; she had her own hopes and worries to occupy her; and other peoples moti$es. 7ime was getting tight. "he needed off the @- ship, and soon, and she needed 7re$ors help. Would a man shed once spurned really help her escape? -nsign 7re$or finally asked her if shed like to take a walk to the cargo !ay. &ysing was welcome to come, too. ,e asked it standing in her doorway, acting as if nothing more interesting were going on than an in$itation to see some of the new things that had !een collected. +t was such a common sight that it didnt cause any interest.

"e$eral crewmem!ers wa$ed to &ysing as she passed. %heerfully, she wa$ed !ack. 7hey girl had a sunny side when not !urdened with fear, and e$ery!ody liked her. -$ery!ody !ut >han. Xeras old captain saw the group pass in the hallway and glowered. -$eryone who associated with Xera was suspect. :7heres not enough room in the la!s, so some of the newest specimens are stored in the cargo !ay. .ou$e ne$er seen anything like them, + promise,; -nsign 7re$or said as a co$er while they passed >han and se$eral others. :+ hope we can keep them ali$e until we reach home.; 7hey didnt go to the cargo !ay, though. Xera and &ysing were escorted to the shuttle !ay instead. 7he huge doors were open as men and eAuipment mo$ed in and out. 7here seemed to !e a pro!lem at the doors. A machine was stuck on the ramp, !elching smoke and !locking the exit. Xera thought she recognized their earlier marine escort as one of the shouting men swarming o$er it. 0o!ody paid them any attention. 7re$or walked casually to the "corpio shuttle and let them in. Bnce inside, he spoke Auickly. :"trap in and take off. +ts fueled and the controls are fixed. )reflights done. +ts now or ne$er.; Xera took a !reath. ,er throat felt tight. :.oull !e punished for this.; ,e smiled grimly. :,it me a couple of times, will you? Fake it look good and things will go !etter for me. &emem!er, + ha$e to stum!le out of here looking !anged up.; "he winced. :+ hope you go to hea$en for this.; "he punched him in the nose, and it was a good shot. one crunched under her fist. ,e cursed and gra!!ed his face, pro!a!ly seeing stars. :0ow this is interesting,; %aptain >ahn said. ,e was propped in the doorway, one hand supporting him on the wall, the other clutching his cane. :+ see youre still a traitor, no matter what the %ommander says.; Xera stared at him. 7re$or turned slowly, still clutching his nose. lood ran !etween his fingers. :"ir, + tried to stop her.; >han smirked. :+ heard. #o$esick whelpC (ont you know shes !een rutting with aliens?; ,is hand tightened on his cane as he looked at Xera. :7his time, its my word against yours, and youre the one trying to escape on this enemy ship.; 7re$or rushed him. ut though a hero at heart, 7re$or was no warrior. Bne neat !low to the side of his head with >hans cane and he was stretched out on the floor, dead to the world. >han looked amused. Xera glanced around for a weapon. Dor her !a!ys sake, shed rather not get too near >han. "he knew hed kill her and claim self=defense. +t was the logical thing, gi$en his hatred of her. :,ere.; &ysing must ha$e raided a tool!ox, !ecause she handed Xera a hea$y wrench. :,urry. We need to take off.; :0o pressure,; Xera muttered. >han grinned and lunged for her. "he ducked the cane and went to one knee, swung the wrench with all her strength. ,is cane connected with her shoulder and clipped her ear, !ut it lacked force. ,er wrench didnt. +t kissed the mans !ad knee with gleeful fury. ,e screamed and went down on top of her. "omehow his hands wrapped around her throat and tightened. ,e was crushing her larynx. Xera saw &ysing kicking his head, !ut still >han didnt let go. ut she had trained for this. Xera encircled his arms with hers and gra!!ed hold of her right fist, locking them

together. With a mighty <erk, she pulled, !reaking his arms at the el!ow. 7here was a wet crunch as the !ones snapped. >han screamed, a sound that was Auickly cut off !y another crack. 7re$or stood o$er him, the wrench clutched in his hand. ,e was wea$ing, !ut still hauled >han off Xera. :,es dead,; &ysing said. :.eah,; Xera croaked. "he crawled to her feet. "he looked at 7re$or. :%an you get him out of here? We$e got to go.; ,e smiled grimly. : etter hurry. 7his wont go o$er well.; :7hank you,; she said. ,e deser$ed a lot more, !ut she didnt ha$e anything else to gi$e. ,e held her eyes then nodded, dragging >han from the ship. Fercifully, the ramp was out of sight of the main door, !locked !y a huge crate, so no one saw. "he knew the situation wouldnt last. :+ts dangerous !eing your friend,; &ysing said. "he was already strapped into a chair and staring tensely out the windshield. Xera grunted. ,er throat was too !ruised for idle con$ersation. +gnoring the !lood on her hand, she gra!!ed the control yoke. 7he shuttle rose seamlessly and she eased out of the !ay. When people saw what was happening, they started to shout and point, !ut there was nothing they could do; the machine on the ramp !locked the door. Xera cleared the machine and rose a!o$e the plateau, then punched it. 7he shuttle hurtled away from the desert as if shot from a cannon, and Xera and &ysings !odies were sho$ed !ack in their seats !y the @ forces. +n minutes they !roke out of the atmosphere and saw the !lackness of space. &ysing ga$e a little shriek of glee. :We did itC; :(ont re<oice yet,; Xera said grimly. :+ ha$e to figure out how to get us home.; &ysing stared at her. : ut'you can flyC %ant you?; Xera took a !reath. :+ ne$er got to plotting coordinates, not for this model of ship. Bh, + can do it in other shuttles, !ut + ha$e to play with these controls first.; :7his is not a gameC )lay at nothing; get us home.; &ysings $oice had risen an uncomforta!le octa$e. "he was out of her comfort zone again. :Working on it,; Xera snapped. ,er fingers flew o$er the controls, trying to find the flight record. +f she could find it, she could use that to get the ship !ack where it came from. -asy enough'in theory. :7here are ships coming from the planet. .our people must ha$e seen the dead captain.; &ysing started to shake. Dighters. Xera could see them. "he swore and tried to keep her mind on the task at hand. "he didnt think she could outrun their pursuers in the shuttle. 7heir only hope was to <ump to hyperspace, !ut it was tantamount to suicide without proper coordinates. :Were going to die.; &ysing rocked !ack and forth in her chair. 7he hunters had !arely arri$ed, and the prey was nearly catatonic with fear. Whate$er her trigger was, the @- must ha$e tripped it. "he must ha$e forgotten all the fun shed had on the human ship. Fay!e !eing pursued !y fighters could do that to a girl. "o much for !eing e$eryones !uddy.

Xera had no time for pity. +f &ysing couldnt help, the least she could do was shut up. "he was shredding Xeras ner$es. Without looking she hissed, :%ome on, girl, get a gripC We can get out of this. "top wilting on me.; &ysing took a shuddering !reath. "he stilled. With a shout of $ictory, Xera found the ship log and the coordinates of home. :A!out freaking time,; she snarled as she started punching codes. 7hey were going !ack. "uddenly another alarm sounded. :WarningC -nemy ship approaching. Aura Auadrant H=3=M.; Xera looked at the readout and paled. +t was a >huntat ship, and it was headed their way. De$erishly she input the commands to <ump the shuttle into hyperspace, only to hear, :)lease prepare while the hyperdri$e warms up. .ou ha$e se$en minutes until this <ump.; "e$en minutes. ,er heart stopped. 7heyd !e dead in four. Xera had a !ad moment. Dor se$eral seconds she was tempted <ust to gi$e up. 7here was a deep, dark place in her mind that would gladly leap free and scream if she would <ust let it. ut Xera wasnt that person. 7he >huntat and @- hadnt won yet. Xera turned to say as much, only to find &ysing slicing open her wrist with a knife from the toolkit. :What are you doing?; Xera yelled, and launched herself at the girl !efore she could do the other. "he gra!!ed &ysings wrist, !ut the girls knife raked her free arm. "he hissed in pain and pinned the #eos knife hand, then el!owed &ysing in the <aw. 7hat stunned the girl long enough for Xera to flip her on her stomach and put her in an arm lock. 7he #eo=Ahni was surprisingly strong for such a slight thing. :,old stillC; Xera put a knee in &ysings !ack and grunted as she struggled to reach the tool!ox without losing her capti$e. 7here was tape there. "he snatched it and wrenched &ysing to her feet, using the arm lock to control her. +t was harder getting the girl into a seat, and &ysing nearly got away. Ded up, Xera muttered, :7his is for your own good,; and she smashed her fist into &ysings face. 7hat staggered the girl long enough for Xera tape her to the chair. A glance at the screen showed the >huntat ship was much closer. "wearing at the lost time, Xera gra!!ed the med kit and slapped some clotting agent and a patch o$er the wound !efore taping &ysings arm down. :.ou$e doomed me,; the girl cried. :+ wont let them ha$e me againC; :(ont worry, +ll slit your throat if it comes to it,; Xera promised, her mind already scheming. 0ot that she wanted to think a!out it; the sight of the girls !lood already made her nauseous. "he sat down and stared at the controls. What could she do with $ery little time and no weapons? Would it come down to suicide? (id she know how to !low up this ship? 7he >huntat neared. Fuch more and their ship would swallow the shuttle whole. Gust as Xera was thinking of ramming them out of spite, she was hailed. :&y$en?; she gasped. :+s that you?; "he flipped on the communications screen and could ha$e cried. 7here was her hus!ands face, <ust as shed imagined it. ,ow had he arri$ed in time? 0e$er mind, she could ask him later. :7hank @odC @et us out of hereC; &y$ens expression was controlled. 7here was no room for relief yet. :-asy. We will.; ,is gaze took in &ysings condition.

:"he tried to slit her wrists when she saw the >huntat coming. + had to knock her down to sa$e her life; ,e actually choked !ack a laugh. :Woman'C 0o, dont lose composure now. .ou did well,; he added, when it seemed she might wilt. :(ont panic; youre going to feel our tractor !eam lock on in a moment.; Xera felt a little !ump and relaxed a fraction. &y$ens ship had them, !ut the >huntat were so closeC 7hey were launching ships to !oard them. ut so were the "corpioC "hed ne$er !een so grateful to see warships in all her life. -$en as &y$ens crafts launch !ay opened to recei$e them, she saw glimpses of explosi$e !attle. "uddenly, the shuttle rocked as the !lasted remains of a >huntat fighter slammed into it. 7he tractor !eam was no protection, and alarms suddenly flared. :XeraC; &y$en shouted. ,er screen grew fuzzy. : usyC; Xera shouted o$er the alarms. ,er hands flew across the controls as she assessed the damage. #ife support was failing. 7he hull was hea$ily damaged and threatening to !uckle. 7he toilet' "he actually laughed. :,ey, &ysingC Bur toilet is offline. Fan, !ut that would !e a pro!lem if we planned to li$e $ery long.; "he shook her head, amazed at the detail and insignificance. Who designed these systems, anyway? #uckily for them, they were swept inside &y$ens ship. Fedics were waiting to escort &ysing to sick!ay. Xera was sped to her hus!ands side. *ncaring of proprieties, she threw herself against him in a hug, which he returned with crushing force. After a long moment, she drew !ack and told him solemnly, :+m ha$ing a !ad day.; ,e laughed, !ut it was strained. :We will make it !etter now. Will you stay with me?; ,e gestured to an empty chair. :A!solutely.; "he parked her tail in the seat, grateful for the chance. "he still felt $ery unsettled. :What a!out the @-? .ou do know theyre here, right?; ,er hus!and nodded. :7hey are running as fast as they can in the opposite direction. We will deal with them later.; "he opened her mouth to defend at least two of them, !ut decided now was not the time. 7hey could discuss it all later. &y$en !egan to issue commands, and she knew !etter than to distract him. ,er hus!and would get them home. %hapter 22 "ince theirs had !een intended to !e a rescue mission, &y$en and 7oosun didnt stick around finish off the attacking >huntat. 7hey were too deep in the alien races territory to risk it, since recent de$elopments had ceded the area to their foes; enemy reinforcements could arri$e at any time. 7he moment they retrie$ed the women, they fought their way clear and <umped into hyperspace. Xera was relie$ed to arri$e home, though it was late !efore she finally crawled into her !ed. &y$en <oined her, lea$ing his !rother to relay the news to their family of the missions success and of the continued interloping of the >huntat. ,e wrapped his arms around her and held tight.

:+ dont want anyone to !uild a moon !ase there,; Xera said into his shoulder. :+ dont want anyone to go through what + <ust did.; "he didnt want her sisters, if they $isited, to !e so close to <eopardy. "uch a situation wasnt likely anyway, what with the @- !reaking the treaty at will. 7heyd !e lucky if the "corpio didnt annihilate them on sight. ,e kissed her hair. :+ know. e at peace.; "he sighed. :7hank you for rescuing me.; :Always, though if you dont mind, +d rather a$oid more incidents in the future. + think + lose a year of my life e$ery time + see you in danger.; "he smiled slightly. :+ll see what + can do.; : elo$ed,; he !egan with mock sternness. "he looked at him in surprise. :.ou called me J!elo$edC; :.es,; he said simply. :+ meant it.; "he still looked amazed. :.ou lo$e me?; 0ow he was annoyed. What had she thought this was a!out? :+ said so, didnt +?; :0ot in so many words.; ,is noisy exhalation was all the answer he ga$e. ut then she grinned, and it was like the sun peeking out of a fog !ank. :.ou lo$e meC; ,e was ready to gi$e a flip response when he noticed the tears still standing in her eyes. ,is annoyance softened. ,e caressed her cheek with the !ack of his hand. :Almost from the first. ,a$ent + shown you?; :+m a human, dummyC + need words.; "he tried to glower at him, !ut her smile kept glimmering through, as though her chest were filled with sunlight. :.ou lo$e me,; she said in wonder. ,e was going to !lush if she kept saying it, so he offered a distraction. :+$e !een thinking'you$e really pro$ed yourself. 0ot <ust with the last situation with @-, !ut with the way you handled &ysing. +f you still wish to !e an am!assador, + will permit it. +t will no longer !e an empty role.; "he sat up and stared. :.ou mean it?; ,is smile was self=mocking. :.ou$e made many sacrifices for me. + think + can gi$e up my idea of a Jperfect family for this. .ou do want it, dont you?; "he grinned and threw herself at him to deli$er a <u!ilant kiss. :.esC .ou are such a sweetie.; 7hat did it. ,e !lushed. 7o take his mind off the em!arrassment, he took his wife in his arms and soon caused her cheeks to glow, too. At least they had one less worry. 7o$arks !ody had turned up at a hospital with a knife wound in his !ack. ,ed !een pronounced dead on arri$al. A search was !eing made for the culprit, whom authorities assumed was his accomplice. Whoe$er he was, 7o$arks killer had done them all a fa$or. Xera was glad he was dead, and &y$en was almost inclined to let the man go. Almost. &ysing was inclined to hold a grudge o$er Xeras rough handling, !ut reluctantly admitted it had sa$ed her life. Xera thought the moodiness was lingering fright o$er the near disaster and decided to gi$e the girl time to get o$er it. &ysing soon !egan to resume some of her former ease.

7he experience changed Xera. "he sent off a carefully edited message to her sister of her ad$entures, then decided it was time for a rest. "he and &y$en mo$ed out to the country house and met the neigh!ors, commuting !ack to the palace whene$er needed. 7he more time she spent at the estate, the happier she was. +n the pri$acy of the county, &y$en relaxed. +t was easier to demonstrate her lo$e when she was allowed to touch him. "pring had come, and she en<oyed walking in the gardens. "hed had her fill of ad$enture for now, and was a!le to en<oy simple pleasures like strolls in the sunshine. "he no longer felt so restless. +t was also fun to plan her childs future, though she tried not to map it much past the fifth year; the kid needed some room for spontaneity. 7he child arri$ed in due time, and Xera was surprised to find out he was a she. :.ou didnt tell me,; she chided her hus!and after shed caught her !reath. ,e smiled at her. :.ou were so sure it would !e a !oy, + didnt want to ruin the surprise.; 7he nurse handed him the child. "wathed in a towel, the tiny !undle looked a!surdly small in her hus!ands arms, !ut the look of tenderness in &y$ens eyes... Xera had to swallow tears. "he didnt e$en mind her sisters a!sence now, not with this kind of lo$e here for her child. "he had no dou!t the !a!y girl would earn similar looks from her grandfather and uncle. 7oosun had a special soft spot for children, and his !rothers child would !e especially dear to him/ hed want to $et all her suitors. 7he poor child was going to ha$e a terri!le time dating. :7ime to meet you mother, little lo$e,; &y$en said, gently placing the !a!y in her arms. Xera gasped. :"he has your eyesC; :7he next one will ha$e yours,; he soothed. "he frowned at him. :+ like her eyes. + like your eyes. 7heyre $ery pretty. (ont get any ideas on starting another one anytime soon, though.; ,e ignored the last part of her statement. :.ou ne$er told me you liked my eyes.; :.oure arrogant enough as it is.; ,e smiled wolfishly. :Well continue this when you$e regained your strength. &est. #et me show her to her family. + think Aunt 7essla and 7oosun will storm the room if they ha$e to wait much longer.; :)erhaps a wash and a clean diaper, first, my lord?; the nurse suggested. "he practically had to wrestle the child away from her frowning father. &y$en ga$e way, !ut stood near!y and waited impatiently for the nurse to finish, carefully watching her e$ery mo$e. :Dathers,; the nurse tending Xera murmured wryly. :7heyre all alike.; Xera smiled. "he was tired, !ut more content than shed !een in a $ery long while. With him !y her side, she was comforta!le with whate$er the future had in store for them. #et him ho$er; her child would know the full measure of her fathers lo$e. With &y$en, shed learned, no words alone could e$er demonstrate the depth of his heart, !ut his actions were all in the language of lo$e. 7hey reAuired no translation. 7he -nd

A!out the author/ Autumn is a professional writer and stay at home mom with three kids, a dog and an acti$e imagination. "hes married to her high school sweetheart, Gohn, who is known to !ring her flowers R<ust !ecauseR. After HI years in Alaska, she mo$ed to Washington with her family to en<oy a state with actual seasons. "he started self=pu!lishing in 2343 after a string of re<ections that read, :We lo$e your writing, !ut were not sure how to market it.; "he pu!lished on "mashwords, Amazon and arnes U 0o!le, which lead to a num!er of !estsellers. After 'he Charmer hit V4 on arnes U 0o!le for fantasy romance, she threw herself into editing and uploading her !acklist. 7he next year and a half passed in a !lur as she worked non=stop, and producti$ity declined as she took time to homeschool her autistic son, who was suffering from !ullying issues. With !oxing lessons and a year to !oost his confidence and academic skills, hes looking forward to attending mainstream high school in 2342. 7he strain of maintaining a !usiness and home schooling while taking care of her family was draining, !ut @od !lessed her efforts and the results were worth it. ,er income for 2344 was W433,333, far exceeding her !est year with traditional pu!lishing. 7hough she remains grateful for the opportunities traditional pu!lishing pro$ided, Autumn is currently pursuing the self=pu!lishing market full time. %onnect with me online at/ www.autumndawn!ooks.com http/99authorautumndawn.!logspot.com

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'he 0olden 7ell 0host in 4er 4eart 7east /ars .ar" Lovers Anthology 5includes 4omecomin U 2cent of .an er8 .ar" /arriors Anthology 5includes @+,, U 7east /ars6 #adies in Waiting/ 'he /oman Inside 'he 9ther /oman 'hrou h the Loo"in 0lass (raconian "eries/ *ide 'he 2tars Careful, 4e 7ites Aliens .o it 7etter/ Anthology featuring *ide the 2tars and Interstellar Lover Interstellar Lover :nder the 7rid e