response to their
attempts at contact with anyone from Cestori. Cali hadn’t been able to reach Conndra
or Vareen. She assured him that this wasn’t entirely unusual. She tried to hide
her worry, but Mica could still see it nonetheless. It would be good to get
this over with.
*****
“Calinae.”
“Mother.”
This was the fearsome Aicen Edal? Mica wante d
to laugh at the idea that this small female held the whole planet in awe. The
little general, as his first impression tagged her, did have her hair in a
severe bun that would make a normal person’s eyes water. Her business suit
wasn’t the most attractive style or color, but then this was their choice of
clothing. Both of the other women with her were wearin g
the same type of outfits.
“This is a diplomatic meeting mother. You didn’t need so much
protection.”
Mica did crack a smile at the number of guards the women had around them. It was insulting really since this was
supposed to be a friendly discussion. Vathral had teleported to the surface
this morning to gather information for them. They hadn’t heard from him since
and were attending this meeting with no idea what was happening on Cestori.
“With only vague information about the people of Titus, we felt it
prudent to come prepared.” Aicen Edal looked at him, Drake and Nevir with cold
eyes. “Vareen Nas didn’t have much to tell us about the males that had taken
you. Or the ship The Reliant had
encountered.”
Mica instantly stood taller. She’d spoken with Vareen? He wanted to break
into the conversation but was stopped when Cali spoke first.
“I’m sure Vareen told you I went willingly.”
“There were…” Aicen paused, “conflicting reports about what occurred on
the bridge. That you had a relationship with the male rescued from the first pod
was widely known by everyone onboard. Not as many crew members agreed that you
went ‘willingly’ with the male from Titus however. Some say you teleported
right off the bridge, without a word to your crew.”
“I’m to blame for Cali’s lack of
communication with her crew, ” Drake spoke
in Cali’s defense. “The custom of my people when dealing with a chosen mate is to claim that person without question
or reserve.”
Which is what he should have done. Taken Vareen off The Reliant and let the ship get back to Cestori on its own.
Aicen Edal looked at Drake dispassionately, “I see. My daughter is this
‘chosen mate’ to you?”
“Yes.”
“Even if she is promised to someone else?” her mother inquired calmly.
“I would be forced to kill any male you tried to partner her with.”
Mica agreed. Any male that tried to steal a chosen mate should die. Since
Vathral wasn’t interested in Cali, he was safe.
Aicen Edal held her hand out and the female introduced as Tonn Dax closed
her mouth. Was this woman Vathral’s
mother? Mica would think that she would protest the idea of Drake killing her
son more vehemently. So much for motherly love.
“Would this mating stand, if my
daughter changed her mind? Told you of her own free will that she didn’t want
you?”
Mica’s gaze flew to Drake. There wasn’t a male alive that would let his
chosen mate walk away. He’d only been able to let Vareen come to Cestori
because he knew they would follow. How would his friend answer this question? Drake
stood stoically and finally stated.
“Yes.”
Mica didn’t believe him. It went against their very nature.
“I would like to speak privately with Calinae.”
Mica’s instincts were screaming that this was all wrong, and Aicen Edal
was up to something.
“No,” Drake’s denial was vehement and he nodded his agreement.
“Why, is there a reason she might deny you as her mate?”
“There is nothing you could say that would make me deny Drake as my mate.”
Cali turned to Drake and placed a hand on his chest. “It’s okay. I’ll speak
with her alone.”
Drake obviously wasn’t happy with the idea, “Very well. If
attempts at contact with anyone from Cestori. Cali hadn’t been able to reach Conndra
or Vareen. She assured him that this wasn’t entirely unusual. She tried to hide
her worry, but Mica could still see it nonetheless. It would be good to get
this over with.
*****
“Calinae.”
“Mother.”
This was the fearsome Aicen Edal? Mica wante d
to laugh at the idea that this small female held the whole planet in awe. The
little general, as his first impression tagged her, did have her hair in a
severe bun that would make a normal person’s eyes water. Her business suit
wasn’t the most attractive style or color, but then this was their choice of
clothing. Both of the other women with her were wearin g
the same type of outfits.
“This is a diplomatic meeting mother. You didn’t need so much
protection.”
Mica did crack a smile at the number of guards the women had around them. It was insulting really since this was
supposed to be a friendly discussion. Vathral had teleported to the surface
this morning to gather information for them. They hadn’t heard from him since
and were attending this meeting with no idea what was happening on Cestori.
“With only vague information about the people of Titus, we felt it
prudent to come prepared.” Aicen Edal looked at him, Drake and Nevir with cold
eyes. “Vareen Nas didn’t have much to tell us about the males that had taken
you. Or the ship The Reliant had
encountered.”
Mica instantly stood taller. She’d spoken with Vareen? He wanted to break
into the conversation but was stopped when Cali spoke first.
“I’m sure Vareen told you I went willingly.”
“There were…” Aicen paused, “conflicting reports about what occurred on
the bridge. That you had a relationship with the male rescued from the first pod
was widely known by everyone onboard. Not as many crew members agreed that you
went ‘willingly’ with the male from Titus however. Some say you teleported
right off the bridge, without a word to your crew.”
“I’m to blame for Cali’s lack of
communication with her crew, ” Drake spoke
in Cali’s defense. “The custom of my people when dealing with a chosen mate is to claim that person without question
or reserve.”
Which is what he should have done. Taken Vareen off The Reliant and let the ship get back to Cestori on its own.
Aicen Edal looked at Drake dispassionately, “I see. My daughter is this
‘chosen mate’ to you?”
“Yes.”
“Even if she is promised to someone else?” her mother inquired calmly.
“I would be forced to kill any male you tried to partner her with.”
Mica agreed. Any male that tried to steal a chosen mate should die. Since
Vathral wasn’t interested in Cali, he was safe.
Aicen Edal held her hand out and the female introduced as Tonn Dax closed
her mouth. Was this woman Vathral’s
mother? Mica would think that she would protest the idea of Drake killing her
son more vehemently. So much for motherly love.
“Would this mating stand, if my
daughter changed her mind? Told you of her own free will that she didn’t want
you?”
Mica’s gaze flew to Drake. There wasn’t a male alive that would let his
chosen mate walk away. He’d only been able to let Vareen come to Cestori
because he knew they would follow. How would his friend answer this question? Drake
stood stoically and finally stated.
“Yes.”
Mica didn’t believe him. It went against their very nature.
“I would like to speak privately with Calinae.”
Mica’s instincts were screaming that this was all wrong, and Aicen Edal
was up to something.
“No,” Drake’s denial was vehement and he nodded his agreement.
“Why, is there a reason she might deny you as her mate?”
“There is nothing you could say that would make me deny Drake as my mate.”
Cali turned to Drake and placed a hand on his chest. “It’s okay. I’ll speak
with her alone.”
Drake obviously wasn’t happy with the idea, “Very well. If
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