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With no communications, Tegani began to fear Houston was off planet working on another mission for the League or worse, captured or dead. She was sitting by an open window enjoying a cool breeze when he returned to Sayeri’s estate.
Houston got off the delivery transport and walked up to the house. He was wearing a heavy robe, one he would never need in this climate.
“It’s Houston!” Ninallia squealed and ran to meet him.
Sayeri came hurrying from her office.
Tegani’s heartrate quickened. She straightened her robes and glanced in a mirror. Her hair was growing out and was braided it in the traditional Sister style. It was surprising how such a small thing could be so important to her self-esteem. She couldn’t help the way her breath caught when she saw Houston standing in the long corridor. She willed herself not to rush into his arms.
Ninallia’s rush was something of a fast waddle. The young emperor was growing well.
“Look at you, little one, getting big.” Houston laughed and swung Ninallia around. He stopped when his saw Tegani. Ninallia looked up and followed his gaze.
“She’s missed you too, more than me,” she said. She stepped aside and let Houston get closer to Tegani. There was a shy almost awkwardness to his approach.
Tegani could see his uncertainty and gave him a welcoming smile. She extended her arms toward him, and he took her into a crushing embrace.
He held the embrace longer than was proper. When he let her go, they were both breathing heavily.
“Well, let’s let Houston come inside, ladies.” Sayeri laughed
She led them into the great room where Ninallia settled in a large chair and put her feet up. Her ankles swelled at times. “Now tell us about your adventures in the Empire. Were you able to locate this woman who claims to be the assassin’s wife?”
“Yes, she was in the bar. In fact, Beliani owns the place and acts a bartender.” He brought them up-to-date.
“That witch! She could have given you the key in the beginning.” Ninallia growled. This was followed by laughter as she gasped and clutched her stomach. “The emperor agrees!”
Everyone laughed. Sayeri and Tegani filled Houston in on the news from the Temple City. Sayeri promised to let him see a pair of beautiful horses she purchased from the League Trade Commission. Several of her neighbors were successfully breeding the animals, though many Bengarians felt the animals were not worth the effort. Riding horseback was slow to catch on and horse meat even less so. Horses were graceful and powerful as they galloped across the open grasslands. Tegani figured that was why beef cattle were more popular and practical. But she enjoyed watching the horses.
~ * ~
Houston’s mouth watered as the smell of grilling steaks reached him. What a wonderful homecoming. He froze at the thought. Was this what a homecoming felt like? Why did he feel he was home? He looked at the three women who felt more like family than anyone had in a long time. How hard would it be when he left them to return to space?
The meal was one of the best. The Bengarian tubers were tasty, but he preferred Earth potatoes. Ninallia laughed, and Tegani looked happy. He ate more than was usual as evidenced by the tightness in his belt.
A piercing alarm sounded, and everyone jumped up from the table. The intruder alarm. Security sensors had been triggered by someone entering the estate without going through the checkpoint.
Houston bolted from his chair with weapon in hand. Sayeri was on her communicator. The intruder had shown up like a blip on the sensors, and then disappeared.
“You and Ninallia stay here,” he told Tegani. “Lock this door, and don’t open it for anyone.”
Tegani took the small blaster he put in her hand. Ninallia was standing with her hands on her stomach with tears streaming down her face.
Sayeri put her arm around the girl. “It’s okay. It may not be anything.”
The curtain shifted, and a figure stepped through the window. Houston whirled to fire. The trigger froze. He prepared to launch himself at the figure when Tegani called out. “Arturon, what are you doing here?”
The tableau froze.
Arturon bowed to Tegani. “Thank you, Sister, it’s good to see you.”
Puzzled, Houston lowered the blaster, thankful he hadn’t fired. He knew of First Brother, Arturon. Houston bowed and extended his hand. “I’m glad to meet you, Brother.”
Arturon bowed then shook the proffered hand. “I regret my duplicity. It cannot be known I am here.”
“Why are you here? My Lady is in danger. You should be there,” Sayeri said.
“My Lady sent me because paternity must be verified as soon as the baby is born, and I am one of those authorized to handle royal paternity matters.”
“You traveled all this way to verify the paternity before Hanoree has time to dispute or destroy the evidence?”
Arturon looked at Sayeri and smiled. “Yes, My Lady has foreseen much trouble.”
The door opened, and in ran young Peterno straight into his grandmother’s arms. Everyone stopped as Sayeri comforted him.
Tegani’s wide eyes looked from the child to Arturon. That caught Houston’s attention. When he looked, he realized the resemblance was striking. Arturon glanced from the child to Sayeri. Utter confusion and amazement shone in his expression.
Tegani touched Houston’s arm, nodding toward the door. Ninallia stood and followed him and Tegani, giving Sayeri and Arturon privacy.
~ * ~
Sayeri stroked her grandson’s hair. She smiled at Arturon. “It’s been a long time, Arturon. There are things I should have told you. Say hello to your grandson, Peterno.”
Peterno looked up at Arturon with those uncannily similar eyes and smiled shyly. “Grandfather?”
“How?”
Sayeri motioned for Arturon to sit and explained, “I learned I was pregnant as soon as I got back to the Empire and was in great disgrace when I refused to name you as the father. I couldn’t because they would have ruined you. I knew I couldn’t marry you and live in the Temple City so I married Nabaro and came to live here. Our daughter, Hennina, was born, and Nabaro accepted her as his own.”
She gave a shrug and sighed. “She inherited my wild nature and ran off to live with a trader, leaving me with Peterno.”
The belated confession was spilled in such a matter of fact way that Arturon sat in silence. It was a shock to find the boy was his grandson and he had daughter he had never meet. The revelation seemed to leave him dazed. Tears filled his eyes. They’d been foolish youngsters in love long ago.
She walked to a portrait of a young girl standing next to a grape arbor. Their daughter. Hennina had Arturon’s eyes, her mother’s hair and smile. The artist captured something of a wild nature in the portrait, also a love of life and kindness.
Arturon stared at the portrait. Sayeri put her arms around him from behind. Her body pressed against him, her head leaned against his shoulder. “Please say you forgive me.”
He turned Sayeri around and held her in his arms. He kissed her hair then her lips. Was it possible to find love again after so many years?
Sayeri drew back. “We should let My Lady know you have arrived.” She squeezed his hand and waited for him to contact My Lady.
My Lady responded quickly, her mental voice as clear and crisp as ever. Arturon, we trust you had a safe journey. Is everyone well there?
Yes, My Lady, it appears so. The girl is healthy, and the child appears to be growing inside her.
And Lady Sayeri? My Lady asked, a hint of irony in her voice.
Sayeri is well, My Lady. She sends her best wishes.
She is a brave woman, Arturon. Take care of them as best you can. What do you think of this League colonel?
He seems to be a good man. I sense honor and loyalty in him. He hesitated. He loves Tegani or, so he believes.
And what does our Sister feel?
She is in love, My Lady.
Oh dear, I did not foresee this.
Don’t worry, I won’t mention this to Tegani. Perhaps the colonel can be persuaded to become a permanent resident of Bengar.
“Arturon.” Sayeri’s voice called through the fog of his connection. “Tell My Lady goodbye and come to dinner.”
Sayeri had never been respectful of rank or position.
~ * ~
Tegani sat on the wide veranda, moving the porch swing back and forth. Her thoughts echoed the pattern. It was understandable the League and the Order would predicate their involvement on the birth of a true heir. There was no reason to automatically believe Ninallia. She could be a fraud, or Madama Ector could have been lying about which dumas carried the royal heir. Tegani didn’t even want to imagine that scenario.
Seeing Arturon and Sayeri together brought other feelings. How sad they missed all those years together. What about her feelings for Houston? She was bound to Ninallia until this was resolved, then her loyalty was to the Order. Could she abandon her training and go with Houston?
“You look serious. Aren’t you glad to see Arturon?” Ninallia joined her on the swing.
“Yes, I worry about My Lady,” Tegani lied.
Too much was already apparent to Ninallia because of her abilities, and Tegani was not ready to share her personal feelings. She looked at the girl sitting next to her on the swing. Pregnancy made her face glow. She wondered if Ninallia realized how much her life would change if her son became emperor.
“Now you’re worrying about me. I am too, but we must not let Hanoree get away with murder.” Ninallia placed a hand on her stomach. “If I had known whose child I would carry, I don’t know if I would have agreed to be a dumas.” Her eyes narrowed. “Hanoree will get to my son over my dead body.”
“You’re looking and sounding fierce,” laughed Tegani. There was something frightening about the sudden determination in Ninallia’s eyes.
“I hate Hanoree. He killed my friends from the hostel. He is the reason Madama Ector is dead. My mother and aunt are...”
“They are quite safe,” said Arturon coming onto the veranda and catching their conversation.
Ninallia squealed with joy and launched her rounded body at the senior Brother. He laughed and caught her in his arms. “We were able to get them to safety before Hanoree could act, if in fact he knows about them. They are under guard for the time being, and your mother is receiving medical attention and is doing well.”
Tears of joy flowed down Ninallia’s face. Tegani smiled and hugged her old mentor.
Clouds darkened the sky so she suggested they go inside before the rain started.