Giggling, Sheala nodded. “Lonely widows are a specialty of Ban’s.”
A resigned expression settled on Teena’s face. “I think that for the duration of their visit, I’ll be assigning the older maids to the tower rooms.”
Sosha began to giggle, but Teena raised her hand to forestall any comments. “I know, Ban loves all women. However, I don’t think he’ll be able to sweet-talk his way around Auctia and Sarti.”
Chuckling, Denieen agreed. “Marti won’t tolerate any foolishness. If Ban doesn’t behave, she’ll put him over her knee.”
Still giggling, Sheala interjected, “But Ban may enjoy the spanking.”
Throwing her hands up in frustration, Teena rose to leave. “Then I expect you to keep him under control. You too, Sosha. Deni told me he asked you to marry him. If you’d agreed, I wouldn’t have these worries.”
With those final words, Teena exited the room, the three young women she left behind laughing uproariously.
* * * * *
“Welcome to my hold, Dragon of the Alalakans,” Drefes said formally as he clasped Char’s forearm.
Grinning, Char returned his host’s grasp.
Wendjas slapped Char on the back, knocking him forward two steps. “Brianna,” he said with a twinkle in his eye, “perhaps you’re tired of this weak, indolent Drakian and would be interested in a strong Gattan for a husband.”
Shifting her son to her other shoulder, Brianna laughed then shook her head. “Somehow, Wendjas, I can’t see Deni agreeing to share you. And a Gattan with an angry wife…”
“…is not envied by his friends,” Wendjas finished with a bark of laughter. “You’re right. If I so much as looked at another woman, Deni would castrate me.”
“A good thing for you to remember, Husband,” Deni said as she took Connor from Brianna’s arms.
“He’s grown so much since I last saw him. Does he sleep well at night?”
As Deni led Brianna towards the ground transports waiting for them, Ban grabbed Sheala, tossed her into the air, then hugged her tightly when he caught her. “Married life seems to agree with you, Coz.”
Laughing, Sheala threw her arms around Ban’s neck and hugged him back. “Oh, it does, Ban. Marljas has the most amazing tongue.”
Marljas made a grab for his wife. “Sheala!”
Ban swung her away. “Oh?”
Sheala nodded. “Oh, yes. All Gattan have tongues with all these wonderful bumps on them. And when Marljas starts licking my—”
Marljas yanked Sheala out of Ban’s arms and into his own. He kissed her to shut her up, then threw her over his shoulder. Ignoring her screech, the sharp smacks on his ass, and the tail wrapped around his neck, he trotted towards the house.
Ban glanced at Char. “I’d say that marriage is working just fine.” Rubbing his hands together, he looked at Wendjas. “I don’t want to be impolite, but—have you got anything to eat? I’m starved.”
As Wendjas led Ban and Char away, Drefes turned to Bjin, Kahn and Feni. “Welcome to my hold. My wife has prepared a light repast since our evening meal is served late. Please, join us.”
Bjin bowed. “Your courtesy is much appreciated, Drefes of Gattan. I will be honored to join you.”
Kahn just grunted and nodded his head. Feni remained stoically silent.
Wondering what his youngest son had gotten the family into, Drefes led them to the last transport.
When they reached the house, Marljas was introducing everyone to his mother. “Mother, I would make known to you my bloodsister, Alalakan dem al’ Brianna, her husband Alalakan don al’ Chardadon and my nephew by bloodbond, Connor. I would also make known to you Alalakan don al’ Bandalardrac, Prince Hardan. Just coming in with Father are Kahn and Feni of Mediria and Bjin of Deslossia.”
Teena curtsied formally. “Welcome to my hearth, Dragon of the Alalakans, Prince Hardan, Brianna bloodsister to my son, everyone else. Your arrival is greeted with joy.”
Char bowed his head in greeting and answered just as formally. “Well met, Teena Seenasdotir. We accept your hospitality with delight and honor.”
Smiling warmly, Teena opened her arms and gave Brianna a firm hug. “My eldest son and his wife tell me that Marljas chose well when he blooded you.”
Returning Teena’s embrace, Brianna answered, “I blooded myself, Teena Seenasdotir. I didn’t give your son much choice in the matter.”
Chuckling, Drefes replaced his wife and also hugged Brianna warmly. “Welcome to our family. I didn’t think there was anyone in the universe more impetuous than Marljas.”
Tilting her head back, Brianna looked up into the face that looked so much like Marljas’. “I know a good thing when I see it.”
He frowned. “Know a good thing when you see it?”
Laughing, Marljas swung Brianna out of his father’s arms, and folded her into a huge hug. “Never mind, Father, you’ll get used to it.”
Sosha, who had been standing quietly next to Teena, stepped forward, locked arms with Ban and pulled him before her host and hostess. “Brother by blood, say hello to your host and hostess.”
His usual devilish grin on his face, Ban bowed low, raising Teena’s hand to his lips.
“A truly beautiful woman, these younger buds pale in comparison next to you.”
Drefes stiffened, but Teena gently disengaged her hand. “I see your reputation is well warranted, Bandalardrac Hardan,” she answered with a sigh.
Wendjas clapped his hand on his father’s shoulder while Marljas laughed outright.
“Ban,” Brianna warned, “you promised to be good.”
Turning back to Sosha, Ban hugged her again and innocently answered Brianna. “But, Coz, what have I done?”
Chuckling, Deni laid Connor into Teena’s arms. “Here, Teena, your newest grandson. I’ll deal with Bandalardrac.”
Linking her arm in Ban’s she led him towards the veranda. “There are some friends of Teena’s here who may interest you, Ban. All are widows.”
A glint appeared in Ban’s eye. “Widows?”
“Widows,” she stated firmly.
“Deni, I think I’m going to like Gattan. Sheala was saying something about Gattan tongues…”
“How am I ever going to keep my eye on him,” Brianna muttered as Wendjas linked his arm through hers.
“Don’t worry, Bri,” Sheala called after her. “You haven’t met the widows yet.”
Teena was enjoying herself cuddling Connor in her arms. With a fond grin, Drefes gently admonished her. “Wife, our guests are hungry.”
With a smile, Teena handed Connor back to Brianna. “He’s a fine son. Forgive me. Please, join us.
There are refreshments on the veranda. Now, how sure are you that Deni’s child will be a girl?”
Chuckling, everyone followed Teena outside.
* * * * *
Marljas looked at Brianna with a confused expression on his face.
Giving her husband a punch on the shoulder, Sheala answered for him. “The minute Deni put Connor into Teena’s arms, you won her over. Deni said that babies are her weakness. You gave her another grandchild. She’d fight tooth and claw for you.”
Marljas nodded affirmatively all the while his wife was speaking. “Truly, bloodsister, you are one of us, a
Leonine
. You will always be welcome here.”
“What about me, Coz?” asked Ban with a grin.
Marljas grinned widely. “Judging from what Sheala heard my mother’s friends whispering to her, you may not be able to leave.”
Ban’s grin grew wider, but he wisely refrained from comment.
Char, however, had more serious thought on his mind. “What of this summons by Queen Mattis?”
Marljas shrugged. “It was to be expected. Father is uncle to the king, and his son has married a woman from another planet. They also want to meet the alien woman I took as bloodsister.” He grinned. “As Brianna says, I’ve rocked their world.”
Ban rose and headed for the decanter of wine. “And everybody says I cause trouble. You’ve managed to defy two old traditions in less than a month.”
“He didn’t exactly defy tradition, Ban,” Sosha said from where she sat. “It just that no one else from such a high-ranking family has ever married or bloodbonded with an alien.”
Ban’s grin grew wider. “I knew there was something about him I always liked.”
“Nevertheless,” Char interjected. “What kind of reception will we get?”
“The family has been invited to a formal reception,” Denieen said from the open door. “The atmosphere will be—cordial. And Brianna and Sheala will be presented to the entire court.”
“Another formal presentation,” Brianna muttered. “Findal of Mediria jumped off his throne and hugged me. What in the world will the Gattan queen do?”
Chuckling, Char stroked his wife’s shoulder and said, “I doubt very much if Mattis will come down off her throne to hug you, my love.”
“Yeah, more she’ll more likely want to kick my ass for bonding myself to a cousin of her husband.”
Deni sighed. “She is much too dignified to ‘kick your ass’.”
“Don’t worry,” Deni interjected with a chuckle. “The thirty days at half tariff the King of Mediria granted Gattan to celebrate Sheala’s marriage has gone a long way to smoothing your acceptance.”
“Not to mention the Alalakan concessions we’ll be adding,” Char added.
“And Mattis has an eye for beauty,” Deni continued. “She’ll simply adore that dress you brought her. I can guarantee that she has nothing like it in her wardrobe. You can be sure she’ll wear it to the reception which will be held later that night.”
“Once women start talking about dresses, it’s time for me to leave,” Ban said as he rose and stretched.
“It has been a long day, and I’m ready for bed.”
“Alone?” asked every female voice in the room.
His devilish grin stretching across his face, Ban winked as he exited the room.
“They’ve arrived?”
Kadis nodded. “The queen had them shown to apartments in the visitors’ wing. She’s not going to meet them until the formal presentation.”
Settling into her chair, Jadis pursed her lips. “What’s my dear sister up to now? Why didn’t she meet them immediately?”
Cadan sauntered into the room and flopped onto the settee. “She wants the entire court assembled when she grants her approval for Marljas’ marriage to the Drakian woman, of course.”
Jadis looked from her daughter to her son. He was handsome, the masculine version of Kadis, but then, with her as his mother, why wouldn’t he be? She smiled. She’d had many advantageous marriage offers for him. All she had to do was determine which would most advance her political plans.
He smirked at her.
A ripple of discontent tripped up her spine, and her smile disappeared.
Arrogant—male! Looks should have been enough for him! He should have had a malleable personality and just enough intelligence to follow her orders. Instead, he’d been born with a sharp wit and the quick intelligence Kadis should have gotten. A smart son! What had she ever done to deserve one such as he!
“Yes, Mother?”
The look he bestowed upon her was entirely too knowing. She should never have divulged her entire plan to him.
“Everything is ready?”
He inclined his head. “Of course.”
A small flutter of unease swam through Jadis’ stomach. Cadan wouldn’t go against her orders, would he?
Rising from his chair, he walked across the room and poured a glass of wine. Turning, he returned to her side. “You look thirsty, Mother.”
Sighing, she squashed her unease and accepted the goblet he proffered. He was only a male. He wouldn’t dare defy her. “I am. Thank you.”
Leaning over he kissed her cheek. “I’m off then to check on final preparations. I’ll see you later.”
“Don’t forget to wear your black vest. It sets off the stripes in your hair, and you do want to look your best.”
He inclined his head. “Of course, Mother. Everything will be as you wish.” After a last smile, he left the room.
Kadis sniffed. “He could have gotten me some wine too. I’m his sister, after all.”
After draining the wine from her goblet, Jadis set it down and rose. “Never mind about him. He’s male and understands his place.” She turned to face her daughter. “You know what you must do?”
Kadis preened. “As soon as Marljas introduces his Drakian wife, I challenge her for Marljas on the grounds of a previous betrothal.”
Biting off a curse—why couldn’t Kadis have at least
some
of her brother’s intelligence—Jadis shook her head. “No! Not a previous betrothal. We agreed that wouldn’t work because Teena didn’t accept our offer. You must remember that! You must challenge on the grounds that Marljas is too close to the royal line to marry an alien. Any daughters he sires could become heirs to the throne.”
Kadis began to pout. “Even if something would happen to the queen and her daughters, Denieen’s daughter would be next in line.”
Her temper already rising, Jadis made no attempt to hide the anger in her voice. “Silly twit. Denieen has sons! If Marljas sires a daughter, she would become queen. Don’t you want to be the mother of the queen?”
“But Denieen’s pregnant, and she said it was a girl.”
Jadis stopped her pacing. “Denieen’s pregnant? Why didn’t you tell me?”
Swallowing, Kadis shrugged. “I was so angry at Marljas and his mother and…” She swallowed again. “I forgot.”
Kadis began to pace again. “So she’s pregnant. There’s no guarantee the child will be a daughter.”
“Marljas’ alien bloodsister told Denieen it would be a girl.”
Fixing her stare on her daughter, Jadis snapped, “How can she know this? Was she tested?”