Page 39

T he silence in the cabin deafened Grulen.

Morgan left not long after their discussion without a word.

Wrapped up in his own misery, he didn’t even realize until later.

He searched for her and attempted to comm her without success.

Finally, he noticed all her belongings disappeared from her room. He stalked outside to find the guards.

Stony-faced, Yanz informed him she departed hours prior. When Grulen asked where she went, both males shrugged. I guess I know where their loyalties lie.

He couldn’t blame them. He would react the same way to someone causing her pain. Only this time, it was him. Even though he didn’t plan to go after her, he didn’t like not knowing where she was or if she was safe. Being unaware of her whereabouts ate at him.

He spent the remainder of the day punching a heavy bag in the training area, then he swung an axe splitting firewood.

The burn of his muscles felt like penance, but his mood did not improve.

Kragen’s eyes flashed when he asked if either guard would spar with him, but both declined.

I think he wanted to beat me. I wish he would.

For evening meal, he programmed the synthesizer.

Lost in the memories of Morgan teaching him how to do so on the Fortitude , the food became cold, and he had to reheat it.

Although there was nothing wrong with the stew, it tasted like dust in his mouth.

At first he thought Morgan’s training as an educator was the reason she was able to instruct him when so many others had failed.

But then he realized that his memory of his sister Fliva trying to teach him interfered.

It was if something in him believed if he learned how to do it, he dishonored her memory.

Without his subconscious creating difficulties, he easily gained the skill. Strange how the brain works.

The sanitary facility seemed to emit soft echoes of their grunts and moans as they took pleasure in each other’s bodies, haunting him. Before I didn’t have enough memories. Now I have too many.

Later, he tossed and turned in his bed which retained the scent of them combined. The long night saw him drifting into sleep only to wake abruptly later when his arms felt empty. He groaned the fourth time it happened. I miss her. Her company, her warmth, her laughter.

The morning found him sitting in a chair outside staring blindly at the trees as the sun rose. Even out here, he swore he smelled her on the breeze. His comm chimed several times before he blinked rapidly and answered it.

“Jevax.”

“Son, good morn. Healer Rivezt informed me your memories returned. I hoped we could visit Nestune today.” I’m not sure I want to, but I do want to see my father.

“I’m available.”

“Good. I’ll be there soon.”

Disconnecting his comm, he rose from his seat and headed inside to change. His stomach protested at the thought of eating. Maybe food will appeal later.

He went out the front of the cabin to wait. His back against a tree, he lazily pulled at the grass by his side. Crek. The smell reminds me of her.

Frowning, he rose and watched a flitter larger than expected land. Yanz and Kragen appeared silently from the trees. The ramp opened. HIs father smiled when he saw Grulen waiting.

“Excellent. We can be on our way immediately.”

Grulen embraced his father and followed him onto the flitter with Yanz and Kragen in trail.

His tail stiffened when he saw all the males already onboard.

The four friends from the Invictus —Durek, Wurvez, Tolvex, and Rivezt—sat next to the king and across from Makai, Ronan, Lezon, and Crax.

Glancing toward the cockpit, he recognized Kriven Tesix and Slaiv’n Westov, two Invictus security officers, manning the controls.

Toward the rear of the craft, two additional royal guards greeted Yanz and Kragen and they conferred in low voices.

He sat in the seat between Makai and his father. He nodded to everyone at large. Why are all of them here?

“Jevax, you look tired. Did you not sleep well?” Durek leaned back, crossed his ankles, and rested his hands on his thighs.

“I was restless last night. Nothing to be concerned about.”

Durek’s fangs flashed.

“I understand. I have difficulty sleeping when Talia isn’t there.”

“I have to exhaust Kara to keep her next to me. The female has too much energy at times.” Crax’s eyes were closed, but he wore a small grin.

“Emmy’s the same way. Maybe their affinity for technology has some strange effect on them. However, I have my ways to ensure she remains abed.” Everyone but Grulen laughed at Tolvex’s jest.

“I’ve never slept better or as deeply as I do with Natasha in my arms.” Ronan seemed young compared to the other males who nodded in agreement.

“It’s as if their presence quiets all the worries of the day,” Traxen said quietly.

“Now you’re just trying to make me jealous,” Makai grinned. “With no mate, I have no one to harangue me or cause me worry. The lack of commitment allows me to offer my sexual prowess to any female who desires a taste. I sleep just fine without a mate.”

The other males chuckled.

“Someday you’ll understand, Makai. Abby makes everything brighter and better. There’s no comparison. Making love to your mate is a hundred times better than casual sex with a stranger.” Like Crax, Lezon’s eyes were closed.

“I’ll take your word for it. In the meantime, I’ll enjoy my bachelorhood.” Makai turned to Grulen. “I’m looking forward to seeing where you grew up. I’m glad your father invited us.”

“There’s not a whole lot of activity in Nestune. It’s a quiet agricultural village.” Grulen shrugged.

“It still had a role in shaping you.” That it did.

For a short time, the conversation still focused on their mates, but instead of waxing eloquently about sleep, the males joked about how inebriated the females were the previous evening.

From what Grulen could understand, the females periodically had what they called a girls’ night and consumed liquor and food in copious amounts.

Despite sometimes suffering ill effects the next morning, all swore they needed the girls’ nights to maintain their friendships and sanity.

The males appeared indulgent of the activity and both Crax and Devik made comments about how needy their mates became afterwards—in a good way.

Topics changed to the Zuvgran empire and speculation about its leadership with n’Tuli dying without a successor, the faster engines being installed on the Invictus , Phoenix House improvements, and the upcoming diplomatic mission to Earth.

Grulen listened intently, but he chose not to comment.

When he leaned his head back, he felt the gentle thrum of the engines reverberate in his skull and closed his eyes.

A hand shaking his shoulder woke him. Bleary-eyed, he looked at his father’s smiling face.

“I hope you enjoyed your nap. We’ve arrived at Nestune.”

Grulen unfastened his safety restraints and realized everyone else had already disembarked. He followed his father down the ramp. Tesix landed the flitter in a clearing outside the village. We’re not far from our old home.

The other males waited quietly as he took in the familiar sights and scents of the area. To his right, large fields extending as far as he could see contained growing vegetables and fruits, their dark blue leaves dancing in the light breeze. That field holds lobile, while that one holds yeddom.

The field closest to him had knee-height plants with large yellow globes hanging from its sturdy stems. The shurlix should be harvested in the next several days for peak taste. Maybe we should find the owner and ask to buy some for Ava. Karid could take it back.

Briefly, he considered that Morgan might like the fresh fruit and vegetables. Then he remembered he didn’t know where she was. He sighed.

The village lay directly in front of him, while some dwellings spaced further apart along the path to his left were closest to where he grew up.

His father gestured for everyone to follow him as he took steps along that well-worn trail.

He absently listened to his father expound to Traxen and Ash’n about the vagaries of the dirt and what foods did not do well here.

There. That’s path to the lake. I remember playing with my sisters and parents and so much fun.

Underground irrigation pipes ran from a single pumping station at one of the lake to every field.

The villagers cordoned off the station for safety, but other areas along the lake’s border were designed for water activities—fishing, boating, swimming, and more.

He tilted his face to the periwinkle sky.

A slight smile rose the edges of his lips as the warmth of the sun brightened his mood.

This really is a peaceful place close to the Goddess. I regret Morgan isn’t here to share it.

“How are you doing?” Lezon asked quietly as he dropped back from the others.

“Fine. Lots of good memories here, not just the painful ones of our females dying.”

“I understand. When the Zuvgran destroyed our home world, I remember elders speaking of the beauty and bounty of our planet. While many Jalaxians raged for solars and became bitter and vengeful, others ensured the good memories of the home world passed on to those of us too young to have experienced it for themselves. They wanted us to know that while the loss was heinous, the joy should live on so that we might experience it again.”

Grulen glanced at him from the corner of his eye.

“I never heard you speak of it before.”

“Not much point, is there? I was born in space long after the destruction. But walking here, it reminds me of the stories telling us that the lifeblood of our planet was its peace generated by its closeness to the Goddess and its ability to provide sustenance for all.” Lezon looked around.

“I imagine this is what it felt like, even if the plants, dirt, or sky is different.”