Part 25 (1/2)

Ever the stern military commander, Talyn straightened from the control panel to scowl fiercely at them. ”Civilians aren't allowed in here,” he barked at Dancer. ”You need to leave.”

Dancer didn't betray a single emotion as he stood his ground. ”Fine, Commander. Give us the key card to your room and we'll go.”

Talyn's snarl deepened. ”Excuse me?”

Two graceful hands, brightly painted in keeping with the Andarion holiday season, emerged from the folds of the dark blue cloak to lower the hood and expose a ma.s.s of waist-length, curly brown hair. Fain had never seen such an abundance of curls in his life. They sprang out to frame the breathtaking face of a joyous imp. Bashful and sweet, she stared up at Talyn with love gleaming in her silvery-white eyes.

”Licia!” Talyn breathed before he raced across the room to scoop her up in his arms and kiss her as if his life depended on it. Cradling her head with his hand, he pressed his cheek to hers and held her with her feet suspended well above the floor. ”What are you doing here?”

With bright musical laughter that betrayed her happiness, she kept her arms wrapped around his shoulders as she savored his touch and played in his braids. ”Your aunt and uncle showed up at the condo and said that your father sent them to ask if I wanted to come stay with you while you were stationed here. I hope it's okay?”

”Of course it is!” Biting his lip, Talyn finally set her back on her feet. Breathless, he cupped her cheek and swept his gaze over her as if he still couldn't believe she was real. ”Where are your things?”

She turned to show him her small backpack beneath her cloak. ”You know me. Travel light. Besides, I didn't want to waste a single second getting to you.” Wrinkling her nose and giggling in the most adorable way, she danced around to face him again. And Talyn was just as giddy. He couldn't stop smiling at her while he brushed the hair back from her face.

Their obvious love and adoration for each other tightened Fain's throat. It reminded him of how Galene used to look at him when they were kids.

How she still lit up his heart every time she came near him.

And he was grateful beyond repayment to his brother for doing him this favor.

Fain cleared his throat to get Talyn's attention off his female, but it was hard and took several seconds before his son dragged his gaze away. ”Go on and see Felicia settled. I'll cover the remainder of your s.h.i.+ft.”

Talyn hesitated. ”You sure?”

Nodding, Fain pulled his key card out. ”And swap keys with me. I had them exchange our quarters earlier. After last night, I figured you'd want more room and privacy while Felicia was here. Mine should be freshly cleaned and stocked for you. If not, let me know and I'll get maintenance right on it.”

Like a little kid who'd just been handed the gift he never thought to have, Talyn slung Felicia's pack over his shoulder and complied. His hand hesitated on Fain's. ”Thank you, Hauk. Really.”

Fain clapped him on the shoulder. ”My pleasure, kid.”

Talyn returned to Felicia's side and took her hand to lead her out.

Felicia bit her lip in the most precious way as she glanced over her shoulder at Fain. ”Um, Talyn? When did you get a father?”

Talyn paused to look back at him, too. It was the first time Fain saw something more than contempt or hatred in his son's eyes as he regarded him. ”The minute you walked through the door.” He kissed her hand and left the room.

Fain should probably take offense to the fact that Talyn hadn't introduced them, but given his son's eagerness to be alone with his female, he'd let it slide. He'd have been the same way at that age.

Introductions and manners always took a backseat to stralen hormones and emotions.

Dancer and Sumi closed the distance between them.

”Hi, Sumi.” Fain kissed her cheek.

She gave him a light hug. ”That was really sweet. Good job.”

Embarra.s.sed, he shrugged her praise off. ”Where are the kids?”

”Kalea saw a candy store out in the mall area so Darice was kind enough to take her for some, while we brought Felicia here.” Sumi stepped back and caressed her slightly distended stomach. ”I'm going to go check on them and make sure Kalea hasn't driven him to murder her with her billion and two questions about everything.”

Dancer snorted at that. ”Yeah, right. Get me some of whatever you get for yourself.”

She wrinkled her nose playfully at him. ”Will do.”

As soon as she was gone, Dancer arched a brow at Fain.

”What?” he asked irritably.

”Nothing.” Dancer pulled out a large envelope. ”I picked up those papers you requested. Everything's in order.”

”Thanks. I owe you.”

”Nah. Just sorry it took so long. League has most of this sector locked down tight. We had to do some creative navigating to get here without battle or confrontation, and I wasn't taking any chances, given my cargo.”

That he well understood and was grateful for. ”Glad you made it.”

”Yeah. Me, too.”

Fain set the papers aside. ”So what do you think of Felicia?”

”Not what I expected.”

”Meaning?”

”She's sweet, Fain. Quiet and bashful. Very, very reserved. For some reason, I'd a.s.sumed the Iron Hammer's female would be much more brazen and tough. In your face.”

”Like Sumi?”

”Yeah. But I think a strong breeze could knock Felicia over and scare her. I've never met anyone more timid, especially not an Andarion female.”

Dancer was right about that. Most Andarion females were tougher than the majority of human males. And he noticed Gavarian was choking as they spoke as if he knew something they didn't.

Ignoring him, he continued to speak to his brother. ”What did you find out about her?”

”Her father's Saren ezul Terronova and her mother was born Marna eton Nykyrian.”

Fain's eyes bugged at that n.o.ble lineage. Those were two of the original royal bloodlines that were only trumped by that of the current queen of Andaria. In fact, Cairistiona was an ezul Nykyrian through her father, who was descended from the daughter of the first Nykyrian who'd been granted a royal t.i.tle. An eton Nykyrian meant that Felicia's mother was descended from the original prince... d.a.m.n. Felicia's mother was more n.o.ble than the current tadara's father had been.

As for the Terronova lineage...

It was only trumped by the eton Nykyrian and eton Anatole lineages.