Part 50 (1/2)

”I know. You're the better shot, but you haven't been cleared for battle yet. And you're still nursing. If I could feed Cezar in your stead, I'd let you go, but I think our son would be seriously p.i.s.sed at us both if I tried to suckle him.”

”You're not funny.”

With one last kiss, Darling left them to join his brethren.

Desideria growled in equal frustration at her brother and husband. ”It's not fair!”

Caillen kissed her and then his daughter and son. ”Don't worry. Shahara will nag me to death before I ever get hurt. She still thinks I'm five years old.”

Chayden gave Desideria a light hug. ”I know, sis. Guard your man-meat from harm. Don't worry. If anyone kills Caillen, I want the honors.”

Qory signed to her that he'd take care of them both.

”I love all of you!” Desideria called after them. ”Come back soon!”

Hadrian began protesting like a champ, but Jayne forced him to stay with the kids so that she could leave with the others.

”Don't worry.” Nero hugged his brother. ”I've got her back for you. Nothing's getting through me.”

Only then did Hadrian relent. Scooping his son up, he held Sway and watched as Nero and Jayne walked off and left him with his daughters and son.

Fain started after them, but Galene stopped him. ”Not without me, Hauk.”

He looked at the others who stood around them. ”You have a base to set up, Commander. You're needed here.”

She turned to Talyn. ”Commander Batur? Take the camp and make sure everyone is safe and accounted for. You're OOD until my return.”

Defiance blazed in his eyes, but her son was ever a military officer at heart. ”Yes, ma'am.”

Saf clapped him on the shoulder. ”Don't worry, Talyn. I'll keep her safe. Besides, your father isn't about to let anyone get near her.” He hugged Ture and kissed his nephew Terek, before he led Fain and Galene toward the others to mount a rescue for Jullien.

Talyn felt sick as he watched them launch. They all needed to sleep before they did something this dangerous. But at the end of the day, they were soldiers.

War was what they knew best.

Felicia took his hand in hers while Vega, War, and the rest of the kids played in their blissful ignorance of what was going on around them.

Savoring her touch, Talyn let it ground him so that he could focus on what needed to be done. He turned to issue orders, then stopped as he saw Ushara and her daughters. For the first time, the admiral appeared bewildered, and honestly, lost. The agony in her white eyes was searing and made his throat tighten.

Tylie and Cairistiona were trying to comfort her.

”Admiral?”

Ushara blinked before she met his gaze. ”Yes?”

”We are guests in your home. And-”

”No,” she said, cutting him off. Swallowing hard, she looked around at the ones who'd been left behind. And in particular at the children. ”You are not guests. You're our family.” She took her daughters' hands from Trajen and led them to Nykyrian's twin sons so that she could introduce them.

The two sets of twins who were the same age were amazed by each other, but within a few seconds they were old friends.

And as Ushara led them deeper into the Gorturnum base, and Sway came running up for Talyn to carry, Talyn realized that this base was very different from Venik's. The Tavali here, in spite of being mostly Fyrebloods, were much more open and friendly. Everything about it was family oriented.

This place felt like a home, a refuge, and not a sterile military base designed to rob and pillage.

As they walked toward their new quarters, Thia, Nykyrian's oldest daughter, came running up to them. Tall and blond, she was a beauty.

”So you're my new cousins. Oh my G.o.d! Felicia. I knew I loved you for a reason.” Thia had been a frequent student at Kiara's dance studio where Felicia had taught part time, and had even a.s.sisted as an aide in some of Felicia's cla.s.ses. ”And you, T... Welcome to the family.”

Thia laced her arms with them. ”You do know that Hauk and Fain have always been counted among my favorites, right?” She squinted at Fain. ”Now that I think about it, I should have realized how much you look like them. Why did I not see that before?”

”No idea.”

Felicia winked at her. ”Probably because you were afraid I'd hurt you for ogling my male?”

Thia laughed at Felicia. ”There is that. And congratulations. I heard about your unification.” Then she slowed as she saw Gavarian, and her eyes widened in appreciation of his handsome form.

Felicia pa.s.sed a knowing smile to Talyn. ”Tizirah? Have you met my nephew?”

It took Thia a moment to recover her voice. ”Um... no. No, I have not.”

”Gavarian ezul Terronova, may I present Thia of the Sovereign Blood Clan eton Anatole?”

He fell into a perfect courtly bow. ”Tizirah. It is my honor and privilege.”

”Is he married?” she whispered to Felicia.

”Widowed,” she whispered back.

Thia let go of them to sidle up to Gavarian and take his arm that she squeezed. ”I'm so sorry for your loss, Major. I hope it wasn't too recent?”

”No. It's been a couple of years.”

”Still, it must hurt.” Thia led him away.

Kiara groaned. ”Thank goodness her father isn't here. Talyn, you should warn him before Nykyrian returns that he has no sense of humor about males courting his daughter.”

Talyn let out an evil laugh. ”Why should I? I look forward to the entertainment. Am thinking I should take odds on it.”

Felicia rolled her eyes. ”You're awful... Don't worry, Highness, I shall warn him.”

With that, Talyn left Gavarian and Brach in charge of seeing the staff and civilians quartered and housed while he went to monitor the others who'd gone to battle. It was something Ushara had left a short time ago to do herself.

As he located the Gorturnum command center and entered the room, Ushara looked away from her star charts and monitors with a frown. Unlike Venik's center, this one was open and airy. It felt as if it were actually free-floating in s.p.a.ce. The view here was breathtaking and sweeping.

Two alien beings, Vasili and another Fyreblood, turned to stare at him curiously. The Fyreblood female with a good deal of suspicion.

”Relax, Captain. Commander Batur and the others here are at peace with us.”

Only then did the female captain retreat to her chair.