9781631053283HeartsLastChanceMichaels (6 page)

“Yes.” Tricia explained how she was able to open
Tiki
Torch Café, and her desire to be a successful downtown
business. “So far this year our clientele has doubled, and we’ve been featured
in the local paper and an area magazine.”

“That is good news.”
ReNei
set her
goblet on the tray beside her. “
BaRok
, I sense
nothing false between you. Go report to
RiKar
and
TiGra
.
KiRah
and I will take good
care of your
Chosen
.”

Brock slipped his arm around Tricia. “I promise to return as
soon as I can.”
 
He kissed her
cheek.

“I hope your sister and brother are safe,” she answered.

Brock stood up and hugged
KiRah
,
then walked toward his mother. He stood in front of her for several seconds,
then with one last glance, left the room.

ReNei
stood up.
“
KiRah
, why don’t you show
TriSha
around this afternoon?
Then we’ll get her settled.”

“Thank you,
ReNei
.” Tricia waited
as
KiRah
finished eating the last pastry on the tray.

ReNei
pursed her lips. “
KiRah
, I hope you are able to eat your evening meal later.”

“They’re so good, Mother, and you don’t have them made often
enough.”

“When you mate with
DaTil
, will he
get sick of eating them?” A female voice teased from behind them.

Tricia and
KiRah
turned toward the
voice.

“If he doesn’t want them, I’ll eat his.”
KiRah
lifted her chin. “What’s the point of being grown up if you can’t eat what you
want?”

“Moderation, daughter.
You won’t be
able to fit into your clothing if you eat too many of them,”
ReNei
chided.

“Maybe
DaTil
won’t care.”

“And maybe he’ll go on a Quest for another.”

KiRah
bristled. “We’ve got three
more years until we can bond. I’ll ask him next week when I see him. He chose
me,
SeLah
.” She jumped to her feet, but Tricia held
her back.

“Don’t,
KiRah
.” She lowered her
voice. “If she’s jealous, this will only make her tease you worse. Hold your
head high and show me around.”

“I’m not jealous.”
SeLah
sniffed.
“I’m his sister, and just looking out for my little brother.” She left the room
in a flurry of pale pink skirts.

Tricia bit her lip. “I’m sorry. I thought—”

“It’s okay,”
KiRah
patted her
hand. “
SeLah
has always resented the fact her brother
chose me. She wanted him to choose someone of higher status. She has political
aspirations. Whereas my family enjoys the favor of the Council of Elders,
SeLah
had her sights on a member of our Prime’s household.
She was heartbroken when the only son chose someone else. There is only a
daughter left unbound to anyone.
SeLah
tried to get
DaTil
to choose her, but he and I are much more
compatible.” As she spoke,
KiRah
led Tricia from the
living area to an entryway. “Our suns are bright today.”

“Suns?”
Tricia watched as
KiRah
activated the panel which opened the shimmery blue
door. The glare was almost overpowering, but gradually her eyes adjusted to the
light.

“Our compound is in one of the milder climates of our
planet.”
KiRah
led her down a stone path flanked by
flowers of various colors and green grass. “Mother chose this dwelling based on
the fact she could have her garden.”

“It’s beautiful.” Tricia looked back at the dome-shaped house
with trees behind the structure and in the distance. She followed as
KiRah
took the left fork in the path. “What’s that wall?”
She pointed toward the right, where a low stucco wall stretched as far as she
could see in both directions.

“That’s the outer wall of the compound. Every Domestic Area
is surrounded by the wall, in order to keep the Trade Area separate. This way
no one can trample over Mother’s flowers, and our gardens stay tidy.”

“Does anyone live in the Trade Area, or is it just for
business?”

“The shopkeepers live on the premises, if they choose, but
the ones with families prefer the Domestic Areas. The Trade Area is only open
during certain hours of the day. Tomorrow is my day to do the shopping for
Mother, so you can go with me. Over there is where my friend
TaMai
lives.”

“How many families live in each Domestic Area?” Tricia
stopped to admire a colorful flower formation.

“It just depends on who wants to live under the same
protection.”
KiRah
pointed out the security sensors
along the wall. “Some people want more security than others. Ours is pretty
peaceful, so the wall isn’t as high as in other places. We have about twenty
families in our area.” The path forked again, and
KiRah
led the way to the left. “Here’s our backyard, where my siblings and I played
as children. The climbing tower and swings are still there.
LoGar
,
NiKoh
, and
BaRok’s
fort was
torn down a few years ago.
SaLie
and I went in to
look at it and my foot went through the floor. So Father had it removed.”

Tricia craned her neck to see the treetops. “These must have
been here a long time.”

“Yes. See the five smaller trees in the circle? Father
planted each one the day we were born. Mine is the smallest, of course.”
KiRah
stopped suddenly and cocked her head to one side. “We
need to go inside.
 
BaRok
has returned with news.”

“So soon?
I hope it’s good.” Tricia
hurried after her.

“I don’t know. Mother can be so calm in a crisis. In a way,
I hope I’m like her, and more level headed.”

Tricia wasn’t sure how to answer that, so she kept silent.

Chapter Four

“What’s the news, Mother?”
KiRah
pulled Tricia into the living space behind her. She rushed to
ReNei’s
side, while Brock embraced Tricia before pulling
her down beside him on the horseshoe-shaped bench.

ReNei
held up her hand, silencing
KiRah
. “
BaRok
will explain. Sit
down.”

KiRah
complied. “
NiKoh
is refusing to listen to
TaTur
.
DaShlek’s
guards managed to disarm him and
SaLie
, who are being held in a holding cell within the
compound.
LoGar
is insisting he knew nothing of the
attack.
 
However,
LiMiu
is demanding restitution. He wants
LoGar
to either make a formal apology or some other
restitution.” Brock swallowed and looked down.

“Tell me; I sense your pain.”
ReNei’s
voice sounded calm.

“Mother, he—” Brock’s voice shook. Tricia thought her
fingers were going to
break,
he gripped her hand so
hard. “He’s also insisting
SaLie
be turned over to
JeWal
. She would be his Primary, but also
DuKah’s
second.”

The room grew loud with protestations. Tricia felt confused,
not knowing the alien names. Brock had hung his head.
 
Leaning hers against him, Tricia
murmured what she hoped were words of comfort. She slipped an arm around his
back and rubbed.

“Silence!”
ReNei
stood, her silvery face now having a copper tint. “I will speak to the Elders of
this…development. In the meantime, I thank you all for joining us in this time
of crisis, but now I beg your forgiveness as I’ve decided to postpone
BaRok’s
feast. If you will return tomorrow evening, we will
formally celebrate my son and his
Chosen
.” Skirts
swishing, she exited the room, followed by
KiRah
.

Tricia stood, but Brock stayed where he was. “Shouldn’t we
go with your mother?”

He tugged her back down on the bench as the others filtered
out of the room, some murmuring words of encouragement before leaving.

“Tell me why you’re so upset. I understand
SaLie’s
situation is similar to
LoGar’s
,
but from what I can tell,
LoGar
freely made his
choice, while
SaLie
is being forced into this union?”
Tricia placed her hand on Brock’s knee.

“
JeWal
is not a suitable choice
for my sister. She has been in competition for
DuKah’s
favor for some time now, but I thought she’d finally given up. But now I learn
my sister is sacrificing herself, in order to have the man she thinks she
wants.” Brock scrubbed his face with his hands. “
JeWal’s
household is in an uproar. His Primary succumbed to a mysterious ailment
several months ago, and he hasn’t elevated his Second.
Which
means he’s willing to choose someone over the mate who has been with him for
longer.
What kind of man does that? And what happens when he tires of my
sister? Will she be the victim of a strange malady as well? I do not understand
what is going on in my sister’s head.” He stood up and paced. “I don’t even
know whether or not to tell Mother of the entire situation, though I suspect
the Elders will inform her.”

Tricia frowned, trying to take it all in. “On Earth, if a
man has a mistress for a long time, they don’t always marry them once a divorce
is final. Instead, they opt for someone more suitable. I think that’s what I
think may be this
JeWal’s
case. Why hasn’t your
mother read
SaLie’s
thoughts?”

“
SaLie
has always been good at
disguising her thoughts from us. That is why no one saw this coming.” Brock
sighed. “I guess the news is always better when it comes from family. Let’s go
to Mother.” Taking her hand, he led her from the room.

They found
ReNei
in her sitting
room, speaking to a holographic form.

“That is
RiKar
,” Brock whispered.
He cleared his throat.

“Greetings,
BaRok
. I have briefed
your mother further.
LoGar
has agreed to apologize on
behalf of his siblings; however, given
NiKoh’s
refusal to leave without either of his siblings, more negotiation is needed.
BaRok
, have you formed a mental link with
NiKoh
?”

“No,
RiKar
. He has blocked me.
SaLie
, however, has said she will accept the terms and will
endeavor to reason with
NiKoh
.”

“You did not tell me everything,
BaRok
,”
ReNei
admonished her son. “I’m losing two of my
offspring to those animals?
And possibly a third?”

“Mother—forgive us
RiKar
. Mother,
you know
SaLie
has been fixated on
DuKah
ever since she laid eyes on him, and has discouraged
anyone who has tried to get her to look at anyone else.
JeTil
followed her around like a lovesick
chictraw
, but she wouldn’t even accept his friendship.”

ReNei
fell silent. Tricia took the
moment to join
KiRah
on a low maroon couch. She
admired the various shades of red in the room from the window treatments,
decorations, and comfortable furniture. The carpet beneath her feet held swirls
of red, blue, and silver in a muted pattern. A doorway led into what Tricia
supposed was
ReNei’s
bedroom. The carpeting continued
into this room, and Tricia could see a blue chair and a hint of a darker blue
bedspread in the distance.

“You’re right,
BaRok
.
SaLie
has made her choice. If we go against this plan of
hers, we risk losing her altogether. If we accept it, she will maintain an open
mind. The minute we suspect she’s blocking her thoughts, the way she did in her
younger years, the greater the risk she ends up like
WoNuh
,
JeWal’s
late Primary.
RiKar
,
is there a way to put a monitoring device on my daughter without her
knowledge?”

The hologram shimmered. “We might,
ReNei
.
We have certainly been successful in putting it on thieves, to monitor their
comings and goings.
Why not a wayward civilian?”

“Doesn’t that open up issues of privacy?” The words were out
of Tricia’s mouth before she could stop herself. “What’s to stop you from
putting a device on anyone you deem ‘wayward’ or out of control?”

The hologram drew itself up and adopted a haughty tone. “The
council has ways of keeping our planet safe. Only citizens who receive the
device are those who are deemed a danger to themselves or others, or parents
concerned about offspring. Anyone caught doing any wrongdoing automatically
receives one. This system has worked for centuries; who are you to question our
methods?”

“Apologies,
RiKar
.” Brock came to
her defense. “I’ve not been able to brief my
Chosen
on every aspect of our civilization yet. She meant no disrespect.”

“Apology accepted.
ReNei
,
KiRah
, I will see you in the morning, unless there are
further developments.
BaRock
,
TriSha
,
I look forward to your celebration.
Blessings.”
The
hologram shimmered,
then
disappeared.

Brock turned to his mother, a look of surprise on his face.
“Why did
RiKar
mention
KiRah
?”

Tricia noticed
KiRah’s
pretty face
flush a light blue as she looked down.

“
KiRah
has been helping
RiKar
furnish his living area and she witnessed an intimate
exchange the other day.”
ReNei’s
voice turned icy.

Brock turned to his sister, who twisted the hem of her light
green skirt. Tricia noticed the blue hint to her skin growing darker.

“Seriously?
Father has been gone
for only a year,
KiRah
. You were his baby. Do you
really think he’d be proud of you at this moment?”

“I don’t care.”
KiRah
jumped to
her feet. “I went with
LoGar
once, and didn’t see the
harm. Apologies, Mother.” She fled the room.

Tricia looked at Brock, whose fists clenched and unclenched
as he struggled to contain his anger.

“Tricia, my love, I am sorry I dragged you into this mess.
It seems as though both my sisters have lost their minds, and my older brother
has completely forgotten his role as Eldest.” He turned to his mother. “When we
visit the Council, I will state my desire for
bo’sai’che
, but I will return
once a month in order to keep myself apprised of things. I will also have
weekly communications with either
RiKar
or
TiGra
. Now, I need to feed my
Chosen
and get her settled in my quarters.” He took Tricia’s hand, helped her to her
feet,
then
led her from the room.

Tricia gripped his hand as he walked through corridors in a
pale khaki tone.
 
After ascending a
flight of stairs, he turned to the left, paused by a doorway, and punched a
series of buttons on the security panel. A silver-hued door slid open to reveal
a room furnished with tan couches, chocolate-brown pillows, one dark blue and
white striped lounging chair, and a massive wooden desk with a sturdy black
wooden chair behind it. Round windows overlooked the yard.
 
Tricia saw another doorway at the far end
of the room. Brock released her hand and she walked toward it.

“Is that the bedroom?” She turned to look at him.

“Yes. I needed a moment of privacy with you. I am sorry if I
am keeping you hungry.”
 
Walking
toward her, he cupped her face, leaning down to kiss her. “This day has been
the worst homecoming imaginable,” he whispered against her lips as his hands
left her face to slide down her arms.

She held him close. “Do I dare ask about
KiRah’s
situation?”

“I do not want to talk about it. I need to purge that image
from my brain.” He swept her up in his arms, pressed the panel on the wall to
open the door, and carried her to the bed, placing her on the soft
bedcovering.
 
The door closed with a
swish.

Brock loosened his white shirt and tan slacks,
then
sat down at the end of the bed so he could pull off his
black boots. “Undress yourself,
tri’che’lovy
.
We
do not have a great deal of time.”

She smiled and licked her lips.
“Way ahead
of you.”
Tricia shrugged out of the blue blazer and tossed it aside,
then unbuttoned the tiny pearl buttons down the front of her blouse. It fell
open, revealing her lacy front-hook bra. Releasing the catch, she heard Brock
catch his breath as her breasts sprang free of their confinement. Tricia laid
back, hiked her skirt over her thighs,
then
kicked off
her shoes.
 
She worked her pantyhose
and panties down her legs to slide one foot free. Holding out her arms, she
felt her arousal grow as she watched Brock step out of his slacks, his cock
bobbing up and down.

He lowered himself on top of her, his tongue sweeping deep
into her mouth. Tricia wrapped her legs around his hips and worked a hand down
to assist his cock into her. Together they moved in unison, gathering speed as
the urgency grew. Tricia tore her mouth from Brock’s in order to keep from
biting his tongue.

“Do I have to be quiet?” She gasped as particular spasm hit
her core.

He shook his head. “I’m sorry I didn’t taste your sweet
pussy before sticking my dick inside you.”

“Oh God!”
His graphic words sent
Tricia over the edge. She convulsed around Brock’s steady rhythm as she let out
a cry of delight. She tossed her head, whimpering as Brock kept the pace before
shouting his own release.
 
Collapsing beside her, he whispered foreign words in her ear.

Tricia slid her hand inside of Brock’s white shirt and
tweaked his nipple. “Am I crazy, or is the sex even more sensational on your
planet?” She kissed his sweaty temple.

Brock took the closest breast in his mouth. Tricia closed
her eyes and arched her back. “Oh yes, that feels wonderful.” She lowered her
legs to the bed as she felt one of Brock’s fingers nudge her clit. Her legs
scissored
as a small spasm erupted. “That caught me by
surprise.” Opening her eyes, she saw Brock’s warm brown eyes staring into hers.

“I promise tonight will be better.” He rolled from her and
began readjusting his clothing. “I heard your stomach rumble. I need to feed
you.”
 
Brock crossed the room and
opened a closet, from which he produced a black and silver robe. “You can put
this on. We’ll be the only ones in the dining area.”

“Are you sure? I can put my suit back on, Brock.”

He produced another longer robe. “If I wear one also, will
you?”

Her heart melted.
“Of course.”

* * * *

Brock looked at his
Chosen
as they sat together at the long table. The cook had placed hot sandwiches in
front of them, along with strings of
po’chi’fri
’
and a
green leafy salad. Tricia had tried to swallow his favorite beverage, but once
again, it had proved too spicy for her. Cook had concocted a berry drink which
she had consumed with gusto. He’d requested more of it for her during Tricia’s
stay.