Alien Refuge (27 page)

The Imdiko continued to stroke her head. “Abusers have a talent for making their victims believe they deserve the abuse.”

“He could be so charming and sweet. He would cry after hurting me and promise it would never happen again. He’d go out of his way to make it up with lavish gifts. And I’d let him convince me to stay. How stupid was I?”

“You can’t blame yourself. Some control through emotion, some through force.”

Iris swallowed. “He used both. It was so humiliating when I finally realized I was just another possession. And once he had me, there was no escape.”

“Except through his death.” Rivek stopped petting her and cupped her chin in his palm, gently raising her face so that she looked into his eyes. “Do not allow guilt to make you believe less of yourself, Iris. Fate has rescued you, and you are allowed to be grateful.”

She couldn’t help but really smile looking into that handsome, gentle face. She told him, “Now I’ve met you, Ospar, and Jol. Maybe fate will be kind from now on.”

Rivek leaned close and kissed her, his lips tender on hers. Iris let herself melt into it, feeling the warmth of his touch fill her entire being. Perhaps they were soulmates. Maybe this crazy notion that she belonged with three alien men wasn’t madness after all. Could she really look forward a happy future once again?

Hope bloomed bright and beautiful in her heart.

Chapter 8

Governor Hoover sat across the desk from Ospar in the Kalquorian governor’s office. The room was quite large, ostentatious by even the Dramok’s admittedly luxurious standards, but like everything else to do with Ospar’s public face, it had a purpose. It made those approaching him instinctively feel like supplicants, giving him the edge of power.

An overlord-type impression was not one Ospar preferred with people like Iris or even most of the inhabitants of Haven. But with someone like Hoover, it suited him very well indeed. Never mind they were supposed to be of nearly equal importance to the colony. That their working relationship was supposed to be a partnership. Ospar didn’t even care anymore that his seizing the bulk of power over the colony would not be taken well by Kalquor’s Royal Council. Maf and his cohorts would take a dim view indeed, especially since Ospar had insinuated to Hoover that complaining to them would be met with little to no respect. A lie, but the Earther was that fucking impossible to work with.

Ospar knew he was being a bully. That he was playing his old heavy-handed games of power-mongering. But he loathed Hoover and the man’s disinterest in the problems of his own people, especially the people who needed help the most.

Ospar’s hover chair was large, almost throne-like. Just before Hoover had entered, the Dramok had set it to floating so high that his toes barely grazed the floor. No one could see this behind the massive bulk of the ornate desk, carved from a single trunk of a Joshadan blackwood tree. Adding to the illusion of near-omnipotent power was the floor to ceiling vid behind Ospar, which today transmitted the blinding white snowscape outside the administration building. It lent an ethereal brightness beaming around his body, making his silhouette darker and daunting.

Then there was Jol standing to his right, looking like contained savagery in his white armored formsuit that seemed to shimmer in the illumination. To Ospar’s left stood his aide Borl, not nearly as threatening but still very official in his blue robes that were a few shades lighter than Ospar’s deep midnight.

Hoover’s chair was smaller and plain, sitting low on its supporting rails. The man’s knees were slightly higher than his hips, no doubt making him feel quite uncomfortable. It also made him look insignificant, which subconsciously helped feed Ospar’s attitude that the Earther was little more than a nuisance to be quickly dealt with and dismissed.

Hoover kept adjusting the tie he wore around his thick neck. He wore a nice Earther-style suit of good material that was custom fitted to his robust frame. No doubt he looked impressive when he wasn’t forced to wear scuffed snow boots with it, which last night’s snowfall demanded.

Despite all Ospar’s efforts to make the Earther uncomfortable, Hoover refused to be easily put off today. He was in a temper, and both of Haven’s leaders’ voices were getting louder by the second. Usually Ospar didn’t let himself get drawn into an outright argument, but Hoover was pissing him off. They were discussing Iris and Thomas.

Hoover’s face had turned a shade of red that Ospar would have been amused with had they been talking about anything else. The Earther was leaning forward in his too-short chair as he snarled, “This is intolerable. Your clan’s conduct with an Earther woman is against all our moral beliefs.”

The Dramok gripped the armrests of his chair, whitening his knuckles. “Our conduct?” He huffed derisive laughter at his Earther counterpart. “Let’s see, so far my Nobek has saved her son’s life, investigated intimidation by the E.I.K. against her, prevented Thomas from being abducted, and we have provided her a safe refuge until the miscreants are discovered and brought to justice. All the crimes perpetuated against her have been committed by her own species, the very people you proclaim moral. Explain to me who is being intolerable here?” He banged his fist on the desktop.

Hoover flinched at the booming sound, a reaction that brought Ospar some satisfaction. However, the Earther governor was far from being intimidated.

“We take care of our own. You have no business interfering with our people,” he insisted.

“My business is seeing to it the people living on this colony, which is situated within Kalquorian Empire boundaries, are kept safe and secure. All the people, whether they be Earther or Kalquorian.” Ospar gave him the most withering look he could summon. “You have done nothing to ensure such for those who need protection the most. Shameful. A woman and her child left to fend for themselves against reckless pilots and E.I.K. extremists? Where is this care you speak of?”

It was Hoover’s turn to bang his fist, though with much less impressive results. “You keep interfering before we can do anything. Admit you are trying to clan Iris for purposes of breeding. Confess that is your only interest in her, to pollute the Earther race with your blood!”

Ospar rolled his eyes theatrically. “Yes, yes, you have seen right through to my diabolical plan, Governor. I’ve lurked in the shadows of Haven these past years, stalking Earther women to make half-bloods just to piss you off. You see my dozens of children racing around here, don’t you? All the results of my wild breeding rampage? No? That’s because there are none. Tell me about all the Earther women I’ve seduced and raped who have run crying to you for help.”

Hoover scowled. “That’s right. Mock me. But a harsh day of judgment is coming to you and Iris Jenson very soon.”

That got a low growl from Jol, and Ospar rose from his chair to glare at the Earther. The Dramok’s voice came out low and filled with menace. “Are you threatening her, Hoover?”

The other governor’s eyes widened, but he didn’t back down. “I have no need to. Everyone will soon see her and your clan for what you are: a whore and lustful incubi!”

Ospar had no idea what incubi were, nor did he care in his rage over Hoover’s insult to Iris. He leaned over the massive desk, as if readying to spring on the other man.

His voice deadly, Ospar said, “Let me be very clear on something right here and now, Hoover. If you ever call Matara Iris a foul curse again and I hear of it, I will see to it no other words ever pass through your lips. I will tear your tongue out of your mouth and make you eat it.”

Hoover stared at him, his face registering shock. The two men had yelled at each other more times than anyone could count. They had traded insults, both veiled and overt. This was the first threat of physical harm to ever pass between them, however. Ospar realized he may have crossed a line that could finally get him into trouble, but he didn’t care at this moment. He would not let any man speak ill of Iris and get away with it.

The strength of his protectiveness shook him a little, but the Dramok didn’t allow it to show. He’d already accepted the mother and child had entered his life for a reason. There would be time to consider exactly what it all meant later.

Hoover finally recovered. He stood too, to face Ospar with threats of his own. “I will contact your council over this intimidation. The Imperial Clan, if I must.”

A nasty smile curled the Dramok’s lips. “You do that. And when all testimony is heard, perhaps it will be you out of a job and off this colony. I would gladly relinquish my post to see it. That is, if they will even bother to hear the accusations of an Earther.”

Hoover shot a glance at Borl. Ospar sensed sudden alertness from Jol, saw him look at the aide with a piercing stare. Ospar looked over at Borl, who simply smiled mockingly at Hoover as if ready to make fun.

The Earther wilted under that derisive grin. Ospar relaxed as Hoover again adjusted his tie and buttoned his suit jacket. Even the man’s glare of hatred failed to impress the Dramok.

Hoover whined, “You have crossed me at every opportunity, Ospar. But the will of the Almighty cannot be denied. Your day of judgment comes.”

Ospar gave him a bored look. “See the governor out, would you please, Borl?”

The aide offered a bow. “Gladly, Governor.”

He escorted Hoover out of the long room, shaking his head slightly as he followed the stormy, stomping passage of the Earther. Ospar waited for the door to shut behind them before he turned to his Nobek.

He sighed and gave Jol a grimace. “As usual, I am an overbearing beast. But I couldn’t hear that
gurluck’s
insult to Iris and not react.”

“Your affections were obvious. Even a blind fool like Hoover couldn’t help but see you have feelings for her.”

Ospar sighed at the gentle reprimand and settled heavily in his chair. He reset it so that his feet settled flat on the floor. “It’s not just Iris, my Nobek. Thomas too. I had no idea it was possible to fall in love with another man’s son and want him for my own.” Ospar laughed at himself. “A son of my heart. Who would have thought it possible for someone like me?”

Jol only nodded. Like most Nobeks, Ospar’s clanmate preferred to let his deeds demonstrate his affections. His actions when it came to the little boy told the Dramok he felt every bit as connected to Thomas as Ospar did.

The security head had other concerns at the moment. “I am curious as to why Hoover looked to Borl during the argument. It was as if he expected your aide to speak up for him.”

Ospar waved it off. “Hoover knows no Kalquorian will take up for him, not when he treats us all like manure under his boots. He was probably gauging how extreme our reactions were against those of a Kalquorian who is not intimately involved with the situation.”

Jol blinked. “
Our
reactions?”

“You growled at him.” Ospar tried not to grin as Jol’s mouth dropped open.

“My apologies for letting my anger show,” Jol said, his face reddening at the lapse. “Like you, I was not happy with Hoover’s insult to Iris.”

Ospar said nothing. He knew such loss of control in an official setting would be embarrassing to a Nobek of Jol’s stature. That it had happened showed the depth of his clanmate’s feelings for the woman. He was actually glad it had happened.

After a few moments of considering silence, Jol finally nodded. “I suppose you’re right about Hoover and Borl, especially since Borl’s response was adequate to the situation. I am sorry I cast suspicion on your trusted aide.”

Ospar shrugged, not put out at all. “You’re just being a Nobek. Suspicious and protective.”

“Which now has me in a quandary.” At the Dramok’s questioning look, Jol drew a deep breath. “The E.I.K. would jump at any chance to get to you, Ospar. Along with many others.”

“I have made my share of enemies along the way.”

“As your clanmate, my duty is to you and Rivek above all.”

The governor immediately deduced what was bothering his clanmate. “Even over providing for the welfare of Iris and Thomas. That’s not acceptable, is it?”

Jol slowly shook his head. “They are in great danger, Ospar. If they leave our home, they are vulnerable to more attacks. I can only keep them safe if they stay close to us.”

“Are you asking for my leave to put them first? You know that’s not necessary, my Nobek.” Ospar cocked an eyebrow at him. “We have already established their meaning to our lives, no matter how abruptly that happened.”