Cali & Drake (The Alliance Book 1) (11 page)

Drake took her hand and squeezed. “Father, I would like to introduce you
to Calinae Edal. Cali my father, Chan’ Virrel.”

Cali knew they’d been warned about Cestori, so she expected a bad
reaction to her name, and she wasn’t disappointed.

“Calinae Edal? Not the
crazy
one?” His father burst out.

“The one from Cestori?” His mother looked horrified.

The other two just sat quietly, which Cali appreciated.

“Before anyone says anything they’ll regret later, let me explain.” Drake
stopped the conversation before it became more embarrassing. “What we were told
about the people of Cestori isn’t entirely accurate.”

“They aren’t ruled by a power-mad woman named Aicen Edal?” His father
questioned.

“Well, yes. That part is true.” Drake admitted.

“This Cali isn’t their
leader's
daughter? The one being trained to take over for her mother?” his mother asked
hopefully.

“Well, no. She is Aicen Edal’s daughter.” Drake sighed. Before anyone
else could interrupt, he hurried to explain everything. “Cali was being forced
by her mother, into mate status with a male not of her choosing. To escape, she
hijacked a spacecraft and fled into the Buffer Zone. It was there that she
found me in stasis, along with Dak, Tae,
Arik,
and Mica.”

 
“I thought you said
The Maxon
found the survivors?” His
mother questioned Varian.

“We did, our scans picked up traces of trianium in a spacecraft captained
by Cali.” His brother smiled warmly at her. “They were already on course to
arrive at Titus, but we intercepted them to ascertain their intentions.”

“Where is this ship now?” Virrel asked.

“Returning to Cestori.” Varian supplied when Drake remained silent. “Cali
is the only one who stayed, at Drake’s insistence.”

“Why?” his father looked at her again more assessingly.

“The only reason a male would keep a female of another world.” Drake
offered cryptically.

“As his chosen mate?” Virrel and Essdey asked at the same time.

“Yes,” Drake’s thumb rubbed against hers. “I have chosen Cali.”

There was dead silence in the room. Finally, after what felt like
agonizing minutes his father spoke.

“I see,” His eyes flashed over her for a moment and Cali forced herself
to remain calm. “Congratulations are in order then. Essdey, you might want to
advise cook to make tonight
extra
special.”

“Of course.” Essdey stood from her seat. “Cali, would you like a tour of
the kitchens, while the others talk further?”

“That sounds nice.” Cali stood from her place on the couch, and when she
went to walk away, she had to pull her hand harder to get Drake to release her
fingers. Looking back at him, she smiled at his mischievous grin.

“I’m going to visit with some friends since I’m already here. I’ll be
back in time for dinner.” Nevir stood and kissed Virrel on one cheek and then
Essdey
before she swept out the front door.

“This way Cali.”

She hurried to keep up with
Essdey’s
longer stride. They went through the same archway she had used earlier, entered
a short hallway and then exited into a large kitchen area. There was a massive
stove in the center of the room. A large pipe funneled smoke up and out of the
room through the ceiling. Cabinets took up almost every wall space, and a large
copper colored sink stood against one wall. There were food items, pots, pans
and mixing spoons spread all over the counters.

“Alda,
”
Essdey
called as she entered the room.

“In here.” A voice called from a large walk in pantry. Cali watched as
a round
, elderly woman, with her silvered hair
tucked in a bun lumbered into sight. Her arms were full of items she placed on
the counter. Revealing an apron covered in a white powder and other stain
marks.

“What can I do for you dear?” The woman’s kindly brown eyes were large in
her round face.

“We need something extra special with dinner. Perhaps a dessert?” Essdey
spoke warmly to the cook.

“I know Drake has returned, is there another occasion?” the woman asked
coyly.

“I know you were
listening in
the
doorway
Alda, and you know that Drake has
chosen a mate. This is Calinae Edal.” Essdey gestured at her. “We want to make
her welcome to the family.”

Alda’s eyes flashed to her, “Of course. Of course. What about a
salarian
soufflé?”

“No. That’s an acquired taste and I don’t want to shock Cali’s system
with it on her first night. How about
bolvian
chocolate crème cake?”

Alda rubbed her chin and Cali smiled when a white streak got left behind.
“I think I can manage that. I might have to run to Denary for supplies. I can
be back and have it ready in time for dinner.”

“Thank you, Alda. You are a gift from the moons.” Essdey entwined her arm
in Cali’s. “On with the tour. Out this set of doors is the garden.” Essdey
pulled her along as she talked. “We cultivate a minimal amount of herbs that
Alda needs for cooking, along with some plants that I just like the way they
look.” His mother laughed sheepishly.

Walking through the doorway they entered a garden paradise. If this was
Essdey’s
idea of minimal she didn’t want to
know what
extensive
would be to her.
There had to be an acre or more of vegetation. At the entrance of the
garden,
the plants were all in rows, marked
with the strange symbols they used for writing. As they walked along a cobbled
path, the plants, flowers, and grass spread out. She didn’t recognize any of
the species, but she inhaled deeply taking in the rich
scent
of dirt and flowers.

“Essdey, can I ask you something while we are out here?” Cali had been
wondering how to approach the question she had.

“Of course.” His mother maneuvered them to a bench under a nice shade
tree. “Would you prefer to sit?”

“This spot is very lovely. I wouldn’t mind sitting here all day.” Cali
smiled and took a seat on the bench. Drake’s mother sat next to her.

“Now, what’s bothering you?” Essdey gave her a questioning look.

“I don’t want to appear ignorant.” Cali began. She was an intelligent
woman. Graduated at the top of her class, and still she didn’t know some of
what they kept talking about here on Titus. “I think I have an idea what the
words mean, but I need you to clarify for me. What are brothers and sisters?”

After asking, Cali bit her
lip.

“What?” The shocked look on
Essdey’s face made her feel worse.

Seeing her distress Essdey
patted her hand. “I’m sorry Cali, I was momentarily surprised. Let me explain.
Males that share
the same
parent, be that
a mother, father or both, are
referred
to
as brothers. Drake’s father and I have four sons. Drake, Varian whom you have
met, Nallan and Lathan. Those two should arrive any moment now. A girl who
shares
the same
parent is called a
sister. Nevis is our only daughter. We make up a family unit. There are also
extended family members. Aunts, children call their parents sisters this title.
Uncles, children call their parents brothers this title. Finally, we have
cousins. Your parents’ brother or sister’s children are this.”

“Drake has all of these
things? Aunts, Uncles, and cousins?!” Cali was speechless. She hadn’t ever
imagined a person could have that many members of their genetic line.

“Yes.” Essdey looked at her
closely, “You won’t meet all of them right away, but we do have certain
celebrations where all family members attend.”

“All of them?” Cali’s
eyebrows rose in amazement.

“Yes.” Essdey laughed, “as
many as possible. Why didn’t Drake tell you any of this?”

Cali blushed guiltily. “I
didn’t get the chance to ask. I didn’t pick up on the terms brother and sister
until we met up with
The Maxon
. There
hasn’t been time for us to speak privately since then.” Time for other things
like lovemaking, yes. Asking him word terminology, no.

“I
understand,
” Essdey assured her and Cali knew the woman meant it.
Her tone and body language was open and friendly. “It must be a very difficult
time for you, and
I’m
sorry we haven’t
exactly been warm in our welcome. It was just a surprise that Drake had taken a
chosen
one
and that you were not of
Titus.”

“Is that going to be an
issue?” Cali was nervous that she might not be welcome because of her home
world.

“I won’t lie to you and say
there won’t be some resistance.” Essdey warned her, “Drake had many females
trying to catch his eye, and they’ll not take kindly to an outsider winning his
attention. On Drake’s
part,
I think there
was always the worry at the back of his mind, that they wanted him for his
position
. Not for himself.”

“His position?” Cali knew
that Drake had captained
The Maxon
,
was that a position of extreme importance here on Titus?

“As the first son of the
ruling Chan’…?” His mother smiled softly. “I can see that he didn’t tell you
that either. Drake will assume this clan’s seat on the council when his father
abdicates the position. Unless
Virrel’s
line
is challenged and the rule shifts to another family. ”

Cali blushed again. “Ahh,”
Cali let this information sink in. “I can see why he didn’t say anything. I
understand exactly how he feels. You see, on Cestori, I had the exact same
problem. Only intensified by my mother trying to partner me to Vathral, he’s a
friend of mine from the Academy. His mother is also on the council, so our
partnership would connect two genetic lines.”

“I can see where your mother might find that advantageous,” Essdey
murmured.

“Since partners on Cestori are only
allowed
one child—”

“Only one?! That is why you didn’t understand the terms for extended
family,” Essdey burst out.

“Yes, I imagine your science labs work overtime, but on Cestori only one
child is permitted, and the sex of that child cannot be chosen in advance. That
is why my mother is so frantic to use me as a pawn, there are no other options
for her. That’s another reason I’ve got to return to Cestori, and soon. She may
use my friends in her attempts to get me to capitulate.”

“Science labs? Choosing the sex of offspring?” Essdey looked confused and
then coughed. “My dear, you and Drake really need to sit down and discuss matters.
I
will,
of course, help in any way
possible. Bring up what you’ve spoken about with me, to Drake. I’m sure you two
will work it out. I see the way he looks at
you
.
He’s chosen well.”

Cali wasn’t sure what she’d said that his mother thought needed to be
discussed with Drake. He already knew she wanted to go back. As for the other
things, she swore they’d already talked
about
them…or had they? She would take his mother’s advice and speak with him
tonight.

Her heart swelled with happiness that his mother thought they were a good
match. It would be imperative to have his families support if they were to make
things work. Especially now that she knew they were such a tight knit unit. She
didn’t want Drake to have to choose between her and his family. It wasn’t
arrogance that she knew he would pick her, she just felt it
to be
true. If he had to choose her, that would
create a rift she didn’t want to think about.

“Brace yourself,” Essdey blurted out. “Bella and Horace have arrived.”

“Bella? Horace?” Cali had no idea what Essdey was talking about until she
heard an unholy, ground shaking growling noise.

Turning in the direction of the sound, her breath froze in her chest and
the sudden urge to climb a nearby tree swept over her. Bounding toward where
she sat were two of the largest, hairiest, meanest looking
beasts
she had ever seen. Their snapping jaws, razor
sharp teeth, and fangs were apparent, even from this distance.

“W-what are those?” Cali whispered.

“Those two belong to Drake. They probably smelled him and have escaped
from his brother’s home where they were being kept.” Essdey took mercy on her,
“They are completely domesticated and would never harm you.”

Yeah right! Cali wanted to snort in derision, but the animals were on
them. With what she knew was going to be her death, one of the animals planted
his/her feet against her shoulders, knocking her back against the bench. Its
face was inches from hers, it’s mouth open to…swipe her with its slobbering
tongue? Okay. That isn’t what she had expected. Another swipe and Cali’s entire
face was now coated with slobber.

“I’m sorry Cali, it’s best that they get a good sense of you from the
beginning. The slobber will wash off, but a bad impression will last with
them.”

Cali turned her head to the side to avoid opening her mouth to talk while
the animal licked away at her face. “It’s okay,” She assured Essdey. “I don’t
mind.”

She’d never in her life been around an animal that was domesticated for a
pet. It wasn’t a logical thing to do, and on
Cestori,
the process had been prohibited a very long time ago.

“I’ll go get Drake and check on the preparations for dinner. Alda should
be back by now,” Essdey
shooed
the beast
away and stood up.

“How could Alda be back already?” Cali asked. “She did say she was going
to Denary for supplies.”

“Each clan has a main teleportation center to reach the other clans. To
travel quickly within clan boundaries we use the pod transportation system. It
makes travel much more expedient.”

Cali couldn’t believe they were so advanced and said so. “We were totally
wrong about Titus and its people.” Cali shook her head. If they were this wrong
about Titus, could it be that they were also wrong about Atheon?

“I think there has been a lot of
misinformation
on everyone’s part,” Essdey conceded. “I will see you for dinner Cali. I’m sure
you have much to discuss with Drake.” Essdey moved off and the beasts remained
with her. Sitting on the ground, watching her with interest.

Cali held out a hand and each animal sniffed her fingers, their hairy
noses causing her to laugh. “Bella and Horace is it?” She gathered her nerve
and brushed her fingers into the hair at their necks. It was very soft and
thick. Wondering what pets like this did for fun she went to stand up. “What do
you want to play?” she asked the dogs. “Where are your toys?”

With an excited bark, the larger of the animals ran off, and the other
just sat watching her. Before she could look around for something to do, the
larger one came back. It was carrying a branch in its mouth, which it proceeded
to drop at her feet.

“What do I do with that?” Cali wondered out loud. Seeing the excited
movement of the animal’s tail, she figured maybe she was supposed to pick it
up. Wrapping both hands around the branch she lifted it off the ground. Holding
it aloft she saw that both animals were now standing as well.

“What?” Cali wavered under the weight of the wood she was holding. The
animals tracked the movement of her hands with their eyes, as Cali waved the
branch from side to side. The animals increased their excited yelps. When the
larger one jumped toward her, Cali threw the branch in reflex. Both animals
instantly took off after the wood, wrestled each other for supremacy and ended
up carrying an end in each of their mouths.

When they made it back to her, they dropped it at her feet again.
So this was some kind of game they played?
The animals liked to run after a thrown object and bring it back. Cali bent and
picked up the branch again, this
time,
she
threw it as far as she could, not that it was very far. Both animals took off
after it again.
This is kind of fun.