Authors: Catherine Spangler
Shadower (37 page)
It appeared he had acquired a family of sorts—seven women and one smart-mouthed ship mechanic. That was overwhelming enough, but when Jarek and five other Shielder men had shown up seven cycles ago and made camp in the clearing, Risa suddenly seemed like a bustling star base.
The men had come to offer their assistance in digging the lake and irrigating the land. Jarek explained that they wanted to show their appreciation for everything Sabin had contributed to the Shielder cause.
The women had been extremely apprehensive over the presence of six brawny males in the colony. Kind of like mixing lanraxes and krats together—a volatile situation. But Sabin threatened the men within a millimeter of their lives if they upset the females or acted disrespectful in any way, and they had been great, treating the women with grave courtesy and consideration.
They had also worked very hard, accomplishing an astonishing transformation to Risa in the past seven cycles. A lake was dug, and more grass and trees were planted.
Then today, everyone had gathered to watch Jarek perform the Shielder lifemate ceremony joining Sabin and Moriah. Of course, they'd all wanted to celebrate the event. They were making good headway, too, if the laughter and singing were any indication.
"Hey, you two. Get over here," Jarek called. "You can be alone later. We're already eating."
"Already drinking is more like it," Sabin commented. Moriah laughed. Holding hands, they strolled toward the tables, which had been placed on the grass and loaded with Elysian delicacies.
He was right. Jarek had filled the glasses with potent Vilana wine. He handed them around, then raised his glass. "A toast, to Sabin and Moriah. May joy be your shadow, happiness your companion. May you live long, in peace and prosperity."
A chorus of male and female voices roared their approval. "Thank you," Moriah said, sipping her drink. She lifted up her glass. "To Jarek and all the men, for working so hard to dig us a lake. And for our expanded greenbelt."
She indicated a large section of land circling outward from the huts. Tiny shoots of morini grass sprouted from the newly irrigated earth in neat rows. A dozen Yarton saplings, brought in from Odera, had been planted at even intervals and would one day provide shade.
Sabin knew better than anyone how much Risa's development meant to Moriah. She had a dream of creating a paradise and a haven for herself and her loved ones. He was committed to helping her, and he had no doubt they'd make that dream a reality. "You have my thanks as well," he said. "Your time and labor are a very precious gift."
Jarek clasped his shoulder. "No more precious than the twelve seasons you've given to our people, the money and supplies you've provided. We can never repay you."
Emotion clogged Sabin's throat. Uncomfortable, he struggled to find words. Relief swept through him when Moriah broke in, stepping forward to intercept Celie's second glass or wine. "That's enough, sweetness," she chided her sister gently.
He tried not to smile at Celie's petulant expression. She flounced over to stand beside Jarek, looking at him with adoration shining in her caroba eyes. She had developed a sizable crush on the Shielder commander.
"Moriah and I would like to offer our drilling equipment for any colonies that can make use of it,” Sabin announced. "We still have some work to do here, but then we're willing to break down the equipment and transport it to a rendezvous point."
Jarek's eyes lit up. "That's great!" He grabbed Sabin's hand and shook it heartily, then kissed Moriah on the cheek. "Thank you. Equipment like that is hard to come by. We can certainly use it, and I'll personally guarantee its safe return."
"We trust you," Moriah replied.
Sabin realized she meant it. The profits from the iridon delivery had financed the new excavating equipment, which was very expensive. The fact that she was willing to loan it out showed how far she'd come from the woman who didn't believe an honorable man existed.
"This calls for another round of drinks." Jarek opened a new bottle of wine and refilled the glasses. "Sorry, pretty lady," he told Celie, skipping the glass she held out. "I can't have your sister mad at me."
Celie glowed at him, totally ensnared by his charm. Smiling, Jarek mussed her hair affectionately. Sabin hoped she wouldn't swoon at his feet. Damn, but she was a looker. He'd have to start brandishing a laser rifle to keep the males at bay.
"So, Travers," Jarek said. "When will I get to meet this mysterious partner of yours? I would think he'd be at your wedding."
Off chasing Dansan again. One of these days, Sabin was going to find out why McKnight was so obsessed with finding the woman. "He was sorry to miss it, but some urgent business came up. He's dropping by for a visit in a few cycles."
Jarek nodded. All Shielders understood urgency and the need to put survival before everything else. "What are your plans now?"
"I'll continue to track criminals and contribute the funds to the colonies. Moriah will travel with me and make arrangements to purchase and deliver goods around the quadrant." On the correct side of the Ordinances this time. Sabin wasn't letting her take any more risks.
"The other women will make most of the deliveries," Moriah interjected. "Lionia will oversee the operations, and Radd will accompany her. He can pick up repair jobs wherever they go. I've been thinking about something else," she continued. "I've got an idea that will earn a lot of miterons."
Sabin looked at her sharply. She hadn't discussed any ideas with him. "Do share."
"I want to open a mercantile on Calt." Her eyes shone with excitement. "Right now, the goods are sold directly off the ships. There is no actual store offering merchandise. The mercantile would be easy enough to stock, and we could charge the highest prices in the quadrant."
Calt?
The hellhole of the quadrant? He didn’t think so. "Oh, no, you're not going anywhere near Calt. It's too dangerous."
She waved her hand in dismissal. "Don't be so overprotective. I've been to Calt many times." "Yeah, and look what happened the last time," he growled.
"I met you, didn't I?"
This was going to be an uphill battle all the way. He opened his mouth, intending to lay down the law, but she rushed on. "We could get men from the colonies to take turns running the mercantile. We'd split the profits with the colonists."
He wasn't going for it. He knew Moriah too well. "Now wait a millisecond—"
"That's a great idea!" Jarek exclaimed. "We could make a megaton of gold on Calt. I'm sure I can get plenty of volunteers to man the store. You're a genius, Mori."
Sabin scowled. "Don't encourage her. You don't know her like I do."
"What a mean thing to say." Moriah turned on the charm, resting her hand on his chest, looking at him with those melted-gold eyes. Blood rushed to his lower extremities. Blazing hells. The woman did not play fair.
"I won't be staffing the mercantile," she assured him, stroking his chest in a very disconcerting way. "Neither will any of the other women. I'll just oversee stocking it and scheduling the men to work there. I'll only fill in from time to time if we're shorthanded."
"You won't fill in
ever
," he insisted, feeling his tenuous grip on the situation slipping away.
"We'll see," she murmured.
Sabin realized he couldn't win by arguing the point in front of all these people. They'd finish this discussion in private. Moriah might think she could work around him, but he was learning how to handle her. He hoped. Conceding for now, he pulled her against him and kissed her thoroughly, amid loud cheers.
"What was that about?" she asked when they came up for air.
"Just taking out my frustration, sweetheart. I've discovered this is a very effective way to deal with it. And with you around, I expect to stay frustrated."
She smiled. "Should be fun."
Grinning, Sabin pulled her against his side. Feeling a deep sense of contentment, he contemplated his oddball family.
Lionia and Radd lounged beneath a mature Yarton tree at the edge of the copse. Radd was stretched out on the grass, his head in the Zarian's lap. She was dipping suman grapes into wine and feeding them to him. She was actually cooing to him. Zarians
never
acted like that. Unbelievable.
Sitting one table over, Roanne stared shyly at her hands, nodding in reply to Arden, a serious young Shielder who also stuttered. He seemed very taken with Roanne and had sought her company frequently since he'd arrived. That she hadn't bolted like a frightened kerani was another surprise.
It wasn't any more amazing than watching Marna and Tyna fussing over the rest of the men, fixing plates of food for them. Both women were in their middle seasons, and Sabin wondered if they had ever had children of their own. Their maternal instincts certainly seemed intact.
Janaye reposed in a special upholstered chair that had been purchased just for her. The uncontested matriarch, she observed the activities, her discerning gaze everywhere. Her eyes might appear unfocused, or she might doze off from time to time, but she was aware of everything around her. A very astute woman, she knew how to swing her Yarton club pretty hard, too. Sabin still had a small knot on his head to prove it.
Celie trailed behind Jarek like a lovesick lanrax, hanging onto his every word. He treated her kindly, with a gallantry that made her feel special.
Then there was Moriah. Sabin tightened his arm around her.
Moriah.
His wife, beautiful, compassionate—and headstrong. He loved her more than he thought it would ever be possible to love anyone. She had become everything to him. Lover, companion, best friend. She knew all his secrets and his flaws. And she loved him anyway.
She would never get far from him again. Wherever she went, he'd be right beside her. If Risa was her base of operations, then it would be his base, too. The settlement was primitive, and they had a lot of work ahead to mold it to their dreams. But they would.
It certainly wasn't a brand-new, state-of-the-art Skymaster 8400. But it didn't matter, because he had something far better.
He had a home—and a family.
* * * * * *
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Street Corners and Halos, Demon’s Delight Anthology
Book Three in the Shielder Series
Coming May 2014
Travan
She needed to lose her virginity—and fast.
That inane thought was Eirene's first reaction to her uncle's shattering pronouncement. Stunned, she stared at him, her heart pounding.
Vaden returned her perusal, his pale eyes as sharp as lasers, a warning of his cunning, savage character. Greed radiated from him like a malevolent aura. "Lanrax got your tongue, woman?"
Panic clawed at her insides. "Uncle, you can't mean—"
"The Leors made a very good offer. A trade route for a virgin bride. I might have bartered you to one of those slobbering idiot Anteks, as payment for not patrolling our smuggling routes. You should show your gratitude, niece."
Gratitude? For selling her—or at least her virginity—off to a Leor? Eirene's thoughts whirled, trying to assimilate this unexpected turn of events. It was true women here on Travan had no rights and served only two purposes: breeding or trading for goods and services. Yet she had hoped her healing skills would make her too valuable to be traded. She'd obviously been wrong.
"The Leor envoy arrives tomorrow," Vaden informed her. "Your future master will be with them. He wants to inspect you himself. You'll also be examined by their healer to ensure you're still a virgin."
He took a swig of his wine. His lecherous gaze swept over her as he wiped his mouth. "It's a shame I can't sample you first. You're a pretty piece. But those Spiritforsaken Leors are damn particular about their women."
A shudder ran through Eirene, and she fought back a wave of nausea. "Uncle, I urge you to reconsider. Surely my healing abilities have some value—"
"Skills any female can learn," he spat contemptuously. "Your virginity is far more valuable."
Not nearly as valuable as the abilities she kept hidden—powers that could very well be discovered by the Leors. Desperation spurred her foolishly on. "There must be another way to acquire the trade route."
He lunged up, surprisingly agile for his age and size, and grabbed her wrist, jerking her halfway across his desk. "How dare you challenge my decisions?" He twisted her arm, wringing a gasp of pain from her. "This route is being acquired
my
way."