“And I had the baby,” Olivia whispered. “I can’t believe it.”
“You only had the last minute and a half, Lilenta,” Baird disagreed in his deep, rumbling voice. “I was the one who went through hours of labor in order to push the little guy out in the first place.”
“Let’s just call it a team effort.” Sophia looked down at the baby in her arms. “Look at all that black hair on his teeny little head!” She smiled at her sister ecstatically. “He’s gorgeous but do I, uh, cut the cord now or what?”
“I’ll do that.” Sylvan came into the room at a run. “Is everything all right? I missed the birth.”
“Only by a second or two.” Liv laughed in relief. “God, I can’t believe we’re all finally back in our right bodies!” She watched anxiously as Sylvan took the baby from Sophia. “Is he all right?”
“I think so.” Sylvan cut the cord and checked him out thoroughly. The baby objected to this treatment with a howl of indignation, which made Sylvan smile. “There’s certainly nothing wrong with his lungs, anyway.” He cleaned the infant up and wrapped him in a warm white towel before handing him gently to Olivia. “Here you are, mate of my kin—your first born son. Have you thought of a name?”
“Baird Junior,” Liv said at the same time Baird said,
“Daniel.”
They both looked at each other, frowning.
“But I thought we said we’d name him after you,” Olivia said.
“No, we said we’d name him after your father.” Baird frowned. “Anyway, I should get to pick. I went through days of misery and hours of labor to get him here.”
Olivia arched one eyebrow at him. “And you think just because you did a few days in my body you get to have naming rights? What about the months of misery I spent carrying him to term?”
“Olivia, Baird…” Sylvan held out his hands for peace. “Why not Daniel Baird?” he said, when he had their attention. “That way you both get what you want.”
“Well…” Olivia turned her attention to the red-faced baby who had stopped crying almost as soon as he was placed in her arms. “I guess he does look a little like a Danny.”
“He’s beautiful,” Sophia cooed, leaning over to look at her nephew. “Now I can’t wait until mine come out. If they’re half as cute as little Danny here I’ll be over the moon.”
“They’ll be beautiful, Talana,” Sylvan assured her, putting an arm around her and squeezing. “Because they’re going to look like you.”
“And you.” She smiled up at him. “We’re having twins so we get double the joy—don’t forget.”
“My darling,” Sylvan said solemnly. “I honestly don’t mind if you have a dozen, as long as I don’t have to give birth to them.” He shook his head. “If I’m never pregnant again it will be too soon. I’m so glad to be me again—I can finally think.”
“Oh?” There was a dangerous glint in Sophia’s green eyes. “And what exactly are you thinking right now, dear husband?”
“I’m thinking…” Sylvan took a deep breath. “I’m thinking what a beautiful, brave female you are and how lucky I am to have you as the mother of my children.”
“All right then.” Sophia nodded. “Just keep thinking that way.”
“Nice save, Brother,” Baird murmured, coming up to clap Sylvan on the back.
Sylvan grinned at him. “It’s the truth, you know. Spending time in my mate’s body has given me a whole new perspective.”
“Don’t talk to me about perspective.” Baird shivered. “I’ve had as much of that as I can stand.”
“I hear you, Brother,” Sylvan agreed wholeheartedly. Then he looked at Sophia. “Guess what, Talana? I finally remember where I put your chewy shoes.”
She frowned. “My what?”
“You know…” Sylvan frowned. “The ones with the heels and the little red bows? I remember where I kicked them off at.”
“Oh, my Jimmy Choos!” Sophia laughed. “That’s great, honey, but those heels are really too high. I won’t want to wear them again until after the babies are born.”
“That’s good.” Sylvan sighed. “It’ll give me time to get you a new pair.”
“What? But I thought you said you remembered where you put them!”
“I do.” Sylvan looked sheepish. “I got so mad at how much they hurt my feet I pushed them down the incinerator chute.”
“You what?” Sophia demanded. “I…you…”
Before she could get any further, Baird started laughing. Olivia joined him and soon even Sophia had to laugh too.
“All right,” she said at last, giving her husband a hug. “I’ll forgive you this time, Sylvan. But don’t ever borrow my shoes again.”
“Talana,” he said seriously. “I think I can safely promise you I never, ever will.”
* * * * *
“Oh, it’s you! You’re back!” Lauren slid the door to her suite all the way open and embraced her sister excitedly. “I was so afraid you wouldn’t make it,” she whispered, hugging the other girl to her tightly. “I thought I’d never see you again.”
“I promised I’d come back,” L reminded her, smiling. “Are you going to leave me standing out here in the hallway?”
“Of course not. Come in, come in!” Lauren ushered her into the suite where Xairn was standing there, smiling at his new sister-in-law uncertainly.
“Um…” He cleared his throat. “I guess we’ve never really be introduced.”
“You mean since the time you sniffed me out on O’ah? Or the dreams I sent?” L held out a hand.
“Well…yes.” Xairn took her hand and shook it hesitantly.
“I’m sorry about those, by the way,” L said shortly. “I’m sorry for a lot of things.”
“We have all done things we regret,” he said gravely. “I accept your apology.”
“Good!" Lauren exclaimed. “So there won’t be any awkwardness between us. Because I want you to stay here, all right?” She smiled at L. “At least for a while until you get your own suite. And tomorrow we’re going to go down to Earth to meet Mom.”
L bit her lip. “I can’t wait. But…are you sure she’ll want to meet me?”
“I explained everything to her—well, mostly. All except the big secret you said you’d reveal when you got back. You know, the reason we had such an instant connection?” Lauren raised her eyebrows, obviously waiting for an answer.
“Oh, that.” L smiled. “Well, you see…”
She told her sister about having the soul of her twin, the soul of the baby who had been lost at Lauren’s birth. What she didn’t tell was the fact that she’d given half of that soul to Draven. Or that she had promised to go back to him and complete their bond.
It can wait, she told herself, even as Lauren gushed over their shared relationship and the fact that she had even better news to tell their mother. It can wait until later. She’s so happy now, I don’t want to spoil things for her…
Chapter Thirty-two
“What’s this I hear about you being suicidal, doll?” Kat put an arm around Lissa’s shoulders and led her gently away from the other girls who were cooing over Olivia’s new baby. They were in Lauren’s suite—well, Lauren’s and L’s, who had quickly become a part of their little circle in the weeks since she had returned.
“What?” Lissa looked at Kat, frowning. “I…I’m not suicidal. Who told you that?”
“Sylvan did when he said you offered to strap a bomb to yourself and press the trigger once you got within exploding distance of Draven.” Kat frowned and steered her into the food prep area. “Come on in here. I can always say I’m testing the new cupcakes Lauren made for me to taste so I could choose what I want for my wedding cake.”
Lauren looked blankly at the luscious rows of frosted mini-cakes that were Lauren’s specialty. There appeared to be every flavor imaginable and she was sure they were all delicious, but she had no urge to try any of them.
“Well?” Kat said, nudging her with an elbow.
“I…” Lissa cleared her throat. “I just wanted to do my part.”
“By blowing yourself up?” Kat said gently. “There has to be more to that story than just a rampaging case of Kindred patriotism. So come on, hon—spill it. What happened between you and Saber that made you want to bite the big one?”
“I…I don’t want to bite anything.” Lissa gave a little sob. “I just want Saber not to hate me anymore.”
“Who says he hates you?” Kat asked, frowning.
“He does.” Lissa sobbed again. “Or well, he said he hated himself, anyway.”
“What?” Kat shook her head. “What exactly did the two of you have to do to get that scroll?”
“I can’t tell you.” Lissa swiped at her eyes and hung her head. “It’s too awful. Too…private.”
“What’s too private?” Lauren suddenly came bustling into the room. Lissa could tell it was her because she was wearing her hair up while L usually wore hers down.
“Oh good, Lauren—I’m glad you’re here.” Kat came forward and put a hand on Lauren’s arm.
“Why? Because you’re hoping to get a jump on everyone else during the taste test of the wedding cake cupcakes?” Lauren shook her head. “Honestly, Kat—you and your sweet tooth. Are you sure you’re not pregnant?”
“Bite your tongue!” Kat rolled her eyes. “My poor Southern Baptist grandma already has to deal with me marrying two guys instead of one. If she thinks I have a bun in the oven at the same time she’ll have a stroke for sure.”
“You better hurry and get married then.” Lauren smiled at her. “You know there’s no birth control in the world that will protect you against Kindred joy juice. And you’re getting twice as much as the rest of us. It’s a wonder you’re not knocked up already.”
“Speaking of getting knocked up…” Kat looked at Lissa speculatively. “Is that it, hon? Did you two have to do the deed and now you’re afraid you’re pregnant?”
“Oh, no—nothing like that. Well, not exactly, anyway.” Lissa shook her head miserably. “I’m sorry, Kat. You’re a good friend but well, I just can’t tell you what happened.”
Kat frowned. “Is it because of those stupid clan laws your people have? Are you still feeling like Saber is your brother?”
“No, it’s not that either.” Lissa frowned. “I wouldn’t have thought it was possible but, well, I actually got over that idea while we were on Yonnie Six.” She cleared her throat embarrassedly. “I, um, really had no choice. Neither of us did.”
“I see…” Kat nodded. “So if you and Saber got over the whole silly taboo thing and were happily playing your parts, something else must have happened.”
Lauren gave her a long look. “Let me take a guess: you and Saber did something kinky—something really kinky—and it was too much for him to handle. Am I right?”
Lissa looked at her in amazement. “How…how did you know that?”
“Are you kidding?” Kat laughed. “Little Miss Lauren here is the queen of kink. She and her man are all into whips and chains.”
Lauren gave a long suffering sigh. “Now, Kat, try to put a rein on your dirty mind for once. You’ll have Lissa here thinking I’m completely depraved.” She turned to Lissa. “What we’re really into is D/s—domination and submission. Basically I, um, offer myself to him and he dominates me. It’s not nearly as out-there as Kat would have you believe and it can be very pleasurable when it’s done right.”
Lissa bit her lip and looked at her friends. “But what…what if it’s done wrong?”
“Okay, that does it.” Kat banged a hand on the countertop. “Now I really want to know what happened.”
Lissa told as much as she felt comfortable relating, which wasn’t very much, at all. She explained how she had played Saber’s mistress and how their roles had taken them farther and farther down a dark and twisted path neither would have trod on their own. Then she explained how they had gone one step too far and afterward, Saber had turned cold to her. When she was done, Kat shook her head.
“You talk in circles better than any lawyer I ever met. I still don’t know exactly what happened to upset Saber so much.”
“You don’t have to know,” Lauren pointed out. “All you really need to know is that his masculine pride was hurt.” She sighed. “You know, our men are so wonderful I think we forget sometimes that they are, after all, only men. Even if they are from an alien race beyond the stars and all that sci-fi crap, they still have the same basic male insecurities that men from Earth have.”
“Lauren’s right,” Kat said, nodding. “I love Deep and Lock to pieces but sometimes they make me want to pull my hair out.” She sighed. “Of course, I can’t live without them, which is why I’m finally marrying them. But sometimes, I swear…”
“Having two guys to satisfy instead of just one would be a tall order,” Lauren agreed. “But listen, sweetie,” she said, turning to Lissa. “The answer is simple. If Saber’s pride was hurt because he had to submit to you, just turn the tables.”
“What?” Lauren frowned. “I don’t understand.”
“What I mean is, you need to submit to him,” Lauren said earnestly.
“I…but I don’t know how,” Lissa exclaimed. “I barely knew how to dominate. And just when I thought I was getting the hang of it, well…” She looked down. “That was when Saber got upset and said we should forget anything had ever happened between us.”
“Aw, you poor thing!” Kat put an arm around her shoulders and squeezed.
“Don’t worry about learning how to submit. It’s not that hard—actually, it’s really kind of fun.” Lauren smiled. “I’ll give you some pointers and even loan you an outfit to wear. I guarantee Saber won’t be able to resist you once I’m done with you.”
“Really?” Lissa looked at her hopefully. “You honestly think it’s not too late?”
“He’s still here, isn’t he?” Kat asked practically. “If he’s so anxious to move on why hasn’t he left the Mother Ship and gone back to his home planet?”
“That’s true, I guess,” Lissa said and sighed. “I just hope…I hope I can get through to him. That I can make him see reason.”
“You will, doll.” Kat squeezed her and gave her a wink. “You two were meant to be together—I could tell it the first minute I laid eyes on you.”
“I remember thinking the same thing,” Lauren said, smiling. “And if you can get over something as big as that ridiculous taboo your people laid on the two of you, you can get over a little wounded pride.”
“I hope so.” Lissa sighed. “I really hope so.”
“I know so,” Kat said firmly. “Now come on, let’s start bringing out the cupcakes so we can all have a taste. The suspense is killing me.”
“I just bet.” Lauren smiled sweetly at her. “Say, Kat, you know how I crave raw meat and Liv craved all those weird combinations of sweet and salty?”
Kat frowned suspiciously. “Yeah? So?”
“So you know what I heard women who are pregnant with Twin Kindred babies crave?” Lauren asked. “Sweets. Lots and lots of chocolate and candy and pie and cookies, and cake.”
Kat went pale. “You’re making that up.”
“Uh-uh. I’m not.” Lauren laughed. “But you’re not worried, are you? I mean, it’s not like you’re late or anything, right?”
Kat looked almost green. “Actually, I am late. Oh my God, Lauren—what if you’re right? And you know how fast you start showing with twins—just look at Sophia.”
Lauren grinned at her. “When did you say you were planning your wedding ceremony for?”
“Yesterday.” Kat grabbed a plate of cupcakes. “Come on—we need to pick the cake quick and get everything planned while I can still fit into Grandma’s wedding dress.”
Lauren laughed and grabbed a tray as well. “It’s going to be all right, Kat. We’ll get you down the aisle in time.”
“We’ll have to,” Kat said grimly. “Or Grandma will kill me before I get a chance to say ‘I do’.
”
Lissa picked up a platter of cupcakes as well and followed the other two girls as they chatted and laughed. She couldn’t help wondering if she would ever really feel like part of this group. If she could make things right with Saber it might be possible. She could imagine a life here on the Mother Ship, spending time with Olivia and Sophia, and Kat, and Lauren, and L, and Elise, who was quiet but very kind.
What she couldn’t imagine was going back to First World alone. Of course, Nadiah was there and she was a dear friend. But Lissa didn’t know if she could go back to being a priestess and pretend like nothing had happened. Didn’t know if she could forget the past and move on when just being without Saber hurt her so much it was painful to draw breath.
I love him so much, she thought, setting down the plate and watching silently as the other girls all chose cupcakes to taste. If only I can make him see that before it’s too late…
* * * * *
“I love her so much,” Saber explained to the mechanoid tending bar at the tiny, off-hours tavern on the far edges of the Mother Ship. “So damn much—but I can’t be with her now. Not after…what happened.”
“Allow me to express deepest sorrow and commiseration for your troubles,” the mechanoid replied in a tinny, robotic voice. It clearly had limited sympathy programming but at least he didn’t have to worry about it blabbing his secret shame. Which was the reason this tiny bar had become his favorite spot on the entire Mother Ship recently.
“Another.” He slapped a cred chip down on the sticky bar and held up a finger. “Make it a double this time.”
The mechanoid gave him an artificial frown. “Your pardon, valued customer, but my programming tells me you have had enough.”
“I have not.” Saber glared at it. “I’m trying to drown my sorrows, damn it!”
“He’s right,” a voice behind him said. “There’s not enough liquor in the world when a male is hurting. Serve him what he wants.”