Alien Notions 4
Mahrayne woke slowly, luxuriously rising out of sleep, not questioning why she was so relaxed and so content - just happy to float in the sensation. She felt the rough texture of some sort of pelt over the solid heat of something she was snuggled up to. There was a comforting heat behind her as well... Interesting...
Mahrayne's consciousness gave her the insight of memory.
Last night.
Her eyes flew open, her heart pounding almost painfully loud. Mahrayne lifted her head out of her nest of Radittsu's mane and looked about, being careful not to disturb the Saiyans she was sandwiched between. It was daylight.
Oh no!!
She'd only meant to sleep a couple of hours before going back to the Hassinan suite!
Mahrayne mentally started rehearsing her excuses, but was distracted by some extraordinary sensations around one of her hands. She traced the hand; it wasn't the one still tangled in Radittsu's mane, it was the other one - the one on the end of the arm which was draped over the sleeping male's hip. She realised, with a frisson of thrilled fear, that what she was feeling was the warm hardness of Radittsu's erection against her palm - and the answering cold hardness of what she suspected was the High King's erection against the back of her hand. She froze and blushed to her navel, embarrassment sweeping down her body in tingling goosebumps. What was she going to do? The answer was obvious of course, she had to move her hand. Easier said than done though, even her slightest movement made the big male twitch. Her curiosity - which she wasn't counting amongst her friends right now - slyly suggested that she make use of the opportunity; after all, it murmured with low cunning, Radittsu was asleep, he'd never know... Cursing herself for a fool, but unable to resist, Mahrayne chewed on her lip as she gently, tentatively, tried to close her fingers around the Saiyan's shaft.
So solid. So hot. So big.
Radittsu stirred, and Mahrayne guiltily snatched her hand away, titillated and embarrassed all at once. The big male moved again, a rhythmic flexing of his buttocks and she peered over the solid slab of his flank. The High King had moved in even closer to Radittsu: one of his slender blue hands was reaching over the male's hip, cupping a strong buttock, pulling him in tight. The males' hips were plastered together as they moved gently against each other. Eyes wide and intrigued, Mahrayne tentatively stole a hand towards Radittsu's tail... and almost yelped when her wrist was caught in a firm grip.
"Don't touch his tail." Leteetza whispered softly.
"Why not?" Mahrayne shifted carefully around until she was lying face to face with the female. Leteetza nipped her nose.
"Invitation only. Tails are... private. Intimate."
"Oh." Mahrayne saw now. "Thank you for stopping me."
Leteetza chuckled, low voiced. "Didn't want you to get your hand crushed."
Mahrayne absorbed the implications of that, then remembered her other, more immediate predicament.
"I've been here all night," she whispered solemnly, "I'm dead."
Leteetza smirked. "Don't worry about it. I'm sure the High King will be happy to put in a good word for you to the delegation."
Mahrayne giggled and ducked her head, embarrassed all over again.
She could feel Radittsu behind her, moving faster now, his breath coming in rasping gasps. Mahrayne's own breathing accelerated slightly and Leteetza watched her reaction with knowing eyes.
"What's it like?" Mahrayne asked her softly.
"Having sex with a male?" Leteetza smirked, then leant in and kissed her, licking at her lips. Mahrayne opened her mouth, whole-heartedly welcoming the surge of lust the little female's tongue provoked.
"It can be - wonderful." Leteetza breathed. "Why? Curious?"
Mahrayne sniggered quietly. "Am I breathing? Of course I'm curious."
"We'll have to see what we can arrange." the Saiyan murmured.
Leteetza wrapped her tail around Mahrayne's thigh, just above her knee, then used it to pull the Hassinan's thighs apart. Mahrayne moaned throatily at the sensation of comparatively cool air over her genitals.
Handy things, these tails - she thought hazily as the little female's fingers teased her open.
All of Mahrayne's concerns were forced to the back of her mind as Leteetza's thin, strong fingers stroked her inside, her thumb circling and flicking over Mahrayne's almost painfully sensitive nub. Mahrayne's hand urgently reached out to the little Saiyan, wanting to give her a similar pleasure before her reasoning was wholly consumed by the swelling glow from within.
Leteetza quivered as she came, her tail squeezing Mahrayne's thigh tightly - not that the Hassinan really noticed, she was lost in her own climax.
Mahrayne wound her arms around Leteetza's neck and they kissed, slowly, leisurely. Mahrayne's eyes drifted closed...
"Mahrayne!" it was Zh'leet's warning hiss, "Don't you dare fall asleep!"
Mahrayne started out of her doze and raised her head to see Zh'leet standing at the end of the sleeping platform, clawed hands on hips.
"Your people have been screeching for you since before sunsrise!" the R'ren'nkh'ian snorted. "I'm sick of listening to them, and you've got the signing ceremony in under an hour."
Mahrayne squeaked, and rolled Leteetza onto her back, kissing her quickly. Leteetza arched up to meet her, and growled when the Hassinan pulled away.
"Sorry!" Mahrayne said, pushing herself off the bed, resisting the temptation laid out so prettily beneath her.
"Isn't the High King supposed to be at the signing too?" she asked Zh'leet.
The brood rolled her eyes. "That's my next task."
Mahrayne smiled and patted the lizard on the arm. "Thank you." she said before flying into the bathroom for a hasty shower. She dragged on her robes from yesterday while she was barely dry, and yanked a comb through her hair, managing to pull out several strands of the thick, white stuff before it was smooth enough to re-band.
Mahrayne ignored the smirks of the Saiyan guards outside the R'ren'nkh'ian suite as she took off for the Hassinan's rooms at a near run, the servant sent to escort her redundantly following behind. Mahrayne figured she'd got to the Hassinan suite with about twenty minutes to spare and took a moment to catch her breath before entering; she wanted to face her people with at least the semblance of composed calm.
"Why didn't you return last night?" Her father's growl greeted her like a slap in the face.
"I - I was asked to stay - " Deceit not being one of Mahrayne's skills, she answered as truthfully as she could without compromising herself.
"Mahrayne," Marldus interrupted smoothly, "you'd better get ready, we'll be leaving in a few minutes."
She gratefully acknowledged the reprieve with a nod of her head and darted into her tiny room. As she donned the formal, sky-blue robes, smoothing down the stiff folds, Mahrayne could indistinctly hear her father and the Lead Speaker arguing in the common room. 'Arguing' wasn't the right word, the Hassinan, as a rule, were too polite to 'argue', but the 'discussion' the males were having was loud enough for her to guess that she was the subject. The Lead Speaker sounded calm and even, but her father, she realised with a sinking heart, sounded harsh, irritated, almost petulant. Mahrayne sighed; she didn't want to go back out there - maybe she could plead a sudden headache and get out of the whole thing? She sighed again and stood up straight; her own sense of duty and responsibility wouldn't let her take that easy option. Mentally bracing herself, and wearing her mask of meekest calm, Mahrayne walked back out into the common room.
"Just how have you been ingratiating yourself with these - aliens?" Astolan grated at her when she emerged from her room.
She looked at him in confusion. "I don't understand...?"
"Peace, Astolan," Marldus murmured, staying his advisor's next harangue with a firm hand on his forearm.
"The Saiya-jin-no-Ou has requested you stay behind when we leave." Marldus said simply. Mahrayne couldn't quite take in the meaning of his words and it was only protocol that kept her standing.
"... asked me to stay...? Why?" she blurted out.
The Lead Speaker was watching her closely. "He suggested you would be an ideal tutor for his, and the R'ren'nkh'ian High King's, heirs."
Mahrayne's face lit up.
Leteetza! 'Everything's going to be fine', indeed! She was going to have to have words with that little sprite. Mahrayne shivered delightedly at the thought - if she stayed, she'd have plenty of time to 'have words' with Leteetza, and Kelapa - and precious time with the hostlings before they grew up!
Tutoring them? She couldn't think of anything she'd rather do.
"You're not staying!" Astolan commanded.
"We agreed it would be Mahrayne's decision - " amazingly, it sounded like Marldus, the calmest Hassinan ever born, was actually getting annoyed.
"You agreed, not I! And I say she's not staying here, unprotected, amongst these savages!"
Mahrayne glared at her father, suddenly, explosively fed up with him. "You have never been interested in my welfare before, Father, don't pretend a concern for me now!" she snapped. Astolan stared at her, open-mouthed and speechless.
"We can discuss this later." Marldus said brusquely, "we need to leave for the reception."
The Hassinan were met outside their suite by Manzano and three others from the diplomatic corps, who conducted them to one of the formal reception rooms. Mahrayne barely noticed the brief journey, her body on auto-pilot as her thoughts chased themselves round and around. She wanted to stay, had every intention of staying, despite the flutter of pure terror she felt at taking such an enormous step away from all she knew. Now all she had to do was not let her father 'convince' her otherwise...
The formal welcoming of the Hassinan to the empire was a simple ceremony.
A parchment setting out the broad details of the treaty was signed by Vejiita, Zha'haabron and Marldus on behalf of their peoples, and witnessed by senior members of the Saiyan Council. After the treaty was signed, there was an exchange of gifts, mere tokens really, but this whole event was purely symbolic, the real work having been thrashed out over the past five days. Mahrayne caught herself staring at the R'ren'nkh'ian High King, quite unable to reconcile the beautiful, coolly regal creature standing next to Vejiita with the beautiful, passionate and loving creature of last night. Zha'haabron caught her eye and smiled at her - just a little smile, the barest lifting of the corners of his lips, but it was enough to set her face aflame again; she smiled broadly and lowered her head hoping no-one else had noticed.
After the ceremony, there was an informal luncheon in an adjoining room. Two long tables, loaded with food and drink, were set up on one side of the room, and enough seats for all attending. Not that anybody was sitting - the delegates, diplomats and representatives mingled freely and there was an air of relief and satisfaction, pervading the room. Marldus looked particularly pleased, as if he'd just come through, and won, a hard fight.
Mahrayne stood by herself, as inconspicuously as possible, and picked at the food, too distracted and nervous now about the inevitable confrontation with her father to relax. Out of the corner of her eye she saw Marldus and Astolan across the room incline their heads briefly to Manzano, then turn and head purposefully towards her. Mahrayne swallowed, and lifted her chin defiantly. She doubted her father would make a scene here, but she knew from past experience how unpleasant he could be without speaking above a murmur.
"Daughter - " Astolan began in a low, dark voice.
"Astolan - " Marldus started to say.
"No." Astolan said firmly. "For once in her life she is going to do as I bid."
The Lead Speaker opened his mouth to say something, but was cut short by the approach of the Saiya-jin-no-Ou. The King acknowledged them and the Hassinan bowed their heads respectfully. Mahrayne edged back, light-headedly relieved to have the males' attention diverted from her. If she timed it right, she could - not run away, exactly - but move quickly away from Marldus and her father right after the King had finished with them, and hopefully it wouldn't give them any time to focus on her again.
"Mahrayne."
She lifted her head, unnerved that the King was addressing her rather than the males, and looked down at Vejiita. Mahrayne was startled - he was only a couple of inches taller than Leteetza, but he seemed so much bigger than everyone else. His cavern-dark eyes - now she was close enough to notice - were quite beautiful, and his voice was deep and smooth, an almost-purr she could feel in her toes.
"Have you come to a decision on whether to stay with us?"
What? He was asking her directly? Mahrayne was afraid she was gaping, and distractedly made sure her mouth was closed while her brain raced ahead.
If the King asked her directly, and she said 'yes'... her father wouldn't be able to argue!
Mahrayne smiled shyly at the Saiya-jin-no-Ou through long eyelashes.
"Your Majesty, I would be honoured to stay." she said softly.
She heard her father's sharply indrawn breath, and rejoiced inside - Hah!
"My Companion will be very pleased to hear that." The King remarked with a slight smirk.
It was done, Mahrayne thought breathlessly. She was staying!
"If you'll excuse me please, Your Majesty, I'd like to return to my duties?" Mahrayne couldn't help beaming, her happiness blindingly evident to anyone within ten feet.
"A tour of the city has been organised for after the luncheon... would you like to join it before you go back to the - children?" The King asked her.
"Thank you, your Majesty, but no. They're a handful at the best of times and I'm needed there." She grinned. "And as I'm staying, I can get a more personal tour, later."
The King dismissed her with a brief inclination of his head, watching her with a slight smile.
Mahrayne said a politely constrained farewell to her father and the Lead Speaker, then left the reception room with a lightness of heart that almost had her singing.
Mahrayne headed unerringly for the play room; the servant - who was supposed to be guiding her - dragged along in her wake.
She was very glad to be heading for the relative sanity of the children; she was trembling with reaction, her nerves strung tight from the narrowly averted confrontation with her father. If it hadn't been for the Saiya-jin-no-Ou choosing that moment to speak to her... She didn't want to think about how miserable and disgusted with herself she'd be if she'd caved in to her father's brow-beating. Even with Marldus's intervention she doubted she'd have been able to resist her father on this issue.
A sudden leap of intuition stopped her in her tracks.
'Marldus's intervention.'
She frowned, lost in introspection, and started walking again, slower now, oblivious to the servant's polite enquiry.
'Marldus's intervention.'
Yes! Now that she was thinking about it... All of her life she'd had her father, on one side, trying to suppress her, keep her within the limited boundaries of what he considered 'proper' behaviour - and on the other side, was Marldus, who actively encouraged her to go beyond those boundaries. Indeed, the Lead Speaker had nurtured her curiosity, guiding and directing her natural inquisitiveness into areas that a Hassinan normally wouldn't be bothered with. A couple of examples of the Lead Speaker's intervention leapt into her mind.
She'd wanted to learn different languages; Astolan had refused, saying it was a waste of time for her to learn something she wouldn't need. Marldus had overridden his advisor and friend, and arranged for Mahrayne to have access to off-world communication. And this trip to Vejiitasei... There really had been no need for her to be here, but Marldus had insisted, in front of her, that she be included.
Why? Why his interest in her?
Why let her be aware of his interest?
"My Lady?" The servant's voice brought her back to herself. Mahrayne was standing at the door of the play-room - she could hear the noise from out here - and the servant, and the two massive Saiyan guards were all looking at her curiously. How long had she been standing there, staring into space, she wondered?
"My Lady?" the servant said, a little louder.
She turned and smiled at him. "Thank you." she said, and walked into the room.
Zha'tiisaan flung himself at her and the rest of the hostlings clustered around, hissing happily. She laughed and tried to hug them all.
"Did you miss me or something?"
"Are you staying with us?" Zha'tiisaan asked excitedly. Mahrayne stared at him - how did he know to ask that? She beamed at him anyway, unable to hide her feelings. "Yes, I'm staying." Over the squeals of the hostlings she looked at Leteetza and said with some asperity, "A little warning would've been nice!"
"Sorry, I was ordered not to say anything." The little female said cheerfully. "I did hint, though."
Mahrayne narrowed her eyes. "Ye-es." She said slowly and wryly quoted Leteetza. "'Everything's going to be fine.' That was hardly succinct." The Saiyan smirked at her.
The hostlings went back to playing. Mahrayne kicked off her short boots and wriggled out of the heavy formal robe, leaving only the light, silky bed-robe she'd been wearing underneath. She sat down next to Leteetza and accepted a beaker of cool water from her - it was almost as hot in here as the R'ren'nkh'ian suite.
"How did the ceremony go?" Leteetza asked.
"I've no idea," Mahrayne grinned at the little female. "I was thinking of other things."
Leteetza smiled, watching the Hassinan. Mahrayne was restless and edgy, filled with a nervous exhilaration - so much had happened today, so much to think about. She wanted to run, or fuck, or something, to clear this tension in her. Coming to a decision, she bounced up and clapped her hands sharply, twice.
"I need your help." she said to the curious children.
Mahrayne began a rhythmic clapping, a simple beat, encouraging the children to join in.
When the rhythm was established - she danced. Nothing too complicated, a few simple phrases repeated almost randomly. It had been days since she'd danced. Focusing in on her body helped calm her, steady her nerves - and even though she felt the tantalising lure of it, she didn't trance, not this time. Mahrayne kept herself aware of her surroundings and the people with her.
She'd worked up a slight sweat by the time she'd finished, and felt immeasurably calmer.
Leteetza was staring at her, and Zha'tiisaan...?
The little zn'hre was gazing at her with huge, golden eyes.
"Teach me?" he almost pleaded. Mahrayne smiled, and after a quick drink began to take him, and the others, through some of the first, most basic movements. Kiraz, not surprisingly, was the first to get bored: he tugged Zha'raadiin out of the circle and they pelted off to spar. But the rest stayed and learnt, and laughed while they learnt.
Gh'veen arrived in mid-afternoon with an enormous platter of fruit and meat.
Zha'tiisaan toyed with a piece of fruit, his beautiful little face uncommonly thoughtful.
"What is it, sinam?" Mahrayne stroked his hair.
He looked at her with solemn, golden eyes.
"Can you teach me a special dance to show maazi when he gets home?"
Mahrayne beamed at him. "That's an excellent idea! We can make a dance together, would you like that?"
Zha'tiisaan's eyes shone.
"But," he said sternly, looking at everyone, "it's a secret. Don't tell anyone!"
Everyone agreed, even a bemused Leteetza, and once the platter was empty Mahrayne and Zha'tiisaan started work on 'Maazi's Dance'. Zha'haabron and Zha'zhasaan joined in and the four of them experimented with different rhythms until they found one that felt - right.
Then Mahrayne guided them through some easy, but elegant movements and helped them, or rather helped Zha'tiisaan, organise them into a pattern. She was impressed all over again; all of the hostlings were graceful and adroit, but Zha'tiisaan also seemed to have a flawless sense of rhythm. Mahrayne was delighted. It had been a long time since she'd been able to teach dance to a child who was not only this eager to learn, but had potential talent.
The time came for them to return to the suite for the evening, but before they left the room, Zha'tiisaan gave the other children a severe look, and reminded them that 'Maazi's Dance' was secret. The children were boisterous on the way back, and the three proto-performers practiced clapping their dance's beat.
Over the evening meal, the children were evasive about their afternoon, and there were lots of conspiratorial giggles.
"What's going on?" Zh'leet sharply asked Leteetza who grinned.
"Can't say," Leteetza chewed and swallowed her mouthful, "it's a secret."
Zh'leet frowned at Mahrayne who laughed and shrugged her shoulders theatrically. "It's a secret."
All through the meal, and the bath, and getting the children ready for bed, Mahrayne was humming and laughing, happier than she had been for years, it felt like, thrumming with a sweet contentment that had her floating.
"You're going to be here all the time?" little Zha'haabron asked her as the hostlings and heirs were bundled off to bed.
"Yes." Mahrayne beamed at him.
"Can you sleep with us tonight?" he asked hopefully.
"If you like."
Zha'haabron grabbed one hand, Zha'tiisaan the other, and they tugged her towards the sleeping platform.
"But I'm not tired!" she protested, then surprised herself by yawning. She smiled at the children. "All right, maybe I am." It had been a rather full day on very little sleep... "You lot get settled down. I have a couple of things I need to do, then I'll come in."
Mahrayne, humming happily, almost skipped into her room in the suite. As she undid the metal bands holding her hair back, and combed it out, she looked critically around the small space, mentally planning what 'refinements', i.e.: decorations, she could use in here. It was exciting, she'd never had a space of her own before, she'd always shared with someone.
Back out in the common room and ready for bed, Mahrayne hugged Leteetza tightly.
"Thank you."
"Thank you." The little female laughed and hugged her back.
"'Rayne?" the sleepy and plaintive enquiry came from behind the screen.
"Close your eyes, sinam, I'll be there when you wake." She looked apologetically around, "If you'll excuse me, I'm tireder than I thought - can't think why?" she gave Leteetza a sly look. The Saiyan smirked and Mahrayne kissed her firmly on the lips; she gave Zha'haarak a quick, shy, peck on the cheek then darted behind the screen.
"Now are you going to tell us what's going on?" She heard Zh'leet say.
"I can't." the little female insisted with a chuckle. "It's a secret."
Mahrayne looked at the huddle of children. It was going to be hot enough in that bed with all those little bodies, without being dressed as well. She shucked her robe, and crawled naked into the space left for her in the middle of them. Zha'tiisaan, she noticed, had made certain he was going to be next to her, and sure enough, she'd barely had time to put her head down before he snuggled under her chin, one slim little arm reaching up and draping over her neck. Mahrayne sighed, feeling something constrictive lifting from her heart. She may never have children of her own, but she could certainly love these ones.
It had been an interesting night; Mahrayne had expected to be stiflingly hot given the persistent, heavy heat in the room and the number of little bodies packed around her, but the hostlings' body temperatures were so low, their skin so cool, she was actually quite comfortable. Mahrayne grinned to herself as she fell asleep, remembering the wonderful sensation of Zha'haarak's long, cold fingers stroking inside her. Kobis had twice woken, from nightmares, and the little male would only let Leteetza comfort him. Ti'ani and Le'leen, fortunately, accepted Mahrayne as a substitute for their mother while the little female concentrated on soothing Kobis back to sleep.
The next morning, as soon as the children were settled with their breakfasts, Mahrayne had a long, cool shower. Feeling much refreshed, she leisurely combed her hair, taking her time, unlike the frantic rush yesterday morning. She was giving some serious thought about what she was going to wear to the feast that was being held in a few hours to honour the Hassinan joining the Saiyan Empire.
Leteetza came into the bathroom.
"There's a call for you on the comm unit. From Hassina."
Mahrayne hurried out, and was delightfully surprised to see her sister, Chumie. She greeted her sibling in the lilting and throaty Hassinan language.
"Chumie! It's so good to see you."
"You're not coming home." It wasn't a question.
"That was quick."
"Astolan contacted us last night." Chumie wasn't happy, her elegant silver eyebrows were drawn together in a frown. "Well?"
"I'm not coming home right away, no."
"Why?" the beautiful Hassinan pouted.
"Because I'm needed here..."
"What about Testa and I? We need you." Chumie did 'soulful' very convincingly and Mahrayne would've been swayed - if she hadn't wised up to that trick about twelve years ago.
"You're both going to Daris's household soon, we'd only have a few days at most..."
"What about Pirum? She's having a spectacular tantrum over this, by the way."
"I'm sorry I'm missing that." Mahrayne said insincerely.
"But seriously, 'Rayne, why aren't you coming home?"
Mahrayne started to speak then felt a tug on her robes, at about knee level, punctuated by an imperious, single-syllable exclamation. She looked down to see Ti'ani standing at her side. He was a little wobbly, one small, pale amethyst fist clutching her robe and his tail curved out behind him for balance, but he was very smugly pleased with himself.
"Ooh, you clever thing!" Mahrayne cooed at the baby, dropping back into Saiyago. "'teetza! Look!"
Leteetza looked up from the platter of fruit and saw her infant grinning happily at her, standing on his own two feet. The little female squealed and rushed over to him, picking him up, laughing and cuddling him in a charmingly maternal way. It made Mahrayne go quite gooey to see it. She laughed and turned back to her sister.
"Sorry 'bout that, Chumie." she switched to Hassinan again. "One of the babies just stood up by himself."
Chumie rolled her wide-spaced, silver-grey eyes. "Now I understand why you're not coming back. Nonnia said something about you being a tutor? How many children are there?"
"Seventeen."
"Seventeen?! 'Rayne - " Mahrayne recoqnised the look on her sister's face - it was her 'I'm going to tell you something you're not going to like' expression... She waited.
"Being surrounded by all those children," Chumie said delicately, "is it really going to help...?"
"It already is, Chumie." Mahrayne said quietly, then smirked. "I'm so busy I don't have time to brood about not having my own child."
"Hmm." Her sister looked unconvinced.
"I'm glad you called," Mahrayne changed the subject deftly, "I was going to write you a list of things I'd like you to send on."
Chumie arched a fine eyebrow. "Any way I can be of help..." she said with mild sarcasm.
"You'll need to write this down." Mahrayne warned her...
"That's an awful lot." Chumie said doubtfully, frowning at the long list Mahrayne had just dictated.
"Trade some of my more expensive jewelry to cover the transportation costs if you need to, but not the bells, I need those. In fact, I'd be grateful if you could send me extra ones. I think I have a student." Mahrayne smiled.
"Really? That's wonderful!"
They gazed at each other in silence, then Chumie sighed.
"Well, if you're not coming home right away I'll include your naming day present." she said off-handedly.
"Thank you."
There was another awkward pause. "I'm going to miss you - " Mahrayne said quietly. " - and Testa." She grinned. "And Pirum. Give her a hug for me - " she laughed at Chumie's expression, "when you can get near her."
Chumie smiled, her eyes suspiciously bright. "I will. Goodbye, 'Rayne... we'll talk soon." Her sister's beautiful face disappeared from the screen, leaving Mahrayne abruptly feeling bereft. Was she really doing the right thing staying behind?
"'Rayne?" little Zha'haabron was pulling on her hand. "Can I have some of your jewellery to wear to the feast?"
"Of course you can, precious."
She smiled at him, just as abruptly convinced that staying was the best thing she could ever do.
Breakfast was over and Gh'veen had taken the older children to the playroom to give Leteetza and Mahrayne a chance to get ready for the feast in relative peace. It was almost quiet in the suite with just the babies and there was an air of light-hearted anticipation, but not for the feast...
Ti'aasaan was coming home that evening. Leteetza and Zha'haarak were almost thrumming with delight and Zh'leet was happily muttering darkly about Ti'aasaan having to do as he was told this time or there'd be trouble...
Mahrayne was curious about the third zn'hre and was looking forward to meeting him; Leteetza's mentioning Ti'aasaan's almost miraculous recovery reminded the Hassinan of something she'd wondered about.
"Why did the High King react the way he did when I mentioned the G'gecks ability to regrow body parts?" she asked the Saiyan.
Leteetza sighed, and Zha'haarak, she saw, looked distressed, his luminous golden eyes downcast.
"It's a nasty story." Leteetza looked concernedly at the quiet zn'hre. "Zha'haarak, do you mind if I tell her?"
He shook his head. "No, I don't... But please understand, Mahrayne, it is a very private, very personal matter for us."
Now Mahrayne really was curious, but she nodded in understanding; while she took great delight in unearthing secrets, she also had the rare ability to keep them.
Leteetza began. "You know the R'ren'nkh'ia-jin always have more than one child in a hosting? Well, zn'hre are rare anyway, and it's almost unheard of for there to be more than one zn'hre in a hosting when only one of the parents is zn'hre." Leteetza touched Zha'haarak's knee, stroking softly. "Zha'haabron's two host-siblings were zn'hre, but they were all separated at birth. After Zha'haabron became High King, he was reunited with one of his host-sibs when Radittsu found Zha'haarak abandoned and dying in the desert. But his other host-sib, Zha'hiirad..." Leteetza paused. "When Zha'haabron found him - "
"Zha'hiirad had been tortured," Zha'haarak whispered, "his master had had his arms and legs amputated." The gentle zn'hre swallowed convulsively, "Zha'hiirad didn't want to live, so he begged - he begged Zha'haabron - to kill him." He squeezed his expressive eyes shut and Leteetza wrapped her arms around him, hugging him tightly.
Leteetza continued quietly. "It - hurt - Zha'haabron unimaginably to kill his brother. And then hearing that there could've been a chance to save him..." she trailed off, still hugging Zha'haarak, her cheek pressed against his soft hair.
Mahrayne was appalled and stunned; no wonder the High King had behaved as he had. She remembered the scars on Zha'haarak's body and how stiffly he walked. What sort of life had these people known before coming to Vejiitasei? Why would anyone want to hurt these beautiful creatures?
But there was another detail of the story she was remembering; something that rapidly overwhelmed her horrified sympathy with a different sort of horror.
She looked sharply at Leteetza.
"Did you say Zha'haarak was one of the High King's host-siblings?"
Leteetza nodded.
"They're full blood-kin?"
The little female nodded again, puzzled.
"And they breed?"
Mahrayne paled, and stared at Zha'haarak, eyes wide in shock. Without a word she scrambled up and bolted to the only place of sanctuary she could think of.
On the balcony outside the suite, she wedged herself in the corner between the wall and the balcony rail, making herself as small as possible. Oblivious to the snow gusting around her, her emotions in such a tumult she couldn't even start to sort them out, Mahrayne put her face in her hands and wept.
An unidentifiable length of time later, she was able to get herself under some tenuous sort of control and began to try to think things through.
Why had she run like that?
Zha'haarak and the High King had lived through the most appalling tragedy, and all she could do was over-react to what, in comparison, was such a small thing. What sort of unfeeling, contemptuous - she couldn't think of words bad enough to describe herself.
Leteetza came out onto the balcony, disapproval radiating from her. She squatted down next to Mahrayne.
"You've upset Zha'haarak! He's worried about you! What's wrong?" she snapped.
Mahrayne shrank away from her, and burst into tears again.
After what he'd been through he was worried about her? She didn't deserve to know him. Leteetza was glaring at her, tail lashing from side to side.
"Well?!" the little female demanded.
Mahrayne looked at the furious Saiyan in appeal. "I'm sorry. I don't want him to be concerned. I can't - " she bit her lip. "I'll try to explain in a moment. Please. I just need some time..."
Leteetza growled at her, and stalked back inside.
Mahrayne began to pick through the tangle of her emotions.
In-breeding was the worst act imaginable on Hassina.
But they're not Hassinan.
In-breeding weakened the race, creating monstrous deformities.
But Zha'haarak's children were beautiful, and perfect.
Close kin that breed contribute to the death of their race.
But surely the R'ren'nkh'ia-jin wouldn't do it if it caused problems?
Mahrayne didn't want to go back inside. She didn't feel ready to face Zha'haarak just yet, but she couldn't bear the thought of distressing the gentle zn'hre. She stood up and hesitantly walked back into the suite.
Leteetza was sitting close, protectively, to Zha'haarak. The Saiyan looked up at her, still angry, and Mahrayne wouldn't, couldn't meet her eyes. She stood in front of Zha'haarak, and found she couldn't look him in the face either. She knelt in front of him, then lowered her body until her forehead touched the floor.
"I am so sorry, Zha'haarak. My behaviour was unforgivable." she said, tears welling up again. She felt a gentle touch on her shoulder, urging her to sit up.
"I'm not angry, Mahrayne," he said softly, "just concerned."
"So are you going to explain?" Leteetza said sharply.
"I'll try," Mahrayne said, sniffling, "but I'm not sure a racial quirk will be enough to excuse my behaviour."
"We've never had a large population," Mahrayne began, "but in the past it was larger than it is now. Around two thousand years ago there were a series of natural disasters that reduced our population to a fifth of what it had been. There was a period of unrestrained breeding - an attempt to get our numbers back up, I guess. We didn't understand about genetics then of course, and the inbreeding left us with some very - dirty - blood-lines, and a susceptibility to genetic abnormalities and birth defects.
"When we understood a little better why the defects were occurring, we tried to counter them by keeping detailed records of blood-relationships, and only allowing people to breed with those that had no blood connection. It worked, sort of, the number of defects dropped a little, but not enough." Mahrayne swallowed and glanced up at Zha'haarak, hoping for, but not really expecting, his understanding. "When I say 'defects' I mean, physical, sometimes mental, abnormalities. A lot of the children born with these 'defects' - those that had somehow not been miscarried - couldn't live, or were so damaged there was no point to them living." She sighed shakily, viscerally reliving the anguish of her people. "Sending a little one on to their ancestors before they've really lived is a hard, hard thing to do."
To Mahrayne's astonishment, Zha'haarak knelt up and wrapped his arms around her, enfolding her in a calming, delicately fragrant embrace; he kissed her hair.
"I'm so sorry..."
Leteetza looked marginally less furious. "But things are different now, aren't they?"
Mahrayne allowed herself a few more moments of the undeserved comfort of Zha'haarak's arms before gently pulling away from him, tremulously smiling her gratitude.
"The G'geckans have helped us enormously, giving us the technology to 'read' someone's genetic make-up. We have a better chance now to avoid two incompatible people, those with matching 'lethal' latencies, breeding. But, there is still an enormous risk of defects through breeding with kin, even if the charts are 'clean'." Mahrayne stopped, and looked guiltily up at Zha'haarak. "We have it drummed into us from the moment we're old enough to understand that breeding with blood kin is the most abominable thing you can do." She chewed her lip, "I'm realising now that it might not be the same for other races, but..." she shrugged helplessly. "I really am sorry." she whispered.
The zn'hre smiled gently and touched her cheek with cool fingers, stroking the beads there.
Leteetza was looking at her shrewdly.
"If your people can read a gene chart and match people up so they don't produce a 'defect', why aren't you allowed to breed? Surely they could find somebody for you?"
Mahrayne shook her head. "We've erred on the side of caution, I think. The High Council decided decades ago it would be quicker to clean up the blood-lines if only those with clean charts were allowed to breed. Amongst the females anyway." She saw the question on Leteetza's face. "We don't have many males so they have to breed, unless there's something in their chart that makes it just not worth the risk. But with such a high number of females, we can afford to be a bit more choosy - that's why some of us won't even be considered."
"Is your chart particularly bad?"
"Not really, but there are better females to breed with."
Leteetza regarded her steadily. "Is this going to have any impact on the way you interact with the hostlings?"
Mahrayne's eyebrows rose in surprise. "No - why should it? Children aren't responsible for their genetic heritage." A touch of bitterness edged her words and Mahrayne hastened to change the subject before the little female could question her.
"The horrors will be back soon," she said with a small smile, "we'd better get ready while it's still quiet. What are you going to wear, Leteetza?"
The little female look surprised. "Well, a bodysuit of course..."
"Oh, that'll never do!" Mahrayne scolded her lightly. "Not for something like this." She tilted her head to one side, appraising the already suspicious female, then grinned at Zha'haarak mischievously.
"Green, I think, don't you?"
Mahrayne was having enormous fun. She had, with Zha'haarak's quiet support, completely overridden Leteetza's outraged protests and put the little female into a dress. Amongst the clothes the Hassinan had brought with her to Vejiitasei was a dark green robe, similar to her formal sky-blue one, but softer, that set off Leteetza's eyes to perfection. It was too big for the Saiyan, but using a few jewelled clasps and a fine, chain belt, Mahrayne had expertly shaped the garment to Leteetza's body, deliberately defining and emphasising the female's waist and breasts. There'd been a little concern over whether to cut a hole in the robes for Leteetza's tail, but the little female, mutely threatening chaos, had wound it loosely around her thigh and down her leg.
A couple of plain bracelets, a simple necklace and a lightly jewelled headband later, Leteetza was scowling, but ready.
Mahrayne stood behind the female in the bathroom, looking at their reflections in the mirrorwall. Seeing Leteetza dressed as a Hassinan female - even with the exotic colour of her hair and cast of her features - made Mahrayne, mentally at least, lick her lips. Leteetza had no idea how enticing she looked. The little female scowled some more and plucked at the folds of the embroidered robe.
"Stop fussing." Mahrayne ordered her. "You're beautiful."
"Beautiful!?" Leteetza snorted, "I look ridiculous..."
Mahrayne smiled and kissed the Saiyan's neck, keeping eye-contact with her reflection.
"Beautiful." She whispered, stroking Leteetza's tail through the fabric; she felt the little female shiver. Mahrayne gently kneaded Leteetza's breasts, still watching the Saiyan's face in the mirror. Her own expression gave her a moment's unease - did she always look that predatory?
No wonder some of the gentler females kept out of her way. Leteetza would've turned around then, but Mahrayne kept her facing the mirror, one arm around her waist, fingernails softly scratching the female's tail, the other hand pulling up the back of the green robe, and sliding long fingers down the crease of her buttocks.
That was how the High King and Radittsu found them minutes later; facing the mirrorwall, Leteetza collapsed back, gasping, against Mahrayne - the Hassinan's hand slowly withdrawing from under Leteetza's robe.
"Can I get you to wear this again?" Mahrayne asked her with a soft smile, winding her arms lovingly around the little female.
Leteetza growled. "Only if I get to join in next time." She glared at a smirking Radittsu. "And what are you looking at?"
The big male pretended to think. "I'm not sure... I thought I saw the little warrior in here, but now all I see is this vision of loveliness..." The High King gave the grinning Radittsu a long look then cupped Leteetza's cheek in an elegant hand.
"Ignore him, little warrior, he needs a few more lessons in manners." Zha'haabron smiled. "You are exquisite." Leteetza flushed and Mahrayne chuckled evilly.
"See? I told you." she said, moving quickly out of reach of the little female.
It took surprisingly little time for them all to get ready. Mahrayne wore her sky-blue robes again, but her hair was loose and held off her face by a gleaming silver metal headband dripping with dozens of tiny metal disks. Fine silver chains, packed with more of the discs, hung down from either side of the headband, forming a shimmering, tinkling frame for her face.
Zha'haabron looked very regal; his gold painted nails, the elaborately decorated gold headband and matching earrings highlighted against his black furred bodysuit and black knee-high boots.
Mahrayne had a flash of inspiration and shyly handed the High King a long strand of small, lustrous gold spheres.
"These would look lovely in your hair, your Majesty."
Zha'haabron took them with a smile, and immediately Zha'haarak was at his side ready to help the High King weave the jewels through his thick plait.
Little Zha'haabron was the image of his father in his furred bodysuit. Mahrayne helped him fasten one of her headbands around his forehead, then knelt in front of him and lowered her head respectfully.
"Your Highness."
The hostling was able to hold his aloof expression for all of five seconds before he hissed happily and hugged her.
And then there was Radittsu...
The big male was wearing a sleeveless shirt and loose trousers made of some silky gold material. The trousers were tucked into knee-length dark gold boots, and his glorious mane was caught back in four places by gold metal bands, similar to Mahrayne's silver ones.
He looked - Mahrayne thought, dry-mouthed - almost civilised.
It was obvious Radittsu wasn't entirely happy having his mane pinned back like that. The big male fidgeted and twitched at the thick rope of hair - until the High King gave him a look that could only be described as... promissory. For Mahrayne though, the gold bands simply highlighted how delectable it would be to free that thick cascade of black and wrap herself in it...
The feast started around midday and was held in one of the largest reception rooms. The tables were covered with a fine creamy coloured cloth and arranged in a circle, with gaps for access by the servitors. Unlike the signing ceremony, there were members of the guard spaced attentively around the hall. Kelapa was positioned behind Mahrayne and Leteetza and the warrior managed to smirk at them at them, quirking an enquiring - and appreciative - eyebrow at the little female without relaxing her vigilance. Zorun, the large, disagreeable male who'd come on the hunt with them, was standing watchfully behind the King, with a look on his face like he had his tongue up an imbu's backside. The King sat directly facing the main doors - to his right was Zha'haabron and Radittsu, little Zha'haabron sitting between them. To his left was Leteetza, his heirs and then Mahrayne. The members of the council, the diplomats and the Hassinan delegation filled the rest of the tables.
The King was in the black bodysuit, and flowing white cape-over-armour ensemble he'd worn yesterday for the signing: he gave a short speech, welcoming the Hassinan to the Saiyan Empire. Mahrayne unconsciously gave a dreamy little sigh while she listened, half-mesmerised by his voice: Leteetza quirked an eyebrow at her and she blushed, suddenly finding the weave of the table cloth intensely interesting. Marldus also gave a - thankfully short - speech, and then the feast began.
The first course consisted of small roast birds to whet the appetite - so tiny, with such delicate bones, that one of them made a satisfyingly crunchy mouthful. The size of the animals served up got increasingly larger as the feast progressed and Mahrayne was astonished at how much food the Saiyans were able to pack away. With every course, bowls of dipping sauces were placed on the tables: spicy and fragrant, sweet and hot, each sauce blended to compliment the meat it was served with. Fresh fruit, artfully prepared and arranged, was brought out regularly. The Hassinan couldn't eat it, naturally, but it certainly looked very pretty and smelt wonderful. Mahrayne tried the wine and found it really didn't taste of much at all. A lifetime of salty Hassinan food - and spirits that could dissolve the tastebuds of most sentients - hadn't left her with much of a palate to appreciate the subtleties of something so delicately flavoured. Amongst the ales, however, she found one that was refreshing and had a wonderfully bitter aftertaste that she quite liked.
Mahrayne had never attended anything like this before and she drank it all in, eyes wide, dividing her attention between Leteetza and the heirs and chatting shyly with the council member next to her, who introduced himself as Limau. The councillor's mane was a similar shade of fiery red as Hijau's, and the shape of his eyes reminded her of someone, but Buahan demanding her attention meant she didn't get a chance to dwell on the puzzle. Mahrayne didn't forget Kelapa either - making a subtle show of eating, teasing the warrior who couldn't eat because she was on duty. Mahrayne fancied she could almost hear Kel's stomach rumbling from two paces away! Leteetza spent a lot of her time talking to the King, leaning slightly towards him, and Mahrayne was certain she saw his tail snake around the female's hips at some stage. She also couldn't fail to notice the admiring looks Leteetza was getting, not only from the King, but also from Radittsu and a few others of the Saiyans. Mahrayne grinned to herself, pleased that she'd talked - well, all right, bullied - the little female into dressing up.
The heirs, and 'haabron were well-behaved, if a little fidgety after a couple of hours; they'd definitely need a spell in the playroom after this. The heirs had been dressed in very plain, sleeveless blue bodysuits, and gold tipped white boots similar to their father's. Buahan rather wistfully toyed with Mahrayne's bangles and the Hassinan, on a whim, gave one to her, slipping it over the little girl's wrist. Buahan was delighted, holding her arm up and twisting it back and forth so the facets cut into the bright metal could catch the light. Mahrayne looked up, smiling, from Buahan's pleasure, and saw the King looking at her with an unreadable expression on his intriguingly angular face.
Wasn't she supposed to give the child the bracelet? Why ever not?
The only less-than-fun part of the feast was Astolan. Mahrayne's father was seated almost directly opposite her, between Marldus and another council member. She was able to ignore him most of the time, but occasionally she would catch a glimpse of him scowling at her. Mahrayne refused to let her father's displeasure affect her enjoyment of the occasion, but... she secretly wished that just for once Astolan would not try to make her feel that she was an undutiful, 'bad' daughter.
Despite the amount of food served, there wasn't much in the way of leftovers when the feast wound down in mid-afternoon. The King formally thanked everyone for attending, then exited the hall, followed by the High King, Radittsu, 'haabron and their personal guards.
For some reason Mahrayne couldn't fathom, Kelapa accompanied them back to the suite. They caught up with Radittsu and the zn'hre on the way.
"Can you take 'haabron back with you?" Radittsu asked them, his large, dark eyes gleaming. "We're going to pick Ti'aasaan up from the medical centre."
Leteetza beamed and 'haabron hissed happily; it looked like the trip to the playroom could wait.
The hostlings excitement about Ti'aasaan coming back was noisily apparent. Zh'leet looked harried but wasn't making any real attempt to calm them down. Leteetza made to take off the jewellery, but Mahrayne caught her hand.
"Maybe Ti'aasaan would like to see you dressed like that?"
Leteetza hesitated, but grudgingly agreed, saying the 'little 'un' would be disappointed if he heard about what she was wearing and didn't get a chance to see it. Mahrayne, however, gratefully changed out of the heavy robe into something lighter.
The anticipation in the suite was almost unbearable, then not a moment too soon, the High King and Radittsu, carrying a warmly wrapped somebody - Ti'aasaan, Mahrayne assumed - walked into the common room.
The commotion was ear-piercingly loud, as Radittsu settled himself on the bed, Ti'aasaan in his lap, Zha'haarak and Zha'haabron cuddled in next to him, the hostlings swarming all over them, and Leteeza insinuated somehow next to the returnee.
Then suddenly, there was a complete, and deafening silence.
Mahrayne was bewildered. She looked at Kelapa.
"What's going on?" she whispered.
The warrior shrugged, and answered quietly. "They're talking, I guess."
'How?' Mahrayne asked herself, intently watching the tableau on the sleeping platform. The family's faces reflected their joy and relief. Not a sound was made, although...
Mahrayne held her breath and listened, not understanding what she was doing, but - it was almost as if she could hear something, like the faintest of echoed whispers drifting up from distant caves. She felt... if she concentrated hard enough she'd be able to understand...
"'Rayne?" it was Kelapa, tapping her lightly on the knee. "Are you all right? You're staring..."
Mahrayne swallowed and smiled weakly, feeling a headache forming behind her eyeballs - maybe the ale had been more potent than she'd given it credit for.
"I'm fine. Just - tired, I think." Mahrayne massaged her temples gently.
The heirs were hovering near the bed and Leteetza called them over. They joyfully leapt up onto the sleeping platform and snuggled in amongst everyone else, their exclamations almost sounding unnatural after the weird silence, then the little female beckoned her over.
Mahrayne stood at the foot of the bed, hands clasped shyly in front of her; the Hassinan and the newly returned zn'hre studied each other.
Ti'aasaan's skin was the palest blue, and his long, fine hair - which could do with a good combing, Mahrayne noted absently - was a pale shade of pastel green. And he was tiny. Not much taller than Leteetza but he looked so fragile, delicate; his golden eyes huge in his beautiful face. He was exquisite.
"Welcome home." Mahrayne smiled. Ti'aasaan returned her smile, and she was sure she could see traces of mischief in it.
"It's good to be back." The little zn'hre cocked his head to one side and grinned. "I've heard a lot about you." Mahrayne blushed a little, and ducked her head, giggling.
"I hope it was entertaining?" she looked coyly at him and he grinned again. Mahrayne was disturbed, and delighted, when it occurred to her that somehow it seemed that a challenge had been issued and accepted. What the challenge was, who'd done the issuing, and who the accepting, though, she wasn't quite sure...
Zha'tiisaan leapt off the bed, pulling 'haabron and 'zhasaan with him. He nodded eagerly to Mahrayne and pushed his siblings into position in the centre of the common room.
"Oh yes!" Mahrayne laughed. "We have a surprise for you, Ti'aasaan - in honour of your coming home." Mahrayne stood aside and watched to see when the dancers were ready. The three young zn'hre stood poised, and 'tiisaan nodded to her.
Mahrayne began clapping the rhythm of 'Maazi's Dance', and the hostlings, faces almost split in half with their smiles, danced for their maazi. They'd been practicing, Mahrayne was pleased and proud to see. The other children, and Zha'haarak, joined in clapping the beat after a couple of stanzas, enhancing the mood of celebration evoked in the simple dance.
There was a moment of silence when the dance finished then loud applause for the giggling dancers. 'haabron and 'zhasaan leapt straight back onto the bed when they'd finished, but 'tiisaan hugged Mahrayne tightly before clambering back to sit next to Ti'aasaan.
"That was wonderful! Thank you!" the little zn'hre enthused, hugging his children to him, his large eyes brimming with joyful tears.
"'Rayne helped." 'tiisaan acknowledged graciously. "She's a very good dancer. She's going to teach me!"
"Will you dance for us, Mahrayne?" Leteetza asked. Mahrayne beamed, and inclined her head gracefully. "It will be my pleasure." She looked at the three little dancers.
"Would you mind clapping the rhythm for me? The same as your dance?" The hostlings giggled, and smiled, and began clapping.
She started where the children had left off - repeating the phrases of 'Maazi's Dance' - then progressing and expanding on the movements, subtly increasing the complexity until it was quite unlike the original version. Mahrayne didn't lose herself in the dance, so she was aware when other pairs of hands joined in to clap the rhythm, and aware when Zha'tiisaan joined her.
The young zn'hre was trying to copy her movements, so she simplified them, altering them from the original so 'tiisaan was learning something new. Somehow the dancers, novice and experienced, slid into an easy rapport that Mahrayne would have wondered at if she hadn't been enjoying herself so much. She laughed her joy as she and Zha'tiisaan danced with and around each other, attuned enough that they could improvise and experiment without interrupting the rhythm of the dance.
Mahrayne could've danced for hours yet, but the little zn'hre was tiring; she conveyed to him with a nod of her head that the dance would be finishing, not worried that he wouldn't understand her. She finished the dance with a small flourish, Zha'tiisaan smoothly echoing her movement a bare second afterwards. Mahrayne bowed, a deep and flowing formal bow to her little dance partner, then repeated it to the audience.
She leant down to the panting zn'hre and kissed him on the nose.
"Practise. Get strong. And one day we will dance until the suns rise."
Zha'tiisaan's eyes gleamed and he wrapped his arms around her neck and hugged her. Mahrayne laughed when he yawned in her ear, and carried him over to the sleeping platform.
The beautiful aliens had loved the dancing, both hers and the hostlings, and Mahrayne shyly accepted their praise as dancer and teacher. The Saiyans, on the other hand, looked bemused. Mahrayne smiled, there was plenty of time to work on their aesthetic sensibilities...
Ti'aasaan was recovering, but he hadn't fully regained his strength yet. The little zn'hre fell asleep in Radittsu's lap soon after the dancing. Leteetza, and Mahrayne, with Kelapa, Zh'leet and Gh'veen, took the heirs and all the hostlings down to the playroom to give Ti'aasaan a chance to sleep in peace. The children didn't want to leave him, but they understood that maazi needed lots of sleep so he could get better, sooner.
The adults let the children run, and fly, off their excitement and energy, and the babies curiously explored the room for the first time. They returned to the suite to find Ti'aasaan awake again, and eating.
The children were fed, then everyone trooped into the bathroom.
Except Kelapa. The warrior excused herself, kissed Mahrayne and left, calling back over her shoulder that she would see the Hassinan tomorrow, early, to escort her to the spaceport.
In the bath, as on the bed, Ti'aasaan was held securely against Radittsu's broad chest. He was as fascinated with Mahrayne's skin-beads as the other zn'hre had been. He stroked them with slim, cool fingers and watched her, a small smile curving his mouth as Mahrayne struggled to keep her expression neutral. Ti'aasaan grinned, and tickled his fingertips over her beads. Was he trying to get a reaction? Mahrayne laughed and moved away from him, only to return and hand Zha'haarak a comb. There was that odd silence between them again, and then the gentle zn'hre carefully began to comb Ti'aasaan's hair. Zha'haarak had loved having his hair combed, and Ti'aasaan was no different. The small zn'hre lapped up the attention: relaxing back, eyes closed, lips parted, almost purring as Zha'haarak slowly and gently pulled the comb through his fine, pale hair.
A little later Mahrayne helped Zh'leet and Gh'veen get the children out of the bath and ready for bed. As she left the bathroom with the children, she looked back at the adults remaining; seeing Ti'aasaan surrounded and supported by the others provoked that wistful yearning again. One day she'd have to find out what that was all about.
Leteetza spoke softly to her as they were organising the children for bed.
"Would you mind taking the heirs in with you tonight?"
"Of course not."
Mahrayne knelt down in front of the three little Saiyans.
"You can sleep with me tonight." Kiraz folded his arms across his chest, looking mutinous, and Buahan glanced uncertainly back at Leteetza.
"Go with Mahrayne, brats. I'm sure she'll tell you a story." The little female winked at her. Three small, pointed faces looked back at her with more interest and Mahrayne grinned.
"What would you like to hear about?"
"A fight!" Kiraz answered promptly.
"Monsters?" said Buahan with a gleam in her eye.
"Someone being saved from monsters!" was Kobis's contribution.
"I have just the story for you." Mahrayne shepherded the Saiyans into her room, dimming the lights and leaving her door open. She crawled under the covers and settled the children around her; Buahan snuggled in on one side, Kobis on the other with his twin cuddled up to him.
"Now," Mahrayne said softly, "close your eyes and I'll begin."
Mahrayne's voice automatically slipped into the story-tellers cant as she told them an old Hassinan story - slightly revised so that the single 'hero' and his followers became three young 'heroes', who were, funnily enough, siblings - a female and two males. The Saiyans were enthralled with the tale but soon she felt the tension leave the little bodies, and their breathing become deeper as they relaxed into sleep. She smiled and kept talking softly, bringing the story to its conclusion as they slept; with luck they would carry the tale with them to their dreams.
Kobis only woke the once that night, whimpering a little before being soothed back to sleep by Mahrayne's hand softly stroking his silky black mane.
"Yep, they're in here."
Mahrayne snapped awake at the sound of Leteetza's voice. It was early morning, and judging by the little cool body tucked in beside her, Mahrayne guessed that 'tiisaan had come in during the night. The children began to stir, and she noticed 'raadiin had come in also, and wedged himself between Kobis and Kiraz.
"Good morning." Leteetza smiled. "It's time you got up. The delegation will be leaving soon."
Mahrayne made a show of deliciously stretching, arching her back, tilting her pelvis down into the mattress and opening her thighs slightly, watching Leteetza - slit-eyed - wet her lips as she followed her movements. Mahrayne grinned at her, then extricated herself from 'tiisaan and Buahan.
"How long have I got?" she asked the female.
"Not that long." Leteetza smirked. "Get a move on, Kel'll be here soon."
It was quite a crowd that gathered to see the Hassinan delegation leave.
Along with Mahrayne there was Manzano and two of his diplomats, six guards - Kelapa was one of them - the King and High King, Radittsu and Leteetza. The Saiyans were all wearing their accustomed armour and the High King was warmly dressed in yet another furred bodysuit and a heavy fur cape.
Mahrayne wondered if she should try to say something to her father, but his closed face excused her that unpleasantness. Marldus, however, did say goodbye. The older Hassinan looked down at her, smilingly.
"Take care, Mahrayne."
"I will, Lead Speaker." She replied formally, then held out a wad of folded up paper. "I've some letters - "
He took them from her. "I'll make sure they get to their destination."
"Thank you." Mahrayne said, then shrewdly looked him full in the face. "For everything."
Marldus looked momentarily surprised, then he smiled.
"It was my pleasure."
Mahrayne watched the transport leave, standing there until it was well out of sight, and everyone except Leteetza and Kelapa had left. She was unsure of her feelings; there was some fear, certainly, a little worry - but underneath that, and growing rapidly, was a scary, exhilarating sense of freedom, as if she was about to step blindly out onto a narrow bridge, one that she couldn't see but knew was there.
Leteetza was watching her closely.
"Are you okay?"
Mahrayne flashed her a brilliant smile. "Yes."
"Kelapa's going to be your, er, 'minder' until you know your way around."
Mahrayne grinned at the warrior, simpering theatrically.
"A Saiyan all of my very own?"
They all laughed then, an easy laugh that spoke of a release of tension and a shared intimacy.
"Home?" Leteetza asked her with a grin.
"Yes." Mahrayne laughed. "Home."
© 2002 March 1st Amanda Mullane
Sinam - Hassinan, 'precious'. Back
Imbu - truly grotesque bottom-dwelling fish that feeds on slime. So foul even the Hassinan won't eat it! Back