Sidestep
Radittsu frowned, stroking his bondmate's cheek.
*I didn't think that was possible - with a non mind-speaking race, I mean.*
The zn'hre sighed and nestled a little closer. The experience had left him feeling unaccountably weary and somehow faintly disturbed. And his headache had intensified, though that wasn't so surprising after the last few hours.
**I would have agreed with you, but it would appear that it is**
Kinu had been ecstatic to have his maazi back, but had, a little reluctantly, allowed Kel to take her to the Academy without him: he wanted to go with her, but knew his maazi needed to do this alone. He'd flown back to the palace with 'jau, Ti'ani and Zha'haabron, Lahana alert and wary shadowing them the whole way, and once there had snuggled against the king, tearfully thanking the zn'hre and the hybrid for their aid. Although he'd *felt* at second hand what had happened he had nothing to compare it to, which made it more frightening, and it was some time before he'd stopped shaking. Then 'jau had led Kinu back to the classroom, deciding that the normalcy would help distract and settle him; Kinu hadn't been so sure, but the Ssii'iin seemed to think it was a good idea, so had taken his little bondmate's hand obediently. They'd still have to resolve the cause of Mahrayne's upset, but that could come later, when she'd spent some time with her people.
Ti'ani waited until they'd left, then knelt beside the zn'hre. Zha'haabron had pulled him close, and the hybrid relaxed in the comforting embrace.
*What happened, Ssii'iin? How did we do that?*
Zha'haabron was still wondering about that when his bondmate arrived back from the day's training…
*And you saw her twin - Alida?*
The king nodded tiredly.
**Identical except for the skin beads - although…there were differences. She looked younger. Less… worn…**
*She died before she was born, didn't she? That might explain it. If she never lived, she'd still be perfect, wouldn't she?*
Zha'haabron nodded, rubbing absently at his forehead. The headache was growing worse.
**Yes… I could not have found her - them - without Ti'ani**
Radittsu pulled the king's head back to rest against his shoulder, stroking the cool smooth forehead, *aware* of his bondmate's pain but unable to do much about it.
*The brat is improving, I think. He's helped 'zhasaan a lot.*
Zha'haabron nodded, his eyes closing as the Saiyan's rhythmic stroking eased the ache a little.
**Perhaps we should investigate this a little. Later** He nuzzled Radittsu's hand. **But for now I need to rest**
*Of course, zkai'da. Want something to eat, first?*
The zn'hre twisted sideways as Radittsu lowered them both to the sleeping platform, resting his head on a broad warm shoulder.
**No… I'll wait until evening meal. Can you stay with me or are you required elsewhere?**
*I'm staying here.*
And for once the king didn't argue, slipping quickly into a restless, troubled sleep as his Saiyan frowned, concerned. It wasn't often Zha'haabron needed to use this ability to… enter another person's mind, to heal or to guide, but it always caused him pain, and this was the worst so far…
Ti'ani made his way back to the library - escorted by Lahana, to his irritation. He was one of the most powerful beings on the planet and he still had to have a guard? It was ridiculous…!
Though he appreciated the thought behind it. Until the Warui-jin were eradicated no one was completely safe, and maazi still worried so…
'zhasaan was waiting for him at the library, golden eyes bright with enthusiasm. Since his sire had *opened* a path to his memories of the future, and he'd had the revelation about his namesake's jewels, the hostling had been eagerly assisting the Zhane research team, reading the translations of the scoutship's books, even making suggestions here and there in the less technical texts about more appropriate ways of phrasing certain concepts and ideas. 'miiron usually accompanied him, since Ti'ani and Le'leen spent much of their day training with Zha'haabron or the guard, and made himself useful noting down his sibling's *thoughts* as well as acting as a grounding influence.
**What happened?**
Ti'ani grinned and gave the dreamer a quick hug.
*Mahrayne got *lost*. The Ssii'iin had to get her back - I helped him. And we saw Alida!*
Zha'zhasaan nodded pensively.
**She's pretty, isn't she? Looks just like 'rayne, but without the beads**
The hybrid blinked.
*How do you know?*
'zhasaan shrugged.
**Because I can see her, remember?**
*You mean, really see her? All the time?*
The prince inclined his head.
**Well, yes**
*That must be weird.*
**Not really - I'm used to it. Besides, we're similar. She can see the future. So can 'rayne**
Ti'ani shoved his mane out of his eyes and sat down heavily.
*'rayne can see the future?*
**Sort of, sometimes. When it's something important to her**
*No-one's ever said!*
'zhasaan blinked, then smiled diffidently.
**Well, it's really up to 'rayne to let people know, after all**
Ti'ani considered the matter, then nodded.
*I suppose so. But I'm going to tell the Ssii'iin - if he doesn't already know, after being in her mind…* He frowned briefly, then shook his head. *Later. What's been happening while I was gone?*
**We've been trying to work out what might be good things to take to Zhane, as gifts for the zhaneer…**
Zha'haabron had woken for the evening meal, but was subdued, eating absently and responding to the family in monosyllables. Radittsu finally pulled him to his feet and out into the warm evening, taking him into strong arms and holding him close.
*What's the matter?*
The king closed his eyes.
**The Hassinan cave in…**
*They happen all the time.*
**Not like that, zkai'da. Mahrayne is convinced it was caused by the nitorine mining**
The Saiyan was silent for a moment, frowning, then kissed his bondmate's hair.
*Come on - let's fly.*
**Where?**
*The beach…*
They walked barefoot on fine white sand, Radittsu's tail around his zkai'da's waist and arm over his shoulders, as first sun lowered, turning the slow sea to gold, and the Saiyan told the zn'hre about the damage mining for nitorine was causing to the planet. Zha'haabron was horrified.
**And you have said nothing about this?**
Radittsu paused and placed both hands on the king's shoulders.
*I've only found out recently, it's not something Vejiita wanted to be widely known. I don't think I'm supposed to know: I stumbled across a report while hunting for conspirators.*
Zha'haabron chewed his lip.
**The mining must stop immediately**
*I think the damage has already been done, zkai'da.* The Saiyan sighed and stroked back a stray lock of silky emerald hair. *The report said something about the crust weakening further - which I assume means they've known about the problem for some time.*
Zha'haabron pulled back and turned inland.
**I must speak to Vejiita about this**
Radittsu grabbed his arm.
*Yes, but not now.*
The zn'hre effortlessly removed the Saiyan's hand from his forearm.
**Yes, now…**
Radittsu had followed his bondmate back to the city, unable to keep up and arriving at the royal wing to find the king and high king glaring at each other over Vejiita's desk. Zha'haabron was hissing with fury.
"You did not tell me!"
"Of course not. I knew you'd react like this."
"This is treachery!"
Vejiita growled warningly.
"You will never use that word to me. You were aware of the situation. We welcomed Hassina into the Empire in exchange for their nitorine."
"The destruction of their homeworld was not part of the contract!"
"No. But would you rather some other fucking race got their hands on the stuff? The Warui-jin, perhaps? Or the Karilun? We'd have both been wiped out by now."
The zn'hre began to pace agitatedly.
"Not if they did not find out about the nitorine!"
"But they would have. If we hadn't accepted the Hassinan, they would no doubt have approached someone else."
Zha'haabron halted, frowning.
"What do you mean?"
"That we were only their first choice. Manzano tells me that their Lead Speaker was determined to open his people up to the rest of the galaxy, one way or another. After all, they're dying out. Fewer and fewer are being born, or surviving to adulthood. He had to find a way to reverse that - and they couldn't do it by themselves. Nor with the G'geckans' assistance."
The high king folded his arms over his chest.
"I will have to look more closely at the details - or speak to Mahrayne."
"You do that."
"What provision has been made for the Hassinan?"
"For when their planet blows?" Vejiita shrugged. "They will be given new homes. We have space here for them, and the Korijin and Shimosein have offered to house those who'd prefer to live in the cold."
Zha'haabron nodded, slowly.
"I see."
"And if you've read any of the reports, you'll see that they'd be better off off that shithole of a planet anyway. Altogether healthier and happier."
The zn'hre grimaced wryly.
"I doubt they will look at it that way."
Vejiita snarled and leaned forward on the desk.
"I don't care how the fuck they look at it! The planet was going to blow sooner or later anyway - we've just hurried it along a little. And got a lot of benefit from it, and so have they: at least they'll have somewhere to go when it happens!"
"When will you tell them?"
The king was silent for a moment, then, reluctantly,
"I'm told the main seams of nitorine have now been mined out. The onworld Feeodoreeans believe collapse will be soon. I'm planning to speak with Marldus in a few days time. I will… mention it then."
"Very well. What will you tell him?"
"That the planet is becoming dangerous and his people had better start leaving."
"I'm sure that will cheer him greatly!"
"He's a leader, and will understand."
Zha'haabron wasn't at all sure of that. He debated the wisdom of having Mahrayne involved - then realised she had already spoken to Marldus: the Lead Speaker was 'primed', as it were. He eyed Vejiita narrowly. "Are there any other little pieces of information you have neglected to tell me?"
Vejiita smirked.
"Nothing significant. You can access the Council files any time."
"I will do that."
"Good. Anything else you want to say?"
Zha'haabron regarded him coolly.
"Not at the moment."
"Then I have work to do - even if you don't."
"In that case," the zn'hre turned to leave, "I will leave you to it."
Radittsu was limp with relief, grabbing his bondmate tightly.
"That could have been nasty…"
Zha'haabron was scowling.
"I think I have been remiss in my duties to the Council."
The Saiyan shook his head.
"You've been trying to govern R'ren'nkh'ia as well, and then there's been the family, and the whole Zhane matter - you can't do everything. And Vejiita didn't exactly make the state of affairs on Hassina very clear or open."
"Nevertheless… I shall take some time tomorrow to read what I have obviously been missing."
Radittsu kissed the corner of his mouth.
"I'll wager you'll find you couldn't have accessed them earlier even if you'd tried. You heard what he said - he didn't want you to know. He's only agreeing now because it's too late to do anything about it."
Zha'haabron hissed irritably.
"This is most unsatisfactory."
*Beloved, you can't do anything to help. You can't even offer to help the Hassinan - the planet's too cold for R'ren'nkh'ia-jin, and your world is too hot for them. Let the Saiya-jin take that burden.* He sighed. *We have other things to worry about.*
Zha'haabron halted and faced his bondmate.
**Such as?**
*I can't leave Vejiitasei until we've destroyed the conspiracy and all its agents. Which might mean I can't come to Zhane with you.*
**In that case I will not be part of the mission**
*You have to go!*
**Not without you**
Radittsu cupped the cool face in his hands, smirking wryly at the stubborn expression.
*You must go.*
**Not without you!**
The Saiyan sighed: his bondmate was tired, and fraught, and still angry - he knew from experience he wouldn't win this argument. He grinned.
*I'd better hurry up and get this investigation finished then, hadn't I?*
Zha'haabron smiled tiredly.
**Yes, you had…**
High summer was only twenty or so days away, and Ti'aasaan had taken to lying naked on the balcony again, resting on furs and surrounded by cushions, basking in the double sunslight, dozing, waking to drink Zh'leet's glop, *talking* to his hostling, and sleeping again…
It was nearly time, and he had to admit he'd be very glad when the hostling was born. He felt huge, copulation was now uncomfortable, almost painful - the only way he could manage at all was on all fours, and much as he loved being fucked, if the semen influx hadn't been so important to Ti'vaasaan he'd have given up until after the birth - and he was tired all the time, more so than in any other hosting.
He was sound asleep in the sun, with Sasa hovering nearby keeping guard, when it started. He jolted awake, aware of the hostling's movements: within seconds Zh'leet was at his side.
"Ssii'iir? Let's get you inside, shall we?" She glanced at Sasa. "You'd better contact Zorun."
"Al… ready… done…" gasped the little zn'hre, flinching. This was hurting.
Sasa quickly lifted him into her arms and settled him on the sleeping platform: moments later Zorun arrived, eyes wide and worried.
"Is he all right?"
Ti'aasaan chuckled, then winced as another pain speared through him. Zh'leet was already on the comm link to Vinas.
"I am all right, zk'viss. He's just a little… impatient…"
Zorun knelt behind his bondmate as Ti'aasaan pulled himself to his knees and leaned back, biting his lip as Zh'leet efficiently ran her hands over his swollen belly. The brood nodded.
"All's well so far. The hostling's bigger than any you've carried before, zk'vissin, and livelier. But I don't think there's anything to worry about. But Vinas is on his way in any case."
"C'n I help?"
Three heads twisted sharply - to see Korena standing hesitantly by the door, grinning. Zh'leet frowned.
"What are you doing here?"
"*Felt* papa get all excited…"
Zh'leet hissed.
"You'll only get in the way…"
Ti'aasaan grabbed her wrist.
"Let her… stay…"
The brood glared, but nodded reluctantly, and the little hybrid happily settled herself beside her father, keeping out of the brood's way but watching with interest. The little zn'hre was gasping now, thighs widely parted, head rolled back on his bondmate's shoulder, eyes squeezed shut. Zh'leet was frowning.
"It shouldn't be this painful…"
"I'm… fine…" Ti'aasaan forced out through gritted teeth. If he couldn't do this, they'd have to cut him open, and he really hated that, always had. He tried to simultaneously relax and push down, *aware* of Ti'vaasaan's efforts to be born. The hostling was all right at the moment, uncomfortable but not struggling, and as long as things stayed like that there should be no problem.
Vinas arrived, swiftly running his ubiquitous monitor over the little zn'hre and nodding at the results.
"Good. We can safely continue for another half an hour: if the hostling hasn't birthed by then I'll operate. I trust that is agreeable?" He eyed Zorun and the panting Ti'aasaan. The Saiyan nuzzled his bondmate's neck.
"It's up to Ti'a-chan."
The little zn'hre nodded. His own preference didn't matter where the hostling was concerned… He relaxed a little more and pushed a little harder…
And slowly but surely Ti'vaasaan made his way into the world outside, his host struggling the entire time: zn'hre bodies might be accommodating, but he still felt as though he was being split in two. Zh'leet helped ease the hostling from his weary, aching body, grinning proudly as she wrapped him in a soft cloth while Vinas checked Ti'aasaan for any damage.
Korena's eyes were huge.
"He's very pretty, papa…"
Ti'aasaan slumped back against Zorun, leaving Vinas to get on with his examination, and held out his arms for the hostling. Zh'leet, misty-eyed, handed over the bundle…
"He's beautiful…"
Ti'aasaan smiled wearily.
"You say that about all the hostlings."
"It's true of all of them!"
They gazed down into big golden eyes that looked up at them with wonder from under a heavy fringe, black, but each hair tipped with emerald green, creating a fine verdant haze over the waist-length mane. His skin was a soft shade of turquoise. He was exquisite.
Wide-eyed, Zorun reached out a finger to stroke the strong little tail wrapped around Ti'aasaan's wrist, the black tipped with green like the mane - then kissed the little zn'hre gently.
"… so beautiful…"
Korena was kneeling up, grinning madly.
"C'n I *tell* everyone now?"
Zh'leet glowered.
"We'll have a roomful of excited brats and hostlings if she does."
"I don't mind." Ti'aasaan smiled, eyeing Vinas, who nodded.
"No injuries, Ssii'iir. You're bruised and will be sore for a day or two, but as long as you avoid penetration until you've stopped hurting, you will be fine."
Zh'leet pulled a fur over the little zn'hre, to his waist, and bustled off for a beaker of glop. Ti'aasaan, Ti'vaasaan in his arms, nestled back into his beaming bondmate.
**Happy?**
*Yes. Of course.*
And the door opened, and a brightly coloured horde of surprisingly quiet children erupted into the room…
The room was still, most of the assembled family asleep, Zorun curled around his sleeping bondmate and sireling. Zha'haabron nestled into Radittsu's arms and sighed quietly.
**He feels - content**
The Saiyan kissed his zn'hre's hair.
*He is. He feels… more a part of the family, now. More relaxed, more at home. Not completely - I don't think he ever will - but better. I'm glad.*
**I, also. And Ti'aasaan is happy too**
*Nice, isn't it?*
Zha'haabron chuckled silently.
**You have a gift for understatement**
Radittsu wrapped himself more firmly around the king, kissing the scar of his claim mark.
*I do my best… You should sleep. You're tired.*
**You also**
Which was entirely true. Kyuri had turned up a couple of promising leads, which the Saiyans were planning to follow tomorrow. He wanted this investigation over as soon as possible. As did everyone else - it hovered at the back of the mind, a source of stress and worry… He sighed and kissed Zha'haabron's shoulder.
*I love you. So very very much…*
The zn'hre turned in his bondmate's arms, kissing him carefully, golden eyes full of love.
**Shan't'ia'mis, zkai'da. For all time…**
© 2003 October 20th Joules Taylor
