Chapter Eighteen
Charity managed to avoid talking to Groteg the rest of the evening. She made it a point to hang out with Tori. They did their hair and nails and gossiped. When the Nobek dared to show his face at his daughter’s open bedroom door, Tori imperiously called, “Away, foul male creature! It’s girl time.” She grinned at Charity when he scowled but slunk off. The adolescent’s conspiratorial smirk clued her in on Tori’s realization Charity and Groteg were on the outs. To give Tori credit, she didn’t ask for information. Charity wondered how much of her situation the girl was aware of.
She wasn’t so lucky the next morning when Utber left for work and the kids for school. The children’s and their Imdiko father’s voices had barely faded when Groteg’s steady gaze stabbed at her. “It’s been arranged for you to evacuate quietly tomorrow morning.”
“Un-arrange it. I’m of age and can’t be forced to go if I don’t want to. I have no intention of leaving Haven.”
“Those in charge have other ideas on whether or not you can be made to go.”
“As I said, it’ll be against my will, and I’ll fight. I mean it, Groteg. There are plenty of shovels and heavy tools around for me to swing. I sharpened these just for the occasion.” She showed him her red-lacquered nails, filed nearly to points.
“Your life is in danger.”
“Thank you for pointing out it’s my life, which means it’s my choice.” Her tone softened, and she gazed at the bristling Nobek with undisguised affection. “I realize this isn’t a matter of you personally worrying you’ll be held legally accountable if I’m abducted or killed. You care, and I adore you for it, Groteg.”
He reddened. His mouth opened, then snapped shut.
She continued. “I’d hate for you to get in trouble if the worst happens. If there’s a form I can sign and have notarized stating I absolve the Kalquorian Empire, its fleet, you, and Haven of all responsibility for my choice to remain, I’ll gladly sign it.”
He managed to speak through gritted teeth. “I absolutely don’t care about the accountability, which is why I’ll throw you on the damned ship myself—”
A knock at the back door interrupted him. Sara, who’d been watching the confrontation from the sink, answered it. “Good morning, Detodev.”
“Good morning, Matara Sara.” His voice was soft, and he bowed deeply to her before stepping in. He took in Charity and Groteg standing across the kitchen table from each other, their resolute stares betraying their disagreement.
“It isn’t just up to you to maintain her safety, Nobek Groteg.” Detodev accorded another respectful bow. “Ilid, Mitag, and myself are eager to do whatever it takes to protect Charity.”
“ You .” At Detodev’s wince, Groteg added, “You know I accept your pacifist views, young Nobek, despite disagreeing on our breed’s true nature. I have to challenge your determination to never give in to the need to fight. How can you possibly safeguard my ward if you adhere to your vow?”
“I believe our breed uses the excuse of its categorization to resort to violence too readily.” Detodev maintained a respectful though unwavering tone. “I’ve thought through my encounter with the man apprehended outside my home. It failed to end in me tearing out his throat, much as the urge insisted. I believe my fear of losing myself to such violence will stop me from doing so. I can keep Charity protected from her enemies. Ilid and Mitag are equally committed to the same outcome.”
“Then convince her to leave Haven, damn you!” Groteg’s shout was accompanied by his fist slamming the tabletop. His fierce countenance eased a touch when Sara jumped. After shooting her an apologetic glance, he told Detodev, “It’s the only way to guarantee her security. Don’t you realize these assholes will continue coming?”
“Tell them to go ahead.” Charity was resolved to make her position clear. “I refuse to live in fear and hiding. Life is short in any case, and I’ll live what time I have as I choose. My choice is here among the friends I’ve made.”
She noted Detodev’s glance of hope before he re-centered his attention on the obviously disgusted Groteg. Her stomach churned, but she’d had the whole night to consider her desires and the risks involved.
Her resolve kept her steely in the face of the elder Nobek’s frustrated snarl. “I have to get to work. Rest assured, this discussion is far from done.” He shoved past Detodev and slammed the door as he left.
* * * *
Dolgra, realizing Groteg might be sick of him popping in by unphasing, played his part as delivery man to visit the security chief’s office early in the morning. It meant submitting to nearly twenty minutes of scans and searches. The small envelope he’d brought bearing Groteg’s name was inspected rigorously, but he bore the nuisance patiently. He wondered if the department had always been so meticulous, or if it were a new procedure. Thanks to the Darks, the virus, and the newly acquired knowledge Earthtiques had gained footing on Haven despite careful vetting, everyone appeared to be on edge.
At last, he was granted entrance to Groteg’s office after encountering one last obstacle. Covering his irritation, which was finally making itself known, he insisted to the man’s assistant he was to deliver the now tattered envelope personally. Groteg overheard him speaking through the open door. Looking ill-tempered…the very expression Dolgra had hoped to avoid…the Nobek poked his head out and said, “Come in. We need to talk.”
It wasn’t the sort of welcome he’d hoped for. Dolgra wasn’t sure if his news, which had sent him to Groteg in the first place, would be welcome or complicate matters.
“Door closed,” Groteg growled as he entered his inner space. “Made it through the gauntlet, I see.”
“Impressive safeguards,” Dolgra complimented, tossing the envelope on Groteg’s desk before taking the hover chair in front of it.
“What’s this?” The Nobek eyed the delivery as if he’d like to tear it apart simply for existing.
“Tickets for your clan to tonight’s performance of Cow Patties in Paradise .”
“Thanks, but we’ve agreed it’s too adult for our younger children.”
Dolgra hoped it wasn’t a personal rejection. He set aside the issue for the real reason he’d come. “The delivery is a cover for me delivering news of importance. Browning Copeland died in his sleep last night.”
Groteg froze and took a second to recover. “Natural causes?”
“According to the preliminary autopsy.”
“What does this mean for Charity?”
“Immediately? It doesn’t mean anything. Copeland died as Kalquor’s and Borey Nath’s prisoner, which must never be revealed to the public. Especially now, when the All and its Darks are trying so desperately to divide and conquer the galaxy.”
“The fleet does intend for his passing to be revealed somehow, though? If only to destroy the Galactic Council’s case against us?”
“It’s being discussed, is my understanding. I’m not high enough in the hierarchy to hear more than the barest details.” The Nobek bringing up Matara Charity gave Dolgra a hint as to why he was in a temper. “Your ward didn’t take the news of being moved well?”
“She refuses to go. As I suspected, she’s become seriously attached to those young men I told you about, and vice versa. They know who she is, and they insist they’ll protect her from those determined to snatch her.”
Dolgra’s eyes narrowed at the unwelcome news. “Will they be a problem if we force her to go?”
“She’s enough of a problem by herself, but yes, I have little doubt they’ll fight for her right to remain on Haven. She is an adult, Dolgra, and an Earther. She has every right to refuse our protection in spite of it endangering her.”
“She’s also family by clanning to a high-ranking admiral who’ll happily… ecstatically …rip our heads from our shoulders if anything happens to her. I don’t mean figuratively, either. Admiral Piras would literally tear our heads off.”
“You can’t talk to him? Get him to convince her?”
“Piras is nowhere to be found. Maybe the top brass is aware of his situation, but word is he and his clan went on a secret mission deep in Galactic Council space. They haven’t been heard from since.” Dolgra shifted the conversation back on track. “This is no time to bend to a young woman’s stubbornness no matter how infatuated she’s become.”
“I didn’t say I wasn’t on board with getting her out of here. I simply understand why she’s being obstinate. I still believe it’s for the best if she leaves Haven, but she won’t go quietly. She’s smart but impetuous and could make trouble for you and the fleet in the end.”
“Piras and Matara Charity’s sister can deal with her when…if they return. I have my orders. I’ve leaned heavily on you thus far where she’s concerned, but can I rely on you to help me?” Dolgra made a determined effort to request, not insist.
To his relief, Groteg’s irritation eased. He nodded, then his face brightened, as if an idea had occurred to him. “Hey, about the show tonight…”
* * * *
“I get where Groteg is coming from. I do. But I’ve hit the point where I can’t run any longer,” Charity said.
She and Sara sat at the kitchen table, their hands curled around the comfort of cups of coffee. They’d puttered around cleaning up breakfast until the older woman had finally sighed, poured them fresh cups, and said, “Sit. We need to talk.”
She gazed at Charity, her blue eyes full of empathy and concern. “Detodev, Ilid, and Mitag are part of your decision, aren’t they?”
Detodev had departed for the fields barely a minute after Groteg’s fiery exit, mumbling apologies to Sara for the tension he’d caused. Charity swallowed, remembering the glance he’d given her when she’d talked of not leaving her friends.
“They’re probably fifty percent of it. Okay, maybe I’m underestimating their importance,” she admitted when Sara’s brow rose.
“I’d say so.” Sara twitched a strained smile. “I get it when it falls on you like a ton of bricks out of nowhere. When it’s the last thing you think you need on top of everything else.”
Charity tried to find the words to explain she merely suffered from a bad case of infatuation, but they failed to come. Mostly because she feared it had gone beyond a heady crush. “It’s too fast.”
“Trust me, I know.”
“How can I be sure it isn’t a case of ‘poor me, I’m always pushed away by my family, so I’ll force love to happen whether it’s right or not’?”
“Perhaps it is. You can’t be certain until you’ve given it time to develop. The fact you’re on watch for such a reaction helps.” Sara looked at her levelly. “The biggest problem is, you’re putting your life on the line to learn if it’s real.”
“It feels as if running is all I do. First from Earth, later from the Holy Asshole, recently from the Galactic Council, Alpha Space Station…when does it end? When do I get to live my life? When do I get to hang on to the people I care for?” Charity heard her voice rising, but she couldn’t stop it from doing so. She was so done losing those who mattered.
“Yeah. Been there, done that.” Sara’s smile took on a sad note.
Charity regretted her outburst. “I’m sorry. You lost your first husband, then your Dramok—”
“My situation doesn’t minimize yours.” Sara leaned toward Charity from her side of the table. “Are Detodev, Ilid, and Mitag worth fighting for? Worth the chance of being abducted by those who’d hurt you? Though I have no doubt your young men would do everything in their power to keep you safe, there’s no guarantee they can do so.”
Charity had examined the situation up and down, thanks to the long, mostly sleepless night she’d spent struggling. “I think they are.”
“You think ?”
“I’m leaving room for mistakes. I’m no idiot, despite appearances.”
Sara chuckled. “I’m quite aware you aren’t a fool. The question is, do you bet your life on a maybe?”
“Here’s the thing.” Charity spoke as confidently as she could, to demonstrate how rational she was despite the fact she really was taking a tremendous chance. “I could hide and buy a few weeks or years. Perhaps a lifetime. I could reach an age when I’m wrinkled and gray. But I’ll always wonder if I lost the most precious gift I could have had. I’ll live in doubt, and worst of all, regret. Are Ilid, Detodev, and Mitag worth hanging around for? I don’t know. What I’m certain of is leaving the question unanswered is worth fighting against .”
After a long beat, Sara tucked her blond hair behind her ear and sat up straight. “In the early days of Haven’s existence as a colony, a large faction of Earthers who treated our Kalquorian neighbors with suspicion lived here. Hatred, even. They weren’t called Earthtiques then, but they fit the description. There were Kalquorians who felt just as adamant we had no business mixing.”
“Which launched their civil war.” Charity had seen some of the fallout of the conflict.
“When I joined Clan Amgar, it was under the worst possible conditions.” Sara’s gaze was distant, her expression grim. “I was desperate. I had three small children, poor health, and a failing farm. I wondered when I accepted Clan Amgar’s proposal to clan if I did so for the wrong reasons. The animosity we earned from those who hated our union made it worse. Such hatred ultimately cost Amgar his life. It nearly killed the rest of us too.”
Charity thought of her own irritation over Groteg and Kalquor insisting she leave Haven. It seemed petty given the grief Sara had faced.
“Don’t do that,” Sara said gently. “I can see shame in your face, and it isn’t necessary. Don’t belittle your own struggle just because it isn’t as dramatic as the challenges others have been through.”
“I’m a whining baby,” Charity grouched. “You don’t need to hear it.”
“I don’t mind. If I can help you come to the best decision for yourself, I want to.”
“You’re such a mom.”
“I get more practice on that front than I often think I can handle.”
Charity managed to laugh.
Sara regarded her with warmth. “Listen to me. You’re an adult, as you keep pointing out to Groteg. Your reasons for remaining on Haven strike me as valid, so you should. But you must be fully aware of how dangerous your situation is. You can’t downplay how bad it could get over a maybe .”
Charity heard Sara’s urgency. She respected it, since her friend…another friend she was desperate to stay close to…had seen the worst.
“I’ve lived some horrific shit myself. I’ve been in similar danger before and nearly paid a terrible price.” She spoke slowly, feeling the words to be sure she chose the right ones. “The difference then was I had no choice. I don’t think I’ve ever had a choice until now.” She sat up straight too, mimicking Sara’s stance, looking her in the eye. “I can tell you with complete assurance I’ve weighed the consequences between body, heart, and soul. I’ve made my decision: I choose Haven.”
Sara smiled. “Give me one more stab at playing devil’s advocate. If you can tell me your solution to this detail, I’ll support you to my utmost ability.”
“Okay?”
“If it ends up you’ve found clanmates, or better yet, the loves of your life in Ilid, Detodev, and Mitag, this is where they’ve committed to live. On the place you’ve dubbed Planet Farm Hell. What happens to your education and future career as an astronomer in such a scenario?”
Charity grinned, unabashed that at some point Sara had overheard her denigrate Haven. She was too pleased to have discovered a worthy reply for her host. Of all the considerations, the answer to both issues had been among the first she’d figured out. “Let me tell you of the message our friend and consummate troublemaker ‘Jennifer’ sent to a certain Kalquorian governmental department last night.”
* * * *
Sara agreed Charity had given her good reasons to support her determination to stay on Haven. She gave the younger woman the green light to escape the farm prior to Groteg’s return from work. Avoiding a confrontation with the well-meaning and protective Nobek set the stage for a perfect night.
“I have the feeling you and the boys will be having a heart-to-heart talk, so I won’t wait up.” Sara grinned before she sent Charity off in the farm’s battered but serviceable spare shuttle.
“You’re as bad as Ilid’s mom and Imdiko father when it comes to playing matchmaker,” Charity teased.
“I’m remembering the happy rush of new love, I suppose.” Sara’s look turned wistful.
After comming Ilid, Charity arrived at the house his parents had rented. She and the handsome Dramok had little time to do much talking of even the casual sort. Diju barely let her get in the door before urging her toward a spare bedroom no one was using.
Ilid tried to intervene. “Can I at least say hello before you abduct my date?”
“Of course.” Diju paused, her hand on Charity’s arm, which she’d been tugging. “Say hello to him, Jennifer.”
“Hello Ilid,” Charity giggled. It was impossible not to be amused when his fathers were snickering in the background.
“Hello. How—”
“We agreed on hello. Nothing more.” Diju resumed pulling Charity away.
“Mother!”
“You can have her later. I need another woman to talk to for a change.” Diju ignored his protests and sequestered herself and Charity in the pleasant but nondescript guest room, shutting the door in Ilid’s face.
She turned to beam at Charity. “There. Oh, what did you bring?” She eyed Charity’s dress bag greedily.
Unable to stop laughing, Charity showed her the cute dress sporting a flouncy skirt she’d decided on for the night. “It’s too much for a night out in Sunrise, but Mitag will be dressed up too, assuming he survived the hayseed wedding reception this afternoon.”
“So pretty!” Diju’s delight gave up room for a pout. “I tried to take Ilid to buy something special for tonight, but he said the outfits he’d brought would do. Men.”
“From our conversation yesterday, I believe he’s trying to put Detodev at ease. Our resident farmhand doesn’t do fancy.”
“Ah. That makes sense. He probably can’t afford much on his salary, and you don’t step on a Nobek’s pride.” Pride shone in Diju’s purple eyes. “My son is so considerate.”
“He was brought up right.” Charity winked.
“Don’t think I’m belittling Detodev. He’s a terrific man, and farming is a noble career. He isn’t much for smiles or talking, but few Nobeks are. I so hope…” Diju’s voice faltered as she caught herself.
“They’ve made a decent start.” Charity couldn’t resist raising her hopes. “With Mitag too.”
Diju’s expression took on a pleading quality. “Jennifer, I’m sorry I’ve been pushy. You’re so sweet, so adorable, and I can tell Ilid cares for you. I realize you have plans to return to school later, but I can’t help wanting my son to have the fresh start and happiness he deserves. Forgive me for being unable to stop from convincing you to see him as…as…”
Her hands fluttered. Tears filled Charity’s vision as she wondered what hopes her own mother might have held for her had she lived to see her daughter grown. Faith had often told her and Hope, “No matter the paths my girls take, I’ll be happy as long as you’re happy. It’s my greatest dream for you.”
Charity hugged Diju. “We’ve had a good start too,” she whispered in her ear. “It’s too early to predict how the future will turn out, but I’m looking forward to seeing what happens.”
Diju let a sob slip. “I already know I could love you as a daughter. If it means anything, be assured you wouldn’t gain just a clanmate…you’d get an entire parent clan too, a clan who cares for you.”
Tears flowed hot down Charity’s cheeks. She couldn’t speak.
They didn’t separate until a soft knock sounded on the door. As they both hurriedly wiped their cheeks, Diju called, “No, Ilid. You’ll have to wait.”
The door opened anyway. It was Imdiko Jadel. “I bring wine.”
“You wonderful man,” Diju beamed. “It’s all right, come in.”
“It looks as if I made the correct call.” He took in the evidence of the emotional moment they’d had. “A few snacks too, since Ilid tells me dinner isn’t for a couple hours yet.”
Charity experienced a rush of affection for him as he set a tray on the small table between two chairs by the room’s sole window. She felt it for all of Clan Codab. Perhaps their regard for her had initially been because they’d merely seen her as a potential lifeline for the struggling Ilid, but they truly were wonderful people. They treated her with respect she thought she had yet to earn. As they’d gotten better acquainted, she’d sensed growing approval and a welcome to their inner circle. She recognized it for the generous gift it was.
I could fall in love with the whole bunch of them.
“Anything else?” Jadel asked them as he readied to leave them.
“Keep Ilid out. This is woman time,” Diju insisted. “Wait. Have Detodev and Mitag meet here before they go to dinner and the show. If Nobek Detodev feels underdressed…don’t make a big deal of it; I don’t want him embarrassed…see if he’ll wear Gruthep’s nice shirt and trousers. I think they’re close to the same size. I’m so glad I packed a few nice outfits for everyone.”
“Got it. Enjoy yourselves, Mataras.”
The women enjoyed themselves indeed. The wine helped, but as was the case with Sara, Charity wallowed in the delight of the presence of an older woman who’d become like family. They drank wine, fussed over Charity’s hair, and experimented with a few makeup techniques. Mostly, they talked and talked and talked.
Following some hesitation and no doubt too many glasses of wine, Charity shared her true identity. She decided she owed it to the woman whose son might be endangered by the situation. She included the tales Detodev and Mitag had shared of their pasts as well.
“I’m truly thankful the four of you found each other,” Diju commented softly after listening in amazement. “You need them, and they’ve certainly benefitted from you. Now don’t cry! We’ve just gotten your eye makeup perfect. I’m sure Ilid and Detodev have your safety well in hand, but perhaps Gruthep can stay behind another month to assist when the rest of us return to Kalquor. You shouldn’t have to give up the hopes you’ve won because of those Earthtiques. Groteg can’t fault my Nobek’s bodyguard skills on that score.”
“It isn’t only up to him,” Charity sighed. “The spy division of the fleet is involved. It’s them pushing the matter of me leaving Haven.”
Diju’s eyes narrowed. A calculating smile pulled at her lips. “We can put a few obstacles in their way. Let’s plan on you returning here to spend the night following the show. I realize it’ll put a damper on romance sleeping under the same roof as Ilid’s parents, but it’ll make it harder for your wardens to whisk you off in the morning. I can talk to my clan and see what they say about the matter while you youngsters are out.”
Charity gazed at her admiringly. “I hope your faith in me for Ilid isn’t misplaced. We’re still deciding whether we’d be a good match.”
“I already know,” Diju said, waving her hand breezily. “The name of the game now is giving you and my son the opportunity to realize it yourselves.”
* * * *
“Wow.” Charity grinned at Ilid, Detodev, and Mitag in appreciation. “You guys are impressive. The residents of Sunrise are hereby served notice they have to raise their standards where the rest of their men are concerned.”
Mitag in his new outfit was devastatingly stunning. The teal of his jacket and trousers lent a glowing hue to his dark bronze skin. The cut set his gorgeously toned physique to perfection.
Ilid wasn’t as dressy, but there was no denying he was made to break hearts. Sleek black hair framed his handsome face and spilled on his shoulders. Charity ached to bury her fingers and comb through the thick tresses. His shirt, open halfway down his defined chest, was a brilliant blue and left nothing to the imagination where his muscled arms and torso were concerned. His black pants did the same for his thighs. Charity had a hard time restraining herself in front of his parents. The urge to ask him to turn so she could see how well the trousers molded to his ass was overwhelming.
Detodev wore the simple but tasteful white shirt Mitag had coaxed him to buy, which showed his muscled upper body to advantage. Whether he’d owned his own creased chocolate brown trousers or borrowed them from Gruthep, he failed to look underdressed next to Ilid. It was his expression, however, which defined his attractiveness. He didn’t exude delight, but there was definite warmth in place of the reserve he typically wore as a second skin. He’d turn the heads of women who had no interest in the dangerous type.
“Gruthep, I might need to borrow a blaster to fend my rivals off tonight.” Charity glanced at the elder Nobek eyeing his son and friends proudly. Maybe he’d indeed had a hand in prepping the younger men.
“Look who’s talking.” Ilid’s expression was frankly admiring, as were Detodev’s and Mitag’s. “Forget Sunrise. None of the women on Haven can compare to you.”
Charity played overly modest as she twitched the ruffled skirt of her dress, which nearly matched Ilid’s for its deep blue. “Oh, me in this old rag? You’re too kind, Dramok.”
“Kind, nothing,” Mitag asserted. His face shone. She didn’t ask if it was from the success of the wedding reception, which he’d reported had gone off without a hitch, or admiration for her. “You’re beautiful.”
“You are, Starry Eyes.” Detodev’s voice was quiet, but there was real appreciation in it. His reaction, more than the rest, caused her cheeks to warm.
Dramok Codab tapped the handheld Ilid wore on his belt. “There’s a little extra in your account for dinner, drinks, and whatever else comes your way tonight.”
“Thank you, my father.”
“But no fancy overnight room,” Diju spoke up. When Ilid’s face turned crimson, she added, “You’re bringing Cha—uh, Jennifer here afterward to stay in our guest room. She’ll explain the reason to you, and I’ll explain to your fathers.”
Ilid had caught the near-mistake of her speaking Charity’s real name. He glanced from his mother to his date as realization dawned. “Ah. Okay. Sounds like a plan.”
Though the elder men appeared curious, they shrugged it off to wish the young people an enjoyable night. Diju hugged them in turn. She winked at Detodev when he turned awkward at the affection.
She sent them off wearing a bright smile. “Have fun. That’s an order.”