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  He would have rather stayed but thought better of it when Zeus glanced back to him, silvery eyes filled with hope. A cool nose nudged his hand. Dargon had moved next to him and now gazed up at him, letting him know he would remain to watch Councilmember Rheax. Dargon flicked his tail and the slightest movement out of the corner of eye reminded him that Amlyn was there as well.

  Quickly he disrobed and approached to the edge, while Zeus sank below the surface and remained on his back underwater watching him, eyes playful.

  Behind him, Rheax asked, “He can breathe underwater? Prince Zeus, I mean?”

  “Certainly,” Meme answered, almost sounding indignant. “From the day he was introduced to the Waters of Poseidon.”

  “Did you not believe he was human when you took him in?”

  “Only for a short period.”

  Mestor dove, aiming for Zeus, knowing his brother was too quick to be caught by a mere dive. For several minutes they chased each other. Matsya joined them shortly before everyone else. Azaes swam on the outer edge, constantly nudging Canry into the center and not allowing him to hang on the fringes. Canry kept his distance from Arion but his eyes returned to his new mentor time and again. Arion ignored Canry, playing with the youngling.

  “I thought that introducing Arion to Canry in a public setting would be easier on Canry,” Shaneva said, swimming next to him. He glanced at her necklace, curious. He had never seen her wear adornments, though some of the People of the Longing did.

  “That was a good idea. What did Father and Meme say when they met him?” He and Azaes had told their parents about their encounter with Canry’s last mentor in the Dream, enduring a long evening of questions. That Nethus had been removed was a relief, but Mestor would withhold his judgement of Arion until he could assess Canry’s well-being under his care. Their parents would not allow Canry to disappear again. All Mar’Sani would take to the waters to find him if that happened.

  “They have been polite and put him through a soft questioning. I am sure they will have more to say when we are not present.” Her smile was sharp, as if tasting blood in the water, then softened. “You are taking the Dire D’Noss home?”

  “Yes, Matsya has bonded with him.” Speaking of… Mestor glanced around, not seeing Kryp floating anywhere. It was easy to forget that other beings did not spend as much time in the water.

  Kicking, Mestor surfaced and searched the edge to see Kryp had gathered a couple of pillows and lay near the pool where he could slide in if Matsya needed him. His huge eyes were closed, resting or asleep, Mestor could not tell. Then he wondered how much rest Kryp had gotten over the last few days. He would need to stress that Kryp was not alone in taking care of Matsya. He and Sohm’lan had been absent in order to attend important meetings, only able to spend the evening in the Hhorta wing with Kryp and Matsya. When they reached Atlainticia, Kryp would see a change in his schedule as attendants were assigned to him.

  Behind him, Arion surfaced, Zeus and Matsya riding Canry’s new mentor. Arion’s front hooves churned the water and he rose higher before taking up a quick pace that had Matsya squealing with glee. She wiggled and squirmed, but Zeus did not let her fall. Kryp was immediately on his feet, three-fingered hands on his lean hips as he watched.

  Father had joined Meme and Councilmember Rheax along with Sohm’lan and Atlainticia’s current councilmember, Senshino Tamashi. Valdor’s name had been put forward for the next councilmember when Senshino retired in the next Galactic Standard year. The position would be good for his father but would keep his parents far from home. He wondered if that was the purpose. If their father was away as Azaes found his footing as emperor of Atlainticia, then he would not meddle in Azaes’ affairs or unintentionally undermine Azaes’ authority. Mestor understood the need but did not like how he would not be able to see his parents when he desired.

  Wanting comfort only Sohm’lan could give, he got out and dried off. Sohm’lan approached with a swimming robe draped over his arm and helped Mestor don it. Surrounded by his warmth, Mestor inhaled deeply, taking in Sohm’lan’s pheromones. Their scents were intermingled, telling everyone with a good nose that Sohm’lan was taken. The rising anxiety lessened and fell away for the moment, and he concentrated on the present.

  He and Sohm’lan faced the pool, watching the antics of his family, but he kept his ears open to his parents’ conversation with their guests.

  “Come on, Canry! Give it a try.” Zeus held out a hand to their brother from Arion’s back. Matsya had sought out Kryp when Mestor had not been watching, and the two now lounged on Kryp’s pillows.

  Canry chewed his bottom lip as he considered. Azaes said something Mestor could not hear. Probably reassurance since Canry finally took Zeus’s hand and climbed onto Arion’s sturdy shoulders, Zeus behind him. It was as if everyone held a collective breath before Arion started the new lap around the large pool.

  “The Galactic Imperials have new information on the older Fal’Amoric,” Councilmember Rheax said, not conspiratorially, but as if she was not revealing confidential information. Had the Council of Neighn and Galactic Imperials cleared his whole family for this level of information? He would ask his father later. “The human officers who surrendered are seeking asylum for themselves as well as those under their command. In return they have handed over many valuable things. They have charts of where the V’Saar insisted the adult Fal’Amoric be sent. Though two of the Terren companies have allied with the bugs, it seems they do not trust the V’Saar.”

  Mestor shivered as he wondered where the V’Saar had sent the Fal’Amoric. It was well-known that they ate those they did not find useful. A part of him thought it was funny that Princess Athena, who was around fifty, and Zeus who was in his late twenties were considered young by Fal’Amoric standards. They lived a little longer than Mar’Sani but Mar’Sani quit thinking of someone as a youngling when the person could fend for themselves.

  “The Galactic Imperials need answers, so I volunteered,” Councilmember Rheax continued. “No one will miss me. I am not exactly the person they would expect to accept a fact-finding mission.”

  Mestor frowned. Though she explained she had volunteered for this dangerous mission, and not that any member of the Council of Neighn could be called cowardly, but sending her did not make sense. He kept his face pressed against Sohm’lan’s neck to keep his disbelief from showing. As Sohm’lan rubbed the scales of his chin over Mestor’s temples, a low contented rumble threatened to steal his attention from the conversation.

  “Rheax.” Senshino’s raspy voice held a note of concern. “Why would you volunteer for a mission they should be sending a GIP officer on?”

  In the pool, Arion moved through the water carefully still carrying Canry as if he held something precious. Mestor glared as Arion passed.

  “I appreciate your concern, but I will not be going alone. Polyphemus Bellian has contacted the Giantes’ Mycenaean warriors, and they are coming for me. I have the utmost confidence that they will keep me safe.”

  Mestor was only more suspicious. Since the Fal’Amoric’s return, the security officers were delving into the years preceding the Fal’Amoric’s disappearance. One of the events of note was that the Fal’Amoric empress acquired a Mycenaean warrior as the Bespoken’s personal bodyguard shortly after Prometheus was born. That same guard had filed a now classified report with the Galactic Imperials on Prometheus’s behalf against the Fal’Amoric empress after the empress fired the guard. No one knew what precipitated the separation, and if they did, they were not talking. Shortly afterward, Princess Athena had come to live at Haven Palace. The Giante warrior caring for Prometheus was famous. Not only was she the best but she was also the daughter of King Eurymedon the Greathearted and her word and deeds held considerable weight.

  He bent to shift so he could look at Councilmember Rheax, but Sohm’lan tightened his arms around him. A silent warning to remain still.

  “King Eurymedon’s Mukini Lions would not happen to still be led by
his daughter the Lioness, Princess Periboea?” Senshino asked. Mestor wished he could see Atlainticia’s councilmember’s expression. Was he just as suspicious? What did he know and could Mestor get the councilmember to tell him? Probably not, but that did not mean Mestor would not try.

  “Perhaps.” There was a fondness in Councilmember Rheax’s voice.

  “And what do the Crown Princes have to say about this insane mission the Galactic Imperials agreed to?” Senshino snapped. As a retired warlord, Senshino had not seen battle since Mestor’s grandfather’s reign. If he was not committed to his council seat and working with Valdor to navigate the mess Timsah Gadrius caused, Mestor was sure Senshino would have demanded to go in Councilmember Rheax’s place. Mestor and Azaes had sat on many vid calls with Senshino, and he knew Senshino well enough to identify what he attempted to hide with his briskness. He really liked Councilmember Rheax. He would bet a hundred packs of his favorite candied grasshoppers that they were close friends.

  “Prince Malik and Prince Vipre are preoccupied with extracting information from the Chtichlians,” she replied.

  He heard his father’s distinctive grunt of disgust. “I could help the Crown Princes with the questioning; I will never forgive them for what they did to Zeus. They had no right,” Father spat.

  “And you need to let the Crown Princes know what happened and relay what Zeus overheard,” Meme’s voice was soothing.

  “They hurt Prince Zeus?” Councilmember Rheax asked, the fury in those four words made Mestor ignore Sohm’lan’s warning to stay still and he turned his head. He could barely see those seated around the high table. Chi-Lin were very human-looking if one ignored the color of their skin, feline eyes, and tail… or the teeth Councilmember Rheax bared in a silent snarl.

  Mestor was not the only one to notice the overreaction. Meme stared at Councilmember Rheax, taking in everything, though her expression remained neutral. Father, on the other hand, snarled a hiss-click along with her, giving her an abbreviated account of what he witnessed after Zeus began screaming.

  “He was only thirteen, and we might have never known what they had done if Zeus did not have a resistance to the pain blockers and anesthetic.”

  He was surprised by Councilmember Rheax growl. Why was she so upset? She did not know Zeus. “Cubs are precious and should not be harmed in such a way. If I were you, I might consider taking a Chtichlian leg or two to adorn my wall.”

  “Do not encourage him, Rheax,” Meme said, expression still neutral, though her voice held a hint of softness that confused Mestor.

  Rheax sighed and all the tension left her body. “Your council is wise, Ashari. He should approach the Crown Princes with this information. The sooner, the better. I would go with you, but the Giante ship Tiryns is picking me up in the morning.”

  Abrupt laughter from the pool tugged Mestor’s attention away from his parents’ conversation. Canry was clutching his belly as he laughed. Zeus had somehow fallen off Arion and was hanging from Arion’s neck and churning his legs on top of the water. Mestor had no idea what Zeus was doing since he was not in danger of drowning. He looked back at Canry who was sitting alone on Arion’s back, happy, and not terrified as he had been when he first climbed on. Zeus looked smug even through his theatrical shrieking.

  “You do not have to watch over everyone,” Sohm’lan whispered in his earhole. “We are all safe, my amor. Why do you not have some fun with your siblings? Allow me to do the watching for you.”

  He looked up into Sohm’lan’s bright blue eyes, barely resisting the urge to pull him down so he could rub his cheek against Sohm’lan’s scales. “Come with me.”

  Matsya shrieked and fell-leaped into the water from Kryp’s chest. Kryp’s arms flailed as he tried to catch her and accidently rolled into the water after her. Kryp floated just fine but his swimming needed some instruction. Shaneva pushed Kryp to the surface, and he sputtered when his head broke the water. Azaes and Ariafella herded Matsya back to Kryp.

  “Go on, you two.” Meme was suddenly next to them, pressing her forehead to Mestor’s temple. “We will be fine.”

  She pushed Mestor then Sohm’lan toward the pool. No one told Meme no, so he dropped his robe near the edge. When he was in the middle of a leap that would have turned into a sleek dive, someone grabbed the end of his tail and tweaked the tip. Arms and legs windmilling wildly, Mestor belly flopped onto the water. When he surfaced, he did not know who to yell at. Meme and Sohm’lan had identical blank expressions.

  A chirpy laugh was his only warning before Matsya climbed his back to his shoulder. Kryp’s worried ‘be careful’ came right before Matsya threw herself into the water.

  “Mestor,” Canry called. “It is your turn!”

  Arion moved close, Canry reaching for him, and Mestor grabbed his brother’s hand.

  Chapter Thirty-Six

  Sohm’lan

  * * *

  Sohm’lan had never been so relieved to see Atlainticia’s blue sphere from space. Azaes and Mestor were on the bridge communicating with the orbital station. Only two starships did not return with The Gorgon. One was left to bring Zeus home after Dargon and Alpha were officially released from duty and after his meeting with the Dar Massaga leaders. Valdor had also planned to take Zeus with him to the meetings that had been scheduled with planetary leaders. The other starship was left for Valdor and Ashari. They were not planning on returning for another couple of moons.

  Next to Sohm’lan stood the two investigators sent by the Galactic Imperials to investigate Timsah Gadrius’s affairs and see how deep the treason of House Cordyl went. They were responsible for uncovering who else was connected to Timsah’s plot. Tashelle Cathcart was an Asani, only standing one point three meters tall. Zeus mentioned once that Asani resembled the extinct otter in the Terren sector of the Milky Way. Her long whip-like body was covered in short black fur with distinctive white markings. She was bundled under layers of clothing, impatient to be planet-side. Her partner said she always complained about being chilly when taking any starship. Sohm’lan wondered if it was psychological since The Gorgon’s environmentals were set to match Atlainticia’s balmy temperature.

  Her partner was a Battion whose dark, fluffy bulk could easily hide Tashelle. Hansard Woodthorne Shadow scratched his dome-shaped head, the silky fur surrounding his face had been trimmed back, creating a corona of hair that did not detract from his adorable appearance. He was a bit taller than Tashelle at one point seven meters, which was short for a Battion.

  For investigators, they were unassuming and non-threatening. Everyone thought Battion were adorable and Asani were sometimes mistaken for Gaziniti pacifists. They both wore clothing in the imperial colors, black with gold trim, otherwise they looked like any other travelers.

  “Is it true that only the People of Poseidon can swim in your oceans?” Tashelle asked. The tips of the gills on her neck peeked above her collar.

  “We have pools inside the palace if you would like some time in the water,” Sohm’lan said, not wishing to delve into the hazards of offworlders trying to enter the Great Sea.

  “And it is warm?”

  “It is quite warm and muggy. It does rain mid-morning and late afternoon every day, but it is quite hot. Not to everyone’s tastes.”

  “It sounds divine.”

  “Perhaps I should have trimmed the rest of my hair,” Hansard groused.

  Tashelle patted his hand. “You will be fine. You will not need so many layers of clothing. Perhaps only a pair of trousers.”

  “That would be unprofessional.”

  “But practical.”

  “Are you going to lose some of your layers?”

  Tashelle smirked. “If it is as hot as I imagine, I may run around in only trousers, too.”

  Sohm’lan hid his smile at Hansard’s indignant huff. The nearest lift opened and Sohm’lan’s relief at handing over his escort duties eased some of the tension from his shoulders. Though the investigators had been invited and were only goin
g to uncover Timsah Gadrius’s conspiracy, having someone offworld going through things was a new and uncomfortable experience.

  “Tashelle. Hansard. You know Warlord Aspasia. She is assigned to you and will aid you in your investigation. Please do not hesitate to ask for anything.” Sohm’lan bowed before departing, leaving them in capable hands.

  Excitement to be home thrummed through his veins. The trip back to Atlainticia gave him and Mestor time to strengthen their bond without interruptions. The respite was almost as good as nesting, not that Sohm’lan did not plan to whisk Mestor away for a few weeks when things settled down.

  He had been unsure how he would feel returning as Mestor’s amor. There would be questions and disappointed nobles who had hoped their youngling would be the one to ensnare Mestor. He remembered all the reasons he had given for ignoring Mestor’s pursuit of him, and Sohm’lan smiled to himself. He could see clearly how afraid he had been. Now, he could not wait for everyone to see Mestor on his arm.

  He took the lift down to the disembarkation bay. The warlords had their divisions formed up nicely, ready for an orderly exit. The Monticore would not be as stretched thin and the soldiers would have several weeks of leave coming before they needed to report to the bases. The Basilisc, on the other hand, the newest members would be separated and questioned. The six Sohm’lan had fought on Valespia were still held at Haven in connection with Timsah’s conspiracy. Those who had accompanied Empress Ashari and Ariafella had already been questioned by Tashelle and Hansard. Anyone with a connection to Timsah or the other two houses colluding with House Cordyl—House Tutatara, and House Tigiere—were detained in the brig, their futures up to the investigators.

  The orbital space station was large, including five hundred families who called the station home. The post saw a lot of through-traffic, from dignitary visits, to jump-buoy traffic with ships looking to restock supplies, as well as starships needing repairs. The military patrols of the solar system meant ship crews passed through when they were relieved of duty. Though it was barely half the size of Space Station Bashker’Qa where Zeus had been stationed, it still handled a fair amount of traffic and the common areas were rarely empty.