The Spider Queen (The Space Merchants Book 5) Read online

  Surprise flittered through me like the erratic flight of a moth chasing a firefly.

  Zared’s black eyes left mine to look with longing at Niklos and Neema. “Fitz, Quaid, and Nico will feel the same,” Zared stated.

  Sighing, I wondered how many pregnancies I would have to endure before finally giving Yukihyo the son he wanted. When we arrived at the military base, the doors of the transport opened like a can of fizzy water relieving the pressure inside with an almost audible puff. The thought that Zared might want a child of his own had never occurred to me. He and Yukihyo began having an intense conversation in Laconian.

  I got out of the transport, got Niklos situated on my hip, and held Neema’s hand in mine. Lorca stayed a few feet behind us. Leaving my two Laconian husbands behind, I smiled and walked forward to meet the Commander, who was eager to escort me to Carl and Rex.

  Instead of to the area where the scientists had been working, we went to one of the massive hangers where warship construction occurred. It was full of men, noise, and organized activity. I stayed with the children at a safe distance. Lorca picked up Neema. Scanning over the men who numbered at least a hundred, I couldn’t see Rex or Carl. Yukihyo stopped arguing with Zared and strode purposefully into the group of highly-skilled specialized labor. I watched as a thin sheet of plasticized material was fed through a machine and came out covered with tiny little mirrors that looked almost like 3-D square sequins. I switched Niklos to my right hip and kissed his forehead.

  “Word of your project spread quickly. I gave up trying to get them to eat and sleep. Now, we are simply leaving food out for them. Once their minds have a problem to solve, it consumes them,” the Commander said as he gestured toward a buffet and dining area, and a partitioned area with hammocks where a few exhausted men had succumbed to sleep.

  Yukihyo returned to me along with Rex, Carl, and a few other engineers who also appeared to have been subsisting on coffee. The men bowed to me.

  “Princess Probus,” Carl began before red creeped up his neck. Carl tended to stutter and sweat when I was around.

  “Hello, Carl,” I said with a smile and a quick curtsey. Then, I turned my attention to Rex.

  “We had a breakthrough. The aliens use star panels made of a rigid metal that they bolt and solder to their hulls. They are heavy, difficult to repair and replace, and most likely expensive to produce. To manufacture enough panels to supplement the power of a warship would negate the benefits. The panels would weigh the ship down and demand more power than they would provide. We began considering light-weight metals and plastics, but the freezing temperatures of space are too much for many of them to remain durable. Carl and I came up with the idea of using the molecular adhesive sheeting used on the hulls of our ships that give them their sleek, glossy, black appearance. We paired the molecular adhesive sheeting with a tribrillion base. Then, we equipped the base with photonic mirrors and nanoparticle collectors. They easily connect to the relay system used by our defensive shielding. We created a separate adaptor to send the electron flow into energy storage cells so that the star panels operate independent of all ship’s functions. Therefore, if a panel is damaged, malfunctions, or needs to be replaced, it will in no way interfere with the ship.”

  While Rex paused to take a breath, Yukihyo asked, “What is the cost of the molecular adhesive sheeting?”

  Carl spoke up. “That’s the beauty of it. The sheeting is only a quarter of the expense of a solar panel. It is pliant enough to be rolled and stored and weighs about as much as a carpet. A ship could easily keep enough on hand to replace and repair damages.”

  “A merchant could just as easily fill a cargo hold with the sheeting as well,” Yukihyo said speculatively.

  Rex and Carl agreed.

  “So, you have cut my costs, increased my profits, and sped up production?” Yukihyo asked.

  “Yes, Lord Yukihyo,” Rex answered while Carl blushed at me.

  Yukihyo tapped away at his vid-screen. “Send me numbers. When will you have a ship equipped with our star panels?”

  “Within the week, sir,” Rex answered.

  “Very good. The Princess and I eagerly await the demonstration along with the testing results,” Yukihyo said.

  “Yukihyo, should we still call them star panels?” I asked. “They aren’t panels anymore. They are more like giant energy collecting stickers.”

  Yukihyo grinned at me. “That is something to consider. Perhaps, my lady wife will think of something.”

  We said our goodbyes and returned home.

  Chapter Two

  My husbands aggravated me for the next two weeks. Yukihyo, Zared, Quaid, Nico, and Fitz had been arguing on and off the entire time about my uterus. The children and I did a lot of hiding out with Phillip in both the infirmary and his apartment above it. Without consulting me, my three Laconian husbands and two Parvac husbands had decided to adhere to Parvac’s ancient Imperial marital customs in regard to which of them would have the honor of fathering my next child.

  Each of them had their birth control removed and vowed not to have private husband and wife time with me until we were all on the same planet. Then, each of them planned to seduce me, and may the best man win.

  I thought they were idiots. Silvie and Annette agreed. With their knowledgeable assistance, I bought the most provocative lingerie that Ephors had to offer. Knowing what Yukihyo and Zared were capable of doing and sleeping chastely between them each night had put me into a foul temper.

  I brushed my teeth and got ready for bed. However, instead of an Arachnean silk gown, I slipped into the bright pink baby doll set that Annette had picked out. The short lacy bottoms and top were see-through. I turned to the side, took a picture of myself from the back, and sent it to Quaid, Nico, and Fitz. Then, I walked into the bedroom and climbed into bed.

  “Teagan, you are not being fair,” Zared admonished.

  “I’m sorry, Zared. Should I have asked your opinion before I purchased my sleepwear? Should I include you before making decisions?”

  Neither Zared nor Yukihyo said a word. I fell asleep faster than they did.

  The next night, I repeated the torture. However, this time I wore a long, black satin gown with delicate shoulder straps and a side slit that went all of the way up to my hipbone. Silvie had suggested being cold before walking out in it. This time, I sent a picture of my front to my absent husbands. Unfortunately, Yukihyo and Zared’s resolve was stronger than my sex appeal.

  The next night, I moved on to costumes. When I came out dressed as a bathing attendant from Scipio, Yukihyo excused himself to go take a shower. Zared rolled over and hid his face in his pillow.

  The next morning after my walk with the children, Eli pulled me aside. “Princess,” Eli said and then turned red.

  “What?” I put my hands on my hips and looked up at him.

  “You are aware that I monitor your correspondence.”

  “Yeah, so?”

  Eli cleared his throat. “The pictures that you have been sending to your very fortunate husbands….”

  Smiling seductively up at my friend and protector, I asked, “Are you offering yourself to me, Eli? My husbands are being so neglectful.”

  “He’d have to wait just like the rest of us,” Yukihyo growled out from behind me.

  Angrily, I turned to face him. “You are being ridiculous!” I yelled at him.

  “You are behaving in a deliberately seductive manner. Would it hurt you to be cooperative? You have made it clear that you do not like it when we fight amongst ourselves. Now that we have come to an agreement, you torment us for it!”

  “Fine. Whatever.”

  I stomped off to the dining table and drank the coffee that Max, my chef, brought to me. Yukihyo and Zared took their seats. We ate in silence except to talk to the children. Finished with breakfast, I went to dress for the day.

  After turning off the shower and wrapping myself in a towel, I opened the door to find Zared blocking it. He stepped into the s
hower with me and crowded me against the wall.

  “You’re getting your shoes wet.”

  Zared ignored my observation and tore the towel from me. Then, he went down before me soaking the knees of his uniform. My back hit the shower wall as he lifted my foot and put my left knee over his shoulder. Then, he took me with his mouth. His lips and tongue became the focal point of my existence. Once I was trembling so hard that I could barely stand, he took his mouth from me. I was gasping and had handfuls of his long, dove-grey hair clutched between my fingers.

  Solid black eyes looked up at me. “Female, never dishonor me again by saying that I neglect you.”

  I let go of Zared’s hair. Then, he stood to his full height towering over me and left. It took me several moments to regain my composure.

  Zared and Yukihyo were both angry with me. Apparently, what I had said to Eli was the worst insult that could be given to a Laconian male. They prided themselves on keeping all of their wives very satisfied. My repeated apologies did little to make things right between the three of us. When the children went down for their naps, I closed the door to my room and called Grandmother.

  “Teagan, how is Ephors?” Uncle Kagan asked.

  “Ephors is fine. Is Grandmother there?”

  Uncle Kagan shook his head in the negative.

  “What about Aunt Seyla?”

  “No, your Grandmother is having lunch with Yukihyo’s mother. Seyla is out.”

  “Where is she?”

  “She’s having lunch with a suitor.”

  My jaw dropped.

  Uncle Kagan looked at me curiously. “What? Seyla is a beautiful woman.”

  “I just never thought…. You two just seem like such a normal monogamous couple.”

  Uncle Kagan burst out with laughter. “Oh, Teagan. I am faithful to your aunt. I love my wife, and Seyla loves me. A man captured her attention. You may get a new uncle. We’ll just have to wait and see. Now, what has you so upset that you want to talk to mother or Seyla? Don’t be shy. I know all about menstruation if that is what this is about.”

  I scowled at him. “Maybe you can help me since you are one of them.” Uncle Kagan raised an eyebrow at me. I rolled my eyes. “It all started when I agreed to have another child.” That got his interest. I proceeded to fill him in on most of the details. “Well, what should I do?”

  “Well, first, wear pajamas to bed. Secondly, why are you really angry?”

  “What?”

  “Why did it make you angry that Yukihyo and Zared settled their dispute diplomatically?”

  I clasped my hands before me and thought. “I guess that I assumed my child would be Yukihyo’s. I didn’t realize Zared even wanted a child. I’ve given Nico a son. Then, I thought about Quaid and Fitz. They desperately want children. I guess I’m mad because my life isn’t simple. I can’t do anything impulsive. Everything I do affects someone who is important to me. I felt out of control and afraid, so I lashed out at them.” My nose began to tingle.

  “Teagan, apologize again, but do it with cake.” Uncle Kagan grinned at me.

  “Thanks.”

  “Anytime.”

  I ended the call. As I scooted off of my bed, I saw Zared standing in the now open doorway.

  “Zared, I’m sorry.”

  He walked over to the bed, sat beside me, and hugged me. When he stroked my hair, I knew he had forgiven me.

  However, it took cookies and a chocolate cake to make things right again between Yukihyo and me. Neema grinned at me from his lap with cake all over her mouth, nose, and hands. Since Yukihyo and Neema were messy with cake and icing, I answered his vid-screen for him when it signaled. An excited Rex peered back at me.

  “Hello, Rex,” I said as I held the screen so Yukihyo and I could both see it.

  “Princess Probus, Lord Yukihyo, we have begun our preliminary testing and would like to give you a demonstration whenever you are ready.”

  “We will arrive in an hour,” Yukihyo said.

  We decided to leave Neema and Niklos at home. The sweets were going to make Neema energetic. When we arrived at the base, we found two starships equipped with star panels. Men were going over every inch of one of them. It was both intriguing and disconcerting to watch them walk across the hull of the larger warship and even upside down beneath it in their magnetized boots.

  Rex began rattling information off to Yukihyo as he led us into the small vessel. The captain took us up. “The new energy source has doubled our speeds and reduced fuel consumption by seventy-five percent,” Rex said with barely containable excitement. “Here are our initial findings.”

  Yukihyo looked over the information and then sent it to Papa. Yukihyo moved to stand near a viewport to gaze out at stars that looked more like white lines than bright spots of light. They started talking about how much fuel and how many credits it would take to power a warship with the new power source providing energy to the propulsions systems. Then, they discussed how quickly our product could be produced.

  “I want the Empress equipped with these as soon as she docks. I will inform Captain Ricimer to arrange to land here at the base.”

  “Yes, Lord Yukihyo,” Rex answered.

  “Yukihyo, what do you think of the name, Ponidi Photonic Film?” I asked.

  He turned and grinned at me. “I like it, lady wife.”

  Yukihyo spent much of the next week at the base. Our scientists were overseeing production. Yukihyo had presented me with a gift of enough Photonic Film for the Empress along with some surplus for repairs. Currently, they were working on their first order for the Parvac Fleet. Carl returned to our factory on Parvac to assist Zeth in overseeing production there. Uncle Kagan was thrilled about the credits the Empire would save on fuel. I was happy that Parvac would no longer feel the urge to pilfer fuel from distant Galaxic mining colonies.

  Soon, Nico and Fitz returned to Ephors. When I attempted to take them both up to my bedroom to welcome them home, Zared angrily intervened.

  “Relax. I have no intentions of breaking from custom,” Nico assured him.

  Fitz gave Zared a snotty, insulted look.

  I flipped them all off and went to float in my pool. By the time the Hadrian docked on Ephors, I no longer wanted anything to do with any of my husbands. Rather than warm and welcoming, I gave them cold and frigid.

  “Lady Bosh, is that any way to great me? I adore you,” Quaid said.

  I scowled at him. “You agreed with them.” Sensing my anger, Quaid kissed my forehead and gave me presents from Scipio and Earth.

  Quaid and Eric stayed with us at our house and enjoyed some relaxation. However, it was short lived. I felt the change in my cousin, Captain Eric Alaric, while I was in the kitchen getting a cup of coffee. Then, I found him pacing back and forth in the living room with his vid-screen.

  “Yes, sir. Understood. What is their estimated time of arrival?” Eric listened carefully to his superior officer. Then, he returned his device to his pocket. His pale blue eyes had turned glacial and dangerous.

  “What’s wrong?” Fear that the Galaxic Government and Parvac were declaring war against each other coursed through me making my hand tremble and splash hot coffee over my fingers.

  “We have lost contact with our ships in the Talpa System.”

  My relief was quickly replaced by worried concern. “What happened?”

  “We don’t know,” Eric said distrustfully.

  “Let’s call Uncle Kagan.” Using the large vid-screen in the living room, I signaled him.

  “Teagan, now is not a good time,” Uncle Kagan said.

  “Wait!” I said before he could end our call. “Eric needs to talk to you. It’s important!”

  My uncle and cousin had an intense conversation that I had a hard time following. What I did get out of it was that Parvac and the Galaxic Militia were sending ships to the Talpa Sector to investigate.

  “We lost communications with our ships six hours ago,” Uncle Kagan said.

  “That is when
we lost contact with the Tacitus, Trajan, and Diocletian,” Eric responded.

  A heart-wrenching terror stole my breath. Turning, I saw Phillip. “The Diocletian is my father’s ship. Eric, what the hell is going on?”

  Eric turned to us, and the look on his face was clear enough to read all on its own. However, the look on his face combined with what I felt through our familial bond told me everything.

  In a whisper, I said, “They fear all of our ships have been destroyed. For six warships to have lost all contact with their home worlds, something catastrophic must have occurred.”

  “No!” Phillip picked up one of my chairs and hurled it across the room. It crashed and clattered against the flooring. “Mother was with him,” Phillip yelled with a pain-ravaged voice. I jumped and clutched my arms around myself at his uncharacteristic outburst. “I’m going with you. When are you leaving?” Phillip asked.

  Calmly, Eric said, “Once the Constantine and Augustus arrive. Phillip, it will take months to get there.”

  “No, it won’t,” Yukihyo said as he gripped Phillip’s shoulder.

  Yukihyo took Eric with him to the base. I managed to right the chair and push it back to its place. Then, I took Phillip’s hand and walked outside with him. After we had walked around the path three times, he was controlled enough to speak.

  “My mother was with him. Damn it.” Phillip stepped from the path and walked over dirt and leaves to one of the tall trees. He paced and shoved the fingers of his left hand through his hair with such force that I feared he would pull it all out. “You’ve never met her.” Phillip caught and destroyed the sob before it could fully escape his throat. “She’s an angel,” he said as he looked over at me. Phillip started tearing bark from the tree. His eyebrows had scrunched up to form a steeple on his forehead. “She’s kind, thoughtful, and quiet. I’ve never heard her yell or say anything mean to or about anyone. She’s always got this sweet little smile on her face. I keep telling myself that if I ever find a woman as loving as her, that’s the one I’ll marry.”

  Phillip wasn’t strong enough to strangle the next sob. He covered his face with his hands and slid down the trunk to sit at its base. I sat beside him and held him while he cried. A huge rock of pain was stuck in my throat. There was nothing I could say to make it better, but there was something that I could do.