The Parvac Emperor's Daughter (The Space Merchants Book 3) Read online

  “What is that about?”

  “Do you really want to know?”

  “Yes, I do.”

  “Okay, please sit down, husband.” Yukihyo sat and waited for my answer. I switched Neema to the other side. Then, I gazed deeply into Yukihyo’s white eyes that held thin lines of orange and grey swirling around from his ride with Neema. Touching his large warm hand with mine, I sent him all of the desire and passion I felt for him. He jerked, shuddered, and drew in a deep breath.

  “What was that?”

  “I don’t know. Maybe it was what Abbie was trying to explain to me. Maybe the combination of my Parvac and Laconian blood has something to do with it. I kind of learned how to do it this afternoon. I may have practiced too much on Quaid.”

  Yukihyo threw his head back and howled with laughter. Neema stopped nursing to laugh with him. Then, she returned her attention to me. “Excuse me, lady wife. I fear I must change.”

  When they brought Quaid back, he sat and grinned at me. “Cupcake, what did you do?”

  I shrugged. “I don’t know. Did I flood his system with endorphins the way he has done to me so many times?”

  “Yeah, you did. How?”

  “I don’t know. I just figured it out. I didn’t hurt him. Did I?”

  Quaid said, “No! You didn’t. Ignore Phillip. You’re great! I brought you a gift from home. I’ll be right back.” He almost bumped into Yukihyo in his haste. Yukihyo chuckled.

  “What the hell?” Phillip asked as he and Eric watched Quaid’s completely uncharacteristic behavior.

  “Let’s go for a walk around the lake,” Yukihyo suggested to them when he returned in a different pair of pants. They walked out onto the patio.

  Quaid returned with a box. I smiled at him and finished burping Neema. He held his hands out for her. Promptly, she fell asleep. I took the box and opened it. “Oh!” Inside was a necklace of emerald and gold. The long center rectangular emerald was almost as large as my palm. Thumb-sized emeralds had been placed horizontally to either side of it. Then, three square-shaped emeralds followed each of them in decreasing size. A thick gold necklace linked them all together. “Oh, Quaid! It’s beautiful. Will you put it on me?”

  Pierce took Neema from him and carried her to her bed. Quaid fastened the stunning emerald necklace around my neck. “Rolf, will you take a picture of Quaid and me, so he doesn’t forget me?”

  “Yes, Princess.”

  “I could never forget anything about you. You are magnificent,” he said as he looked down at me in adoration. Kissing his jaw, I sent a small wave of pleasure through him with my lips and made him shudder.

  “Smile for our picture, husband. Rolf, will you send a copy to Quaid and frame one for me?”

  Quaid excused himself to take a nap. Nico and Papa entered my sitting room. “I hear you spent time with Quaid. Are you alright?”

  “Yes, Papa. I am very well.”

  “Well, where is he?”

  I smirked and answered. “Napping.”

  Yukihyo, Eric, and Phillip returned. Yukihyo was still chuckling to himself. I had two steaks for dinner.

  Chapter Five

  The Hadrian began her return to the Galaxic Expanse a few days later. Once they had left Parvac space, Eric had called Yukihyo to tell him that the grin still hadn’t left his first officer’s face. That along with his visible white sclera had the imaginations of Eric’s crew running wild. Yukihyo laughed as he told Nico and me what Eric had said.

  “I’ll teach her to want me,” Yukihyo said in an imitation of Quaid’s voice making Nico laugh.

  “What?”

  “Nothing, lady wife.”

  “Chitter chitter chirp.” Thunderdrop showed me an image of Yukihyo with his arms crossed over his chest and then an image of Quaid.

  My head rested on Nico’s arm. He laid on his side and rested a hand over junior. I yawned and stretched. “You’re tired? That’s a shame. I wanted to find out what all of the excitement was about. Turning, I gazed up into Nico’s dark eyes.

  “I can try to show you. I don’t know if it will happen, but I’ll attempt it.”

  Nico grinned at me. I kissed his lips and concentrated on the way he so often made me feel and in particular the day on Tora when he had thrown me over his shoulder. I ran my nails along his side. Nico ended our kiss. I thought of the pleasure he had given me with his mouth and sent my pleasure back to him. Nico pushed himself against my thigh that he held in a tight grip. Yelling into his pillow, he released my leg and laid back breathing heavily. I rose up to look at him. His forehead was damp with perspiration.

  “Did it work? Did you feel anything?” Nico held up a finger silently asking for a moment before answering. Yukihyo chuckled. “What?”

  “Your gift is even stronger on Parvac males. His pleasure was so intense that it traveled through our bond to me.”

  “Oh, did he like it?”

  “Yes, I did very much. That was different though.”

  “How?”

  “That wasn’t simply the lust and need Parvac women make us feel. You did something else. It wasn’t just sex pheromones. You stimulated my pleasure centers somehow. How did you do that?”

  A knock sounded on our door, and Yukihyo got up to answer it. “Everyone decent?”

  “Yes,” Yukihyo answered in his deep monotone.

  “What was that? I felt like a teenager again.”

  “My wife is mastering her Parvac and Laconian ability to control males with a combination of sex pheromones and emotions.”

  “Way to go, Cupcake! Practice all you want. And thank you very much, Nico.” Yukihyo closed the door.

  The next afternoon, Neema and I sat on one of the hide rugs Yukihyo had given to us. She tired of sitting up and laid on her stomach. Thunderdrop played with his color shape nearby. Neema had learned to send me her basic feelings. At the moment, she wanted Thunderdrop. He understood and moved away from her. Neema scooted toward him. I watched in excitement. She scooted closer. Thunderdrop chittered at her and moved farther away. She laughed and followed. She began using her hands and knees trying to catch him. “Lady wife, what has happened?” Yukihyo saw and sat beside me.

  “Our baby is crawling! Quick! Where is your vid-screen?”

  Yukihyo pulled it out of his pocket and began recording. We sent copies to everyone. Her grandmother, great-grandmother, and Aunt Seyla were over within the hour with toys for her.

  During dinner Papa seemed annoyed. “What’s wrong?” He put down his knife and fork to look at me.

  “I have been in communication with your new father-in-law, Consul Bosh. On behalf of the Laconian Sector, he has extended an invitation to you, along with your entourage, to visit their planetary systems. Shore leave would be extended to your cousin’s crew.”

  “When is this going to occur?”

  With a raised eyebrow and an annoyed expression, Papa said, “How do you feel about leaving this week?”

  I gaped at him in surprise. “I thought I was staying put until your grandson was born.”

  Frowning, Papa said, “That is what I would prefer, but it would be a diplomatic nightmare to put it off that long. I will have to trust your husbands, cousins, and new Laconian family to protect you.”

  I was holding Neema in my lap as I ate. Looking down at her, I asked, “Do you want to go see where daddy is from?” Jade green disks looked up at me.

  “Daddy,” Neema said. I looked at her with wide eyes.

  “Good girl! Can you say daddy?”

  “Daddy.”

  Then, it was over as my hair went into her mouth. Yukihyo grinned from ear to ear and took her from my lap. Phillip chuckled to himself. Nico smiled, but I sensed his worry for the safety of both his unborn child and me during a trip to the Laconian Sector. Reaching over, I took his hand in mine.

  “I’m not afraid, Nico. I think it will be a great adventure. Yukihyo, what can we do for Hiroshi during this tour? Do you think Kane will let us bring our own transports? I�
��m ready to get back to our life.”

  Papa looked alarmed. “What do you mean by that?”

  “Don’t worry. During formal occasions, I will dress like your princess and be on my best behavior. During my free time, I’ll dress however I want and resume my life with Yukihyo as an aspiring merchant. I was happiest when we were on Tora, and I had begun my own trade agreements. I plan to form trade agreements in the Laconian Sector for the Alarics and Montgomerys. Yukihyo can place a call to Hiroshi and Simon, and either get Tora to come along, or send dresses and silks on the Hadrian.”

  Yukihyo’s eyes sparkled, and he smiled proudly at me. “Nico, can you get me a new blaster and a holster that will fit over junior?”

  He looked shocked. “You have no need of a weapon. I will protect you, as will your guards.”

  “I want my own blaster. If any of Dano’s former supporters bother me, I want to be able to handle them myself. I would love it if my general would give me blaster lessons. I’m sure you are much better than Eric.” I smiled sweetly and sent pleasure through his lips with my kiss.

  With half closed eyelids, Nico said, “What color would you like for it to be?”

  “Princess white, of course.”

  Yukihyo’s mother and sisters gave him lists of things they wanted from their home world. Otto and Rolf helped me pack. I made it clear to them that I intended to shop during the trip. They made snorting noises at each other. “What?”

  “Princess, we would expect nothing else,” Rolf said.

  I smirked at them. Phillip walked in with a grin on his face and rubbing his hands together. “What’s got you so excited?”

  “That’s right. You don’t know. You’ve never been with us to the Laconian Sector. I’ve got lady friends to see on every planet, all seven of them and the space station. We’re gonna have a great time, Cupcake!”

  Yukihyo came in with a smile to rival Phillip’s. “Hiroshi, Simon, and Kaoti will meet us on Aurilius. With our new clan ties to the Bosh family, he expects no interference.”

  A sweet little voice said, “Daddy da da da.” Neema sat up in her bed. Her soft wisps of dove grey hair were going in every direction. Yukihyo laughed and went to her.

  After dinner, I watched as Yukihyo followed Neema all over the sitting room floor on his hands and knees. Rugs now covered the white stone floor. Yukihyo and Grandpapa had gone around our wing methodically checking for anything that might pose as a hazard for her. I loved them even more for it. As I studied different breeds of Parvacian rabbits for my zoology course, I received a call. When I answered it, I saw Quaid’s grinning face. “Hello, husband.”

  “Hello, wife. You are even more beautiful than I remember.”

  “Thank you.”

  “We will meet you on Ephors and serve as an escort to Aurilius. Is there anything I can do to convince you to travel there with me on the Hadrian? I want for the two of us to spend some time together.”

  “Wouldn’t that be for a week and a half? Where would Neema sleep?”

  “I bought her a bed while I was on Arachne.”

  “I’ll need to speak to Yukihyo about it. He may not feel comfortable being away from Neema for that long. May I give you my answer on Ephors?”

  “Yes, thank you for considering it. I long to see you and can think of nothing I want more than to spend time with you.” I smiled at him and ended the call. Yukihyo and Nico stared at me.

  “What? The two of you have had me to yourselves for months. Shouldn’t I spend a few days with Bosh? We would be safe on the Hadrian. After all, Eric and Gary will be there, too.”

  “A week away from Neema and my wife will be difficult.”

  “We can call each other throughout each day. We would just be a ship away. Anyhow, I can only imagine the planning you, Hiroshi, Simon, Ethan, and Sherman have to do. You’ll be busy. Nico, you probably need to figure out how to balance your responsibilities as one of Papa’s generals with our endeavors. Look. Before you get all bossy and forbid me to go, I’m ready to leave all of my sorrow and doubts behind me and go exploring.” We could hear Phillip’s whistling and Thunderdrop’s chirping in the hallway.

  A look of resignation crossed Nico’s face. “You didn’t have enough time to yourself on Ephors. Did you?” I didn’t respond. “Fine. Spend a week on the Hadrian, but I hope that is the only time you plan to spend apart from us on this diplomatic tour.” I went to Nico and hugged him.

  Papa saw us safely to Kane’s ship. Yukihyo, Phillip, and I weren’t the only ones who were excited. Several of Kane’s crewmen had wives serving on the Hadrian with whom they were coordinating their shore leaves.

  Soon, we arrived on Ephors. A Guard of Honor greeted us at Ephors’ land port. Neema and I had dressed for the occasion. I personally greeted each of the commanders and the officers present who had married my friends. Kane saw that Neema and my luggage and supplies were delivered to the Hadrian. Eric assured Yukihyo and Nico that we would be fine. He and Quaid had met us wearing full dress uniforms. Quaid bowed low over my hand and kissed my fingers. After Neema screeched in delight and went to Eric, I smiled at Quaid and took his arm. Both warships were refueling for the journey to Aurilius. Captain Kane Valen had granted the wives of his crewmen security clearance passes to visit their husbands on board for the few hours before we left.

  “Chirp chirp!”

  “Hello, Thunderdrop. How are you?” Eric asked.

  “Chirp!”

  Papa’s cultural liaison wanted pictures of us with Ephors’ commanders. Afterwards, Yukihyo kissed me. “Lady wife, Phillip and I are going to pick up a few orders for Hiroshi while we are here. I will call and check on you both after we reach orbit.” He kissed Neema who was happy in Eric’s arms. “Be good for mommy. Daddy will miss having his princess in his arms.”

  Nico said, “Teagan, you will tell me each day everything Quaid does to annoy you, and I will deal with him on Aurilius.”

  “Yes, my love.”

  Nico kissed my cheek, and Phillip winked at me. Quaid opened the door for me to Eric’s transport. Eric placed Neema in a brand new transport seat. “Look, Neema! Eric got you your own seat for his transport. Can you say thank you?”

  She smiled at me and in her sweet little voice said, “Daddy.”

  “Good girl! Mommy loves you.”

  “Chirp,” Thunderdrop said from where he clung to my arm.

  Quaid took the seat beside me and closed the door. The delighted smile hadn’t left his face, and his black eyes sparkled. I had declined the use of the ambassadorial suites. After all, I was visiting the Hadrian as Commander Quaid Bosh’s wife and not as the Princess Teagan Probus of the Parvac Empire. Eric had grinned about it. Quaid’s eyes had gone black.

  Even though I was not visiting the Hadrian in an official capacity, I was on a diplomatic visit by invitation of the rulers of the Laconian Sector. Therefore, Eric had the red carpet laid out for me. I laughed at him when I saw it. “Remember how flustered Gram was when she visited you for the first time as she walked on this same carpet?”

  Eric showed me his dimples. The lighting shined on his inky black hair, and his ice blue eyes sparkled. “I’ll never forget it. That’s probably the proudest I’ve ever been.” Eric’s crew came to attention as we made our way to the lift. The bridge crew saluted. “As you were.” He winked at me. “Bosh, get your wife and daughter settled.”

  “Aye, aye, Captain.”

  Eric gave Neema back to me. “Eric?”

  “Yes?”

  “May I please have a picture of Neema sitting in your chair?”

  Eric laughed and agreed. I sat her in his chair, crouched down, and moved away just enough to be out of the picture. Thunderdrop watched from my hair. Eric took several pictures. Neema laughed for him. “You don’t have to ask. I’m sending them to Yukihyo and Hiroshi now.”

  “Thank you! Come to mommy, sweet girl.”

  Smiling at me with twinkling eyes, Quaid put his arm around my waist and escorted us to his quarter
s. He had placed a new crib of Arachnean wood with pink bedding in the corner near his bed. A matching changing table stood next to it. I put her down in the bed. Quaid gave her a sparkling pink rattle with which to play. A basket on the floor contained toys for Thunderdrop.

  “Thank you. You’ve been so thoughtful.”

  “I want you each to be blissfully happy when you are with me. I had hoped, but I never believed I would ever have you to myself for any amount of time. I don’t have to share your company for over a week.”

  Quaid reached out to touch the side of my face. I closed my eyes and leaned my head against his hand. As his lips descended down to mine, I placed my hand against his chest feeling his uniform under my fingertips. When his lips left mine, I knew he thought I was pushing him away. Smiling, I shook my head. Figuring out how to unfasten his jacket, I took it off of him, folded it, and placed it over the back of a chair. Solid black eyes watched my every motion. I removed his shirt, and slid my fingers through the hair on his chest. While running my hands up his muscular arms and kissing his jaw, I freed him from his pants as he removed his shoes. I felt him with my hand. He was hard and warm. I kneeled before him and covered him with my mouth. His hands were in my hair. I moved my hands up the backs of his thighs as I stood. I lifted my hair and turned. His hands shook as he unfastened my dress and slid it down my arms. Turning, I pressed myself against him, put my arms around his neck, and kissed him. Quaid picked me up and placed me on his bed. I pushed the covers back with the heels of my feet. He kissed every inch of my skin before entering me and made love to me slowly. Neither of us pulled pleasure through the other.

  I woke up curled against his chest. Stretching, I moved my hand along his stomach. “Have I ever told you how much I like your hairy chest?”

  “Not that I recall, but I’ve seen you looking. Have I ever told you how much I like your breasts?”

  I laughed. “No, but I’ve seen you looking. Have we left Ephors?”

  “Yes. Yukihyo called, but I told him you were sleeping.”

  I had woken up on the Galaxic Militia starship, the Hadrian, in the quarters of Commander Quaid Bosh, her first officer, son of one of the two rulers of the Laconian Sector, and my newest husband. I chuckled to myself.