Keeper of the Heart (42 page)

Above the planet, the Rover hovered, its communications system humming in a low sound resembling a purr. Brock enjoyed the sound of Martha’s satisfaction. He had been invited to join with her terminal earlier in one of her more magnanimous moods, likely so she would have someone to gloat to. He did not mind, for she had good reason.

He couldn’t resist a little gloating himself. “Your females are both well pleased with my males.”

“Aren’t they just.”

“But Shanelle will come to miss Corth, I think.”

“Why?” Martha replied, adding with confidence, “Shani’s learning how to get exactly what she wants from her warrior.”

“True, but now that she no longer needs Corth, he will be returned to your Tedra, will he not?”

“I suppose.”

There was silence for a moment, then Brock’s hesitant suggestion. “We could collaborate in the creation of a new Corth for Shanelle. My ship happens to be equipped with a Duplicator.”

Martha injected a full dose of surprise into her voice. “Are you suggesting we make a
baby,
Brock?”

He put some disgruntlement into his own tone. “It was only a thought.”

“Did Falon’s mention of a child get to you, honey?” Martha couldn’t resist taunting.

“Your sarcasm is uncalled for, woman.”

“When did that ever stop me?” she snorted, but after another moment, she said, “You know, your idea isn’t that off the wall. We could program this Corth II from the start to be uniquely Shani’s. But he’d look like Corth, which would annoy that big barbarian of hers to no end, and I definitely like the idea of that.”

Brock came out with a large dose of surprise himself. “Then you agree?”

“Why not?” Martha allowed mildly, as if the idea didn’t thrill her, when it did.

But Brock was so pleased, he tried out something he’d only just recently figured out how to do. He sent her such a powerful surge of energy, it was almost climactic. Martha certainly thought so. She was utterly stunned to figuratively get her own “socks knocked off.”

“How the hell did you do that!”

Brock chuckled. The surge had been sent from his ship, but he had been on hers to experience it with her.

He said smugly, “It was necessary to counter your ability to deny me access. Perhaps now you will not want to.”

He had that right. She’d never felt anything like that before, and already wanted to feel it again. But it infuriated her that he’d figured out something that she hadn’t, and she tried her own simulation, but it wasn’t the same. It was only mild in comparison.

Brock chuckled again, aware of her failed experiment. “Do you want it again, woman, you will have to ask me nicely.”

“Don’t count on it,
warrior,”
she retorted with as much of a sneer as she could manage.

But they both knew she would.