Thorn's Bondmate (Zarronian Warriors Book 2) (25 page)

"What makes you think that?" Thorn asked, his voice angry.

"You're together but Daria has a soft blue glow so that means you haven't claimed her completely. She asked about choosing mentors so you obviously haven't told her that you'll do it which means you're not claiming her baby." Ronin sat back and for once he wasn't smiling.

Thorn nodded as he climbed to his feet. "I'm going to the training academy."

"We'll join you," Ronin said.

Dag groaned. "Ronin, do you have a death wish?" Absently, he rubbed his recently healed ribs.

"No, but its time someone beat some sense into Thorn before he loses the best thing to ever happen to him." Ronin emptied his tankard and stood up.

"You think you're the warrior to do it?" Thorn asked.

Ronin glanced at Soren and Dag. "I think we can take him."

Thorn laughed. "I'll try not to break any more of your bones."

# # #

Daria laughed as she took her place at the table between Thorn and Soren. Each of them had a black eye. "Did you run into a doorknob, Soren?"

"I ran into something but it felt more like a fist," he said.

"Thorn's fist?"

He shook his head. "Ask Thorn."

Daria glanced to her right. From here she couldn't see the black eye, and he looked almost normal except for the small bruises on his neck. They looked like choke marks.

Valan cleared his throat. "Boys, the Commander of the Defiance has already contacted me. He's not pleased with the 'training' practice you gave his warriors today."

"They started it," Soren mumbled.

"By the way, Thorn, I thought you might like to know that the warrior you fought is going to live."

Thorn frowned. "He offended me. He's lucky I didn't kill him."

"After dinner I want you to go to Borg's clinic and have your injuries treated."

Thorn and Soren nodded.

"Afterwards I want both of you to meet me at your grandfather's house."

"We'll be there," Thorn said as the serving female brought in their food trays and drinks.

"The plans for Thorn's house arrived this afternoon," Lia said. "Will we be able to see it in the morning, Valan?"

"Yes. We'll go after breakfast before Thorn, Soren and I go to the Council Building."

Lia and Daria discussed the house and the furnishings they were considering while Valan, Thorn and Soren discussed the fight at the gymnasium.

Dane and Dev asked questions about the house. They were especially anxious about its location until Lia assured them that they could walk over to see her and Valan anytime they liked. Dev eyed Daria's bands then asked, "Are you going to live with us, Daria?"

Daria didn't know what to say and she didn't want to lie to them. "We'll see."

Before they could ask more questions, Lia said, "Boys, did you ever find a horned beetle for Daria?"

"Yes," Dane said. "It's in our room."

Shuddering, Lia told him, "After dinner, I want you to show it to Daria and afterwards I want you to take it back to the garden and set it loose."

"Do we have to, Grandmother? We already named it," Dev complained.

"Yes, Dev, you do. You know how your Grandmother feels about insects," Thorn said.

"Alright, Father," Dev said. "May we be excused now?"

"Yes, but don't bring the beetle in here." A grin curved Thorn's lips as they jumped down and ran from the room.

"Daria, we've caught the Witvians contacting the Martins and the other men you told us about."

Lia stood up. "While you talk warrior business I'm going to use the communicator in your den to chat with my mother."

"In three cycles, Thorn and Soren will leave on a mission to Witvia. They'll be gone less than two cycles."

"How soon do you think those men will be brought to justice, Valan?" Daria asked. "Do you have any leads on the Zarronian warrior?"

"No leads yet but the other males will be picked up within a few moon phases. Your friends are being protected and Marie has been informed that you are on Zarronia and well."

"Than-" Daria jumped when she heard a shrill scream coming from the hallway. Valan was out of his seat and through the door before she had time to leave her chair and run to the open door.

Lia stood on a table in the hallway, pointing beneath the stairs while little screeches left her lips. Valan stood at the bottom of the stairs, bellowing for Dane and Dev. Daria looked into the shadows under the stairs and thought she saw something move.

"Boys, get down here right now and catch the beetle," Thorn told his sons as they appeared on the stair landing. As they started down them, Valan went to Lia and lifted her from the table. He kept her in his arms as Dane and Dev crawled under the stairs.

Daria stood back and watched the action. Lia clung to Valan, shaking while he looked angry. She saw the boys' feet appear as they crawled backward dragging something. Surely, she thought, that can't be a beetle. It looked about the size of a cat. As they pulled it into the light she gasped and stepped back.

The bug was as big as a basketball. It had several horns on its head that were at least four or five inches long and it was the ugliest color she'd ever seen. Not brown, or green, or even black. Sort of a mix of all of them. Its legs made shrill scraping sounds on the marble floor as it fought to be released.

"Are you sure they should be touching it, Thorn?"

"It won't hurt them. They don't bite and they use the horns for digging in the compost pile in one of my father's greenhouses."

Dane placed his hands on the beetles back and held it down as he looked at Daria. "See, Daria," he said. "I told you it was as big as a pillow."

"Yes, sweetie, you did. Now, uh, take it back to the garden. Alright?"

"Don't you want to touch She-Bug, Daria," Dev asked her.

Lia giggled. "They named it after your saber-cat, Valan."

Daria smiled. "I would really rather not touch She-Bug, Dane. If you don't mind."

Dane and Dev whispered to each other, then nodded. Together, they picked up the bug and began hauling it to the back door.

"Boys?"

"Yes, Father?"

"Did you deliberately let the beetle loose in the house?"

"Yes," they both answered.

"Then, after you release it, you will go to your room and stay there until I can speak to you in the morning."

Daria relaxed, as they stumbled through the back door with their wiggling burden. "I think I was their intended victim."

"You're probably right," Lia said. "But, they shouldn't have done it."

Valan smiled at Daria. "Is there anything else you wanted to speak to me about, Daria?"

"No, not right now."

Valan tugged on Lia's braid. "I'm going to Father's."

"Soren, let's go get these bruises taken care of," Thorn said.

"Daria, would you like to go with us," Soren asked.

"Ye-"

"No. She stays here," Thorn said over his shoulder as he left the room.

"Sorry." Soren patted her shoulder and followed Thorn.

After they left, Lia and Daria settled on couches in the living area and visited for a while until the boys appeared in the doorway.

"We're sorry we scared you, Grandmother."

"I accept your apology but you still have to go to your room."

Dev asked, "Will Father kill us?"

"Dev!" Daria exclaimed. "Your father loves you very much and he'd never hurt you. Either of you." They ran to her and she caught and held them. She smoothed their hair and kissed their cheeks. "Now, kiss your Grandmother then go to your room. Alright?"

They hugged her then gave Lia several smacking kisses and left.

Daria sighed and sunk back against the couch. She was tired but it was too early to go to bed plus she was too full from dinner. "Lia, do you want to go for a walk in the garden?"

"Yes. I was just going to suggest it myself."

As they strolled along the paths, Lia began picking flowers and handing them to Daria. When her arms were full and she was surrounded by a sweet, intoxicating fragrance, Lia began choosing some for herself.

"The first time I did this, Valan refused to speak to me for two cycles."

"Why? They're beautiful and they should be enjoyed."

"That's what I told him. He told me to enjoy them in the garden," she said with a laugh. "Then, when Thorn and Soren were born, he brought me a huge armload of them every day for an entire moon phase."

"Since then he doesn't mind if you pick them?"

"No. Usually he picks them for me."

"You know, Lia, when I first met a Zarronian warrior I couldn't imagine them as caring husbands or fathers. Now, I'm having a hard time imagining them as anything else."

"They can be ruthless and deadly when they need to be. Wherever they go others respect them and get out of their way. I once saw a group of Witvians flee from a tavern just because Valan entered it. They're terrified of him." She smiled. "They've been the guardians of this galaxy for thousands of annuals you know?"

"Really'"

"Yes. Anytime war breaks out it's the Zarronians who are called upon to confront the enemy and restore peace."

"Has Thorn ever had to fight?"

"Yes. Many times," Lia told her. "Once against the Zylians then several times against the Prezons."

"Who are they?"

"The Prezons are humanoid like us. They come from the Andreas Galaxy and they've been trying to invade the Xenti Galaxy for at least a decade. The Zylians are worse but it's hard to describe them although they live in this galaxy."

"Then they aren't humanoid?"

"No. They're like slugs except they have short arms and legs. They produce a slimy acid, and they use it as a weapon against their opponents. It's so caustic that it can burn through a protective suit in about half a nano-unit. Valan has several scars from fighting them."

"My, gosh. I never dreamt that there was anything like that in the universe."

"There are worse things than the Zylians. Every time Thorn and Soren leave, I worry that I'll never see them again."

Daria put an arm around Lia and gave her a gentle hug. "Let's take these flowers in the house and put them in some water."

Lia nodded and smiledl.

# # #

Thorn relaxed in his Grandfather's den and waited for him to reveal the reason for this summons. Soren rubbed his hand over his jaw and grimaced. The bruises were gone but the ache remained. Thorn rubbed his throat then grinned at Soren. It had been a good fight.

"We've picked up several of the men on Earth who were dealing with the Witvians," Eirik said. "They've named all of their accomplices and we're in the process of arresting them as well. They'll be sent to the Universal Assembly for judgment."

"What about the Witvians?" Thorn asked.

"The Assembly has discovered that the Witvian Council sanctioned the business with the Earthlings. They've given us permission to surround Witvia with a security dome."

"For how long?" Soren asked.

"Ten annuals. Nobody will be allowed to leave or go to the planet during that time," Eirik said.

"A harsh punishment," Soren said. "But, they deserve it as this isn't the first time they've betrayed their oath."

"In three cycles, Thorn, you will take the Invincible to Witvia, and you, Soren, will take the Venturer. The Stargazer and the Defiance will go, as well. You'll protect the scientists while the dome is put in place and you'll make sure none of the Witvians escape."

"Have we already received permission to use the timewaves?" Thorn asked.

"Yes. The Assembly sent their permission today for the journey to and from Witvia."

Eirik rose from his desk. "We'll complete the plans in the morning when you come to the Council Building."

They bid Eirik good night and returned to Valan's home. As they entered, Lia and Daria came out of the kitchen. Each of them carried a huge vase of flowers in her hands. Valan groaned then took the vase from Lia. Hooking his arm around her waist, he pulled her to the stairs. "Thorn carry Daria's flowers for her," he said over his shoulder as he and Lia ascended the steps.

Thorn took the vase, then followed Daria to her room. As soon as the door closed, he set it on a table and pulled her into his arms.

"Thorn! Your parents will expect us downstairs."

"No. They won't," he mumbled, busy kissing her neck.

"How can you be sure?"

"I just am," he said against her neck as he nuzzled it.

"Shouldn't you go speak with Dane and Dev?" she asked, as she wedged her hands between them and pushed him slightly away.

"In the morning," he whispered against her lips, as he gripped her gown and began raising the skirt to her waist.

Daria covered his hands.

He slid his fingers under the straps covering her breasts, and tickled her as he moved them over her breasts. His fingers brushed her nipples, then pinched them. Pulling a strap aside, he lowered his lips to her nipple.

She gasped when he draw it into his mouth, then wove her fingers into his hair and held him against her.

As he nibbled a path to her other breast, he said, "Raise your skirt for me, Daria."

"No."

Thorn stood up and backed her against the wall. Tipping her head back, he covered her mouth with his and jerked her gown up then began undoing his pants. Suddenly, he stopped, and held her against him. Shuddering, he released her, then smoothed her gown back into place.

"Thorn?"

"I'm sorry. I promised I wouldn't do this again."

"Are you angry with me, Thorn?"

"No." He avoided her eyes.

"Then, why did you stop?" She reached out and grabbed his vest, pulling him to her.

"Daria?"

She opened his vest, and shoved it from his shoulders as she nibbled on his chest. She licked his nipple, then whispered, "Wasn't there something you wanted to do, Commander?"

Thorn cupped her head, and tipped her face up to his. For a moment, he stared into her violet eyes, then he grinned. "I wanted you to lift your skirt."

Daria inched her skirt up. "Like this?"