Unexpected Mates (Sons of Heaven) (39 page)

Maybe there is no limit.
The money being poured into Earth’s economy was staggering, though she’d heard that precious metals had taken something of a dive on the stock market at the addition.

All of her purchases in the lingerie department fit into two large bags, and Darm took both in one hand.

“Anything more?” he asked.

She hesitated.

“Sandy?” he prompted her.

“You said it will be winter on Sakk?” She’d originally come here to get things for Darren.

“Yes. It will be.” That seemed to confuse him.

“Okay. I need a few more things.”

His smile widened. “Lead on.”

Their last stop was baby clothing. Most baby clothes wouldn’t fit over Darren’s wings, but some things would. She picked out a hooded bunting big enough to fit over the appendages, socks and soft shoes that would last a year or more, and crib blankets.

Two of their guards took those bags, and the entire entourage—including the guard they’d left behind in the candy department—escorted her to the Sakk consulate’s limousine. Most new mates rode in the consulate vans, but Sakkra and Amy had insisted she use their limo, complete with the diplomatic seal and flags, because of Darren.

Ravon addressed Darm. “The van is a bit full. Would it be possible for me to ride in the car with you and your mate?”

A shiver of awareness worked its way up Sandy’s spine. It was a fifteen man van. The chances of it being full enough that their seven man detail wouldn’t fit was slim.

She started to look back to search for Zeke, but Darm’s wing closed around her.

He’s here.
“Yes. Please.” Though she didn’t doubt Darm could handle Zeke alone, three warriors sounded safer than two.
I’m a wimp.

Darm raised her hand and kissed the back through the ceremonial gloves she wore.”As you wish, my love. Ravon may join the driver. Darren may need to eat on the way back.”

And that isn’t something he wants Ravon seeing.

In short order, they were on their way back to the consulate, and Zeke was left far behind.

Where he belongs.

****

“I believe we should leave on this ship. There is plenty of room for us. There may not be on the next.” That last part wasn’t strictly true, he knew. To his knowledge, no ship leaving Earth had ever been full, but there was a possibility that one might be someday.

“Really?” Sandy’s excitement was infectious.

It was a relief as well. “Really. My family is anxious to meet you. The transport leaves tomorrow.”

“We’ll never be packed in time.” But the thought seemed to depress her.

“On the contrary, my belongings and our purchases can be packed and transported aboard by other warriors within two hours. I can pack your belongings in an hour longer, even if Darren demands your undivided attention.”

She hesitated only a moment.

A lifetime.

“Yes. The sooner we go, the better.” Her eyes were haunted, a sure sign that Zeke caused her unease.

Darm laid a soft kiss on her forehead. “The sooner, the better,” he agreed. “A new life awaits us.”

He took his leave and gave the orders to relocate them to the departing ship.

Then he informed medical, so all information about Darren’s condition and needs could be communicated to the ship’s medical crew. To his amazement, Gabin replied that he would travel with them to ensure continuity of the young one’s care.

Out of courtesy, Darm informed Sakkra about the trouble headed their way. As he expected, the prince gave the order to have them off planet before evening meal. Much to Darm’s surprise, Sakkra ordered everyone leaving the planet to do the same.

By midnight GMT -5, the ship would leave orbit. When a woman and child were threatened, the Sakk could move very quickly indeed.

****

Sandy watched the Earth disappearing on the shuttle’s screens, her muscles easing. No matter what Zeke tried to do now, they were beyond his reach.

I hope.
There were treaties between the Sakk emperor and the American government. There might be clauses in the treaty that would apply to this situation.

Darm reached his free right hand to the console and pressed buttons to change the view. “This is the ship that will take us to Sakk.”

A shuttle entering the landing bay gave her perspective. “It’s huge.” It was. The shuttle they were in was thirty feet wide and four times as long, but the entrance to the bay looked like the mail slot on the front of a ranch-style house.

He chuckled darkly. “Yes. It is indeed.”

Darren wiggled against his shoulder, and Sandy looked up at him, waiting for the complaint that he was wet or needed a feeding. The baby settled again with a sigh.

“He is fine,” Darm assured her.

“Should I carry him?”

“No. When we enter the ship, as when we enter my family’s ancestral home, I should carry Darren.”

She suspected it was a Sakk tradition and nodded her agreement.

One of the pilots spoke in the Sakk language and Darm answered in the same.

“What did he say?”

“We dock in a few moments.”

“I have to learn to speak Sakk,” she conceded. She’d only picked up a few words her entire time at the consulate, since Darm and Zave—as well as the doctors and royals—all spoke English for her.

He smiled. “I will teach you, but the ship’s translators will allow you to interact aboard ship...when we leave our quarters.”

“Why don’t they use them on the shuttles?”

“I have no idea. When Sa Beldon came aboard ship, translators were set one way...Earth languages translated to Sakk. Now they work both directions, but the shuttles have not been equipped. I suppose...We spend so little time on shuttles, it didn’t seem as important.”

“So I’ll know what you’re saying when you speak Sakk?”

His smile disappeared. “I will have to keep that in mind.”

“There’s something you don’t want me to hear?”

“No. But I often use the Sakk language to arrange surprises for you.”

Something told her he wasn’t being completely honest with her.

The docking was so smooth, the pilot announced their readiness to disembark without Sandy noting the slightest change.

Darm stood and helped Sandy to her feet. He reached across her body and threaded his fingers through hers. Then he closed her in with his wing, surrounding Sandy on three sides.

They made their way down the ramp, and the Sakk warriors at the base stopped to stare. A bark of command made Sandy jump. The warriors dropped to one knee and bowed their heads.

An older male with silver curls and gold ornamentation on his
cuzta
approached them. He bowed deeply and started speaking.

It was difficult to focus on the translated voice instead of the man’s natural one, and the dichotomy of his mouth moving and the overlapping sounds made her head spin. Somehow, she managed to make out the words.

“We are honored by your presence. You have my vow. You are all safe aboard my ship.”

Darm tipped his head. “My thanks, Sa Biren. If you would be so kind as to have your men unload my mate’s belongings and take them to our quarters, I should get my family settled.”

Biran waved a group of older warriors toward the shuttle. Sandy looked at the group, then at the younger men kneeling on the floor.

“Is there a problem?” Biran asked.

“I don’t understand.” She looked from one group to the other again. “Shouldn’t the younger men carry heavy loads?”

Biran smiled. “Only older, widowed warriors are permitted in the nest areas, but I assure you, we are able and strong enough to carry heavy loads.”

“Oh.” Realization stopped her cold. “I am so sorry for your loss.”

His smile went brittle. “I had fourteen wonderful years with my Judia. She presented me with three beautiful children. Both of my daughters have mates and have started families of their own. I cannot regret that.”

Sandy didn’t know how to reply to that. She nodded, tears stinging her eyes.

Biran said something in Sakk that didn’t translate.

Darm’s arm muscles tightened a notch. “You may.”

The older man stepped toward them, reached a hand out, and laid it on Darren’s tiny head. After a moment, he withdrew his hand, a faint smile on his face. “My crew has never been honored with transporting a babe so young before. My thanks for allowing me to offer my prayers.”

The other widowed warriors left the shuttle, each with a small box tucked under an arm, reinforcing how few belongings Sandy had amassed at the consulate. They peeked up at Darren, longing on their faces.

“Let them,” Sandy whispered.

Darm shot her a questioning look.

“It means so much to them.”

He nodded. “The masters may offer well wishes for our son. My mate is correct. Such an event should be fully appreciated.”

One by one, the old warriors approached, touched Darren’s head or back, and offered their thanks. When they had all done so, Biren led them to spacious quarters.

At the door, he bowed deeply. “We leave Earth’s gravity in a
ses-time
. Call for meals when you have need.”

Sandy worked at that. “But a
ses-time
is just over an hour. I thought the ship didn’t depart until tomorrow.”

He offered a sly smile. “All the passengers are aboard. Why should we tarry longer?”

Something told her there was more to it, but Sandy nodded her agreement and slipped inside the room.

Chapter Thirty-Eight

Sandy looked up from Darren’s dressing at a knock on the door. She nodded, and Darm went to it.

It was Biren. He kept his eyes averted while he spoke in low tones.

“Just a moment,” Darm replied. “Our son is nearly ready.”

He bowed and withdrew, closing the door behind him.

It had taken her weeks to learn how to wrap a formal
cuzta
; she’d been terrified she’d break one of Darren’s tiny wings. Now that she was at ease with it, it seemed the easiest way to dress a baby she’d ever seen.

Darren’s current outfit was one Darm’s parents had sent aboard for him. It was a deep blue that matched Darren’s eyes, with the family
Kieta
embroidered on it in silver. Sandy had added a slightly darker pair of socks and soft, black baby shoes.

Darm had assured her they would be disembarking through a tunnel and into a heated reception bay, so she’d opted to carry his bunting in the wrap bag until they needed it.

At last, she decided their son was perfect. At her nod, Darm cuddled Darren to his shoulder and offered her his hand. He adopted the same stance they had when they’d entered the ship. Sandy decided it must be ceremonial.

Biren waited for them in the hallway and led them out of the ship.

Sandy looked around at the nearly-deserted hallways, her head reeling. She’d never seen them so devoid of life. “Where is everyone?”

Their captain smiled back at her. “We let the others disembark first. Young Darren does not need to be exposed to such a crush of people for no good reason.”

She nodded. In other words, the healers had ordered them to minimize the crowds of new people Darren was exposed to. Sandy reversed that determination a moment later, when they stepped into the reception bay.

The crowd of people stole her breath. She’d been expecting Darm’s parents...or perhaps guards who would transport them to Darm’s ancestral home. There were easily more than a three dozen people in the huge bay.

An older winged Sakk warrior with silver curls escorted a short flight female that could be no one other than Darm’s mother toward them. The
Kieta
at his neck confirmed their identities, and Sandy dipped her head to them in greeting.

Darm’s mother didn’t leave it at that. She released her mate’s arm and gathered Sandy into a hug. Sandy hesitated a moment, then returned it.

When the older woman released her, Sandy looked over at Darm, smiling at the sight of his father’s big hand covering Darren’s lower back.

Darm’s mother crowded in. “May I hold my grandson?” she asked in slow, smooth Sakk.

Darm probably warned them that I’m still learning their language.

Darm chuckled. “Sandy, these are my parents, Elenna and Daragan.” He turned Darren and settled him in his mother’s arms.

She cooed to him, and Darren smiled widely in return. Tears pooled in Elenna’s eyes. Daragan wrapped an arm around his mate, seemingly content.

Movement to one side of the room drew Sandy’s attention. She looked around at the approaching group, wondering at them. The central couple were dressed in pure white clothing with gold accents and surrounded by armored warriors.

Darm looked that direction and froze for an instant. His smile faded, and he dropped to one knee, his head bowed deeply.

Sandy started to curtsey, stopped, and tried to dissect what she’d been taught about situations in which Darm would kneel. Realization made her blood run cold.
He’s never mentioned it.

More confusing than that, Darm’s parents had turned to look at the newcomers and tipped their heads politely, but neither of them bowed or went to one knee.

What am I supposed to do?

“May I?” the male asked in a tone that sounded of some sort of ceremony.

“Yes. We would be honored,” Darm hastened to reply.

He reached his hands out, and Daragan transferred Darren from his mate’s arms to the newcomer’s. The female at his side trilled to Darren, smiling at his baby laugh.

The silence around them was absolute. Sandy forced her breath in and out, questions rising in her throat.

At last, the male holding her son met her gaze. “He will make a fine
appamora
someday.”

“
Appamora?
” Sandy had never heard the term before.

Darm took her hand in his, looking up at her. “Sakkrel is offering Darren training in his chosen trade at the palace. The best of all tradesmen practice their trades there.”