Chapter 18

Krestar fought back a wave of guilt as he left the hospital. He hadn't lied to Lauren - he'd told her that he was going to meet with another Cire living on Trevelor. But he hadn't told her the Hrebec was the leader of the Cire colony a few hours away from the city. Nor that he wanted to inspect it and see if it would provide a suitable living environment for their family.

He didn't want her to get excited about something which might not prove a viable option, although of course he would discuss it with her once he had gathered all the facts and they would make the decision together. But he didn't think she was quite ready to be dragged off on a journey to meet more strangers.

She was still worn down from the fever and only just beginning to recover the strength in her muscles, and the doctor had agreed that it would be best if she remained at the hospital for at least a few more days. He'd told her he would be gone for most of the day, but he was determined to keep the visit as short as possible.

He'd rented a flyer for the day and when he reached the colony, he did a slow loop, inspecting the place from the air. It appeared neat and prosperous, although more basic than he'd imagined. Then again, a pleasant rural community was a definite improvement over Ciresia's decaying splendor.

He landed the flyer in the location he'd been given and climbed out. Hrebec was waiting for him, a commanding male about the same age. He'd known of him from the labs, although they'd had little direct contact. The male he remembered had been stern and reserved, weary as they all had been, but this male appeared far more relaxed although he still maintained his warrior breeding.

"Captain Hrebec. It is a pleasure to see you again," he said politely. "Thank you for inviting me."

"Commander Krestar. I must admit I was surprised to get your message. No one has mentioned meeting you since you joined the Patrol."

"My jobs were always solo. I wished to be alone."

Hrebec nodded.

"I can understand that. Those years in the labs destroyed something in each of us. But now that has changed?"

"Yes. I have a mate and a child."

He could hear the pride in his voice and Hrebec nodded understandingly.

"It changes everything, does it not? I understand you are considering a move here?"

"I am not sure. I do not think that life onboard my ship would be best for my family but I want to know what options are available before discussing them with my mate."

"Of course. Let me show you around."

Hrebec escorted him through the village. It was as pleasant as it had appeared from the air, but he wasn't sure it was the right choice - for either of them. They ended up in Hrebec's shop, another surprise.

"You make furniture?"

"Yes. It was my father's hobby but it has become my profession." He shrugged. "It suits me."

Before he could ask any more questions, three children came racing in - a blonde human girl, a small boy who combined Cire and human traits, and… a small Cire female. He gazed at her in shock and she tilted her head, studying him back. Then she gave him a sweet, shy smile and joined the other two.

"Mama says we can spend the night with Auntie Elaina if you say it's all right. It's all right, isn't it? She's making ice cream," he oldest girl pleased. "Please, Papa.

"I do not know, Lucie," Hrebec said solemnly. "What will Mama and I do without you?"

"A bunch of kissing." she said, wrinkling her nose.

"I suppose we could do that," he agreed with a mock sigh. "Very well."

The three cheered and raced off again.

"Your daughter is Cire?" he asked, still shocked.

"One of my daughters." Hrebec frowned at him.

"Yes, of course. It is just - is anything we were told true?"

"Perhaps it would be correct to say it was mostly true. Tiana is a rare exception, but I have heard that there are other female Cire. And while we can form a mate bond with a non-Cire female, those females are also rare. Although human females seems particularly compatible," he added thoughtfully.

"Does the Council know?"

"The Council does not want to know."

He had suspected as much. He nodded thoughtfully, then rose to his feet.

"Thank you for the tour. I need to return."

"I understand. If you decide to move here, you will be welcome. But even if you do not move here permanently, I hope you will visit. My mate enjoyed company."

They were almost back at the flyer when Hrebec reached into his pocket.

"I keep a message box at the port that is open to any Cire because so many of us have scattered. This message was left there. My mate says it is written in English and addressed to Lauren. I understand that is your mate's name?"

"It is," he said eagerly. "And she has been searching for information on a friend who was taken at the same time. I hope this will relieve her mind."

"I hope so too, although I should warn you that Captain Luxor was the one who actually left the message."

Luxor? He suddenly wondered if Zythrak had known more than he indicated. Annoying male.

He sighed.

"I have heard rumors, of course, but I choose to believe he is still Cire enough that he would not hurt a female."

"I hope so too. Let me know if there is anything I can do."

"Thank you."

He took the message and flew back to the city. Lauren's doctor was with her when he arrived and his mate gave him radiant smile.

"TeShawna says I can leave tomorrow. Thank goodness. Not that it's not a nice hospital," she added with a guilty look at the doctor.

The other female laughed.

"I understand. Do you know where you're going?"

"It is one of the things we need to discuss."

"The I will leave you to it. Once you're settled you must come over for dinner. My mate is a wonderful cook. Unlike me," TeShawna added ruefully.

"We'd love to," Lauren assured her, then held out her hand to him as the doctor left. "I missed you."

"I missed you too."

He kissed her, relishing her sweet taste and the way her body molded to his. He would have enjoyed prolonging it, but the message was burning a hole in his pocket.

"I have something for you."

He handed it to her, wrapping his tail around her when her face paled.

"That's Felicity's writing," she whispered.

"What does it say?"

Her hands shook as she opened it and her voice was equally tremulous as she read it to him.

Dear Lauren,

I'm praying that this message finds you - and the baby - safe and well. Luxor seems to think that you'll end up here sooner or later, and I've found he's generally right, which is rather annoying. I wish I could stay and wait for you but he says I'm needed. I'll be back as soon as I can.

All my love,

Felicity

She turned the letter over as if more might be written on the back, then frowned at him.

"Luxor? Who the hell is Luxor?"

"I do not know him personally, but I have heard of him," he said slowly. "He is also Cire."

"You mean he's a Patrol officer? He isn't taking her back to Earth, is he? No, she said she'd be back."

"He's not in the Patrol."

"Then who is he? What does he do? And why does he need Felicity?"

"I do not know why he needs her." Unless he too had failed for a human female. "But you said she had medical skills?"

"She's s doctor, but why would he need a doctor? You don't think he would take her anyplace dangerous, do you?"

He wished he could give her a definite no.

"A true Cire always protects a female," he said instead, hoping that Luxor had not completely abandoned his training. "As for what he does, he is a… trader."

"That sounds harmless enough." She sighed. "I guess I'll just have to wait until she returns."

"Yes, and in the meantime, we can plan our own new life."

She smiled at last and kissed him again.

"That sounds absolutely perfect."

And it was.