Chapter 1

Ellax Pendorgrin

I could barely conceal the fury writhing beneath my skin as I exited the transport into the wretchedly cold Earth night. Thankfully, the journey across the spaceport to the hovercraft was short. The wind tugged at my coat, twisting it about my knees as I strode towards the waiting ship.

I cannot wait to leave this blasted place, I thought, jogging up the steps into the ship's warm interior. The doors closed behind me. A flight escort waited. She was a small Doreethan female, whose full breasts immediately drew my attention. Among Asterion males, Doreethan females held a reputation as excellent bedmates. However, her reddish skin and double eyes were not to my taste.

Still, I considered the notion briefly as she escorted me to my chambers on the ship, but ultimately put it aside. No. Of what use were females, beyond simple breeding and providing an heir? I had just left an audience with my sole living son, Caide, who had given up all chance for a better life as a future Elder, even potentially a Lead Advisor in the Interstellar Coalition itself…all because of a blasted female with no worth in the grand scheme of interplanetary politics and policies.

And a human female, at that.

My lower lip practically curled in distaste.

What did the boy see in her? Certainly, not her outward appearance. She was not ugly, by any means, but she lacked the grace and refinement of a proper Asterion wife. His tastes differed from mine. I would not give up power and prestige for any female, much less one as ordinary as the wife Caide had chosen.

Was this marriage to a human female and refusal to come home rebellion against me for not having assumed a larger role in raising him? I should have done better by Caide, I acknowledged bitterly, dropping my gear in the corner of the room to deal with later. My quarters were a single bedchamber, a washroom, and a fairly spacious closet, but I currently lacked the energy to unpack or stow my bag away. My thoughts were on my son.

Caide had not merited my attention. He was a bastard, and really deserved nothing more than my keeping him alive—which I had. Alive and well cared for. He'd lacked for nothing. However, I ought to have used foresight. From his childhood, I should have reckoned with the fact that his brother might expire unexpectedly—which he had. And that Caide's stepmother, my wife, would perish as well. I should have been kinder to Caide, in case the odds were against me and he would one day be my sole living offspring. But who could have foreseen that?

"Stars take it," I swore. Before thinking better of it, I slammed a fist into the wall, giving vent to my anger, relishing the pain that spread up my knuckles, my wrist, and my arm as a fleeting distraction from my dilemma.

I hadn't been a bad father. I could have been a wiser one. Now I was left with this mess.

Dropping onto the edge of the bed, rubbing my red, sore knuckles with my other hand, I gritted my teeth and attempted to think.

What to do now?

Caide had not only won my oath that I would harass neither him nor his wife further, he also had the means to destroy me if I were to change my mind. I was stuck. I was loathe to admit it, but my bastard son had bested me. He would not be coming home to Asterion. Instead, I would go back to a home devoid of wife and son. Not that I'd cared overmuch for either of them. Druea had been cold and indifferent, finding far more pleasure in her endless extravagances of shopping, clothing, shoes, and cosmetics than in my company. Grivan, the stars rest his soul, had been a twit. Like his mother, vain trifles had occupied him far more than matters of import. I'd never been able to impress on him the importance of politics or an Elder's position. He'd seen only the glamor—not the labor.

Sighing, I straightened, pulling off my boots and removing my coat, tossing both in the corner, next to my bag, for the flight escort to put away later, before reclining fully on the bed. Around me, the space ship hummed, preparing for departure.

Truthfully? Caide, who had not been raised by me, was far more like me in many respects. He was ambitious, in his own way. Determined. Prepared to work hard and make sacrifices. I simply wished those sacrifices hadn't been his career, or his life, for the sake of his human wife. I would never admit it to my illegitimate son, yet, given the proper tutelage, he would undoubtedly have made an excellent ruler. Far better than his brother.

Damn these useless regrets, I swore, sitting up when I heard a soft knock at my door.

"Elder Pendorgrin?"

"Enter," I invited, and heard the door to my room—activated by my voice—slide open. Around the corner appeared the Doreethan female, bearing a loaded tray.

"Some refreshments, Elder," she said, placing the tray on the table beside my bed. "I hope they will make your journey more pleasant."

I grunted an acknowledgment, casting a curious look at the tray to see what she had brought.

When she failed to leave immediately, I glanced over at her. She stood straight, hands folded at her waist, smiling at me.

"Might I provide anything…else for you, Elder?"

Was she propositioning me? Offering her body for my use?

I reconsidered it briefly, and found I was still not attracted to her. Perhaps if she'd been of another race. The distraction might have proved welcome.

"No," I said, waving her away. "But have the captain send word once we pass the Quarter Galaxy."

"As you wish, Elder. Good night."

She turned to leave, and my attention involuntarily dropped to her backside, outlined by her formfitting green pants.

Abrupt hunger welled for female flesh. That distraction? Stars, I realized I could use it. But not hers. A Doreethan's. I'd already thrown out that idea. I wished for an Asterion, Frithian, Kackden, or even a human female, which I sometimes preferred.

I supposed I could not fault my son for that, when I had also enjoyed a romp with a human from time to time.

The best place to find easy access to any females one desired was the pleasure planet, Drixus. Ruled by Masters who rivaled one another in providing the most beautiful females, the best gaming tables, and any and all pleasures in the universe, Drixus was a place of excess and sin. My late wife had loathed visiting there. It was not her idea of good entertainment. It was mine.

"Flight escort?"

The small female was half out my door but stopped, twisting to look back at me.

"Yes, Elder?"

Was that hopefulness in her double set of eyes?

Ignoring it, I said, "Send word to the captain. Never mind the Quarter Galaxy. Have him redirect the ship to Drixus, by order of Elder Pendorgrin. Tell him I will send an official message by textmail soon."

I did not miss the way her features fell, nor did I care that I'd disappointed her.

"Drixus, sir?"

"You heard me correctly. Drixus. I've…business to attend to."

Everyone knew the only business on Drixus was pleasure of whatever variety one might favor. Regardless, a lowly flight escort would not argue with me. Neither would the captain of this ship.

"Of course, sir. I will bring word immediately."

With that she was gone, and I allowed myself to undress. Before climbing into bed, I typed out an official order to the ship's captain concerning our direction change, and sent it via textmail. I then applied healing ointment to my sore jaw, which bore the mark of my daughter-in-law's punch. For a moment, I gazed in the mirror, reliving the feeling of the human female striking me. I supposed I'd deserved it. However, the pain was temporary, as was the bruise. The healing cream I'd applied would erase any signs of it by tomorrow, as Drixus would temporarily erase my memories of this damned planet.

Climbing into bed, I closed my eyes and gave myself over to sleep. I would rest during the flight to the pleasure planet, replenishing my strength in anticipation of long nights at the gaming tables and scorching sessions with beautiful females. Of course, I needed to solve the question of an heir, but that could wait for a time. After all, I was still young—relatively—and had plenty of time before the stars called me on my final journey. Plenty of time to sire an heir. Possibly adopt one.

Let me find enjoyment before I have to go back to business .

Closing my eyes, I pushed all thoughts of my problems aside and slept.