Exit Strategy (Tales Of The Citadel #58)(17)

Ahlgos whispered, “I can think of other uses.”

“Then don’t delay next time. I like my heroes prompt.” She winked and led her hero into the galley of the ship with her guests trailing behind.

Declarations of love could wait. They had the rest of their lives together, after all.





Epilogue


Yna set the shuttle down and triple checked her documents on her data pad.

Ahlgos poked his head into the command area and asked, “Are you ready?”

She nodded. “I am. I have all the proper forms filled out and authorized by the imperial house.”

“Good. Let’s go.”

“Do you have the bag?”

“I do.”

“Excellent.” She got up and passed him, stroking his chest and shoulders as she moved along the hallway, brushing against him. “What is taking you so long?”

He shuddered and followed her, his free hand seeking out her hip and the curve of her butt.

She chuckled and armoured her backside, thickening the Masuo.

“That’s cheating.”

She grinned. “We have been married for a year and you are only catching on to my cheating now? You are very slow for a Guardsman.”

They left their shuttle and walked across the tarmac with long strides, heading for the customs office.



It took them less than an hour to make it through customs with their new import, and then, they were on their way to the Ikato property.

Yna looked to her husband and his care with their gifts. A slight smile played around her lips as she flew them across the landscape to the vineyard.

The moment that they landed, they knew why their visit had been given priority standing.

Srevesh came out and removed the ear protection. “Do you have something that can help?”

Yna reached for the bag that Ahlgos was carrying. “We are assured that this will do the trick.”

The contents of the bag shifted, and Yna headed for the centre of the house where the plaintive wails could be heard.

Li and Nia were both pacing, each trying to sooth a newborn who was unhappy with the press of minds on it.

“So, where are my niece and nephew?”

Both new mothers turned to Yna with relief.

“Sit on the floor, and I will give you the treatment for this problem.”

The new mothers didn’t sit, they collapsed.

Yna walked in and settled on the floor between them, opening the bag.

Two third-generation Yaluthu appeared, one pink and one vivid purple. They flapped their wings and bumped into each other as they headed to the baby who would be their person.

“What do we do?” Nia held her son as the small creature approached, its huge eyes blinking as it chattered encouragingly.

Yna had to raise her voice to be heard over the wail of the infants. “Just help the Yaluthu make contact with the babies. They will do the rest.”

Li held her daughter close to the approaching fluff ball, and the moment that the waving green fist touched the fluff... there was silence.

Nia saw it and rapidly extended her own child toward the purple beast. The Yaluthu hopped onto the baby, and after a few seconds, silence fell.

The mothers looked at each other and laughed helplessly.

Li cleared her throat. “How long can I keep it?”

Yna rubbed the back of her neck. “About that. The bond is permanent. The Yaluthu will remain with the children until they are adults, helping them shield their minds from the outside world.”

Nia was less shocked. “What do we feed it?”

The purple critter tucked itself into a small ball and was in the crook of the baby’s arm.

Yna looked over to Li, and the small pink bundle was doing the same on the alert and happy baby.

Huknos came running in. “Is something wrong? The baby stopped crying.”

His hair was dishevelled, and his clothing was askew. It was fairly obvious that he had just laid down to rest.

Groven was behind him, and he skidded to his knees next to Li. “Is she all right?”

Yna sighed. “As you know, your children were born with open minds. The Yaluthu form an emotional stability link with the child and act as a buffer. All you have to do is feed them and give them a place near the baby to sleep. They will grow with the child, and when they are ready, they will reproduce.”

Li looked from the purple to the pink. “They are a breeding pair?”

Yna rubbed the side of her nose. “No. They are self-producing. Each Yaluthu will have anywhere from one to seven offspring, but they can delay that reproduction until their host is ready to help them care for the little ones.”

Li blinked. “What will we do with the babies?”

Yna chuckled. “Their parent will care for them. I will explain more on the next trip, but these are help for your children for their entire lives. It is weird that they are both open-minded, but then, it does suit this family.”

Ahlgos came in with his parents, and he grinned. “Our family.”

“Yes, Ahlgos, our family.” Yna got to her feet and swayed a little. Her husband was at her side in an instant to steady her.

She leaned against him and sighed. “This leave is coming at just the right time.”

Miett picked up on their close proximity and the careful way that Ahlgos was holding her. “Is there another grandchild on the way?”