Devotion (Chosen by the Karal #5)(25)
He knew how she liked to be touched, how her body reacted to his. He knew the things about Karal she wanted to see, that she hated the way Earth was dying. But what she liked for breakfast, he had no idea. Nor did he know if she had a favourite flower, or a favourite scent.
He smiled. These were the small things he wanted to learn about her, to grow old with her learning something new every day.
So now he stood with a tray of pastries, with a mug of tole and a jug of jeweto for Charlie. The two sleeping forms stirred and Tikki lifted her head, smiling at him, and he longed to go back to bed with her, to make love to her once more. Then the small face of Charlie looked up and he felt a small tug of love for the child, which surprised him; it also meant he didn’t resent the way this morning had begun. He had long dreamed of waking beside Tikki and making love to her before taking her around his planet and showing her his world. He let himself be content that she was here, and safe. They had the rest of their lives to make love.
“That smells wonderful,” Tikki said. “What is it?”
“Some tole, and I made fresh pastries. Then there is juice for Charlie. Or you. I didn’t know if you like coffee in the morning.”
“Ahh, your famous tole. I have been waiting to try it.” She scooted to the edge of the bed and picked out a pastry. “I might need to eat one of these first. I am famished. How about you, Charlie?”
“I am hungry,” he said, and Okil swore he was drooling as he took a pastry and crammed it in his mouth. “I like that one.”
“Try one of these,” Okil said, pointing to one sweetened with something very similar to how Earth honey used to taste.
“They are sweet.” Charlie ate it in two bites and then licked his fingers. “Another one, please.”
“Are you eating with us, Okil?” Tikki asked.
“No. I have had some tole and I will eat later. I am going to the tower. I have some research to do and I need to meet with the council.”
She placed her hand on his. “Would it help if I came too?”
He shook his head. “No, the Hier Leader will only be expecting me. Humans do not have a place in the council chambers unless they are specifically invited.”
“I forgot we are not equal,” Tikki said and leaned forward to hug him. “Hurry back.”
“I will. I have a few other things to do while I am there, but then I will come home and see you. I will try to get a bed for Charlie. There is one in the breeding house I can probably bring home.”
“Don’t put yourself in any danger. Well, no more than you are already in by having us here.” She kissed his shoulder, electrifying his skin, and red flames shot out, licking at his heart.
“Don’t worry, Tikki.” He kissed her briefly and then placed the tray on the bed and got up. “Use what you need. If you go in the garden, try to keep to the back where it is difficult to see in. Also, watch for any cruisers that may fly overhead. They are solar powered and sometimes difficult to hear.” He wanted to go on, running through a list of things they should or should not do, but there was little point. It would all come down to luck for them to keep Charlie hidden.
He went out to his cruiser, breathing in the fresh air, wondering if this was the last time he would see Tikki and Charlie. For all he knew, he was being summoned to the tower so that the guard could arrest him and then come to take Tikki away. He knew he had broken one of the council’s laws by bringing her here without permission.
That was without the discovery of Charlie. If they found him, well, this might be the last free breath he ever took into his lungs. One more long, deep draw of clean air before he got into his cruiser and went to meet his fate.
However, he refused to let himself be drawn down into a spiral of despair; for all he knew, he would simply get a reprimand, or be sentenced to be whipped, but no more. He was sure that he had earned enough respect from the council over these last few months for them to see he was no threat.
As long as they didn’t know about Charlie.
How could they? Pushing those thoughts away, needing to be calm when he entered the tower and went before the council, he parked his cruiser and entered the long, cool corridor that took him to the council chambers.
It was early but they were already assembled. He knew they liked to meet and discuss the latest developments on Earth and Karal before they each went about their daily business. Each had a role to play in how Karal worked. From Torac, Hier Commander, in charge of the planet’s security, down to Ishk, who oversaw the farmers and growers who fed and clothed Karal.
“Okil,” the Hier Ruler said as he was let in. “I am pleased you came straight here this morning. I think you had better explain to us what you thought you were achieving taking a second female.”
“Tikki Sergeant is the mate I have chosen. For personal reasons she could not come here, or so I thought. I arranged for Darl to receive a female in my place. Only after the draw did I understand that Tikki was now able to complete the journey here with me.”
“So you took it on yourself to break with our ruling and bring an extra human?” Torac asked. There was something about his words, an inflection in his tone, that made Okil nervous. But he had to keep his head straight; they did not know about Charlie, he was sure.
“I admit to my weakness. I thought that with the lottery about to switch to being daily, that it would make little difference.”