Page 9 of Desperate Measures

“Five kids under the age of ten would be a lot for the three of us and your grandmother to handle in any case,” Betra noted. “Anrel and Nayun handle themselves pretty well, but Jordan, Ejia, and Evelyn run everywhere according to…according to their mother.”

“Fine. Invite Clan Seot along. But Betra,” the warning tone was obvious, “don’t expect me to go out of my way to be her friend. We don’t like each other, and we never will.”

Even though she once saved your life. Betra knew reminding Resan of the fact would result in a major fight, however. It irritated the Dramok to no end that he wouldn’t be standing there now if it hadn’t been for Shalia Monroe’s heroics.

Besides, Resan had agreed to the arrangement. It was as much of a victory as Betra could hope for. Maybe, after so many years, the enmity between his Dramok and former lover would finally disappear.

“It’ll be so good to see you and Oses! A hunting trip sounds fantastic.”

Betra grinned at Shalia’s enthusiastic reply to his invitation. “Do you think your clan can make it?”

“We’re in the middle of the slow season as far as the cruise line is concerned,” she said, referring to the ocean-going line of vacation ships her Imdiko Cifa owned. Shalia was in charge of vid promotions for Cifiler Cruises. “Seot said only last night he needs to take time off. That goes double for me. Larten would stop whatever he’s doing to go on a hunting trip.”

“Excellent.” Betra beamed at her.

Shalia, appearing to stand before him thanks to the com vid, was as beautiful as ever. Ten years had passed since he’d first met the troubled young woman fleeing a dying Earth. She’d had a penchant for getting into life-threatening scrapes, often through no fault of her own. She’d certainly kept Betra and Oses on their toes and had brought them together as clanmates. In a way, Betra thought she’d had a hand in making Resan their Dramok too, though the eternally at-odds pair would have hotly denied it.

Maturity, motherhood, and career certainly agreed with her. Beyond her work at the cruise line, she also ran a fertility foundation, which provided Earther eggs to the many infertile Kalquorian women who wished to be mothers. Despite having five children of her own, she was in incredible shape. It was clear she’d kept up the workouts Resan had bullied her through during her stay on the ship.

Betra marveled for the millionth time that though they’d discovered an instant mutual antipathy, Resan and Shalia had done each other a lot of favors. He suppressed a sigh.

“I’ve missed you,” he said.

Her smile was warm, reminding him of the occasions he’d earned it. Of the days and nights he’d been fortunate to have her love. “It’ll be wonderful to spend a few days with you and Oses. We have a lot to catch up on.”

How he wished they could have more. If he’d been a different man who could curb an insatiable wanderlust that kept him from putting down real roots, if she and Resan could have dropped the visceral dislike even they admitted they had no real reason for…

If only.

* * * *

After his com to Shalia, Betra went for a walk through the transport’s crowded promenade. Resan had rolled his eyes at Betra’s mumbled “be back soon,” no doubt discerning his clanmate’s troubled feelings after speaking to Shalia. Oses had merely gazed at him levelly. Betra imagined he had sensed his Nobek’s understanding mixed with a note of judgment…and an unspoken plea for Betra to let it go.

The Imdiko knew he should. Hadn’t he told Shalia his career was too important to leave the fleet for? Betra couldn’t imagine another life for himself. Shalia and her oldest child Anrel, who’d been an infant when they’d gone to live on Kalquor, had deserved a real home. A clan who would adore them and give them everything they deserved. They’d found exactly that, and he should be thrilled to his marrow it had happened.

I am. I just wish we could have had longer than nine months. I wish we could have had a lifetime.

The intervening years hadn’t changed his feelings in the slightest. Usually, he could accept fate’s dictate. But as he neared another visit, the old regrets crowded in. He found himself flailing in a sea of memories and wanting what he’d let go.

For her sake. For Anrel’s sake. I did the right thing in sending them on. Why can’t I—

Betra’s morose thoughts cut off as he caught sight of a gorgeous human female, who was winning the attention of the off-duty Kalquorian crewmembers crowding the promenade and its complement of shops and attractions. Charity Nath, her shining chocolate hair framing an exquisite face, was a vision indeed. Her lush, curvaceous figure stunned several men to a standstill.

Betra hurried to her, his gaze sweeping for her fellow Earther refugees, who were cleared to frequent the promenade at the moment. He saw none, thank the ancestors. He had to restrain himself from grabbing her arm and dragging her from the promenade anyway.

“Matara, this isn’t your scheduled hour for recreation in this area. Allow me to escort you to your quarters.”

Her smile was sweet and cajoling. “Aw, Imdiko Betra. There are numerous friends to make at this time of day. Tons more excitement. I hardly saw anyone when I came in the middle of the afternoon yesterday.”

“Which was the idea. If anyone recognizes you—”

“Don’t you know Charity Nath is dead? Everyone thinks so.” She was barely paying attention to him, her greedy gaze sweeping the crowds and shopfronts, gauging where the most fun was to be had.

Betra felt a pang of sympathy. Charity was young, at the age where she was testing the waters of adulthood, chasing formerly forbidden attractions. She was due the enjoyments a woman in her early twenties should be indulging in freely.

There was no denying his responsibility as her liaison, however. “Everyone thought Borey and Hope Nath were dead too. They now know your sister is a member of Clan Piras and suspect your father didn’t die either. Sooner or later, your picture will surface, and you’ll be identified. Please, you must return to your quarters now.”

Her façade of sweet appeal vanished, replaced by an impatient scowl. Betra was suddenly reminded of Shalia when she’d first boarded the transport nearly ten years prior despite there being no true physical resemblance between the women. Charity was apparently capable of changing her attitude just as quickly as Shalia had been.

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