Page 180 of Alien Haven

“I’m sorry we let him take you,” Ilid said. “We promised we’d keep you safe.”

“If anyone failed, it was me,” Detodev said. “I know not to trust anyone who hasn’t personally proven themselves to me. I stopped to help the man who’d fallen instead of staying with you—”

“Guys, stop.” Charity touched their strong, dear faces in turn. “I’ve seen bad shit, remember? I’m well aware those who’d give their lives for me can’t always save me. If you knew how it felt when you burst in the barn to stop Wilkes…you’d realize you have nothing to apologize for. If he’d gotten me to New Bethlehem, it wouldn’t have kept me from the gratitude you did all you could.”

“We’ll do better from now on.” Mitag’s eyes were bright from emotion. He glanced at the other two to include them. “I found paradise, and I won’t lose it again.”

Ilid nodded. Detodev did too.

Charity’s feet barely touched the ramp as her lovers bore her to the spaceport’s floor, where Clan Codab, Clan Amgar, and the children waited, beaming happiness to have her among them once more. Even the elder Nobek brutes Groteg and Gruthep hugged her enthusiastically and shouted their delight to see her home safely.

Dramok Dolgra was there. He stood in the background, smiling slightly as she was fussed over. When she looked at him, he bowed. “Welcome home,” he mouthed. He no doubt realized she wouldn’t hear him, thanks to the exclamations of her found family.

Havenwashome. Charity wouldn’t fight it, though she could hardly believe it.

Imdiko Utber shouted to be heard above the hubbub. “You’re all invited to the farm for a special meal to celebrate our Charity’s homecoming.”

Her brow lifted to hear him use her real name. Groteg smirked, “We have reason to believe you can come out of hiding. We’ll have to remain watchful, but you can be Charity Nath from now on.”

“Thanks to you and despite me, no doubt.” She grinned. “Don’t feel bad. I give those who mean the most to me the hardest time.”

He chuckled, then sobered. “Much has happened you haven’t learned yet. Some of it, you won’t be too happy about, so we need to talk…but you are free to remain on Haven with Kalquor’s blessing.” He glanced over his shoulder at Dolgra, who nodded.

“Just try to make me leave,” she laughingly dared them.

* * * *

Charity stared at the men sitting across from her in Clan Amgar’s sitting room. She could hear noise and chatter from the kitchen and dining room as everyone else pitched in to ready for the celebratory feast Utber had prepared, but they might as well have been as distant as the stars in the night sky.

“Browning Copeland’s dead.” She’d told Wilkes the truth, though she hadn’t known it at the time. Unreality washed over her as she repeated what the spy and enforcer had told her at the start of their news.

Groteg and Dolgra nodded.

“The announcement’s being held off while Kalquor determines how to reveal it to the public.”

“We need to keep the Dark-controlled Galactic Council from capitalizing on the fact Copeland died under Kalquor’s illegal custody.” Dolgra’s gaze held steady.

“My father is asking to take responsibility for it, to erase any blame being assigned to your empire. He wants to stand trial before a jury on Earth since the GC is too dangerous to involve in the matter.” The words hissed from Charity. She had no voice to speak the awful suggestion.

Black-haired heads dipped once more.

She swallowed a lump in her throat to clear it. “How would it be possible for him to do so? To take full responsibility?”

Dolgra’s tone held its usual command, but he spoke gently, as if afraid she’d fly apart at the slightest provocation…which she felt ready to do. “His story will be that he sent his daughters to live in hiding. Then he and a group of likeminded Earthers abducted Copeland minutes ahead of Admiral Piras and Captain Kila destroying his battlecruiser. Clan Piras discovered General Nath’s daughters’ whereabouts, then took responsibility for your welfare, believing your father and Browning Copeland were dead.”

“And they ended up clanning my sister while I was sent to live on Jedver with my aunt and uncle. What a nice, neat package so far.” Charity’s tone wavered on a sneer.

It failed to demonstrate what she felt. She thought she might scream.

“Your father wants to testify he and his co-conspirators, whom he won’t name for obvious reasons—”

“Because his co-conspirators are the Kalquorian Empire.”

Dolgra continued as if she hadn’t spoken. “—held the Holy Leader prisoner in retaliation for his crimes. They did so because they were determined he wouldn’t escape justice.”

“This is bullshit.” Charity couldn’t help the furious outburst. Borey was abandoning his chance to be in her life in order to save Kalquor’s reputation with its allies. He was putting the good of the galaxy over her again. His selfless saintliness warred with her selfish need for her father. Selfishness she acknowledgedbut couldn’t defeat. “Someone else has to take the blame for a change. Someone else should be responsible. He’s given up too much already. You can’t let him do this.”

“We’re working on other ideas. I agree your father has sacrificed his fair share.”

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