Page 37 of Kameer's Mate
“Your father would refuse to live in any house built by Darrvasons,” Mom eventually says. “Even though humankind would have perished by now if not for their help, he doesn’t have a high opinion of the aliens.”
“You don’t have to live with Dad on 58-Z,” Tasha blurts.
Mom appears scandalized by the very suggestion. “Of course I do. He’s my husband.”
“The husband you have to tiptoe around, lest you inadvertently send him into one of his moods that lasts for days.” Tasha takes a deep breath and shakes her head. “I love Dad, I really do, but he’s gotten worse over the years, and we’re all suffering for it. And now we’re talking about forgoing help we need just to satisfy his ego? It’s not right.”
“We don’t need the Darrvason’s help,” Mom says. “Well, aside from Tasha’s medical treatments. But we can survive on 58-Z just fine without any assistance from the aliens.”
“Would you rather Tasha enter an arranged marriage just to benefit the family?” I ask in the gentlest tone I can muster. “Mom, your marriage to Dad was arranged. Your own fatherpushed you into it, and you had very little choice. Don’t you want something better for Tasha?”
“I wanted something better for both my daughters!” Her eyes fill with tears. “I wish I could change things. I wish families weren’t forced to make alliances just to survive. But if your father can arrange for Tasha to marry a Founder, a younger one, our standing on 58-Z will be better. We’ll be safer.”
“Dad has always wanted both of us to marry Founders,” Tasha says, “but I’m not convinced that’s the best plan for survival on 58-Z. The Founders are wealthy, but most of them aren’t accustomed to hard work. Can you picture them trying to grow their own food or build their own houses? I can’t.”
“A lot of Founders look down on regular citizens like us,” I add, thinking of Ned. “It’s possible the Founders will have a difficult time finding non-Founders willing to build their houses and tend their crops, even if Founders offer fair wages. Where would the non-Founders spend their money, anyway? There aren’t any outposts nearby. And having goods imported on chartered vessels will be ridiculously expensive. Furthermore, the unrest that’s brewing against Captain Warren and his command team very well might affect the Founders. Something big is going to happen once theJansonnalands on 58-Z. I can feel it.”
“Well, you might have a point there,” Mom says. “I have wondered just how long Captain Warren would hold on to his power once we reached 58-Zallnanis.”
“The whole ship is buzzing about Dad punching him in the nose.” A smile plays over Tasha’s lips. “A lot of people are calling him a hero and they don’t even know why he did it. I’ve also witnessed several people in the corridors jokingly reenacting the punch. The resentment is growing, and I think it would be smart to hold off on making any alliances until after we reach 58-Z andsee who comes out on top, and I’m not just saying that because I don’t want to get married.”
We continue the discussion in a much calmer manner than before, our emotions no longer running so high. I’m glad Mom’s in agreement about biding our time, though I’m still a bit shocked that Tasha suggested she live apart from Dad on 58-Z. I’m also shocked by Tasha’s confession that she sometimes regrets not being on the list.
“Well, it was lovely seeing you, Mandy, but we really ought to leave soon,” Mom eventually says. “Doctor Zahhn is coming early tomorrow morning to give Tasha another treatment, and she needs to get plenty of sleep first.”
“Of course. Thank you both for coming. It was so good to see you. Please tell Leona and Doctor Zahhn I said ‘hello.’” I stand and escort them to the entryway, and Kameer returns just as we reach the door.
I catch a glimpse of the Darrvason guards in the corridor, and I can’t help but wonder why they’re really here. When Kameer informed me of their arrival the other day, he’d muttered something vague about keeping me safe. At the time, I felt he was holding something back, and I still do.
Is their presence related to the message on the info screen?You will soon be free of Chief Kameer.I swallow hard.
“Did you happen to see the captain?” Mom asks Kameer in a hopeful tone.
“I tried, but he’s sequestered in his quarters while a physician tries to fix his nose. But I can assure you that I intend to speak with him as soon as possible. Also, I visited the brig where I bribed several guards to make sure Carl Benton is fed regularly and treated well.”
“Thank you for your help.” Tasha smiles and seems more at ease in Kameer’s presence than when she first arrived for lunch.
“Yes, thank you,” Mom says.
Before we exchange farewells, Kameer invites them over for dinner in three nights. I’m touched by his acceptance of my family. He’s not trying to keep me isolated from them, like I’d feared Ned would. This realization makes my heart soften as I watch him wave goodbye to Mom and Tasha before he closes the door.
You will soon be free of Chief Kameer.
Oh, God. What should I do?
Maybe I need him. Maybe I need him as much as he needs me.
When he turns to face me, my upper arms start tingling.
“Pretty human,” he says in a deep rumbling voice that incites my desires. “I’ve missed you.” But just as he approaches, his wrist comm beeps and buzzes.
He pauses in his steps and glances down with a growl, then he issues what I suspect is a Darrvason curse.
“What is it?” I pray nothing is wrong. Well, nothing new.
He closes the distance between us, takes me in his arms, and kisses my forehead. “The environmental controls on the lower decks are malfunctioning, and I must help my crew with the repairs.” He kisses me again, and this time it’s a lingering kiss to my lips that leaves me breathless. “I will return to you as quickly as I can, pretty human.” His eyes darken. “Perhaps you should rest in my absence. I intend to keep you up very late.”
Chapter 19
