Haven 4 AVOW - Sandra R Neeley Page 0,35

She still wore only Lo’San’s undershirt. “Crap,” she exclaimed. “Can you answer the com? Is that even possible?” Synclare asked.

“I can do anything, Synclare. What shall I say to the Eschinians?” Missy asked.

“Tell them I’ll be right with them,” Synclare said, rushing back into her bedroom and searching for the blue, silken robe that Lo’San had gifted her. She put it on and tied the sash securely before running her fingers through her hair. Standing to glance at her reflection in their mirror, she almost doubled over at another cramp. “This will have to do,” she whispered as she grit her teeth through the pain, then slowly made her way into the living space again.

Synclare situated herself on the sofa directly in front of the main com unit and spoke to Missy. “Okay, Missy, please put the vid com through,” she said, perching on the edge of the sofa, her back ramrod straight, gazing pleasantly into the com unit as it came to life before her. A matronly woman, with a head full of hair as white as Lo’San’s faced her and spoke in a language that Synclare didn’t understand. Almost immediately a translation began to play in the background. “I am looking for the mate of General Lo’San.”

“I am Synclare. Mate to General Lo’San. How can I help you?” Synclare asked, still smiling and doing her best to not allow her pain to show while she was waiting on the translation of her words to the woman on the vid com.

The woman’s face registered disdain before quickly being schooled into a more receptive expression. Had Synclare been at her best, she’d have noticed it. But she was still heavily medicated, and her body was still cramping and causing her to feel dizzy.

“I am Mee‘ta,” the woman said.

The name meant nothing to Synclare, but before she could ask any questions, the woman cleared everything up for her.

“Mother, to Lo’San.”

Synclare’s eyes widened. “I am so very happy to make your acquaintance, ma’am.”

“I’m sure you are. I shall get directly to the point of my call,” the woman said.

“Yes, ma’am,” Synclare answered, forcing her face to remain pleasant despite the wave of pain and nausea racing through her.

“I have had news of my son, Lo’San, taking a mate. It has pained me greatly that I am not a part of his happiness. We have been too far apart,” Mee‘ta said.

“Lo’San has spoken of your family. He greatly misses you,” Synclare offered.

“He’s said this?” Mee‘ta asked.

“Not exactly. But he smiles when he tells me stories of his childhood, and I know him well enough to know that he does miss you all very much. He has said as much about his brother,” Synclare added, thinking that would make things more real for Lo’San’s mother.

Mee‘ta’s attention seemed to be focused somewhere off screen before she zeroed in on Synclare again. “I should like to pay my respects to my son’s newly mated status, and repair any bonds that have been broken through pride.”

“That would be wonderful!” Synclare said, excited for the prospect of Lo’San coming together with his family again.

“Myself, Lo’San’s father, Lo’San’s brother and his mate and children, will all be arriving for a visit at the soonest available moment,” the woman said. Then she quickly added an insincere smile. “With your approval, of course,” she amended.

“I think it’s a wonderful idea. What can I do to help you with your arrangements?” Synclare asked.

“It must be cleared with those in charge of security, and if possible, I’d like to keep it from Lo’San until we actually arrive. I feel it would be better to surprise him than to keep him anxious at the thought of our arrival.”

“You’re right. I’ll speak to Sire Zha Quin Tha on your behalf,” Synclare said. “I’ll explain that it’s to be a surprise and if he agrees to allow the visit, I’ll com you back and we can talk about all the details.”

“That won’t be necessary. I’ll prepare our family for travel. Simply send word of when we are to meet the transport.”

Synclare paused for a moment, trying to determine if the woman just didn’t want her to com her, or what the situation was. She decided that Mee’ta most likely didn’t want to take the chance of Lo’San finding out about their impending visit before their arrival. “Of course. Thank you for reaching out. Lo’San will be so happy to see you all and know that all is right between him and his family.”

“Yes, I’m sure he