Haven 4 AVOW - Sandra R Neeley Page 0,46

beside him. Lo'San turned partially and hugged his father back. “I do miss you, Father.”

Lau’San grinned widely. “As I miss you. I am very, very proud of your accomplishments, Lo'San. So many admire you and value your opinions. You are much respected.”

“Thank you, Father,” Lo'San said, not sure how his family knew of all his accomplishments.

“We make sure to keep up with news of your life. We hear a great while after news has happened, but we do hear. Which is why we’re here to congratulate you on your mating so long after the mating has actually taken place,” Lau’San explained.

“I see. Is that what’s brought you. I thought it was because Mother wished to repair our relationships,” Lo'San questioned.

“Can I not have more than one reason for asking to be included in my son’s life?” Mee’ta asked, coming forward from where she’d been seated in the living space.

“You rarely have a reason that does not involve bettering your own position, Mother. What is the actual reason you are here?” Lo'San demanded.

“Lo'San! How can you think anything other than a mother missing her child?” Mee’ta asked, feigning insult.

“I’ve been away for more than thirty rotations, Mother. Surely you’d have missed me enough by now to request a visitation.”

“Lo'San, I simply didn’t think you receptive. You seemed to have embraced your life away from us. Then I received news that you’d taken a mate and thought to myself, perhaps now his heart has softened enough to forgive an old female set in her ways,” Mee’ta said.

“She is truthful with you, my son. We have all missed you greatly,” Lau’San said.

Lo'San looked around the quarters they’d been assigned, but saw no trace of his brother. “Where is Ko’San?” Lo'San asked.

“He and his mate are in their quarters resting after our long trip,” Mee’ta said.

“And his young ones are here, as well?” Lo'San asked.

“Yes, they are. All are anxious to see you,” Mee’ta answered.

Lo'San stood there for a moment, considering all he’d been told since he’d arrived. Part of him wanted to believe it, but it was very, very difficult to do so. Finally reaching a decision, he looked from his father, to his mother, and turned to give her his full attention. “Let me be clear, Mother. I do not trust your reasons for being here. Had you contacted me rather than my mate, I would have refused your request to come here. My mate, however, is kind and good. She has a loving heart despite all she’s endured. She is all that I am concerned with in this entire situation. If you disrespect her in any way, if you upset her in any way, if you make her regret arranging what she thought was a good thing for me, I will evict you from this ship without thought. You will be immediately banished from here and will be on your own as to how or even if you are able to make it back to Eschina,” Lo'San threatened.

“Lo'San!” Mee’ta exclaimed.

“Further… arrangements are being made as we speak to plan for a transport to meet ours and return you to Eschina as soon as logistically possible. I do not for one minute believe you arrived here with completely innocent intentions. Do not make my mate regret falling for your claims of missing me.” His threats and demands delivered, Lo'San spun on his heel and strode toward the door.

“I am truly hurt by your doubts of my desire to reunite with you, Lo'San. You are my son!” Mee’ta exclaimed, her voice conveying pain, or an attempt to seem pained.

Lo'San paused at the door and looked back at her. “Then prove me wrong, Mother. Prove me wrong. I would welcome it. In the meantime, be on your best behavior. I will be watching to ensure that Sink Lar is not caught up in whatever machinations you have in mind.” Lo'San met his father’s gaze after inviting his mother to prove him wrong. “I am sincerely happy to see you again, Father. If you can arrange it, I’d like very much the opportunity to spend a bit of time with you alone.”

Lo'San looked over toward his mother. “Dinner will be this evening in the commissary. I expect you all to join Sink Lar and myself. We will ALL make her feel less troubled about your presence here. You had no right to drag her into this mess.” He didn’t say anymore, simply turned and left their quarters.

~~~

Synclare heard the swoosh of the door of the