The Lasaran (Aldebarian Alliance #1) - Dianne Duvall Page 0,109
desk hid the length as she seated herself beside the man.
Large windows behind them allowed bright sunlight to flood the room. Filmy silver curtains concealed just enough of the view to prevent Lisa from catching a glimpse of Taelon’s world. Darker curtains bracketed each window.
It sort of reminded her of the White House’s Oval Office, but she had a feeling this room was larger.
Were these Taelon’s parents, the king and queen of Lasara? The family resemblance was unmistakable. And both wore a gold band across their foreheads, perhaps the Lasaran equivalent of a crown. But they looked so young, too young to have a son Taelon’s age.
Taelon’s mother frowned at her husband. “We’re going to have to rethink Article 65228379.”
His father nodded. “Either that or clarify Ari’k’s understanding of it. He seems to think it gives him the right not just to commandeer Taelon’s ship but also to issue orders to the king and queen.”
“He has definitely become a problem.”
Taelon grinned at them. “You know he can hear you, right?”
The queen gasped and reached out to grab the man’s arm. “Was that…?”
The king blanched. “Taelon?” He scowled at the camera. “Where’s the drekking picture?”
“Language,” the queen whispered in what appeared to be a habitual response.
Behind Taelon, Ami covered her mouth to hold back a laugh, moisture glistening in her eyes.
Lisa, too, fought a laugh. Perhaps that was a universal response throughout the galaxy, offered by women who sought to avoid their spouses or their children using foul language when in public. Because she had heard the same many times from her own mother when she was a teenager.
“You’re never going to get him to clean up his language, Mother,” Taelon drawled.
The king pressed the hell out of some button off camera.
The queen joined him, hitting buttons, too. “Why the srul can’t we see him?” she muttered in frustration, forgetting her own admonition.
Taelon barked out a laugh.
The couple’s eyes flew to the screen and widened.
A cry escaped the queen. “Taelon! It really is you.” Tears filled her eyes and spilled over her lashes. “We thought we’d lost you.”
“Where the drek have you been, boy?” the king thundered, but his voice emerged hoarse as his own eyes welled with tears.
Taelon continued to grin. “It’s a long story. Damn, it’s good to see you.”
His mother sniffled, smiling as she produced a handkerchief or something similar to dab her tears.
The king reached to one side.
A door opened.
The king looked away. “Summon my sons. Quickly.”
“Yes, my king,” a man responded, and a door closed.
The king focused on the viewscreen once more. “We thought we’d lost you, Taelon. Why haven’t you contacted us? Did Ari’k know you still lived? Why would he keep that—?”
“Ari’k didn’t know. I’ll explain everything. But first I want to show you something.”
“What?” his parents asked.
He stepped aside, revealing Ami.
His mother released another cry as her features filled with astonishment.
The moisture in his father’s eyes increased, spilling down his cheeks. “Riska, baby,” he uttered hoarsely.
Ami grinned and wept at the same time. “Hi, Mother. Hi, Father. I’ve missed you so much!”
Lisa saw Marcus curl his hands into fists, clearly fighting the need to go to her and comfort her.
The king shook his head. “We were certain the Earthlings had killed you.”
Ami shook her head. “They captured me but didn’t kill me.”
Lisa suspected Ami’s father was going to blow his stack when he found out the dumb bastards had tortured and dissected his baby girl.
“But you escaped and are back on your ship?” his father asked.
The siblings glanced at each other.
“We’re back on the ship,” Ami said slowly.
“But how we got here is a long story,” Taelon finished.
A door slammed open.
“What happened?” a new male voice asked. “Tao said it was urgent.”
“Drek,” another male breathed. “Father’s crying.”
“Oh drek. So is Mother,” the first countered.
A third spoke grimly. “Is it Taelon? Did Ari’k send you confirmation of his death?”
The queen waved them over. “Come see for yourself.”
Three handsome men crowded in behind the sovereigns and peered at the screen. All bore a striking resemblance to Taelon. And all swore the moment they saw him and Ami.
The queen laughed and dabbed her eyes again. “Language, boys.”
The brothers erupted into rapid speech, all asking questions, all thrilled to see not one but both of their siblings alive and well.
“Did you annihilate the Earthlings?” one asked, louder than the others.
The rest of the family ceased speaking and awaited the answer.
“No,” Taelon responded.
His father frowned. “Shall I send the armada now?”