The Lasaran (Aldebarian Alliance #1) - Dianne Duvall Page 0,86
the first time since her disappearance. The two clung tightly to each other. Ami buried her face in Taelon’s chest, her hands fisting in the back of his shirt. Taelon rested his chin on the top of her head and squeezed his eyes closed, looking as if he never wanted to let her go.
Both wept.
Lisa surreptitiously wiped away a tear while Marcus stood beside her, arms crossed over his chest, and watched the siblings with a smile. When she sniffed a couple of times, he cut her a glance.
“Pregnancy hormones?” he asked amiably.
“Yes, damn it,” she muttered.
His smile broadened into a grin as he nodded at Ami. “It was the same for my wife. She hated it and feared I would think her weak.”
“Did you?”
“Hell no. She’s the strongest woman I know.”
The siblings parted. Taelon brushed Ami’s bright red hair back from her face and studied her while she smiled up at him.
Marcus sighed. “I wish I’d had siblings who cared about me that much.”
“Me, too. I’m an only child.”
“I’m not. I had several stepbrothers once upon a time, but they—like their father—all wanted me dead.”
Lisa stared up at him with wide eyes. “What?”
He shrugged. “I was born in the Middle Ages and was the rightful heir to my father’s title and all his holdings. They desired otherwise.”
And still she stared at him. “I know it’s probably rude to ask this, but how old are you?”
“Eight and a half centuries, give or take.”
And he said it as if he were telling her instead that there was a slight chance of rain today.
Holy crap.
Taelon and Ami simultaneously burst into speech, their words unrecognizable.
Ami laughed and wiped her eyes. “Wait.” She held up a hand. “Let’s use English so Marcus and Lisa can understand us. And let’s begin with introductions.” She drew Taelon over to her husband. “Taelon, this is Marcus Grayden. Marcus, this is my brother Taelon.”
Lisa noticed Ami didn’t immediately identify Marcus as her husband and thought it wise to ease him into that.
Marcus smiled and offered his hand to Taelon. When Taelon extended his own, Marcus bypassed the hand and clasped his forearm. “I never thought I would have the opportunity to meet any members of Ami’s family. It’s an honor.”
Taelon nodded, his expression watchful as he gripped Marcus’s forearm. “Good to meet you.”
Lisa doubted he actually meant that, but—for his sister’s sake—he was clearly willing to make an effort.
Marcus glanced around. “Just a minute.” He exited the room, leaving the door open. When he returned, he maneuvered a cushy love seat so big Lisa was surprised it fit through the doorway inside, carrying it as though it weighed as little as a box of tissue. Kicking the door shut behind him, he deposited it across from the sofa. “There,” he said with a smile. “May as well be comfortable while we chat.” He motioned for Ami to have a seat.
Lisa took Taelon’s hand and led him over to the sofa, where they sat so close together their hips and thighs melded.
Marcus seated himself beside Ami. When he leaned back and started to loop an arm around her, he seemed to catch himself and lowered it to his side instead. He even placed a little more distance between the two of them.
Nice guy. Once you got in the habit of touching someone freely, it was hard to stop.
She glanced down at the hand Taelon held. Case in point.
“How are Mother and Father?” Ami blurted.
“Worried about you,” Taelon responded. “Terrified. Furious.”
Ami bit her lip. “Is Father furious because I disobeyed him?”
Taelon sighed. “He’s furious at everyone. He wanted to send an armada with me when I finally discovered where you were. He told me to wipe this planet clean and kill everyone if I discovered you were dead.”
“Shit,” Marcus and Lisa both murmured.
“Did he send an armada?” Ami asked.
“No. I told him to wait until after I determined without doubt what had happened to you.”
His sister’s shoulders relaxed. “How are Duras, Gefen, and Levik?”
“Just as worried and just as furious. They wanted to come with me, but I insisted they remain behind.”
Ami shook her head. “How did you even find me? I didn’t tell anyone where I was going because I knew you’d all try to stop me.”
“Janwar found you.”
Her brow puckered. “The Akselian pirate with a bounty on his head?”
“Yes. One of the things he steals and sells is information. I contacted him and enlisted his aid.”
“Did you tell Father that?”
“Not until afterward. He was less than pleased. But