my belief.”
“I guess you’re right, but I can’t help but worry that I’ve made my family targets by bringing them here.”
“Perhaps, but they would be targets in your galaxy, as well as here, now that you’ve been identified as my mate. Better that they’re here, under our watchful eyes. I don’t think my brethren among the Zenai will let any harm come to any female associated with the Velkir, and you are their leader.”
Ginny chuckled. “I think Henny is in charge of the whole Velkir thing now, don’t you?”
Tigh looked down the long table to where Henny sat talking to the high priest. “Not necessarily. She is almost certainly the teacher foretold in our prophecies, but she does not lead the Velkir. That is your duty, and one you have performed for years already. Your crew look to you for direction, Ginny. You will still fulfill that role, even though you no longer operate within the confines of a starship. Your ladies love you as both leader and friend. I would hazard to say, you are part of their family, as they are part of yours.”
“You’re right.” Ginny regarded him with tears in her eyes that she refused to let fall. “You’re more perceptive than I gave you credit for, Tigh. Forgive me. Most human males would never have realized how close we are or put it just that way.”
“Don’t give me too much credit.” Tigh chuckled. “Most jit’suku men wouldn’t understand it either, but most warriors would have some idea. And the warrior priests, most certainly. Our training is deeper, more emotional than the others. We are trained to take all factors into consideration, including the relationship that often develops between a beloved leader and his men. Or, in this case, a remarkable captain and her crew.” He tipped his head to her in respect, and she did likewise.
“Speaking of remarkable, I can’t believe you were once one of these grim-faced priests, though I see the same spark of intelligence and observation in their eyes. Henny told me what she knew about your Zenai friends, but seeing them in the flesh is, I’ll admit, intimidating.”
“Never fear any Zenai, my love. You are Velkir. Each and every one of them would die to protect you and your ladies. For example…”
Tigh looked around the room, searching for something. His eyes lit when he spied one particular priest, and he stood, stalking down the table to everyone’s surprise. Ginny watched him head for the priest, who stood when Tigh reached him, a broad smile lighting his swarthy face. Tigh pulled the man into a huge hug and pounded him on the back, and the priest did the same.
Tigh brought him back to the high table, motioning Ginny to the back of the dais that was only a foot or so off the polished stone floor. The meal progressed in the hall as Tigh commanded his people to continue eating, but he dragged the poor priest away from his food and toward Ginny. She hopped down from the low dais to make it easier on the man, though like Tigh, he stood head and shoulders above her. She probably still would have had to look up, even if she’d stayed on the dais, she thought with a shake of her head.
“Ginny, my love, this is my good friend Tolo, warrior priest of the Zenai. He was promoted while I was away and is now a third-level novitiate, the highest level before taking vows. We trained together for many years on the mountain.”
Tigh kept one hand on the man’s shoulder, and it was apparent they were close. It was just as apparent that Tolo was uncertain how to greet her. She decided to take matters into her own hands, so to speak, by taking his hand for a good old human handshake. He looked at her with bemusement in his dancing green eyes but smiled broadly and returned the gesture.
“It’s nice to meet you.”
“My lady, it is an honor and a privilege to meet you.”
He looked like he wanted to bow, but Tigh still had him by the shoulder. He shot such a worried look at Tigh that Ginny had to laugh.
“Please, I’ve never been called ‘my lady’ before. I’m more used to answering to ‘captain’. Considering you’re such an old friend of Tigh’s, would it be terrible if I asked you to call me Ginny?” She sent a questioning look to Tigh, hoping she’d done the right thing, but his wide grin said