Shieldbrothers: Pride of the Kodiak

Chapter Ten: New Beginnings

Möbius swaggers into the cockpit. He can feel the brush of the tiny silver stars and moons against his throat, against the passion marks there. Troy had tied his hair back this morning with the human’s own ornamental silk tie. Surely such a token meant something. His eyes narrow on the back of the old Kodiak’s head. No doubt Tyr is just waiting to make any number of annoying remarks. Not that he didn’t deserve it after leaving Tyr alone on duty for so long. He would have had plenty to say to anyone who did the same to him. He might as well offer provocation and get it over with. “What’s your problem, Kodiak?”

“Good morning, my young Jaguar.” Tyr glances at the younger man. There is amusement and speculation in the amber eyes.

“It is that. It is a very good morning.” Möbius sits carefully in the co-pilot’s chair next to the old Kodiak. His ass aches from Troy’s ruthless possession. A smug smile curves his lips as he remembers the slow, pained way that Troy moved this morning while twining the tie in his hair and then kneeling before him and the hot, hungry mouth insistent on his shaft…Möbius shivers with pleasure. He has never had anyone like Troy.

He scowls fiercely at the idea of others having had Troy. That knowledge he does not like at all. He had taken the human over and over, driven to feral fierceness at knowing that others had marked that golden skin; that others had filled that beautiful ass and seen the tattoo decorating the base of Troy’s spine. He wanted to drive out any memories of those others and prove to Troy that no one else could satisfy the human so well.

No one had ever satisfied him so well. Harper was the only one to even come close. His night with Troy has left him thoroughly sated. He had thought that Harper was exceptional. But Troy…Troy is remarkable. Such relentless vigor, stamina and fierceness. Möbius smiles as he strokes the many passion marks on his bare chest. His back, hips and thighs are equally covered with proof of the passion that he had inspired in the human. He had been just as thorough in ensuring that Troy was well marked also. He shifts his weight uncomfortably on the hard seat. Despite his soreness he craves more. He had left Troy sprawled in the big bed; the black silk hair spread in wild disarray over the white sheets. He can’t wait to return and take Troy again or be taken.

“I take it you slept well.” Tyr eyes the dangling stars and moons with a smug half-smile. The smile deepens as his gaze moves over the marks covering Möbius’ copper skin.

“What’s so funny, Anasazi?” Möbius yawns as he blinks sleepily at the readings on the console.

“So you claimed the human?” Tyr lifts an eyebrow.

Mobius shifts uncomfortably on the seat, making the charms flutter coolly against his neck. “The claiming was mutual.”

“You wear his marks and his scent.”

“He wears mine as well.” Möbius smiles. No one who sees Troy would have any doubts that the human is claimed. He will make very sure that Troy stays claimed. He will leave no openings for anyone to challenge his rights. He will tolerate no challenges.

Tyr glances thoughtfully at the younger Nietzschean. “It brings me joy that you have found someone suited to your…needs.”

“Why should that bring you joy, Kodiak?” Möbius’ dark eyes narrow with suspicion.

Tyr makes an adjustment on the console. “You will no longer be a problem.”

“What makes you think I was going to be a problem, Anasazi?”

“Would you have ceased your challenges for Harper?” Tyr turns to face him.

Möbius sighs. He could not have let it go despite Harper’s choosing Tyr. Tyr knew that even if the human did not. His position is too high within the Jaguar court and taking such a public loss is bad for his image of omnipotent menace. He would have had to do something about it. “No.”

“I do not want you as my enemy. I would rather we work together. If we work together we will be able to protect the Archduke.”

“Now you’re a convert to Charlemagne’s cause, please!” Möbius snorts.

“Whatever benefits Charlemagne benefits my wife and unborn child. That brings me joy.” Tyr shrugs. “It also helps that you are no longer pining away for Harper.”

“Ahh.” Möbius flinches minutely as he leans back in his chair. “I disagree. I was not ‘pining away’ as you claim.”

Tyr notices the Möbius’ flinching and smirks. “It would appear, my young Jaguar, that you have met your match, hmm? Yen seems to cater to all your desires.”

“Troy is…intriguing.” Möbius admits quietly. He doesn’t feel certain enough of Troy to indulge in the customary boasting about his lover’s skills. He considers Troy claimed but does Troy? There had been little talking last night and a great deal of fighting and taking and fucking. Last night, Troy had never demanded more of him than his body. And after his failure with Harper, he is wary of baring his heart again by demanding all that he wants from Troy. He had greedily taken every proof of Troy’s pleasure in his possession that he could win from Troy but he had hesitated every time over demanding more.

“The sounds coming from your quarters last evening and into the morning suggest that he is much more than intriguing.” Tyr chuckles.

“Are you challenging me?” Möbius bristles aggressively. His bone blades flutter in reaction to his uneasiness. Would Troy prefer another to him? Harper had.

“Hardly, boy.” Tyr laughs as he turns back to check the readings on his console. “I am very satisfied with my shield brother. I have no need for a courtesan.”

Möbius’ mouth tightens. His mistake had been in giving Harper a choice in the matter. He will not ask Troy to accept his claim, to be his shield brother. He will tell Troy, not ask. Troy is his. There will be no others. “Troy will no longer be a courtesan.”

“Indeed?” Tyr’s full lips twitch. His amber eyes glint with amusement as he glances sidelong at Möbius. “What will he be?”

Möbius breathes in sharply as he straightens in his chair. “That is not your concern.”

“Of course.” Tyr glances at the Jaguar. “Have you consulted your new…partner about his preferences?”

“That is also none of your concern.”

****


Charlemagne sprawls in the huge leather chair behind his desk. Tyr, Möbius and Troy stand in front of him. Charlemagne sips his coffee and studies the trio. The mission had evidently gone as well. Everyone made it back alive.

His new brother seems content and entertained. The amber eyes reflect amusement and interest as Tyr keeps glancing at the other two. They are certainly worth the study. Möbius hovers possessively near the human. An assortment of passion marks peek around and over the edges of Möbius’ navy vest and even -- dear, dear -- over the waist line of his pants. He can smell the human’s scent on Möbius. Hmmm. No time for a shower or is Möbius making a statement?

Had he miscalculated there? His Chief Assassin seems uncertain and angry yet very possessive of Troy. Möbius’ manner is very much that of a man who wants very badly to claim someone but who has not gotten a positive reception. Still, at least, Möbius is no longer chasing that trouble-making kludge of Tyr’s. And since Troy is spending time in Möbius’ bed that will put an end to speculation about Möbius and Tyr and that little kludge of Tyr’s.

Troy is as elegant and seductive as ever in black silks and leathers. The different textures -- silk, velvet, leather -- designed to make one’s palms itch to explore him. A silk cord with jade beads trembling in it holds his long hair back. There are passion marks on the gold skin of his strong throat but the human is clearly dressed to conceal whatever other marks he bears and…Charlemagne sniffs discreetly…the human did take time to shower. Troy smells only of himself. No wonder, Möbius seem so uncertain and angry. Troy’s long, black eyes are cool as he glances at Möbius. How interesting. Möbius had evidently managed to annoy Troy. This should be fun to watch.

Charlemagne sips his coffee and sets the cup aside. He could use a little light entertainment. Soon, his household will be more peaceful with Tyr returning to his ship with his little kludge in tow. His sister and her companion will remain here until this tiresome crisis is resolved. The open murmuring against him and his house has ceased…but this is a false peace that fills his court now. His enemies are as busy with their schemes as he is with his.

Charlemagne looks at the human. “So, Troy, you have information for me.”

“The information is for your ears only.” Troy glances sidelong at Tyr and Möbius.

“Möbius is a trusted friend and advisor. You may speak freely.” Charlemagne conceals his amusement at the smug look that Möbius turns on Troy.

“Anasazi?” Troy tilts his head inquiringly in Tyr’s direction.

“This information will be of interest to my new brother. He has had…dealings…with Katherine and Athena.” Charlemagne replies.

“As you wish.” Troy nods. His black eyes hold Charlemagne’s gaze in silent warning. “However you may find some of the news disturbing.”

Hmmm. If Troy is still reluctant to speak after his endorsement of Tyr and Möbius, the news must be disturbing and dire indeed. Perhaps he should hear the news alone first. Charlemagne rises and opens the door to the terrace. “Very well. We’ll speak on the terrace.”

Möbius moves to a spot where he has a better view. Troy is standing close to Charlemagne and talking quickly. Troy’s face is expressionless but his elegant hands occasionally flow into urgent gestures. Charlemagne is listening and asking questions. The Archduke’s clever, pale face is intent on whatever Troy is saying.

“You seem concerned about the conversation.” Tyr frowns. He leans against the wall, watching the Archduke and Troy closely.

“Of course, I’m concerned. I have no idea what news he gives to my Archduke.” Möbius replies, still staring out the glass door. There is something in the tilt of Charlemagne’s head, in the stillness of his stance…only his long familiarity with Charlemagne’s body language tells him that the news is causing great concern to the Archduke.

“Or if the information is true.” Tyr moves to stand beside the Jaguar.

“Yes.” Möbius agrees absently. His full attention is on the two men talking on the terrace.

“Do you trust him?” Tyr turns his head to look at Möbius.

Möbius spares a quick sidelong glance before returning his attention to the Archduke’s conversation. He knows Troy’s body very well but the inner man…in the interludes where they fought, Troy had proved to be a skillful and cunning opponent. During the times when one had yielded to the other, Troy had shown himself to be a sensual and passionate man. He has no idea where Troy’s loyalties truly lie in this mess. A part of his drive to claim Troy is to claim the human’s loyalty as well. “I barely know him.”

“This could all be a ruse.”

Möbius sighs. The Archduke is a brilliant man, a man of deep and dangerous cunning but sometimes Charlemagne’s plans did knot up in convoluted tangle when he tried to weave too many schemes at the same time. “Charlemagne is my ruler but sometimes he is too…impetuous.”

“You must decide where your loyalty lies. With your Archduke or with your lover.” Tyr steps away from the windows as Charlemagne glances his way.

“My loyalty is clear. I serve Charlemagne.” Möbius does not move as Charlemagne’s gaze moves to him. He had served Charlemagne all his life. If Troy intended harm to Charlemagne then he would do whatever he must to prevent it.

“And Yen?”

Möbius slants an annoyed glance at Tyr. He did not need the old Kodiak to teach him where his loyalty lay. He had been Charlemagne’s weapon to cast as long he could remember. “I jumped into Harper’s bed only to find that he had feelings for you still. I will not make the same mistake.”

“Good.”

“What of you?” Möbius moves away from the window. If Troy had been intending to seize the chance to attack, the human would have done so by now.

Tyr frowns at him. “What do you mean?”

Möbius smirks. Time to sting the old man for all those comments on loyalty. Harper had never struck him as a particularly biddable sort and that message had made it clear that Troy was an old and fondly remembered friend. “Yen is an old friend of your shield brother. He will want to see him. Will you allow it?”

Tyr sighs. “I would rather Harper not speak with Yen but my shield brother, as you well know, has his own mind.”

“Yes. You have little control over your human.” Möbius smirks and lifts his chin. “That will eventually cause you untold problems.”

Tyr shakes his head. The amber eyes glitter with amusement. “And, of course, you have more control over yours.”

“I will not allow Troy to go to your ship.”

“Have you informed him of this decision?” Tyr chuckles knowingly. “And, of course, once you inform him of your decision he will comply.”

“He does not need to be informed. He will obey.” Möbius glares at Tyr.

Tyr looks Möbius up and down. He shakes his head again. “You still have much to learn. I have already informed Harper that Yen is here. I suspect your…companion…will want to visit him soon.”

“That won’t happen.”

“Were I a gambling man I would wager against you.” Tyr chuckles. “But I have no desire to take your money.”

****

Troy lounges on the bed, leaning back against a pile of turquoise pillows. He hides a smile as his glance flickers over a scattering of black silk, velvet and leather garments. He had dressed and showered before his meeting with Charlemagne to send a message to Möbius. A message that he was no one’s plaything, fucktoy or possession. He never had been not even when he was a courtesan. The more independent and difficult to please he had been, the more highly prized he was by those Nietzscheans who had been his selected customers. The message had apparently not been well received. Afterwards, Möbius had wasted no time in installing him in the Nietzschean’s large suit of rooms, stripping him bare and taking him over and over. It had been most pleasurable.

He stretches languidly, almost completely satisfied. Troy rolls over onto his side and watches his lover pace back and forth. Ummm. The ripple of muscles under that copper satin skin; the dance of long, black hair over the tight, hard curves of the Nietzschean’s ass; the heavy sway of his sac and shaft; the air of exasperated fury…ummm, already he wants the boy the again. Möbius is wonderfully arousing to look at any time but when he is visibly seething…Troy licks his lips…then the young Nietzschean is irresistible. He’ll have to bed Möbius again before he leaves or he won’t be able to think of anything else while he visits his old friend and it would hardly send the right message to Anazasi if he shows up aroused and ready on Harper’s doorstep.

“Did you not hear me? You are not going!” Möbius whirls to face Troy. The long black hair scatters seductively over wide copper shoulders. The chocolate eyes are dark with desire and ire.

“Yes, I heard you.” Troy replies with a calmness that he knows will only add fuel to the fire. He snuggles back into the pillows, enjoying the way those predatory eyes follow his every move. “...and, yes, I am going.”

Möbius glares. His hands flex and his bone blades flutter. “You won’t. I won’t allow it.”

“Young one, you forget yourself.” Troy stretches, pulling the turquoise sheets lower, partially baring his body and the vivid passion marks left from his latest encounter with Möbius. “I go where I choose and when I choose.”

“It is not I who forgets. It is you.” Möbius stalks over to the bed, staring hotly down at him. His shaft rises, quivering. “You are mine.”

Troy laughs. “You don’t own me. I am no one’s possession. I am certainly not yours.”

Möbius growls, low and dangerous. “You are mine…you are my shield brother. You belong to me.”

“That’s where you’re wrong, love.” Troy lifts a scornful eyebrow. Dear, dear whatever had happened to the younger generation? Marius had wooed him with style and elegance and passion. All Möbius had offered so far was a display of passion. If the youngster wants more; if Möbius truly wants to be his shield brother, Möbius had better be willing to woo him. He will not be treated like a possession and he will not be taken for granted. “You have not claimed me.”

“On the ship…in this bed…” Möbius frowns. Puzzlement mingles with the anger and desire simmering in the dark eyes. “What was all that if not claiming?”

“That, young one, was fucking. Enjoyable though it may have been to both of us; it was not claiming.”

Möbius reaches down and yanks the sheets back. His dark gaze moves avidly over Troy’s aroused body. “What game are you playing?”

“I assure you. I play no game.” Troy slides a hand down his chest and stomach to idly toy with his rigid cock. “It will take more than a vigorous fucking to claim me.”

Möbius surges over Troy, pressing the human into the bed. He grabs a handful of the silken hair and yanks Troy’s head back, roughly kissing him. He growls against the human’s sensual lips. “What will it take?”

Troy gasps as Möbius’s hot lips move demandingly over his throat. He arches, rubbing his cock against the Nietzschean’s. “You must woo me.”

“You can’t be serious.” Möbius bites his shoulder sharply.

“I’m very serious.” Troy tangles his hands in the long black hair and pulls the Nietzschean’s head back. He wants the boy to see that he is very serious about this and means every demand. He stares into the smoldering dark eyes. “You can start by fucking me into this mattress but it by no means ends there.”

Möbius shudders, thrusting against him. “If you’re not my possession, what are you?”

“What do you want me to be?” Troy asks hoarsely, allowing the black hair to slide through his fingers as his lover moves lower, spreading ardent kisses over his chest.

Möbius growls against his rippling stomach muscles. “My lover.”

“Is that all?” Troy laughs then gasps as Möbius bites his thigh. “You think so small, Jaguar.”

“I want you, Troy.” The Nietzschean lies between his spread thighs. The strong hands clutch his hips possessively and hard enough to leave bruises later. The hot mouth slides over him, demanding his response.

Troy cries out, his body arching into that hot, determined mouth. His hands spread over the dark head moving skillfully over him. “Enough to display for me? Pursue me? Woo me?”

Möbius raises his head and growls throatily. “Yes.”

“Claim me and I’m yours forever.” Troy promises, writhing as Möbius lavishes a series of light, teasing kisses over his aching cock. “Treat me as a possession and I will make you ache everyday that you cannot be with me.”

“I’ll kill you before I lose you.” Möbius snarls. His hands tighten fiercely on Troy’s ass. His mouth moves possessively, relentlessly over the swollen shaft.

“You’ll try.” Troy pants, yielding to the hot pull. His hands fist in the long silken hair as his body arches.

****

Tyr leads Troy Yen into the quarters he shares with Harper. He notes with interest that Troy is no longer concealing Möbius’ marks. The black velvet vest is unfastened, revealing marks scattered across the golden skin of his muscular chest and down the rippling abs to disappear beneath tight black leather pants that cling to every bulge and curve as if the human is displaying. The long black hair is tied back and golden leaves dangle from the silk cord. Tyr sniffs. Möbius’ scent is heavy on the human as if they were only recently together. “Please sit. Harper will be along shortly.”

Troy sits on the bronze couch. “How is Seamus?”

“You will see for yourself when he arrives. He had a project to take care of in engineering.” Tyr moves to the kitchen area. He takes a Sparky Cola out of the cooler and places on the counter. He uncovers a tray of pastries.

Troy chuckles. The black eyes warm as he watches Tyr’s preparations. “You know him well.”

Tyr glances at the human. He wishes that he didn’t have to go back down to the planet so soon. He trusts Harper but he would have preferred to be present while the two humans talk. “He seems to crave sugar and caffeine when he’s been working.”

“You are okay with this meeting, Anasazi?” Troy leans back on the couch. The long, graceful fingers idly stroke the fabric.

“I trust Harper.”

“You don’t trust me?” Troy arches an inquiring eyebrow. The black eyes are amused. Troy fights back a smile, imagining how Tyr would have reacted if he’d showed up at Harper’s door with the state that he had been in earlier. Ah, well. Möbius still was not pleased about his going to visit Harper but at least the youngster had refrained from issuing orders about it after their last bout in bed. He’d rewarded Möbius by dressing to display the passion marks decorating his body.

“No.” Tyr’s response is flat and final.

“You have nothing to fear from me, Kodiak.” Troy waves a hand dismissively. Harper is one of his few friends and one of the few people with nothing to fear from him.

“I know that.” Tyr eyes are stern and cold. “But if you upset or hurt my shield brother you will have a lot to fear from me.”

“Is that a threat?” Troy laughs. Good. Harper needs someone who can look after him. Harper deserves all that care and devotion.

“Yes. It is.” Tyr turns eagerly toward the entrance as Harper bounces into the room.

Troy watches, his eyes softening as Harper’s face lights up at the sight of Tyr. He shakes his head as Harper heads eagerly for Tyr, sparing a quick smile for him.

“Hey, Troy. Hey, Tyr. Oh, man, thanks for the Sparky!” Harper takes the cold drink but his eyes are all for his lover. He tips his head back, offering.

Tyr smiles and brushes his lips over Harper’s. “I’ll leave you to visit with your friend.”

“Where are you going…back to the planet?” Harper plants a hand on the center of Tyr’s chest.

“Yes. Diana is having a particularly difficult time. Cerys just sent a message.” Tyr’s voice is soft and patient. He leans down, dropping a quick kiss on Harper’s forehead.

“Oh. Oh okay. I hope she’s better.” Harper lowers his eyes, hiding his emotions and turns his attention to opening the Sparky.

“I will tell her.” Tyr hesitates at the doorway, looking back at Harper with a frown of concern.

“Will you be staying with…Diana?” Harper takes a tentative sip of Sparky. He slants an uncertain look at Tyr. Is Tyr going to come back to him or stay with Diana?

“I’m not sure. I will return if I can.” Tyr promises softly in response. He offers a reassuring smile. The amber eyes are encouraging and warm. “Should I tell Cerys anything?”

“Tell her I’ll be down to visit soon.” Harper shrugs. He manages to summon up a tentative smile but his blue eyes are somber.

“I will. Enjoy your visit.” Tyr walks out the door.

Harper turns to Yen. This time his smile is warm with the pleasure of seeing an old friend. “Want something to drink?”

“No, I’m fine.” Yen tilts his head, studying his friend. Harper looks thinner and edgier than the last time that they got together. Is Tyr the cause of that moody edge or is there something else? “Are you okay, Seamus?”

“Yeah, sure. I’m fine. Why wouldn’t I be?” Harper picks up the plate of pastries and holds it out in silent offering.

Troy shakes his head. His eyes narrow at the evasive tone in Harper’s voice. “You don’t seem pleased with Anasazi returning to the planet.”

“It’s okay. I mean, I’m okay with it.” Harper sets the plate down on table and stares down at the selection as if he has no bigger concerns than deciding on a pastry.

Troy nods. “You look well, my friend.”

“So do you.” Harper picks up a chocolate-filled croissant and glances at Troy. “Are you still…working?”

So his friend is determined to be evasive. Fine, he will allow Harper to change the topic for the moment. Troy laughs. “You mean am I still a courtesan?”

“Yeah, I guess…yeah.”

“I am for the time being although I’m actually considering a change in profession.” Troy brushes his finger affectionately over the leaves that Möbius had fastened in his hair. It’s time for a change and Möbius has arrived in his life at exactly the right time.

Harper’s eyes brighten with interest as he leans back against the counter, nibbling on the croissant. “Really? Is that why you sent the message? What are you gonna do?”

“One question at a time old friend.” Troy laughs. He can hardly tell Harper about his career as a double agent for Charlemagne but he can give his friend part of the truth. He is tired of being a courtesan and proud enough to want to retire while still in high demand. “I’m not sure what I want to do with myself. I just know that I’m tired of the life I’ve been living.”

Harper nods. “I can understand that. I’ve made some changes in my life too.”

“An understatement. Chief Engineer on the Andromeda Ascendant! Quite a change from scrounging parts from the Dragan garbage, huh?” Troy smiles. He is proud of how far his friend has gone and pleased that Harper’s skills and talents are getting the recognition that they should.

“Yeah, you could say that.”

“What is this thing you have with Anasazi?” Troy asks softly. He watches Harper closely. Is Tyr good for and to Harper? So far, the relationship seems promising. Tyr is well able to protect Harper and the Nietzschean certainly knows what Harper likes and cares enough to see that it is available if the Sparky and pastries are anything to judge by.

Harper grins. “Thing?”

“Any fool can see that you are involved. So tell me about your Nietzschean.”

“You don’t waste any time do you, Troy?” Harper eats the last of his croissant.

Troy shrugs. “Never did.”

“That’s true.” Harper nods. Troy never had been the sort to dither once he made a decision. “I don’t know what to tell you.”

Troy arches an eyebrow. “For starters you can tell me how an avowed Niet hater like Seamus Zelazny Harper ended up with the likes of Tyr Anasazi.”

“It’s…complicated.” Harper picks up his Sparky. It does seem like a rather unlikely relationship put that way. Of course, if anyone had asked him back on Earth what the chances were of him having a voluntary relationship with any Nietzschean, much less a male Nietzschean, he would have sworn that there was no chance at all. Not to mention that he’d had plenty to say to Troy after he found out about Troy’s Nietzschean lover.

“Isn’t it always?” Troy sighs wistfully.

How to explain it? How to explain how right this relationship with Tyr feels? How right Tyr feels? Harper meets his friend’s concerned gaze. “He’s my…we’re shieldbrothers.”

Troy leans forward, his eyes sharp on Harper’s face. “Did he force you into this, Seamus?”

“No. Nothing like that.” Harper’s eyes widen at the suggestion.

Troy taps his fingers against the black leather covering his thigh. “He claimed you as his?”

Harper frowns. “What do you mean?”

“He announced that you are his shieldbrother?” Troy asks quietly. The black eyes are soft and dreamy. “He displayed for you and claimed you?”

Harper smiles. Troy must be remembering his own experiences with his first Nietzschean lover. At the time, he thought that Troy was crazy but now…memories that first night together when he moved in with Tyr…the incredible intensity…the tenderness. The memories warm him, easing his awareness of Tyr heading down to the planet to be with Diana. “Yeah. It was pretty intense.”

Troy chuckles. “I can imagine.”

“Troy…there’s been a lot.” Harper sighs. He wants to talk to Troy, to tell his friend what happened to him but he can’t seem to find the words. It was hard enough having to talk to Tyr about it. “I’ve had a pretty horrific few months.”

“In what way?”

Harper glances at his friend and then away. “There’s been so much bad stuff in my life, Troy that sometimes I feel forever old.”

“Nothing could be as bad as Earth, Seamus.” Troy tilts his head inquiringly as he watches the bleakness spreading through Harper’s blue eyes. He will never be able to forget finding Harper, bleeding in that alley. He’d quietly stalked and killed the ones who had committed that unspeakable act on Harper.

“Oh, yeah. Some things can be worse.” Harper squares his shoulders. He lifts the Sparky to his lips and takes a long drink. “But I don’t want to talk about any of that.”

Troy frowns. If something worse happened to Harper…his mouth hardens into a fierce line. “Anything I can help you with?”

“Nah.” Harper shakes his head. “Tyr took care of a lot of it.”

“I’m pleased. He seems to be good for you.”

“He is. He loves me.”

“And you, Seamus?” Troy asks.

“I love him.”

“Good.” Troy settles back against the couch. He is glad that Harper has found that particular gift. “But inform Mr. Anasazi that if he ever hurts you; I will kill him.”

Harper laughs. “I don’t think that will be necessary…although Beka already threatened to blow him out an airlock.”

“This woman sounds like someone I will enjoy meeting.”

“Beka’s a piece of work all right.” Harper lifts the can of Sparky to his lips. Beka would love to meet Troy but she would be disappointed to discover his lack of interest in women.

Troy grins, wide and mischievous. “So tell me, Seamus. How did you end up bedding two Nietzscheans?”

“How did you find out about that?” Harper clutches his Sparky can and blushes. His eyes are wide with alarm. “Did Tyr say anything to you?”

Troy sniggers. “No. Möbius let it slip in a conversation.”

“Let it slip? What kind of conversation was this?” Harper holds up a hand and shakes his head. “Never mind I don’t want to know.”

“So what’s your side of the story?”

Harper sighs. He eyes the delicacies on the plate sitting on the counter next to him and finally selects a plump strawberry drizzled with white and dark chocolate. “I was kinda mad at Tyr because of the thing with Diana.”

“His Jaguar wife, correct?”

“Yes.” Harper bites into the strawberry, buying time to think. He doesn’t want to go into the whole story but he can hardly expect Troy not to be curious that someone who hated Nietzscheans as long and passionately as he had bedded not one but two of them. “I met Möbius at the coupling ceremony and kind of hit it off with him.”

Troy raises an eyebrow and leans forward, clearly fascinated. “So you accepted his challenge?”

Harper pops the rest of the berry in his mouth. “I didn’t really take it seriously at first. I mean what do I know from Nietzschean culture? The Dragans weren’t real big on that kind of interspecies relations.”

“You still have your talent for understatement Seamus, continue.”

“I didn’t know how really hard it would be to watch the coupling. I was hurt that Tyr had kept so much of what was going to take place from me…anyway I was very angry and I slept with Möbius sort of to get back at Tyr.” Harper picks up his drink and drops down on the other end of the couch.

“You have no interest in the Jaguar?” Troy shifts to face Harper. His velvet vest slides open with the move.

“No. None.” Harper’s eyes widen and fill with sudden speculation as he stares at the assortment of bruises and bites and passion marks. Is there more to these questions than a desire to tease a friend? “Wait a minute. What are all these questions about Möbius?”

Troy looks away. A soft wash of color edges his elegant cheekbones. “Idle curiosity, nothing more.”

Harper stares openly at the marks splashed across Troy’s chest and stomach. He would lay a bet that those marks extended further down. A grin tugs at his lips. “Are all those marks from…did you and Möbius?”

“Yes.”

“Good for you…and good for him. He’s a nice guy, basically.” Harper’s grin widens with relief. He’s glad…very glad that Möbius has focused on someone else. And that Troy is interested enough to make inquires.

“He is quite…interesting.” Troy’s sensual lips curve in a slow, satisfied smile.

Harper sips his drink. “Are you going to…take it anywhere?”

“I’m not sure yet. He’s begun displaying and I find him…stimulating.” Troy’s smile deepens as the image of Möbius stalking him around the bedroom, naked and hard, dances across his mind. It has been a long time since he had a lover who was so personally satisfying.

“Stimulating? Möbius?” Harper snorts. “He’s a bit pigheaded if you ask me.”

Troy shakes his head. Now, now, had he made any negative comments about Seamus’ lover? He’s glad that Möbius didn’t suit his friend but he and Möbius understand each other’s needs very well. Well enough that they have agreed to display for and to each other. “Careful, Seamus, I’m considering his claim.”

“So can I ask you a question, Troy? A serious question?” Harper leans forward, his eyes serious and intent.

“Of course.” What is this? Are they finally down to whatever put that broody, dark edge to his friend? The thing that is worse than what happened on Earth? Troy leans closer to his friend, completely alert and focused.

“What are you doing working for Elssbett and the Über Bitches?”

“Über Bitches? Ahh. You mean Katherine and Athena.” Troy blinks in surprise at the question. Then his eyes narrow as he remembers them smirking at him and bragging about what they had done to the last kludge that crossed them. If he had not already intended to betray them, those gloating descriptions would have done it but…they had mentioned no names…could it have been Seamus? A sick chill settles in his stomach as he remembers what they claimed to have done.

“Yeah. Those are some nasty females.” Harper drains the last of his drink and crushes the can in his hand.

“How do you know them?” Troy studies the grim, distant lines of Seamus’ profile. It had been Seamus. He is suddenly certain of it. And Anasazi allowed the creatures to live? Troy’s lips thin.

“That is a long story. Condensed version is this. They killed Tyr’s ex-wife and her husband. They tried to kill his sons and I had a pretty nasty run-in with them as well.”

“I had no idea.”

Harper stares down at the crushed can in his hand with a brooding air. “Oh, yeah, and I owe them for what they did.”

“Did? What did they do?” Troy asks quietly, laying a comforting hand on his friend’s shoulder.

“They orphaned my boys and tried to kill them.” Harper looks up, meeting his gaze.

Troy’s eyes widen. Seamus had children? When did that happen? “Your boys? You have sons?”

“Well, I think of Tyr’s kids as kinda like mine.” Harper shrugs.

Troy smiles. Seamus with children. His smile widens. He almost expects Seamus to suddenly begin waving flexi images under his nose. “Anasazi has children already?”

“Yeah. Bellerophon and Chimaera. You may meet them later. They usually drop by to check on me.”

He would like that. He likes the idea of Seamus as a settled and contented family man. Troy taps a finger against his thigh as he watches his friend. “You’ve got quite a few Nietzscheans in your life now, Seamus. How does that feel?”

Harper thinks a moment then grins, flashing his dimples. “It feels fine…like I have a family.”

Troy leans his head back against the couch. He asks softly, almost casually. “So tell me, Seamus…why did Anasazi not kill Katherine and Athena? Why are they still alive?”

Harper glances sharply at his friend. The liquid grace of that lithe body is frozen into a dangerous, waiting stillness. No. He doesn’t need Troy to do this for him. He doesn’t need Tyr to do it for him. He can do it himself. “I am going to kill them myself.”

“You’re not angry with Anasazi for allowing them to live?”

Harper shakes his head. “No. Tyr made a deal with them to…to…retrieve something.”

Troy turns his head to study Seamus’ face. “What was retrieved?”

Harper whispers hoarsely, “Me.”

“Seamus…” Troy meets the haunted eyes squarely. He will not flinch away from his friend’s pain or refuse to hear anything that Seamus wants to tell him. “What they did…was worse than earth?”

“Oh, yeah.” Harper makes no attempt to hide the bleakness and anger in his eyes or the ragged note in his voice. “Much worse.”

Troy reaches out and lays a comforting hand on his friend’s shoulder. “Tell me.”

“I can’t say the words again, Troy.” Harper sits on the edge of the couch clasping his hands. “But Tyr got me out and killed the men who…were involved.”

“He allowed them to escape.” Troy shakes his head. He can feel the shoulder muscles knotting under his hand. He scoots closer and begins massaging the tight muscles, trying to smooth away some of painful memories. “I don’t understand how he could do that.”

“Tyr didn’t let them get away.” Harper glances around his blue eyes filled with bitterness. “Charlemagne did.”

Troy pauses in the massage, his hand resting lightly on his friend’s rigid shoulders. He frowns. “What?”

“Oh, yeah. Mr. Blondie Jaguar Archduke had them in custody twice and let them get away both times.”

Troy slowly resumes working the tight muscles. Why would Charlemagne let them go? Had the Archduke done so with the intention of giving Elssbett the very opportunity that she had so promptly seized? Yes. He could see that happening but he better steer Seamus away from those deep and dangerous waters. Better that Seamus’ attention and desire for revenge stays focused on Katherine and Athena. Those two are much safer targets if Seamus is determined to personally take care of it. “This doesn’t sound like Charlemagne.”

“Oh, I think it sounds exactly like him.” Harper snaps. “He plays games all the time. He thought he could control those two but no one can. They need to be killed.”

“I’ll do it…” Troy offers as he applies more strength to the massage and fills his friend’s stiff muscles finally beginning to ease. He has no doubts about his friend’s brains and courage but he is the one whose skills and talents lie in this particular arena.

“No. I’m telling you like I told Tyr when he wanted to do it…that’s something I’m going to do myself.” Harper sighs with pleasure as he leans back into the strong hands soothing away the knots in his shoulders.

“I understand.” Troy gradually eases the strength of his touch. He better keep an eye on Seamus and watch Katherine and Athena as well. He will permit Seamus the attempt but he will be watching and ready if things should go wrong. His lips twitch. Tyr probably has similar intentions. His amusement deepens at the possibility that Möbius might well follow him if he suddenly announced the need for vacation alone. Poor Seamus might well end up making the attempt with three assassins peering over his shoulder and watching his back.

Harper smiles over his shoulder. “You sure you don’t want something to drink.”

“Maybe juice, if you have it.” Troy allows his hands to slide away, pleased to have helped his friend even if in such a small way.

“Are you kidding me? That’s all Tyr will drink.” Harper stands and walks behind the counter as the entrance chime sounds. He turns toward the door. “Come in.”

Troy watches with interest as two large Nietzschean males enter. Hmm. Twins and they look almost exactly like Tyr. They pause to stare at him for a second before hugging Seamus. Troy leans back against the couch in his best languid manner as one of the kids suddenly sniffs and turns to glare suspiciously at him. His lips curl with amusement as the other kid glances uneasily from him to Seamus. The two of them seem protective of Seamus. Good.

“Harper!” Chimaera exclaims as he steps back from the quick hug. “Father told me to make sure you had a good meal. So we’re cooking supper for you.”

“Oh, he did?” Harper smiles. He turns to the cooler, to hides his amusement at Tyr’s countermeasures to prevent his being alone with Troy for too long. He pulls out a bottle of fruit juice and walks over to hand it to Troy.

Bellerophon stalks over to glare down at Troy. “Who are you? What did you do to upset Harper?”

Harper steps in front of Bellerophon. “This is Troy Yen. He’s an old friend. I was just telling him some of what has happened with me over the past months. It was hard to remember some of those times.”

Bellerophon places a hand on Harper’s shoulder and squeezes gently. His dark eyes are determined. “We will never abandon you again, Harper no matter what you say.”

“Are you giving me attitude?” Harper chuckles and pats the strong, dark hand.

“Oh, yes. He’s getting better at that.” Chimaera begins pulling out the ingredients for their meal and piling them on the counter. He glances from Troy to Harper. “Will your friend join us for dinner? Father is not sure when he will be getting back.”

“It’s up to you, Troy.” Harper grins down at his friend. “Tyr’s been teaching them how to cook.”

Troy looks from one Anasazi son to the other and arches a sleek eyebrow. “Are they any good?”

Harper sighs and throws up his hands. “Here we go.”

“Of course, we’re good.” Chimaera glares at Troy indignantly. His knife flashes rapidly as he slices vegetables expertly.

Bellerophon walks back behind the counter and begins dicing the meat into small cubes. He eyes Troy as his blade slices through the meat. “Father has taught us that a true warrior is well-rounded. One must be adept in all things.”

“I see.” Troy slants Seamus an amused look. Apparently he is about to be subjected to list of Tyr’s opinions and not so subtly reminded of Seamus’ place with this family. He opens the bottle of juice.

“Father says the path to true enlightenment as a warrior includes study of things others may consider mundane but which may one day save your life.” Chimaera scrapes the first batch of vegetables into a bowl and begins chopping another set of vegetables.

“Your father is correct.” Troy can feel the small, gold leaves brushing coolly against his throat as he tilts his head to study the kids. Their size was deceptive, making them seem older that he now suspects they are. He is still bemused at the idea of Seamus trying to raise Nietzschean kids. Sort of like a blue jay adopting a pair of eagles.

“Have you met father?” Bellerophon looks Troy up and down. His eyes narrow in disapproval. “He just married into Archduke Bolivar’s family.”

Apparently that observation is supposed to put him in his place. Troy forces his lips to stay in neutral line. Oh, yes, Seamus is going to have his hands full with these two. His amusement grows as he contemplates the visions of Seamus likely future difficulties. “Yes. I’ve had the pleasure of meeting your father.”

Bellerophon scowls at the mix of blandly neutral tone and amused, tolerant dark eyes. “When did you meet him? You weren’t at the wedding feast? When did you get here? Why are you bothering Harper?”

“Bellerophon…Troy is someone I knew a long time ago on Earth.” Harper frowns sternly.

Chimaera’s dark brown eyes widen with surprise and interest. “You are from Earth?”

“Yes. I left long before Harper did.” Troy sips his juice. Hopefully the boy won’t think to ask how he left Earth. It was not long after that time when his lover was murdered. Even now, after all this time, the memories still hurt.

“What do you do?” Bellerophon stares intently and openly as he sautés the meat.

“I…work for the Archduke.” Troy smiles blandly. That youngster seems determined to push. As tempting as it is to announce that he is…was a courtesan, Seamus would probably prefer that he not raise the subject. Still, he can give them something to chew on and see what they make of it. “The exact nature of my work is…classified.”

“Oh.” The twins glance at each other and roll their eyes. “He’s probably an assassin or something.”

Troy chuckles and drains the last of his juice. “They are…perceptive.”

“Is that what you call it?” Harper laughs.

“Harper, Beka is going to let me pilot her to Empress Drift…that is if it’s okay with you.”
Chimaera’s face glows with anticipation as he looks hopefully at Harper.

“When is this trip?” Harper asks slowly. He isn’t sure that he likes the sound of this little trip. It will mean that Chimaera will be gone for at least a full day…and Empress Drift has a certain reputation. If Beka was planning on some recreation or running a scam then Chimaera would be alone and unsupervised for an extended period of time and Beka would see nothing wrong with that…it was how she and her brother were raised.

“Day after tomorrow.” Chimaera slides the vegetables into a pan and adds some already cooked rice. “Beka says that it’s time I took on more piloting responsibility. She says that I should be able to get a piloting license with no problem.”

“She does?” Harper glances at Bellerophon who rolls his eyes.

“Yes. Beka says that I’ve improved a lot since she started training me.” Chimaera smiles, smug and proud.

“Who else is going on this little run to Empress Drift?” Harper walks over and rummages in the cooler, pulling out a can of Sparky. He moves back to the couch as he opens the drink.

“Just Beka and me.” Chimaera stirs the vegetables absently, his attention on Harper. “Beka says that we should be in and out in less than a day.”

Bellerophon sprinkles some spices over the cooking meat and glances at his brother. He snipes, “Beka seems to be saying a lot these days.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Chimaera glares at his brother. His hand tightens around the spatula.

“You know exactly what I mean.” Bellerophon steps closer to his brother. His full lips curl back into a sneer. “You can’t talk about anything else. It’s always ‘Beka says’ this or ‘Beka says’ that…”

“Guys.” Harper stands up with a sigh.

“I don’t think I like what you’re implying.” Chimaera turns to face Bellerophon. His eyes glitter with anger. “My relationship with Beka…”

“Relationship?!” Bellerophon scoffs. “Now you’re in a relationship? She’s old enough to be your mother!”

“But she’s not my mother is she?” Chimaera grips the spatula tighter.

“Guys.” Harper moves closer.

Bellerophon glares back. “You certainly don’t act like she is. You moon all over…”

“GUYS!” Harper yells. He slips between the tall teens. He levels a disapproving look at one then the other. “That’s enough! We have company and we will not have this discussion now. Understood?”

Both teens look at Harper. They glower at each other for a moment longer before stepping back.

“Yes, Harper.” Chimaera loosens his grip on the spatula and goes back to stirring the vegetables.

“You too.” Harper glares at Bellerophon.

“Yes, of course Harper.” Bellerophon returns to cooking the meat.

Troy smiles as Harper meets his gaze. “I could not see you as a father before…but I can certainly see that it agrees with you.”

“Am I getting gray hair?” Harper jokes as he walks back to settle on the couch.

Bellerophon grins at Harper, nudging his brother in the side. “No, but I think you’re getting pudgier.”

“If I am, it’s because you two keep stuffing food in me.”

“If we didn’t you would not eat.” Chimaera runs a disapproving eye over Harper’s still too thin frame. He pours the vegetable mixture onto a platter.

Bellerophon drains the meat and spoons it on top of the bed of vegetables. “Father would kill us if we didn’t take care of you, Harper.”

“Don’t exaggerate. He wouldn’t kill you.” Harper sips his Sparky.

“He’d make us do more katas. That’s worse than killing us.” Chimaera laughs. He looks around at the food. “Are we forgetting something?”

Bellerophon frowns as he eyes the platter. “The sauce, maybe.”

“Oh, yeah. Father said he had some already made.” Chimaera looks in the cooler. He pulls out a jar of sauce and quickly heats it. “Here we go. There’s extra rice here too.”

“Good. I can never get the rice to come out right.” Bellerophon sets the table while his brother drizzles the sauce over the meat and vegetables. “We’re ready.”

“Smells good.” Harper stands and motions Troy to the table.

****

Tyr lounges on the mint green couch, watching as his wife paces, her bare feet pattering on the polished pale wooden floor. The charms on her gold anklet chime softly with each step. “Everything is going to be fine, Diana. Sit down.”

Diana turns to face him, her loose shift swirling over the growing curves of her body. She smoothes the pale green lace layering over the white fabric of her shift with a nervous hand. “I don’t want anything to go wrong.”

“It won’t.” Tyr reassures her. His sons know that he would not tolerate any disrespect to his wife. He suspects that Harper also had a few words with them on the subject.

Cerys walks into the room carrying a glass of juice and small plate of sliced fruit. She gives her lover an exasperated look as she places the food on a small table next to a gold silk covered chaise. “Sit down, Diana. The boys will be here soon. Sit.”

“I just want everything to be perfect.” Diana sinks down onto the chaise and leans back, putting her feet up. She accepts the glass of pink juice from Cerys. “Thank you.”

Cerys glances sidelong at Tyr. There is a hint of taunt in her voice. “Hello Kodiak.”

“Hello, Tiny Human Female.” Tyr raises a challenging brow. He had discovered last night that Cerys disliked comments about her height just as much as Harper disliked having similar observation made about his own lack of inches.

Diana frowns at Cerys over the rim of her juice glass. “We’ll have no name calling today, Cerys.”

Cerys smiles at her lover. “Tyr knows I’m kidding. Don’t you Tyr?”

“Cerys and I had a long talk after you retired last night.” Tyr replies quietly as Diana glances at him. “We understand each other very well.”

“You two were talking behind my back?” Diana sips her juice.

“Yes.” Cerys picks up a green and gold throw and tucks it around Diana. “We certainly did.”

Diana looks from Cerys to Tyr and smiles. “I suppose it turned out well. You’re both alive.”

“Quite well.” Tyr leans his head back against the couch. His glance goes impatiently to the door. He is eager to see Harper again. Diana had the comfort of Cerys in her bed while he slept alone last night and wondered how late Troy had lingered, talking to Harper.

“Would you like some coffee or some juice perhaps?” Cerys turns toward Tyr.

“No. Thank you, I’m fine.”

“Shouldn’t they be here by now?” Diana glances anxiously at the clock above the fireplace.

“They will be here soon. Now relax or Cerys will be upset and that’s the last thing we want.” Tyr glances sidelong at Cerys’ delicate face.

Cerys narrows her green eyes in mock menace. “Are you baiting me, Kodiak?”

“Would I do something so dangerous?” Tyr’s full lips quirk into a small smile.

Cerys peeks out a window and then heads toward the door. “They’re here.”

“Finally.” Diana sets down her juice glass and quickly arranges the throw in graceful folds around her long legs.

“Come in, welcome.” Cerys holds the door open.

Harper quickly hugs her and brushes a kiss over her cheek. “Hey, Cerys.”

His gaze immediately goes to Tyr. Harper smiles to see his shield brother sitting alone on the mint green couch. Tyr looks incongruous on the delicately feminine lines of the couch. He nods coolly to Diana, satisfied that she is a respectable distance away on the chaise.

“Hello, Harper.” Cerys returns the kiss with affection, dusting her lips quickly over Harper’s check. She looks curiously over Harper’s shoulder at the two boys following close behind him. “Are you going to introduce me to your boys?”

“Cerys, Diana…these are our sons Bellerophon and Chimaera Anasazi of Kodiak Pride out of Mariyam by Tyr.” Harper gives the formal greeting since it is the first time either of the boys has met the women. “Bellerophon…Chimaera, this is Cerys Darwin of Jaguar Pride out of Sophia by Benjamin. Cerys is shield sister to Diana, your father’s wife.”

“Greetings, Bellerophon and Chimaera. Welcome to our home.” Cerys smiles warmly at each of the young men and waves them inside.

“Thank you for inviting us, Lady Cerys.” Bellerophon bows gracefully but his face is set in politely neutral lines. His dark brown eyes are wary.

“Cerys will do fine. You are Bellerophon, correct?”

“Yes, Lady…Cerys.” Bellerophon walks into the room to stand next to Harper while his brother bows briefly to Cerys then follows him to take a position on Harper’s other side. Their gazes flicker quickly over Tyr and then Diana before going back to Harper.

“Your sons are strong and handsome, Tyr Anasazi.” Cerys looks from Bellerophon to Chimera to Tyr.

“Thank you.” Bellerophon drops a strong hand on Harper’s shoulder and squeezes affectionately as his glance sweeps from Cerys to Tyr and then Diana. “Your compliment honors our fathers and us.”

“Charming as well I see.” Diana chuckles.

Cerys boldly takes each of the twins by the hand, leading them away from Harper. “Come. Allow me to present your step-mother. Bellerophon and Chimaera, meet Diana Bolivar, sister to Archduke Charlemagne Bolivar, First Wife of your father, and shield sister to me.”

Each of the boys accepts Diana’s offered hand and bows low over it. “Greetings Step-mother.”

“Let’s put all this tediousness to rest right now, shall we?” Diana smiles warmly. “You will call me Diana, yes?”

Bellerophon and Chimaera glance at each. Bellerophon shrugs minutely. Chimaera looks back at Diana and nods. “As you wish, Diana.”

“Good. Now, sit. I know you have many questions and we will answer all of them so we can understand the makeup of this odd little family of ours.” Diana relaxes slightly as Cerys perches at the foot of her chaises and Harper drops down onto the couch next to Tyr.

“We may ask anything?” Bellerophon throws a questioning glance at Tyr.

Diana smiles brightly and holds the expression as she trades a nervous look with Cerys. “Yes. Of course.”

“Within reason.” Tyr frowns a warning at his sons. Diana had not been around his sons long enough to know that they could and would ask anything if granted such open ended permission. Diana is used to the subtle, delicate Jaguar methods of talking over and around subjects while committing oneself to nothing. He inches closer to Harper, breathing in his shield brother’s delicious scent.

Bellerophon studies Diana and then Cerys who is massaging Diana’s feet. “Diana, are you and Cerys lovers?”

“Oh, dear!” Diana blinks, startled by the bluntness.

Cerys glances at Diana. Her full lips twitch in amusement. “You did say they could ask anything. It is a valid question.”

“I did.” Diana smoothes the throw over her thighs. “To answer your question, yes we are lovers. Actually our relationship is deeper. We are shield sisters…mates.”

Tyr gives his sons a stern look. He will not have Diana embarrassed by too blunt questions about that relationship. The boys understand the shield relationship perfectly well. At least as well as they needed to at their age. “You understand this relationship.”

“Yes, father.” Bellerophon nods thoughtfully. The tension in his shoulders eases. “The same way that you and Harper are shield brothers…mates.”

Tyr lays his hand on Harper’s knee. Hopefully that information will put an end to any more questions along the same lines from his sons. “That is correct.”

“Did your shield sister displease you?” Chimaera frowns, eyeing the two women.

“No.” Diana shakes her head. She glances at Cerys and gets a faint shrug then looks back at Chimaera. “Why do you ask this question?”

“Then I don’t understand. If you were pleased with your shield sister, why did you get married?” Chimaera frowns. His booted feet shift uneasily on the wooden floor. “Father and Harper were happy together. I don’t understand why you would do that if you are both happy with your chosen mate.”

Harper glances at Tyr. His hand settles over the strong, dark hand resting on his knee. “Sometimes Nietzscheans do things, forge alliances, marry, mate, even fight, for purely political reasons.”

“So your marriage is a political alliance only?” Bellerophon asks softly, looking from his father to Diana.

“Diana wanted a child. It was something we had discussed but…” Cerys pauses, clearly trying to decide how much to say.

“What? But what?” Chimaera tilts his head quizzically.

“But…I would not marry anyone who would not allow me to keep my shield sister.” Diana pats Cerys’ hand. She meets the eyes of both boys. “I will not lose her, or put her aside, for anyone.”

“So you and father mated to have a child.” Bellerophon shares a quick painful glance with his brother. His voice is cold and bitter. “A perfect, full-blooded, Nietzschean child.”

“Whoa…whoa…hold it right there.” Harper stands and walks over to his boys. He wraps his arms around them in a warm, reassuring hug then steps back, looking up into their faces, meeting their eyes. “This doesn’t mean that anyone is trying to push you aside.”

“Of course not!” Diana exclaims, stiffening on the chaise.

“They pushed you aside and Cerys too.” Chimaera pats Harper’s shoulder. He shoots Tyr and Diana a disapproving look.

“Nietzscheans don’t always understand the needs of humans…or half-humans.” Cerys responds gently as she strokes the arm of her shield sister.

“It was never our intention to discard, or replace either Cerys or Harper.” Tyr stands up and walks over to Harper. His hand wraps warmly over Harper’s nape, his fingers stroking the short blond hair.

“We are not trying to replace either of you.” Diana leans forward, speaking urgently to the two boys. “We want you to be a part of this pride.”

Bellerophon and Chimaera look at each other. Their worried eyes focus on Harper. “The last time we tried to be part of a pride we…we were betrayed.”

“When was this?” Cerys asks quickly. Her green eyes are sharp on the boys’ faces, following their gaze to their father and Harper.
Tyr stares coolly back at her. At the edge of his vision, he can see Harper giving her the same blank face. The boys will follow his and Harper’s joint lead. No one must know about Tamerlaine yet. He will not have his infant son made into a pawn. He will do what he must to buy time for Tamerlaine to grow wise and strong.

Bellerophon shrugs, suddenly assuming an air of indifference. “It was a long time ago.”

“That won’t happen here.” Cerys promises quietly.

Chimaera turns to Tyr. There is a glimmer of hope in his brown eyes. “What does she mean, father?”

“She means that there is a place for all Kodiak in the Jaguar-Kodiak Pride.” Tyr smiles at both boys as he continues caressing Harper’s nape, easing the tension from his shield brother’s muscles.

“We are half-Nietzschean. There won’t be a place for us. We will never be accepted.” Bellerophon scowls bitterly.

Cerys smiles broadly and leans forward to pat his hand. “You are in for a surprise. There are several half-Nietzscheans in the Jaguar pride.”

“They are accepted…” Chimaera’s eyes are wide and amazed.

“Yes.” Diana nods. “As will both of you. You are part of my family. You are part of the Jaguar Pride.”

“Harper?” Bellerophon turns slowly to the human. Suspicion and hope mingle in his dark eyes. “Is this true?”

Harper nods in reassurance. “I don’t know much about the Jaguar Pride. But from what I’ve seen they treat humans well. If Diana and Cerys say you will be accepted…I trust that.”

“All the people treat half-Nietzscheans well?” Bellerophon raises a dubious eyebrow.

“Not all. There will always be some who will not but on the whole, the Jaguar Pride is quite tolerant of differences.” Cerys smiles at him. “You are members of the Archduke’s family…the Royal family. This is a good thing.”

Bellerophon snorts. The Royal thing only sounds good to those on the outside of it. He had enough of that public life with his mother and Wallace. The life that he has with his father and Harper on the Andromeda is much better. “We’ve already played that ‘royal treatment’ game. Our mother was leader of her people. Our sister is now the leader. We were not welcome or well treated. We were barely tolerated.”

“That won’t happen here. You will be treated as a welcome addition to our family.” Diana promises. Her gold eyes reflect her sincerity.

“We’re actually hoping that you will want to stay with us for a while.” Cerys offers. “We want you to think of this as your home until we move to Atrus.”

“Atrus?” Chimaera asks, tilting his head at the unfamiliar name.

Tyr slides his hand lower, tracing the line of Harper’s spine through the crimson shirt patterned with blue and gold birds. “Yes. The Archduke has made the planet Atrus a wedding gift to Diana and me.”

“That will be the new home of Pride Kodiak.” Harper’s eyes half close in pleasure as he leans into Tyr’s caress.

“When will we go there?” Bellerophon asks, his eyes lighting with excitement. He looks at Harper. “Will we be going there?

Tyr glances at Harper, watching closely for signs of distress. Katherine and Athena were still out there, plotting with Elssbett and needed to be dealt with. He frowns as the human looks down, the pale face suddenly closed and expressionless. He is not going to allow Harper to take off after that pair; his shield brother could rethink that wild idea right now. “The Archduke has some…unfinished business. Once that has been taken care of we will move there.”

“I thought we were staying on Andromeda with you and Harper.” Chimaera frowns in disappointment. “Beka is teaching me to pilot. She’s helping me a lot.”

Harper leans close and murmurs softly to Tyr, “We really need to keep him away from Beka for a while.”

Tyr’s amber eyes narrow in comprehension. “You must now continue your training with the Jaguar. You may visit but your place will be with my wife and her shield sister. You are the only Kodiak men here. You are to be protectors of your new sibling.”

“We are?” Chimaera tosses his long hair back; sudden pride glows in his eyes.

Diana smiles. “Oh, yes. You will have your hands full.”

“Do they know its basically a baby sitting gig?” Harper asks Tyr quietly.

“They will figure it out soon enough.” Tyr laughs softly as he wraps an arm around Harper.


THE END