Striker by Lexi Ander Read Free Book Online Page B

flickered, the picture faint before sharpening. Communicating while traveling in hyperspace could be tricky. Most used the hypernet, but the psi-trackers gleaned and stole information that was not properly protected. Azaes and their father currently used a system Zeus had designed before he left for the space station. His network worked but had a couple of glitches. Zeus discussed the problems with Azaes and promised to look at the system later.
    Ampheres, their father's personal assistant, sat in front of the screen. Her slanted amber eyes narrowed in concentration as she fiddled with something unseen. "Almost have it, Your Highness." She glanced between the screen and the controls. "This is the best picture yet."
    Emperor Valdor Vondorian moved into view and took the seat that Ampheres vacated. Zeus’s throat constricted; he appeared older, his scales still holding a healthy sheen, but the black around his eyes and nostrils had lightened as the scales went gray. But the sunrise yellow of his eyes glowed with intelligence and patient wisdom. When Zeus met his father's gaze, he straightened to stand a little taller under the weight of his parent's steady regard.
    "Zeus." The tone, the inflection of the one word, relayed all of the yearning, heartbreak, and joy his father felt, mirroring the conflicting emotions fluttering under his own breastbone.
    "Father, you look well." Zeus’s voice cracked, despite his efforts to prevent it.
    "How have you been, son? Your brothers told me that you were injured."
    "I received excellent care. My consorts—"
    "You have chosen an Amor?"
    He smiled, glancing at Dargon, who now sat up on the couch. "They are fine warriors and males of honor." Zeus returned his gaze to his father, who watched him closely. "I have no doubt you and Meme will approve of them. In fact, we are expecting a child. Well. Twins, actually." Zeus licked his suddenly-dry lips as he watched his father's expression change.
    His father leaned back in the high back chair, his eyes wide. "Twins? Zeus Pylos Vondorian! You are a father-to-be and you have not presented your Amor to your meme and me. You have not affirmed your bond before your people and your consort is expecting?"
    Azaes and Mestor snickered behind clenched fists as if they were younglings of five summers.
    "I … um … I mean … we did not intend …" Zeus felt the heat of embarrassment color his cheeks.
    His father's nostrils flared wide. Zeus believed if his father had been of the Tuatara Maori he would have been spitting fiery acid that caught fire when it combined with air. He held his parent's gaze, knowing he did not have a good answer to give and his father wanted one. Impregnating his Amor prior to voicing his commitment before the assembly disrespected Dargon and Alpha. He was not in trouble because he had sex. No, he was in trouble because he had unprotected sex.
    "We were unaware of the risk of pregnancy, therefore, we did not take the necessary precautions. I would have never intentionally dishonored my Amors for any reason. They will be presented to you and Meme. I had planned on proposing to them when our family next united." Zeus glanced to Dargon, noticing his shocked expression.
    "Well then, I guess it is a good thing your Meme is on her way here."
    Zeus’s heart skipped a beat. Meme would hand him his tail.
    "Father," Azaes interjected, his fingers fluttered at his throat in agitation. "Are you sure it is safe for her to be traveling at this time? The majority of the Monticore are with you and me."
    Normally, none of them would have voiced a concern, their star craft being one of the best in all of the galaxies, but with Canry's warning of a trap in Valespian space, their apprehension seemed well-founded.
    Their father continued as if Azeas had not just warned him of the possible danger waiting for them in Valespian space. "Your mother is well-guarded. She travels in the care of several of the noble houses: Cordyl, Tutatara, and Tigiere."