The next day Lorin summoned Lucinda to their country home. She had someone meet her at the subtram station and drive her to the estate. Lorin went out to meet her when she saw the PT pull up. Lucinda opened the door and stepped out with a bit of a struggle.
"Lucinda, hi,” Lorin said. “Thank you so much for coming."
"Oh, it's my pleasure. It was nice of you to invite me."
They went inside and Zippo took Luci's coat and offered them sankee. They accepted and Zippo went off to prepare it. Lorin led Luci to the patio where they sat in two plush chairs next to a crystal coffee table.
"How are you feeling?" Lorin asked.
"As big as a Zodilla," Luci replied.
Lorin smiled. "And how's the baby?”
"The doctors say he's strong and growing quickly."
"That's wonderful. I bet your mate is excited about becoming a father."
"He is, I think, but you know men; they don't like to admit it."
"Oh, he doesn't share your joy for the baby?"
"I'm sure he does, but he's worried that I won't have time for him and the baby."
"What? He thinks you are his slave?"
"No. He's just a typical immature male. A baby will be good for him. It will make him grow up."
"Listen, Lucinda. Peter has been asking about you and the baby."
Her eyes lit up. "Has he? How's he doing? I was hoping he'd be here."
"No, no. He's been deployed by the army. I'm not sure when he'll be back."
"Oh. I would have liked to see him."
"Well, that's why I invited you here this day. I've got a request from my father, Councillor Garcia."
"A request. What sort of request?"
"I'm sure when you were with Peter he told you how on Earth men and women get married and then have children."
She nodded. "Yes, he told me about that. He said he wanted me to be his mate but I told him that wasn’t possible."
"What if it were possible? How would you feel about that?"
"I have a mate, so why speculate about something that can’t possibly happen?"
"Let's say it was possible. Would you be willing to leave your mate and go to Peter and be his mate? The Councillor has the power to make that happen, if you consent to it."
Luci frowned. "I like Peter. We get along well together, but I like my mate too. What would become of him?"
"He'd be reassigned a new mate. The computer would find him someone suitable."
"Where would we live?"
"A good question that brings up some other issues I should, in fairness, disclose to you."
"What, the fact that Peter is the Liberator?"
"How do you know that?"
"I was with him when he met Threebeard."
"So, you know his life will be difficult and dangerous and if you're his mate, you'll have to endure much inconvenience and you won't always be together."
She nodded.
"Why does the Councillor want me to do this?"
"Because Peter is distracted by his love for you. He wants to be with you and has trouble thinking of anything else. You know, since Peter is from Earth he has no natural love for Tarizon or its people. He has no stake in the coming civil war. But, if you were his mate, he'd be fighting to keep you safe and for his future with you and his child. That motivation could make him a much more effective soldier and it could even be the difference between our victory or defeat."
"Then I have no choice. I must do as the Councillor wishes."
"I appreciate your loyalty, but unless you feel in your heart that you will be happy with Peter and grow to love him, I don't think you should do it. Peter is very perceptive and will know if you are unhappy."
Luci smiled. "Peter loves my, . . . our baby. That in itself will give me joy without measure. But, to be honest, I have thought much about Peter since I saw him last. I worry about him even though we have no relationship. It makes no sense. Is that love?"
“It sounds like it to me,” Lorin replied.
“Then God has answered my prayers.”
Lorin nodded. "Perhaps so. I'll get started on the arrangements. You'll leave tomorrow."
Luci smiled. "So soon. Wow! I must go then. I have to tell my mate. I hope he will understand."
"Do you want me to go with you to explain?" Lorin asked.
"No, that won't be necessary. This is something I must do myself. When will you come for me?"
"At midday. I'll be accompanying you to the Loyalist base where you'll be meeting Peter. You'll be with him in just a few days."
Lorin had mixed feelings about Luci being mated to Peter. She understood her father's thinking, but feared it would be even a greater distraction to have her close by where her life might be in danger. If she were injured or killed Peter could very well be so emotionally distraught that he couldn't fight anymore. But Lorin didn't think it was her place to prevent Luci and Peter from being together. If it were her and Jake, she reasoned, she wouldn't want someone meddling in their affairs.