Cobra jerked his chin towards Fiercely. “I am interested in the conclave. We will go with them.”
Features pinching, she opened her mouth to argue, but he turned his back.
She all but bit her forked tongue.
Her gaze flicked to me with a subtle credit of blame.
I didn’t understand why, I knew nothing, had done nothing, except be cruelly robbed of an orgasm and given a dreadful fright.
Venomous sighed and rubbed his knuckle to my cheek. “Do you mind?”
“Not at all. I’m going to take a nap while you’re gone.” I’d also comm Nāga to ask if he’d visit to check on the hatchling.
All the stress could not be good for the little tyke.
I didn’t say it aloud because they would flip, and I could tell Fiercely itched to go.
“I’ll see you later.” I offered my mouth to Venomous for a lip touch, hugged Fiercely, and then gave Cobra a wave.
Singing Water got a passing glance.
Realising how that might come across, I hesitated.
I inclined my head, formal, polite.
Cobra was in my life, and she came with him.
“Good parting,” I told her.
CHAPTER TWENTY EIGHT
Impatient to learn why he and his nest mate had been summoned, Venomous lowered to his floor cushion.
He turned his head slightly to see Fiercely doing the same on his other side, looking just as on edge.
“Venomous One,” Dare Viper to Bite greeted. He looked up from his personal communicator. “We have decided you will go to Zoi Quay to lodge a complaint against the L’Odo objecting your enslavement.”
“We have debated this extensively, and feel this is the most diplomatic solution,” Wind Dancer added. “Does this satisfy your need for justice?”
“Yesss,” Venomous replied relieved they’d decided on a course of action that was not inaction.
For a time, he’d wondered if they were truly going to turn a blind eye, and pretend the L’Odo had done no wrong for fear of retaliation.
“Now we address the main reason for calling you here.” Calm as Thunder focused solely on Venomous. Her expression was unreadable. “Scholar Wise are the Brave has finished his inquiry into the events surrounding your Rä’Na’s abduction.”
Singing Water sneezed into her dainty palm.
Rising, she whispered to her Rä’Vek she needed fresh air then glided from the enclosure.
Grim, Venomous turned to the bookish a’Rä. “You have discovered the rest of those responsible.”
“Yesss.” Wise are the Brave rubbed his cranial ridges where age had stolen his quills. His expression creased into one of disquiet as his gaze jumped from the departing Rä’Na to his questioner. “I fear the consequences of my words.”
“Truth is truth no matter who speaks it,” Wind Dancer said. “We must not shy from it, no matter how hard it is to hear.”
The Elders uttered agreement.
The scholar looked at Venomous and Fiercely with a solemn expression. “There were two other a’Rä who conspired with Venin Stings the Sweetest, Roam the Highest Peak and Gently Falls the Rain.”
He gave their names and warriors were dispatched to apprehend them.
“It was they who supplied the access codes,” he continued, “so the Verak could bypass the terrestrial defence shield, and who waylaid reports of its unscheduled downtime when logged into the matrix for investigation. This was an intricate plot faultlessly executed, but for one variable beyond the realm of control, Lumen of the Stars herself.”
Wind Dancer frowned. “To my knowledge my Rä’Na had never spoken with these a’Rä. How would she have known who they were to approach them?” His confusion grew. “Moreover, where would she have met them? They would not have socialised in the same circles.”
“Indeed.” Wise are the Brave hesitated. He eased out his limbs as if the room were overcrowded. “There was, of course, the final perpetrator linking them together. That made the plot feasible.”
Fiercely leaned, hands gripping his knees. “A name?”
The scholar eased open the throat clasp of his robe. Sighed unhappily as his eyes wandered to the exit. “She, Singing Water.”
Silence descended.
Cobra that Strikes slapped a lower palm to the floor in a crack of sound. “How–” He cleared the harsh growl from his throat distorting his words. “How did she know them?”
“They are distant kindred on her life giver’s side, though that is not the evidence I must present that verified her guilt, Rä’Vek.”
Back stiff, his shoulder blades locked. He shuddered with fury. “Bring her.”
Bowing, the warrior attendants ghosted out into the entrance hall to take the collaborator into custody.
They duly returned with their quarry in tow.
“She was on a comm call to one of her kindred,” a warrior stated holding up her personal communicator.
“Rä’Vek,” Singing Water cried as she was marched back into the room. Elbows pressed into her sides, she made herself small. “What is happening? I do not know why–”
“Silence,” Cobra thundered. He gained his feet in jerks. His nostrils flared as his breath gushed in great bursts. “Look at me. For once, look at me and speak truth.”
Singing Water froze.
Then the timid demeanour melted away.
Her neck lengthened, chin jutting as she stood tall. “Very well? I am looking at you.”
“It is claimed you knew Roam the Highest Peak and Gently Falls the Rain. That you conspired to sell Lumen of the Stars to the Verak.”
“I seemed to have already been judged. On what evidence? Other than the word of an alien.”
Venomous cocked his head then shared a bewildered glance with Fiercely.
“On the word of an alien,” he mouthed, but his nest mate shook his head, as lost.
“Is it true?” Cobra demanded.
“They are your distant kindred, are they not?” Wise are the Brave interjected.
“Yesss,” she snapped. “That means nothing.”
“You introduced them to Venin that Stings,” Cobra accused.
Her mouth screwed up. “The human told you this,” she deflected ignoring her Rä’Vek to question the scholar. “How else could you have known? Why else would I stand here as if I am a criminal?” Her scathing cadence thickened to drip malice. Her gaze dropped to flicker at sights unseen. “I knew she would not keep her word. That spawning creature is nothing but a blight upon us all.”
Calm as Thunder sighed. “Oh, Rä’Na. Such a web of lies and fear you have woven about yourself.”
Wise are the Brave grimaced. “I received no testimony. My findings were gathered unaided, Rä’Na.” He paused. “Truth, my deductions found nothing linking you with those named other than distant blood ties. It was only when I accessed the communications matrix to review the comm call between you and She, Lumen of the Stars, hoping to glean something from Venin Stings the Sweetest, did I realise the connection and your involvement.”
Singing Water frowned. “I do not see how a comm call is evidence. So what if I spoke to her before her kidnapping? That proves nothing.”
Wise are the Brave turned to the Elders. “I have the recording.”
“Present it,” Wind Dancer ordered.
The sound of their voices filled the room.
Once it was done, Wise are the Brave put his personal communicator away. “I confirm the matrix logs show Venin Stings the Sweetest did comm call Singing Water, though, the content of that conversation is different than indicated by the transmission you heard.” He grimaced. “I have the recording of that as well, but it is deeply unpleasant and disturbing to hear.”
“Ensure it is logged as evidence. I see no need to poison our ears further,” Wind Dancer said, pale after hearing his Rä’Na’s voice.
“Last of all, I contacted Cooler Sky of the Western province. The a’Rä did not visit with Singing Water on that day, no
r were plans made to meet. I infer, it was a falsehood to persuade Lumen of the Stars she could not attend, and keep herself removed from the deed in case it failed.”
“She knew?” Venomous’ voice was quiet as he stared at the deceitful female. “My Lumen knew what you had done?”
Singing Water spared him a cutting look, all pretence of diffidence vanquished.
“Your overconfident life giver told her,” she verified. “We spoke of it at your bonding ceremony, and she made it clear she wanted nothing to do with me. So I have stayed away.”
“Then why were you at our lair?”
A tightening of her lips as her gaze slid, oily, devious. “To ask forgiveness.”
Venomous studied her defensive posture and betraying gestures. “You tried to lure her into being your friend, so she would not change her mind and speak of your treachery.” He exhaled, seeing past her rueful façade. “It is why you panicked and called your Rä’Vek when I ordered you gone. You wrongly assumed I suspected you, and sought to get rid of me.”
Singing Water tensed, but declined to shed light on her actions. “I was certain I left no trail. Certain.” She scoffed. “I did not. The human commed me.”
“Yesss.” Fiercely bared his teeth. “How does it feel to know her good manners is what caught you out?”
Her lip curled even as she retreated from his lethal glare.
Calm as Thunder said, “This recording confirms not only did you know Lumen of the Stars was at the spaceport, but who took her there and why.”
“The truth will out.” Wind Dancer’s murmur met with mumbled agreement. “Master Hunter, if you seek to plead mercy, now is the time.”
Venomous turned to Cobra. “I will fight you, and shed blood as payment if you wish her spared. I offer this because I respect you, and my Rä’Na would want you to have a chance to save your mate.” He held the male’s gaze. “I tell you plainly, I want her dead, and she will never be welcome amongst or near me and mine.”
Head jerking up, Singing Water spun to Cobra. Hope shone in her brille. “You will do this, Rä’Vek. Fight for me.”
Cobra’s gaze tore from Venomous’ intense one.
He lanced his mate with a glare, a look that roiled with resentment. “I am to bleed to restore your honour? Die to spare my traitor Rä’Na who shames me?”
“It is your duty,” she reminded, cutting, an ugly twist to her mouth. “Have you forgotten what it means to be strong Rä’Vek, and not an alien sycophant?”
Sagging, Cobra hung his head.
“And what of yours to him?” Unable to remain silent, Fiercely faced Cobra. “Do not take up the blade for her. I have no desire to see a male of honour perish for that. I want her head for what she did to my mate and young, not the downfall of a friend.”
“Would you abandon your Rä’na?” Cobra asked his arms heavy, shoulders pulled low.
Fiercely blanched. “She does not deserve it.”
“I, too, prefer to see the true perpetrator punished,” Venomous said more reasonably.
Disturbed, he stood then closed the distance between him and the other male.
He hesitated before gripping his slumped shoulders. “Cobra, I see you do this out of duty, not affection. I beg you consider my clan will mourn you.” Their gazes locked. “My Rä’Na seems flippant, but does little without purpose. She kept this hidden to spare you pain, I think.”
“At risk to herself,” Fiercely added in a furious aside.
“If I may,” Calm as Thunder interjected addressing Cobra. “None here will condemn you for forsaking her.” She paused. “Truth, I insist upon it. Our province must not lose its Master Hunter for one such as her.” The elegant Rä’Na pinned Singing Water with a look of disgust. “I put to this Senate, She, Singing Water should face the shunning. I vote yesss.”
Wind Dancer concurred without missing a beat. “I, too, vote yesss.”
“No is my vote.” Remorse coloured Dare Viper to Bite’s voice. His mouth downturned in disapproval as his vote would not stay the verdict. “I deplore slavery, and the actions of the Rä’Na were unconscionable ... had they been perpetrated against a Rä.” His gaze slid boldly to Venomous. “I refuse to side against one of our own for an offworlder.”
“It is a good thing the honourable choice achieved majority,” Wind Dancer declared pounding on his personal communicator with excessive force.
“Indeed,” Calm as Thunder said before Dare Viper to Bite responded and the barbs became unseemly bickering. “Warriors, please escort the offender to the haze.”
“No,” Singing Water shouted startling the gathering. “You cannot do this to me. Wait!” She slapped at the clawed hands reaching for her. “I demand my kindred be informed, so the ruling may be protested.” Lifting her chin, she drew herself up tall to look down on the Elders. “The cousin of my father holds a seat on the Southern Senate. He will be enraged I am being treated this way, for an alien, no less.”
Cobra’s mouth worked without sound as he rocked back, wanting her out of his space. “Even now, you show no remorse. You insult the one you harmed so grievously.”
“Oh, swallow your fangs,” she spat her voice brimming with vitriol. “Do not deny this,” she gestured around, “is what you wanted. You did this to me.”
“Thsst! I could not even conceive of this madness.”
Sensing blame would not influence him to defend her, Singing Water’s face crumpled. “I did it for us.”
Cobra studied her, his face wreathed by sorrow. “I almost believe you, wish you did care enough.... You acted for you, and you alone. That is why I do not pick up the knife in your name.”
“Very well.” A sneer twisted her features. “If you will not protect me, my kindred will.” Her eyes cut to the Elders. “As soon as this Senate contacts them.”
“Denied.” Wind Dancer said, happy to see an end to the atrocious argument. Rä did not act so reprehensively. “The vote has been cast.”
Singing Water stomped her foot. “I insist my kindred contacted.”
Raging, she lashed out at the nearest thing to her, pushing over an ancient statue of a firebird in flight.
The priceless artwork shattered on the stone floor in a crash of sound.
“I demand it,” she shrieked.
“Spoilt,” Fiercely scoffed. “Rotten. You are-”
Venomous held up a hand, slanting a look of pity at Cobra.
He had wondered why the Rä’Vek acted cool towards his ‘timid’ mate.
It was apparent they witnessed the true nature of the female Cobra had nested with.
“They shall, of course,” Calm to Thunder assured her manner frosty, “be sent a notification of your transgression, a transcript of the testimony spoken during these proceedings, the recorded evidence, and confirmation of your sentencing.
“You cannot do this. You have no right. My kindred are powerful. Elder Rising Tides–”
“Is not recognised by this conclave,” Dare Viper to Bite said in a cutting voice his compassion for her plight diminishing under her deplorable behaviour. “Rising Tides’ power as an Elder holds no sway here. And this is not a case deserving of the Great Senate. Therefore, you will abide the judgment of your Elders and go.”
He jerked his chin, summoning the guards to seize her.
Backing away, face wild with panic, she twirled to Cobra, hand at her throat. “My Rä’Vek.”
“He, who is widowed, Cobra that Strikes is yours no longer,” Calm as Thunder stated. “Be gone.”
The warriors forcibly removed her from the enclosure.
Head held low, Cobra followed after her.
“Scholar Wise are the Brave,” Wind Dancer began, “is it your opinion this investigation can be closed? Or is there other pertinent information this Senate must be made aware of?”
“None, Elder.”
“Praise Zython.” Calm as Thunder shivered. “The investigation into the atrocity that befell She, Lumen of the Stars is closed, and this conclave i
s ended.”
“Home?” Fiercely asked as the space cleared.
Venomous turned to stare after Cobra.
He experienced an echo of the agony he felt shunning his life giver.
His hearts squeezed.
He’d had his Rä’Na to cleave to in the raw aftermath.
Who would Cobra that Strikes turn to for comfort?
“Not yet,” he murmured.
“He will be fine. He does not feel for her as we do our life mate.” Fiercely scowled. “I want to go back to the lair and find out what Lumen was thinking protecting that horrid creature.”
“Not her. Us.” Venomous went to the Senate Quarter vestibule, finishing over his shoulder, “Lumen was protecting her males.”
A scene much like the one he’d experienced himself not too long ago played out.
Mouth tight, Cobra that Strikes had his back turned.
“Do not turn your back on me, Rä’Vek.” Singing Water paced as she vented her spleen, spittle flying. “You will admit your part.”
“I shun you.”
“You pushed me to this.”
“I shun you.”
Planting her feet wide apart, she screamed, “You lust after her.”
“Have you not done me enough harm?” Cobra bellowed. He shoved at the air as if pushing her away. “Must you destroy everything I am? Are you not happy I must bear the stain of your actions for the rest of my life?”
“Admit it, and I will go.”
Breaking tradition, Cobra turned.
His features etched anguish. “Then give me truth and I shall repay you in kind. Admit you never cared for me. Admit you did what you did to Lumen for yourself and no one else.”
“Truth, I never cared for you. Your low birth was a humiliation I endured each time I was forced to acknowledge you were mine. Truth, your touch made my scales crawl.” Her face wrinkled with the revulsion saturating her words. “Since you made me female, I prayed Grandmother would make me a widow. Truth, since that filthy alien came, I wanted her dead, and I would have tried to see her so, over, and over again until she was.”
Cobra wilted.
He pressed four fists over his hearts. “Truth, I desire another.”
“I wish you misery and loneliness for the rest of your life.”