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The shuttle bay in the cliff serving as the Imperial family’s home was familiar to him. He’d known it from infancy, born the blood heir to the empire’s throne. The granite walls were polished as smooth as marble. The floor was flat, but it was graded for secure footing. Beyond the rock surfaces, the bay was a bastion of advanced technology thanks to its computer panels, glassed-in security area, and the sleek personal shuttles of its residents dotting its open space.
Yuder wasn’t forced to seek the face he’d missed most. His human mate, Tara McInness, rushed forward from the knot of Kalquorians, Earthers, and red-armored guards waiting to greet him. “Yuder!”
“My love,” he whispered in her ear as their arms wrapped around each other. Tara had visited him regularly at the Kefwis Correctional Colony, at least once a month, but she looked…shefelt…different to him now that he was a free man. It was as if he’d not seen her since leaving the Galactic Council High Court in cuffs.
Loath to release her, he drew back just enough to look into her lovely face. Her delicate features glowed with joy. She was in her sixties, in Earther years no less, but a vigilant health routine and serene mind kept her appearance far younger.
“My heart,” he said. “Sometimes I wondered if this day would come.”
“Time is a slippery beast. Slow when we’re impatient, racing when we’d linger.” She smiled, her brown eyes twinkling. “Let’s discover how long we can stretch the minutes from this day forward.”
“Welcome home, my father.”
Tara chuckled and moved aside for Clajak. “You won’t let me keep him to myself, huh?”
“Sorry, Earth Mom. I’ve been counting the days until his homecoming.” The steel-haired Dramok emperor of Kalquor grinned at her, a sight to warm Yuder. Clajak adored his mother-in-law, and he knew Yuder still kept his deceased mother precious to his warrior heart. It hadn’t made it less difficult for Clajak to accept Tara’s role as Yuder’s beloved.
Perhaps the hurts had healed while Yuder was away. His son certainly seemed pleased at his return and spoke warmly. “How was the journey?”
“Too far for a man like me on a ship of such small size. I believe the Galactic Council’s penal system wishes Nobeks to return to their eager embrace. Why else would they stick a member of my breed on such a small vessel, unless they wanted me to commit murder?”
Clajak laughed and surprised Yuder by hugging him. After a second’s shock, the elder man returned the embrace, moved by his only child’s greeting. Even before the death of Clajak’s mother, father and son had butted heads more often than not. Had he been any less of a Nobek, tears might have risen to Yuder’s eyes.
Clajak stepped aside. His mate Jessica, who was also Tara’s youngest daughter, shoved past him for her turn. Slightly taller than her mother, the empress of the Kalquorian empire was similar in looks, but miles distant in temperament. If a Nobek personality could be proven to exist in a tiny human female, Jessica would be the prime candidate. As tempestuous as Tara was serene, her hug was enthusiastic. She beamed at him.
“Welcome home, my father. It’s wonderful to have you back.”
“It’s wonderful to be here with you. How many councilmen have you made cry since we last spoke, my fierce daughter?”
Laughter broke over them. Jessica blew a raspberry but hugged him harder.
The rest of the Imperial Clan greeted him: Imdiko Emperor Egilka, the steady intellectual, and Nobek Emperor Bevau, the deadly but compassionate strength of the clan. Yuder accepted their smiling reception while thinking of the vast differences between them and his late clan, with whom he’d ruled Kalquor for many years.
What a mess we made of it, at least at the end. Clan Clajak had to shepherd the empire through the war we started and through a civil war too.
Yuder was awed by his son’s clan and embarrassed at his own shortcomings. Three years of his life given to the justice system suddenly seemed a cheap price to pay for all he’d gotten wrong. If anyone else felt the same, they showed no sign of it. His family accepted him with heartfelt welcome.
Another waited to greet him. Yuder bowed to the sole representative of the Royal Council present. “Councilman Oiteil. It is a delight to see you again, though I wish I didn’t have to offer my condolences. My deepest sympathies for the loss of your Imdiko and Nobek.”
Dramok Oiteil returned the bow. “I had no idea you’d received the news. Thank you for the kindness, Imperial Father. We have a similar tragedy in common, being the last survivors of our clans.”
“I wouldn’t wish it on anyone. I’m sure the Imperial Clan has extended every possible assistance you require.”
Beside Yuder, Tara rubbed her eyes and blinked. Her smile at Oiteil was tentative. Jessica’s attention on the councilman was intent.
Oiteil managed a shaky smile. “Of course, they have. Unfortunately, there is little which can ease the heart at such a time.”
“You’re kind to interrupt your mourning to welcome me home.”
“Work is my salvation, not that I consider this an onerous task in any way. We have so much history, you and I.”
“Indeed.” Oiteil, gray sheening his black hair, had begun his career as a Royal Councilman when Yuder was an emperor. He’d been a voice of reasoned debate, and Yuder had always counted it as a benefit each time he was re-elected.
Those days were far behind Yuder, but Oiteil remained a vital member of Kalquor’s legislative branch of the constitutional monarchy. The Nobek swallowed a pang of jealousy. He was barred from government service, though the Royal Council had pardoned him for his crimes.
He’d been raised to rule the empire and had also once been a member of the planet’s premiere global law enforcement organization. Both avenues were closed to him, thanks to the Galactic Council’s terms of release and his age.
How am I to fill my days now?
