Page 32 of Infiltration

“We did commit a crime.” Knowingly, and it had ended in Earth’s destruction and the deaths of billions.

“We were trying to save the empire, as well as human women.” Ospar would admit to the terrible ramifications of their actions, but he’d never consider them as anything but the results of a necessary evil. His dedication to the salvation of Kalquor had no shades of gray.

“Don’t get Rajhir’s hopes up. It’s not a given outcome, no matter how certain Oiteil is.”

Movement at the corner of his eye alerted Yuder, and he jerked to discover Tara in the doorway of his office. She stared at him, her expression unreadable.

Chapter Eight

Yuder fought a flush of guilt. What was Tara doing home so early?

But no, it was close to evening. Yuder hadn’t realized he’d been talking to Ospar for so long. “My Matara, I’d lost track of time.”

“Imperial Mother!” If Ospar was startled to be caught discussing matters he shouldn’t, he displayed none of it. Then again, he’d always been at peace when it came to bending the truth when he believed it was for a good cause. “I heard you’ll be giving a talk at my Imdiko’s upcoming symposium for religious and philosophical cooperation.”

She stepped into the room and in the com’s vid view so Ospar could see her. “I’m looking forward to it. Master Rivek is a joy to work with. How are you, Ospar? I believe congratulations are in order. Your contribution to Earth is paying great dividends to my people.”

“I’m delighted to have been a small part of it. It’s a thrill to give humans a home on their own planet again.” There was distant noise of yelling and thumping in the distance on Ospar’s end. Yuder’s first thought was the man’s home had come under attack.

“It’s sounds like the children are home from their activities,” the Dramok chuckled. “I’d better go before they eat everything in the kitchen and tear the roof off. I’ll speak to you again soon, Imperial Father? And I hope to you as well, Imperial Mother.”

Both Yuder and Tara returned his bow. The transmission ended. When Ospar disappeared, Yuder offered his mate a hopeful smile. “I haven’t even considered dinner plans. What are you in the mood for?”

“What were you and Ospar discussing? I heard Oiteil’s name come up.” Tara’s smile had disappeared to be replaced by a worried frown.

Yuder sighed. There was no point in playing innocent. He wasn’t good at pretending anyway. “I told Ospar the councilman is drumming up support for our return to public service. I didn’t want him taken by surprise if someone else mentioned it to him. He needed to be warned to not let his hopes run off with his good sense.”

“Ospar and good sense…doesn’t ring a bell.” Her tone was dry.

“He’s smart. He just lets his enthusiasm for duty overcome it at times.”

“As you are?”

“Tara.” Yuder wanted to take her in his arms and reassure her, but the thought she might push him away was too awful. “I’m being careful. I wanted to make sure Ospar is also careful.”

“You’re sure? You weren’t discussing how much you hope Oiteil is successful? Or making plans on your grand comebacks?”

Tara had the mildest temper Yuder had encountered of anyone, but it didn’t mean she had none. Her first husband Aaron had supposedly been just as serene. Their daughter Jessica was the opposite, as passionate and easily outraged as Yuder’s son and her mate Clajak. It was seldom the Nobek encountered the temper Jessica had seemingly inherited from no one, but had in fact come from Tara.

“You swear you won’t do anything to hurt me, yet I had word today Oiteil was waiting on the beach when you left the ashram yesterday. Again. Now I come home to find you talking to Ospar about his scheme. They’ll put you back in prison if you don’t follow the terms of your release, Yuder!”

“I am following the terms, and they’re killing me. I can’t help if Oiteil insists on telling me his intentions and accomplishments. I didn’t ask him to take up this cause. And yes, I commed Ospar to tell him what was going on, to give him some hope. We’ve had little of it since the trials.” Yuder stood and paced, trying desperately to burn off the excess energy that had nowhere to go. “He’s like me. He can’t stand to be uninvolved when so many new issues face the empire.”

“Which the Royal Council and your son’s clan are more than qualified to deal with,” Tara rebutted. “Did you notice they took care of the civil war? That they kept the empire from falling completely apart? They’re doing fine on their own!”

“You mean without me. Go on, tell me no one needs me. Tell me I might as well be forgotten, left on the shelf to collect dust.”

“That isn’t what I’m saying, my love.” Her anger dissolved in an instant, and tears brightened her eyes. “I need you. Why am I not enough?”

Why wasn’t she? Yuder loved her with all his being. She’d filled the emptiness Irdis’ death had woken in his heart. Then again, when Zarl and Tidro had died, Tara had entered those terrible voids and made the memories of his clan sweet rather than bitter.

“It’s I who need you. You’re strong, Tara, as strong as any Nobek who ever fought for glory. You don’t truly need me. If we’d never met, you would have been fine on your own after Aaron died.”

“I don’t want to be on my own. Those three years you were locked away were an eternity.” She came close and took his hands.

“Want is another state. You may want me, but you’re complete, even when I’m not around, and that’s as it should be.”

“It’s the same for you.”

---