Tellan: Brides of the Mylos Read online

Ryker looked at his wife impatiently. “Is it all Mylos who do the scale thing or did your genetic trade include any other types? Like felines, perhaps?”

  His wife took another sip of champagne. “Always on about the fur. He’s asking because he likes to put on a suit and go to those conventions, you know. “

  Tellan blinked, not understanding what the woman was referencing at all. Laurel had never felt more awkward in her life. “Those are quite popular, I understand., especially among young people. Those and anime conventions and such like.”

  “Oh, to be sure, but I get the feeling Leon would leave me if a large four breasted alien tabby cat of a woman came down from the stars and offered to add him to her harem.”

  Tellan smiled. “There are no such beings among the known worlds. Not as you describe, at any rate.” He turned towards Laurel. “Shall we dance?” She nodded, eager to get away. Ryker’s wife had sounded bitter and Laurel had no desire to get into the middle of whatever that was brewing at their table. Tellan pushed his chair back, stood, and extended his hand. She pushed her own chair back and took his hand, rising gracefully.

  The centre of the dining room was a ballroom floor and now that the dessert had been served, dance music played. They joined the few couples who had already ventured onto the floor. A feeling of enchantment stole over Laurel as they swayed and whirled. The room about them faded away. There was only the music, Tellan, and herself. She thought that this must be how Cinderella felt at the ball, the night she met her prince. Only she already knew Tellan and there wasn’t any weird kind of magical deadline or need to worry over a lost shoe. Still, there was a sense of complete and utter rightness about the feel of herself in his arms.

  Unlike the new brides to be registered, they hadn’t taken a DNA sample to finish matching her. They hadn’t gotten it wrong, though. She knew that now. His arms were where she belonged, and his were within hers. She opened her mouth to tell him, when the song came to an end and the magic of the moment was lost. She leaned her head upon his chest instead as a slow number began to play. She resolved to tell him later, in private. For now, she’d communicate it without words, melding their bodies together as they moved in sensuous dance.

  ****

  Laurel awoke to voices. Whoever Tellan was talking to obviously didn’t care that it was so early in the morning, shipboard time.

  “Excellent. You’ve already had virtual meetings with all the necessary human agencies while enroute, I believe.” Laurel heard the other male give confirmation. “In that case, all that remains is the official handover. I don’t think a ceremony is in order, I feel that would give a wrong impression. There are humans who are still feeling cautious about our intentions. One of the rumours is that we plan to colonise them and subjugate the populace. I wish to avoid anything that could appear to give any credence to that notion.”

  “Yes, I’ve read the report you submitted. It was very thorough,” the other male said, appreciation lacing his tone. “I agree. A simple handover of the ambassadorial seal accompanied by a hard copy of the orders assigning the fleet here should suffice.”

  “On the flight deck of your ship, then, with a full honour guard complement?”

  “Yes, Mine behind me and yours behind you, in front of your shuttle . The visual record can be archived with access to the human governmental bodies granted.”

  “Most excellent. This afternoon then, Commander.” Tellan cut the communication as Laurel entered the room. “I hope we didn’t wake you,” he said to her.

  “Was that the Fleet Commander? Did I hear you right? Handover is this afternoon?”

  “Yes, they arrived in orbit not quite thirty minutes ago. Doing an official handover and then you and I, my dear, are going to go to Oahu. Your mother and siblings will join us at the end of the week.”

  Laurel blinked the remaining sleep out of her eyes, excitement washing over her. “Oh! Are we going to look at wedding venues there, then, like we talked about?”

  “No, your mother has taken care of all that thanks to the interweb and my protocol officer. Venue has been booked, she’s taken care of the clothing issues, and has arranged coverage at the restaurant. We shall be having our mating ceremony on the beach then attend some kind of feast called a luau. Then, we are taking something called an island hopper tour while we honey the moon for an entire week. Finally, we spend a week in Jamaica visiting with your extended family.”

  Laurel stared at him. “That’s three weeks.”

  “Four actually, as your mother will be visiting Jamaica while we honey the moon. She will fly back with us to Birmingham at the end of our visit. I thought you’d like to spend a week at your old home before we leave for Mylos space.”

  “Thank you,” Laurel whispered, tears prickling her eyes. She wondered if he knew that he had just finished cementing himself within her heart. She gave a small sniffle, then giggled. Honey the moon, indeed.

  Chapter Seventeen

  Post command of Wheeler Army Airfield was taking one step beyond any of the previous measures they’d experienced. From the moment they entered Hawaiian airspace, they’d had a military escort. Exiting the shuttle revealed lines of military police, an honour guard and the Post Commander waiting for them.

  “Welcome to Wheeler Army Airfield! On behalf of the United States Army, please let me be the first on hand to say Aloha!” A woman wearing a smart suit and a name tag that said she was the general manager for AAFES held out a lei to each of them, waiting for them to bend their heads so she could slip it over their necks.

  Laurel was exhausted and wished they could have landed at the Honolulu Bride Registry Office. Sadly, the landing pad there was still under construction so that had not been possible. She climbed into the black SUV that awaited them and only half listened to the discussion going on as Tellan spoke to the general. At least she thought he might be a general. Crap. I really should learn these ranks if we’re going to keep meeting with these military types. Then again, this is probably the last time. Soon I’ll be sitting my butt on a couch on an entirely new planet. Laurel yawned and closed her eyes.

  She awoke to Tellan gently touching her arm and calling her name. “We’ve arrived. “

  She blinked groggily and took in their surroundings.

  “Your husband was just telling us how you could barely sleep from all the excitement. I hope you’re not too tired for lunch,” the woman from AAFES said. “We have reservations at eleven-thirty for Orchids.”

  “No, I could definitely eat. I skipped breakfast. I hope they have coffee.”

  “Oh, I’m sure they will have some of the finest Kona bean coffee. It’s grown over on the Big Island, you know. “

  “That’s right. I think there’s a coffee farm on our island hopper tour.” As they spoke, they exited the vehicle and walked into the entrance of the hotel. Laurel stopped speaking and simply drank in the lobby. “Oh, wow.”

  “It is impressive,” the woman agreed. Laurel peeked at her name tag. Her name was Cheryl Murtaugh. “It’s one of the most luxurious hotels on the island.” Cheryl laughed. “Much swankier than the Comfort Inn my husband and I stayed at for ours. I wouldn’t have traded it for the world, though.” Laurel smiled at her, deciding she liked her. “Here, why don’t you sit down while I go speak to the hotel manager with Tellan?” Cheryl gestured to a seating area just inside the doors.

  Tellan’s security entourage moved to take seats as Laurel gratefully sank into the cushions of the nearest sofa. Her stomach rumbled in protest, cramping. Fortunately, it was only a short wait before they were all on the move again. Up a lift and down a corridor and through the door of their suite, it was all over so quickly.

  “We have time to unpack before meeting them at The Orchid.” Tellan said.

  “Is it far? It’s nearly eleven now,” Laurel replied.

  “It’s here at the hotel.”

  “Oh, okay. Am I dressed okay?” She looked down at her red flared leg pantsuit and black strappy sandals.

&n
bsp; “You’re perfect, as always,” Tellan replied, opening a suitcase and eyeing the contents critically. “My shirts and trousers are all wrinkled.”

  Laurel wriggled her toes. The matching red polish had held up well so far, she decided. She looked up at Tellan. “I bet we can call down to the desk and have them taken to the dry cleaner to be pressed. Or maybe there’s an iron or press of some kind in here somewhere. Lots of hotels have them.” Laurel scrunched her nose at the sight of the wrinkles in the dress she wanted to wear to dinner that evening. She began peering about the suite. “I don’t see one, I’ll call down.” She picked up the phone next to the bed. She explained the situation to the clerk. Her face brightened. “Okay, thank you so much!” She hung up. “They will send up an ironing board and iron for us. It’ll be here when we get back from lunch. She said they have a steamer function on them that allows you to steam out the wrinkles while the clothes are on a hangar if they aren’t too wrinkled. That’s just perfect.”

  “Excellent,” Tellan agreed. They finished putting away their clothes and after a quick glance at her smartwatch, Laurel decided to freshen up her makeup before they headed out the door. She picked up her toiletry case and carried it in the bathroom. A quick look look showed she only needed to freshen up her lipstick. She did so, then rubbed some lotion onto her hands and lightly spritzed herself with the bottle of subtly fragranced Hawaiian orchid perfume Tellan had gifted her with the evening before.

  “Okay, I’m ready,” she announced. Tellan gallantly held out his arm for her to take and they left.

  The military officer had gone, but Cheryl waited for them outside the door of the restaurant along with their own security entourage and another Mylos Laurel didn’t recognise.

  “Registry Officer Klerin, it’s so good of you to join us,” Tellan said, greeting him.

  “Oh! I didn’t realise you’d be joining us. Where are my manners,” Laurel said to Klerin, extending her hand. Klerin looked at it puzzled for a split second but then figured out he was supposed to take it.

  “I wasn’t sure if I’d make it. I was called to the registry office site this morning to sort out some issue to do with concrete.”

  “Nothing serious, I hope?” Cheryl asked, her voice laced with concern. Klerin shook his head.

  “Not at all. I arrived to discover they had already sorted whatever it was out and no one had thought to message me.”

  Cheryl wrinkled her nose. “Oh, no.”

  “Yes, well, never mind,” Klerin said. I suppose we have to expect things like this to happen from time to time. Miscommunications, that is.”

  They entered the restaurant. “Ambassador’s Tellan’s party,” Cheryl told the hostess.

  Laurel could smell roasted coffee beans and her mouth salivated. Coffee, coconut, and … pancakes? Oh, I know what I want to order!

  Chapter Eighteen

  She had indeed smelled pancakes, which she ordered for dessert after a starter of calamari and a main course that included fresh caught mahi mahi. The coffee was every bit as delicious as it smelled and she’d gotten the brand of coffee the hotel used after asking. She resolved to get some to bring back to the ship. I wonder if I can get wholesale sacks of it to take back to Mylos with us? That and some Jamaican coffee.

  She slipped off her sandals and carefully pulled off her head wrap. “I’m too full to do anything,” she moaned.

  “You still look tired. Why don’t you take a nap? We can visit the pool and sightsee from tomorrow.”

  “Okay,” she replied, leaning over to give Tellan a grateful kiss on the cheek before going into the bedroom to take him up on his offer. “You going to join me?”

  “I have go over our itinerary with the security team,” he said, regret colouring his tone. “We have free entry to the palace and a few other places of interest. I’ve added them in, so I need to update my team.”

  “Ah, okay. That sounds cool.”

  “Dinner tonight is something they call ‘resort casual’. “

  “Cool, I wanted to wear that sundress. I’ll pair it with my brown flat sandals I brought. Where are we eating? Here at the hotel again?”

  “Yes, outside at The House Without Keys. There will be music played under a tree there, some kind of historical local tradition for the resort.”

  Laurel thought that sounded lovely. She nodded at Tellan and climbed onto the bed. The mattress was firm and the room was cool without being too cold. Tellan closed the blinds for her, shutting out the sun. Her last thought before she fell asleep was that the ocean view outside had looked inviting and she thought it would be romantic to go stroll along the beach after their meal.

  ****

  “Mum? MUM!” Laurel shrieked, forgetting herself for a moment as pure, unadulterated joy swept through her.

  “Hey, baby. You weren’t expecting me yet, huh?” Her mother cackled. “Tellan and I wanted to surprise you. “ Her mother took a sip from her cocktail glass. “These are pretty damned good. You should get yourself one of these mai tais.”

  Tellan pulled his bride a chair out next to her mother. Laurel took it, giving them both a mock stern look. “Tricksters, the pair of you.!” she pretended to huff.

  Her mother laughed over her drink and waved at the server.

  “Mum, he’s already on his way, look, he has menus for us.”

  “Does he? Oh, so he does.”

  “How many of those have you had?” Laurel asked suspiciously. Her mother was infamous for her eagle eyes missing nothing going on at their own restaurant and was a frequent commenter on what was being done wrong when eating out at others.

  “Three,” her mother confessed.

  “Perhaps a non-alcoholic beverage until after the main course, huh? Some Coke or something.” Tellan accepted a menu from the waiter. Seeing him trying to hand her one, she apologised. “Sorry, I’m not paying as much attention as I should either.”

  “That’s all right.” The young man smiled in reassurance. “I’m Keanu and I’m your server for tonight. Do you know what you wish to drink tonight?”

  They quickly chose their drinks and perused the menu for starters. “I think I’ll have the poke bowl,” Laurel said. “No sense coming to Hawaii and not eating actual local cuisine.”

  “I’ll have the breaded Big Island hearts of palm,” Tellan said. Laurel hadn’t missed the way he’d looked mystified over several items on the menu and knew he must have chosen a starter at random. She hoped he liked it.

  “I’ll have that sampler platter,” her mother said.

  “The puupuu platter?”

  “That’s the one, yes.”

  “I’ll be back shortly with your beverages. Please feel free to peruse the menu to decide on your main course.”

  “I already know what I want,” her mother said. “Since this all on expense, I’m going to have the Kona lobster.”

  Laurel looked at Tellan in apology. He nodded. “That is a delicacy, I believe, some kind of large crustacean.”

  “Mmhhmm,” her mother said, finishing off her mai tai.

  “I believe I shall also try this dish. With rice.”

  “I want mine with potato.”

  Laurel shook her head. These two together were something else. She knew she’d have to keep an eye on them. They seemed to bring out the mischief in each other.

  “Do you know what you want, my dear?” Tellan asked her.

  “I think I’ll have the lau lau chicken. I hope I have enough room for pudding. That pineapple cheesecake sounds delicious. Rum caramel sauce, it says”

  “That does sound good. So does that chocolate chiffon cake with macadamia nut sauce. If we’re too full, maybe we can come back one evening just for pudding!” her mother enthused. “Research for our own restaurant, you know.”

  Laurel laughed. “Hush, Mum. You’ll get us kicked out for industrial sabotage!”

  .”All right, all right.”

  Their server showed up with their soft drinks . “I’ll just take your empty gla
sses,” Keanu said to Laurel’s mum.

  “Thank you,” she said. He beamed at her, white teeth flashing against his naturally tanned skin.

  “I’ll just take these back to the kitchen and come right back with your starters,” he said before turning away.

  “This music is very interesting,” Tellan said as the trio headlining paused in their playing.

  “They’re really good,” Laurel agreed. “Oh!”

  Laurel’s mum whipped out her camera. “I want to get some pictures of the hula dancer!” she said.”

  “I’d like a print if it comes out,” Laurel told her.

  “We added an uplink to Fleet for extra security,” Tellan told her. “We can retrieve the recording.”

  “Really? That is so cool!”

  “Can you put that on a DVD for me?” her mum asked.

  “I am certain our techs can figure out a way to do so.”

  Her mum snapped a few more photos before putting her camera away. “I know it’s old school, but I do like film.”

  Tellan nodded.. “Oh, here are our appetisers!” he said as Keanu arrived with them and began serving. “They all look and smell delicious.”

  “And I didn’t have to cook it, supervise it, do the closing up after, or tally any receipts!” her mum crowed. Laurel laughed. It was good to see her mother feeling so carefree.

  Chapter Nineteen

  “Sarongs? This was your solution, Mum? Really?”

  “No time for fittings, on the beach in a bunch of sand, and going to a luau right after, so hell, yes. If your ass wanted a white dress and poofy looking bridesmaids, you should have asked to get married in church or at a registry office or court house.” Her mother looked at her indignantly while her sister and Charlotte took several steps aback.

  Laurel deflated. “You’re right. I said to go ahead with the plans when he brought it up. I’m being stupid. The sarongs are beautiful.”