To prove it to herself, she said out loud, “Tell me we don’t have to be apart again. Tell me this is forever.”
Diltan’s head appeared over Wal’s. He propped his chin on the sleepily smiling Imdiko’s shoulder. “You are ours, my love. As soon as decorum allows, I will make the offer to clan you. An offer you will accept.”
She chuckled at the order before rolling her eyes at him. “You and appearances. Aren’t you the one who said fuck propriety? Well, fuck decorum too. Decorum sucks.”
He grinned, but there was real regret in his tone. “I agree. However, there is one inescapable fact: you are a member of the Imperial Family. Therefore, certain proprieties will have to be observed as much as we may dislike doing so.”
Rolat snickered. “You can’t help but vex him in one way or the other, can you Cissy?”
She sighed. “Even when I play nice with Diltan, I can’t play nice with Diltan.”
The Dramok reached to stroke her hair, delighting her with his touch. “Have no fear, my love. I will make my intentions known to your family with undue haste.”
“And you can be sure I will accept. Heaven help them if they try to stop me.”
“That’s a bigger threat than any Rolat could offer,” Wal observed. “Only a lunatic or Diltan would dare oppose you. But then, the two may be one and the same.”
Diltan smacked the Imdiko’s ass for that one while Cissy and Rolat laughed.
Happy despite having to wait on naming herself part of Clan Diltan, Cissy said, “I guess that makes us engaged then. Hey, you’re ridiculously rich. Where is my ridiculously huge ring with the billion carat diamond?”
Diltan grinned, looking as euphoric as she felt. “I’ll buy you rings for every finger, if that will make you happy. Anything your heart desires, my Matara.”
She waved off his offer. “I’m not interested in any stupid rocks or jewelry. Just you three. That’s all my little old heart wants.”
“That will save some money,” Wal said, spurring more laughter.
Cissy thought there was no better sound than their mingled joy. That was better than any other declaration of their union.
High expectation and anxiety filled the court the next morning. The galleries filled to capacity once more. Cissy was amazed to see the number of Earther women there, all who seemed to be surrounded by their clans. The Royal Council’s gallery was similarly filled with both councilmen and their clanmates, including Mataras.
It was a gesture of solidarity with Yuder, as well as gratitude. Cissy exchanged hopeful smiles with her sister, aunt, cousins, and Jessica’s friend Michaela, who had also shown up as a show of support. Could this be a sign that things might go their way? That the revolution faction of Kalquor might be relenting?
If it was, the emperors and their accompanying aides showed no sign of optimism. The men’s faces were set in lines of unsmiling stoicism. Clajak in particular sat quite still in his seat.
Tasha leaned in close to Cissy to whisper. “So Wal didn’t give you any indication?”
She shook her head, remembering with some embarrassment her combativeness the day before. “It’s not proper for him to do so. Plus, I think he’s trying to protect everyone from accusations of special treatment.”
As usual, Kalquorian hearing won out over whispers. Egilka shifted in his seat to smile at them. “Honorable Wal is a good man and an excellent judge. No matter what, he’ll have done things as they should be done.”
The Imdiko emperor winced then, as if his words stung him. He looked worriedly at Clajak who sat beside him.
The tense set of Clajak’s shoulders eased a little. He turned his head to look at Egilka. In that look, Cissy saw the respect and trust the Dramok held for his clanmate.
He said, “Indeed Wal will act with the utmost honor. Let me add that no one in his clan has acted improperly when it comes to upholding the Empire.” He turned his warm gaze to Cissy. “I hope they make you happy, my cousin. Whatever my father’s sentence may be, I can’t be more pleased with your choice of a clan.”
Cissy was surprised Clajak realized how serious her relationship with Clan Diltan had become. But then, it was his clan’s business to know what was going on in the Empire – perhaps they took that responsibility to extended family just as seriously. As everyone else added their smiles, she knew they’d all somehow figured things out ... maybe sooner than she had
Then again, Jessica was Clan Clajak’s Matara. Jessica had a habit of sniffing out secrets that affected those she loved.
Cissy was relieved to know her in-laws approved of Clan Diltan. There would be no obstacles to clanning with the men she loved. Even Lindsey, who remained uncertain about the matter after Cissy had told her about Diltan’s confession, gave her a thumbs-up to indicate her support.
Cissy turned her attention to Diltan and Rolat, both sitting in the crowded Royal Council gallery. They gave her questioning looks. They had apparently seen something of the exchange. Cissy winked at them with a leer. Then she stuck her tongue out at the pair, being the brat. Rolat grinned and Diltan shook a finger at her. The subdued snickers around Cissy told her that the exchange had been witnessed by her family.
“Those poor men,” Tasha sighed.
The courtroom went quiet as the judges walked out onto their platform. All hilarity vanished in an instant. The court officer announced the session had begun.
From his podium, Onziv told the officer, “Bring in Imperial Father Nobek Yuder.”
Yuder came out of the door that Cissy had been told was the holding area. This time he was flanked by twice the guards as the day before despite the invisible containment shield between the front area and the public gallery. There were no calls against him. In fact, Cissy could detect only her own breath in the near-absolute silence. Then again, most of the gallery had filled with supporters. Any dissenters would be vastly outnumbered today.
Yuder glanced up at their box, his gaze moving between Clajak and Tara. Then he bowed to Nivere before standing at her side. He faced the judges, standing straight, tall, and proud.
He and the judges exchanged nods. Then Onziv spoke.
“Imperial Father Yuder, Nobek of Clan Zarl, you have entered a plea of guilty in the matter of the willful abductions of Earther Mataras. This action which you confess to resulted in war with Earth, leading to its subsequent destruction. Do you stand by your guilty plea?”
Another slight nod. “I do, Honorable Onziv. I accept the sentence you have deemed just for me.”
Onziv took a deep breath. “Very well. Before I pass sentence, I would like the Empire to know that this panel of honorable judges has taken into consideration certain variables. These details include the reasons the defense put forth for Imperial Father Yuder’s actions.” His direct gaze centered on Yuder. “Your age and the impact your punishment will have on the Imperial Clan, which leads our Empire, has also been considered. The assertions of those Mataras alleged to have been brought against their will to Kalquor and who have come forward to defend you have been weighed.”
Onziv’s chin lifted. Cissy tensed, knowing the judgment was coming.
The head judge said, “We are satisfied your intentions were for the most part good, striving for the welfare of the Empire. However, we are also unanimous in believing you and then Emperor Zarl misplaced your concern that our culture be continued through a breeding program. You willfully put our culture’s continuity ahead of all other more important considerations.”
Tasha grabbed Cissy’s hand. Cissy squeezed, feeling doom descending.
“Imperial Father, you ignored the warnings from the leadership of Earth that the repercussions of bringing their women here would result in war. In so doing, you cleared the path for Earth’s destruction as well as the possible extinction all species of that planet. For setting us on a course that resulted in Earth’s Armageddon, the deaths of billions of its people, and placing its indigenous species at risk, justice must be served. You are hereby exiled to the penal colony on the moon of Baldu for a term of fifty years.”
The courtroom rang with gasps. Several of the Earther women began to sob, including Michaela. Meanwhile, the emperors and Jessica sat stone-faced, giving no reaction at all. Tara also sat quietly, her expression controlled.
Onziv wasn’t done. “In addition to this sentence, this court recommends you be handed over to the Galactic Council of Planets to face that distinguished body’s charges. We order that matter be taken up by the Royal Council and Imperial Clan at their earliest opportunity. Until then, you will be placed in custody to begin serving your sentence at once. This honorable panel’s decision is so decreed. Court is adjourned.”
The judges filed out. Wal did not look in Cissy’s direction. Perhaps he feared what he would see ... but Cissy was too shocked to know if she was angry with him or not.
Yuder gazed up at Tara as he was escorted out of the courtroom by his guards. His expression was one of comfort. Tara blew him a kiss, looking braver than Cissy thought possible. Then he went through the door, gone.
Tasha was the first to find her voice. “Fifty years? Auntie Tara—”
Lindsey and Jessica were on their feet, moving to embrace their mother. The men also stood, looking towards her. Even Clajak seemed more concerned for her loss than his own.
Tara’s courageous expression never wavered. There was a noticeable tremor in her voice, however. “I’m all right, everyone. After all, we knew it would probably come to this.”
Bevau went to her. He bent to press his forehead to hers. “Baldu is a minimum security facility, and one that will allow you many visits. It’s as easy a penal colony as one could hope for. He will be well treated.”
Clajak added, “It’s not a work camp, Earth Mom. Yuder’s biggest worry there will be boredom.” He drew a shuddering breath. “It’s a longer sentence than I had hoped for, but in balancing the need for justice, I think the panel did their best.”
Tara managed a smile. “Now the rebellion has no leg to stand on, not really. It’s what Yuder hoped for. I know he’s pleased.”
Clajak rubbed his forehead, worry lining his handsome face and aging it. “I’m more concerned about how he’ll fare before the Galactic Council’s courts. I do not think they will be so lenient.”
Jessica touched his arm, fear lighting in her eyes. “Yuder has already been given a near-life sentence, my Dramok. Do we have to hand him over to them?”
“If we want to keep the Basma’s rebellion to an unhappy few, we have no choice. For the Empire’s sake, we must vote for Yuder’s extradition.” Clajak reached to stroke Tara’s cheek. “My greatest sorrow is for your loss, Earth Mom. I know how much he means to you. This sacrifice is as much yours as his.”
She impatiently scrubbed away the lone tear that streaked from her eye. “It is the way of life, Clajak. Sorrow and joy, ever trading places forever and always.”
Even stoic Egilka was moved to emotion. His voice choked, he told Tara, “Yuder is fortunate to have a mate such as you. We are all lucky in that respect. Your strength bolsters ours.”
Cissy silently agreed. Tara had always been a beacon of grace, and she shone brighter than ever in the wake of this personal calamity.
Cissy knew she lacked that kind of courage. Now that Clan Diltan was undeniably her future, she knew she would never be able to let them go. Not even for an Empire. Faith and Kalquor be damned; she could not survive such a thing.
She looked to the two men watching her from across the room. Diltan mouthed the words
I’m sorry
. Cissy nodded. Then she blew them a kiss, much as Tara had to Yuder. However, hers was not a kiss goodbye. She was weak. She would never be able to tell them goodbye.
Cissy sighed, thinking of her belief in reincarnation, the ceaseless cycle of lives until the soul was pure and no longer clung to anything. She’d have to endure many more lifetimes before she’d get things right. There was no way she’d ever be able to give up her clan.
* * * *
Two days passed after Yuder’s sentencing. The Royal Council and Imperial Clan assembled to take up the matter of his extradition to Galactic Council space to face their justice. Diltan took his place on the council’s seats next to Oiteil.
Kalquor’s atmosphere had turned blessedly peaceful in the aftermath of conviction and sentencing. Protests had been canceled and the number of threats against Yuder and the government dwindled. Diltan knew the matter of extradition had potential to incite unrest once more. Though he and Jessica had hoped to change minds through the Earther Mataras’ testimony on Yuder’s behalf, it had been only partially successful. It was all too obvious that to keep the Empire from splitting apart, the former emperor would have to face intergalactic justice now. Yuder had sent word he was more than ready to do so.
Diltan looked at Maf, sitting uncomfortably on the bottom tier of the seats. He shifted often, trying to relieve his bent joints. Otherwise, he seemed anticipatory. And why not? He had gotten what he wanted: conviction, sentence, and in a few minutes if all went well, extradition. Diltan was surprised the man wasn’t gloating.
Something else surprised Diltan: Maf’s friend and frequent collaborator Councilman Terbal did not sit with him. Diltan looked about, thinking Terbal must be running late. He gaped when he caught sight of the Dramok, sitting on the other end of the tiers in a circle of men.
“What the deuce is that man doing?” Diltan muttered.
“Who?” Oiteil peered in the direction that he stared.
“Terbal. He’s sitting with Gamas, Efo, and several others who claimed first Earther Mataras.”
“That is odd.” Oiteil frowned.
Before they could discuss this strange occurrence, Clajak convened the meeting. He did not postpone the unpleasant duty for a second.
Standing before his chair on the dais, he said, “We all know our first business here. Imperial Father Nobek Yuder has been convicted and sentenced for the part he played in the destruction of Earth. This honorable council will now vote to determine whether he will be extradited to the Galactic Council of Planets to face further charges on the interplanetary stage.”