Book 4
Siha: Rise of Rakhana
Part II
Tetonbaum watches the back of the blue and mauve crests connected to Quoyle Nerafa's scalp, from the backseats of the armored skyrunner, courtesy of the Illuminated Primacy for hosting its protected guests to and from locations. His shoulders fill the small windows of the back area, Kasumi wedged beside him and looking out her window to the sight of another skyrunner that flanks their right. Another flies on their left.
Borhaus looks in the rearview mirror and adjusts the glass, trying to get a peek of Kasumi. Some skin is exposed by the small turn of a reversed hem running the length of a cut from her ankle to her knee.
Kasumi and Tetonbaum notice the obvious attention, and Kasumi glances at her hem slit, looks at Borhaus's shaded yellow eyes and purple and red patak, then folds the fabric down to hide her leg from sight.
She flushes and glances at her husband.
Tetonbaum stares into Borhaus's eyes through the mirror reflection.
"Casnar Soterios is your half-brother," Borhaus observes aloud. "I don't see any resemblance."
Tetonbaum bends his glower. "I am blessed with my father's comely looks, a father whom Casnar and I share, you know this…My mother's side, I possess her patience and her eyes…Though she is the descendant of serial murderers..."
With a glance and a small smile, Kasumi resumes her observation out the window.
"Your wife is human," Quoyle states, his voice hoarse and thoughtful. The bedi is in a tray in the middle of he and Borhaus up front. A thin stream of smoke still snakes its way upwards under the mirror and around it.
"Your observation is correct," Tetonbaum replies.
"You two work in the government together?"
"Yes."
"You've been together a while…Like your family member, and his co-marriage to that Shepard woman and the Tan'nanshul drell…How come you don't have kids."
"I do not discuss family matters outside of family—if at all."
Quoyle does not look at the rearview, "…Curious…She know why you two don't have any kids?"
Tetonbaum squeezes Kasumi's hand in return. Borhaus continues to study Kasumi's face in the mirror…She is aware of his pointing the glass.
"We'll be needing to do a check on the family," Quoyle goes on, "…I'd appreciate your cooperation with making that go fluidly for us."
Kasumi and Tetonbaum turn their eyes to Quoyle's crests. "That will be decided by the actual family—meaning Casnar, Ylyssus, and Braith…Not I nor my wife."
"You are family," Quoyle slides his elbow over the shoulder of the front bench, and turns the rearview with his hand to show his eyes at them, "…correct?"
Tetonbaum tilts his crests, looking Quoyle in the eyes. Borhaus turns in his seat. He points to Kasumi, "…What size dress and shoe are you."
She narrows her eyes at him. Tetonbaum is thrown a little by the question. "What do you want to know for?" Kasumi asks coldly.
"Your husband doesn't let us check on those kids and that mother of theirs," he gives her a promising glare, "…You'll need a change of clothes because the barracks don't allow for nice dresses and heels." Kasumi stares. "You won't be going back to Sulinvia with him, that's what that means—"
"I get that."
"I would prefer you not threaten my wife," Tetonbaum implores directly.
"He can't touch me." Kasumi looks at Borhaus then to Tetonbaum, "…Don't let them mess with you, Teton…Take care of your family."
You are my family, his eyes say.
"I'll be okay." She rubs his hand with her thumb. His sapphires look troubled. I hate what they're doing to you. Were we anywhere else, she thinks, …that drell would be flying out that door…Nerafa too…Kasumi turns her attention to the slap of rain on the window and breathes a little sigh of relief—what with no one having any more to threaten. She feels her husband's purring through his great body, him letting her know he wishes her comfort.