When Captain Onet and his crew are tasked with hosting peace talks between two worlds of longstanding animosity, all are convinced there’s more to the task.
What Onet didn’t expect was that his husband Nissie would predict one of the peace delegates would become their third.
However, not only does Nissie’s prediction come true in Prince Altan, but so do Onet’s misgivings about the mission when Altan is nearly killed.
Can Onet uncover the traitor before they succeed in killing Altan, and keep the war between worlds raging?
When the rest of Onet’s officers arrived for the meeting a few moments later, no one mentioned that Nissie was all but draped over the seat closest to Onet. No one would dare. Nissie answered to no one but Onet himself.
He’d summoned his most senior officers only. His chief of security, Zagada. A reptilian, although one of the smaller races, his strategic thinking had saved the day more than once. Geri, his chief medical officer. A sawbones second to none. Mote, his chief engineer who could coax a dead engine back to life and seemed happier to be with his precious engines than living members of the crew. Finally Atoya, chief science officer. They looked stunning as usual, but they had little interest in anything other than their work and their studying.
As Onet expected, Zagada was the first to speak. “So what mess are we sorting out for them now?”
A low chuckle went around then table, and Onet smiled, nodding. “Feels that way doesn’t it. When all else fails or you don’t have anyone with the balls to do what’s needed, send us in.”
“And is that the case?” Geri asked. As the chief medical officer, she had to patch up those caught in the crossfire of the missions they were given. She ran a hand through short, white hair. “Am I going to be sewing up the crew up again at the end of some bloodied brawl?”
Onet couldn’t help but chuckle, although he was also certain that if it ever came to anything so primitive, Geri would handle it expertly.
“I sincerely hope not.” Onet scowled. “No,” he held up a hand to prevent anyone else offering a suggestion. “We’re on a diplomatic mission.”
“Us?” Zagada bellowed a laugh. “What’s behind it? Smuggling, treason, trafficking?” He leaned on his elbow, his tail lashing from side to side. “So?”
“Pure, simple, diplomacy.” Onet pulled a face. “Don’t get me wrong, crew. That’s what it’s believed we’ll be doing. But this is a meeting between the worlds of Zuwena and Xochitl. And you know how long they’ve been warring.”
“I never imagined having the supreme minister of Xochitl aboard the ship “ Zagada muttered. “Much less his royal counterpart from Zuwena.”
“They won’t be onboard.” Onet leaned forward, bracing his hands on the table almost exactly as he had when he’d made love with Nissie. He ignored his husband’s soft laughter, as did the rest of his team.
“Then who?” Mote asked bluntly. “Just what kind of diplomatic mission is this?”
“We’ll be hosting Altan, the son of Zuwena’s premier ruler. Its king, if you like. Along with his uncle, Shonio, and the assigned peace ambassador. Altan is attending more to show ... faith, or trust in the mission.”
“I’ve met Altan.” Geri shook her head. “This is no place for him.”
“Why not?” Nissie slid to sit upright, and the room’s atmosphere instantly changed. Everyone looked at Geri who coughed and shrugged. Something out of character for the solid, no-nonsense medical expert.
“He’s a lovely man. Charming and polite. He’s also, precise, loves reading, music, and wandering in beautiful gardens. His sister, by contrast, is a trained warrior of several successful battles. I would have thought she would be the better candidate for negotiations.”
Onet ignored the strange frisson that passed through him. “I don’t believe he’s actively involved in them.” He stroked his well-trimmed beard. “But if anything were to befall him ...”
“We’re to blame. Not the Federation, even though they picked us.” Atoya leaned back, sighing heavily. “And from Xochitl?”
“More of the same. Their peace ambassador, Tepetl, a representative from the ruling family, and one of their prominent war generals.” Onet’s eyes narrowed. “But they are not sending the equivalent of a prince.”
“A prince that sounds like he’d be best off locked in the proverbial tower waiting for his true love to find him.” Mote groaned. “We’re fucked. I don’t know how, but we’re fucked. I feel it in me piss.”
“Best see the Sawbones,” Atoya snorted.
“Locked up. Waiting for true love.” Nissie’s soft voice once again drew everyone’s attention. He looked up, grinned at the crew, then slid off the chair and wrapped himself around Onet. “Sounds interesting.”
Onet looked at his husband, his right eyebrow rising. Polyamory wasn’t unusual among Nissie’s people, but he’d never spoken of it. Onet’s sudden insecurity was instantly derailed, by Nessie’s deep purr.
“No one could ever replace you.” Nissie whispered in his ear. “But you felt it, too, didn’t you? A pull.”
Onet gave a barely perceptible nod. “Without even meeting him?” he murmured.
“I knew you. I felt you. I found you.” Nissie spoke into Onet’s ear. “And you and I are bound by much more than mere physical attraction. But it is too soon to be certain. We’ll see. We’ll know. When he comes.” Nissie breathed the last word, and Onet’s cock stood instantly to attention.
