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A court-ordered visit and an incredible gift
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Conyod left Dr. Onbal’s shuttle. His parents’ court-appointed therapist had volunteered to bring him home to the ranch, since he was to be on hand for the visit. An orderly from the psychiatric facility where Conyod currently lived, Dramok Cotra, followed behind him as he stepped through the hatch.
Conyod’s parents waited in various stages of anxious anticipation a few steps from the home’s front door. Only the front wall was visible, as the rest of the abode was nestled in a small hill. Much of it was underground.
His heart lurched to see his mother Lafec looking somehow shrunken next to her taller and bulkier clanmates. She’d cut her midnight black hair shorter since he’d last seen her. Her braid reached to her waist instead of mid-thigh. Though she wore the usual work pants and blouse suited for mucking stalls and training kestarsh, her clothes were scrupulously clean. Her brown boots appeared new.
His fathers were also dressed for duty, also impressively clean for mid-morning as if they hadn’t been up before sunrise. He knew it was for show. He wondered if their spotless state was for his benefit or Dr. Onbal.
Tuher stepped forward first, Lafec on his heels. Though they’d visited Conyod regularly at the mental health facility, they appeared hesitant. Did they think he’d try to run off at the slightest wrong move? It seemed they did.
Conyod convinced his feet to carry him toward them. When Tuher held his arms to him, his smile hopeful, the youth felt a weight slide free. He stepped in the enveloping hug and rested his cheek against his Dramok father’s chest. His eyes shut to hold in the tears as Tuher pressed a kiss to his forehead.
“Thank you for coming, my son. It’s wonderful to have you here.”
“I’m glad to be home.” For a precious moment, Conyod was.
“Conyod.” Lafec sobbed his name, and Tuher released him so he could turn to accept her embrace.
He was surprised to find he was an inch taller than his mother. He was still smaller than the average sixteen-year-old, but he was eating better than he had in a long time. Lafec noticed too as she released the crushing hug she’d given him. “You’re growing up, my son. Look at him! He’s getting so tall!”
Conyod heard the note of reproach in her tone, as if he’d done something wrong by maturing beyond her presence. He also caught the warning glance Sema and Tuher exchanged. The Imdiko tugged their son close, forcing Lafec to reluctantly step aside.
“Indeed, he is growing up. I’m glad you look so healthy, my son. Is the food that good?” Sema chuckled as he claimed a hug.
“Nothing beats Mother’s cooking, but I’ve started an intense exercise regimen, so I eat like a ronka. I can’t shovel enough food in my face lately.”
Conyod didn’t mention his increased appetite had largely resulted because the anti-anxiety medication he took kept his stomach from the upset he’d suffered at home. It was easy to eat well when food wasn’t forced to move past the knots tied in his gut.
“Taller and filling out. I’m glad.” Vel looked him over as he pulled Conyod in his arms. Vel’s embraces were rare, which made them special…but the youth experienced a note of fear his Nobek father wouldn’t let him leave later. Lafec was the clingiest, but Vel was a close second…and he was willing and able to fight physically for what he wanted.
Conyod managed to refrain from sighing in relief when Vel released him after a couple of beats. He looked at his parents. They looked at him. Awkward seconds passed.
Distinctive animal rumbles sounded behind Conyod, and he swiveled toward the huge corral several yards distant. An uninhibited smile burst forth as he noted over half a dozen kestarsh standing at the rails looking at him. He recognized each of the mares and the stallion Guhof, his curly black fur and mane gleaming in the sunlight.
“It looks as if they’re glad to see you. Say hello, or they might kick the paddock’s posts down,” Tuher chuckled.
Conyod didn’t need to be invited twice. Laughing, he ran to the corral and its six-legged inhabitants.
“Hello, Guhof. How are you, old friend?” He curled his arms around the muscular neck of Clan Tuher’s prized stud and rubbed his cheek along the beast’s face. Guhof droned a reply, then he pulled his head back. His intelligent eyes inspected Conyod.
Kestarsh were among the rare animals Kalquorians had domesticated. The sure-footed mounts were required to search treacherous mountain slopes for missing climbers and explorers. They were capable of going places men and their shuttles couldn’t reach. They had many other uses as well, and the species was as prized as an able ranch hand…and often, family members. A local kestarsh’s passing was included in obituary notices alongside their Kalquorian neighbors.
Apparently, Guhof approved of the changes Conyod’s parents had noted. His tapered muzzle lit on the teen’s forehead where Tuher had kissed him.
“It’s great to see you too. And you, ladies.” Conyod grinned at the mares attempting to jostle Guhof for a turn to say hello. Elbmur, his favorite, was the most insistent. As white as Guhof was black, she shimmered in the sweet-scented air. It was for her the stallion moved aside to allow a reunion.
“Even after so many months, you still have the touch,” Lafec sighed. “They know a caring heart and rider on sight.”
“Thank you, Mother.” It was easy to ignore the jab of accusation in her reminder he’d left home when Elbmur leaned her face against his. She fairly purred her joy.
“We’ve been thinking when you come back for good, you should have your own kestarsh to keep. Perhaps a colt from Guhof and Elbmur would make an appropriate mount.”
Conyod gaped at Tuher. “Really?” The pair’s past offspring had commanded the greatest income for the ranch.
As a rule, the kestarsh belonged to the ranch, not individual members of the family. Being offered one to call his own was unheard of.
“You’ll have to train him as we do the rest. But yes…you’ll be the owner.” Tuher smiled.
“Thank you. Thank you all!” Elation filled Conyod, though he recognized the gift for what it was…bait for him to hasten his recovery and return home. Nonetheless, to have one of the beasts he adored for a lifelong companion was a treasure beyond compare. Only Sletran pledging himself as a clanmate could have topped such a gesture.
“Did you have breakfast?” Lafec prompted. “We waited in case you hadn’t.”
He hadn’t. Even his medication hadn’t been enough to calm him to eat prior to leaving the mental facility. Now that the future included a kestarsh of his own, Conyod was ravenous. “I don’t suppose swala and ronka pastries might be on the menu?”
She laughed. For a bright, shining moment she was the mother Conyod had known before Hoslek’s disappearance. The strain disappeared, and she was the most beautiful woman he’d ever seen. “Already prepared and waiting to go in the cooker.”
Sema slung an arm across Conyod’s shoulders. “Lead on, my Matara. I could eat a tray full.”
She chuckled and allowed Tuher to take her arm and playfully tug her to the home in pretended impatience. Vel joined in the fun, jogging ahead to trigger the door to open and gestured frantically for them to hurry.
Conyod grinned and wrapped his arm around his laughing Imdiko father’s waist. They turned to go into the home.
The breath left his body as the landscape swept across his gaze. The mountains loomed over the plain, jagged, broken teeth of a monster. His eyes instantly went to the Pinnacle, a needle-like protuberance of rock in the lower reaches of Mount Evar. It was where Hoslek’s injured kestarsh Ges had been found, the last place he might have been alive.
Conyod’s stomach dropped to his shoes. He suddenly wasn’t hungry.
Sema must have felt him pause, though it was only for an instant. He glanced at Conyod, then where the teen gazed. His arm tightened on Conyod’s shoulders.
“Me too, my son. Look away and forward instead. There’s only hurt there and a past we can’t rewrite.”
The silent Dr. Onbal, who’d hung back with the orderly to observe, must have overheard. Conyod noted him nodding approvingly as father and son walked past.
“Forward,” Conyod echoed. “Where kestarsh and especially swala pastries wait.”
And a certain Nobek, if he’d wait long enough for Conyod to
grow up. Conyod kept his gaze on the home, ignoring the looming mountain he
hated to his very soul.
* * * *
He
needed a hero and found two. Can love rescue him again?
Nobek
Sletran never took Imdiko Conyod’s infatuation seriously when he rescued him
years before. When Conyod shows up in his life again as a strong and successful
man instead of a traumatized victim, Sletran has to reconsider the one he once
rejected and now can’t imagine life without.
Conyod has
never given up on the man he considers his hero. Sletran is all he’s ever
wanted for a clanmate, and he’s determined to win him at last. But the past refuses
to be laid to rest. When Conyod convinces Sletran to see him for who he’s
become, will who he was resurface and destroy the love they’re building?
Sletran’s
commanding officer Dramok Erybet is instantly fascinated by Conyod when the
soldier brings his love on base for a visit. However, Sletran isn’t the Nobek
Erybet feels is right for him. When he rejects the Nobek, he risks losing
Conyod too.
Against the backdrop of heartbreaking childhood tragedy, a ghost who haunts Conyod and his grief-stricken family, and military brass determined to oust Erybet from the rank he’s worked so hard to reach, three men must come to terms with who they are. When tragedy strikes, the nightmares of the past must be faced and buried once and for all. Conyod, Sletran, and Erybet must dare everything to find redemption and hold on to each other.
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