Jeanne G'Fellers - No Sister of Mine

our relationship. LaRenna is decades older in her phasing.”
“Well spoken, First Kimshee Middle.” Belsas carefully studied the other guardian’s expression. Whatever Krell may have lacked in reputation she made up for in determination, a trait Belsas admired. “I still think she’s a tad young for all this and she may not appreciate any of what we’ve said here, but Krell is to my liking.” Belsas raised her hands in submission. “I suppose it’s serendipity. If LaRenna agrees then you have my blessing.”
“Mine, too!” Chandrey piped. “Blessed be the day she met you, Krell.”
“Chandrey, please!” Belsas poured a shot of bitterwine from a worktable crystal and held it up in toast. “Happiness to you both.”
“Thank you.” Krell found LaRenna very similar to Chandrey at that moment. “I can see where LaRenna gets her energy.”
“It doesn’t decrease with age,” mumbled Belsas through her glass.
“I also see where she developed her fondness for bitterwine.” Krell’s mouth drew at sight of the thick black concoction.
Belsas grunted, downed the shot, and set the glass back on the table with two quick clinks of its bottom. “Few truly appreciate the taste of bitterwine.”
“I’m not one of them.” Chandrey shared Krell’s grimace. “Blech!”
“It’s an acquired taste,” said Belsas.
“Very!” exclaimed the others in unison.
“I’ll be glad when LaRenna returns. She appreciates fine drink.” Belsas turned when a loud knock interrupted their lighthearted discussion. Rona stood in the doorway.
“New reports have come in, Grandmaster Belsas. You should take a look at them.”
“Lay them on the table. I’ll get to them in a while.”
“No, Belsas, read them now!” Rona thrust a recorder into her hand.
“All right.” Belsas, puzzled by her assistant’s odd behavior, flicked the recorder on and read the report while Rona waited. “Is there a fast frigate in orbit?” Belsas handed back the recorder.
“The Predator is in the orbital docks for routine maintenance,” replied Rona.
“Bel, what is it?” queried Chandrey.
Belsas raised a hand for her to wait. “Have it readied. We’ll launch up after the Council meeting late tonight.” Belsas turned to Krell. “Is it possible for you to contact LaRenna today?”
“It would be extremely dangerous.” Krell’s heart skipped one beat then another.
“Wait until morning then. When you see her next, take her and Healer Wileyse directly into orbit. I want all Taelachs off Langus. That’s an order.” Belsas’s arms opened to receive Chandrey. “The Iralians are massing on the truce line. At last estimate, the largest of their ships, the Blackmore, will cross the line tomorrow morning.”
Fear contorted Chandrey’s slender hands into pale knots. She watched Rona exit the room then flew into her mate’s arms, trembling with mother instincts for her child. “Tomorrow is the deadline for the High Council to concede to the demands of the Langus Cause!” she cried. “What’s going to happen?”
“Nothing good, I’m certain. We must go to Langus to thwart whatever is unfolding. Our people, the Sarian system demands it.” Belsas made a quick, severe gesture to Krell. “LaRenna’s post did not cover this variable and is hereby withdrawn. Retrieve her at first dawn. The post’s risks far outweigh any reward.”
“My brother is here, too.” Krell’s eyes were wide to the upcoming events. “Let me arrange for him to transport off with us, please.”
“I’d forgotten you were Aut raised. Do what you need, just be in orbit with LaRenna when we arrive. Belsas out.” She shut off the screen and looked grimly down at her lover. Chandrey was in need of her reassurance, but duty also called, and, after a moment’s soothing the call became overwhelming. “Help me into my dress uniform, Chandresslandra.” Belsas pushed away. “The Council will be waiting.”

Chapter Twenty-Three
The only good Taelach is a dead, burned, and ash-scattered Taelach.
—Autlach quote
“Why do I always get the grunt work?” Brandoff carted LaRenna’s limp body up to the living quarters. Cance followed behind, whistling, LaRenna’s slippers and skirts tucked under her arm.
“ ’Cause you beat her half to death, that’s why.” Cance puckered to resume the tune then paused, her mouth flattening in brief contention. “She would’ve responded better if you hadn’t kneed her so early on. Next time, I question her alone.”
“She won’t tell you shit and you know it. You just want a chance to coo over her without me there to laugh.” Brandoff dropped LaRenna close to where Bane lay, frightening him into noiselessness so that Brandoff promptly admonished, “You’re not asleep, old man.”
Cance tossed the clothing into an empty corner then touched her twin’s blackened eye, somewhat gladdened LaRenna hadn’t made things too easy. It showed strength. Cance adored conquering strength. “Have a look at yourself. She made a proper mess of you.” Brandoff peered in the room’s wall-mounted reflecting board. Cance stood behind. LaRenna had gouged long scratches on their faces and a bite ring was clearly visible between the brands on Cance’s neck. She fingered it gingerly, as if recapturing the moment. “What a woman! Fought the whole way through, prock high and all. Imagine what she’d be like if she was willing. Wild is my bet, how ’bout it, Brannie?”
“Yeah, I gotta give her credit for linger ability”—Brandoff’s mouth points stretched a little higher—“and delectability. One of the best I ever had—until she passed out. A little while longer would have exhausted me enough for sleep.”
“I’m there now.” Cance cleaned her scratches with a cloth. “Someone her age, even a Kimshee, shouldn’t have that sense of control. It took everything I had to phase her into submission. Gave me a headache.” Cance surveyed Brandoff’s ruffled appearance then passed the cloth. “Here, doctor yourself then lace back up. You’re leaving nothing to the imagination.”
Brandoff snorted and took the cloth. “Eh, I’m fine.” She spied her sibling’s disapproving reflection. “And if you think differently, take a snort to clear your senses.” She broke her gaze to glance around the room. “You seen Starnes since we came up? He didn’t sneak out, did he?”
“If you’d use that head for more than a prock port you’d know where he’s at. He’s hiding in