The Way Back (Champions of the Crystal Book 4)

Chapter 15.1

When Sabrina returned to her own apartments, she found Marie and Malick playing with Tristan and invited them to stay for dinner. Afterwards the children showed her how to play the game they'd tried to beat Ford at during Kashmia's party, and they passed the time merrily until an irate nanny came to inform Sabrina that it was two hours past the children's bedtime.

Left alone, Sabrina got ready for bed, then decided she wasn't sleepy yet and went into her study. She intended to read the materials she'd gathered on Praxatillus' history for the past ninety-two years, but while doing some further research she happened upon an unofficial biography of Ford and became immersed in that. She almost didn't answer the call when her console chimed, but tore herself away from the highly sensationalized account when she realized it might be Tirqwin or Mara.

She nearly choked when Ford's face appeared on the screen. "I didn't think you'd be asleep yet," he said. "How are you doing?"

"Fine," she replied, and briefly outlined her day for him.

"Good. No moping?"

"I haven't had time."

"What are you doing now?"

Sabrina grinned. "Did you know somebody named Mathsa Grinnis has written a very interesting biography of you?"

Ford groaned. "I never read my own biographies, Sabrina. Though from what I hear of that one, it would probably strike me as just another work of fiction." He shook his head, then grinned alarmingly. "I have, however, read a couple of the unofficial biographies about you!"

"There are biographies of me?" Sabrina squeaked. "Oh dear."

"You could say that. Most of them are terribly flattering, don't worry. There are only a couple with alternative theories about your secret lifestyle."

"Like what?" she demanded. "No, don't tell me."

"Aside from the ones dredging up all those old, tired rumors of you having an affair with Father—which, from what I can tell, was never really possible since you never had an opportunity, and Mother would have known instantly anyway—"

"Oh, for heaven's sake!"

"—there are a few sensationalists out there who have some really inventive ideas. Though now that I've seen you with Rassir, I'm discounting that—"

"Rassir!" Sabrina gasped in disbelief.

Ford's grin grew. "I think that one was politically motivated."

"Don't tell me any more!" she begged. "What have you been doing today?"

"Sixteen separate audiences, can you believe it? And a trade meeting that swallowed my entire evening. The Telurians' leases on their warehouses are up for renewal and they have some expansion plans that are meeting with a lot of local resistance. It's something the Steward could have taken care of, but since I was on the planet I couldn't insult the Telurians by not at least showing up to talk to them. I hate negotiating with Telurians. I always lose."

"Why?" Sabrina asked, surprised. She would have thought Ford to be a talented negotiator.

"I don't know how much they used this technique on you, but they can be very alluring. Over the years they've had time to refine their aim at my weak spots," Ford groaned.

"What's her name?" Sabrina asked, trying not to smile. She remembered her own dealings with the hermaphrodite Owryden and had no trouble believing that the Telurians would use personal relationships as a bargaining strategy.

"Yvalla. She's new. I wish you'd come," Ford complained.

"I hate to break this to you, Ford, but I wouldn't compete with her for your attention, you know."

"You wouldn't have to," he said fervently. "I'd latch onto you for protection so tightly you'd hardly be able to breathe!"

"Well, that lessens my regret at having to stay here!" she teased. "Come on, Ford, you can cope with this. How alluring can she be?"

"Enough to get me in trouble signing away more than I should, and probably starting a new scandal to boot," he sighed. "Well, I'll just have to soldier on as best I can. Fortunately the Steward is onto their tactics and hasn't left me alone with her. They'll wise up and try to divide and conquer us sooner or later, but maybe it will be later."

"Poor Ford," Sabrina said. "Well, if you need a mood-killer, you could always try thinking of Imari."

"Yeugh!" he exclaimed. "That's pretty sick, Sabrina!"

"Well, I haven't got time to do any aversion therapy with you," she shrugged. "Though it sounds like it might be a good idea in your case. I'll give some thought to it. I guess we can't have you develop an aversion to Telurians in general, or even to all the females."

"I thought you were in politics," he said suspiciously.

"I was," she replied, smiling. "I studied, but never practiced, psychology. You probably shouldn't let me mess with your mind, after all."

"I think you already have," he grumbled. "Well, I'd better get back to work. I'll be up probably all night with this stuff, so don't worry about waking me if you need to talk. All right?"

"You should get some sleep, Ford. You look tired."

"The sooner I finish this mess, the sooner I can get out of here. Try to sleep well, Sabrina. And call me if you can't. I've told the palace comm office that any calls from you are to be routed to me directly, wherever I am."

"Thanks. I'll remember," she promised. "And thanks for calling."

"I needed to hear a friendly voice," he sighed.

"Don't work too hard, Ford."

He laughed. "I think you're the first person who's ever said that to me! Good night, Cousin."

"Good night, Cousin," she replied.

He signed off, and the screen went back to displaying the biography. Somehow she'd lost interest in it now. Sabrina got up and went to bed, curling up with her purring cat and smiling a little as she drifted off to sleep thinking about her poor cousin and his alluring Telurian.