Three Square Meals Ch. 075

"Hello, handsome stranger," Rachel purred, as she wasted no time in helping him shuck off his clothes. "We'll be your bathroom companions this evening."

Dana nodded, her sky-blue eyes glistening, as she said lustily, "We're supposed to get you squeaky clean, then empty your quad." She winked at him, and added, "Dealer's choice where it goes."

He laughed at her bawdy greeting, and when he was as naked as they were, slipped an arm around them both as they led him into the shower. "How come the rest of you girls aren't coming with me, Alyssa, and Edraele?" he asked, curiously, closing his eyes as they all soaked under the warm water.

"It will all become clear, later," Rachel murmured, as she began soaping down his shoulders. "We'd be in terrible trouble if we spoiled the surprise."

After a sigh of satisfaction, John asked, "What are all of you planning to do instead?"

"We've invited Edraele's bodyguards over to watch a holo-vid movie. We figured with two Progenitors as company, she'll be safe enough," Dana explained, nonchalantly.

"I suppose I better provide the refreshments, then," John said with a grin.

"We'll be the perfect entrées," Rachel agreed, before the two girls giggled with delight.

***

The bedroom was much busier when John finally emerged from the bathroom, and he smiled at all the women waiting on the vast bed, then turned to give Dana and Rachel a grateful kiss. He playfully patted their rounded tummies, before giving them a firm swat on their pert rumps to send them on their way. They laughed as they rejoined their friends, who enthusiastically welcomed them onto the bed.

John headed into the walk-in wardrobe next, and quickly got dressed in a fetching dark-blue suit with a with freshly-pressed white shirt. He tied the blue tie into a full-windsor knot, and after adding his cufflinks, he strolled out into the bedroom again. Calara, Dana, Rachel, Jade, Irillith, Sakura, and the three assassins were all nude now, accompanied by an equally-naked purple sprite. However, it wasn't them who drew his attention.

"You look amazing," he marvelled, as he stared at Edraele and Alyssa in awe.

They had their hair up, with a few artfully curled locks framing their naturally beautiful faces, which had been subtly and expertly enhanced by the judicious use of make-up. They both looked absolutely ravishing, and to complete their devastating efforts to ruin his concentration for the night, their lithe, athletic figures were swathed in form-fitting evening dresses. He licked his lips as he approached them, reaching out to gently stroke their toned stomachs through the velvety material.

"I know what you like, my exceedingly handsome man," Alyssa purred, a loving smile on her lips, while posing for him as he caressed her.

Edraele's purple eyes sparkled as she looked down at his roaming hand, and listening to his thoughts, she said, "Alyssa thought it prudent to have Dana and Rachel empty your quad before we left. I can see she knows you very well, indeed."

"It wouldn't do to make us look like we're pregnant before we go out," Alyssa murmured, pressing her tummy into his hand.

"We'll be good girls for you when we return home," Edraele promised him, leaning forward too, and letting out a barely audible moan.

"Bye, ladies, don't wait up!" John announced cheerfully to the onlookers on the bed, much to their amusement.

He offered his Matriarchs his arms, and they slipped their hands through, and let him escort them out of the room. The sound of giggling reached their ears, as the girls on the bed decided who was going to be first to enjoy the sweet-tasting treats John had left in Dana and Rachel.

*That's going to be the third time for Luna, Almari, and Ilyana,* John said, glancing at both the blondes in turn. *I'm going to have to speak to Athena tonight, and get that Astral Ward in place.*

Alyssa patted his arm, and said seductively, *We'll have a fun evening together, then empty your quad for you. Edraele and I can go to sleep with full tummies, while you chat to Athena.*

He reached down to squeeze their taut cheeks, and said quite reasonably, *Sounds like a hell of a plan.*

Neither Alyssa nor Edraele would tell him where they were going, but there was a golden hover-car waiting outside the Invictus for them when they left through the airlock. He opened the door for the girls, and let them climb inside, before shutting it after them and walking around to the other side. When he sat down, John recognised one of Kali Loraleth's white-haired bodyguards at the wheel, and he said hello to Avelissa when she turned around to smile at them, as she checked they were safely aboard.

John studied the former assassin as she drove, not paying attention to their journey, but focusing entirely on her instead. That strangely discordant aura about her had gone now, and she seemed relaxed and happy as she operated the hover-car.

*I'm so sorry about everything that happened with Avelissa and the other assassins,* Edraele said, squeezing his arm. *At the time, it seemed so clear that it was best way forward.*

*I've removed the compulsions you added to her mind, and fully restored her now. She'll be perfectly fine, as will all the others,* John said, nodding with satisfaction. He turned to smile at Edraele, and added, *Let's not dredge that up again, alright? It was my fault, not yours, and I hate seeing you get upset over it.*

"I won't," she replied in a whisper, leaning in to brush his lips with her own. "I promise."

He smiled at her, and she looked at him adoringly, but before anyone could say anything else, they slowed to a halt in front of a grand-looking restaurant. John recognised Avelissa's counterpart, Renaya, who was standing at the door, shaking her head with an apologetic smile as she turned away a couple of hopeful-looking prospective diners. He glanced at the sign, "Ralomoire" written in sweeping lettering, and raised his eyebrow in appreciation.

"I've heard some of the engineers talking about this place," he noted, as he opened the door to get out. "It's practically impossible to get a table, isn't it?"

Edraele laughed gaily, and replied, "Not when you own the station it's built in, it isn't."

He offered her a hand to get out of the car, then jogged around to the other side to open the door for Alyssa, and help her out too. With a girl on either arm, he walked up the steps towards the grand double doors that opened before them. Inside the restaurant the decor was elegant and refined, with an outer circuit of tables surrounding an inner layer. The layers were separated by flowing streams, and their path to the middle took them over low-walled bridges. It was also entirely emptied of guests, with the lighting on the outer circuit lowered to a soothing ambient glow, with brighter lighting around the central table, which had place settings for five.

"You didn't need to clear the restaurant," John said, smiling at Edraele as he rolled his eyes in amusement.

Alyssa laughed, and replied, "Oh yes, she did! Can you imagine trying to eat with a whole load of Maliri fawning over you? I want a nice, hefty load tonight, and I didn't fancy sharing with a bunch of random women, who all want to try some of what you're serving."

"Alright, good point," he agreed, bowing his head in apology to Edraele. He pulled out two of the chairs for the blondes to sit, and glancing at the two extra place settings, he added, "Who are we dining with?"

"My friend! It's so wonderful to see you!" Ceraden called out to him, as he walked through the door with Myriana on his arm.

John turned in amazement, his jaw dropping open as he stared at the Maliri trader. "Ceraden! What on Terra are you doing here?!" John asked, walking over to meet the man halfway, and shaking his hand firmly as he grinned at him.

"I was invited by an acquaintance of yours," Ceraden replied archly, his bright blue eyes flicking to the Valaden Matriarch.

"I hope this was a good surprise?" Edraele inquired, gliding over with Alyssa, to stand beside John.

"An amazing surprise, thank you!" John said, with a disbelieving chuckle. He turned his attention to Ceraden's companion, and continued, "It's lovely to see you again, too, Myriana."

"Thank you, John," she replied, flushing with happiness. Glancing fondly at Ceraden, she added, "I had the time of my life at Geniya."

John looked at the pair of them for a moment, until he realised what she was hinting at, and blurted out, "That's amazing! Congratulations, the pair of you!"

"Myriana's a truly marvellous woman, my friend," Ceraden confided in him, with a broad smile. "I'm happy to admit I've fallen head-over-heels for her. I believe you had a hand in sending her to Geniya, so it appears I'll forever be in your debt."

John laughed in astonishment, shaking his head as he marvelled, "Isn't it strange the way things work out?"

Edraele smiled with satisfaction, as she agreed, "Oh yes, these kinds of coincidences can be truly bizarre."

*You're so naughty,* Alyssa told her, glancing Edraele's way with a sparkle in her cerulean eyes. *He'll give you a well-deserved spanking when he finds out what you've been up to.*

*Look how happy he is,* Edraele replied, her purple eyes darting to John's beaming face as he spoke with Ceraden. She nodded to herself, and added, *I'd willingly endure far worse to see a smile like that again.*

Ceraden turned his attention to her, and performed a sweeping bow as he said respectfully, "You look positively radiant this evening, Matriarch."

"Just Edraele, please, Ceraden," she replied, giving him a warm smile.

He nodded, meeting her gaze for a fleeting moment, before turning his attention to Alyssa. Ceraden grinned at the Terran teenager, and exclaimed, "It's so good to see you again, Alyssa! Have you grown weary of this scallywag, yet?"

Shaking her head, Alyssa gave him a dazzling smile, as she replied, "No, he's still doing a splendid job of keeping me entertained." She arched an eyebrow at Ceraden, and asked, "Why? Are you still looking for more companionship?"

He shot a wary glance at Myriana and shook his head, as he replied, "Of course not, my dear. I wouldn't dare risk my current status as Lady Luck's most-favoured son."

"You old charmer, Ceraden," Myriana replied, grinning at him happily. She shared a very quick glance with Edraele, and added airily, "Although, I wouldn't be too hasty in writing off some more company."

Ceraden blinked in surprise as he doubted his own ears for a moment, but he brushed it off, figuring now was neither the time nor place for such a discussion, no matter how intriguing.

"Let's all sit down, everyone," John suggested, gesturing to the table. He held the chairs for Alyssa and Edraele as they sat, then took the seat between them. A white-haired waitress glided across the bridges to their table, and he was surprised to recognise one of Leena's bodyguards this time.

She saw his inquisitive glance, and smiled at him, as she said, "Leena and all the other Matriarchs are quite safe, you have nothing to worry about. Now, what would you like to drink?"

Dinner was a delightful affair, with everyone sampling the light, fragrant wines, except for Myriana, who was avoiding alcohol due to her pregnancy. Conversation was light-hearted and flowed freely, with everyone well at-ease in each other's company. Course after course appeared, with the assassins proving that being an accomplished martial artist and trained killer provided useful, transferable skills, for slightly more mundane professions. They removed trays stacked high with plates, without so much as a single spillage, as their guests moved on to a selection of exquisite desserts.

Once dinner was finished, John and Ceraden left Myriana to gossip with Alyssa and Edraele. Brandishing glasses of whiskey, they made their way up a flight of stairs to a couple of chairs on the balcony that overlooked the restaurant. The ceiling was formed from a clear-crystal canopy, giving a breathtaking view of the Valaden system. Sitting back in their chairs, the two men watched the broad variety of golden-hulled vessels flying to and from Genthalas, against the backdrop of a brilliant multi-hued starscape.

"It's been a fantastic evening, Ceraden," John said, toasting his friend, before taking a sip. "You've no idea how much I've missed some male company!"

Ceraden smiled back at him, and said, "After everything you've done for me, my friend, consider it the smallest of karmic favours being repaid." Before John could ask what he meant by that, the Maliri added, "It seems you've been entertaining some quite delightful new female company yourself?"

John glanced down at the white-haired Matriarch, and he smiled as he said, "Edraele's remarkable, isn't she?"

"She certainly is," Ceraden agreed, with a slight catch in his throat. He coughed and took a quick sip of his drink, before he smiled, and added, "It seems I was quite wrong with the unfounded warning I gave you, regarding the esteemed Edraele Valaden. My apologies, for giving you such terrible advice."

"No need to apologise," John replied hastily. He faltered then, before replying, "I think she's had a relatively recent change of heart."

"Ah, I see. There seems to be quite a bit of that going around, of late," Ceraden murmured, studying John in fascination. Watching one of the House Aeberos assassins walking away with the dessert dishes, he continued, "What do you think of this new fashion for white hair amongst the females of my species? I believe it's a most fetching look, myself."

John spluttered into his drink for a moment, then managed to collect himself, and replied, "I've had a bit of a thing for blondes since Alyssa bounded into my life. I'd have to agree with you there." Eager to change the subject, he added, "I'm so pleased for you and Myriana. I think you'll make wonderful parents together."

Ceraden nodded, and said earnestly, "Children are a gift John, and one to be treasured. You'll understand how much they mean to you, when you become a parent."

Flinching as he remembered that Ceraden had lost contact with his daughters, John nodded, while trying to think of another, safer, topic to shift to next.

Ceraden took pity on him, and quickly said, "Myriana tells me that you're thinking of becoming a parent yourself, in the near future?" When John glanced down at the two lissom blondes chatting to Myriana, Ceraden chuckled, and added, "You aim high, my friend, I'll give you that! Until today, I would have considered any man pursuing Edraele Valaden in that regard to have lost all grip on his sanity. Now, I must confess, I'm envious that you attracted the favourable attention of such a woman."

John nodded, and said, "All the women in my life are truly exceptional." He smiled at his friend, as he added, "I'm sorry to tell you, but I think Lady Luck is still in my corner."

The Maliri trader laughed, and raising his whiskey glass, he said, "A toast, then - to all the remarkable women, tamed by Lady Luck's most-favoured son!"

Something about the way Ceraden said that made John pause, and he watched the Maliri while he took a sip from his drink. Those blue eyes of his twinkled in amusement, as though he were privy to a joke that John wasn't aware of, and John wondered what he was up to.

*We're getting ready to call it a night, if that's not too soon for you, my love?* Alyssa asked him, her tone loving and affectionate.

*No, that's okay, we'll come down and join you,* John replied, wondering just how heavily Alyssa had been hitting the wine. Although he always felt those emotions from her towards him over their empathic bond, it was unusual for her to put them into words, usually hiding behind mischievous teasing, instead.

She sounded amused as she said, *I think I need to keep you away from Rachel. Some of her uncanny perceptiveness seems to be rubbing off on you.*

John and Ceraden walked down the steps, and rejoined the three women seated at the table. They were sipping coffee, and they all turned to smile at their men, as they sat with them again.

Edraele grinned at John, as she asked, "I thought you might like to meet the chefs before we leave?"

He nodded, and said enthusiastically, "Their food was incredible! I'd love to learn how to cook more Maliri dishes; Jade loves it, and it would be a nice surprise for Irillith, if she gets homesick."

"It's a sweet gesture, but her home's with you, aboard the Invictus," Edraele replied, stroking his hand fondly. Her mouth turned up into a generous smile, as she added, "At least until I can convince you to give up your nomadic existence, and put down your roots here."

"You're doing an excellent job so far!" John said, with a chuckle.

Movement at the far side of the restaurant caught his attention, and his eyes widened as the four chefs glided out of the kitchen to join them. He shook his head in amusement, and then said to Ceraden, "We've just had dinner prepared for us by four of the most powerful women in the Regency!" He rose from his chair and walked around the table to meet the four girls, and said, "Dinner was absolutely delicious, thank you, ladies!"

"One of the benefits of preparing all your own food to avoid being poisoned - you end up becoming a good cook!" Leena said, with a beaming smile.

John had heard Irillith echo similar sentiments, and although the meal had been incredible, it was sad to hear that their lives had been so dangerous, that such precautions were necessary. He turned around to look at Ceraden and Myriana, and said, "Please let me introduce you to: Kali Loraleth, Nyrelle Aeberos, Valani Naestina, and Leena Ghilwen, Matriarchs of their respective Houses."

Now it was Ceraden's turn to look astonished, and he took one look at their long-flowing hair, then shared a quick glance with Edraele. When she nodded imperceptibly, his eyes flashed to John with a newfound glimmer of awe. The exchange only took a second, and he shrugged it off quickly, as he performed a sweeping bow, and said, "I feel honoured to have sat at your table and eaten such an exquisite meal, Matriarchs. Consider me your humble servant."

They smiled at him, and murmured that he was welcome, unsure how to react to the flamboyant merchant. After saying goodbye, they left the restaurant while flanked by their bodyguards, leaving the group of five alone.

John grinned at his friends, and said, "Well, this evening's been full of nice surprises. I'm not going to forget this night out in a hurry!"

"I had a lovely time, thank you for arranging everything," Alyssa said, stroking Edraele's arm.

She inclined her head, and said, "Seeing everyone enjoy themselves made it all worthwhile. I'm so pleased you had a good time."

John nodded towards the door, and said, "Shall we head off?"

"One moment, John," Edraele said, raising a slender blue hand to caress his shoulder. Turning to glance at the Maliri merchant, she added, "I believe the others are travelling back to your guest suite, Ceraden?"

"That's right, Edraele," he replied, his smile enigmatic.

"Others?" John asked in confusion, assuming that they had been left alone.

The door to the kitchen opened once more, with the four sous chef's making an entrance, having just finished tidying up. John was astounded to see the four unruly noblewomen he'd seen only a few days ago, and they flashed playful smiles at him, as they walked up to the table. The four white-haired women gathered around Ceraden, and each gave him an affectionate peck on the cheek.

Before John could jump to the wrong conclusion, Dalesse said, "We're so pleased you enjoyed dinner, father!"

Ifene nodded, and said, "Maybe you can tell us some stories when we get home, like you used to, Daddy? I haven't heard the one about the Mael'nerak in years..."