“I certainly intend on talking to them about the—as you say—order of things.”
“Excellent. Perhaps this would also be an appropriate time to announce who you have selected as your First Consort?”
“I was considering that very idea.”
“Good, good.” Lekasar’s narrow lips stretched into something approximating a smile. “We all have these little flings you know. I’m glad to see it hasn’t blinded you to your duty. And while I can’t imagine that you would wish to repeat such an… unfortunate experiment, it would be permissible once your consort is with child.”
His vision was turning red, but he managed an icy nod. “Generous of you.”
“Not at all. I hope I haven’t completely forgotten the influence created by the pleasures of the flesh.”
Fortunately for Karthajin’s plans, the priest bowed and left without waiting for a response.
Admiral Gernagan was the bluntest.
“Why are you doing this? I don’t think for one moment that you have any intention of keeping hostages.”
“No. Although, if my grandfather taught me anything, it was that a show of strength frequently avoids the need to use that strength.”
“He was quite correct. But?”
“But I think it is time for some changes and it would be easier to have the support of the Senate.”
“What changes?”
Karthajin contemplated the Admiral, considering how best to present his case. This was the part that would be most difficult if Gernagan did not agree. “The Imperial Fleet is comprised solely of Kaisarians.”
“Aye.”
“Why is that?”
Gernagan was watching him closely, but his expression gave no clue as to his feelings. “Tradition, I suppose. Although, of course, it wasn’t always that way.”
“You knew?”
“Of course. I am a student of military history. After the First Expansion, the Fleet conscripted men from many of the conquered planets. When they attempted—and almost succeeded—in overthrowing the government, it was decided to accept only Kaisarians in the future.”
“I believe the key word there is conscripted. You cannot force someone into becoming a soldier and expect him to be happy about it.”
“Aye.”
“Would you consider accepting other races into the Fleet now, assuming they chose to join?”
The admiral scrubbed his chin, looking thoughtful. “Aye. There are many races that would be an asset to the Fleet. The Dhalgroll, your Bukharans, even the Hothians if any of them would ever leave that Gods forsaken planet—I would take them if they were willing to prove their loyalty.”
Karthajin tried to hide his relief but from the way Gernagan smiled at him, he suspected he was not entirely successful.
“You are most certainly a different man than your father,” the admiral said thoughtfully. It was clearly a compliment.
“Thank you.” He hesitated, then decided to bring up Orokoth’s suspicions. “Speaking of my father, I understand that there were some rumors that his death was not accidental.”
“Were there now?” Gernagan said casually.
He had expected an immediate denial, not this apparent lack of concern. His eyes narrowed. “It has been suggested that perhaps his death was related to this issue with the weapon.”
Gernagan shook his head. “No, it’s not.”
“Why don’t you think so?”
The admiral hesitated for a moment.
“Your grandfather was a good Emperor.” He held up a hand when Karthajin opened his mouth. “I did not say he was a good man. But he was a good emperor—strong, consistent, decisive. His actions were determined by what he considered to be best for the Empire. His tactics may have been somewhat… brutal, but they were driven by a desire to protect the Empire.”
After a reluctant moment, he nodded. Gernagan was right. His grandfather had tried to beat that same sense of responsibility into him.
“But what does this have to do with my father?”
“Your father was not a good emperor. He was capricious, undisciplined, and self-centered. During the six months he reigned, he sent one system into outright rebellion and had started rumblings in many more. For the good of the Empire, he had to be removed.” He looked unflinchingly at Karthajin.
“So you removed him.” It wasn’t a question.
Gernagan’s voice was perfectly composed. “Yes, Your Imperial Majesty.”
“Should I expect the same fate?” he asked, equally calm.
“No, Sire. You have many of the same traits as your grandfather. You may have a tendency to err on the side of compassion, but overall, you are an excellent ruler.”
“Thank you,” he said dryly. “Why are you telling me this?”
“Because I want you to know that the Fleet is behind you.”
Since he had spent the last year quietly placing men loyal to him in positions of authority within the Fleet, he was quite sure of that, but he appreciated both Gernagan’s candor and his vote of confidence.
“Excellent. I would hate to have to replace a Fleet Admiral during such interesting times.”
Gernagan acknowledged the threat with a dip of his head. “As you say, Sire. And I suspect that times are about to become even more interesting.”
“I believe you’re right.”
They parted without any additional discussion but Karthajin was confident they understood each other.
Later that evening, Karthajin was in his sitting room reviewing a proposed budget amendment. Or rather, he was supposed to be reviewing it. His attention kept being diverted to where Ella was playing on the floor with Chika. He wasn’t quite sure what the rules were to whatever game they were playing, but it seemed to involve Ella spending a lot of time on her hands and knees and the sight of her perfect little bottom swaying around provocatively was wreaking havoc with his concentration. His horns twitched, and when she cast him a deliberately innocent look over her shoulder, he decided to abandon the budget.
Waiting until her attention returned to the tigren, he quietly put the tablet aside, then pounced on her. He caught her completely by surprise, and she squeaked as he rolled her under him, capturing her flailing hands and holding them firmly over her head.
“I caught you, kitten,” he said, smiling down at her.
“You did that a long time ago.”
“And I thank Napisten that I did.” He bent towards her, just as the communication panel chimed.
“Yes?” he said impatiently.
“Your Imperial Majesty, Fleet Admiral Gernagan is here. He has urgent news.”
“Very well. Send him in.” He glanced down at the flimsy little shorts and top she was wearing. “If you want to stay, go put on a robe, kitten.”
She rolled her eyes, and he laughed as he helped her to her feet. “You are enough to tempt even a crusty old bastard like Gernagan in that outfit.”
“Indeed,” the admiral said dryly from the doorway. Apparently, he had been right outside when Saban called. Ella squeaked and scampered off, Chika chasing her heels.
Karthajin grinned at him, completely unrepentant. “That’s what you get for intruding at this late hour.”
“My apologies, Sire, but I have news from Hothrest.”
His amusement immediately vanished.
“Report.”
“We sent in troops through the back entrance per your instructions. However, we could have entered through the main gates just as easily. There was no resistance because the lab had already been destroyed.”
“Destroyed?”
“Yes, Sire,” he said grimly. “All of the equipment, data records, what we believe was the weapon itself—all of it melted beyond recognition.”
“And the personnel?”
“We found only bodies.” He hesitated. “They appear to have been poisoned.”
“Like our prisoner?”
“Yes, Sire.”
There was a soft cry from the bedroom door. El
la’s face was white, her eyes wide and horrified. “Not… not my Faith?”
Karthajin went to her immediately. He could feel her trembling as he tucked her against his side.
“There were no human bodies,” Gernagan said quickly. “Only Elginar, Bukharan, and Kaisarian.”
She sagged with relief, so he scooped her up and carried her back to the couch with him while he continued his questions.
“You said there were Kaisarian bodies?”
“Yes, Sire. A few of the scientists were Kaisarian.”
“Have we identified them?”
“Not yet. The team that Tanaca sent along are taking blood samples and working on that now.”
“But we’re quite certain that the weapon was destroyed?”
“Yes, Sire.” The admiral rubbed his chin. “However, I’m afraid that while my team will, of course, go through the facility thoroughly, we appear to have reached a dead end in our investigation.”
Karthajin frowned as he acknowledged the admiral’s words. Although he was relieved that the weapon had been destroyed, he was not happy that there still weren’t any answers as to who was behind the whole endeavor.
“There is one more thing I should mention,” Gernagan continued. “They found a communication blocker still running.”
“You mean no one has been able to communicate with the lab?”
“Correct.”
“Then whoever is behind this may not be aware of what has happened.”
“Exactly. I have ordered that it remain active.”
“Good. I want knowledge of the destruction kept completely confidential. The official word will be that the lab was completely empty when you arrived.”
“Yes, Sire.” He hesitated, then his eyes went to Ella’s face and his voice softened. “Have you had any luck identifying the man present at your kidnapping?”
“Not yet.” She sighed. “I’ve looked at pictures of every man of the right age in the Upper Houses and I’m halfway through the Lower Houses.”
“If it’s not a member of one of the Royal Houses, it could be anyone.” Gernagan voiced the same thought that had been troubling Karthajin.
“You mentioned a connection with Prince Ustrod,” Ella said softly. “Perhaps I should start with members of his household next?”
“That’s an excellent idea, kitten.”
The admiral nodded in agreement. After promising to keep Karthajin updated on the team’s findings, he bowed and left. Karthajin immediately turned his attention to Ella. She was paler than he liked, with a sad little droop to her mouth that tugged at his heart.
“I’m sorry about your friend, my love.”
“Do you think I’ll ever know what happened to her?”
“I don’t know. It’s a big galaxy. But you said she was smart. Maybe she figured out a way to escape long ago.”
“She’s very smart.” Her face lightened. “One time she gave Billy Martin diarrhea for a month because he called her four eyes.”
“Four eyes? I thought she was human?”
“She is but she wears glasses. It’s an insult.”
“Glasses?” He shook his head. “They are a very rare and valuable accessory. Why would wearing them lead to insult?”
“It’s complicated.” She reached up and stroked the line of his beard where it surrounded his lips, her touch having its usual effect on his body. “I will pray to Napisten that I will see her again.”
“You are a believer?”
“I don’t know. But we have something in common.”
“Oh?”
“You are my Chosen One, as well,” she whispered. He bent his head and kissed her and there was no more discussion that evening.
Chapter Twenty-Five
Three days later, Ella was working in the garden area outside their bedroom. Like all of the gardens, it was an elegant, carefully manicured space; however, she had found herself longing for some flowers to break up the soothing expanse of green. After a rather extensive discussion, during which she was not ashamed to admit that she had used big eyes and a pouting lip quite successfully, Karthajin had permitted her to meet with the head gardener, as long as Sendat was present.
The gardener had not been enthusiastic about her request but Sendat had finally told him bluntly that Karthajin had ordered him to cooperate. The poor man was even less enthusiastic about her plans to plant the flowers herself, but he was slowly coming around. He had even acknowledged on his last visit that, while not what he himself would have chosen, it was quite passable. She had thanked him solemnly and waited until he was out of sight before collapsing in a fit of giggles as Sendat shook his head at her.
Today she was trying for an artfully random placement of a group of small scented flowers, while Chika watched carefully, ready to pounce on any small insects disturbed by her digging.
“Ella? Where are you, kitten?”
She looked up eagerly at the sound of Karthajin’s voice and was stunned to see him accompanied by two strangers. The man could almost have passed for Kaisarian, except for his long red hair and blue eyes, but her gaze went immediately to the woman. She hadn’t seen another human in so long that the sight of skin as pale as her own was a shock. The woman was plump and pretty with long dark hair that gave her a jealous pang. Both of the strangers were immaculately dressed, and she was suddenly conscious of her own disheveled state.
Karthajin’s eyes were laughing but he kept his voice solemn. “Ella, this is my cousin, King Rastrath, and his Consort, the Lady Debra. I wanted to surprise you but…” His voice broke just a little. “But perhaps I should have warned you.”
“Of course you should have. No one wants visitors when they’re in the middle of gardening,” the woman said, as she studied Ella with dawning dismay. “Good Lord, she’s just a child.”
Ella’s eyes narrowed, not liking the Lady Debra’s horrified expression or her assumption about her age.
“No, I’m not,” she said indignantly as she stood up. She ignored her mud stained knees and torn shirt and assumed some of Karthajin’s haughtiness. “I am, of course, delighted to meet you both, but I would hate to keep you from some more pressing engagement.”
At the tone of her voice, Chika stood up as well, and gave a miniature growl, her crest flaring.
“Oh, you have a kitten,” the woman said, and the obvious delight in her voice made Ella soften a little.
“Sweetheart, remember that little discussion we had about the importance of tact?” King Rastrath said gently.
Lady Debra took a deep breath. “Yes. I’m sorry if I offended you, Ella. I would really like to stay. It’s been a long time since I’ve talked to another human.”
“We were just about to have tea,” Karthajin said quietly. “Why don’t you join us? Ella, you can take a break, can’t you?”
She still wasn’t entirely sure about this human, but she knew that Karthajin liked Rastrath, so she gave a somewhat reluctant nod. Her first defiant impulse was to go to tea exactly as she was but after a second look at the stunning red silk dress accenting the woman’s lush curves, she changed her mind.
“I’m going to change. I’ll be back in a moment.”
“Would you like me to go with you?” Lady Debra said eagerly.
For a moment, she thought the stupid woman assumed she wasn’t capable of changing by herself, but then she had a sudden distant flash of memory, of her friends giggling around her as they tried to decide what to wear. That memory, and Karthajin’s encouraging nod, made her give a reluctant assent.
Lady Debra followed her through the tall glass doors into the bedroom, then looked around with an awed expression. “This is impressive.”
Ella nodded but didn’t bother to respond. “I’m going to shower.”
“Look, I know we got off on the wrong foot, but you remind me of my youngest sister. She was only fourteen when I left.”
“I’m almost nineteen,” she said stiffly, trying to hide her outrage.
“Oops.
” Lady Debra bit her lip. “I’m making this worse, aren’t I? Please, Ella. I really want to be friends with you. Don’t be mad at me.”
At that moment, Chika came over and curled around the woman’s legs, her earlier enmity forgotten. Lady Debra’s face lit up. “May I pet your kitten? I’ve been trying to convince Rast that we need a pet, but he thinks it’s too soon with the baby still so demanding.”
“You have a baby?” She wasn’t sure why that shocked her so much.
A soft, happy smile spread across her face and Ella felt an unexpected pang of envy. “Yes. His name is Athtren. I would have brought him but Rast wasn’t sure if this was a formal audience or not. And he’s very noisy.”
Chika butted Lady Debra’s leg, and after a look at Ella to make sure it was allowed, she picked the tigren up and snuggled her. Ella softened a little more when Chika purred and settled down in her arms.
“I would like to see your baby,” she said hesitantly.
“I’d like that, too,” Lady Debra said eagerly. “We should have lots of time. Rast says we’re going to be here for at least a month.” She didn’t appear concerned about the prospect and Ella wondered if the king had given her the complete story.
“You don’t mind?”
Lady Debra shrugged. “Well, it’s not my favorite place—everything is so big and dark. But your room is nice.” There was the faintest question to the word your, but before Ella could respond, she hurried on. “We were already on our way here when we found out. Athtar told us about you and I really wanted to meet you.”
She scratched behind Chika’s ears, sending the kitten into a state of ecstasy, while she looked doubtfully at Ella. Finally, she blurted out. “I just wanted to know if you’re all right. That no one is forcing you to… do things you don’t want to do.”
Ella sighed. “Look, Lady Debra—”
“Call me Deb.”
“Look, Deb. I’m fine. I don’t need your help.”
“I’m sorry. I know I’ve managed to make you mad again. It’s just that I didn’t have an easy time of it after I was taken. My first master was… cruel.” A shadow crossed her face and Ella found herself feeling an unwilling sympathy. Her life would have been very different without Momi and Popi.
Ella and the Emperor (Alien Abduction #5) Page 15