AMNESIA

by Canada Jackson

  * * *

  He fell into a fitful sleep, waking in the early hours to find her under the sheets beside him. He pondered whether he should wait for dawn or take her now. He preferred seeing her in some light but did not want to wake her.

  She must have left Whyle earlier than planned. Had she missed him? Longed for him, perhaps?

  Wrexel reached forward, pulling her to him, pushing her silken gown above her thighs. Muscled thighs; fuck. Staede and his exercises. She was becoming hard, very hard. She… was different.

  “Lights.”

  In horror, he stared down at his ex-lover Baerra as she lay beneath him in Amber’s clothes. Wrexel was already hard and at her entrance, starting to move into her body. He scooted back from Baerra and flung her from his bed.

  She stood up regally and smoothed Amber’s gown across her form.

  “How the hell did you get in here?” he demanded.

  “I still have a pass.”

  She took the key card from her neck and threw it at him. “I thought you would be up for some fun. You’re obviously bored with Amber if you’ve already passed her onto Whyle.”

  “You assume incorrectly.” Wrexel stood, dragged on his trousers, and walked to the door.

  “It was a grave error not asking you for the key back, but you should have returned it ages ago without my needing to ask.”

  Baerra opened her mouth to respond, but he stopped her.

  “Get out,” he said. “And take her clothes off before you go. You could never measure up to her.”

  “Very well.” She poised to tear the nightgown from her body but seemed to change her mind, stopping only for a moment to pick up the robe she had worn when she came over.

  She opened the door and looked back at him. “You must have felt something; you were hard when you began entering my body.”

  “I thought it was hers,” he hissed as she closed the door.

  Leyahanna was in shock as Baerra stood half-naked outside Wrexel’s door.

  “Shh.” Baerra winked at the pale Gweithi. “I don’t think he would appreciate his wife knowing that he’s becoming a little bored.”

  The following morning, when Amber returned with Dionys as her guard, she was surprised to find the entrance of Wrexel’s wing crowded. She was hurriedly led inside and moved to Freya, who stood staring through the closed transparent doorway.

  “What is going on?”

  She had never seen a collection of White and Green supporters this close to their door.

  “The Monarch delivered a belated wedding present for you and Whyle.”

  Amber saw the box just meters away in the passage leading to Wrexel’s main door. It was covered with a thick glass dome and surrounded by Thromians performing tests on it.

  “It couldn’t be…?”

  “A bomb? No. He carried it openly and personally. Wrexel has gone to find Whyle,” Freya said when Amber looked for him. “It’s completely sealed off and they are testing it, but we’ve ruled out the need to vacate.”

  Amber rubbed her forearms. The air seemed to chill. Whatever was in the box would not be pleasant.

  “They’ve been at it for a while now.” Freya placed a comforting arm about her. “Don’t worry, Amber. Whatever it is, the brothers and Whyle will handle it.”

  * * *

  Fifteen minutes later the brothers arrived in the foyer. They stood with those conducting the tests until Whyle came with a device that looked like a hand scanner. He ran it over the glass dome.

  Whatever he told them caused them to bristle. Whyle knelt, slowly unsealed the lid and, with one last look up at the brothers, lifted it up.

  Horror and anguish played over their faces. When Shihlo dropped to one knee, his hands on either side of the box, both Freya and Amber rushed forward, hitting the door button to see what had caused them such concern.

  Wrexel grasped Freya, who reached the box first and did not flinch when Staede pulled Amber back into his arms.

  Freya was fast and strong but Wrexel held her as Shihlo whispered a few words to her before her scream reverberated off the walls as she called out her brother’s name.

  When they finally calmed down, they sat in a grave meeting, unsure of what to do next. Amber tried to comfort Freya and fought back her own tears like the brave female at her side.

  “He is definitely still alive.” Shihlo placed an arm about Freya’s shoulders. “He would have sent his head and not just his hand if that wasn’t the case.”

  “Piece by piece, I will take back my kingdom.”

  The message written in blood next to the severed hand that Whyle now confirmed was definitely Inndra’s.

  “What about the Comms tower, Whyle?” Wrexel asked desperately when Dionys led Freya away.

  “It’s on lockdown for ten days to give me time to find a solution. Inndra and I set that in place in case something like this happened.”

  He ran his finger over the small chip in his own wrist. “I’m not sure if the Monarch took his hand or if Inndra chose to divest of it rather than give up the tower. All that I do know is that we have ten days to negotiate with Gilroth to keep him alive. He will want the tower in exchange for Inndra.”

  The brothers debated for hours and eventually decided Whyle would meet with the Monarch the next day, bargain and fake promise to ensure Inndra stayed alive while they searched for him. Failing that, they would have no choice but to strike.

  Whyle was perfecting a gene finder that could lead them directly to Inndra, but it wasn’t ready to be used.

  * * *

  It was the early morning. Both Amber and Leyahanna struggled to sleep, opting to sit in the lounge outside the area where they debated, fear hanging in the surrounding air. Leyahanna mixed Freya a potion and the girls convinced her to drink it. Amber led her to Whyle’s apartment to rest.

  She sat at her bedside and held her hand. “It’s okay to cry, Freya,” she said gently, knowing the warrior held her own in front of the brothers.

  Her heart broke when the Thromian female groaned and choked her tears into the silk pillow.

  Amber sat with her until she fell asleep. Whyle entered the room, his gaze one of concern and affection for Freya. He stroked a hand over Amber’s head. “Thank you for comforting her; she’s such a strong warrior. I know she hates to show weakness.” He pulled the cover over Freya and clicked off the light. “You should go back; our meeting is over.” He followed Amber out of the room.

  “Won’t you stay with her, Whyle?” She frowned when he moved toward his own bedroom.

  “We don’t sleep together, Amber.” He shrugged. “Freya would find it weird if she woke up with me next to her. She would probably kick my ass even though she’s upset.”

  “Oh.” Amber didn’t understand their relationship.

  Whyle was already fishing a strange gadget out of his jacket pocket, his gaze gleaming with enthusiasm, his finger running reverently over the device.

  He really was married to technology. She kissed his cheek and he muttered goodnight, never taking his eyes off his treasure as he walked to a gadget-filled study on the side.

  When she returned to the lounge, she found Wrexel searching amongst the cushions and Leyahanna standing with folded arms in a far corner, a grimace on her face.

  “Leyahanna, have you seen my extra monitor?” he asked. “Could you help me look?”

  “No, I do not serve you any longer. I am Amber’s bounty.”

  Amber cringed when she overheard Leyahanna being unusually rude. She had been that way all through the evening whenever Wrexel came out of the conference room and Amber couldn’t understand why.

  She assumed Leyahanna was tired or perhaps upset over Inndra, although she had never appeared to be that close to him.

  Wrexel was too busy to notice and merely shrugged, leaving the room.

  “Why are you so angry at him?” Amber asked when they were alone.

  Leyahanna remained tight-lipped, insisting it did not concern her and then l
eft the lounge with her head held high.

  * * *

  The following day passed without incident. Amber spent it worrying over Inndra’s fate. She was extremely fond of him and the idea of him losing his life was too horrible to contemplate. The brothers hoped to spend the day strategizing but Wrexel was summoned to deal with a Watch Tower alert from Hynafol, while Whyle left for their small dwarf planet Lee, where he had been told the Monarch was currently inspecting legitimate ship building. Staede and Shihlo remained behind but after hours of arguing in her lounge, she sent them off to Shihlo’s conference room to strategize in private.

  Dionys stayed to guard her while they were away but spent most of his time staring out of her window, struggling to contain his emotions.

  “Dionys, why don’t you take a break?” Amber said gently. “Go and have a shower, maybe get something to eat.”

  He looked up at Amber with his glittering brown eyes and she squeezed his shoulder. He was a beautiful person, handsome, strong, and brave. She adored him. She prayed his brother would be found safe and sound.

  “Inndra and I argued before he went missing.” He struggled with words. “I… I’ve been seeing somebody he doesn’t agree with and I told him to mind his own business. That was my last conversation.”

  “Dionys, the Monarch needs Inndra alive; he’s not going to harm him. Whyle and the brothers will find him and you will get to finish your conversation,” she promised.

  He nodded and then when she opened her arms, he stepped in for the hug, swallowing a moan as her arms tightened around him.

  When he stepped back from her, he struggled for composure. “Maybe I’ll get something to eat,” he said hoarsely and she nodded.

  “Our kitchen is filled with snacks; I will be right here when you come back.”

  He hugged her again and then left.

  * * *

  Amber went in search of Leyahanna. She spotted her standing directly in front of the small monitor that always showed who was waiting to gain entry to Wrexel’s wing.

  Her arms were folded and her face pale as she ignored the bleat for attention. Security outside the door was high, so whoever was calling had to have passed as a safe visitor.

  “Leyahanna.” Amber was fearful at first, but as she came closer, she recognized Baerra. The Thromian female who had been Wrexel’s lover before her arrival.

  “I do not trust her, my lady. She should not gain entry.”

  “She’s alone.” Amber checked the security detail as the scan registered “unarmed, a member of the House of Green, wishes for verbal conference only.”

  The outdoor guards stood within ten meters of her, not even looking her way, so they obviously did not consider her a threat.

  “Still, we must not let her in or speak with her.” The Gweithi sounded hysterical.

  “Leyahanna, we can ask her what she wants; she said she only needs to talk to us.” “No, let her go. Please, my lady, let her go.”

  Something was amiss.

  “Perhaps she wishes to talk to us about Inndra.”

  “I do not want you to speak to her.”

  “Leyahanna, I am curious as to why she is here. She is a member of Wrexel’s house, so she must realize he is not here today.”

  “Let her go. We don’t need her here.”

  Amber grasped Leyahanna’s flailing hands. “Greet her or I will.”

  Amber didn’t like the way her companion’s face twisted in agony.

  “Hello, Baerra.” Leyahanna clicked the “camera off” button from their side.

  “Hello, dear Gweithi,” said Baerra in a friendly voice.

  “Why are you here?” Leyahanna was terse

  “I have a gift for you, dear. It seems you did an excellent job keeping our little secret.”

  Amber turned to Leyahanna. “What does she mean?

  The Gweithi looked ready to faint.

  Amber thumped the monitor, and the door misted over into transparency, allowing the two women to stare at one another through the glass.

  “Oh dear, I did not think you would be home,” she lied. “So, I shall leave the gift I have for Leyahanna here.”

  Baerra placed a box upon the floor and opened it to reveal a lovely necklace with stones that resembled diamonds. “It’s safe. The guards searched me thoroughly

  and would have terminated me if I posed any threat of danger.”

  Baerra laid the necklet on the step.

  “Why are you gifting Leyahanna?” Amber stared at the twinkling jewelry on the floor.

  “It was for her silence, although now there is no point, since you overheard.”

  * * *

  Amber went numb. She turned to Leyahanna, who dissolved into tears. She shook her head continually and held her mouth.

  “What did you see? Please, the truth.” Amber’s throat began to ache with fear.

  “Her leaving his room when you were with Whyle.” Leyahanna finally sobbed the admission.

  “How do you know something happened?” Amber grasped for a life preserver.

  The Gweithi moaned, “I cannot, my lady, I cannot.”

  Amber slowly turned to look at Wrexel’s ex-mistress.

  “I swear on my house,” Baerra smiled. “I was in his bed and he was upon me.” She touched the green epaulet on her shoulder. “But you should not be upset. If he turns to me more and more, you will be free, which is what he says you want.”

  Amber began to tremble and all feeling drained from her body. She heard determined steps behind her, and at a most inopportune time, Shihlo had entered from the conference room. His gaze narrowed on Baerra with anger and he cursed when he saw that her gaze was triumphant whilst Amber stood pale and shaking.

  “Why is she here? Why did you open the glass for her to see you, Amber? You cannot trust a Thromian just because they are in Wrexel’s house. We have many spineless defectors.”

  He clicked the door open, determined to address the guards for letting Baerra in that far.

  “I would not leave the Green House of my lover, nor harm those in his house,” Baerra said.

  “Ex-lover,” he interrupted, but Leyahanna let out a moan and ran from the room, sobbing.

  Shihlo stared after her with confusion and turned on Baerra.

  “What is going on?” he demanded.

  “I think I should go. I expected to see Leyahanna, to thank her for keeping everything secret. It’s such a pity Amber was here.”

  Baerra made a move to the door but Shihlo stepped in her way.

  “Why in such a hurry?” He grasped her arm. “You came here with a purpose and we will see it through.”

  He swung her around fiercely and held her before Amber. “Tell Amber the truth.”

  “I have. I swore on my house that I was with Wrexel.” Baerra took pleasure from Amber’s pain. “I hope you didn’t miss the lavender nightgown.” She removed it from her jacket pocket and handed it to Amber.

  Shihlo cursed viciously and his eyes blackened as his face twisted with rage.

  Through the exchange, Amber stood quietly, but now renewed feeling began to creep back into her limbs. With it came shock and then outrage until it all faded into utter devastation. Her legs couldn’t hold her and she collapsed to her knees, unable to breathe.

  “Shihlo.” Her world closed in on her as she looked up at Shihlo in desolation.

  Shihlo’s response was feral, the snarl he emitted terrifying. Baerra began to walk away, but Shihlo reached out and grasped her.

  “Where do you think you’re going?” He yanked her back so harshly, Amber gave a start of surprise. “It is not the Thromian way to have affairs. We discuss our desires and make contract changes. Adultery is abominable.”

  His hand shook as he held her by the hair, his nose almost touching hers.

  “I was not alone in this…” she began, but Shihlo tightened his hold, “I will deal with Wrexel when he returns, but you will be dealt with now. I hate the act of adultery, but I loathe even more that yo
u came here to gloat and hurt Amber in a manner that will live with her forever.”

  Baerra gave a moan of fear and tried to pull away but Shihlo was resolute. “A dishonorable woman should remember her deed for the rest of her life.”

  Amber gasped when the glint of his hip sketh caught her eye. She loathed Baerra and a few seconds before had wished her dead, but she did not want this in reality.

  “Shihlo…” Amber screamed through hacking sobs. “Just let her go.”

  Shihlo, however, had passed the point of no return.

  They were all on the edge, ruled by anger, pain, and horror at the recent loss and possible death of Inndra. Treachery surrounded them and Baerra was suddenly a tangible representation of this. Seeing the sister he adored on her knees weeping had tipped him over.

  “Shihlo…” Baerra looked afraid but her words were smug. “You can beat me or maim me, but the truth remains. Use the wisdom for which you are so renowned.”

  This seemed to anger him all the more. “You assume that because I have a democratic heart, I will not punish you. I am still Thromian and to underestimate that the blood of my kind does not course through my veins is a grave mistake.”

  “Shihlo…” Amber shot forward, her arms flailing, but it was too late. He pulled Baerra into a position of submission and, with one swipe, cut her hair off at the nape.

  For a human it meant nothing, but for a Thromian female, it was a life change.

  It would never grow back to the lush beauty it had been before.

  She screamed in dismay, grasping the short tendrils at her neck, but Shihlo was not done. He lifted her by the arm and dragged her to the door where he thrust her out, leaving the shocked guards to drag her off. He clicked the side panel and cut off her sobs of horror.