How could I not know?
The answer was obvious. Queen Kila had also possessed similar hair. Captain Kelter must have accompanied the princess because of the striking similarities between them.
Captain Kelter slowly climbed to her feet.
“Time runs short. I will leave you two in peace. I just had to see you one last time.” She turned away.
“Captain,” Tate called. He wanted to call her “mother” but the title stuck in his throat.
She paused.
“I know, Taytron,” Captain Kelter replied over her shoulder. “Your answer is written on your face. I will heed your wish to do the honorable thing. Riden be with your brother when we are gone.” With nothing more to say, she left.
Tate felt Alikai’s arms wrap around him.
Are you there, friends? Tate asked the anotechs.
Always, Prince of the Chosen.
When I die, return to Reshner.
No, we will stay. You can be saved if—
I have made my choice. Protect my brother. He is Reshner’s last prince and best hope.
Chapter 43:
The Fall of House Deleur
ALLEI (AUGUST) 28, 1538
Same Day
Chambers of Princess Alikai, Deleur Palace, Planet of Mitra
To pass the time, Princess Alikai forced herself to eat with Prince Taytron from the rich fare brought to them. The food sat in her stomach like a soggy rag, making her queasy. Mostly, they lay on the soft bed talking quietly. Alikai’s eyes filled with tears several times, but she drew strength from her husband and held them back. Then, soldiers loyal to the Deleurs for generations marched into the bedchamber in two unyielding lines, their faces blank masks. At least they waited for Alikai and her husband to gain their feet before arresting them.
“No!” Taytron cried, offering the first resistance when a soldier moved to bind Alikai’s wrists. He moved to throw off the hands at her elbows.
Twin waves of fear and love seized Alikai, nearly making her freeze, but she fought the numbness to grasp her husband’s hands.
“Peace, Taytron. It must be this way.”
Though her heart fluttered, Alikai refused to let her features show the fear. She had been preparing for this day since before she could speak. She could walk the path blind, yet now that it was upon her, every part of her cried out to fight. She ran the last few months over in her mind, desperate to know if she could have done something different. She had not even seen Taytron’s face until after the wedding. When his gentle face appeared from behind the mask instead of the cruel one expected, she had nearly fainted.
Events moved swiftly, yet they seemed slow and blurry, like something seen through murky water. Tight iron bindings pinched her wrists. Her heart ached when they bound Taytron. The soldiers surrounded them and marched them to the throne room, called Deleur Hall for another few hours.
No amount of bracing prepared Alikai for the raw emotions which ambushed her upon stepping through the gilded doors and seeing Deleur Hall packed with soldiers and family members.
Only instinct kept her walking forward. If she fainted, the soldiers would carry her, but dignity was all her family had left. She refused to steal that small treasure from them. Her father’s heart attack may have been merciful to him, but it had placed a heavy burden upon her.
Taytron’s father struggled against three soldiers. They were too far away to hear words, but his protests were clear. Pity for him and anger at being manipulated coursed through her. The captain they had spoken to earlier stood stiffly beside the king.
Hinoli Brek stood next to the throne, tall, proud, and contemptible. His yellow eyes shone bright, and a tight smile locked his lips into an unnatural position.
“If it pleases the Princess, her servant seeks a blessing upon his rule,” Hinoli said.
The oily sound made Alikai bristle, and the anger lent her strength. Few dared to ask the blessings of the former dynasty, a move considered the highest form of insult and the lowest form of conduct.
“I do not please!” Mounting the six steps, Alikai stood in front of the throne and forced herself to stare into Hinoli’s eyes. “Furthermore, I would beseech the Gathering to choose another ruling House or at least another ruler from House Brek.” She glared at each of the Gathering representatives surrounding the dais.
Hinoli’s eyes narrowed.
“As it pleases Her Highness,” he replied stiffly. Turning to the Gathering representatives, his smile turned feral. “I invoke denulan upon House Deleur!”
A hush fell over the crowd.
Alikai’s heart skipped several beats.
Denulan, “Total Death,” would mean no survivors and an end to House Deleur. It hadn’t been invoked for nine thousand years, not since House Kinn had been wiped from Mitra for rebelling against the Blood Harvest.
“What grounds have ye for such a request?” Geroli Rikk demanded.
Alikai silently thanked him. The Rikks and Deleurs had been close for countless years.
Hinoli didn’t answer, proving he had no legitimate grounds for denulan.
“We should get on with the ceremony,” Geroli urged quietly.
Alikai called each of her young cousins up by name and blessed them in the holy language. The bindings made the blessings awkward as she needed to touch each child’s head before speaking. For Dekoli and Reloni, she beseeched the gods for strength of heart. The boys received the blessings with stony faces. For Meriki and Sali, she asked for an extra measure of wisdom. The girls let their tears flow freely. Sali’s smile came close to undoing Alikai’s courage. Once finished, she charged Geroli and his house with their care.
“Fear not, Princess, House Deleur survives this day.” Geroli bowed as he spoke the ceremonial words.
She acknowledged the bow and watched Geroli summon a servant to hustle the children away. Her blood pulsed in her ears and a haze hung around her vision.
Alikai felt herself falling.
Suddenly, strong hands grip her right arm, and she heard Taytron’s voice.
“Release me!” he shouted.
The darkness closed in even more.
“Someone wake her. She must witness the cleansing!” declared a female voice.
“You’ll have your Blood Harvest but let me hold her.” Taytron’s voice vibrated with passion.
Alikai stopped fighting and fell back against Taytron. His arms slipped around her waist. She had no strength to speak but leaned her head back, basking in the safety he offered. Her skin tingled where his hands touched and liquefied energy rushed into her, rallying her senses.
“Emnon mer Deleur,” Alikai said.
Thus ends the reign of House Deleur.
The Blood Harvest began in earnest, and Alikai watched with abject horror as soldiers carried out their duty. Taytron’s hands never left her. They stood together while half-pikes ripped through the screaming crowd. Tears washed down Alikai’s face, but a small measure of peace existed between herself and Taytron.
Suddenly, Hinoli was before her, his sword raised, already crimson. His sadistic smile filled her vision. The sword swung toward her and would have sliced into her arm had it not been intercepted.
“What are you doing?” shouted Geroli.
Alikai knew Geroli would not let this stand. Still, she was almost relieved to be able to die with her family and beloved. Her sole regret was for her unborn child.
The sounds of a scuffle followed. Alikai felt herself spinning around. Her eyes opened, and she stared into Taytron’s beautiful blue-gray eyes. He kissed her. It was the last thing either of them felt before a sword pierced through her back and into his chest.
Chapter 44:
Tides of Change
ALLEI (AUGUST) 29, 1538
Twenty-nine days after Prince Terosh’s Kireshana journey
Rikk Palace, Planet of Mitra
Weary beyond words, Sarie Verituse let the Mitran king, Geroli Rikk, gently lead her to the ship. Her wrists stung where the r
opes had punished her for struggling. Her throat burned, but no more tears would come. They had been spent yesterday and throughout the sleepless night.
“I know our customs seem cruel to Outsiders, but they’ve prevented planet-wide war for thirty-five thousand years.” Rikk patted her hand. “The bodies are already aboard. I’m sorry more cannot be done.”
Sarie couldn’t even muster a nod.
Prince Tate’s dead.
The thought would give her no peace. She had been arrested yesterday, same as everyone in the Reshner delegation, but only the prince, the king, and Aster Captain Kelter had been killed with House Deleur. Sarie was upset that nobody could find Captain Kelter’s body, but most of her grief was due to the prince’s death. She had been present hours after his birth and helped Niktasha raise him. With ten years separating them, he had been the little brother she always wanted. When he gained his feet, she had chased him around the palace. She had also washed, dressed, and comforted him on the days when Queen Kila was in one of her moods.
Sarie didn’t remember getting on the ship but felt the vibrations as it rose. She was going home, but home would never be the same.
What will Prince Terosh do?
A stab of fear pierced Sarie’s grief. If someone had arranged for Prince Tate to be murdered here, they could certainly kill Prince Terosh back on Reshner.
King Terosh.
PIRUA (SEPTEMBER) 4, 1538
Thirty-four days after Prince Terosh’s Kireshana journey
Governor General’s Estate, City of Idonia
“It is done, my Lord. Their bodies were delivered not an hour ago. I’ve had them moved to the throne room for now.”
“Well done, Captain Antar,” Lord Kezem replied.
“Have you further orders, my Lord?”
“Have you found the prince?” asked Kezem.
“Lieutenant Laocer is in contact with the prince now. Shall I have my men move in?”
“No, let him return and claim his throne. It is not yet time.” Kezem cut the connection, sat back, and smiled. The victory was two-thirds won. Terosh would share his brother’s fate soon enough, but first, the Rangers needed to be destroyed. They had been given the opportunity to join him, but few did. The RT Alliance would destroy the Rangers and they, in turn, would either submit or be destroyed.
Having Terosh assassinated now would be simpler, but there were far too many royalists to get away with it. He didn’t just want to rule. He wanted to be king.
Chapter 45:
Caught, Chasm, Chaos, Queen
PIRUA (SEPTEMBER) 6, 1538
Thirty-six days after Prince Terosh’s Kireshana journey
Prince Terosh’s Private Estate, City of Estra
Being stranded in the Frozen North half a planet away from her new husband was not an appealing option, but Princess Reia Minstel had reluctantly agreed to stay in Estra. Located almost equidistant from Chara and Idonia, Estra hosted about a tenth of the population of either mainland city. Reia wondered what kept people living here. Ice, snow, and cold wind offered little in the way of comfort, though admittedly the sun shining off snow could be quite beautiful.
Word of the assassination of Prince Taytron and King Teorn had forced Terosh to travel north to Rammon. Reia would have gone with him, but he had enough to deal with without having to explain his marriage to the Governors Council and the Senate. In time, she would have her own explaining to do. How she would do so consumed much of her thoughts, the rest she reserved for worrying about Terosh.
This place is too big.
Reia walked softly, so her footsteps wouldn’t echo. Terosh’s absence turned the elegant beauty of the cavernous rooms cold and distant. Reia drew her travel cloak tighter around her shoulders to ward off a chill. She could have roused a servant to turn on the heat, but she didn’t want to disturb them. She’d spent many nights in harsher conditions out under the stars.
Thinking of stars, Reia quickened her steps, determined to visit the observatory. She spent an hour gazing up at the stars through the powerful telescopes and thinking about sharing constellation stories with Terosh. The memories warmed her. When her heart regained some peace, Reia returned to the main floor.
As she passed her bedchamber, a rustling noise caught her attention. She gripped her banistick. Nervously drawing the weapon, she searched several nearby rooms. Finding nothing, she admitted she was growing increasingly jumpy. The first week had been fine, but now, she wished she hadn’t worked so hard to convince Terosh not to leave a guard or two.
Or two dozen.
If Terosh had gotten his way, she would have been tucked into one of Loresh’s bunkers surrounded by Royal Guards and Melian Maidens.
That would have fixed the loneliness issue.
Having already eaten an evening meal and not quite ready for bed, Reia decided to take another walking tour of the vast estate. This took her the better part of an hour. She returned to her bedchamber pleasantly weary, but when she noticed the door slightly ajar, instinct put her senses on high alert. Her pulse quickened, and she snatched up her banistick. Creeping close to the door, Reia pushed it open with her banistick.
A hand latched on to her weapon and pulled. Though surprised, Reia threw herself into a sideways roll, wrenching her weapon free. Coming to her feet, she whirled to face her attacker.
A broad-shouldered figure covered entirely in black stepped out of the shadows and nodded.
An arm encircled her neck and drew her back into a man’s chest. His other hand braced the back of her neck.
“Hello, Reia. Why is this the only way I get to hold you?” asked Lucas Telon. “You don’t know how hard this is for me.”
“Not. Hard. Enough!” Instead of reaching for her neck, Reia whipped her banistick down, aiming for Lucas’s kneecap. She missed and connected with his right thigh instead.
Grunting, he shoved her away.
She tried to keep from landing in the other attacker’s arms, but she hadn’t anticipated being released suddenly. The next thing she felt was a hard knock across her shoulders that spun her half-way around. This was followed by hands driving her to the ground and a knee landing on her back. A cold dagger nestled into the flesh under the right side of her chin.
“Trials waste so much time,” the man complained.
She knew his voice, too.
“I wish it were still the old days. When criminals were simply caught and gutted,” Kolknir continued. He emphasized the last three words with small increases in pressure on the dagger.
“Let her up,” Lucas growled.
“As you wish,” Kolknir said. His blade left Reia’s neck. “But don’t get cocky. She’s the means to the end we both seek. Remember that.”
As hands rolled her over onto her back, Reia tensed to continue the fight.
“Don’t even twitch.” Lucas’s dagger appeared under her chin.
“If you wanted to talk, you needn’t have stalked me in my own house,” Reia commented.
“She’s mighty comfortable in these fancy new trappings,” Kolknir said with a chuckle.
“What now, Lucas?” Reia asked.
“Now you stand trial before the Ashatan Council for betraying the Rangers.”
Reia couldn’t believe it. Lucas’s outrage sounded genuine. Then, it suddenly made sense.
“The Council never sent you on the Kireshana. Who is your new master, Lucas?”
The dagger pressed even closer until it broke the skin.
Reia held still and prayed Lucas had steady hands.
“It doesn’t matter,” Lucas said. “What matters is that if you even think of sharing your thoughts with anyone I will personally hunt down your precious sister and her husband and kill them painfully.”
“Kiata and Todd would never turn. You’ll have to kill them anyway.”
The drug on Lucas’s knife made Reia drowsy.
Cormea, radon, and alipo sap.
It was a combination many of the Nareth Talis Rangers used on their d
aggers, for it could render an enemy unconscious without having to kill them. The first two ingredients caused paralysis and the last induced sleep.
Reia feared Lucas would flick his dagger once more and end her life before she could reveal his plans.
Who else has turned?
She felt Lucas’s tension. He really wanted to hurt her. Just before the cormea, radon, and alipo sap sent Reia into oblivion, the dagger left her neck and slipped into her side. The flash of pain was the last thing she remembered.
PIRUA (SEPTEMBER) 8, 1538
Thirty-eight days after Prince Terosh’s Kireshana journey
Ashatan Council Chamber, Ranger Compound, Riden Mountains
Having finally been admitted into the Ashatans’ meeting chamber, Kiata Antellio Wellum stormed over to Lucas Telon and smacked him. He reeled from the blow. Lionel Riften and Val Cederik steadied him with neutral expressions. James Celdin and Todd stepped between Lucas and Kiata. Everyone had seen how Lucas had brought Reia back, and most believed he deserved what he got.
Kiata would have punched him, but she wanted answers before breaking his jaw.
“What happened to my sister?” she demanded.
Todd placed restraining hands on her shoulders.
“Not now, Kiata. This won’t help her. Come away with me. We can deal with Lucas later.”
“What’s this about?” asked James, one of the few people who didn’t know what had transpired. Until a few hours ago, he had been with his wife while she gave birth to a son.
Kiata shook off Todd’s hands and glared at Lucas.
“What happened to Reia?”
Why did you stab my little sister, you slime-sucking maggot?
“She surprised us,” said Lucas.
“And the great Master Lucas Telon stabbed her before she could explain.” Kiata’s anger threatened her self-control. “Why question people when you can stab them?” A new thought struck her. “What are you afraid she’ll say?”
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