Vendel Rising Omnibus

by L A Warren

  “Aren’t you upset by this delay? I know how much you wanted this.”

  “I want you.” He gave her the oddest look. “It’s complicated, Elise, this thing between us, but I must be Emperor first. My people are my priority. My oath is to the empire and comes before my personal desires. You have a reprieve, opés. Let’s see what you make of it.” He shifted and lifted her off his chest. At arms-length, his eyes drilled into hers.

  She felt exposed under his scrutiny.

  “I want to show you the threat we face. Perhaps afterward, you’ll understand why I did what I had to do. I hope it will allow you to see things differently and find some degree of acceptance to your new station.”

  “I’m not fighting you, Gregor.”

  “Yes, you are. You still think to find a way out of this and free of me. That’s not going to happen.” Gregor offered his hand to help her to her feet. “You have pleased the High Tender. I’m encouraged by your progress, but I’m no fool, opés. You still think you have a choice, but there is no choice left to you. You belong to me. It would be wise to remember that.”

  She tried to protest, but he waved her off.

  “I’m taking you to the High Tender’s linking program and we’ll see what you can accomplish. Just so you know, that little construct you made for the High Tender in his office incorporated all the skills of the Bar and Rod, and most of the Second Rank Wheel skills. The one you made for me touches on some of the Third Rank. It’s impressive that you managed to learn all that just by observing the First Rank WOR. It may not take a full sun cycle before you achieve all Fifth Rank skills. We’ll proceed with the Binding Rite after that, no matter what foolish oath I gave. That is something to think about late at night, when you’re in your bed hating me.”

  “It’s the Emperor I hate, Gregor. I don’t know what to think of you as a man. It confuses me, and that is the honest truth.”

  After Carek showed her the S’Lorek and the threat they posed, she understood what drove an emperor to do the things he must to save a civilization. She didn’t like it, but understood.

  The expression on Gregor’s face softened. He graced her with a nod, perhaps acknowledging the truth, perhaps not. It was unclear. “I’ll do whatever it takes to save my people, Elise. I’ll sacrifice everything for them. I’m risking much pulling you out of conventional training. If I think anything you do would gain me an advantage, I’ll take it. It would be wise to remember this. I’ll Bind you, but only when it’s in the best interest of the Empire to do so, personal desire has no place in it.”

  With those cryptic words, Gregor left her alone to dress. She tied the laces of her gown and stepped out of her room. Gregor and the High Tender waited in the common room.

  Elise came to an abrupt halt, not expecting High Tender Marcus. “Good morning, High Tender,” she said.

  His eyes glittered and he gave her a curt nod. “Good morning, s’Lissa. Come with me. I have something to show you.” He turned to Gregor. “Sire, we will talk later.”

  “Of course,” Gregor said with an imperious nod.

  The High Tender led Elise out of her suite and off the Fifth Deck. Gregor did not join them. She felt like someone had pulled the rug out from under her feet and forgot the floor underneath.

  What is happening? Whimper huddled in the darkness.

  High Tender Marcus took her to the Am-net Conclave headquarters. He explained the am-net and she listened with half an ear. The High Tender described what she would see and she responded appropriately with, “Hmm,” and, “Yes,” and other nondescript replies.

  She had a moment of panic when the entry doors slid open, but the gentlemen who had watched her walk in with Carek were not manning the desk today.

  Two men dressed in their dark green jumpsuits stood at their arrival. “Good morning Lord vlor’Vardhal,” the first man said. “We’re ready for your tour.”

  “Good.” High Tender Marcus pressed his palm to the gel-pad.

  The men ignored Elise and she was not logged in. The second man scanned the corridor behind them as if he were expecting someone else, but then brought his attention back to the display nestled into the top of the counter. The door swished closed.

  “My lord, I will escort you down to the changing rooms and give the briefing.”

  “Will Master Varlen meet us?”

  “Yes, my lord. He’s already in the tank and will meet you in the soup. His assistant will escort you to the node.”

  “Very good,” the High Tender said.

  The door swished open behind Elise and she felt a familiar presence.

  “I have asked one of our WOR to assist the Lady—” the first man said, stopping mid-sentence.

  “That will not be necessary.” Gregor cut him off.

  “Gregor,” Elise replied, her response automatic and contrite.

  Gregor gave her a flat stare and then smiled at the two men. “I’ll take care of Lady s’Lissa. No need to bother your staff.”

  He pressed his palm to the gel-pad, then turned his full attention to her. The dark tattoo danced menacingly on his brow. A dangerous mood had settled over him and she had no idea what she had done wrong.

  Whimper, my sister?

  I am here.

  Lend me strength. I need to be as accommodating as possible. Rein in my temper. Watch me. I must submit to him.

  I will watch and give you strength. Smile, you are glaring, and lower your eyes. Don’t look him in the eyes today. I sense great danger.

  Elise did as her sister instructed.

  Whimper settled in her mind and watched.

  Gregor put his hand to the small of her back. She smiled and he gave a bemused expression she did not understand. He propelled her through the doorway and into the am-net.

  They followed the same path Carek had taken and passed through the long tunnel until they entered the changing rooms.

  Three suits had been laid out on the counter. Two black suits and a much smaller scarlet suit with a decidedly feminine cut. A figure in a white immersion suit looked up from behind the counter.

  Elise stared into the startling green eyes of Carek Tusel and suppressed a groan.

  Carek snapped to attention. He didn’t seem surprised to see her and bobbed his head in deference to Gregor, who returned the quasi-salute with a jerk of his chin.

  “Sire, my lord,” Carek said, acknowledging both men. “Welcome to the am-net.”

  “Good day to you, Mr. Tusel,” the High Tender said. “We’re anxious to begin.”

  “Yes, my lord. I have your immersion suits ready. I had thought to have one of the WOR assist.” He gestured to Elise.

  “I told them I would take care of it,” Gregor said. “No need to bother your WOR.”

  Carek seemed to wait for an introduction. When Gregor did not supply one, Carek shifted on his feet, looking unsure.

  “Of course, sire.” Carek recovered and stepped around the counter. He handed the High Tender his suit, then gave Gregor the remaining two suits and ignored Elise.

  “I’ll provide appropriate instruction for my s’vlor.” Gregor dismissed Carek. “You may wait outside.”

  Elise closed her eyes and took three deep breaths.

  Whimper made her count to ten.

  Gregor’s strong hand cupped her elbow and lead her to a changing room.

  He explained the am-net, superficially, glossing over many of the details Carek had supplied. He pulled a curtain aside to one of the single dressing chambers and drew her inside.

  “Opés, remove all your clothes and your bands of rank.”

  The bands of rank were the symbols of her captivity. She hadn’t even remembered putting them on. Had they become such a part of her morning routine that they were no longer of note? How far had she slipped into this world? How far had Earth fallen?

  You must obey him! Why are you just standing there?

  Sorry!

  “What about the collar?”

  “The collar stays, the rest goes.�
� His face brightened and his lips quirked up in a grin. “What, no comments for me? I tell you to strip and you just say, ‘Yes?’ What happened to my opés?”

  Elise stopped short. She ignored Whimper’s words and glanced into his eyes. “Gregor, I’m sorry. I thought I wasn’t to entice you. Would you rather undress me?”

  He laughed. “Yes, opés, although I have to say your compliance has me wondering what you’re hiding.”

  Elise sighed as he untied the long laces at the back of her gown.

  “I’m not hiding anything from you.”

  The dress fell away and Gregor removed all the bands from her arms. He spun her around and raked his eyes up and down her body.

  He’s interested. Keep it up. Whimper coached her from the darkness.

  He lifted his brows with interest. “You are a true vision of perfection, opés.” He handed her the scarlet immersion suit and helped her to dress.

  When she was encased in the skin-hugging fabric, he gave her a last, long appraising look before unbuttoning his shirt.

  “Now wait out there, but do not join the High Tender yet.”

  “What? I don’t get to undress you? That’s not fair.”

  “Correct. It’s not fair, but I do not think I would survive that. Now go!”

  “Yes, Gregor.” She exited and stepped back into the room.

  Gregor chuckled and muttered about disobedient WOR.

  Chapter Twenty-Eight

  Gambit, Day 261

  Carek popped his head inside the room and saw her standing there. His eyes brightened for a second before clouding over.

  She ignored him.

  Deep furrows creased his brow and he slipped out without making a sound.

  When Gregor walked out of the changing room, she wouldn’t have noticed Carek if he’d done cartwheels in front of her.

  A living sculpture of masculine perfection stood before her, sending her heart into afterburner mode. The black immersion suit revealed less than the white, which Carek wore, but hinted at so much more. The pure maleness of Gregor washed over her, drowning her in sensation and undeniable desire.

  Why couldn’t he have been ugly?

  It’s just the Activator, Malice said. It’s not real.

  Except it was very real to Elise.

  The corners of Gregor’s lips quirked up and his eyes twinkled. “Opés, you are staring.”

  “Sorry, Gregor.” Her brows drew down. “I wish we had come to know each other under different circumstances. I could have given you so much more.”

  “How can that be when I will take everything?”

  “Forgive me, Gregor, but you’re a fool if you believe that.” Her words were not spoken as a challenge, but as simple truth.

  He didn’t answer, but perhaps he understood. She expected his eyes to narrow, a sign of anger, fury, or perhaps frustration, but Gregor gave her none of those cues. He shook his head instead.

  “Our positions are complicated, but they are all that we have. I hope, after today, you might come to see me differently than you do now.” He clapped his hands. “Come, opés, there is work to do. I’m sure High Tender Marcus is wondering what’s keeping us.”

  “Yes, Gregor.”

  Carek waited outside and had probably heard every word they spoke. His expression remained downcast and he did not meet her eyes.

  “Mr. Tusel?” Gregor placed a hand on Carek’s shoulder.

  “Yes, Sire.” Carek met Gregor’s eyes.

  “I would like to present my s’vlor, the Lady Malita s’Lissa s’vlor. Lady s’Lissa, this is Mr. Carek Tusel. He’s a level 5 Neural Mind Conclave Member, which means he stands a rank below the Conclave Master. He’s also one of our very few High Judicators, a position of great prestige in Vendel society and shoulders tremendous responsibility. He sits with the High Council and is one of my greatest supporters. Master Varlen, the Conclave Master, you will meet in the soup. I’ll introduce him when we arrive. Mr. Tusel is the lead designer for the linking program. If this works out today, you’ll be working with him on the project.”

  Carek inclined his head. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, my lady.”

  “Yes,” she said, suppressing a groan as she extended her hand. “Pleased to meet you.”

  “Mr. Tusel, lead on.” Gregor gestured toward the purple sea.

  “Yes, Sire. Have you briefed Lady s’Lissa on the soup?”

  “A little, but feel free to explain as you see fit.”

  Carek met her gaze briefly, but let the contact go. So much distance separated them.

  Elise grabbed Gregor’s arm. “As long as you’re with me, Gregor, I’m sure I’ll be fine.”

  Gregor patted her hand and pulled her close.

  Carek’s spine stiffened.

  She wasn’t going to make any of this easy on her estranged friend. Carek nodded and launched into a well-practiced speech.

  They met the High Tender in front of the enormous tank of purple glowing liquid. Elise did her best to look impressed and pretend this was her first time seeing the am-net soup.

  Carek passed out the hoods. He then pulled out a breathing cylinder and handed it to Elise.

  Gregor placed a hand on Carek’s arm. “My s’vlor will not use that.”

  “But Sire, it can be a shock without it.”

  Gregor gave him an odd stare. “Mr. Tusel, she has the capacity to endure much. I’m sure the sensation of drowning will not put her off.”

  “Yes, Sire.” He turned to Elise and lowered his gaze.

  How far was Carek going to let this go? He had kept his word so far. He obviously wasn’t going to expose her secret. Each step he took without revealing her betrayal, however, took him further and further away from his oaths. She cocked her head, wondering, not for the first time, exactly how deep his feelings ran.

  “My lady…” He gestured to the sloping ramp.

  He spoke about breathing in the soup, how it would make her feel. During his explanation, she kept hold of Gregor’s arm and leaned into him for support. She watched Carek’s expression closely to see how he would react. His face remained a blank mask.

  He’d asked her to return to her master and to embrace Gregor so that she might save the worlds of the Vendel. She did that now, flaunting it before Carek.

  She didn’t know which of the two men she despised more, Gregor for her enslavement or Carek for giving her love and ripping it away.

  She stopped him mid-sentence. “Thank you, Mr. Tusel. I think that’s enough. I’m ready to see what my master, and my High Tender, have for me to examine.” She arched a brow daring him to say anything.

  Gregor chuckled.

  High Tender Marcus said, “Obstinate, s’vlor.” But when he shook his head, there was a slight smile curving the corners of his mouth.

  “I’m just anxious to see what I can do. If this helps to speed my progress toward mastering the WOR-skill, then I’m eager to begin. Besides, it’ll make Gregor happy. I’m not being obstinate at all.”

  Gregor laughed anew. He pulled himself up onto the platform and reached down for Elise. Last time, Carek had lifted her up. This time it was Gregor. He planted a deep, penetrating kiss on her lips. She responded knowing Carek could only look on.

  Gregor released her lips, but did not release her from his embrace. Her feet dangled inches from the floor. He stepped back on the platform and grinned. His heels rested at the opposite edge of the platform. Below him was the soup. There was no sloping ramp, just twenty meters of purple liquid. He cocked an eyebrow.

  Elise squirmed in his grasp. “You wouldn’t?”

  “Oh yes, opés, I would.” He looked at Carek and the High Tender who were only just now climbing on top of the platform. “See you two inside. Mr. Tusel, I’m assuming our suits are already linked?”

  Carek paused and Elise could only imagine the look of dread on his face. “Yes, Sire.”

  Gregor tightened his hold on Elise, kissed her, and leaned back. They fell a full meter before hitting the
surface of the purple liquid.

  Cool and comfortable, the liquid felt exactly like water, but slippery. Gregor held Elise as they quickly sank below the surface. People didn’t float in the soup. It was neutrally buoyant. His kiss became more passionate, aggressive and painful. He pressed himself against her body. Strong legs wrapped around her thighs and held her in a powerful grip.

  She coughed and sputtered as the purple soup filled her lungs. She didn’t think about drowning—she already knew she would not—but she certainly drowned under the onslaught of his kisses.

  Feed it back to him, sister, Whimper whispered. Something is wrong. He is testing you harder than any other day.

  Elise listened and returned Gregor’s kisses. She fed it back to him, just as Whimper instructed.

  Gregor’s frantic kisses slowed and stopped.

  She grabbed him and pulled him close. “Don’t stop,” she said breathlessly. “More.”

  Gregor chuckled. “Tell me opés, did that feel like drowning to you?”

  “Yes,” she said, gasping on the words, “but not in the way you might think. Am I really breathing water? Can we do that again?”

  “Which part?” His eyebrows lifted in amusement.

  “All of it,” she replied with enthusiasm. She kissed the corner of his mouth. “I used to dive back home. We had to wear tanks on our backs and regulators in our mouths. This is amazing, feels weird but…amazing. Kiss me again, please.”

  “Yes, opés,” Gregor complied. He broke off and said, “The am-net is a unique place, don’t you think?”

  “Yes. It’s certainly heightening my senses. Good God, but I want so much more!”

  He laughed and then kissed her.

  The High Tender drifted down through the soup. Carek swam behind him.

  Carek came up beside Gregor and was forced to wait until Gregor finished his kiss.