by Heidi Skarie
“Your Majesty, may I speak to you privately for a moment?” Erling asked upon reaching her. He glanced at King Zanton who stood beside her, then back at her.
“Can’t you see the lady’s occupied?” Zanton said. “Koriann, I want you to meet Captain Brenwick.”
With her eyes, Koriann pleaded for Erling to understand, then she turned to the captain. She hoped whatever Erling needed to talk about could wait. Perhaps it had something to do with the sniper. She’d meet with him as soon as she got the chance. Erling moved away without objecting, but she felt his eyes upon her from where he stood by the wall. Zanton kept his hand on her waist as he talked to the various visiting guests from his kingdom. Soon he grew bold with his caresses and freely stroked her bare shoulders. He was drinking heavily and seemed to relish Erling’s sullen looks.
Irritated by Zanton’s overt advances, Koriann wondered how to escape from him. After an hour of socializing with his guests, she excused herself, saying she wanted to check on Toemeka. Zanton started to accompany her, but was stopped by Captain Brenwick who wanted to discuss the threat to their planet from Samrat Condor. She left the drawing room and started toward Toemeka’s room.
Erling caught up with her in the hall. “Kori, can we talk a moment? It’s important.”
“Did they catch the sniper?”
“No. I’ve increased the guards at the palace. We can’t be certain that bullet wasn’t intended for you. What I wanted to let you know is that I just received orders from the Coalition. Toemeka and I have orders to leave on a mission tonight.”
“Toemeka’s not fit to go anywhere!” Koriann exclaimed.
“I know. I didn’t tell her about the mission. I’ll go alone.”
“You shouldn’t go alone. It’s too dangerous. Why would the Coalition send you on a mission when what you’re doing here is so important?”
“They’re short on intelligence operatives with the war on Planet Alandra. Many were killed when the Coalition Headquarters was attacked.”
“What’s the mission?”
“It’s not something I’m free to discuss, but I’ll return when it’s over to help you, Kori.”
Zanton appeared in the hall. “Just as I thought! You left to meet Major Fenian, not to check on Toemeka.”
“Queen Koriann was on the way to see Toemeka,” Erling replied before she could. “I detained her for a moment.” Erling’s easy smile contrasted with his narrowed eyes. “I was just reporting that we’ve increased security at the palace and that I’ll be gone for a short time.”
“You pretend to be so concerned about Jaipar, then leave when we could be attacked, according to you, any day.”
“He’s going—” Koriann started to explain, but Erling interrupted her and she realized he didn’t want Zanton to know about the mission.
“I’m sure you can handle things while I’m gone,” Erling said, looking at Zanton. He bowed to Koriann. “Good night, Your Majesty.”
“Major Fenian, wait!” Koriann exclaimed as Erling walked away.
Erling paused a moment, looking back at her, then continued down the hall.
“Where’s he going?” Zanton asked.
“I don’t know. He didn’t say. I’m going to see how Toemeka is doing. I’ll rejoin you in the drawing room shortly.”
“One of my guards will escort you.”
“I don’t need an escort!”
“With that sniper loose you do.” He called over one of his guards. “Take the Queen to the infirmary, then escort her back to the drawing room. Guard her carefully. She’s already had one brush with death today.”
“I resent your interference in my affairs, Zanton,” Koriann hissed. “I’ll do as I wish without your guard following me around.”
She glared at the guard. “I order you to stay here.” She swung around and continued walking. Despite her order, the guard followed her to the infirmary. Koriann found Toemeka resting in a glass tube-like, healing chamber in the recovery room. She looked weak and pale under the blue lights shining on her. It was a miracle she was alive after being shot and falling over a ledge.
“Toemeka, are you awake?” Koriann asked through the microphone.
Toemeka opened her eyes. “I am now. What’s wrong? You look worried.”
Koriann hesitated burdening Toemeka after all she’d been through, but didn’t know who else to turn to. “Erling just told me he received orders for both of you to leave on a mission tonight. Since you’re recovering from surgery, he didn’t tell you and is going alone.” She twisted her hands together. “It’s too dangerous for him to go without a partner. Would you try to convince him not to go?”
“Did he say where he’s going?”
“No, he said he couldn’t discuss it. I think he’s already headed to the airfield.”
“By the stars, he knows better than to go on a mission alone. Open this chamber.”
Koriann looked around and found the “open” button. She pushed it and the lid slowly rose. Toemeka sat up and swung her bare legs off the side.
“What are you doing?” Koriann asked.
“I have to catch him before he leaves.”
“I should call Dr. Tenzing to see if it’s all right for you to be up.”
“Not a good idea—he might object. Hand me my clothes. They’re in the closet.”
Koriann got Toemeka’s clothes then helped her ease the hospital gown off her injured shoulder. On Toemeka’s left shoulder was a surgical bandage and Koriann felt guilty for bothering her about Erling. Toemeka gasped in pain as Koriann helped her put on a shirt.
“Can’t you just call Erling on his communicator?” Koriann said. “I don’t think you should leave the healing chamber.”
Toemeka pulled on her pants and slid on her shoes. “I have a better chance of getting him to change his mind if I talk to him in person.”
Toemeka limped down the back staircase: her hip hurt from landing on it when she’d fallen off the cliff, her shoulder wound ached and her head throbbed. She left the palace and crossed to the royal landing field where she spotted Erling about to board a ship. “Erling, wait!” Toemeka crossed over to him.
“What are you doing here?” He scanned the area. “We don’t know who shot you and they might try it again.”
Toemeka’s pulse quickened. “Let’s talk on the ship.” They boarded the two-person aircraft. “Most likely that bullet was meant for you or Koriann,” she said once she was seated in the cockpit. “No one here wants me dead.”
“You were an undercover operative in Jaipar during our last mission. No doubt you made some enemies. A sniper would have to be a really poor shot to hit you, instead of the Queen.”
“You and I were standing close together to look at that eagle. He could have easily hit me while aiming for you. He wouldn’t have had a clear shot because of the woods. Samrat Condor is bound to have spies that want you dead. At any rate, I didn’t come to see you about the sniper. I came because Koriann told me we’re being sent on a mission.”
“You’re not coming. You need to return to the infirmary.”
“I’d like to, but it’s too dangerous for you to go on a mission alone. Give me a day or two to recover or take someone else.”
“There isn’t time to wait and who do you suggest I take? You’re the only trained Coalition operative here besides me.”
Toemeka knew he was right. So far she’d only been involved in things that didn’t involve risk. At least she hadn’t thought they involved risk until today. If she went with Erling she’d be embarking on a hazardous mission, putting the child she carried in danger. But what choice did she have with so much at stake? “What’s the mission?” she asked.
“To steal codes and other strategic information from a Raptor base on planet Flo Shah. The Coalition has intelligence that the aerial attack on Borko will begin soon. They want exact information plus intelligence to stop the takeover of Jaipar. I’m flying to the Jaipar space station to pick up a stolen Raptor ship for the
mission.”
“At least let me go to the space station with you. We can analyze the mission together.”
He nodded. “I could use your insights.”
Toemeka smiled, pleased he hadn’t sent her back to the infirmary. It wouldn’t be as easy to get him to agree to let her come on the mission.
12
Jaipar Space Station
At the space station, Toemeka and Erling went over the mission in a small, high-security room while the stolen Raptor ship was given false registration numbers.
“The Raptor base on Flo Shah is expecting two computer operators,” Toemeka said, uneasy about the mission. “A man and a woman.”
“I’ll make up some excuse as to why I came alone.”
“It will make them suspicious right from the start. It’s better if I go with you.”
Erling leaned back in his chair, frowning. “Are you sure you’re up to it?”
“The mission’s too dangerous for you to go on alone and, as you pointed out, there isn’t anyone else here who’s trained to do the job.”
“You need more time to recover.”
“The bullet just grazed my shoulder. I’m all right.”
“It more than grazed your shoulder and you also took a bad fall.”
“This is a desk job, Erling. We’re stealing information, not blowing up buildings. With the cover we’ve been given, we shouldn’t have any trouble breaking into their computer system.”
Erling drummed his fingers on the table. “The last two agents sent to Flo Shah disappeared. It can’t be that easy.”
The hairs stood up on the back of Toemeka’s arms as a premonition of danger swept over her, and she hesitated a moment before saying, “It never is, but we work well together. It’s too dangerous for you to go alone. You need backup.”
A look of resignation entered his eyes. “I guess you’re right. Let’s go change into Raptor flight suits.”
Once in the cockpit, Toemeka watched Erling check the control dials on the large console. As if feeling her gaze, he looked at her. She smiled back at him and said, “Just like old times.”
“Do you miss the excitement?”
“Sure, sometimes. More than that, I miss doing work I feel is really important.”
“It’s good to have you as a partner again. I just wish I felt more confident about this mission.”
Erling flew the ship through the open hatch and shot into the sky. Toemeka settled back in her seat and tried to relax enough to sleep. Her body was exhausted, but her mind raced. A lot could go wrong on the mission. What had happened to the last agents?
King Zanton and Queen Koriann stayed up late into the night, entertaining guests from Haklute. Koriann tried to pay attention to the conversations around her, but her thoughts kept coming back to Erling and whether Toemeka was able to stop him from leaving on the mission.
Koriann was glad when the last of their guests retired, she was exhausted.
Zanton clasped her arm as she started to leave. “Stay awhile. We rarely have a chance to be alone.”
“I’m sorry, but I’m tired. I should have cancelled the dinner after that sniper shooting.”
“Why were you with Fenian?”
“He was my bodyguard.
“You should have used someone else.”
“He’s also Toemeka’s friend and former partner.”
“I don’t like you being with him.” He drew her close and covered her mouth with his in a possessive kiss.
She submitted to his attentions, smelling the brandy on his breath and suspecting he was intoxicated. She wished it was as exciting to be kissed by him as it was when Erling kissed her, but instead she just wanted to escape. He finally released her; she bid him good night and hurried upstairs to her room.
Her handmaiden Chandra was asleep in a chair. She awoke with a start and straightened her uniform. “I’m sorry, Your Majesty. I fell asleep.”
“You should have gone to bed,” Koriann replied, touched by her dedication. She owed Chandra so much. On the night General Bhandar had attacked the palace and killed Koriann’s family, Chandra smuggled her out and brought her to Embrosa and Leyran. After rescuing her, Chandra had continued serving Koriann during the ten years she was in hiding.
Chandra unzipped the back of Koriann’s evening gown. “It makes me feel better when I know you’re safe. That sniper could have killed you. There’s a traitor in our midst.”
“The sniper wasn’t necessarily a traitor. He could have been one of Samrat Condor’s men. Chandra, I’m concerned about Major Fenian. He told me he was leaving on a mission. I didn’t think he should go alone, so I asked Toemeka to persuade him not to go. Will you see if she succeeded?”
Chandra raised an eyebrow, then lifted the dress over Koriann’s head. “I’ll check into it, but I think you’re in love with the Major.”
“I’m not in love with him; I’m just concerned about him. He’s important to the survival of our country.”
“It’s not my place to say anything, but Major Fenian is a better man than King Zanton Duborginact. Sometimes it’s better to follow our hearts,” Chandra replied, slipping a nightgown over Koriann’s head.
“Not another word. Just get going. I won’t sleep until I know he’s safe.”
After Chandra left, Koriann nervously paced the sitting room. Before long the door opened and Zanton walked in, carrying a bottle of brandy and two glasses.
“I thought you might be lonely,” he said, walking over to her.
“I already told you I’m tired and not up for company tonight.”
“You look lovely.” His eyes swept over her satin nightgown.
“Please leave.” She suppressed the urge to order him out, wanting harmony between them.
“I thought you might like a nightcap.”
“You know I don’t drink.”
He poured himself a drink and put the bottle on the nightstand. “You’ll have to learn to if you’re going to be my wife.” He swallowed down the contents of the glass, then set it down while his eyes devoured her.
She snatched her robe off the couch. He clasped her wrist preventing her from slipping it on. “You won’t be needing that.”
“Let me go, Zanton. I already told you I’m tired.”
“I’m your fiancé and Jaipar’s protection. You should try harder to please me.”
“Jaipar has a strong military as well. Your country needs this alliance as much as we do.”
“Haklute isn’t recovering from ten years of military occupation and a battle for their freedom.” He pulled her close. “Fair Koriann, my blood runs hot for you.” He pressed his lips against hers and thrust his tongue into her mouth. She tried to push him away, but he was solidly built and only amused by her resistance.
“It’s time I tasted my future wife,” he said, raising his head and easing his grip on her. She took a stumbling step backward, her breath coming in gasps.
He tore open the front of her nightgown.
“Guards! Guards!” she screamed.
He grabbed her and spun her around so her back was against his chest and his hand covered her mouth. “Hush, my pretty, you’re going to enjoy this.”
The door swung open and Chandra rushed into the room.
“Get out,” Zanton yelled, tightening his hold on Koriann.
“You’re the one who’d better leave. Koriann’s bodyguards are right behind me.”
“Fraken idiot!” Zanton released Koriann.
She grabbed her robe off the couch and slipped it on as Captain Orneil, entered, followed by one of his men.
They paused just inside the door and the captain said, “Your Majesty, what’s wrong?”
Koriann wasn’t sure how to respond. She couldn’t very well ask her guards to escort her fiancé out. “I heard a noise in my bedroom,” she said. “After the sniper shooting today I thought it might be another assassin.” She glanced at the entrance of her sleeping chamber.
“We’ll check it out.”<
br />
Once they had gone into the bedroom, Koriann said, “Zanton, leave at once or I’ll have my guards throw you out.”
He clenched and unclenched his fists. “You can’t bar me from your room forever.” He spun around and stormed out.
Koriann sank onto the couch, trembling.
“Are you all right?” Chandra crossed over to her.
“Yes, but from now on I want two of my bodyguards posted at the door to my room. Under no circumstances is Zanton to be admitted.”
“I’ll see that your wishes are carried out. But King Zanton’s right. You can’t bar him from your room forever.”
The guards returned and the captain said, “There isn’t anyone in the bedroom, but it was a good idea to check it.”
“Thank you.”
“We’ll guard your door.” He stood there, still not leaving.
“What is it?” she asked.
“You look shaken. What gave you such a fright?” His voice softened. “Is there something else I should know?”
She’d always trusted the captain. He was a man of worth, but she couldn’t tell him she was afraid of her own fiancé. “No, I’m just jumpy. It’s been a long day. Thank you for your concern.”
Once they left the room, Koriann turned to Chandra. “What did you find out about Erling?”
“He left.”
“Oh, no!”
“That’s not all. Toemeka went with him.”
“No! She was shot and had a bad fall. She shouldn’t have gone on a mission.”
“She did though.”
Koriann heart sank. If anything happened to Toemeka, it would be her fault. She should have guessed how Toemeka would respond.
“Don’t fret. They’re both heroes. They freed Jaipar and are now working to see that it stays free.”
“But why would she go when she shouldn’t even be out of bed?”
“She must have felt duty-bound to follow orders.”
Koriann nodded. Duty she understood. That was why she was marrying King Zanton.
13
Mission on Flo Shah
Toemeka awoke when she heard Erling say, “We’re here, Toe.” Groggy from lack of sleep, she looked around. “Where’s here?”