The Supreme Council and Alliance Assembly were meeting that day to decide whether or not to send a combined force of ten starships with chemical lasers to attack the meteor. Even with that much firepower, the staff of scientists studying the situation could not promise success! From the pictures taken by reconnaissance ships, the massive fireball threatening the Milky Way Galaxy exposed no stress points. If they decided to go after it, the perfect time to attempt this confrontation would be in five weeks, when the extrasolar body was between Jupiter and Saturn. Ten starships…could they risk sending that many ships to help Earth and leave the Maffei Alliance with weakened defenses?
Ryker and his mother laughed wildly as they watched the news tape. “My half brother is a genuis, Precious. But his little ruse will aid my revenge, not his. Poor Cass,” he jested. “Varian has announced their wedding for next week, and she can’t hear his summons.”
“It’s a good thing you arranged for her ship to explode. The bitch would sacrifice anything and anyone to marry him next week. I’ll be so glad to get this matter settled. I’ve been trapped inside this complex for seven years. I’m strangling on privacy, my adorable son. I’ve taught you all I know. It is time for us to use our skills to conquer Maffei and the Saar name.”
Ryker reminded his evil mother, “It was vital to keep you concealed here for all these years. You know we couldn’t allow anyone to discover you’re still alive. You got away with murder. Can’t you imagine what Grandfather or Jurad would do if they discovered you didn’t die years ago, that we duped them with a surgically altered body which lay in state at our palace in your place. When the time is right for you to venture into the world again, we’ll have to alter this beautiful face so no one can recognize you. Thank heavens the Alliance didn’t hold your body until it was too late for me to revive it. That was a hazardous, plot, Mother.”
If Varian hadn’t escaped Shara’s bloody knife, Ryker thought, he would have buried his mother then and there. Instead he was forced to revive the mad Princess Shara Triloni from her suspended animation to complete her task. She alone was responsible for his being deprived of his birthright and she alone would correct it before her death.
“I am the only woman you can trust, my son, the only woman you need. When our justice is met, we will be free of the Saars. Free, as soon as the last one is dead. Then, only my son will carry the Saar blood. My son,” she stressed possessively. “Soon our victory will arrive, and when my face is changed, I can live at your side as your wife. You must hire the best surgeon, and I will take the face of Jana Greyson. Then, we will have each other and all that is due us.”
Ryker suppressed his contempt for this woman who had borne him. For years after her loss of Galen Saar, Shara had suffered from madness, forcing her father, Maal, to confine her. If not for Maal, Shara would have carved her son from her body or slit his throat at birth. But the years had given Ryker weapons for revenge upon the Saars: his superior knowledge and his ability to save Shara when all thought her dead.
But most of all, fate had blessed him with his father’s voice and features, the physical traits which had enslaved this evil witch to him. Ryker knew it was the Galen in him which Shara craved; for without the blond dye on his sable hair and the emerald lens over his blue eyes, he was almost Galen’s exact double! How clever of his grandfa- ther to mask his looks since childhood. Side by side, Ryker Triloni and Varian Saar were undeniably and immensely similar, almost twins.
Ryker knew his mother was insanely intelligent. But he had fooled her for years, using his “Galen face and voice” to master her. Shara had shamed herself and her family! She deserved to suffer, to be crushed! Every time she lay with him, his loathing increased. But as she catered to his every whim and trembled with weakness at his touch, a heady sense of power surged through him. Shara was evil and insane. She had used drugs to seduce her own son at twenty-six, the age Galen was when she met and wooed him. For five years he had allowed Shara to use his body. As long as Shara could have Galen through him, she would be his mindless slave. When she had served her final purpose, he would delight in slaying her!
Ryker turned and faced Shara. “Do you see the same allure which enslaved your senses when you looked upon my father long ago?” he baited her.
“I see more, Ryker. You have his beauty, and you are a part of me. When I failed to ensnare him with my magic potions, I could not bear his rebuffs. How dare the man to whom I chose to give myself and all I possessed deliver me to that worm Jurad! How dare he share my bed and give me a child, then return to his sickly sweet wife, Amaya! If I had not angered Father by refusing to marry Jurad and provide his conquest of the Pyropean Federation, he wouldn’t have imprisoned me for years. What was Jurad compared to your father! He was lower than a slug’s belly. But when Galen discarded Princess Shara Triloni, he had to pay for his crime. He forced me to slay him when he tried to save Amaya. I wanted Amaya and Varian dead so your father would come to us. When Varian is dead, I will have all that remains of my beloved Galen. I was a fool not to have wed Jurad. If I had, I would have been given the time and power to obtain Galen. As supreme ruleress of Pyropea, I could have given the order to have Amaya slain; I could have won Galen’s hand in marriage. When Father died, Galen and I would have ruled the Androas Empire and Pyropean Federation. We could have squeezed the Maffei Alliance into submission. Just think, my son, rulers of a trigalaxy…”
Ryker slyly ventured, “Such a dream is still possible. I am Grandfather’s heir and he is old. As Jana Greyson, you could wed Prince Taemin, then slay him and Jurad. I would rule Androas and you would rule Pyropea. We could wed and form an alliance, then squeeze the Maffei Alliance into submission. All we require is time, Jana’s face, and my brother’s death.”
Shara drifted her fingertips over his muscular frame. “It will not seem strange for Jana to marry a Saar, one who favors her lost love. It is perfect.”
Ryker chuckled. “You are a devious witch, my Precious. First become Jana and marry Taemin, then return to me.”
Shara clasped his head and brought his lips to hers. As long as Ryker lived, she would have her beloved Galen. Her son was under her control. As long as she used her talents on him, he would never hunger for another woman.
While Shara slept, Ryker went to see Jana. He observed her shock at his news. “As you see, Varian’s reason for getting rid of you is obvious. He could not keep you as his mistress and marry Cass. I knew something was behind his sacrifice, more than an offer of truce. I can see why neither mentioned their upcoming marriage; they knew how I would resent being used.” Ryker instantly apologized, “I’m sorry; I didn’t mean to insult you. Varian wanted you out of his life, so where better to send you than here? Frankly, I’m glad he decided to leave you with me.”
“Is this some kind of joke?” she inquired.
“I’ll have the wedding filmed, so you can see the evidence for yourself. You’ve been given plenty of reasons to be skeptical of me and the Maffeians, but I had nothing to do with these clippings or that news tape. I tell you what; after the wedding, I’ll take you to Rigel and you can check out this story for yourself. I promise I won’t make any demands on you until our return from Rigel. That trip should convince you of my honesty. Is that fair enough?”
Jana eyed him intently. “I want to trust you, Ryker. I wish I could do so without requiring firsthand observation. I would appreciate your taking me with you to Rigel. Not to question Varian, but to see if you trust me enough to accompany you. I don’t doubt this information is accurate,” she told him.
Ryker escorted Jana to her suite and locked her inside. He hurried to another suite and joined Shara. “I have a new plan, Mother. I will seek the best facial surgeon immediately. Our revenge is at hand. Listen carefully.”
After Ryker completed his explanation, Shara shouted, “No! You cannot marry Jana Greyson! I forbid it.”
Ryker caressed her cheek. “I need her voice on the audiovideo tape and her signature on the marriage docum
ent; they must be authentic. Once your surgery is complete and she is dead, you will become Jana Greyson. Have you forgotten our plan for you to take her place and live at my side? Tirol or Brec might check out her voice print or signature. If they aren’t Jana’s, we could fall under suspicion. We must be cautious.”
“How do you plan to explain Jana’s presence here and her marriage to you?”
“I’ll simply explain that after Cass caught up with me in the Androas Empire, Jana begged me to protect her and keep her. Since Jana is a free woman, there is no law against her marrying me of her own free will, which the tape and signature will prove. The Alliance Force believes I am away, so how would I know they were still searching for Jana? I’ll claim that Cass told me she was only helping Jana escape from Varian and no kidnapping was involved at all. Jana and I married before returning home. When we did, I discovered the search and investigation were still in progress. Naturally Jana and I were shocked and wanted to clarify the confusion at once. Who could prove me wrong?”
“But Jana didn’t run away,” Shara protested.
“We know that, but we won’t tell anyone. Only Jana could expose Cass’s involvement. But you will be Jana by then. You will give the answers we desire them to hear. As Jana, you are a free woman. With the help of your ally Canissia Garthon, you ran away and married me. No crimes there.”
“You are a genius, my son. We will arrange the wedding immediately. But you will consummate it with me, not her. I can see Varian’s face now when you show him the marriage document.” She laughed mirthfully.
Ryker laughed too. Yes, he would use the document, but not as Shara believed.
* * *
Jana gaped at the handsome male before her. “You want me to what?”
“Help me beat Varian at his own game. Marry me before he can marry Cass. Can’t you imagine their faces when we arrive the day of the wedding already married? They wanted to dump you here and keep you hidden away. Just think how they will react to Jana Greyson Triloni…Which do you prefer, Jana, to be my slave or to be my wife? The wife of one of the wealthiest, most widely known powerful men alive.” He grinned mischievously. “Princess Jana Triloni…”
Jana couldn’t believe she was hearing him correctly. Even so, what could she say? Should she say? Marry Ryker Triloni tomorrow? Appear on Rigel as his wife on Varian’s wedding day? Why was Ryker suggesting this arrangement?
“Are you afraid I’ll force you into my bed after the ceremony? Don’t worry, Jana, I won’t. I plan to keep my mistress around for a long time. I want your superior image as my wife, and eventually I’ll need you as the mother of my son. As Jana Triloni, you’ll be able to come and go as you please. You can return to research. No one will mistreat you again. Besides, wouldn’t you like to show Cass and Varian you can’t be defeated?”
“It’s just so sudden and unexpected,” she informed him.
“It has to be. I’ll be leaving on business tomorrow afternoon. I won’t return until the day before their wedding, just in time for us to surprise them.”
“But I’m a captive,” she protested. “You’re a prince.”
“I’m Androas, Jana. We have no charl law which says I cannot marry you. Once we’re wed, I’ll free you under Maffei law. I’ll make them grant you citizenship. You do not understand: marriage is far more binding than charl ownership. Once you wed me, we own each other for life. If I should die, all I have becomes yours: Trilabs, Darkar, everything. If we have a child, it will be heir to the Androas throne and empire. So you see, Jana Greyson, it is I who am taking the greater risk in this matter. If I believed you were working for Varian, would I wed you and free you? When Varian could take all I own by arranging my demise, then marrying my widow.”
“You trust me that much?” she asked.
“Yes, his marriage to Canissia proves he has no love for you. The only reason I didn’t come to your auction and buy you was to thwart his trap for me. I knew he wasn’t going to sell you that day. You see, Canissia told me. She came here furious with him because he planned to keep you for himself a while longer. I thought it was because of some crafty scheme he was plotting against me, but it was pure lust for you. He was determined to use you as long as possible. I told you I had my men checking on the truth. Councilman Garthon told Varian to send you away and marry his daughter or else. I don’t know what the ‘or else’ is, but I doubt it matters.”
“If this marriage is so binding, don’t you think you should give it more thought, Ryker? What if Varian does try to get all you own through trickery?”
“If he killed me and tried to beguile you into marriage, I doubt you would agree. If he killed me, you would know it isn’t you he wants. He sold you falsely, then gave you away to marry Cass. If at my unexpected death he dropped Cass to marry my widow, would you trust him and comply? I think not.”
“And I think not. What will your mistress say about our marriage?”
“I have already discussed my position with her. She could never become my wife. She loves me, and she’s willing to remain in her present station. I’m not in love with her, but I am extremely fond of her and she is most satisfying. Is that why you’re hesitating, because of my mistress?”
“No. Do I understand you correctly, you want me to marry you in name only? Is that legally binding?” she questioned.
Ryker laughed. “Even if we never mate, once I give you my name, you are my wife and heir. However, I do have one stipulation. It might sound unfair, but I must have your word you will never take a lover. If you find yourself in need of sex, you must come to me. Is that understood? I will give you time to consider my offer, which won’t ever be repeated. I do not accept rejection, so I will return at nine tomorrow for your final answer.”
Varian’s laughing face and voice on the news tape left her numb. “Ryker!” she impulsively called out. When he turned, she swallowed hard and informed him, “I’ll marry you and agree to all of your terms.”
Chapter Twenty-One
Varian was slumped in a chair in his bedroom, sipping his fifth brandy. Nights had become worse than his days. He dreamed of Jana, of her smile and laughter, of her kiss and touch. She would come to him like a beautiful specter. She would look at him with those kalei- doscopic, mysterious eyes. Her flaxen hair would fall softly over her shoulders and move slightly as she lifted her arms to beckon him.
He would awaken with a start and expect to find her lying beside him. The dreams were so real. That last day, she had begged him not to leave, saying she was afraid for him. He had been in danger; had she sensed it? Was she summoning him this very moment?
Or was that all he had left of her, fanciful meetings during dreams? Memories? Shadows of love? “Damn you, Jana! What are you doing to me? Return to my life, or free me from your hold.” He would instantly declare, “Never! You are mine; you will always be mine until all time ceases. You promised, love, you promised…”
Varian flung the glass against the wall and stormed out of his room. He stripped and dove into a large pool, to swim back and forth until he was breathless. Nigel grabbed his arm and yanked on it. Varian looked up and glared at him, then grimaced. “It’s this not knowing, Nigel. Where is she? A grave somewhere? Another man’s home and arms? A dark cell? If she’s alive, why can’t we find a clue, just one? If she’s dead, why can’t I accept her loss? How much longer can I go on like this?” he shouted in despair.
“As long as it takes to rescue her,” Nigel replied. “Somewhere out there, Jana is suffering too. She was abducted for a particular reason. I wish you hadn’t gone along with Brec’s crazy scheme.”
“It might take a crazy scheme to entrap a crazy woman. It sounded like a good way, the only way, to lure Cass back to me. By damn, I’m sure she knows something! Just wait until Ryker gets home. I’m going to beat some answers out of both of them.” Rage burned ominously in his steel-blue eyes.
“What if this villain used your scam to mislead Jana? Don’t you realize how that news tape claiming you
and Canissia are getting married will affect her? I wish you had discussed it with me.”
“Jana wouldn’t believe it in a million eons. Dammit, Nigel, I feel like she’s trying to reach out to me. Tonight it’s stronger than ever. Could it be possible?”
At noon the next day, Brec visited Varian once more. “No word at all, Varian. We’re running out of time for the primary mission. Why don’t you take the Wanderlust and help carry out the final assignment in the Milky Way? I would prefer to have you in charge. There’s nothing you can do here.”
“What has the Assembly voted?” Varian asked.
“I have starships sneaking into the Milky Way Galaxy one at a time. If either of our enemies makes a move to strike at the Alliance, I’ll recall our starships immediately. Would you rather be assigned to base to head up our defenses?” Brec pressed him. “With ten starships gone…” He halted. “As for Ryker, when the last ship picks up supplies at Darkar it will abduct Ryker. With him aboard one of the ships, Kadim Maal wouldn’t dare attack us, and neither would Jurad risk killing Maal’s grandson. As a loyal Maffeian citizen, once aboard the last ship, how could Ryker object to helping? If you’ll recall, the law states the Supreme Council has the right to call any citizen into duty, without advance notice. As a Maffeian citizen, Ryker must go aboard the last ship bound for Earth to give technical advice. He has no choice…”
Alone in his room Varian closed the door. Brec was right; it was time to accept that he must go on with his life and, if cruel fate decreed, possibly without Jana at his side. Weeks had passed since her disappearance. He had to accept it; Jana was gone. He must put her behind him. He was a warrior, and death had been a part of his life for years. Dead, that was how he must view Jana. Only through death could he accept her absence and push forward.
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