Varick followed a few paces behind Anna and Chancellor Picarin. He kept a respectful but guarded distance, half-listening to the Chancellor recount an endless array of facts about the building: this stone, built that year, added to the citadel in honor of this previous Chancellor, etc...
Anna played her part well, nodding and commenting every time Picarin fixed his gaze on her expectantly. When they arrived at two towering doors guarded by soldiers at the beginning of the South Wing, the chancellor faced the Vadana and gestured toward the door.
“Your Majesty, these are your rooms. They are not the accommodations you should have, but they are the very best in the city. Your brother and friend have suites across the hall, and your Protector is in the suite beside you.” Picarin nodded to him.
“Thank you, Chancellor. I will let you know if we need anything.” She pressed his hands with hers and stepped toward the doors
“Yes, please do, Your Majesty. Would you like me to come in and give you a tour of your—”
“No, I’m sure you have much work to do. You must investigate the security leak. I will not take up any more of your time.”
“As you wish, Your Majesty.” The chancellor performed a creaky bow and kissed her hand.
Picarin struggled to stand as the guards opened the doors to Anna’s room and Hannah and Brendan wandered in. He pivoted and hurried down the hall, avoiding Varick’s gaze as he left. He tracked the chancellor until he slipped around a corner at the end of the hall.
Varick followed Anna into her room, closing the doors behind him. It was cavernous compared to their accommodations aboard the ship. The main room had a sitting area on the left, centered around a covered firepot. Beyond it, a large, glass dining table with six stone chairs cushioned with ornate pillows. A row of windows boarded the dining area, which led onto a broad balcony.
To his right, a bed rested on a stone dais in the next room, surrounded by four carved, stone pillars, canopied with fabric. He couldn’t see much else beyond the bed and the door. Someone had taken the trouble to put out fresh flowers in vases, and to burn herbs in the firepot. The scent of flowers saturated the room, with a spicy, delicious, unidentifiable undercurrent. Much like Anna herself.
She stood on the balcony, talking with Hannah. She glanced at him, her lips pursed with dissatisfaction. He prepared himself.
“That was poorly done, Varick,” She chided from the balcony door
He planted his feet and stood his ground. “It’s my job to protect you from wild beasts and wagging tongues alike. All threats to you and your safety are equal.”
She left the balcony and stalked toward him. He fought the urge to take a step back. He had to remain firm against the hard set of her jaw and the lightning shooting from her eyes.
“He didn’t know anything. Yet you persisted in interrogating him.” She stopped a foot from him.
“How can I figure out if he is guilty if I cannot interrogate him?”
“Perhaps you should look for proof of wrong-doing before assuming someone is guilty.”
“I have to get to the bottom of this problem. You shouldn’t have stopped me.” He moved toward the firepot, to get out from under the scrutiny of those blue eyes.
“I stopped you because you can’t accuse him without any proof. Your interrogation wasn’t helping. It clouded his thoughts and upset him.”
“I did what I had to do.” He glanced at her over his shoulder, his jaw hardening
“Is it your practice on Dahrel to accuse innocent men without proof, without evidence?”
Varick brooded, his hands on his hips, staring at the firepot in front of him.
“Is it?” Her voice demanded his response.
He met her eyes. They were a hot sapphire, and her brunette curls were swirling in the breeze coming from the balcony. His chest squeezed as he remembered her crying out in pain on the steps as that woman yanked at her hair. “No.”
“Then why did you?”
His jaw flexed. He played with the hilt of his sword, using its familiar presence to soothe him. Anna flicked her eyes at Hannah and Brendan
“Can you both return later for dinner? I need to talk with Varick, and then I’m going to rest.” She set her shoulders and lifted her chin.
Hannah and Brendan shuffled out of the room, glancing at Varick with a mixture of pity and fascination, as one looks upon a condemned man. She stared him down until the guards closed the doors behind them
“Why did you harass the Chancellor?”
His shoulders tensed, and he swung around before the answer tumbled out of him. “I saw your face out there when that man grabbed at you, and I couldn’t do anything to stop it. I heard you scream in terror and pain when that woman tried to tear your hair out. I will protect you by all means necessary. When I find the person responsible for hurting you, I will do much worse than yell at them.”
Her eyes softened. Varick’s heart twisted with anger and the fear that crushed him while he stood on those steps. He glared at her, his hands on his hips.
“I understand.” She took a few steps toward him. “I didn’t realize how upsetting that ordeal must have been for you.”
His gaze dropped to the firepot.
“Please, Varick.” She glided up to him. “Please, don’t tear the city apart looking for this security breach. You can make me safe without accusing everyone of treason and dealing out death sentences.”
He melted, peering down into her pleading blue gaze
Anna placed a hand over his heart and stepped closer. “Please?”
He brushed his fingertips across her cheek with one hand, and wrapped his other arm around her to haul her into a hard kiss. The hand that held her face slipped into her hair, holding her as his lips pressed hungrily to hers. She stiffened for a moment, but relaxed into his hold and let his tongue slip into her mouth. When she slid both hands up to cup his face and caress his cheeks; his kiss gentled until he broke it off.
Varick rested his forehead against hers as he caught his breath. He ran his thumb along her cheekbone with one hand, and with the other hand, he pressed her to him. Then he kissed her forehead.
“I promise I won’t accuse anyone else until there is evidence, and I promise I will make sure this goes to a committee for trial. However, I must find the person responsible for it, Anna. I have to.”
“Okay, that’s good enough for me.”
He kissed her again, caressing her tongue with his. One of his hands slipped down to rest on her backside. When they paused to breathe, He trailed a path down to her neck. She rested her hands on his biceps, and moaned into his ear. Her body pressed against his, seeking the heat and pleasure of last night.
“May I take you to bed?” His voice sounded husky in his own ears.
She smiled. He took her by the hand and tugged her into the bedroom. He shut and locked the door before he removed Anna’s torn and tattered dress. They made love softly and silently, unsure whether anyone could hear them. Afterward, they laid on the bed, exhausted.
He almost fell asleep there, but he managed to rouse himself. He couldn’t stay alone with her any longer. He rolled out of bed, and Anna groaned as he rose to put on his clothes.
“I must go to my room. If I stay with you much longer, the guards will be suspicious. I’ll return for dinner.” He kissed her cheek
Varick threw on his clothes, and composed himself before he left. He avoided the gaze of the two guards, trying to look downcast or worried. They said nothing to him, letting him pass and continue down the hall. He waited to smile until he was safe in his room, which turned out to be a suite of rooms, spacious and comfortable, though not as opulent as the Vadana’s. Varick collapsed on the bed, and slept until the guards summoned him to dinner.
Chapter Seven
“You slept with him, didn’t you?” Hannah’s hazel eyes were piercing.
Anna froze, standing on the balcony, looking out over the city as the second sun sank behind the horizon. She tried to recover from the shock, but Ha
nnah studied her too closely
“Ah, I knew it.”
“What? What are you talking about? Slept with who?” She schooled her expression into a mix of surprise and confusion. It was too late.
“Don’t play dumb with me. I’ve known you for as long as I’ve known myself. You slept with Varick.” Hannah shook her head with an eager, mischievous smile.
“No. No, I didn’t. Why would you think that?”
Hannah gave her a knowing look. Anna stepped closer to her, and grabbed the hand Hannah had resting on the balcony.
“You can’t tell anyone,” she said, her gaze boring into Hannah’s eyes. “They’ll kill him if they find out.”
“Oh, they won’t kill him.” Hannah cocked her head with an impatient flick of her eyes. Anna gripped Hannah’s hand like a vice.
“No, they will. They have laws against it. If they find out, Hannah, they will kill him. You can’t say anything to anyone.”
Hannah’s gaze slid from Anna’s clutching fingers to her face. “How do you know he didn’t just tell you that?”
“Fine. Look it up if you want. I promise you, he’s serious. You have to promise me you won’t tell anyone…not Brendan, not your guards, not anyone.”
“All right. If I find out it’s true, then I promise I won’t tell anyone.”
“Thank you.” Anna released her wrist. Hannah clutched her arm to her chest, rubbing her wrist until Anna rolled her eyes.
She leaned on the balcony, eyeing Anna with an appraising stare.
“So how was it?” Hannah grinned
Anna’s mouth dropped open and she smiled, blushing. She let out a wry laugh. “Amazing. Incredibly amazing…”
“Now we know why it took you so long to find someone. You just needed someone from your own planet.”
Anna laughed, leaning against the balcony on her elbows and forearms. It was almost dinner time. The city came alive with people hurrying from place to place. A crowd formed below, looking up at them. Men and women kneeled below her balcony, calling up to her. She didn’t want another mob scene to erupt. “We should head in. We’re attracting a lot of attention.”
They stepped inside just as Brendan strode through the door. His whole body sagged in a way that told Anna he was not having a good day. “They won’t let me go anywhere. Can you make them take me somewhere?”
“Who?”
“The guards. I’m so bored here.” He flung himself into a dining room chair, and put his head in his hands.
“They shouldn’t let you go anywhere. They’re doing the right thing, Bren.” She sat down next to him.
“It’s boring here. I’ve already run around the whole citadel. There’s nothing to do. They don’t have any games; they don’t have any of the warrior training rooms like they did on the ship. I hope we’re not staying here.” Brendan traced one of the carvings on the table with his finger.
“I don’t know, Bren. It depends on if the ship ever finds us. We’ll just have to wait and see.” She shot Hannah a worried look.
Brendan imparted a dramatic sigh and slouched in his chair. He tried her patience today with his constant complaining. Varick entered, and Brendan whipped around to complain to him as well. Varick listened, nodding.
“Can you make the guards take me somewhere in the city?” Brendan’s eyes went wide with hope.
Anna opened her mouth to respond, but Varick beat her to it. “No, absolutely not.”
“Oh, man. Come on.” Brendan pleaded, his hands clasped together in supplication.
“I understand they have a vast library. Perhaps you can find something in there to entertain you.” Varick slid into a chair.
Brendan sent him a look of contempt, and Varick chuckled.
“All right. I’ll ask the Chancellor to set up a training room in some part of the citadel. Either the guards or I can do some training sessions with you. Will that make it bearable to you?” Varick cocked an eyebrow at him.
Brendan brightened, and her heart lifted.
“Yeah, yeah, that’s great. Thanks.” Brendan grinned.
Finally, she might get a moment of peace and contentment today.
“Thank you.” She mouthed to Varick.
He gave a half-smile. The door to her room opened and servants brought in bowls and plates spilling over with food. Much of the food was Dahrelian, and she stared at it as they laid it out before her.
“What is this?” Brendan poked at the nearest dish with a fork
“That’s maké.” Varick gestured to the servant who heaped some of the long, thin black noodles onto his plate.
“Is it like spaghetti?” Brendan’s brow furrowed
Varick shook his head. “I don’t know what spaghetti is.”
“Just try it. See if you like it.” Anna folded her hands in her lap.
Brendan made a face at her and twisted the noodles around his fork with slow circles. Anna and Hannah took a little of everything the servants offered them, while Brendan asked for whatever Varick took.
“Are all these dishes from Dahrel?” Hannah slurped at the brown broth in her bowl of soup.
“Yes, these are our most well-known dishes. From all different regions, and even from some of our other planets. I haven’t had some of these meals since I was kid – at least not freshly prepared. This is amazing.” Varick shoveled bite after bite of food into his mouth, groaning and moaning his satisfaction. She chuckled at him, twirling some of the maké around her fork.
The doors to her room swung open, and the Chancellor ran in.
“Pardon me, Your Majesty, but I’ve found the person who leaked the information regarding your arrival. His name is Vadon, and he was on the Council.” Chancellor Picarin stopped short of the table
Behind him, several soldiers brought in a man. They dragged him forward from his shoulders, his hands bound behind him. The bald dome of his head shone with sweat. He had sharp features, distorted from the bruises beginning to form on his cheekbones and chin. His split lip dribbled blood down his chin. Anna and Hannah gasped in horror.
“The Vadana is eating.” Varick pushed himself away from the table. The chair flew to the ground with a clatter. “Why would you bring this man here now?”
“You wanted me to find the man, yes? I found him, and I knew you would want to speak with him right away.” Picarin imparted a little bow to her and then to Varick.
“Has this man been beaten by your soldiers?” She dropped her fork and pushed her plate away
“They interrogated him, Your Majesty.” Picarin waved away her question
Blood drained from her face. They beat this man for her. They may even kill him because of her and her safety
Varick snarled. “The Vadana is eating. Take him to the jail, and I will go down after dinner to speak with him.” He stepped in front of Vadon, blocking her view
“Yes, Protector, I will do so at once.” Picarin’s eyes went wide. He casted a bewildered glance at her. He made her a sweeping bow and shuffled out of the room, while the soldiers half-dragged Vadon away.
“Varick, how could they do that?” Anna clutched at her mother’s necklace. He picked up his seat and slid into it
He softened his tone. “I’ll take care of it.” He met her gaze with gentle, green eyes
“Don’t let them do that anymore. I don’t want anyone tortured for information.” She collapsed into her chair
Varick laid his hand on hers. “I know. I’ll take care of it.” He squeezed her hand.
The rest of the dinner was quiet. She was too wrapped up in disturbing thoughts about Vadon’s beating to make conversation. Varick finished his meal and excused himself to go down to the jail to speak to Vadon; he promised to have a doctor see the prisoner.
As he marched out the door, servants came in to clear the table. Hannah challenged Brendan to a game of flashlight tag in the citadel courtyard. They ran from the room before she could stop them
Anna rested by the firepot, staring into its flames, wringing her
hands. The firepot, though solid, had a translucent quality that allowed the fire to cast light on the whole room.
Everything in this new world was about her. What she did, where she went, who she could kiss, who she couldn’t. People couldn’t even tell their neighbor whether she was coming or going somewhere without being beaten, threatened, or facing charges of treason. Dahrel revolved around her.
She didn’t like it. Nothing should orbit around one person so completely. Yet she didn’t know how to balance it unless she focused all her efforts on saving and rebuilding Dahrel and lifting the spirits of its people. Anything else, and she would be upsetting an entire planetary system and the way they governed themselves for centuries.
Varick returned. Her head snapped up. “What happened? How was the prisoner? Did you speak to him?”
“No, he was unconscious when I got down there. I had the doctor look at him. He’ll be fine. I replaced the guards with two of the soldiers we already know. I’ll speak to Picarin tomorrow before I question the man. He wasn’t in any condition for me to question him tonight.”
She propped her chin up with her hand, returning her gaze to the firepot, as he slipped into the chair beside her. She shook her head in a soft lamentation. “I hope they at least found the right man. Though it seems senseless to beat him into unconsciousness just because he told a few people I might be coming to the city.”
“Endangering your safety or your life is equal to treason by law, Anna. I know you’re not used to that yet, but all of us are. We know the consequences of such an action.” He brushed the hair from her neck, and wrapped his arm around the rear of her chair.
“No, I don’t know that I’ll ever be used to that.” Her voice shrank to a strained whisper.
They sat for a moment, her mind wandering as they stared into the flames. Half in shadow, half in light, the room sat in silence. No noise from the city reached the open balcony windows, and not one bird sang to the stars. It was as if they floated all alone in the firelight.
“What will we do if the ship doesn’t come for us?”
Varick took a deep breath and glanced at her. “I don’t know. Try to find another spacecraft on this planet, I suppose. However, from what I can tell, the technology here isn’t that advanced. Everything that looks like it came from Assis is broken or held together by threads. If the ship doesn’t come for us in another few days, then we’ll figure out a plan from there.”
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