“You needed to focus on the battle. That was the reason I agreed to a truce.”
Mirsux made a step towards her; she backed away. “You said you forgave me. You cannot take back your word Ariella,” he said, advancing on her.
“Those words meant nothing, Mirsux. Stay where you are,” she warned.
Taking a few steps back, she tried to skirt the bed in the center of the room. His eyes focused on her lips. She knew exactly what he wanted, and knew he was determined to get it. Continuing to back away, her ass hit the edge of something.
Glancing back, she saw the culprit, her dressing table. With one swift move, she swooped up her hairbrush, holding it out as a weapon.
“Don’t come any closer, or I’ll use it,” she cautioned.
Laughing, he continued his pursuit of her. As he closed in on her, she swiped the brush in his direction, sidestepping away from him. He shifted to avoid being ‘slashed’. She thrust forward and stepped back like a fencer with a sword. They circled each other like two fighting cocks ready to pounce.
Mirsux’s smile was met with a scowl. If he thought he was getting away so easily, he better think again. Her plan to keep him at bay seemed to be working until the edge of the dressing table jammed her hip.
“Ouch!”
It hurt like crazy. Before her hand reached her hip to rub out the pain, he swooped her up and carried her to the bed. Laying her down gently, he massaged her throbbing hipbone.
“Should I get the healing crystal?” he murmured, concern etched in his features.
“No, it’s fine,” she muttered.
“I’m sorry Ariella. I failed you,” he said, wistful.
“As soon as my father is able to leave, we will return to earth,” she said.
Even as the words left her mouth, she knew they were hollow. Something wrenched in her gut, churning in a manner that left her feeling sick. The idea of leaving Nabalar was too painful to consider.
As a flash of memory hit her, she closed her eyes. The day the shuttle failed, just before she blacked out, she saw something strange… she felt something strange.
Feeling a shock on her lips, Ariella’s eyes flew open to see her husband just a breath away. He’d lightly touched her lips with his, sending a dynamic charge through her. She was still amazed that such a feather light touch could result in a jolt powerful enough to knock the air from her lungs.
Their eyes locked and that annoying force field swirled around them in an almost tangible manner. With all her will, she tried to turn away, but the orb she’d seen on her arrival materialized in his eyes. Growing brighter, the orb was pulling her in.
What was the meaning of this? Was Mirsux the light she’d seen? He had said the prophecy declared the moon embracing a sun. He was the sun and she the moon. If so, he was the orb she had witnessed. Her mind whirred like a machine trying to figure things out. If she saw him before actually meeting him, did that mean they were destined to meet?
She’d had doubts about this prophecy of theirs. She’d gone along with it because she’d already married the alien and needed to find her father. Now, she was beginning to feel that there was more to her coming to Nabalar than she had originally thought. Accident or fate? Her growing affection for and her inexplicable connection to the alien people bothered her.
He closed in on her lips once more and this time her lips parted to allow his kiss. Her heart raced as well as the ticking pulse at her neck.
His tongue twined around hers, creating a thrilling sensation that coursed through her. A knock at the door startled them. They pulled apart, rather breathlessly.
“Yes,” Mirsux’s voice grated. She sensed his irritation.
Ubea entered the room with her eyes cast down. “The shuttle from Xygor has arrived.”
Ariella’s heart stopped. She’d used every effort not to freak out at the prospect of her father’s arrival. Using Mirsux as a distraction had worked, though he still had a long way to go before she fully forgave him.
Taking her hand, Mirsux helped her from the bed. The pain in her hip was gone, but she discovered her legs shook with weakness. She sat back on the bed, drawing a long steadying breath. It had been seven years since she’d seen her father. She had no idea what he was like, if he’d changed, or if he would even recognize her.
What if he’d lost his memory or was sick? Assailed by so many worries, her stomach grew queasy.
“Ariella,” Mirsux said, his voice soothing. He was kneeling before her, taking both her hands in his.
“Hmmm?”
Twining his fingers with hers, he looked into her eyes as he spoke, “I will be beside you. Lean on me.”
She closed her eyes to stop the stinging of tears, but they pushed through her lids, rolling down her cheeks.
“I know,” she said in a hoarse voice.
“Do you trust me still?” he asked.
Forcing her eyes open, she pushed the tears back down. Taking a deep breath, she said, “Yes, I trust you.”
“Your father will be fine. He will return to the best of health and we will find out what happened.”
“Yes,” she squeaked with a nod.
Reaching up, he brushed the tears from her checks. Her skin tingled at his touch. Closing her eyes, she leaned into his hand. As his palm opened, she rubbed her cheek against it, savoring the thrills ignited by his touch.
Her heart felt as if it would burst from the love they shared. Her earlier anger evaporated as she once again visualized the orb. With determination, she stood, allowing Mirsux to take her hand, guiding her to the great hall.
She liked the feel of his large hand enveloping hers, and the closeness of his body as it brushed against hers. She mentally closed him off as they neared the room. Stopping short, she drew in deep breath, letting it out slowly.
“Welcome to Nabalar. Your coming has been highly anticipated.” She heard King Volnomy say as they reached the main chamber.
“Come,” Mirsux whispered, urging her into the chamber, but her feet remained frozen in place. “I can carry you if you wish.” His eyes twinkled as he grinned.
She knew he was teasing her, yet he would carry her if she allowed. “No need,” she replied with a playful smile.
Her nerves were getting the better of her. When she fought the Migrels, and the federation soldiers, she was confident. Now, she felt nervous and, most of all, anxious.
“I’m ready. I can do this,” she said, putting one foot in front of the other.
She drew strength from Mirsux’s presence. Reaching the entrance to the great hall, she scanned the room. Volnomy stood facing her. Julkaz was standing a few feet to his left conversing with a man in a white robe. She recognized the robe as belonging to Julkaz.
“Daddy!” she shrieked.
Hearing her, the man turned, his face breaking into a wide smile as he opened his arms to her. Breaking away from Mirsux, she ran into the arms of her father. He pulled her close, planting kisses on her face and hair. They gripped each other tightly, making up for all the years they’d been apart.
“Oh Daddy, I missed you!” her voice was muffled against his chest.
“I missed you too, sweetheart,” Herman’s voice cracked with the emotion filling him. He pulled away to cup her face, searching it with an adoring gaze. Unable to resist, he planted more kisses on her face while caressing her hair.
The tears she’d held back earlier, now came gushing through, though they were tears of joy. Herman’s eyes moistened as well. He pulled her to him once more, murmuring her name.
“I have so much to tell you, Ariella,” he whispered.
“Me too, Daddy,” she choked through her tears. “Me too.”
He gripped her shoulders and stepped back, searching her face once more. “While I was in prison, I heard you traveled with McTaggart delivering merchandise.”
“You saw Delvin while he was on Xygor, I know. He told me you were there,” she replied.
“Where is he? I would like to thank him for t
aking care of you.”
Ariella smiled. “Daddy, Delvin went back to earth…,” her voice trailed off and her eyes flicked to the king at the memory of Delvin with the Migrels. “Is he not?” she questioned, holding her breath.
“He is, my child,” Volnomy responded. “What you saw was a recording of the past.”
She exhaled, allowing her shoulders to slump. Herman looked at her with concern, perhaps not comprehending the situation. He glanced at Volnomy who was looking on with interest.
Chapter 27
Her father’s frailty gave her concern, causing her embrace to be more subdued. His face was sunken and his eyes pale. His skin had more color than what she’d seen in the crypt; however, he seemed troubled.
She took his hand hoping to lead him outside away from the others, where she could have him all to herself. She wanted to hear all that had happened to him, as well share all that had happened to her. She must get him alone to talk before he figured things out.
“The evening meal is served,” a server announced.
Darn it! Too late. She stopped as they reached the palace door. “We must go for a walk after we eat,” she said.
“Yes, we have a lot to catch up on.” Smiling at her, he brushed her cheek.
She took a place between her father and Mirsux. Heopsie and Heffun came out shortly accompanied by a human Ariella had never seen. She was shocked to see another human on Nabalar and wondered who he was.
Julkaz was quiet as he took his place near the head of the table, opposite Mirsux. He was the only one who seemed uncomfortable with the arrangement. However, that was the rightful place for the prince, each seated beside the king. The human sat at the other end of the table between Heffun and Heopsie.
The spread was immense with many exotic fruits and a large roasted animal resembling earth’s pig. There were vegetables of varying colors and the Nabalarian bread to which she had grown accustomed. Their goblets were filled with the juice of the Dagloriac and, finally, a purple colored wine.
She observed Volnomy, wondering how he was dealing with the situation. He showed no signs of being affected by the joint forces of his bastard son, Julkaz, and the one he worshipped, Mirsux. Heffun and Heopsie both seemed quieter than usual. It appeared they had all called a truce for the time being in order to save Uvieroein.
“We need to find the remaining princes, if there are any,” Volnomy said, starting the conversation.
Ariella poured her father a glass of juice, handing him a goblet filled with the orange liquid. He was hesitant to taste it. With some urging, he took a sip before nodding his approval. He then finished the remaining in one gulp.
“Do you think they are alive, father?” Mirsux asked.
“I don’t know,” Volnomy said, his voice grave. “But I know the Oxilian and Maxzoliokzic Kings were executed, for what we are yet to discover.”
“Executed?” Herman looked at Ariella. “I think there is a prince in that dungeon. He kept speaking of his kingdom and revenge of his planet. But I am not sure, he seemed like a regular criminal to me.”
“What prince?” Volnomy asked, holding his goblet mid-air. “Did you say a prince was beneath the surface with you?”
“He was in a cell next to me, but it can be possible. He was cyborg.”
Volnomy took a sip. “Very well. There are no cyborg princes in our galaxy.”
“I saw him too. There was a strange mark on his neck, like a tattoo of some sort,” Ariella said , remembering the prisoner.
That seemed to catch the king’s attention. “What’s a tattoo?”
“It’s a mark made in the skin with ink. You call it a lozaxt,” Herman informed him. “This was not a tattoo; it glowed. It was a birth mark of some sort, or maybe an implant.”
“Are you certain of this?” Volnomy asked.
Herman nodded. “Yes, as far as my memory serves.”
When the conversation turned to talk of the strange prisoner, Heffun and Heopsie seemed more interested. The king seemed thoughtful.
Mirsux suddenly turned to Herman and asked, “Sir, was it a mark such as this?”
He parted the hair behind his ears and turned his head. Ariella made out a mark on the scalp that she’d never seen before. It was not readily visible; therefore, she would not have noticed it. The mark started to glow like a neon sign, and then slowly faded.
“Yes, that’s it!”
Julkaz rolled one of his sleeves up. On the inner flesh of his upper arm, he revealed a circle about the size of a baseball, with strange lettering in the center. It too started glowing.
“That’s exactly what it looks like, except for the lettering inside,” Herman said, his eyed widening. “What does it mean?”
“It means one of the lost princes have been found. We must bring him to Nabalar at once,” Volnomy stated.
The conversation became intense, with talk about the nexus, the Z’raschein, and Ariella’s role in it all. She noted her father’s confusion as the discussion turned to these matters.
She had hoped to get him alone to fill him in on what he perhaps did not yet know, but the meal was served and the opportunity lost. His contact with Delvin in the Underground Crypt had been brief and she doubted he knew all the details of her stay on Nabalar. Even Delvin did not have all the details; therefore, she needed to explain her situation to him.
Herman leaned towards her, “What’s going on? Are you in some kind of trouble? What is this thing you have awakened?”
“I’ll explain later, Daddy,” she replied, squeezing his hand reassuringly.
He winced as if in pain, holding his stomach, then burped loudly. Everyone became silent and then Volnomy hit his chest and burped as well.
“I like that human trait!” Volnomy patted his chest causing a burp to rise once more, then burst out laughing.
At first, Herman’s eye widened and then he broke into a wide smile. Ariella’s shoulders sagged in relief. When her father winced, she thought he was in pain. He must have not eaten properly while in prison. He was bound to suffer from stomach distress.
“I’ll get you some medicine for that,” the human man across the table said, looking at Herman.
“No need, I feel better now that I have my daughter,” he replied. “I need to return to earth to complete my mission. Many must believe I have perished. When can we leave?”
He looked at her anxiously. His eyes darted across the table to Heopsie who was in quiet conversation with the human male whose name Ariella had not yet learned.
“Father,” she said in a low tone. “I cannot return to earth with you.”
He cocked a brow. “Why not? Don’t you wish to see McTaggart? What about your job as Sub-commander? Would you like your own ship now?”
“No Daddy, it’s not that.”
With a slight turn of her heard she could see Mirsux watching them keenly. It also seemed that Volnomy was listening to their conversation as well.
Her father seemed perplexed. “What is it then? Is there something you aren’t telling me?”
“Daddy, I can’t leave Nabalar…,” she began but Volnomy’s voice cut in.
“The shield around our twin planets prevents anyone from leaving this atmosphere,” Volnomy said, his eyes twinkling at her. “We may only travel within the shield between Nabalar and Xygor.”
“Oh,” Herman breathed, disappointed.
“Thank you,” Ariella mouthed the words to her father-in-law.
In order to explain her marriage and role on Nabalar, she needed to speak with her father alone. This would allow her to deal with his reaction in private, and convince him that what she was doing was the right thing. Being from earth, her father would expect her to return and marry a human. Now, he had an alien son-in-law. Additionally, she wanted to explain to him that she loved that alien.
The conversation veered away from her to the most recent battle with the federation soldiers. As Mirsux and Julkaz talked about the happenings on the battlefield, Volnomy grew serious.
“It was strange,” Mirsux explained. “A new surge of energy birthed within me, one that was not there until today.”
“It was the same with me as well,” Julkaz added.
Both Heopsie and Heffun looked at each other and back at the princes, puzzled. Volnomy rubbed his chin in contemplation.
“What do you think it is?” Heffun asked.
“I don’t know what it is, but it is the reason Heilfelst wants to keep them apart,” Ariella blurted out.
Her father looked at her, puzzled. She couldn’t help saying things as they came to her. She feared he would figure things out before she had a chance to fill him in privately.
“What makes you say that?” Volnomy asked.
Glancing at her father, she saw him looking at her with brows knitted in confusion. All eyes were on her, waiting for her reply.
“There is another awakening other than the Z’raschein.”
Mirsux was now looking at her with the exact same expression as her father. “How do you know this?” He asked.
“I don’t know how I know. I just have these flashes of light and then things come to me. I feel a weird connection to Uvieroein that I can’t explain,” she shared. Her heart beat unevenly as she spoke. “Where is Oxilia?”
Volnomy looked at her, puzzled. “How do you know this planet? Have you been there?”
“No, but I feel I need to go there.”
“Me too,” Heopsie said.
All eyes turned to her as it was the first time she entered the general conversation.
“What are you saying, mother?” Julkaz was now the one with the perplexed look on his face.
Taking a deep breath, she closed her eyes and placed her palm to her forehead. “I cannot say what’s happening, but I remember myself in another life. It seems life as I know it… does not exist!”
Her breath was now coming in gasps, while she swung her head from side to side. The human beside her took her wrist, checking her pulse.
“Her real memory is returning,” he told them.
“Real memory?” Heffun asked.
Everyone seemed to second Heffun’s words in their thoughts. If her real memory was returning, did that mean she had amnesia? Ariella was confused.
Awakening: The Prince of Nabalar (The Princes of Uvieroein Book 1) Page 22