SHADOW REIGN: VAN LAVEN CHRONICLES

by Tyler Chase

  Grusonious shrugged and waved his hand dismissively. “She’s a woman; probably fancies herself in love after their time on Patheis. Who can really know the heart of a woman, especially that of a mongrel?” The words slipped out before he could recall them. His eyes darted toward Dredfort and he spoke quickly, “Of course, as Emperor Sorren Hrollaugr’s daughter, her blood is of superlative quality. No truer royalty exists among us and she is my first cousin.”

  Dredfort’s gaze lingered upon him a second longer than he cared for. “I know you’re still licking your wounds over losing the post of Supreme Bashar of Her Majesty’s Armed Forces, but mind how you speak about the empress, the mother of my future grandchildren. Rest assured that we’ll make Van Laven fall faster than lightning and disappear forever, but we’ll do nothing rashly over your bruised ego.”

  “Naturally,” Grusonious nodded curtly. “Just let me know how I can be of service to you, my lord. Meanwhile, I’ll begin the legal proceedings for the securities violations case.”

  Chapter 49

  During their marathon session of vigorous love play, the bed creaked loudly beneath them, and the headboard bumped against the wall at a steady cadence, but to Vaush this wasn’t play, it was work.

  “Come on, love, focus, we can do this!” Comron said not in the heated tones of passion, but rather the shrill tones of a drill instructor. “Come on, focus!” he said between the steady, slap, slap, slap of wet flesh on flesh.

  “I’m … ah .. tired,” Vaush complained between breaths, as she laid on her side with legs splayed apart, Comron in between them hunched over her torso, his hips firing like pistons into her. This had been the fourth position that night, the fourth attempt to replicate the surreal temporal experience they had in the dressing room months back. The very thing Chaiyse warned them never to attempt again lest she revoke their archive privileges. But Comron was convinced that if they could just unlock the secret, then to hell with the Bramech, they could enter the Chronicle Archives at will.

  Frithes gates! If he didn’t break her in half first.

  “Damn it, Comron, stop!” she said and slapped his strong, muscular thigh as it lay flush against her belly.

  “Grrr!” he growled his frustration in her ear but obediently disengaged from her. “Fine, we’ll take a break,” he said as he flopped over to the side of her with his chest rising and falling after the exertion.

  “A break? We shouldn’t even be attempting this,” she said, propping herself up on an elbow to look at him. “I’m exhausted and sore, and I don’t want to risk alienating the Kait.”

  He gave her a deceptive look of innocence. “We’re just a normal husband and wife making love. If we stumble onto the Chronicle Archives again it’s not our fault. We’re just doing what comes naturally.”

  She glanced down at his bruised, over-worked shaft. “That’s not natural and I’m going to walk funny for a week. We’ve got to stop this and just accept that it’s not going to happen again any time soon.”

  “Why? It’s within our ability. You just have to focus more on the cues I’m giving you physically and telepathically. Let me in here, Vaush,” he tapped her temple, “I’ll guide us back to that place.”

  “You keep saying that but it’s not working,” she argued, hurt that he was laying all the blame at her feet. “Darling, I just want us to be able to make love the way we used to, but of late all you care about is finding a way back to the Archives even if it kills us.”

  He heaved a heavy sigh, closed his eyes, and dragged his fingers through his damp hair.

  When he’d been silent a while, Vaush caressed his chest and spoke softly, “What’s wrong, love? Why is this so important to you all of a sudden?”

  He turned to look at her, and his eyes seemed to be carrying the weight of the world. “The more we advance toward our goals, the more the Hegemony’s war machine moves to stop those who wish to join us. Anbelise is watching all of the recent moves like a bloody hawk and now Grusonious has started in on me with these aggravating court summons. Vaush, they’re closing in and we need the extra edge to stay ahead of them. If we could establish real-time surveillance, we could cripple them like that.” He snapped his fingers.

  Her hand rested upon his heart. “You are still ages ahead of them, Comron. They have no idea that you are the author of their destruction. But if you become too anxious, too eager to defeat them, you’re going to get careless and make huge mistakes. Just stick to the plan, Comron, it’s working beautifully.”

  His jaw worked and his eyes narrowed. “I don’t need a bloody lecture, Vaush, I just need a little more cooperation and support from my wife. Or is that too much for a Hrollaugr to manage?”

  No, she refused to let him goad her into helping him build this artificial wall between them just because she had the misfortune of being born Hrollaugr. “No woman alive will ever love and support you more than I do, Hrollaugr or not. So shutter that talk.”

  She felt his ardor dissipate as he closed his eyes and breathed deeply. “I’m being an ass again, aren’t I?” She curled up in his arms and listened to the strong, steady beat of his heart.

  “Yes, you are, but I love you despite yourself.”

  “I’m counting on it.”

  Her heart swelled as she felt his arms hold her tighter with no corresponding pressure or demands of his arousal or ambition. This was pure tenderness, the very thing she needed most at this moment.

  Chapter 50

  During the entire High Council meeting, Vaush endured General Grusonious’ baleful stares from those icy blue eyes. She couldn’t blame him for being in a foul mood when he’d just discovered that his family’s business suddenly had their debts called. As leveraged as they were, there was insufficient liquidity to meet the outstanding debts. It was unheard of to do this to such a reputable company. But the bank that had issued most of their business loans had recently been acquired by one of the Hinter World conglomerates. And for some unfathomable reason, decided to start calling in all debts, forcing Grusonious’ company to the brink of bankruptcy.

  Vaush smirked as she stared back at Grusonious in the midst of the council discussion. What did you expect after you deliberately antagonized one of the most resourceful Banking Houses in the system? At least this time, no one lost their head to an ostako sword. Progress was progress.

  “It is the wise man who discerns early on that he’s been severely outmatched physically and intellectually and leaves the ring before he is completely obliterated,” she said in answer to a question launched by the Minister of Education though her eyes never left Grusonious.

  “Well said, Your Highness,” said Chancellor Trin and turned to address the council, “Well, if there is no further business, meeting adjourned until the afternoon session.”

  One hour Vaush thought. She wanted to make it back to her suite to spend some time with Comron. Conditions had been less than optimal between them as the pressure from the Hegemony intensified, making it clear that they wouldn’t go down without a bloody, prolonged fight. Comron and Crausin worked tirelessly to counter the Hegemony’s moves and to stay two steps ahead of them. That, Vaush had to admit, was becoming increasingly difficult as the Hegemony decided to go on the offensive.

  And when Comron would finally come to bed, it seemed he’d become obsessed with breaching the Murkudahl archives, as if that was some kind of panacea for all their woes. Vaush longed for the days when their fiery passion and desire fueled hours of lovemaking, not this clinically detached approach that contained all the feeling of someone conducting a temporal science experiment.

  Frithes gates! She wished they’d never stumbled upon the breach. No matter, she was determined to find a way to reignite her husband’s unbridled passion.

  With that in mind, she quickly headed for the door.

  “Your Highness, a moment please.”

  She didn’t have to bother turning around to know who that clipped baritone belonged to—General Grusonious. She plastered on a s
mile while she slowed to let him catch up to her. “Cousin Grusonius, what a delight,” she said, just to needle him, by reminding him that as much as he disliked her for being of commoner’s blood, they were still first cousins.

  He reciprocated with an equally ingenuous smile, the pink scar at his left eye crinkled with the effort. “I have a request to make of you regarding the Gretchen Hall massacre investigation.”

  Her smile fell a degree. “I’m certain whatever you need can be supplied by the head of palace security.”

  “Ah, but therein lies the problem. I’m afraid there might be a slight conflict of interest,” he said, stepping in closer and lowering his voice. “I’m requesting blood samples of all your praetorian guard.” A smug grin spread across his lips at seeing Vaush tense slightly. “I know how protective they are of you, blood oaths, death before dishonor, and all. They’re definitely the sort who’d take the attack on you very personally and would hope to send a message to boot. So, as I said, I must have their blood samples.”

  Vaush felt her own blood run cold at the implication. Blood samples would be used to make a match to the ones they must have found at the scene of the crime. Had Comron been hurt during the attack? He hadn’t asked for Comron’s blood, which meant he wasn’t a suspect in this case. Good. But then she remembered that Yaeger had sustained an injury. Was it his blood they found at the Gretchen Hall? She had to protect him!

  “Do you have the proper author—”

  He flashed the warrants in her face. “You’ll find everything to be in order. I’ll be around after the council meeting to collect the samples myself, that way we can guarantee the integrity of the specimens. A crime this heinous can’t go unpunished. I will find the culprits and bring them to justice.”

  She inclined her head. “I wish you’d been as diligent in finding the culprit who tried to poison me.” Her face darkened with anger. “Oh, that’s right, someone found the culprit and hacked him in two. I guess justice was served after all.”

  He drew up before her, striking his best intimidation stance. “You can’t protect them forever.”

  She glanced at his hair and chuckled. “You know, my best friend in finishing school styled her hair just like yours, so precious.”

  His faced flushed and his lip curled. “Insolent little …” his mouth clamped shut before anything else could escape it.

  “Ah, too bad,” she said in a menacing tone. “I was rather looking forward to making an example of you before the other council members to show that I will not tolerate disrespect … especially from those I call cousin.” She turned on her heel and walked away.

  Chapter 51

  The empress was practically breathing fire by the time she reached her apartments. Grusonious’ blatant hypocrisy in his investigations was galling. And now he was making it his private mission to attack all those close to her. She’d never forget the way he’d rattled Comron by threatening to obliterate Nethic the same way Sellusion had.

  What a belligerent ass!

  She quickly crossed the room on the way toward the study where she knew she’d find Comron and Crausin busy at work. She’d seek his counsel on what they should do to protect Yaeger from Grusonious’ inquisition. She could already hear Comron speaking aloud, apparently on a teleconference call, but that would have to wait. Yaeger needed them more.

  Vaush opened the door and walked in to find Comron alone speaking to Hancet’s hologram. Only it wasn’t Comron she discovered when Crausin turned to look at her.

  “A moment, Hancet,” he said, switching off the com as he gave her a curious look. “Your Highness.”

  “Your Grace,” she replied, thinking it odd that such stiff formality should still exist between them. “I … I was looking for Comron. Where is he?”

  “He had a call from the Vlodostok liaison. They’re finalizing the trade contracts. I stayed behind to field the Hancet call,” he explained, “but he’s on his way back as we speak.”

  Vaush checked her chronometer, hoping he’d make it back before the council session reconvened.

  “Is something troubling you?” Crausin asked with what appeared to be genuine concern.

  “I really need to speak with Comron there’s been a … development.”

  “Hancet, let me call you back,” he spoke to the hologram. “Something’s come up.”

  “No, I didn’t mean to disrupt your call,” Vaush said. This was not a matter she’d planned to discuss with Crausin, and certainly not alone. That’s when she realized that this was the first time the two of them had been alone together and she wasn’t convinced that his motives were pure.

  “This sounds more important,” he said, the corners of his eyes creasing with concern as he approached her. “Does it involve Comron?”

  Again, as she gazed upon him, she was struck with the sense of looking at Comron with a few more years on him. The other difference was that Comron carried himself as a prince among men, whereas Crausin had the regal bearing of a grand duke. They both wore it well.

  She shook her head. “A close friend is in trouble, and we need to help him.”

  “Can you tell me more?”

  It was so strange speaking to him as if they were dear friends after the first crude and violent interactions of their first meeting. Comron had wanted to clear the air from the very start. So, the moment Crausin arrived on Novoxos, Comron had the three of them sit down for a calm but frank discussion about the past. Crausin had apologized profusely to Vaush. No, that wasn’t what he really thought of all women. No, he wasn’t harboring any seedy desire to violate her. He’d been desperate to turn her against Comron and that was the most expedient route he could imagine. Please forgive his vulgar, reprehensible behavior. Vaush, for her part, agreed to put it behind them as long as Crausin regularly attended the proscribed therapy sessions.

  All that did little to alleviate the awkwardness of the moment or set aside her suspicions. A leopard didn’t change his spots, and certainly didn’t do it overnight the way Crausin had. “I appreciate the offer, but I’ll wait for Comron to return.”

  “I understand,” Crausin said amicably, but she saw the hint of dejection in his eyes. “I haven’t earned your trust yet. That will come in time.”

  “Undoubtedly,” she said, trying not to feel guilty for hurting his feelings. “I do—” she said a little louder than she had intended, “greatly admire the work you’ve done since you’ve been here. We wouldn’t be nearly as far along as we are without your invaluable contributions.”

  His piercing green eyes lit up at her words, making him look younger … so much like Comron. “Why thank you, Your Majesty,” he said, dipping his head in a bow. “I’m delighted to be of service to the crown and to be working with Comron to elevate Nethic. I can imagine nothing better.”

  Not even me dead? There was still a surreptitious aspect to his nature that Vaush found unsettling. It was as if Crausin was merely biding his time, waiting for the right moment to strike at her. But, would he do it at the risk of incurring Comron’s wrath and undermining Nethic’s rise? That would be completely illogical. But, then again, Crausin’s sanity, or rather lack thereof, had been established, despite how highly he functioned.

  Growing uneasy in his company, she decided to leave him to his work. “I won’t disturb you any further,” she said, backing toward the door. “I’ll just wait for Comron in the other room.”

  “Actually, if you have a moment,” Crausin said, walking toward her. “I wanted to ask you about Sellusion’s journals.”

  “Oh?”

  “Have you shared the information with Skarus yet? This could be the turning point between our two worlds. Granted so much has taken place since that time, one wonders if the truth will make any difference at all. Still, one can hope.”

  Vaush was taken aback. She’d expected Comron to try for her sake, but was Crausin really willing to extend an olive branch to Ti-Laros? “It’s a delicate matter and must be handled accordingly. When the time is ri
ght, I will share the journals with Skarus.”

  He nodded. “Excellent. Imagine the once two great allies aligned against Hrollaugr’s Hegemony as in the days of old.”

  Why did she feel as if he’d subtly slipped a blade between her ribs? Was that his new goal—to drive a wedge between her and Comron by emphasizing her Hrollaugr heritage, the destroyers of their world?

  “At this time, Nethic is better off aligned with the imperial sovereign, the author of the Hegemony’s demise. I was the one who set Comron on this path. He would have been content to work within the existing paradigm.”

  Crausin clasped his hands behind his back in a very Comron-esque gesture. “Of course, Your Majesty, I didn’t mean to imply otherwise.”

  Oh, didn’t you? She thought to herself and then took a deep, cleansing breath. While she’d certainly keep her guard up regarding Crausin, there was no point in antagonizing a valuable resource. “Nonetheless, I too hope for a swift reconciliation between Nethic and Ti-Laros. And now if there is nothing else, I will leave you to it.”

  “Really, Empress, there is no need to leave,” he said coyly, but then pointed behind her. “I told you he was on his way.”

  She turned to find Comron, standing in the doorway staring at the two of them.

  “Is … everything all right?” Comron asked hesitantly.

  “Her Majesty has heard some rather distressing news about a friend,” Crausin explained. “She came looking for you but unfortunately found me.”

  “Oh?” Comron said, stepping down into the room and making his way to her. “Who’s the friend in trouble?”

  She glanced at Crausin.

  “Oh, I was just about to step out to the records room,” Crausin said, grabbing his coat and making his way up the three stairs of the study. “I’ll return soon.”