Fusion (Crimson Romance)

by Candace Sams

  All that notwithstanding she’d still asked to be assigned elsewhere. Being so near the man she now knew to be a member of the very ancient, royal household of Ky’Nar — the Ky being more formally added as a symbol of hierarchy — was disconcerting. Soldar had never told her about that part of his life, having chosen to simply drop the title in apparent expectation of receiving no special battlefield treatment. But then, there was a lot he hadn’t told her that instilled resentment. She hadn’t voiced those personal concerns to General Shafter, but had simply availed herself of the right to ask for another post. He’d seen fit to refuse the request though she hoped he hadn’t been influenced by anyone of local, royal lineage. If he had, he’d never mentioned it.

  She had the right to ask for reassignment again in one year. And she would until her superior relented. Her mind couldn’t be on her job and old war wounds. She didn’t want distractions caused by some desperate, war field love affair that was long dead. What happened on Reisen Four was over. She meant to keep it that way. She’d even gone so far as to refuse a few missives from Soldar, choosing to have an aide respond that she was in deep space, on duty and unable to communicate at the time. It was a prevarication. But one meant to shut him out and let him know where she stood.

  She’d never wanted to go aboard the Venus. And when she had, he and Aigean hadn’t informed her of the truth of the situation, which was how he’d willingly let the Elderian govern his responses via mind control. She wasn’t so sure the woman hadn’t been in her head. And that, more than anything, scared the crap out of her.

  Certain tidbits concerning Aigean’s powers were considered top secret. And after all she’d been through because of them she was still unable to legally access files or even ask about the extent of them. She’d been told the last time she’d made inquiries that if she didn’t want to lose her current position and rank, she should “quit asking and stay the hell out of it” or that she “had no need to know.”

  That very unfair and infuriating response, especially given her service and proven ability to keep secrets, cemented her resolve.

  Though Craetoria wasn’t her first choice of assignments, she’d still do some good. She meant to make sure certain factions from the Elderian Embassy couldn’t use otherworldly powers to sway minds or alter opinions favoring one political party over another. In short, she meant to make sure that Aigean Florn — a former brothel owner who’d oddly been appointed to an ambassadorial position on this world — didn’t use her very rare and powerful mind control techniques to deprive others of free thought and open debate.

  That was her first priority.

  The second was to impress upon Soldar Ky’Nar the very real desire she had to sever all relations, and have him take back the armband he’d placed on her and which still remained. Options to remove the band were now available, but their use meant destroying Ky’Nar property. While giving the armband back may or may not make any difference to Soldar now, she didn’t want the object destroyed and thereby engender bad relations with a powerful family. She not only had her reputation to think about, but the embassy’s as well.

  Once that task was done, she and Soldar would be free of any societal impressions of being a couple. She’d be free of the constant reminder of that terrible mission.

  Because of that damnable band’s presence, she’d worn only long-sleeved garments for the past two years. Her current black tunic, black pants, and tall black boots were not only the uniform of her position as Security Chief, but one more way to keep any of the population from exaggerating her connection to the Ky’Nar household.

  Lastly, she had a more personal agenda. One that was pleasurable, though it would bring her in contact with Soldar, and in a setting inappropriate for a necessary break with the past.

  Eight months ago, Myranda Chase had asked for a position at a major Craetorian medical facility. This was prompted by her need to continue relations with Cordis Ky’Nar.

  Recently, Myranda’s skills and Earth ancestry had earned her a position in the embassy as Chief Physician. Lyra’s arrival only a few days ago coincided with Myranda’s announcement of her upcoming nuptials to Cordis.

  Lyra was asked to serve as Maid of Honor. Their friendship over the past years had grown to the point that refusal to help with wedding plans was out of the question. And Lyra did want to see Myranda happy. After all they’d lost, at least one Earthling deserved something extraordinary.

  As they settled into their respective new positions, planned for a wedding, and the official opening of the new embassy, life was a bit hectic. But nothing was going to keep Lyra from accomplishing the immediate goals she’d set.

  Her friend’s wedding and subtlety aside, she meant to officially end things with Soldar. At this time, two years after Reisen Four and their separation, he could hardly argue against logic. What they’d promised one another was brought on by emotional stress in a battle environment. It shouldn’t have happened at all. But it was certainly over.

  Her door buzzer sounded and she almost tripped while spinning around. She lunged for the control panel and let out a sigh of relief when the security imaging indicated Myranda Chase’s presence. She quickly opened the door to her quarters and let the other woman in.

  Myranda whisked by, bearing a broad smile. Her hair, now shoulder length, was pulled into a high ponytail. She carried numerous bags and bundles in her arms. These she summarily plunked on the new living room sofa. The garish wrappings were at odds with the dark green of the sofa fabric.

  With her hands now free, Myranda rushed forward and enveloped her in a huge hug. “Ohhhh, I’m so glad you’re here!”

  Lyra laughingly returned the embrace before putting her hands on Myranda’s shoulders and pushing her slightly back. “You hugged me four days ago, when I got here.”

  “I know, but I’m still glad to see you again,” Myranda gushed as she glanced toward her parcels. “Come look at what I’ve got. I picked up your dress from the seamstress. I have your shoes and tons of new makeup.”

  “And the royal house of Ky’Nar doesn’t mind a good old-fashioned Earth wedding, with all the dancing, drinking, and walking-up-the-aisle … ing?” Lyra joked.

  “When I described it to Lady Aurel, she absolutely adored the idea. She wants Cordis and me doing the total Earth wedding package and even brought in tons of flowers for me to choose from. She said it was a new era. And it was time to adopt some new family customs.”

  “Right. Lady Aurel is Cordis’ mother. And Lord Rycos is his father.”

  “You remembered. Good,” Myranda praised. “The sisters are Dorin, Nez, and Brean. That’s in order of age. Don’t forget. But it’s okay if you do, really. I’ll be there to help and of course, Cordis will be there.” She walked to the sofa, sorted a few parcels, then glanced up at Lyra. “Didn’t Soldar ever mention their names, honey?”

  “No. We spoke about family aboard the … well … you know where we were. But we never got very specific. Family was on our minds but that was because mine were gone and he thought he’d never see his again. I-I wouldn’t have remembered even if he did name them.”

  Myranda’s expression grew soft. “Honey, sit down.”

  Lyra tried to make light of the fact that she’d mentioned a subject she never spoke of unless forced to. Mentioning the Venus at all had been a slip of the tongue. She smiled. “Is this the part where I get the Maid of Honor talk?”

  “It’s the best friend talk.”

  “Oh. Serious … huh?” Lyra sat in a large overstuffed chair opposite her friend and kept her smile pasted on her face. Myranda had lost all her family, too. Lyra didn’t hold a monopoly on grief. And this was her friend’s wedding. Myranda and Cordis were deliriously in love. The light in them brightened all spaces when they were together. She’d immediately seen it on arriving, and when in their company for even the briefest moments.

&nb
sp; She had to put aside her own personal concerns and do what was right by a woman who’d stood by her, no matter what, over the last two years. Every bit of news, every encouraging thought and word had come from the woman who now served as the embassy’s head doctor.

  Lyra put her hands in her lap, folded them, and resolved to listen. She was short on friends and couldn’t afford to alienate this one.

  “This is none of my business, Lyra. But you should have contacted Soldar by now. He knows you’re here.”

  She shrugged. “Why doesn’t he contact — ”

  “After trying and being ignored for two years?” Myranda blurted. “Honey … this is a man with fierce pride. He’s not going to come running after you like a lovesick puppy, nor would you have anything to do with a man who would. He got the message loud and clear. It’s up to you to do the talking now.”

  Lyra swallowed hard and nodded.

  “I know what happened. I was there. I saw it … remember?” She sighed heavily. “Lyra, are you still afraid of the shape shifting thing? Because you know Cordis has it too. But he hasn’t exhibited any inclination toward using it since the war was over. The ability was only induced from some dark part of his gray matter when Aigean dragged it out of him.”

  “You’re talking about matters of a highly classified — ”

  “Yeah, I know. It’s all hush, hush. Top secret and all that crap!” Myranda interrupted. “But whether anyone wants to admit we know it or not, you and I saw it. And I’m not about to let it stand in the way of having the man I love. You savvy? That creature was dredged up to kill a Condorian officer. It’s gone now. It’s finished.”

  Lyra stood up, walked a few steps away, then turned to face her friend again. “It’s not the shape shifting. I’ll admit that scared the shit out of me at first. When I woke up in that field hospital I had nightmares about it. But that’s not it anymore, Myranda. I blame Aigean for that.”

  “Then what!”

  Lyra looked away.

  “Don’t do that.”

  “Do what?” Lyra asked.

  “Don’t paste on that I’m-not-going-to-talk-about-it look and go all spacey on me,” she said as she raised her voice. “What’s bothering you about Soldar? Why won’t you talk to him?”

  “You’re making more out of this than you should.”

  “Am I?” Myranda stood and put her hands on her hips. “You’re wearing his armband, just like I’m wearing Cordis’,” she said as she pointed to her left arm and the band that identically matched the one Lyra still sported. “I’m told the Ky’Nar men don’t put these symbols of their household and ancient lineage on someone unless they mean it. Really mean it.”

  “Circumstances were different.”

  “Lyra … I’ve told you this before. I’m going to tell you again. And this time you’re going to get it through your thick head.” She moved closer. “I saw that man’s face when you were lying in that sick bay. I saw what it did to him to leave you behind. At that point, we’d had news the war was probably winding down. He wasn’t a man looking to amend a wartime whim. He wanted you at any cost.”

  “Myranda … I can’t talk about this … you know I can’t.”

  “I’m not the one who needs to hear from you, sweetie. He does.” She stepped back. “If you don’t love him, I understand. But he still needs to hear it. From you.”

  Lyra paced for a moment then stood in front of Myranda again. She noted the concern on her friend’s face and tried to placate her. This was her friend’s moment to be happy. There was no excuse for causing grief. But Myranda was looking to fix something that wasn’t fixable. When people were in love, they often thought everyone around them should see the world — whatever world they happened to inhabit at the time — as perfect.

  “I’ll talk to him, ’Manda,” she promised, using as shortened version of her friend’s name as a convincing gesture. “I guess … I just don’t understand … ”

  “Tell me,” Myranda whispered.

  “Why is Aigean here? Why is a pleasure ship owner an ambassador and why do my sources tell me she has full access to the Ky’Nar estate?” She drew herself up. “I don’t trust her, ’Manda.”

  Myranda nodded. “Well … there you have the million dollar question. Cordis refuses to talk about her other than to say she’s an old friend of the family. The nearest I ever came to having a real break-up argument with him was over her continued presence in his life.”

  The two women stared at each other for a very long moment.

  “We could get into serious trouble even asking. Worse if we do something,” Lyra advised.

  “If she’s still in Cordis’ head for any reason, whether it’s to help but especially if it’s to hurt, then I think I have a right to know. Until you got here, my options were limited to keeping a close eye on my fiancé.”

  “If she’s a threat to security at this embassy, that makes it my business,” Lyra somberly told her. “Anyone who can control others like that can be dangerous.”

  “We could be wrong,” Myranda softly said. “We could be looking for all kinds of sinister plots that just aren’t there. Unfortunately, I know her better than most. I saw how she hid things on the Venus. Back then I kept my mouth shut and my head down. But now … now she’s insinuated herself into the life of somebody I love.”

  Lyra slowly smiled. “And you don’t like it. You want something done.”

  “Let’s just say it’s better to beg forgiveness than ask permission. And if Cordis is somehow being manipulated then you know damned well Soldar is. He’s the one with the real power.”

  “That’s what scares me, Myranda!”

  “Then, honey … why the hell did you leave Soldar to her devices? If she is up to something I’d have thought you’d want to get him the hell away from her. Convince him to throw her out of his life.”

  “I don’t think I have that power. I don’t think I ever did!”

  Myranda backed up and nodded. “I think I’m beginning to see the big picture here.” She took Lyra’s hands and paused before speaking again. “You don’t know if things on that ship weren’t exactly as Aigean planned? Including everything Soldar did and said to you.”

  “Christ, ’Manda! I don’t know if she didn’t even get in my head. That kind of power is … just think of the implications.”

  “S-she isn’t supposed to be able to control us … Earthlings, I mean. At least that’s what I heard on the Venus.”

  “’Manda … would she want us knowing everything she could do? Would she want anyone to know?”

  “So you don’t know if what you’re feeling is real or a remnant of something Aigean planted somehow? That’s it … isn’t it?”

  “My heart tells me one thing,” Lyra whispered. “My head is saying be damned careful. My head is telling me that it was all too convenient. That what we felt was something induced. Either by the situation or by … someone.”

  “But what possible motive could Aigean have to use any of us now? The war is over.”

  “After wars are over, that’s where the real power grab comes. Think about it, ’Manda.”

  Myranda stared into the distance. “I-I can’t recall that Cordis was ever alone with her on the Venus. Or me for that matter.”

  “Soldar was. And I was,” Lyra declared. “But I’ve got a sneaky suspicion that her techniques aren’t as strong when people she’s controlled in the past have been removed from her control for a long period of time.”

  Myranda plopped down on the sofa. “We’ve got to do something. Even if we’re wrong, we have to tell someone or … or something.”

  “Writing a report will only get us thrown in the brig. I’ve already been warned to layoff.” Lyra sighed and gazed out the balcony window toward the castle in the distance. “I’ve got a plan. I don’t know if it�
��ll work and I’ll have to let Soldar go to do it. But I want him free. He … he deserves that much.”

  “So … you do care for him?”

  Lyra dragged her hands through her hair. “Like I said, I had very strong feelings for him back then, on the Venus. But there were things he never told me. I don’t know if it was because he didn’t want to, or because Aigean wouldn’t let him. But when the powers-that-be won’t tell an Earth Embassy Security Chief about the existence of a potential threat, and they refuse to even discuss it … then there’s something very wrong.”

  “What do we do, Lyra?”

  “You get married to the man you love.” She took a deep cleansing breath. “This is my job. I’ve gotta handle it.”

  Chapter 14

  Soldar readily accepted Cordis’ and Myranda’s wedding plans. If they were happy and there wasn’t any misgiving in the family, the Earth ceremony only served to reinforce the fact that the woman would be his new sister. She already wore a Ky’Nar armband.

  Servants bustled around the estate and castle. Flowers now festooned the grand gallery. Tonight, there was to be a rehearsal of the ceremony and dining into the late hours that followed. Tomorrow night was the big event. Myranda and her entourage would arrive just at dusk then stay several days for the celebrating that was to follow. That meant he’d see Lyra again, after being virtually ignored by her for the last two years.

  At first, he’d made excuses on her behalf. She’d been shocked into silence by his shape shifting ability. That was understandable considering even the Condorians aboard the Venus had backed up when they’d seen what he’d become.

  Then he couldn’t explain the traitorous identity Aigean had implanted in his mind to get him close to a high-ranking officer. He had never explained that the Elderian had found countless men and woman who were to have posed as prostitutes or even willing slaves, just so they could position themselves near an important Condorian official. These allied shifters would then use their frightening transformation powers to overwhelm and kill certain enemy officers when an embedded signal was unleashed or circumstances became exigent. The plan was that if the allies couldn’t kill the Condorian hordes, then they might be able to demoralize them by taking out their leaders. Leaders who’d always been a minority among their culture. The mission was suicidal. No one involved was expected to come back. But it was hoped that, with Aigean’s help in psychically coaching very powerful shifting volunteers, that they could severely demoralize the Condorian Empire or at least slow them down.