by Candace Sams
“If you don’t mind, brother … I’ll take it from here,” Soldar insisted.
Cordis smiled broadly and backed away. “Thought you might be late,” he murmured as an apology.
“Mother, Father … this is Lyra Markham. She’s not only the new Security Chief at the Earth Embassy but, as you can plainly see, she wears my band.”
“Of course we know her,” Lady Aurel stated. “And you are most welcome here, my dear. You must think of this as your home.”
Lyra smiled, bowed her head courteously, and curtsied. This was all protocol. But as she was introduced to the rest of Soldar’s family, the kind words and genial hugs seemed to blend.
She knew that covering the armband with long sleeves would have been construed as rude since she was new in their household, and was reasonably sure everyone there knew she wore it. Myranda and Cordis had already said so. But how was she supposed to really respond? Was she supposed to smile as if she was happy to accept a looming confrontation? Should she adopt a taciturn air?
They were behaving lovely. In response, she tried to smile brightly and answer questions intelligently. But what was her exact position? Hadn’t Soldar told them she’d been out of direct communication with him for two years? Didn’t they expect her request to remove the band?
“If you don’t mind,” Soldar eventually announced, “as Lyra and I have been out-of-touch, we’d like a few moments alone.”
Lord Rycos moved toward Soldar, put one hand on his shoulder, and nodded, almost imperceptibly. The look the two exchanged was sobering. It was as if the father was trying to silently console the son. Or give him courage to take some previously agreed upon action.
Maybe she’d had it wrong? Maybe he actually wanted the armband back so badly that even his family was pushing for the breakup. It was Ky’Nar property after all. And she had treated the eldest son with terrible disdain.
The small gesture between father and son made her feel as if she was in a place she didn’t belong. But she’d agreed to stand up with Myranda. If not for that promise, she’d have waited a respectable period of time then asked for a shuttle to take her back to the embassy compound later in the night.
“Lyra, will you come with me?” Soldar softly murmured as he took her arm and looped it through his.
For some stupid reason, she wanted to cry. But as he silently led her through the gray stone hallways bearing lovely, colorful tapestries, the reason came to her. It was always there and always would be.
God help me, I still love him! I don’t want to lose him. He’s going to take back his armband and it’ll be like I never existed.
Chapter 15
She tried to breathe deeply while looking as though she was in utter control of her emotions. It was the hardest thing she’d ever done in her entire life, including that damned mission on Reisen Four.
He was dressed in black like his sire. The expertly altered uniform of a commander in the Craetorian High Guard only made him look that much larger, more muscular and officious. The metals pinned over his heart epitomized his courage. They made a soft clinking sound as he marched.
The only other sound was that of his boot steps. These echoed off the hallways in steady cadence.
She dared do no more than glance at him. What she valued of her self-control would be gone if she did. Had he always been so tall? Had his shoulders been so broad before? And had his blond hair ever shimmered, almost looking like silver in the low light? Or had she pushed this all out of her mind so she could let him go?
His gentle but insistent touch, his stoic bearing, and even his strong stride all indicated a momentous decision had been made. He didn’t look at her. He stared straight ahead as he moved. This only reinforced the sad scene to come. She hoped she wouldn’t stammer or, God forbid, cry. Tears had no place in a galaxy where she’d been through hell only to face this.
Only years of running fast gave her the strong gait that allowed her to keep up. If he was in such a hurry to get his property back, he could have stopped in any hallway away from the buzzing crowds.
At least he wouldn’t do it in front of everyone. He’d never been that cruel. He’d never been a cad, nor did she believe he’d changed in that respect. But why were they moving so far from the main foyer? No one was near now. Not even servants passed them.
Somber, silent moments later they exited the castle. She found herself on a patio overlooking a garden where late afternoon light illuminated brightly colored flowers. The half-
glow made the blossoms look as if they were shining on their own. Thousands upon thousands of beds and herb gardens lay there to be explored. Moonlit paths would be enjoyed by many this night. In the distance now, lanterns were being lit for that purpose.
Over distant mountains, dragons flew. She could see their massive silhouettes even from the castle’s patio. It was from these noble creatures his family had chosen their emblem. She resisted the urge to glance down at it. Her armband was such a part of her now that its removal was going to feel strange. In his culture, the gesture would be viewed with the same legal ramifications as a divorce.
Still, she maintained her silence even as he kept his.
There’d be a full moon tonight. Planets and stars would glow down on Cordis and Myranda. Maybe the couple would stop and make love in one of the hidden glens. She hoped so. And she prayed she had the strength not to break down during the celebration of their love. She’d wept for her family. She’d cried for lost friends. Cordis and Myranda deserved better than a broken mess-of-a-woman to stand up for them. All she’d have left after tonight was her career, and she’d come to know this wasn’t enough.
The balmy air was infused with floral scents. Sadly, Soldar had chosen a place of such awe-inspiring beauty to tell her to go straight to hell. And she had only herself to blame. Now she’d live with the consequences of her choice, and for the rest of her life. She’d be in a position to know when he took a new mate since she couldn’t leave for another year. A man like him wouldn’t stay alone. He could have his pick of anyone on this planet or any other.
But what else could she have done except let him go? What other choice did she have?
She waited. And when he didn’t speak, she finally turned to face him. His profile was every bit as noble as that of the dragons in flight.
Finally, he slowly turned. His face was hidden in shadow. She hoped hers was as well.
This was where that hopeless affair aboard the Venus ended. All the heartsick promises they’d made there were shattered. Those quiet promises had been uttered when they believed they were doomed.
But what had once seemed no more than a wartime love affair, augmented by desperate times, suddenly became the most real thing in her life.
She hadn’t wanted to come to Craetoria because she feared this more than anything. She feared loving him with all her heart. She feared knowing she always would.
• • •
He took a moment to breathe deeply. The light was leaving the garden so it was hard to see her face or her eyes. But her posture was very straight. Very still. With his next few words, he’d know if she’d be in his life forever or if what they’d forged ended here and now.
He chose his words carefully. Clearly, she wasn’t speaking until he did.
“I’ll say this without preamble, Lyra. We can deal with details later.”
She lifted her chin slightly. A sudden gleam of light from the setting sun illuminated her features. It flashed in her eyes. And he saw fear. She was desperately trying to hide it, probably the way she had for years. Where she’d used it to survive so many battles, and he was thankful for her instincts, that same emotion was his enemy now.
He stepped closer.
“I have a hunch you wanted that removed,” he said as he pointed toward her armband. “But my heart bids me leave it where it is. I sti
ll love you. We can speak of these past two years later. I want only an answer for the future now.” He moved closer still and saw her chest rising and falling in expectation. “I can’t take it off. What it means … what it represents … is everything. I could no more take it back than I could stop the wind from blowing or that sun from setting.” He nodded toward the horizon and the hovering sun which was just moments away from yielding to twilight. “What say you, my heart? The promises I made are forever. I’ll never take them back.”
She gasped and leapt toward him.
He caught her against his body, put his hands around her waist, and lifted her until her face was level with his. Then he kissed her passionately. All the loneliness of the universe washed away as he did.
“I love you too,” she tearfully whispered as she broke the kiss. Even as her lips still rested against his she tried to explain. “I was scared. Everyone I’ve ever loved is dead and I didn’t know how much longer the war would go on. It wasn’t your shape shifting. I was just afraid to lose you and not know what you’d be asked to do for the sake of duty. Can you forgive me, Sol? Will you let me tell you what happened?” she asked on a sob, as tears came in earnest. “What if you’re still under mind control? What if I am? What if this isn’t real at all?”
“Look at me and tell me we’re being manipulated in any way? Look at me and listen to what your heart says, Lyra. Listen!” he insisted. “As long as I know I can turn my shifting abilities on or off at will, what use can anyone make of them now? And who’d attempt to use you when I’d tear them apart for trying?”
“But — ”
“Listen to your heart!” he repeated. “If you do that we can work everything else out. No one can control how we feel. Not with so much love between us.” He slowly rocked her back and forth for a long time. Then, as it seemed she was more in control, he let her slide down his body until her feet touched the solid surface of the patio again. “If, for once, you’ll let someone else take charge … stay by my side for the rest of the evening and the days to come. All you have to do is let me help you. You don’t have to do everything alone. You don’t have to always be the strong one,” he told her as he pushed her hair back and smiled down at her upturned face. “It’s not you against the galaxy, Lyra. Understand?”
She nodded, swallowed hard, and responded with a lovely smile of her own.
“Now … I’m going to kiss you again. Hard. And I want you to hold me with all your might. Just so you know this is real,” he murmured as he pulled her into his embrace once more.
Almost half-an-hour later, a sound made him stop the most exciting embrace of his life. He kept Lyra in his arms but turned to see his father standing in the arched entrance leading to the patio.
His sire smiled and nodded. “I take it things are better now?”
Soldar nodded. “They’re very nearly perfect, Father.” He gazed down at Lyra and saw her nod as well.
“If it’s not too much trouble … both of you are expected to attend the wedding rehearsal, then the dinner after. I wish I could excuse you, but obligations are what they are,” he laughingly reminded them.
Soldar took Lyra’s hand, kissed the back of it, and took a deep cleansing breath. “Shall we?”
“We’d better,” she responded. “Myranda won’t forgive me if I’m not there.”
Soldar straightened his shoulders and tried not to grin like a child with a new treat. “Let’s make the best of the weekend. I won’t steal the happy couple’s thunder, but I’d like to make an announcement about our own Earth wedding once Cordis and Myranda take off for their honeymoon. I rather like the way Earthers do things. And I want everyone to know about us. Will this be acceptable, Father?”
Rycos burst out laughing. “Son … why are you asking me?
Soldar joyfully turned to Lyra and spoke softly. “Will that be all right? Can we celebrate the start of our lives in this way?”
She gently kissed his cheek. “Nothing would make me happier.”
Rycos strode forward. “Thank the Creator! He’s finally out of his misery, my dear. For the longest time, he’s been walking around looking like the bottom of a garbage scow. I was the one who advised him to tell the truth concerning his affections and see where it led,” he bragged.
Lyra looped one arm through Rycos’, the other through Soldar’s. As she stood between them, she smiled up at Soldar once more. “My heart would have broken if he hadn’t.”
Soldar lifted his free hand to caress her cheek. “No more talk of breaking hearts, the war years, or the pain it caused us. Not tonight. Tonight is a time to celebrate life.”
“Indeed!” Rycos shouted as they merrily led Lyra back through the hallways, and to the celebration ahead.
• • •
Three months later, Lyra stood in her office reading a classified communiqué that had just been sent. It had been broadcast to embassies all over Craetoria. She couldn’t guess how other officials would react.
As for her … matters were well and truly settled. She briefly closed her eyes and sent up a silent prayer in thanks.
First, Aigean had been caught attempting to manipulate a highly placed Craetorian official in matters concerning what was left of the Condorian race.
The illness still plaguing them had diminished their number to almost half. Condorian Fever still raged on their home world though doctors were having a decided advantage in saving the children. It was believed their juvenile immune systems were better able to fight off the symptoms since they hadn’t yet been exposed to unhealthy lifestyles inclusive of mixing drugs and abusing other substances.
Not satisfied with the outcome of the strange illness, Aigean had attempted to use her mind control techniques on members of the newly established Allied Council, studying reparations the Condorian race owed.
In short, Aigean openly campaigned for the Condorians to be completely eliminated. She’d argued that as long as they lived the entire galaxy was still threatened. The Combine Allied Council, or CAC as it was known, had decided the threat had long since been mitigated not only by the ravages of illness but because the Condorians had turned over major ammunition dumps, fuel ships, battle craft, and even their ground armament.
While Lyra couldn’t bring herself to forgive what they’d done, and knew she was in a vast majority in that regard, the council’s edicts had to be followed. If they weren’t to become what the enemy had, the allies must show compassion. They had to be better than their attackers.
It was her hope the Condorian children now being helped by medical experts might come to understand the rest of the galaxy was not their enemy. Someone had to start the peace process somewhere.
Still, Aigean’s plans may have come to fruition but for one thing.
Soldar had listened to her concerns. Aigean had been watched and certain official offices had been bugged in such a way that the Elderian couldn’t have suspected. And in those recordings, her techniques were revealed. In three days, she was to vacate her position with the Elderian Embassy and leave the planet’s surface. She was ordered to stay away from any allied officer, subordinate, or official.
There was no indication if Aigean knew who’d foiled her plans. Lyra suspected retribution would come once the woman found out. Thankfully, her powers were so rare that she’d even embarrassed officials within her own embassy. They were more than happy to isolate the woman until she could be escorted to the next shuttle leaving this world. Sad for her, the crew of the Venus opted to go their separate ways some months after Aigean’s ambassadorial appointment. The ship was being scrapped; its metal was being used to build housing on Craetoria’s surface.
For Lyra, it was a final end to the war. The ground fighting had been over for some time. But in her heart, the woman who’d found a way to use Soldar’s long quashed powers had always been the last threat. Now, at least, Soldar a
nd Cordis, and perhaps others who’d been mentally cajoled into turning a shape shifting ability into a weapon, were now safe. That was what mattered most to her.
“Chief … your husband is waiting at the main gate. Should I signal him in?” The alerting announcement came over her wall holo-display, via the perimeter guards.
Lyra checked the time on the display and smiled. “No. It’s five minutes past quitting time. I’m outta here for the weekend.”
“Have a good one, Chief,” the gate guard announced.
She grabbed her uniform jacket, shrugged into it, and hurried to meet her new husband.
He stood just outside the gate, beside a touring-class hover shuttle that was sleek and fast. It was not only designed for speed but safety and comfort. This weekend, they were using it to tour the forests and garden districts that covered the entire surface of the planet.
He unbuttoned his uniform tunic when he saw her approach. As it fell open, he presented her with a raised brow and a concerned expression.
“Hi, baby,” she greeted. “How was work?”
“You know how it went,” he told her. “Every embassy official with a need to know got the communiqué. Aigean finally revealed her true nature.”
“It took long enough, but I figured she would sooner or later.” She shrugged and sighed heavily. “I wish I couldn’t say I told you so but … ”
“You have every right!” he admitted. “And no one is ever going to second-guess your instincts again. Least of all me.” He pulled her against his body and quickly kissed her. “I didn’t want to believe Aigean capable of such deception. I’m sorry I ever defended her. But better we know what she’s up to now so we can deal with it.”
“No more talk about her, Sol.” She ran her fingers down the center of his chest. “I’m done with her. And feeling like you’re finally safe has made me horny as hell. I want to be outta here. All I could think about all afternoon was how much I need you. In fact, I want you so deep inside me that I won’t be able to walk for three days.”