Exile's Throne
Page 35
Secretly she hoped they’d decide to live on Ordoch afterward, but she wouldn’t push it. Not yet, anyway…
Malkor rose from the bench and pulled her to her feet by their entwined fingers. “Come on, we’ll be late.”
A crowd had been forming all morning. Today was the big day—the formal treaty signing day—and Natali and Wetham decided the momentous event should take place here, at the rebel base, rather than in the Complex of the Oligarchs or at the Reinumon palace. This was where the hope of the Ordochian people was kept alive, and this was where its future would begin.
Isonde, Ardin, the generals of the army, Wetham, and Natali had been closeted for long hours drawing the treaty up. The Council of Seven had ratified it immediately. Ilmena had added its stamp of approval as well, committing to supplying the empire with the plans for the 10-22R inoculation. Kayla wouldn’t live forever, and no one wanted to take chances.
* * *
Kayla tucked her arm through Malkor’s as they approached where her family had gathered with the others. Natali and Wetham were of course discussing state business. Thankfully they’d both seen the wisdom of becoming joint rulers as they took Ordoch into a new era. Watching their leaders argue, the poor lieutenants of the rebellion looked pained, as if they couldn’t decide if they should side with their rebel leader or their hereditary leader. Hopefully the contentious period between Natali and Wetham would end soon. They would rule well together, Kayla could already tell—once they finally accepted that neither’s commands outweighed the other.
Vayne was talking in a group with Tia’tan and Noar, among others, and he actually looked somewhat at ease. He might even have smiled at something Tia’tan said to him.
Kayla pulled Malkor to a stop, wanting to drink in this rare moment, savor the image of her brother coming back to life. It filled her heart.
Malkor leaned down and whispered in her ear. “You know he can feel it when you stare at him like that.” There was a gentle tease in his voice. “He said it was like having a chaperone.”
“Do I do it that much?”
He chuckled. “All the time, my love.”
Vayne broke away from the group when he saw them, and came over to say hi. He greeted Malkor, if not warmly, then at least in a friendly fashion. It was a start. Malkor left the two of them alone to talk for a moment.
::Are you still determined to leave?:: Vayne asked.
::Must you say it like that?:: She’d never grow tired of this, being able to speak mind to mind, as they ought to have been able to this entire time. ::It’s only for a short while, and then I’ll be home again.::
He looked past her shoulder to where Corinth was excitedly telling Malkor something. ::And will it be their home as well?::
::Certainly, should the octet want that. Should Malkor.::
Vayne made a sound of exasperation and returned his gaze to her. ::Of course that’s what he wants, you idiot. You just haven’t asked him yet. Both of you are too worried about the other feeling obligated that neither wants to say anything.:: He grinned. ::It makes me want to strangle both of you.::
::Admit it, you’ve wanted to strangle Malkor for longer than that.::
::True.:: He paused. ::Just promise me you’ll come back.::
::Of course I will. What kind of thing is that to say?:: She whacked him on the shoulder, because that was the kind of affection ro’haars gave their brothers, when their hearts were too full with leave-taking and hope for the future that they couldn’t speak, psionically or otherwise.
::Are you still determined to stay?:: she asked him finally.
::I think so. What other place is there for me? This is our home.::
It was the first time he’d said it, and something in her eased to hear it. She’d know where to find him when this was all over, when her work for the people of the empire was finally done. And she’d be with her il’haars once again.
Kayla sensed the shift in his mood, the darkness that always lurked in him these days coming closer to the surface.
::You know:: he said, and she braced herself. ::If you bring him back here, things won’t be the same.::
Him always referred to Malkor.
Through their link, Kayla saw memories of their life together on Ordoch, in the time Vayne only ever referenced as before. Before, he was happy. Before, he was whole. There was laughter and triumph and joy in those memories.
::Oh Vayne.:: He was close enough that she could feel his struggle. ::Things were never going to be the same.::
He nodded, expecting the answer.
::But they can be better:: Kayla countered, stopping him from walking away. ::Before, we had only each other. The single il’haar–ro’haar system was so rigid that it kept us isolated, even among our family. Now we have so much more.:: She summoned images of Corinth, of Natali, of Tia’tan and Malkor and even Tanet, Yari’s sole surviving physicist, who had been found innocent of any collusion with Captain Janus.
::We have all these people now, and we know them deeper and better than we ever could have if things continued on as they’d always been.::
“I love you,” she said aloud, needing him to hear it. She pulled him close in a fierce hug. “You will always be my il’haar, and I will always be your ro’haar.” She leaned back, looking at him eye to eye without letting go. “We will just have more people to look after than we did when it was only you and I.”
His lips quirked. The corner of his mouth kicked up, and he almost grinned when he said, “I have a hard enough time looking out for you as it is.”
There were a million more things to say, emotions to share, healing to do… But it could all wait for another day. After all, they had the rest of their lives.
Kayla stepped back. The shadow in Vayne’s eyes passed, the set of his shoulders relaxed slightly.
Good.
The chatter of the gathered crowd came back to her, and Kayla caught sight of Tia’tan looking their way, concern in her eyes. Vayne saw her, too, and even without eavesdropping Kayla knew they were speaking to each other. In fact, she’d noticed it quite a bit these last few weeks.
“You know,” Kayla drawled, unable to resist poking him verbally. “If Tia’tan stays here, things are never going to be the same.”
He shook his head. “Ilmena has recalled her, now that the occupation is at an end. Besides, Tia wouldn’t want to stay on Ordoch.”
“To quote someone I love very dearly, ‘Of course that’s what she wants, you idiot. You just haven’t asked her yet.’”
He looked distinctly uncomfortable at the entire conversation, and Kayla suspected she had hit close to the truth.
Vayne nudged her. “Go find Malkor before he puts his foot in his mouth… again.”
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Thanks go first to my agent, Richard Curtis, for being my advisor and advocate. I had a difficult time during the writing of this novel and he was supportive throughout. Thanks to my editors, Cat Camacho and Joanna Harwood, who gave me excellent notes for improving the book. A big thanks to Titan Books for being flexible with my deadlines.
Thanks to my husband James for being the wonderful, supportive, and all-round fun partner that he is. I wouldn’t have gotten this book done without his pep talks and cheerleading, not to mention the insane number of times he walked the dog when it was really my turn to walk her.
I receive a lot of help from my two critique partners, Diana Botsford and Jen Brooks, but I have to say an extra special thank-you to Jen, who went above and beyond the call of duty by turning around critiques at a blistering pace at the eleventh hour when I desperately needed her help—even when she was on vacation. I can only hope to be half the friend/crit partner she has been to me.
Most of all, thank you to my mum and sisters. It would take too long to list the many ways they are wonderful, so, ladies, let me just say, “I know you know.”
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Rhonda Mason divides her time between writing, editing, bulldogs, and beaching. He
r writing spans the gamut of speculative fiction, from space opera to epic fantasy to urban paranormal and back again. The only thing limiting her energy for fantastical worlds is the space-time continuum. When not creating worlds, she edits for a living, and follows her marine biologist husband to the nearest beach. In between preserving sea grass and deterring invasive species, she snorkels every chance she gets. Her rescue bulldog, Grace, is her baby and faithful companion. Grace follows her everywhere, as long as she’s within distance of a couch she can sleep on. Rhonda is a graduate of the Writing Popular Fiction masters program at Seton Hill University, and recommends it to all genre writers interested in furthering their craft at graduate level.
You can find Rhonda at
www.RhondaMason.com
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