Pawn of the Crown

by Cheryl Oblon

  We’d been apart too long. Being close to him was soothing. It seemed like here, I’d turned men into the enemy or into access to information. At home, I outranked most people, men or women, but here, I felt the inequality, and there was a need to defy it somehow.

  Nemal kissed me, and I realized I was trying to protect him, as well. If my father comprehended how close we were, he might try to get Nemal out of the way to keep going with the insane plan. If I lost Nemal, what else would be left to take from me?

  “You’re tense again. What’s wrong?” Nemal asked.

  “My father is dangerous. Very dangerous. He might try to hurt you if he knows how close we are.”

  “Are you in danger?”

  “No, I’m not high-ranking enough to be a target. But he’s got friends and helpers here. I don’t have a lot of details about who he’s talking with or what he’s after. But he’s in private conversations with the king. I’m sorry. Just don’t let your guard down, please.”

  He kissed me softly, and I let the worries go. I dug my nails into his shoulders. So many times, I’d pulled away, but not today. Time was running out. My father might ruin my life, but he couldn’t take this away from me. I loved Nemal, and I wasn’t going to wait one more moment.

  The sex had been fast and intense. Then, the second time, it was slow, and the intimacy sank deeper because it was the right person. My mother’s advice on sex was the last thing I expected to have running through my mind. Nemal was the right person. We may have just moved to another castle temporarily, but the freedom was hard to deny. For once, I was glad for the contraceptive device in my arm. Afterward, Nemal stared at the ceiling as I watched him.

  Whatever reality was like outside the door, I didn’t care. I felt safe and perfectly content. I wasn’t sure what I was supposed to say or do now. We were still ourselves, the same two people, but we couldn’t go back. I didn’t want to go back to strictly friends.

  “You okay?” he asked.

  I smiled. Same old Nemal. “Yes. You?”

  He chuckled. “Fine and highly motivated to take your side on everything imaginable.”

  “Men. So easily persuaded.” I hugged him. “If your family finds out about this…”

  “I’ve always been on your side. Court life makes it complicated to show feelings. Once people in the castle know about a relationship, it takes on a life of its own in rumors. I didn’t want to tie you down too soon. Life made you grow up so fast. Speaking of life, I had to spoil this moment with a negative topic, but I have to ask you something. What did he say?” he asked.

  “Who?” I asked.

  “Your father. When you saw him. Johey said he showed up in your bedroom,” he said.

  How much to tell him? “He has delusions. He thinks he can take over and get his people on the throne.”

  “Here or Lazrel?” Nemal asked.

  “Here is more likely. He’d love for both to happen, but he might mean for Bachal to conquer Lazrel. If he can help, he’ll be rewarded. It’s a jumble of dreams, plots, and schemes. Who knows? He might be targeting a small nation where he’ll make himself emperor. It’s hard to tell what’s true.”

  I’d left out some critical pieces, but I wouldn’t cooperate, so it didn’t matter. I wouldn’t seduce Faldar. I’d just chosen the man I wanted. I wouldn’t play my father’s game. It didn’t matter how he tried to manipulate the other players. I couldn’t do anything about it, and worrying only made things worse.

  “You’re worried about him,” he said.

  “I’m worried about what he can do. People think he has influence or power because I’m his daughter. He’s using me to gain followers and respect. I don’t want people to believe anything he says, but it doesn’t matter here. We just need to grab him and drag him home.” I rested my head on Nemal’s chest.

  “We will. Show me where you followed him in the castle,” he said.

  I hugged him tighter. “I don’t want to move.”

  He glanced at the clock. “We’ll be expected for dinner in the great hall. Marel and Zoma will be worried if we don’t let them in at some point. Meet me in the hall at midnight.”

  “I’ll meet you in the hall in half an hour for dinner. We are better together, and I want to spend more time with you. The rest will fall into place, and we’ll handle it.” I kissed him and grabbed my robe.

  “If your father finds out, I’m not sure if he’ll try to kill me or recruit me.” Nemal got dressed.

  “I wouldn’t worry about him. Your mother and Minnette will have an issue with me.”

  “Worth it?” he asked.

  My cheeks burned. “It won’t be the last time, if that’s what you mean.”

  He left with a grin. I couldn’t stop smiling, either. How a fight had brought us so much closer, I wasn’t sure. But I also didn’t care. My life was going to be what I made it, not what my father wanted to manipulate the world into.

  Chapter 17

  For once, I felt hopeful. Nemal and I had reconnected and taken things farther. We were a team again, and I hoped it would help me to pin down my father. I’d showed Nemal the new places I’d been—from the dungeon to the weapons room.

  At dinner, we were in our own little bubble in my room. Marel, Zoma, and Johey were part of it. I missed home and being surround by people who understood me felt wonderful. No one could say I hadn’t tried to understand the local world, but it wasn’t where I belonged.

  “Spetor is cute,” Marel said.

  “He’s attractive, but dangerous. He likes being a rebel, of sorts. I only went with him because I didn’t want to get Tantil in trouble. He’d already been my escort into the real Bachal once.” I didn’t want Marel falling for a Bachal man, good or bad.

  “Tantil is cute.” Zoma smiled. “But a couple nice people aren’t enough around here. We don’t belong. When can we go home?”

  “I feel the same way. I just need to figure out Father’s hiding spot. He knows how to evade me and block my mind reading. When he’s weak, I can get through, but it’s like a physical fight. Sometimes, one has the upper hand, and sometimes, the other does. There are no guarantees.” Failure washed over me. I should’ve captured my father, by now, but my own romance was taking priority. We could make some excuse and head home once we had my father.

  “But if you see him, you can just grab him. Right?” Marel asked.

  “I can move things with my mind, yes. I’ve never tried to hold something with my mind for a long period of time. Holding onto something that large that was trying to get away for an undetermined amount of time, I don’t know if I can do it. I’ve done it here and there, but not indefinitely.”

  “You flew in the air when Ballen tried to make you jump. I saw you,” Nemal said.

  “I pushed against the ground. I repelled, sort of. That’s not the same thing as holding onto a person. Objects don’t fight back. They don’t have a strength or will of their own. I can try. I’ve been improving my powers, but he’ll be trying to trick me, mess with my mind, and physically get away. I’m just saying it takes a lot of energy.” I feared his lies and his schemes more than his fighting back.

  “Grab him, and Prince Johey will put him in laser cuffs and leg shackles. It’ll be fast. We’ll help,” Zoma said.

  “Not Zoma or Marel. I don’t want anyone getting hurt. Johey is a queen’s guard, Nemal, too. They’re at least trained,” I replied.

  “We’re in this together. Who knows what he’s trying to do, but we’re all on this mission,” Marel said.

  I sighed. “Thank you. I’m so ashamed of him. He is trying to get his hands on poison or a weapon, so don’t assume he’s harmless.”

  Nemal put an arm around my shoulders. “You’ve chosen the right side. He went down the wrong path.”

  “He’s smart. He’s persuasive. We can’t let him slip through our fingers. I just don’t know if I could really…” I didn’t want to say the words.

  “Kill hi
m?” Johey supplied. “Don’t worry. I will.”

  Nemal kissed my cheek. “If the need arises, I can, too.”

  “I’m fine with it,” Zoma said. “In an academic sense. I’d probably use a droid, though.”

  “Droids can’t kill people without an execution order by royal command unless the droids are defending humans,” I said.

  “The queen will have your father executed when she gets him back,” Marel said.

  “You can give a royal command,” Nemal said.

  I frowned. “No, I can’t. Not an execution order. I’m ruler of the fifth family.”

  “And he is a member of your family. Under your rule,” Zoma said. “You can order the droids to execute him on sight. Or at least seize him.”

  I paused. “Seizing him would work. The queen will want him interrogated. He’s talking to people here. He knows things. I’d hate to lose that intelligence.”

  Johey held up a finger. “Input the order for capture on sight. If he attempts to expose us to poison then flee capture, the droid can escalate to lethal force. The droids are here to protect you, so if they find him, you’ve found him. If you can control him, we get to interrogate.”

  “Sounds good. I just don’t know if the droids have authority here. Foreign country. Could be a lot of red tape and mess if we kill him here. Droids or one of us.” I hadn’t really thought about it, but having seen their dungeons, I didn’t want to be held in Bachal for any reason.

  “She’s right. We need to get him on a relocator pad alive. He’s our subject, but the king could grant him protection. Like you wanted to do for Faldar,” Nemal said to me.

  The droids cleared the dishes.

  “Can LeFawn break off the engagement now? Safely?” Johey asked.

  “I think so. Better if they say it’s mutual, but once we’re back, we can talk to them about it in person. No rush since it’s not real.”

  A knock on the door made us all turn. I pointed to the droid who then opened the door.

  Anela stood there. “Can I come? There is news.”

  “Of course,” I said.

  She shut the door behind her. “The king is bored, which means anything can happen. Only this time, it’s a good thing.”

  “What’s a good thing?” Nemal asked.

  “He demands a visit from Prince Faldar. The queen will be thrilled. It may only be a short visit, but everyone is excited for the celebration,” Anela said.

  “Celebration. Since we’ve been here, we’ve had a welcome party, the twin’s birthday, and now, a welcome home party?” Johey shook his head.

  “He needs to keep the army happy and loyal,” Anela said.

  “He needs to improve the quality of life and not create distractions. What are some of the other methods of distraction? Some of the bad ones?” I asked.

  Anela grabbed the wine and refilled our cups. “Sometimes, there are takeovers of small nations. Sometimes, there are border attacks from Lazrel.”

  “Never,” Nemal said.

  “The fringes might skirmish over border game or territory, but there have been no military attacks,” Johey said.

  “They’re distractions. I never said they were facts. Some cause fear and worry. People appreciate what little they have and don’t want to lose it. The happy ones can make people resent that they don’t have what the royal family does. But the king usually makes gifts that are spread out, some to every town.” Anela shrugged.

  “That’s something,” Marel said.

  “But the town officials probably keep it for themselves,” Anela replied.

  “Officials are appointed by the king. Wouldn’t they want to keep their people appeased?” Zoma asked.

  “There is never enough to go around. Tough choices are a part of the military, so their families live with it, too.”

  “Military culture,” Johey said. “You sound like you’re living in a state of war.”

  “That’s how normal people do live. The king sends the troops on patrols and attacks. If we win and keep winning, we may rule the planet and have all the luxuries the greedy nations far away hold hostage. The luck of the horrid war left us with land and powerful shifters, but not the best resources.” She sounded like she was giving a speech.

  “Earth was devastated by disease and destruction. None of us were rich with resources. It’s how people used what was left.” Zoma sat up straighter.

  “No judgment, but we all have our own priorities. Our country would not make the same choices, and we all must live with our choices,” I said.

  Anela nodded.

  “So, when will the prince arrive?” Nemal asked.

  “Tomorrow, and he’s bringing someone. Not just security. People are hoping it’s the princess,” Anela said.

  “LeFawn? Here? I hope not,” I said.

  “It’s not quite my niece’s style,” Johey agreed.

  “Faldar’s future wife being here would cheer up the court,” Anela said.

  “A foreign princess to become their queen over a local girl? That’ll look good,” Marel said.

  “Peace might be a welcome change. The marriage would support a friendship between the countries,” Nemal said.

  Anela looked at the floor.

  I shook my head. “When most of the country is employed by the military, I’m not sure that’s how they’ll see it. Peace might not be the goal.”

  “Definitely not. She can’t come. I need to talk to my sister.” Johey stood and headed out.

  “We shouldn’t have two of the queen’s children here either. Certainly not someone in line of succession that close to the throne,” I said.

  “Johey will take care of it.” Nemal smiled. “Faldar alone will be enough for people to celebrate.”

  “Hopefully, it’s enough to draw Father out. All the celebrating will be a good distraction,” I said to Nemal.

  He leaned in and kissed me.

  “Are you two going to announce your engagement soon?” Zoma asked.

  I shot her a look. “There is no such engagement.”

  “The queen must approve any such cross family and royal engagements,” Marel said.

  Zoma waved it off. “I know, but it’s not like she’d say no.”

  “There is no rush for a wedding. Minnette needs to settle down first. Get the line in order,” Nemal said.

  “Family politics can be trickier than international politics sometimes,” I replied.

  Marel said, “You’re smart.”

  “Let us know what time Faldar is arriving, please, Anela. We want to be there to welcome him, too,” I said.

  “Of course. I’ll find out.” She dashed out the door.

  “You trust her?” Nemal asked.

  “I do. We’re taking her and her mother back when we leave. They have no one. No man in their family. This place is insane,” I said.

  “It’s foreign, all right,” Zoma said.

  “We should go and let them have some privacy,” Marel said.

  “It’s fine,” I said.

  “We’ll check on Johey.” Zoma stood. “If you stay in Nemal’s room, or he stays here, no one will be reporting it to anyone.”

  “Thanks,” I said.

  They left, and I kissed Nemal on the lips.

  “You’re tense,” he said.

  “Faldar is a good distraction, but if he pushes his father too far, we could have a problem.” I rubbed my eyes.

  “Why would he? Why now?” Nemal asked.

  I shrugged. “I have a bad feeling. You might want to try to talk to Faldar privately.”

  “He wants to go back to Lazrel. If his father doesn’t make him stay, I don’t think it’ll be an issue.” He brushed my hair back behind my ear.

  Shrugging, I said, “I can’t shake the feeling. I wish I could get a vision of what we’re up against.”

  He kissed my neck. “You’re too tense. You need to relax.”

  “We’d better go
to bed. I don’t want to embarrass your uncle.” I led the way to the back to the bedroom.

  He laughed. “Johey isn’t dumb. He’s probably warning Mom that we’re getting closer.”

  “Great. The spies are everywhere.” I sighed.

  Faldar arrived with much fanfare in the castle. The royal family welcomed home their son. It was who he brought with him that made my stomach drop.

  Nemal looked at me. I shook my head. I should’ve known. Skimming their minds only made it worse. They’d become inseparable. The freedom and peace in Lazrel had spoiled them. At least, they weren’t holding hands. They needed to be careful here.

  The royal family welcomed Remmy politely, as they would any prince, but the disappointment showed on their faces.

  “He needs to go back,” Nemal whispered in my ear.

  “Tell him. Or you have to go.”

  “Me? Why?” he asked.

  “Too many Lazrel princes here. I don’t like it,” I said.

  “I bet Mother is saying the same thing,” he replied.

  I was trying to think like her. Without her wisdom and example, I felt adrift at times. Losing my mother had been horrible. Being in a foreign land showed me how much there was to learn. I could go home, but the queen wouldn’t be happy, and I’d have achieved nothing. My father was still on the loose.

  Remmy hugged his brother, and Faldar greeted us, as well. It was all proper and polite. Finally, we found that Remmy’s rooms were in our hallway and descended on him.

  “What are you doing here?” Johey demanded.

  “I couldn’t let Faldar face this alone,” Remmy said.

  “Face what?” I asked.

  “He’s not going to tell his father anything. Relax, Kimess. We know it’s not safe,” Remmy said.

  “Then, why come?” Nemal asked.

  Remmy crossed his arms. “I couldn’t be away from him. It’s real. It’s forever. I don’t care what we have to do. Lie, hide, or run away.”

  “I’m not sure Faldar is at that same place. And I still think there are too many royal princes here.” I hoped Johey would agree with me.

  “I’d go, but if I leave without your father in laser cuffs, the queen will send me back. No one cares about my title.” Johey waved dismissively.