by Terry Mixon
She held out her hand. “I was worried I misremembered the date. Where are your other guests?”
“My apologies. I thought you understood it was only the two of us.”
Looking back, she didn’t think he’d ever said one way or the other. She’d made an assumption. This was a little disconcerting. Not because she worried about being alone with the man. Even discounting her guards, she could handle herself just fine.
“This is all suitably mysterious,” she said as she allowed him to escort her inside. “I’m thinking you want to do more than small talk.”
He nodded. “We can adjourn to my parlor. There’s plenty of room for the guards, though I want to discuss a personal matter that requires some discretion. We can eat beforehand, if you’re hungry. That might be best, honestly. You might not be in the mood to dine when we’re done.”
“That doesn’t sound at all promising. I say we just trot it out and get it over with. If I feel like eating when we’re done, we will. If not, I can storm out in a huff with a sandwich.”
His parlor was old and filled with family history, she saw. Old paintings and far too many knick-knacks to count. It seemed like a very comfortable space.
There were two chairs waiting for them near the fireplace. It wasn’t cold out, but someone had laid a small fire. A decanter of amber liquid and some glasses sat on a small table between the chairs.
Breckenridge saw her to her seat and poured them both a drink. She sipped hers as he sat. She preferred beer, much to her father’s horror, but could recognize the quality of excellent scotch when she tasted it.
“Shall we dance around the meat of the matter for a while or do you just want to trot it out, Senator?”
He smiled. “I think I like the new you better than the old one. Not that I had any problem with you before, Highness. You’ve got spine now, though.”
Breckenridge sipped his drink. “Though I will admit that doesn’t make what I need to say any easier.”
She racked her brain, but couldn’t come up with any clue what had the man worked up. He’d recovered from his injuries from when he’d helped rescue the emperor and had firmly advocated for her to become the heir, even though she hadn’t really cared one way or the other.
“You might as well tell me, Senator. I have no idea what has you in an uproar.” She looked over at her guards. “This sounds personal, so I’d like you to wait outside. Also, please turn off your enhanced hearing.”
They weren’t happy, but they left as instructed. His guards followed them out and closed the door softly.
Breckenridge set his glass on the table. “I know you’ve read the report on the rescue mission to save your father, but there were certain details that were left out at my request. I felt that I needed to say them face-to-face. Such as the fact that I provided access to the Imperial escape tunnel.”
She frowned. “I looked it over. It was biometrically keyed.”
“Indeed it was, but I had access at one time and was never removed from the approved list. I’m sorry to have put this so baldly, but I don’t think dancing around it will make any of this easier. I was the empress’s paramour.”
Kelsey opened her mouth to say something and then closed it again. The news shocked and dumbfounded her, so she was better off saying nothing until she knew what she wanted to say.
After a moment, she started again. “I should be surprised—and I suppose I am—but I already knew my mother had betrayed her vows. I’m disappointed to hear you helped her do it, Senator.”
He nodded. “It was a long time ago, but I should’ve exercised better judgement. I intend to make a similar confession to His Majesty, but I felt I needed to explain myself to you first.”
“I don’t see the logic in that,” she said. “Your apology to him makes a lot more sense than one to me. I’m not affected by—”
Her thoughts screeched to an abrupt halt. If he felt as though his dalliance with her mother was important to Kelsey, that had to mean…
He nodded. “I can see you’ve figured it out. I didn’t even suspect until you’d come back. The times match up too close to dismiss. I spoke with Crown Princess Elise and she had me consult with Doctor Stone. I set up this meeting as soon as I was sure. This is a terrible way to break the news, but I can’t think of a better one. Biologically, I’m your father.”
* * * * *
Jared walked into his father’s quarters without a guard at his heel for the first time. He had no doubt they were deeply unhappy with that, but the emperor had been firm on that point.
Over the last month, he’d seen his father more times than he had since he’d discovered his heritage. It made him uncomfortable at first—even more so than before—but the man had just lost his son. The same son that had betrayed and almost killed him.
Jared supposed that might’ve played into the Imperial Guard wanting to keep an eye on him. Honestly, he couldn’t blame them. The emperor had come very close to dying.
A week ago, the older man had undergone the implant procedure. Doctor Stone said he’d come through perfectly. The Imperial Guard was doing the same, no doubt hoping that helped them keep a better eye on their charge.
Jared found Karl Bandar standing beside the massive carving that Master Vestor of Pentagar had given to the people of the New Terran Empire. The incredibly detailed carving hung on the wall in the emperor’s quarters for now. In a few weeks, it would go to the Imperial Gallery so that the people on Avalon could enjoy it as well. Then it would tour the Empire.
The emperor had a magnifier out and was closely examining a particular section. He glanced over as Jared cleared his throat.
“It’s simply astounding,” the older man said. “I cannot imagine the level of dedication and skill required to carve such detailed work by hand. Have you looked closely at the way he used the grain of the wood to his advantage?”
“It is unbelievable,” Jared agreed. “And such a large piece. The amount of time it took is staggering.”
The emperor put the magnifier down and walked over to Jared. “I’ve sent him an invitation to come here. I do hope he accepts. I want to meet the man who can create such beauty.”
His father gestured to the same chairs the two of them had used before Jared left on his original mission. “Join me.”
Jared sat, more than a little discomfited to have the emperor pouring them drinks. “How are you adapting to the implants?” he asked, to cover his own awkwardness.
The emperor handed him one of the glasses and beamed. “They’re just as wonderful as you and Kelsey had said. It’s only been a week, but I can hardly imagine how I got along without them. Even though I’m not using them anywhere close to their potential, I’m sure. For that, you’ll have to find a teenager.”
That made Jared laugh. “Too true. Kids always seem to know how to push technology far past where those of us just getting it can imagine. The first class of midshipmen that have had them since their teens are going to be an eye-opening experience, I’m sure.”
“More like terrifying, I’d imagine. This technology will change the Empire in ways we can’t begin to imagine.”
The older man sipped his whiskey. “Jared, I want to thank you for your support during this very difficult time. I understand you never liked Ethan, but what he became wasn’t truly him. Not the boy I raised. This has been hard.”
Jared nodded. “My support has nothing to do with Ethan, frankly. I care about you and Kelsey.”
“Nevertheless, I appreciate what you’ve done. This has been very difficult for Kelsey. More so than for me, I suspect. She’s the one that allowed Ethan to make that one final, fatal mistake. It eats at her, but she won’t talk with me about it. I hope she opens up to Talbot or you. That kind of thing can fester.”
“She hasn’t really talked to me, but I know she’s getting counseling. Doctor Stone is also her confidant. She’s talking to Talbot, too, I’d imagine. He’s not the kind of man that lets someone sit on their butt feeling sor
ry for themselves without making some noise.”
“He’s good for her,” the emperor said. “I’d never have envisioned that match, but it’s a good one. He’s smart and determined. I think he’ll make an excellent prince consort.”
Jared smiled. “Oh, I can’t imagine he’ll like the sound of that. Just being Sir Russel gives him hives.”
“If it’s any consolation, he pitched a fit when I told him and demanded the Imperial herald enter his title as Sir Talbot.”
That make Jared sputter in the middle of a sip. “I’d say you were yanking my chain, but I know him. Did you do it?”
“Of course I did. The man is an iconoclast. His very personality demanded that I do so. It also suitably distracted him from the fact that I was covertly making him more acceptable to the Senate as the prince consort. Knighthood is not a lofty title, but it technically makes him a member of the Imperial aristocracy. Which brings me to you.”
Jared froze, his glass almost to his lips. “Me?”
“Indeed,” the emperor said with a slight smile. “I’ve made a decision you’re going to hate as much as Talbot did, but it’s for your own good. And the Empire’s, too, of course.
“You might never be comfortable with the idea, but you are as much my son as Kelsey is my daughter. Blood never entered into my thinking, so the fact you are biologically mine and she isn’t doesn’t matter one bit to me. Still, the blood of emperors flows in your veins and the Empire is in sore need of icons like yourself.”
“My heart is filled with dread. Majesty, I am no icon.”
The other man’s smile widened. “I suppose I did turn this into an emperor/liegeman moment. I hadn’t intended this to be an ambush, but I’ll just keep rolling.
“Have you considered everything that you did? Imagine if you will, that someone else had led the mission and done those heroic deeds. Have you read any of the Norse Sagas? Epic is not an understatement for what you’ve accomplished. As the story gets out, the people of the Empire will see you as an epic hero and nothing you can do will change that.”
Jared carefully set his glass down. “I can see that, but I’m not sure I like where you’re going with this.”
“I’m not surprised. You’re just as pigheaded as Talbot, in your own quiet way. And as blind. Do you love Elise?”
The question took him by surprise. “Of course I do.”
“Do you see yourself marrying her one day? Raising a family?”
“I’d like to think so. Did she have something to do with this?”
Crown Princess Elise Orison of the Kingdom of Pentagar was one of the most politically savvy people Jared knew, and wickedly subtle in moving behind the scenes. Much more so than he was.
The emperor made an ambivalent gesture with his hand. “Perhaps, in a roundabout way. If you’re asking if we talked about what I’m going to do, the answer is no. Still, she’s an incredible manipulator—and I mean that with the deepest of respect—so I suppose it’s possible that she helped chart my thinking on the matter.
“She’s going to rule her people one day, and even though you’re a national hero there, that might make a marriage to you more difficult. Knowing her, she’ll run roughshod over anyone who objects, but wouldn’t you like to make her life a little easier?”
“Now who’s manipulating?” Jared asked. “What exactly do you have in mind? A knighthood like Talbot’s? I suppose I can accept that. It’s not as though others haven’t done so.”
The people that had done the most during the mission had all received knighthoods, and he considered the honor well earned. He’d seen his promotion to admiral as a similar reward, but if becoming a knight made Elise’s life a little easier, he wouldn’t fight very hard.
The emperor nodded. “Always the humble man. It suits you, Jared. No, I have something a tad loftier in mind. I’ve been doing some research in the library that you brought back. Courageous was well stocked with electronic texts, but the list of titles that Coordinator West collected is breathtaking.
“For example, there’s a fascinating text on the history of the Imperial line. It contains so much that we never knew. For example, our ancestor Empress Christa the First. She succeeded her father, Emperor Justin, after he died in an unfortunate mountain climbing accident. You really should read all about it. It’s fascinating.”
Jared felt his eyes narrow at the man’s light tone. If the emperor had been one of his subordinates, he’s have told the man to trot the full story out. As it was, he had no choice but to allow him to proceed at his own speed.
The emperor took another sip of his whiskey, slowly and obviously savoring it. “What makes the story relevant is that Emperor Justin was a little free with his affection and also had a son out of wedlock. One that he fully acknowledged.
“Empress Christa and the young man knew each other growing up and she decided a more formal recognition was called for when she assumed the Throne.”
He smiled at Jared. “To bring an already long story to a close, she approached the Senate about creating a new position in the peerage. One I had no idea existed, or I’d have taken this step long ago.”
Jared’s stomach felt as if he’d fallen off a cliff. “What position?”
“One reserved solely for those of Imperial birth that are not in the line of succession. Tomorrow morning, I’ll hold a surprise ceremony officially elevating you to your new position. Well, both of them, actually.
“I’d also decided that some of you needed more recognition that you’ve already gotten. Doctor Stone, for example. I’m making her Countess of Hawk’s Mount. It’s a beautiful rural estate that I’m creating from the Imperial lands on the world you grew up on.”
Jared nodded. “I’ve seen the mountains. I think she’ll like that.”
“It comes with a large stipend and I’m going to build the seat of her estate out of the Crown Purse. It only seems fair when she so cleverly saved my life.
“I’m also posthumously making Timothy Reese a count. He has no family, so the title won’t carry on to his blood, which is so unfortunate, but I have a plan. I’ll make Talbot his heir. He needed time to adjust to just being a knight.”
Jared snorted. “I hope you have a five second delay on any transmissions. He’s going to cuss a blue streak.”
The emperor laughed and then inclined his head. “Which brings us to you, Jared. I’m making you Duke of East Bay.”
Jared blinked. East Bay was also on his home world of Xander. It was the temperate continent in the southern hemisphere where his mother lived, and where Hawk’s Mount was.
“I’d imagine Duke Matterson won’t be happy about that,” was all Jared could think to say.
“Actually, he’s thrilled. The population on Xander has grown to the point that he was already in discussions with me about doing exactly this. He’ll retain his title, of course, and will assume the duties of Imperial governor there. He’ll still be running everything, but will help create a staff to rule in your place while you’re serving in Fleet.”
Jared took a deeper sip of his whiskey and poured himself an unprecedented second drink. A big one.
“I should decline, but I suspect you’ll just roll over me if I try.”
“That’s very perceptive of you. The Empire needs this, and so do you.”
He sighed. “I could argue the point, but I know when I’ve lost a fight. Well, I suppose that will make me acceptable to even the fussiest Pentagaran.”
“If it doesn’t, I’m sure the second appointment will.”
Jared frowned. “Wait. I thought that was it. Empress Crista made him a duke.”
“Actually, she didn’t.” Emperor Karl Bandar smiled wolfishly. “She made him a prince of the blood. Welcome to the peerage, Highness.”
Chapter Four
One of the things that Zia liked about Audacious was that she was as big as a superdreadnought. She needed to be just to have the space for three squadrons of fighters and a flight deck.
Since h
er steward had parked the new officer—Commander Brandon Levy—in her day cabin as instructed, that meant she could drop by the flag bridge and see what the hell was really going on.
Her primary office sat directly off the flag bridge, which she also used to control the ship. At some point, she really needed to separate the functions, but she was both the commander of this ship and the carrier group. Combining the functions allowed her to keep an eye on the fighters and the ship simultaneously.
Commander Danny Leonidas was already rising from the command chair as she exited the lift. “Captain, we have an unannounced visitor. He’s in your day cabin.”
She smiled at him. Admiral Mertz had bumped Danny up from lieutenant, just like her. He’d served on the heavy cruiser Spear, but she couldn’t hold it against such a dedicated officer. Wallace Breckenridge hadn’t tainted everyone.
“I know. Step into my office for a minute, Danny.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
Once he was inside her spacious office, she gestured toward the more comfortable seats to the left of the desk. “Let’s take a load off.”
He sat, but his expression turned a bit wary. “This is beginning to sound ominous.”
“As if we’ve never just had a casual chat right here. Though I will admit that I know something you don’t. The Admiralty sent me word yesterday that you were getting your own command. I don’t even have the orders yet, so I didn’t expect your replacement for another week.”
Danny leaned back in his chair, his eyes wide. “My own command? I was a junior helm officer just a few months ago. I’m not ready for that.”
“I respectfully disagree. Yes, you do need more seasoning, but who among us doesn’t. We’re all going to miss you, but the light cruiser Lightning will be happy to have a man like you in the center seat.”
The other officer shook his head as though clearing it. “This is all so unexpected. So, the new guy is my replacement?”
“Supposedly. I haven’t seen his orders, either. We crossed paths in the hangar bay, but he didn’t know who I was. His reaction to the fighters taking precedence over his cutter concerns me. There was a bit of attempted intimidation, too.”