by Dakota Trace
“Quit struggling, boy!”
“Then how in the name of Mica do you expect me to free myself?”
“If you calm down, I can help you. It takes intense concentration but I can
focus your power without Gracie’s amulet to aid you.”
“What do you mean, without Gracie’s amulet?”
“I’m sorry, boy, but that son of a bitch took it off you while you were
unconscious. We’ll get it back even if we have to pry it out of his dead fingers.”
A cold fury like he’d never known washed over him. “That bastard dared to take the sign of my bond with my chosen? Death is going to be the least of his worries.”
Suddenly he was released as the ropes separated.
“That was fast.”
“I didn’t do that, boy.”
"Just wanted to give you a chance at survival. Did I mention, Prince Randall, that you have absolutely no magic on Earth without your amulet?" Aric’s voice filled the cabin once more.
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"No. You better pray I don’t get a hold of you, Aric." Rand sprang from the seat after shaking the coils of his restraints off.
“Your wife has a very powerful amulet, Rand. Imagine the amount of things I can accomplish with it. My crown is a certainty now.”
"As my wife would say, don’t go counting your chickens just yet, Aric. That amulet is mine and I will be getting it back." Rand started pushing the buttons on the console only to realize Aric had locked the controls from the mother ship.
* * * *
A bead of sweat slid down the side of Gracie’s face. The amount of energy she was trying to fine-tune was massive. In her role as the monitor of the spell, she had to control the flux of energy which was flowing from Mica and Jonathan and then combine it with a portion of hers to delicately peel back the complex layers of the erasure spell wrapped around Harold’s memories. “You’re doing wonderful, Sweetheart. Rand would be proud of you if he were
here.”
“Yeah right, if Rand were here, I wouldn’t be doing this. I’d be a mere observer if I were even allowed to be present.”
“Steady, daughter. You’ve almost got it.” Mica’s voice was calm despite the power he was sending through Gracie.
Standing in front of Harold with her hands on his temples, she was very aware of the weight of Mica’s hand on her right shoulder and Jonathan’s hand on her left. Across the room, guarding the door were Colin and Pati. The awe on her sister’s face would’ve shocked Gracie, who’d for years taken her power for granted. She’d once told Pati, “I’ve 235
got power. So what? Big deal! I’d much rather be able to kick the bad guys’ ass than stand around weaving spells.” Soon after that, Pati had taken her twin sister under her wing and began to secretly train her sister in the mysterious art of the Vindexicis Warrior.
A soft whimper escaped Harold when Gracie approached the final layer of the spell.
Sending soothing thoughts to the man, she continued to massage the unyielding layer with steady but delicate finesse. A sigh of relief escaped her as the final layer dissolved and the spell was no more. After a careful inspection to assure herself nothing was missed and Harold’s mind was in one piece, she slipped out of his. She would’ve fallen to her knees if Jonathan and Mica hadn’t been there to catch her.
“You did a wonderful job, Sweetheart.”
“Just don’t let Rand or Ruzac know about it.”
Mica and Jonathan guided her to a nearby chair. Harold stood up and followed.
“Thank you, Your Highness.” The stiff formality of his response had her jerking with surprise.
“Don’t make me kick your ass, Harold. No matter what title I carry, I’m always going to be your friend.”
Staring down at her, he seemed to waver for a moment before coming to a decision.
“I think at this time, it’d be for the best if I rely on the formality of your title.”
“That’s nonsense!”
“Nonetheless, it’s my decision.”
“But…-“
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“Let it go, Gracie. Leave the man some pride. He’s just realized what a fool
he’s been. I’m sure he feels like he’s forced himself on you even though it was
your sister he held all along. If a little formality will ease him, let it be.”
“If you feel that’s what you need, Harold, I’ll respect your wishes but hope to one day to hear you call me Gracie again.”
* * * *
Rand cursed as the jar of his ejection pod hitting the ground knocked him out of the captain’s chair. Despite the separation from his chosen, he felt the familiar excitement he always got when he first stepped on a planet which wasn’t his own. Not to mention he’d always planned to bring Gracie to her mother's native planet. “And we still can. After we make it back to Venus and kick Aric’s ass.”
Opening the ejection pod's escape hatch, he crawled out and slowly stood.
Surveying his surroundings, he realized he was in the middle of a field. Turning around
,he realized he could only see the same tall plants in every direction he turned. He could see just see above them.
“What in the name of Mica are we standing in? I’ve never seen plants this
high! Are they poisonous?”
“Relax, Ruzac. If my memory serves me right, this is what Olivia called a sweet corn field. The plants are supposed to grow very tall. She said she ‘de..hassled’…or something like that when she was a child. It’s supposed to be very sweet and melt in your mouth. It’s eaten with lots of butter.”
“Are you sure? I could really use a good battle. Can’t we knock down a few of
them to be sure?”
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Rand couldn’t help but laugh at the plaintive tone of his sentient power.
“No, Ruzac. This is someone’s livelihood and we’re not going to destroy any more than we already have.”
“Well then what about that huge beast headed our way?”
Spinning around, Rand swallowed at the horror of the approaching beast. It was dark green and had rotating. Staring for a moment, he realized there was a person inside it.
“Ruzac, that’s no beast. It looks like some kind of machinery.”
“Aw come on, boy. It has all those teeth. Surely these people won’t be upset
with us dispatching this beast.”
“Knock it off, Ruzac. You’ll get your vengeance soon enough. We’re not going to terrorize these people because you want to kick someone’s ass.”
“What the hell are you doing in the middle of a corn field, you idiot? Don’t you realize it’s a good way to get killed? Especially during harvest time!” The dark haired woman had killed the machine while he’d been arguing with Ruzac. Standing with her hands on her hips, she stared at the ejection pod. “Wonderful! Gramps is going to have a fit when he sees the mess you made!”
“My humblest apologies, Mistress. I fear I had no choice in where she landed.”
Climbing down from the machine, she stomped over to him. Stopping in front of him, she poked him in the chest. “You need to get this mess cleaned up before my gramps comes back from his trip.”
“Trip?” He arched his eyebrow at the woman who stood nearly a foot shorter than his six foot eight height.
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“Yes he went to the National Farmer’s Convention. So are you going to clean this mess up?”
“I’d be delighted to if you could explain how you expect me to do this. Allow me to introduce myself. My name is High Prince Randall de Carthwright of Venus.”
She smirked at him. “Yeah right, and I’m the Queen of Sheba .”
“Then you’ll understand how sometimes it isn’t important how something happened but why.”
She threw her hands in the air and headed back to the machine.
Climbing back up in the combine, Katrina Littlebird was more than tempted to run the exotic looking stranger over. He
’d made a mess out of her Gramp’s field and at the worst possible time. It was the middle of harvest and she didn’t need this catastrophe.
How in hell did I get myself volunteered for this madness? For God’s sake I’m an accountant.
“Excuse me, Queen Sheba. I really could use some help. I don’t know where I’m at and I need to get back home.”
She groaned and was tempted to beat her head on the ladder of the combine.
“I’m not the queen of anything, Mr. de Carthwright. I’m an accountant.” Grinding her teeth in frustration, she turned back to face him.
“Ah this is a very prestigious job too. Keeping track of durlacs is very important.”
Looking at him with a blank look, she couldn’t help herself. “What planet are you from, dude?”
“I told you. I’m the High Prince of Venus.”
“You were serious?”
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“Of course. I wouldn’t lie about something as important as that.”
Sinking down onto the ladder, she cradled her head in her hands. “Just freakin’
wonderful, Kat. You’ve got an alien stranded in your grandfather’s field. A royal alien no less. And the damn corn still needs harvesting.”
Rand watched the woman mumble to herself.
“Are you speaking to your sentient power?”
The woman paled. “Sentient power? Are you crazy? People go to jail for less around here!”
“What is this strange place I’ve landed, Mistress.”
“Iowa. You’ve landed on a farm just outside of Springville, which is in Eastern Iowa and one of the many states in the United States which have laws against anything magic. So if you’ve powers, Mr. de Carthwright, I wouldn’t go flaunting them.”
“And why’s that, Mistress….”
“My name is Katrina Littlebird. Call me Kat and lets just say I know from bitter experience the outcome of using magic around here.”
“Well, Mistress Kat, I’m pleased to meet you and happy for the information. Do you think you could help me find transportation off this planet?”
“I’ve got to be outta my mind, but yes I’ll help you.”
A huge smile split his face.
“But first you have to help me clean up this mess you made. High Crown Prince or not, I won’t put my ass in a sling for anyone. If my grandfather finds this mess, I’ll run for the hills before I step between him and you.”
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“Of course, Mistress Kat. I’d expect no other. I don’t run from my responsibilities nor will I allow a woman to protect me. I hid behind no woman’s skirts. Women are to be cherished and protected above all else.”
Kat smirked at him. “A bit outdated aren’t you, Conan? This is the twenty second century. Woman are equals here. Men don’t protect us anymore.”
“This is sad that you’ve no man to provide and care for you, Mistress Kat.”
“Cut the mistress crap. Kat will do fine and I don’t need any protecting, I can take care of myself.”
“I can see why you aren’t married.”
Kat laughed. “Marriage isn’t everything, Prince Randall. Tell me, do you have a nice little obedient wife waiting at home for you?”
“If anyone knew Gracie, the last thing they say is that she’s obedient.”
“Good for her. She must be my kind of woman.”
* * * *
Once the spell was removed and Gracie had recovered, the story spilled out of Harold. The call he’d received on Earth, the meeting with Mr. Sorin to his meeting with Deanna and Charlie to the subsequent capture of Pati in the Royal Gardens, and his discovery of the Raz-ice they’d been giving her before they’d started the aphrodisiac injections. “That does it! Colin, send out Scrolls of Presentation summoning them to the High Council for both Prince Charles and Princess Deanna of Areseric. I’m going to get to the bottom of this. I’m sure one of them knows the identity of Mr. Sorin along with my son’s whereabouts.”
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“Of course, Mica. They’ll be transmitted within the hour.” Colin left with a flourish.
“Thank you, Harold. I know this had to be difficult for you. But rest assured you were no more than a pawn in the scheme of things. No charges will be pressed against you.”
“Thank you, Princess Grace. I think if you’re done here with me, I’ll leave and return home to Earth.”
“I’m sorry, Harold but I’m going to need you to stay and appear before the High Council. We’ll need your testimony against Deanna and Charles.” Even though the words pained Mica, he knew until he had concrete proof of Charles’ lack of involvement, he needed to treat him as another possible traitor to the Crown.
“Of course, Your Royal Highness.” Harold bowed before leaving the room.
“You can’t mean to think Charles is involved with this, Uncle Mica. He’d be a full fledged Vindexicis Warrior if Master Iason hadn’t chosen to leave Venus with his exiled daughter.”
Jonathan’s objection did not surprise Mica.
“I realize this but love is a funny thing, Jonathan. It can make the most sane and honorable of men commit deeds they’d never dream of to simply satisfy the one they love.”
“Not a Vindexicis Warrior! Honor is everything to them.”
Mica stopped and looked at his nephew, who had Pati draped over his lap. “Tell me, nephew, if simply ignoring an unlocked door in the High Palace would give you the cure for Pati’s addiction, would you be able to resist?”
Jonathan grew silent. “I don’t know.”
“Exactly.” The king turned on his heel and left the grand hall.
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Chapter Fourteen
Entering the chambers where the High Council of Venus was held, Gracie was going to slip into one of the seats at the rear as she always had when she’d come to watch her father or King Mica. Just before her bottom brushed the seat, King Mica’s voice echoed over the room.
“Princess Gracie!”
Her head flew up to find him frowning at her. “Yes, Your Majesty?”
“I do believe your place is here.” Watching as he gestured to the empty seat to his right, she flushed before walking sedately towards the front of the room. Passing the table where Prince Charles and Princess Deanna of Areseric sat, she couldn’t help but feel for the Prince. “He’s totally unaware of why he’s here. This is going to be a harsh blow to his pride.”
“It’ll work, Sweetheart. He’s innocent and perhaps one day will find his true
chosen, one who won’t abuse her bond with him.”
“I hope so.”
Sitting down next to the King, she settled back as the proceedings began.
“Prince Charles and Princess Deanna, thank you for answering the Scrolls of Presentation. I assure you no disrespect is meant, but as the High King of Venus, I must listen to allegations of treason. You’ve both been accused of the Articles of Treason against the High Crown. How say you, in regards to these allegations?”
Deanna bristled. “Who dares to accuse me of treason?”
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Charles placed a hand on Deanna’s shoulder. “Enough, Deanna.” Turning his attention back to Mica, he stood. “I swear upon my honor I’ve played no part in treason towards the High Crown, King Mica.”
Mica nodded. “I suspected you’d say as much. We have reason to believe you may’ve had a memory erasure spell placed upon you, Charles. Myself, Jonathan and Princess Gracie would like to check to see if the same erasure spell is present in your mind.”
“No!” Deanna surged to her feet. “As my right as his chosen, I refuse to let you tamper with his mind and as common law states, no wizard or witch may come between chosens.” Her smile was smug.
Mica drummed his fingers on the table in front of him. A tight smile pasted to his face, he contemplated her. “You dare refuse?”
“Relax, Deanna. We’ve nothing to hide.” Charles was quick to assure his wife.
“When would you like to determine this?”
<
br /> “Tomorrow morning, I’d like you and you alone to return to this chamber. At that time, we shall perform a small examination of your mind and then, if there is an erasure spell present, we shall remove it. Agreed?”
“Of course, your Majesty.” Tucking Deanna’s hand in the crock of his arm, he moved to escort his wife from the chamber.
“One more thing, Charles.”
Charles and Deanna stopped and Charles looked over his shoulder at Mica.
“Yes?”
“Pray that we find the spell present, son, because I’d hate to have to banish you.”
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* * * *
Gracie entered the dining hall later that evening, only to find it deserted except for a smug Deanna. Her eyes lingered on the amulet resting on Gracie’s bosom.
“It seems to me the Princess isn’t as committed to her bonding as she’d like everyone to believe. Oh that’s right, the Princess didn’t want to be a princess, did she?”
Joining Gracie at the buffet of food set out for the Royal Family and their guests, Deanna smirked at her.
Gracie smiled coolly. “But I am Rand’s wife now, for ‘better or worse’ and dealing with you is something I would definitely consider ‘worse’.”
“You’re nothing but a little half-breed Earth girl who aspired above her station!”
“Tell me what you really think, Deanna. It’s so enlightening.” Gracie grabbed a plate and began to fill it with her favorites.
A shriek of rage sounded behind her and Deanna attacked. A shove in the center of her back sent Gracie into the buffet table. Righting herself, she counted to ten under her breath. Without even thinking, she strengthened her personal shields.
“I’m not going to get into a physical altercation with Deanna. I’m not!”
“I don’t think she’s going to give you a choice.”
“For the love of Mica, Zara, we’re not kids. We’re grown adults.”
“Somehow I think someone forgot to tell her she’s supposed to act like one.”
She turned around and faced Deanna.