Another hiccup and Starling knew her food wouldn’t stay where she put it. She jumped off her seat and ran for the bathroom.
Bekion said, “I guess the debate is over.”
She reached the toilet just in time. If Bekion ever fed her that nasty fruit again, she would delight in barfing all over his lap.
* * * * *
Bekion continued eating his soup as he waited for Starling to rejoin him. She hadn’t eaten much so he didn’t think she would take long. He heard no telltale sounds of her expelling the food but then he didn’t know if humans even made noises like that.
There were so many things about humans he had to learn. He lifted his wrist and tapped out a quick message to himself—a reminder to ask Vieve for a human care book. The information contained might not apply one hundred percent to Starling but it would give him a place to start.
A servant asked, “Will Lady Starling wish to finish, Sire?”
Bekion felt his smirk return. “I doubt it.”
The girl nodded and carried the bowl away.
Another servant asked, “Is everything to your liking, Sire?”
“Yes. Tell the cook no more pelbuah.”
The man nodded and walked away.
Frankly, Bekion wouldn’t miss the dish or the fruit. He found the soup too sweet for a breakfast food and the fruit was finicky, even when grown in prize soil.
He couldn’t help the chuckle that escaped his lips when he remembered Starling’s expression of dismay. She’d looked adorable. He would have to watch himself or else teasing her might become a hobby.
A small commotion in the hall preceded his chamber door being thrown open so hard it bounced against the wall. Tinette stood with anger making her eyes glitter.
“Bekion!”
“Good morning, Mother.” He stopped himself from asking about her well-being. “You rarely eat with me but you are welcome.”
Kuruk and Cavell were beside her. Behind her, Rois wore an apologetic look and Lukacht seemed amused.
“How dare you?” Tinette yelled.
Bekion’s gaze landed on Cavell. “Get out.”
Cavell looked at Tinette and then Kuruk.
The boy’s hesitation irritated Bekion more than a little bit. Cavell shouldn’t look for approval from another. The boy should obey Bekion’s words without question like all others in his kingdom.
Bekion said, “Walk out or be thrown.”
Rois gripped the boy’s shoulder.
Kuruk said, “Leave, Cavell.”
The boy pouted but left the room with Rois following close behind him.
Once the door closed, Bekion faced Tinette. “What have I done to upset you, Mother?”
She said in a raised voice, “Kuruk informed me over breakfast about your theft of his human. Return it this instant.”
“You make no sense. How can I steal anything when everything in this palace belongs to me?” He almost smiled when Tinette’s face flushed red with increased anger. His mother seemed at a loss for words.
He glanced at the bathroom. Starling hadn’t returned yet. She must have heard Tinette’s yelling and decided to hide. Or she was still sick. Either way, he wanted someone to check and ensure Kuruk wasn’t using Tinette as a distraction while Cavell secreted Starling away. Bekion should have let the boy stay, if only to keep an eye on him.
The thought was paranoid but not without merit or past experiences to draw upon. Before Bekion could voice his request, Furielle dropped a quick curtsy and went to the bathroom. He turned his attention back to Tinette and Kuruk.
Tinette said, “I will not allow this, Bekion.”
He stood. “You seem to forget you abdicated your throne and all of your power to me. It doesn’t matter what you will or will not allow. That I listen to you at all or let you interrupt my breakfast without consequence is only because you are my mother.”
Tinette’s mouth worked quickly on words she didn’t speak.
Kuruk snorted with an amused smirk then turned away, leaving the room.
No sooner had the door closed behind Kuruk, did Starling and Furielle reenter the room. Starling met Bekion’s gaze with a look of worry. He wanted to console her but Tinette was still present.
He gestured to Starling. “Have you met Starling, Mother?” He was sure Tinette had noticed his pretty pet the second she entered the room.
Tinette glared at Starling. “Give it back.”
“Her, Mother. Starling is female, not neuter.”
“That thing belongs to Kuruk.” Tinette stalked across the room. She grabbed for Starling but missed as Starling dodged back at the same time Furielle moved into Tinette’s path. “Move!”
Bekion rounded the table but didn’t intercede. “Stay where you are, Furielle. Starling, come to me.” He beckoned to her.
She ran to his side and hid behind his legs. He placed a hand on her shoulder as both a calming gesture and as assurance she was safe.
He said to Tinette, “I am sorry this circumstance has so upset you, Mother, but be assured I will never turn Starling over to Kuruk. She is a living, sentient creature. Kuruk is a spoiled, sadistic brat who would delight in killing her.” He tightened his hand on Starling’s shoulder when she shivered.
Tinette said, “That thing is human and can hardly be described as sentient. It’s a dumb animal like any other. Why not get a pet worthy of a king if you must have one and give that nasty little thing over to Kuruk? Who cares if he kills it? It’s not like its life means anything.”
Starling, speaking in her native tongue, bit out something in an angered tone. She held up her hand with the middlemost finger raised. Bekion wasn’t sure what any of it meant but Starling’s attitude translated well enough—she didn’t appreciate being insulted.
“Mother, if you have nothing else to speak about—”
“You will not dismiss me!”
“In fact, I will. Today is the conference with the Panagiota lords, after which I must prepare for tomorrow’s conference with the empire’s other monarchs. I don’t have time to quibble over a moot point. Starling is mine.”
“You were never this disrespectful when you were younger.”
He grinned at her. “I never had this much power when I was younger. Now that I do have this power and all the responsibilities that come with it, I can see why you never had time for me.” He gestured to the door.
Tinette left but not without a scathing look shot in Bekion’s direction. Bekion already knew the days ahead would be trying. Tinette hated not getting her way.
Starling said, “She was pissed. Should you have goaded her like that?”
He patted her shoulder. “Tinette can do nothing.”
“What if she tries to get her kingdom back from you?”
“She cannot. As per imperial law, once a monarch abdicates in favor of another, the transition is permanent. Even if I decide to abdicate, Tinette would not be allowed to assume the throne again.” He faced her. “What did you say to her?”
Starling looked a little embarrassed and dropped her gaze. “Don’t worry about it.”
“Worry didn’t prompt my question but curiosity. What did you say?”
She didn’t speak and didn’t act as if she would.
“I see we have reached the impasse that barred our progress yesterday. I have yet to think of a proper punishment. Perhaps I should confine you to my rooms for the day.”
“You’d be doing me a favor since that conference you mentioned would probably bore me to tears.”
“And you think staying here would be any different?”
“You’re right. It’s six of one and a half dozen of the other.”
“What is dohzen?” The word hadn’t translated. He didn’t know why he’d bothered asking. She wouldn’t answer.
“Dozen—it’s another way of saying twelve. Half of twelve is…” She looked at him expectantly.
“Six. Ah, I see. One and the same.” He knelt so he could be eye level with her. “Why explain on
e and not the other?”
“Why do you insist on asking? I don’t want to.” She turned her gaze down then stepped back.
Though he’d only known her a short time, Bekion could tell something was bothering Starling. Something other than their argument over her refusal to translate for him. He placed his hand on her shoulder. She shivered under his touch.
“Starling?”
She looked at him. Worry wrinkled her brow.
“What is it?”
“You won’t give me to him, right? You said you wouldn’t.”
“Never worry about that, Starling. I’d send you away before I would think of giving you to Kuruk.”
She stepped closer to him. “Not even as a punishment?”
“I would not submit even my worst, most hated enemy to Kuruk’s brand of care.” He smoothed the back of his hand against her cheek. “And I don’t hate you, pretty pet. Not at all.”
Bekion could almost see the anxiety slip from her body onto the floor. She relaxed and a small smile curved her lips. Her lips moved on a silent thank you.
“You’re welcome.” He straightened and would have turned away except Starling caught his hand and held it. She stared at the floor, so he thought she needed more reassurance.
“Do me a favor, Bekion.”
“If it pleases me to do so.”
Her head snapped up and she met his gaze. A low fire burned in her eyes. He knew that fire would erupt into much more. He would have another argument on his hands if he didn’t handle this with care.
She snapped, “I’m being serious.”
“As am I. I will not grant you any favor simply because you ask. However, I will hear your every request and decide upon them fairly.”
The fire in her eyes dulled and was replaced with worry and a little uncertainty.
He checked the urge to look at his arm cuff and see how much time he had left before his meeting. It wouldn’t do to make Starling think she was bothering him. Neither did he want to spend his entire day calming her fears. She seemed to have so many.
Stooping to her level once more, he asked in a soft voice, “What is it?”
Her mouth opened and closed a few times. She took a deep breath and met his gaze. “Take me with you when you leave the palace.”
“You’re worried about Kuruk trying to take you once my back is turned?”
She nodded.
“You needn’t. Nausic is a capable guard. He is one of my best.”
“Best?”
Her surprise made him chuckle. “Did you think I gave you an incompetent guard, pretty pet?”
She didn’t answer and didn’t have to. Her surprised expression gave her away.
“You may only be a pet but you are my pet. I am a very possessive man. I won’t have anyone taking or harming what’s mine.”
A muscle in his leg started complaining about his position. He straightened with a wince of pain and lifted Starling. Rather than carry her in his usual fashion, he lifted her under her arms, carried her a few steps to a chair and set her sideways across his lap with her legs between his.
“That’s better,” he said. “As I was saying, I fully intend to protect you from everyone, including my brother. I’ve given you one of my best guards for that. He is second only to Rois, whom I would have assigned to you but Nausic’s past makes him a better choice.”
“His past?”
“He has a grudge against my brother.”
“Why?”
“Ask him yourself. I merely tell you all this so you know I have your best interests at heart.” He placed her on the floor once more.
She gripped his hands before he could release her. “I don’t doubt you think Nausic is best but I would rather err on the side of caution. I don’t want to take a chance. And why put Nausic’s skills to the test needlessly? I could just go with you when you leave the palace.”
She looked at him expectantly. Bekion found he couldn’t refuse her. He hadn’t planned to but her hopeful expression would have dissolved all argument. Starling had a power of persuasion he didn’t quite understand. Perhaps it was her height and the way it gave her an air of innocence.
Whatever it was, he would have to watch himself or he might give her everything and anything without even realizing.
“Starling, I understand your worry—”
“Please, Bekion.”
“And I fully intend to take you with me when I leave the palace.”
“Promise.” She gripped his hands.
“You have my word. Where I go, you go. Not only for your safety but because you are my pet. Your place is at my side.”
Again, she sagged. Bekion stood. He was about to look at his arm cuff when Vieve breezed into the room with a tablet held out for him.
“Bekion, your conference will start in fifteen minutes and the scientists leaving for Earth’s solar system have submitted their final flight plan and schedule for your approval.”
“Yet again, you don’t knock.”
“Yet again, you’re stating the obvious.” She grinned at his look of annoyance. “Your door was open. Why should I knock when you can see perfectly well I’m there?”
“And when my door is closed?”
She shrugged. “Nothing will keep me from properly performing my duties. That is why you appointed me your secretary.”
Bekion bit back his next comment about replacing her. It was a flat-out lie. He could never replace Vieve. There was no one he trusted enough. What’s more, the annoying woman knew that. He snatched the tablet out of her hands and looked at it.
The report before him was a formality. So long as the expedition vessel stayed the required distance from Earth, he couldn’t care less what they were doing or how long they were gone. Despite his apathetic attitude, he read over the itinerary with a critical eye for any inconsistencies.
“Bekion?” Starling said in a small voice.
He looked away from the tablet to her. She sounded worried again. How much worry could such a small body hold? He was right to think she would have him comforting her for the rest of the day if he allowed it.
This was the last time. As Vieve had already said, he only had a few minutes before his meeting. “Yes, Starling?”
“That expedition to Earth—”
Vieve said, “Earth’s solar system, not Earth itself.”
Starling nodded. “Earth’s solar system. I—”
“You cannot go.” Bekion returned his gaze to the tablet once more. That went quicker than he’d thought it would. “I’ve said returning you to Earth is an impossibility. Even if Gorov law allowed it, the expedition vessel cannot get that close.”
“That’s not what I was going to ask,” she snapped.
Her annoyance surprised him enough that he stopped splitting his attention between her and the tablet and looked only at her.
She took a breath then said, “I was hoping… I mean… If I wrote a letter, would they be able to somehow send it to Earth?”
“A letter to whom?”
“My parents. I don’t know how long I’ve been gone but I know they have to be worried about me.” She clenched her fists at her side. “I could tell them I’m okay and not to worry.”
“And how would you explain not being able to see them ever again? How would you explain having no way for them to contact you and not knowing when you would be able to contact them again? Where would you tell them you are?”
“I don’t know.” A single tear slid down her cheek. “I don’t know. But even something, anything would make me feel better. I would know my parents aren’t worrying needlessly.”
Vieve placed a hand on Starling’s shoulder. “You have to know such a vague letter will worry them more.”
The hurt expression Starling turned to Vieve made Bekion want to grant her wish to alleviate her pain, if only a little. It would be a false positive. While he respected her right to grieve and knew she needed time to come to terms with her loss, giving in to every whim to keep contact
with home would cause her more pain.
He looked down at the tablet once more but the words meant nothing to him. Rather than sign and hope it had nothing suspect, he would put it off until a time when he could concentrate. First he had to deal with Starling.
He said, “While I would like to grant your wish, Starling, I cannot.”
Tears glistened in her pleading eyes. “Why not? It’s just a letter.”
“I have two reasons.” He held up one finger. “First, denying you the ability to send this letter strikes me as the perfect punishment.”
Starling’s eyes widened until Bekion thought they might fall out of her head. She huffed a few times and then went off on a long, loud rant in her mother tongue.
Vieve said, “Bekion, five minutes.”
He nodded. There was no hurry. If he were attending the meeting of the monarchs, which was tomorrow, etiquette dictated he be there early to await Supreme Emperor Udo’s arrival. In a meeting with Panagiota’s lords, they waited for him.
Starling stopped when she ran out of breath. He watched her in silence for a moment. “Are you finished?”
She snapped one last thing then stalked toward the bedroom.
“Second,” he called after her.
She stopped but didn’t look at him.
“I cannot allow it when I cannot understand it. Your language and how it is written are unknown to me. Allowing such a correspondence would be reckless.”
“You don’t know how to quit, do you?” She swung back and faced him. “Fine! I’ll translate it for you.”
“And I should trust your translation when you’ve been so reluctant until now?”
Vieve said over Starling’s next words, “Might I make a suggestion that would hurry this along so Bekion can arrive on time for his meeting rather than late?”
Bekion waved her to proceed.
Starling crossed her arms but said nothing.
Vieve said, “The translation project would solve all problems. Starling could input her language into the database. Once finished, you could understand her letter and allow her to send it in good conscience.” She glanced at Starling then back at Bekion. “That is, if she is off punishment by then.”
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