Too Close to the Sun (The Sun 1)

by Popp, Robin T.

  He sighed and she seemed to take that as agreement to her terms. She turned to Yanur. “My mother is very sick. I don’t know what’s wrong with her. You seem to know a lot about medicine, plus you’ve got that gizmo. I was wondering, maybe, if you would take a look at her?”

  “Of course.” Yanur said.

  “Thank you.” She gave Nicoli a cold look before walking toward the door. “I’ll wait for you outside.”

  Nicoli didn’t make any attempt to follow her. “Don’t wander off,” he ordered before the door slammed shut after her.

  The two men stared at the closed door for a moment before either one of them spoke.

  “So it’s true. You married her according to your ways?” Yanur finally asked.

  “Yes.”

  There was a thoughtful pause. “Althusians mate for life, don’t they?”

  “Yes.”

  “So logically, it stands to follow that they don’t believe in divorce.”

  “That’s true,” Nicoli agreed.

  Nicoli felt the older man’s eyes on him. “Are you planning to be the first Althusian to pioneer the dissolution of marriage bonds? I hope you realize it might jeopardize your planetary hero status.”

  Nicoli shot his friend a you-should-know-better look, then went to sit on the edge of the bed. An overwhelming tiredness threatened to envelop him and he rubbed his face as if he could wipe away the fatigue. “You know I never meant to marry. My lifestyle is filled with too many dangers and uncertainties. Plus, Angel has this idyllic notion about love and marriage.” He shook his head, as if there were no point in trying to argue against such naiveté.

  “What are you going to do?”

  “When we get to Earth, I’ll utter some official sounding words and then tell her she’s free to leave. When she finds someone else to marry, I won’t press my claim.”

  “What about you? Will you remarry?”

  “I will not dishonor the vows I took.”

  “Then why let her?”

  “It is my duty, and my pleasure, to see to her happiness. If giving her this divorce makes her happy, so be it.”

  “What about your happiness?” Yanur asked softly.

  Nicoli smiled. It was meant to be reassuring, but he knew Yanur would not be fooled by it. “Go see to the mother.”

  Chapter 19

  Ashen in color, malnourished and thin, the woman on the bed was still the most beautiful woman Yanur had ever seen. It was clear to him now where Angel inherited her stunning good looks. And though he had originally taken on the task of nursing her back to health as a favor to Angel, the task became personal the moment he set eyes on her.

  He walked over to the bed to take a closer look. The woman was asleep, lying with eyes closed, her chest rising and falling in a steady pattern. She seemed perfectly at peace, except for an occasional whimper. Yanur took the triage unit out of his black bag and scanned her from head to toe.

  “Well?” Angel asked, standing patiently off to the side.

  Yanur leaned closer to his patient to make sure she was sleeping before he answered. “There is substantial damage to the internal organs. They are being eaten by disease.” With a sudden pain to his heart, Yanur realized that if he couldn’t stop the progress of the disease, she would die soon.

  He set the triage unit down on the bedside table, then returned to his bag to remove the cellular Reparator. When he turned back to his patient, quiet violet-colored eyes watched him.

  “Don’t be alarmed,” he hurried to reassure her, although she didn’t seem distressed by his presence. “I won’t hurt you.”

  “I know.” Her voice was barely above a whisper. “Am I dead?”

  Her question made him smile. “No.”

  “But I am dying.” Her eyes fluttered closed as she slipped into sleep again.

  “Not if I can help it.” He turned on the Reparator and, starting at her head, slowly ran the wand down the entire length of her body, periodically checking the instrument’s battery gauge. He’d made one full sweep when the Reparator’s humming stopped. The crystals were drained. Placing it back in his bag, he used the triage unit to double-check his work.

  “Yanur?” Angel’s quiet voice came to him.

  “I’ve stopped the deterioration for now. But doing so drained the crystals. I’ll need to replace them before continuing the treatment.” He put the triage unit in his bag and closed it. He started to leave, but Angel’s hand on his arm stopped him.

  “I’ll go get the crystals. I know where I can find some and even though I’m a woman, I’m still the High Counsel’s granddaughter. I won’t have any problems.” Angel headed for the door, but she paused before opening it. When she turned to him, there was an uncertainty in her eyes. “Will you stay with her?”

  “Of course. But be careful. Alex would never forgive either one of us if you got hurt.”

  After she left, he turned back to the bed. Once again, he was awed by the woman’s pale beauty. Almost afraid to touch such a vision, he laid his hand across her forehead, checking for residual signs of fever. Her head felt cool to his touch.

  About to step back, Yanur saw her eyes open.

  “You’re awake again.” He smiled. “How are you feeling?”

  “Better, thank you.” Her voice grew a little stronger. “What did you do?”

  “I’ve stopped the progression of the disease attacking your body.”

  “Am I cured?”

  His smile faltered. “Not yet, I’m afraid.”

  “Thank you for trying.” She laid a hand on his arm and her touch was gentle heat shooting through his system. He hoped she wouldn’t notice the effect her touch had on him and silently chided himself for acting like a schoolboy with a crush. Clearing his throat, he tried to sound more professional and detached. “Don’t give up just yet. I’m not finished with you. It may take some time, but I’ll have you out of that bed before you know it.” He hoped like hell he wasn’t lying to her.

  She smiled and the whole room brightened. “Would you help me sit up? I’ve been lying here for I don’t know how long.”

  Yanur savored the feel of her hands braced on his shoulders as he practically lifted her off the bed. She weighed next to nothing. After fluffing the pillows for her, she leaned back. Suddenly she frowned and ran a hand across her hair. “I must look a mess.”

  “No, you look beautiful.” Oh God, he sounded like a love-struck idiot. He felt himself blush and quickly turned so she wouldn’t see his face. When he turned back, he saw that a healthy glow graced her cheeks.

  Clearing his throat, he tried to speak. “Maybe I should let you rest now,” he mumbled, not really wanting to leave.

  “Oh.” She sounded disappointed. “Are you sure you can’t stay a little while?”

  “Well, I...”

  “Please.”

  He was putty in her hands. “I would be delighted.” He looked around the room for a chair.

  “Here.” She moved her legs and patted the edge of the bed. “I’m afraid I’m still a little confused. Have we met?”

  “No.” He sat down, careful not to jostle the bed too much. “My name is Yanur Snellen.”

  “Yanur, what an interesting name. My name is Kat’rina ToRrenc.”

  Yanur picked up her hand and gently laid a kiss upon her knuckles in the way he’d seen it done on old Earth documentaries. “Kat’rina ToRrenc. It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance.”

  He was rewarded with the light tinkling sound of her laughter.

  “Tell me, Yanur, what brings you to Coronado? I know full well my father would never send for an off-world physician.”

  “I came here with your daughter, Angel.”

  “Angel?” She asked in obvious disbelief.

  He smiled and nodded.

  “My Angel? It wasn’t a dream? She’s alive?”

  “Yes, she’s alive.”

  “Where is she?” She looked around the room as if Angel might be hiding in the room. “I thought I had ima
gined her. I never dared hope she was really alive.”

  Yanur spoke in a quiet, reassuring tone. “She will be back shortly. I know she’s eager to see you feeling better.”

  “My father…does he know?” Kat’rina grew agitated. “Did he hurt her? She can’t stay. He’ll sell her to the highest bidder.”

  Yanur patted her hand, trying his best to calm her after the quick and frightened outburst. “It’s okay. No one is going to hurt her, or sell her off. Not so long as Alex is around.”

  “Alex?”

  “Perhaps I should start from the beginning.” He studied her complexion, which had lost some of its color. “That is, as long as you feel up to it.”

  “Yes, please.”

  For the next hour, Yanur and Kat’rina talked. Yanur told her everything he could about Alex and Angel, while Kat’rina told him what she could about the High Counsel and his advisors. Neither noticed the time slipping by until finally the door to Kat’rina’s bedroom opened.

  “Mother!” Angel ran across the room.

  “My Angel!” Kat’rina stretched her arms out wide and Yanur barely moved out of the way in time before Angel threw herself into her mother’s embrace.

  For a moment, neither could speak past the stream of tears. Then suddenly, the dam burst and both women were talking and laughing at once. Neither noticed when Yanur quietly slipped from the room.

  * * * * *

  The dinner guests had all gone home and while it was late at night, the High Counsel’s chambers were no less active. Despite his advanced years and failing health, Gil’rhen felt better than he had in a long time. He sat at his desk, observing the by-play between his advisors, careful not to show his amusement.

  Victor ran a hand through his hair, clearly frustrated, and looked to Rianol for support.

  “I believe what Victor is trying to suggest,” Rianol said, “is that the people may have a hard time accepting Colonel Romanof as High Counsel because he’s not Coronadian. You must admit that for a man who has always touted the importance of tradition, this is an unexpected move on your part.”

  Gil’rhen purposely misunderstood their message. “Your concern for my granddaughter’s welfare is touching. But I thought she looked happy. Didn’t you think she looked happy, Rianol? Victor?”

  He almost laughed as confusion distorted Victor’s face. They no doubt thought he’d gone senile. After all, when had he ever cared whether anyone was happy?

  “My concern is for the blood lineage.” Victor tried again to press his point. “Or don’t you care anymore that the succession to the House of Scyphor will be passed into the hands of an off-worlder?”

  Gil’rhen raised an eyebrow. “You are concerned about a dilution of the bloodline?”

  “Yes.” Victor heaved a sigh, no doubt pleased that finally Gil’rhen understood his concerns.

  Gil’rhen waited a heartbeat before giving his advisors something to think about. “You’re not viewing this situation the way I am. Don’t think of Colonel Romanof as an alien. Think of him as our link to the United System of Planets – the most powerful governing entity in the known universes. And the single largest user of tyrillium. When the USP’s supply runs dry, where do you think they will turn to secure more? To an unknown source? Or to their very own Colonel Romanof, who controls Coronado, where tryillium is as common as air? I assure you, they will be delighted to pay whatever we charge.”

  A knock at the door interrupted further discussion and the men looked up as the doors opened and Colonel Romanof was ushered in.

  “I’m sorry to bother you,” he said. “I was hoping for a few minutes of your time.”

  “Of course, of course. We were just finished, weren’t we?”

  Victor frowned, obviously not pleased with the interruption. Both advisors exchanged greetings with Colonel Romanof as they passed him on their way out.

  Gil’rhen offered the younger soldier a seat in one of the chairs grouped on the side of his office.

  “Would you like a drink?” Gil’rhen offered, walking over to the sideboard where he kept a collection of the finest liquors. “I have both local and inter-galactic ales.”

  “I’ll have whatever you’re having.”

  “Very well.” Gil’rhen smiled to himself as he turned his back and selected a bottle containing dark green liquid. Distilled Baneubian tree sap. Very potent, but with a vile taste. It was a favorite among his warriors, who considered drinking it a sign of strength and control. He would see what type of soldier his granddaughter had married.

  He turned back around, a small glass of the green liquid in each hand. He held one out to Colonel Romanof, then sat in the chair opposite the younger man. “I’m surprised to see you at this time of night. Have you and my granddaughter tired of one another so quickly?”

  Rather than hurry to give Gil’rhen reassurances, as most men would do, Romanof merely gave him a tolerant smile. “Angel is visiting with her mother at the moment.”

  Gil’rhen nodded, then took a sip from his drink. The vile liquid burned its way down his throat, but he showed no reaction.

  “High Counsel, there is a matter of some importance we must discuss.”

  “Please, I am at your service.” He spoke, only dimly following the conversation. The rest of his attention focused on the moment when Romanof would lift the glass and drink. Would he wince? Gil’rhen wondered. Or cough as the liquid burned him? In anticipation, Gil’rhen took another sip of his own drink.

  Romanof raised his glass to his lips and their eyes briefly met over the rim. Gil’rhen thought he saw the other man smile, but couldn’t be certain. Then Romanof tipped the entire contents of his glass into his mouth and smoothly swallowed the liquid.

  Gil’rhen struggled to keep the surprise from his face. Romanof’s eyes didn’t even water. His admiration and respect for the young colonel rose another notch. But he wasn’t through testing the man.

  “You know, Colonel...Nicoli. May I call you Nicoli? I have followed my granddaughter’s movements for years. I’m sure she’s told you much about me. Some of it is even true. But despite what she thinks, I do care what happens to her. In my own way, I have tried to protect her. And for that reason, I’m telling you this. I am a man who wields a great deal of power on this planet and I am not above using that power should I discover that An’jel was forced into this marriage. Now you may think that is hypocritical of me, as I intended to force her into a marriage of my choosing, but that is my right as her grandfather and her ruler.”

  Nicoli set his empty glass on a nearby table. He didn’t appear the least bit intimidated. His gaze was clear and steady as he met Gil’rhen’s eyes. “I would never dishonor Angel in any way.” His eyes and expression took on a look of cold steel. “And I would never allow anyone to bring her harm.”

  The two continued to assess one another, each taking the other’s measure. Then Gil’rhen nodded. He liked what he saw in this young warrior. He had a rare intelligence coupled with the strength to back it up. A valuable trait to have in an ally.

  Not so good to have in one’s enemy.

  “As we are clearing the air, I must tell you that I had intended to select my own successor to the High Counsel position. Sadly, my daughter’s second husband died in the war shortly after they were married. There was a third, but he died under suspicious circumstances in his own bed. As did the fourth. After that, well, let’s just say no one was willing to risk their life by marrying my daughter – even if it meant becoming High Counsel. I gave up trying to marry her off and resigned myself to the knowledge that my successor would have to be the man who married my granddaughter. I never expected that person to be an off-worlder.” He paused. “I don’t mind telling you that I don’t think the High Counsel should be an off-worlder.”

  Nicoli nodded. “I did not marry your granddaughter so I could rule your House. I’m not interested in becoming the High Counsel.”

  “Good. But we do still have one small problem. In order for the line of succ
ession to stay in my family, the next ruler must be married to my granddaughter.”

  “We don’t have a problem. You have a problem,” Nicoli countered, his voice unyielding. “Because Althusians mate for life.”

  Gil’rhen nodded his understanding. Nicoli had passed the second test and it was a shame, because what he’d told Nicoli was the truth, but he would address that problem later.

  “Let us deal with one unpleasantness at a time.” He forced his tone to sound lighter. “I will not allow these Harvesters to infiltrate my planet. They must be eliminated. If one or more of them has infiltrated my home, as you suspect, then naming you as my successor has threatened their plans. At some point, they will act. You must be ready.”

  “Rest assured, High Counsel. I will be ready - for all attempts on my life.”

  Chapter 20

  Angel woke up late the next morning feeling tired. It had taken her a long time the night before to fall asleep. She’d returned from her mother’s room to find Nicoli waiting up for her. Neither had spoken as Nicoli laid a pallet of blankets on the floor, where he planned to sleep. She’d waited a long time to see if he would change his mind about joining her in bed, hoping he might at least try. When it became clear that he wasn’t going to, she’d tossed and turned for hours wondering why that upset her.

  Now she looked across the room. Morning sunlight streamed through the window, targeting the empty pallet on the floor with its rays. Nicoli had awakened early, before dawn and while she’d pretended to sleep, he’d moved quietly about the room getting dressed. Just before leaving, he’d come to stand by the bed. He’d looked down at her for so long she felt certain he’d known she was awake. He’d turned and walked out without saying a word.

  He had gone with her grandfather to search for Harvesters and she found it irritating that he hadn’t invited her to go along. Apparently, she was good enough to fight Free Rebels in open space, but not to hunt Harvesters on her home planet.

  Thinking about it only made her angry, so she climbed out of bed and went into the bathroom. It had been so long since she’d showered with real water that she stood under the warm spray longer than she realized. By the time she emerged, her skin was wrinkled, but she felt better.