Stardancer

by Ariel MacArran

  Kinara shook her head. “There isn’t a lack of reasons, Tedah.”

  His lopsided grin was sad. “You mean us, don’t you?”

  Kinara wanted to deny it but she couldn’t. “That may be why, yes.”

  “Tedah and I have discussed it,” Lianna said. “We will return to my mother’s house.”

  “No,” Kinara said firmly. “I don’t know why the Empress wants to see me and until I do we continue on as is. You two stay here, understand?”

  “But, Kinna, we can’t let you—”

  “Listen, Tedah!” she interrupted. “If the Empress knows about you two, then that’s that. But if you leave here and she doesn’t know, she’ll find out and that will be another strike against me. If you really want to help, stay here.”

  Reluctantly they agreed. Kinara headed toward her own rooms nearly colliding with Aidar in the hallway.

  They looked at one another for a long moment.

  “I had come to—” he broke off, with a gesture toward the room where Tedah and Lianna hid.

  “I’ve taken care of it.”

  He hesitated. “I have sent Bebti to bed.”

  “Thank you,” she murmured, stepping past him.

  He fell in behind her but didn’t speak as they made their way back to their apartments. Kinara was conscious of the glances she got. She read the fear even in the eyes of her warriors.

  The rooms were empty and dark when they arrived. The fire had dwindled down and with winter approaching the room seemed cold and bleak.

  Kinara stretched her hands toward the tiny bit of warmth. “I forgot to tell them to build it up before sending them to their other tasks.”

  Aidar gathered an armful of firewood. It was far more than the fireplace could handle and she smiled as she watched him awkwardly turn his hand at the unwarriorlike task.

  She put out a hand to stop him before he could add yet another piece of wood.

  “That’s plenty, Aidar.”

  They stood together watching as the wood slowly caught fire, the logs hissing and spitting as they burned.

  “I’m sorry,” she said quietly.

  His head came up, his puzzled face lit by firelight. “For what do you apologize?”

  “Because I — I goofed. I thought I knew exactly what I was doing. I thought it was a great idea to put myself on the Council. That I could raise up the Az’anti and open up trade between Tellarans and the Empire.” She gave a short, shaky laugh. “I thought I could get myself a good cup of caf again. I thought I could fix everything.” Her voice broke. “I was wrong.”

  Her eyes stung with hot tears and she met his gaze. “I was wrong, Aidar, and you were right. I went too far. And now the Empress—”

  She turned, stumbling as she ran.

  He caught her by the door. “What is this you do?” he demanded. “Why do you weep?”

  “Are you kidding?” she cried, her vision blurring with tears. “Fracking hell, I’ve offended the Empress! I don’t even know if either of us will be coming back from the audience with her tomorrow – and she won’t stop with us, she’ll take it out on everyone, our whole clan! Don’t you understand? I failed! I failed everyone! I failed my crew and Kyndan and the clan and Tedah! I failed Bebti.” She pressed her hand to her throat and her voice dropped to a whisper. “I failed you.”

  He caught her chin forcing her to look at him. “Think you I am not proud?”

  “Proud?!” Tears overflowed to run down her cheeks. “What the hell have I done to make anyone proud?”

  He cupped her cheek. “Truly I am so, Cy’atta. Never did I think that you would work so hard, care so much, for me and mine. I am proud you are my Ti’antah.” He bent his head touching his forehead to hers. “I am proud you are mine.”

  She swallowed hard. Proud of her? Did he mean it? Gods, she’d give anything to have him mean it.

  He kissed her. Kinara was afraid to move, afraid to break the spell as he gathered her close. It had been so long since he had touched her, and, although she had lovingly recalled every caress nightly, she soon realized that memory had failed her.

  Nothing mattered save he not stop and her arms went around his neck, pulling him closer, a soft sound escaping her throat as his hands slid down her body.

  He broke off suddenly and fearful to lose him again she held on tighter, only to find him swinging her into his arms. He crossed the room in a few strides and she was barely aware of the bed’s softness beneath her as she pulled him down beside her.

  He kissed her cheeks, her eyelids, her hair. She laughed and cried as he fought his way through the layers of her clothing, tossing his own garments away with hers. When his skin touched hers, she struggled up.

  “Let me,” she whispered, desperately wanting to give him pleasure, her fingers already running over his skin.

  He caught her hands, his eyes hot, and pressed a kiss to each palm.

  “No, Cy’atta. I have waited so long to love you again. Do not deny me this.”

  Had he missed this, missed her, then?

  Kinara trembled as his lips pressed against her throat, her shaking increasing as his mouth trailed lower. He kissed her breasts. Lightly teasing, his tongue flicked over her belly and Kinara gasped as he parted her thighs, tasting her.

  He closed his lips over her, gently suckling as his tongue moved against her. She arched back as his tongue moved against her center, and her fingers clenched, pulling at the covers as waves built within her. It had been so long and in moments she balanced just at the brink of release. He touched her inside where she was most sensitive and quickly brought her to the peak, she cried out hoarsely as she came.

  She was still reeling from it when he shifted his body above her. He was clumsy with need now, hard and ready against her center. She made a soft sound, holding him close as he entered her, her hand cradling his head.

  He buried his face in her hair as he moved, his body trembling. She covered his cheek with kisses, tasting the saltiness of sweat against her lips, her fingers tracing the straining muscles of his back.

  He groaned, thrusting deep and fast. She cried out, the wave hitting just as she felt him spend within her.

  “Cy’atta,” he murmured against her hair, his moist skin sliding against her as she tried to catch her breath. She could feel his heart hammering in his chest as he turned his face, his mouth seeking hers again. His mouth brushed hers, soft and tender, and her fingers slid through the thick strands of his hair as she returned the kiss.

  He shifted to cradle her against him. They lay close, skin-to-skin, taking refuge against the sounds of the warriors drilling in the garden below.

  Later, when the house had quieted, he reached for her again and Kinara didn’t spare even one precious moment to think of Senya.

  For this night he belonged to her again.

  Kinara’s hope to avoid attention was dashed the moment they left the Az’anti estate. Proper arrival at the Imperial Palace meant being carried in a ceremonial litter through the city with Aidar and Laric walking at her side and a dozen honor guards around them. It was slow going and many who went out of their way to watch the red-haired Ti’antah and her entourage pass.

  Kinara spotted familiar faces on the street but they did not acknowledge her.

  “Nobody loves a loser,” she uttered as Helia of the Az’shu avoided her gaze.

  “Truly they are cowards,” Aidar said.

  She raised her eyebrows at the anger in his voice.

  “You can’t blame them for watching out for themselves. If somebody else was up here, that’s what I’d be doing.”

  A ghost of a smile touched his lips. “Did someone else ride here, you would stand in the middle of the street to greet them.”

  Kinara settled back in the elaborate – and damned uncomfortable – litter. “I would not. I’d run like a sular out of the slaughterhouse.”

  Aidar snorted in disbelief. Kinara shot him a look then turned to her maid.

  “Laric, is there anyth
ing else you can tell me?”

  “No, my Lady,” Laric said quietly. “There is much speculation but most agree with Unata, that you are summoned for punishment.”

  “I’m surprised she isn’t shouting it from the rooftops,” Kinara grumbled. “That woman has a tongue long enough to block a road.”

  She heard what sounded suspiciously like a laugh covered by a cough from her mate.

  Kinara smiled grimly. “I’ll tell you one thing — if I get out of this, Unata’s going to wish she’d never come to the Imperial world.”

  They were delayed at the gate of the Palace. The guards insisted on searching the litter for hidden weapons.

  Kinara’s face flushed with annoyance. Hey, guys, did you happen to notice that I’m surrounded by armed guards?

  But Tellaran logic was no match for Az-kye tradition and, with both Laric and Aidar’s help, she stepped down.

  It was no easy task. Her hair had been curled, coiled and piled on her head with enough jewels to make a Zartani High Lady double take. The whole thing was as heavy as a boulder and it was uncomfortable to even turn her head. Her formal gown, black as space and decorated in black glittering stones, covered her from her over-jeweled neck to her black bead encrusted shoes. Against this, her coppery hair shone like a beacon and she knew that someone a half-mile away would have no trouble recognizing her as the Ti’antah of the Az’anti.

  Even at the gate she was gathering stares.

  Damn it, I should have covered my hair somehow.

  Finally allowed to climb back into the litter, Kinara felt her heart jump as the servants lifted her up.

  Kinara’s lips parted when she got her first real look at the inside of the Palace walls. Its polished stone was a riot of color and decoration. The carvings were so elaborate and detailed that a thousand academics from Apovia could have spent a lifetime studying them all and the people themselves – from lowest servant to highest Ti’antah – were swathed in black.

  It was well before midday but Kinara had to choke back the urge to order her people to hurry. They had not yet reached the main arch of the Palace and gods knew where on the grounds they would have to present themselves.

  A woman in the black and gold of a Servant of the Empress stopped them at the second arch.

  The woman’s dark eyes ran over Kinara’s entourage, clearly not impressed. “The Az’anti clan leader?”

  Kinara bent her head, careful of her elaborate hairstyle. “I am Ti’antah of the Az’anti.”

  “Ti’antah of the Az’anti, the Empress’s peace is on you and yours. Let no warrior draw his sword in the House of the Empress.”

  Wouldn’t the whole thing be easier if no one carried fracking swords into the palace at all?

  Kinara bent her head again. “As the Empress commands.”

  Laric helped her out of the litter and made tiny adjustments to her hair and gown. Finally the maid stepped back and the Servant waved her forward.

  “You may be attended by two warriors, Ti’antah of the Az’anti.”

  Kinara felt a moment of panic. Does two include Aidar or not?

  Aidar quickly selected two from her honor guard. Kinara let her breath out. She wasn’t ready for this and the smallest slip-up could ruin her. Right now she felt like a blindfolded man in a maze full of spikes.

  With Aidar at her side Kinara followed the woman, Nyat and Reth behind them. When they entered the Great Hall Kinara understood why her guard had been so limited. The soaring room was already packed. If everyone here had been allowed to bring twelve guards no one would be able to move at all.

  Kinara was careful to keep her eyes on the Servant’s back. If she lost sight of the woman they could wander forever in this black-clad sea without ever finding her again. Kinara passed many who outranked her but she did not pause to greet them. Kinara followed a Servant of the Empress. Her meeting with the Imperial Majesty took precedence over all.

  Laric and Aidar had prepared her as best they could for this meeting. They had explained protocol for her audience before the Heart of the Heaven’s Children - how low to bow, how to greet the Empress and how to leave but they hadn’t prepared her to be led right through the Great Hall and to the upper floors.

  Kinara’s palms were wet. She resisted the urge to wipe them on her beaded gown.

  Where the hell are we going? If she were about to be bawled out wouldn’t the Empress do it publicly?

  The Servant signaled for the warriors to stay behind. She waved Kinara and Aidar inside, shutting the door quietly behind her.

  The black stone floor of the room shone with obvious expense, the walls a riot of hangings and carvings. A black and gold throne dominated the room.

  It took a moment for Kinara to realize that the woman seated before her in the simple black gown was indeed Azara-behn, known throughout the Empire as Shina’ aru’ Az-kye, the Heart of Heaven’s Children.

  Shaking, Kinara hurriedly sank to her knees before the Empress. The elaborately pinned hairstyle made the roots of her hair scream in protest as she pressed her forehead to the cold, stone floor.

  “As my duty is to the Az-kye,” Kinara intoned. “So is my duty to the Empress.”

  “Rise Ti’antah of the Az’anti.”

  Kinara straightened and stood. She indicated Aidar with a gesture.

  “My bound mate, Aidar of the Az’anti, Imperial Majesty.”

  The Empress Azara-behn was a woman in her prime and streaks of gray were shot through her dark hair. Not beautiful but every inch of her spoke regality and her voice was both musical and strong.

  “Rise, Aidar of the Az’anti.”

  Kinara kept her gaze on the Empress as she was supposed to but she was aware of the white haired woman present. Azara-behn waved the woman forward and, having implicit permission, Kinara turned her gaze. It was Sechon, the Elder who had insisted that she accept Baruta’s bid for her crew.

  “Elder,” Kinara said, trying to hide her surprise and bowed from the waist.

  The woman gave a nod. “Kinara of the Az’anti.”

  “Come forward, lady,” Azara-behn said.

  Kinara took a few steps forward, unsure how close she could get to the Empress without giving offense.

  The Empress looked her over. “You are right, Sechon. No one who sees her would fail to recognize her as Tellaran.”

  Kinara flushed. “I am Ti’antah of the Az’anti, Imperial Majesty.”

  The Empress waved her hand impatiently. “Come, Lady! You were born Tellaran, have worn the white, have been made Ti’antah and now have taken a Council seat by the greatest luck the gods ever visited upon a girl child.”

  Kinara lifted her chin. “As the Empress says.”

  The Empress gave a startled chuckle. “Such fire in you! Tell me, did your spirit not quiver a bit when you seized power from the Council for Food?”

  “More than a little, Imperial Majesty.”

  Azara-behn raised an eyebrow. “Did you know that Helia of the Az’shu is Sechon’s daughter?”

  Was that why she had been summoned? Because she’d taken Helia’s seat? “Yes, Imperial Majesty. I did know.”

  “And you pursued her place despite it?”

  “Yes, Imperial Majesty, I did.”

  Azara-behn stood and circled Kinara, looking her over then turned her attention on Aidar. “You bound yourself to one who wore the white. Why did you so?”

  Aidar bowed his head. “I cannot explain, Imperial Majesty.”

  “You cannot?” the Empress asked sharply. “Or you will not?”

  Aidar hesitated. “I believe my lady to be a Cy’atta. I could do no other.”

  The Empress looked at Kinara and demanded, “Are you?”

  Of course I’m not one of Lashima’s Stardancers! Kinara glanced at Aidar and wet her lips. “That’s what he calls me, Imperial Majesty. But I don’t have any magic if that’s what you mean.”

  Azara-behn’s eyes sharpened. “You commanded a Tellaran ship and attacked one of my warships.
”

  Kinara felt the blood drain from her face. “I did command the Rapier, Your Majesty.”

  “And then took an Az-kye warrior as bound mate. Upon your arrival here, you have been actively garnering power and influence for your clan, Lady.”

  Damn it, isn't that what a clan leader is supposed to do?

  “Yes, Imperial Majesty,” Kinara allowed.

  Azara-behn and the Elder exchanged a glance. Sechon stepped forward.

  “You freely acknowledge courting the wrath of a powerful house.”

  “As you incurred that of the Az’byn, Elder, when you rose to lead the War Council,” Kinara retorted.

  Sechon blinked.

  Oh, fracking hell, I went too far with that one.

  The Elder’s mouth lifted. “I was young then. Young and headstrong.” She looked her over again. “I would bring the forces of my house against yours, Kinara of the Az’anti, if I did not admire you so.”

  Kinara blinked. The Elder admired her? “I thank you for your praise, Honored One.”

  “You have impressed me as well,” Azara-behn said, seating herself again.

  “I am honored, Imperial Majesty.” Kinara bowed deeply.

  When she straightened the Empress gave a nod. “Your actions show you a bold leader, your mate has proven himself a capable, loyal warrior and your Tellaran birth has made you ideal.”

  Kinara glanced at Aidar and saw he was equally puzzled. “Ideal, Imperial Majesty?”

  Azara-behn’s eyes went hard. “I have had word that Tellaran ships gather to attack us. I have chosen you to lead my forces against them.”

  The room seemed to tilt under her feet.

  “What?” Kinara blurted.

  “I have chosen you, Lady of the Az’anti,” Azara-behn repeated. “You will lead my armada and destroy the Tellaran force.”

  Aidar’s face was white and shocked. “Imperial Majesty, to place my mate in such danger — I will go of course but I beg you, allow her to remain here. If you would have a female lead in battle perhaps the head of the War Council—”

  “Wait!” Kinara cried. “Imperial Majesty, can you be sure that the Tellarans want war?”

  “The Tellarans gather at our border,” the Empress snapped. “They have war.”