by Aria Bell
He gently but firmly scooped me into his arms and lifted me from the bed. He deposited me into a wheelchair, but there was no way I was going to let him push me down the halls like an invalid.
I stood up immediately, and nearly fell on my face. My prosthetic hand darted out reflexively to grab hold of him to steady myself, but the fingers did not open. So essentially, I punched him in the arm. Hard.
He caught me and sat me back down into the chair. “You will sit. And you will ride.”
I looked up at him.
“And stop trying to punch your mate,” he said, rubbing his arm and grinning.
“Sorry. I tried to—”
“Hush,” he ordered. “You talk too much, my courtezhana.”
I remained silent all the way back to our chambers.
CHAPTER TWELVE
Prince Vorgyn Mar’Don
I stood at the very edge of the main balcony as the cold mountain wind pushed against me. Far below me spread the lights of Syrelundra. Above me, the stars shone.
My sword was in my hands, but I had nothing to attack. Nothing was as frustrating for a Jardan warrior.
They had harmed my mate.
I would root them out and destroy them all.
Melika was sleeping, safe in my chambers. She had lost her hand because I hadn’t been fast enough in destroying the assassin bot. I never should have put her in danger in the first place. Especially not after I claimed her as mate. Truly protecting a mate meant keeping her safe from all harm.
She meant too much to me to allow her to be in danger.
But the fact remained that someone kept trying to kill me. And as long as they were free, my mate would be in danger.
I raised my sword and thrust it high in challenge. “Come face me!” I bellowed as loud as I could. My voice echoed off the mountainsides. “Come face me like a true warrior!”
No one answered my challenge. Not even a bird of prey calling out from the mountain tops.
“Cowards! Dishonorable cowards, hiding behind robots!”
My voice finally finished echoing back to me. I lowered my sword again, disgusted by the shame of my enemies. The four bodyguards with me on the balcony all watched me warily. I ignored them. Agreeing to keep at least that many with me at all times was the only way Melika would relax enough to go to sleep.
The sound of the doors leading to the balcony whooshing open made me turn. Part of me still hoped someone had answered my challenge. It was only Ionas. I slammed my blade back into its sheath.
Ionas bowed to me as I stormed toward the doors. “Your Royal Highness, I know it is late, but an envoy from the noble clan of Har’Karn has arrived. Privos Har’Karn has come himself.”
Annoyance surged through me. Har’Karn was one of the most powerful noble houses tied to the Gotanz Shipping Guild. I had little patience for their chattering on matters of money. That he approached me here, at my residence, exceeded what little patience I had left.
I walked past Ionas and into my chambers. “Make them wait until tomorrow.”
“My prince, they are insisting,” Ionas said. “They say if you do not meet with them, there will be severe consequences for clan Mar’Don.”
I cursed. “Are they threatening me? Now? After all that’s happened? Privos Har’Karn must have a death wish.”
“I believe he does,” Ionas agreed.
There was nothing to be done about it. A threat required a response. “Fine. I’ll meet them now. They’d better hope they are ready for me.”
I was headed for the door with Ionas and my bodyguards when Melika’s sweet voice stopped me. “Are you leaving, my prince?”
I turned to her and my heart swelled with love for her. She was wrapped in a sheet from the bed. Her hair was tousled, her skin still flushed from sleep. Her good hand clasped the front of the sheet closed. Her new hand was hidden beneath the folds.
“I must meet with some nobles who won’t take no for an answer.”
“Who?”
I raised an eyebrow. I didn’t know why the names would mean anything to her. “Gotanz Guild representatives. A shriveled old Jardan named Privos Har’Karn who has even fewer manners than he has brains.”
She froze, her eyes widening. “Gotanz again? Let me get my suit and weapons. I only need a moment.” She turned away to get her stuff.
“No.”
She halted and looked back to me, her eyes wide. “I… Did you say ‘no’?”
“I said no. You will stay here where I can be sure you’re safe. I almost lost you once already. I won’t let it happen again.”
“But, Vorgyn…I…”
Her eyes looked so hurt as she stared at me. Her expression was so stricken, so lost. I knew what she wasn’t saying. It was her duty to protect me, to be by my side. It broke my heart to see her like that, and I could understand how powerless it made her feel to take her duties from her. But I wasn’t going to risk losing her again.
“I gave you my answer. You will remain here.”
She flinched. I saw her throat working as if she was having difficulty swallowing. There was a shine to her eyes. Tears. That human response to extreme displeasure, pain, dismay.
“My prince, I’m… I’m begging you—”
“Until this danger is past, I command you to remain here,” I said. “I made you blood of the clan. Don’t shame me by disobeying me.”
Melika didn’t say anything. She only wiped away a tear from her cheek. She wiped it with her robotic hand, which appeared through the gap in the sheet, and then she stared down at it, dejectedly, is if she’d forgotten the metal hand was there.
I wanted to go to her. To comfort her. I wanted it with all my heart. But I had to be stone. I had always been fearless. But now I knew fear. Fear for her.
I left with Ionas to hear these merchants whine about their profits and attempt to bribe me to let them strip mine the Sivossa Sea.
“It is good to see you in command of your courtezhana, my prince,” Ionas said as we left my chambers behind.
“Be silent and mind your place,” I said, my voice so cold that he immediately flinched, bowed, and didn’t speak again.
The envoy was waiting for me in the throne room. Ionas withdrew, leaving me to face the Gotanz Guild representative alone. No matter. I would have them scurrying off with their tails between their legs soon enough.
The wrinkly and stooped Privos Har’Karn stepped toward me. His ornate purple and gold robes matched his tall, elaborately feathered hat. He began to speak in a scratchy voice.
“Prince Vorgyn, you have stirred up much anger on Avoloxa by taking a human as blood of the Mar’Don clan. A human female. There is talk of rebellion, spurred by an alien so close to the heart of the empire.”
“A rebellion I would crush without blinking,” I told him. So it was finally beginning. The backlash against my mate. It had taken longer than I’d expected. “I hope you didn’t come all this way to yap at me because of some grudge against humans. I don’t see how my mate is any of your concern.”
“Humans are dangerous. Is it true she tried to kill you, and you cut off her hand?”
“What? No. That is laughable. She lost her hand while fighting beside me. We had to destroy some pathetic robot sent by my cowardly enemies who are too weak to face me in person. She has more strength, more honor, than any of the cowards who send bots to do their fighting for them.”
Har’Karn’s face darkened. “We are pleased to hear you are safe. But…perhaps we misjudged her. Clan Har’Karn and the Gotanz Guild would be happy to lend our support to her as courtezhana, provided we get something in return.” His smile was as sly as a serpent. “Perhaps something trifling. The mining rights to the Sivossa Sea, perhaps…?”
“I grow weary of repeating myself on this issue, but I’ll make an exception for you because clearly you are not used to the word no.” I looked him straight in the eye. “No.”
I turned to leave. I had upset my mate over this? I would be certain to speak
with Ionas about disturbing me for arrogant nobles who didn’t know when to quit.
Before I exited the throne room, Har’Karn called out to me one last time.
“Please, Prince Vorgyn Mar’Don. We do deserve more of your time. We’ve come a long, long way. And I think we have some things, some offers you truly will be interested in.”
I folded my arms across my chest. “Tell me.”
As Har’Karn’s smile widened, it turned from sour to evil.
“I understand there are several Galactic Imperium markets the Jardan have never been able to enter. We could assure your entry into those markets. Imagine the wealth of new products and goods to amuse and enrich the lives of your people.”
“So, it’s bribery now. Well, no thank you. My people are not in need of”—I looked up at the atrocity of feathers perched on his head—“fancy hats.”
Privos Har’Karn glared at me. “It’s not bribery, you fool, it’s a business alliance. You need us to enter these markets. We need your sea for the raw minerals to develop the infrastructure of our moon. And we will get those minerals, mark my words.”
“I think it’s time for you to go.”
“You need to rethink your position, Prince Vorgyn,” the old man said. “I strongly suggest you consult with your courtezhana. Then perhaps you will see things differently. She is Ron-Zishu, no? They are great warriors. But their monastery could not survive an attack from a sub-orbit bomber.”
I nearly killed him where he stood. “Is that a threat?”
“Of course not. I’m simply stating that you might consider other opinions.”
I glared at him. He could just as easily be threatening sub-orbit bombings on my fortress as on the Ron-Zishu monastery.
For the second time that night, I realized I was afraid. Not for myself. I would yell defiance at a hundred enemies and give them a taste of my sword. I was afraid for Melika’s safety.
And I did not like the feeling of fear.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Melika Gendressa
My hands were shaking as I dressed myself in my kenvo suit, carefully buckling the clasp of each piece of armor. I still had not completely mastered my new hand yet, but at least I was no longer punching myself in the face every time I brushed a stray lock of hair out of my eyes. I still wasn’t one hundred percent, but what I lacked in stamina, my suit would make up for in agility and speed. All in all, I would be functional.
The mirror in Vorgyn’s room showed me the reflection of my pale face, my red-rimmed eyes. I was numb. All the pain of my prince’s rejection had faded into one numb mass. I was only dressing because I didn’t know what else to do.
No, that’s not true. I knew what I was doing. I was dressing in the garb of a Ron-Zishu because I needed to remind myself what I was. Who I was. First and foremost.
As much as I loved him, as much as my body sang when he touched me, I was first and foremost Ron-Zishu. His bodyguard. His protector.
Not his plaything.
Tears threatened again. I forced them back.
I had to be strong for him. I could not let my feelings for him dull my edge. I had failed him more than once already—I had lost my hand, what more proof did I need? He had been right to punish me for my failure to stop the assassin robot before it got within striking distance, to keep me confined to quarters. But I’d learned my lesson. I was no longer going to let my own pleasure come before my duty.
I flexed my hand once more. The fingers opened and closed with a gentle mechanical hum of servos and rods. It was larger than my other hand, but it was stronger, too. And soon, I would have full use of it.
The door chime to Vorg—the prince’s—inner chambers sounded. I went to answer it. It was Ionas with two Jardan guards.
“The prince has sent us to check his chambers for assassin bots,” Ionas said. “He believes there might be some connection to the Gotanz Guild.”
I knew it. I was thrilled he’d finally decided to listen to me. I stepped away from the door to let them in. I was sure the rooms were clear of threats, but I also knew they must carry out their orders so they could report back to Vor—the prince. I’d help them check here first, then help them search the fortress. If we could get any kind of evidence of a plot against the throne, we could shut down this threat by severing the root.
Ionas entered the room, flanked by the guards.
“We can clear this area again,” I said, taking a step toward the bedroom. “Then check the computer surveillance systems for any—”
A sharp sting in my neck made me jerk, and I raised a hand to the bare skin just above the collar to my kenvo suit. I whirled around, my heart beginning to beat fast as adrenaline rushed through me.
Ionas was holding some kind of fast-injector needle in his hand. I reached for my weapons, dropping into a fighting stance.
Betrayed? By Ionas?
My heart broke for the prince, who’d placed such trust in his chamberlain. As had I. I’d been too focused on robots, sent from somewhere outside. I hadn’t been suspicious enough of those that may have come from within.
My head began to throb, and my vision to swim. I tried to pull my tsungstel fighting stick, but my hands felt numb. I fumbled and dropped it. When my heart beat faster, it also carried whatever toxin or paralyzing agent throughout my body. I took a step toward the computer terminal, but my leg buckled and I fell. I tried to shout a warning to any loyal guards, but my mouth wouldn’t form words.
Ionas and his guards leaned over me. They stared at me as if I were some exotic hunting trophy. I wanted to leave my boot print on each of their faces, but I couldn’t move.
“The chemical agent in your body will paralyze most of your muscle groups.” Ionas squinted at me. “I can’t have you flitting around causing problems. You’ve caused quite enough trouble already.” He glanced at the guards. “Get her on a stretcher and bind her to it. If anyone asks, you’re taking her to one of the advanced care units. Apparently, her body is rejecting the prosthetic hand and she needs immediate medical attention.”
I was dumped onto a stretcher and strapped down. Inside my head, I was shrieking for my body to move, to fight, but it wouldn’t obey. I was helpless.
I couldn’t even speak to tell Vorgyn I was sorry I had failed him.
Yet again.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Prince Vorgyn Mar’Don
I barely contained my anger as I strode through the corridors of my fortress as if I led an army. My hand rested on the hilt of my Iteran blade. Servants and soldiers scurried out of my way, keeping their heads down and eyes averted.
The “talks” with the Gotanz Guild envoy had ended badly. I had nearly drawn my blade and challenged them to send a champion to face me because their disrespect was so clear. They wanted me to reverse my decision on the proposed trade agreement with Katal Minor, letting them mine and harvest the Sivossa Sea down to nothing.
I could not let them do that. The sea was important to the life of the planet. Without it, our planet would become as barren as their moon.
But I wasn’t going stand by and let them threaten me. As soon as the envoy was out of the throne room, I ordered the fortress on full lockdown. No flights were allowed in or out. No one would be leaving by land. No outward-bound communications. Guards in every hall and main area. The reason? We had credible intel on another potential attack on the fortress, and we could not allow the possibility of harm to come to our visitors, our good friends from the Gotanz Guild.
Privos Har’Karn and his envoy wouldn’t be leaving the fortress any time soon.
I shoved my way into my chambers. The bodyguards with me spread out. The guards I’d left stationed with Melika were no longer in the room. Neither was Melika.
I hurried to the doors leading to my bedroom chambers. She wasn’t there, either. The fear turned to dread. I’d told her to stay here where it was safe. Why hadn’t she obeyed me?
I cursed and went to the computer terminal. I managed to activate it
without putting my fist through the viewscreen in frustrated rage. Where could she be? “Computer, locate Melika Gendressa, human female.”
“Melika Gendressa is not within the boundaries of Gorlane Fortress.”
Dread froze me. “Confirm again,” I snarled.
“Confirming. Melika Gendressa is not within the boundaries of Gorlane Fortress.”
No. It had to be a mistake. “Show me security vidcam data on Melika at her last known point inside the fortress.”
The viewscreen showed me Ionas and two Jardan guards guiding a float stretcher onto a corsair jumpship on one of the fortress’s launch pads. They entered the jumpship, and a minute later its hover jets activated. Feeling sick with rage, I watched it fly away toward the mountain slopes. I made myself watch the footage all the way back to the point where they had ambushed her from behind. Betraying her. Ionas injecting her and then they strapped her to the stretcher. No one stopped them. Of course not. Ionas was trusted.
And Melika had just been in the medical center. It would be easy to deceive their way to the launch pad and escape.
I would rescue her and kill them. Nothing would save them from my wrath. Nothing would keep me from her side.
The computer terminal indicated an incoming transmission. From Ionas.
“Where is she, you little gunzha coward?” I snarled into the viewscreen the moment his face filled it.
“Your human whore is safe with us, Your Royal Highness. Don’t worry. She will remain safe, if you cooperate like a good prince.”
“How much money did it take to turn you against me and make you abandon your honor?”
“More that I would ever receive in ten lifetimes working as your steward, Prince Vorgyn.”
“What are your demands?” I ground out, wishing he were in front of me where I could get my hands on him. I would not use my sword on him. He wasn’t worthy. I would strangle him to death.
“My demands are simple. Approve the trade treaty with Katal Minor. Let the Gotanz Shipping Guild have exclusive and total rights to the Sivossa Sea. And give them complete immunity from any reprisals by Clan Mar’Don.”