by Candace Sams
Surely she’d misheard. Or the stranger who’d approached them was addled. She waited, barely able to breathe. What possible explanation could there be but that some wild mistake had been made.
She waited to hear her lover’s response. But rising gut instinct told her the elderly stranger had hit on a truth she hadn’t wanted to see.
How utterly, ridiculously foolish I am. Of course he acted like a warrior. He is one!
If her life had depended on it, she wouldn’t have been able to move. She just stood there, frozen, and waited to hear what he’d say even as her heart told her the truth. That he’d lied was clear. That she’d believed him was her own fault. But what now? What could she say or do with the enemy patrolling around them, only yards away?
She swallowed hard and let years of experience—where being a non-entity in a dangerous environment meant surviving—take over. No one must see how her reality had just been shattered. It took everything she had to keep a calm posture and show no physical response.
• • •
Marcos quickly glanced at Nova. She was no more than ten feet away, and was clearly trying not to stare at him. “You’ve made a mistake, friend.”
The elderly man shook his head. “No. I have not.” Then he nodded at a stand across the street. “You must come to my stall. Come quickly before my absence at my place of business is noticed.”
Marcos watched the older man walk away and tried to slow his racing pulse. Fear for his life wasn’t at issue. He’d been in dangerous situations many times. But not with the woman he loved by his side. Not with slug brawlers prowling the streets like vermin.
There was no choice. He gripped the staff and saw Nova nod almost imperceptibly. She’d heard. She knew.
This was not how he’d wanted her to find out, but he had only himself to blame. He should have been honest with her from the start. Now, he couldn’t read her emotions. She cast her gaze to the ground or toward the passing slug killers that walked by only several feet away.
He took her hand in his, and helped her hoist their parcels while edging closer to the stall the older man indicated. To anyone watching, they must appear as innocent shoppers, nothing more.
“We stay together. No matter what!” she whispered as they neared the stranger’s stall.
The earnest way she muttered the words made him want to hold her. Whatever she felt at that moment, she was keeping it to herself. If she hated him for his deception, she was doing a good job of hiding it.
Marcos turned toward the elderly man. He kept his bent stance; his hand clutched Nova’s much smaller palm as he waited.
Whatever the stranger might say, he’d been recognized. Who else might know his real identity, and why—when they were so close to turning back for their small cave—did this have to happen now?
“Let me speak quickly and bluntly,” the vendor said as he eyed Marcos and Nova. “Time is running out. You must listen carefully.”
Chapter 10
Marcos stood in front of his revealer’s stall. It was filled with inexpensive, handcrafted jewelry that meant nothing to him at the moment. All he was concerned about was getting back to the cave safely, and explaining his duplicity to Nova.
“What do you want of me?” Marcos softly asked as he gripped Nova’s hand tighter and glared at the older man who’d outed him.
“I assumed this girl with you knows of your identity.”
Marcos glanced at Nova; she kept her face down and almost hidden by the folds of her hood. “Go on and be quick about it,” he instructed.
“Sir, constables have been visiting the various businesses, asking if anyone has tried to buy large amounts of certain herbs or medicinals,” the merchant said as he pretended to show Marcos a handful of jewelry. “Slugs are looking for someone who might be a healer. There was once one among us. She was a Wiccan woman. The lady you’re with has the look of that culture. It’s her eyes, sir. Despite her scars, no other planet but Wyrdan produces such remarkably colored eyes. There are many here who might not know such things, and might think her a spawn of many races, but I’m older. I have traveled throughout this sector. And if she’s who I think she is, I knew her mother. Many of us thought the girl dead.”
Marcos’s blood ran cold. Nova was everything. His fear on her behalf tripled over any angst he’d experienced so far. He’d rather face fire plasma a thousand times over than see her caught for helping him. The powers that be were looking for her due to him. He had gotten her into this mess; it was up to him to see her safely out of it, no matter what. This would likely be the last time he could chance coming into the marketplace. With this news, they’d be lucky to make it back to the cave unnoticed. So great was his fear that he could feel himself physically shaking; something he’d never experienced in his life. No matter how bad circumstances got, he’d always reckoned there was a way out. But what way out was there for her? Apparently, even her scars couldn’t hide who she was or the skills accredited to her.
“I’m afraid your eye color gives also gives you away, sir,” the merchant said. “I’m certain Prometheus and Forrell have figured out who you are and are looking for you. My guess is they know you escaped death, likely with the help of this girl by your side,” he explained. “I have kept my silence and will continue to do so. No Limaxian or guard Forrell sends will make me reveal what I know. But you must not come back to this place again. Stay hidden.”
As in the past—when Marcos had been on such undercover operations—he’d decided to explain the unusual hue of his eyes by claiming Vegan ancestral ties. That race had eyes that were almost the exact same shade of green. No one had ever questioned his heritage. Not until now. Again, Nova’s ancestry was particularly prevalent in the shade of her beautiful gaze. There was almost no way to explain it away except that she was of Wyrdan ancestry.
Had he kept his mouth shut that day he’d been burned, the ruse he’d always used would have worked. But then this good man—a stranger risking his life to warn the enforcer son of a distant king—would be dead. Along with a helpless girl.
“You should leave here,” the merchant warned. “There are many who will turn you in, in order to save themselves.”
Marcos nodded. “I thank you, my friend. You risk your life for us, and I won’t forget it.”
“As you risked yours for me and my granddaughter, good sir. I consider the debt as one I owed.” The man then reached beneath his stall and beckoned Marcos closer. “Take this. We are not allowed to have such weapons on Delta Seven. I constructed it some years ago and would never part with it unless I saw a chance of escaping. Now … I see you as that chance. If you can get away, do so. Tell the king how we fare and bring help.”
Marcos took a heavy sword the old man brought from beneath a display table. He quickly hid it beneath his cloak, and badly wanted to tell his benefactor that help would most certainly come. But that knowledge had to remain with him and Nova for the time being.
Still, his heart soared over the hope gleaming from the elderly man’s eyes. It was the first time since coming to this damned planet that he’d witnessed such an expression, except when alone with Nova.
The vendor would conclude that enforcers were coming to look for the second-born prince of Luster. Even without anyone saying so.
“I thank you,” Marcos whispered. “If I’m caught, you and I never spoke. I never saw you or heard your warning, and I never obtained any weapon from you.”
“If you should need other help, sir, I will gladly be of service,” the merchant said. “My name is—”
“No. Don’t tell me. That way, I can never be forced to give you up,” Marcos insisted.
The elderly man bowed. “You are of old blood and would never do so, sir. My best wishes for your speedy trip home.”
“Thank you.”
Marcos gripped Nova’s hand harder, then turned and slowly lumbered away.
To her credit, she kept her head down and her mouth completely closed.
He kne
w a confrontation was coming. But she was far too intelligent to broach the subject here, in the middle of a marketplace crawling with slugs and Forrell’s butchers.
They had to move quickly.
If what the old man said was true—and there was no reason to believe he’d risk his life by speaking of such subjects if it wasn’t—they could be watched from any building on any street.
He was horribly afraid for Nova, especially if she were caught in the open with him.
There was one possible solution, one ploy he might use to negotiate for her life if anything happened. It was a slim chance at best, but he’d take it if nothing else could be offered.
He kept the merchant’s sword well hidden but within easy reach.
Nova kept her expression flat and her gaze directly ahead. She took very long and indirect path back to the cave, but did so with stealth that would have surprised any master spy. But then, she’d only survived by cunning and skill learned at an age when most girls are enjoying social life, parties, and the attention of fawning lovers. In every way, she was superior to every woman he’d known. And no matter how angry she was over his deceit, he meant to keep her. Forever.
• • •
“Are you sure?” Adaman asked without turning his head toward the guard by his side.
“I’m certain, Governor. I saw a girl with eyes the color you’ve described, and a man that seemed very badly burned. I think it highly unlikely that either of them could be who you’re looking for. Neither looked to be a threat.”
“That’s exactly how they’d appear. Which direction did they take?”
“I lost track of them outside of town. I had to follow from some distance to keep from alerting either them or any slugs.”
“Good job. I shall make sure you receive triple your normal pay this month. But tell no one what you’ve seen. If these are the two we’re looking for, it’s likely they’ll be living in the barrens. Perhaps in the hills somewhere.”
“If I go alone, I might be able to find a trail, Governor. But the snow is picking up. I could only start as soon as I know I’m not watched.”
Adaman nodded. “Do so. But report to no one but me. As with today, don’t come to my residence or any official place of business. Remember, we communicate only on the street and only where it will look as though we’re exchanging pleasantries.”
“That might mean my report could be held up until such time as I can find you in the marketplace,” the guard advised.
“So be it. Better to get late news than to risk Prometheus finding out what we know. It may be our only chance to save ourselves. Remember that.”
“Yes, Governor, I will,” the guard assertively agreed.
Adaman took a deep breath, pretended to examine the rest of the stalls, and noted the looks of hatred on the faces of the humans around him. “The slug leader will kill me and all my staff, including you, when the time suits him. No matter what he’s said about making us useful within his new empire, he most certainly will rid himself of us as soon as he can find someone to take our places.”
“I don’t like those stinking, damned slugs. Never have,” the guard muttered. “But it was better to deal with them than to die.”
“It might be that we can keep our positions and rid ourselves of the vermin if we’re careful. Just find that girl and the man she’s with. If they’re who we’re looking for, I might be able to salvage the mess Prometheus put us in.”
“I’ll find them, Governor. If I have to walk every hill, valley, and trail in the barrens to do it.”
Adaman glanced both ways before continuing. “We’ve been together long enough now. Tell those slug warriors at the end of the street to accompany me on my shopping trip. Tell them I only trust them to guard my life since none of the citizens would dare accost a noble Limaxian warrior to get to me.”
The guard smiled. “Yes, sir.”
Adaman watched his trusted guard walk away and pasted on a welcoming expression when the two slug warriors approached.
• • •
“That man was the one you rescued. Even as far away as I was, I remember seeing him only moments before you confronted Prometheus. That’s how he knew who you were … Your Highness.”
Marcos put his bundles down when Nova did, rolled his eyes, and shook his head. “Will you let me explain?”
She rounded on him with ferocity. “You must think I’m the most inane creature you’ve ever come across. How could I not know who you were?”
“Nova—”
“But in my defense,” she interrupted, “I never really paid much attention to the names of the king’s offspring, let alone their physical appearance. There was no reason when the man let us wallow in misery while he enjoyed life, so safe and well fed on Luster!”
“Will you let me expl—”
“Of course, I should have recalled the legendary green eyes of Luster’s royalty. It’s a wonder you didn’t have the color changed to match the rest of your ill-conceived disguise.” She snorted in disdain. “I must have heard of all of you at one time or another. I must have heard the name Marcos Starlaw … but then, I was too busy tending my wounds, mourning my dead, and trying to stay alive.” She paced and slowly shook her head. “What was I thinking? I knew you were no merchant. I knew it. No simple gem buyer is built like a warrior, nor do they wield ancient weapons … like swords … with such ease. And you did it as if born to it, which is even more reason I should have figured you out.”
Marcos simply stared at her, wondering what words she’d hear that would put things right again.
“Goddess’s blood! I stupidly believed what I wanted to, what was most convenient.” She stopped in front of him and put her hands on her hips. “How far did you think you’d get with your ruse, while playing the hero so dramatically and with such little regard for your cover? And why did I fall for your lies? I know better. I’m not some silly child.”
“Will you please let me—”
“How could you let me go on as I did, believing you were someone else? Did you really not care for me at all? Was I only an escape venue, and did you really think I’d go to Forrell or those damned slugs to turn you in if I found out?”
“Listen to me!” he insisted as he put his hands on her shoulder to stop her agitated gyrations and gestures. “There was a slight chance you might not be held responsible for saving me if you didn’t know who I was.” When she lifted her chin to argue once more, he put the finger of one hand over her lips to silence her. “I don’t know what I thought at first. I was in so much pain that your kind words, soft voice, and tender mercies were all I clung to. Afterward … afterward I should have told you everything. You’re right about that. But I adhered to the idea that if I were caught, I’d never tell anyone you’d helped me. I knew my brother would come. He’d see you rescued and off this planet in the event I couldn’t speak on your behalf. I’d have found a way to let him know about you, Nova. You’d have been safe no matter what. And your planet would be freed. I vowed that long ago.”
She lowered her face and stared at the floor.
“I swear to you … on my love of you … I’d have seen you free from the pits of death itself. My father has known about Forrell’s chicanery for some time, but to land on this planet without authorization could be deemed an act of war or, at the very least, a total disrespect of pacts signed with other planets under similar circumstances. The news of fire plasma being stockpiled changed everything. When my father received highly reliable information about its existence on Delta Seven, we ignored all treaties and quite a few laws to get here and check things out. If you’re fair about this, you’ll recall that other worlds, much closer to this one, had similar agreements to help in the event of an emergency. But with Forrell calling the shots, telling everyone in this sector of space that everything was all right, and that he needed no help, what could anyone do? Think, Nova! My being here now is cause for Forrell to kill me. He’d have that right because he could deem me a spy.”
She lifted her gaze to his. “Y-You’re doing this at your father’s request?”
“Yes.”
“He s-sent his son?”
“He’d send no one else. My father wouldn’t issue orders to others he’d not give to his own flesh and blood. Besides, I’m very good at what I do. At least I … I usually am.”
She swallowed hard and moved closer to him. “Wh-why did you make yourself such a target by confronting Prometheus? You could have been in deep space, asking for help and revealing Forrell for what he is.”
He took a long moment to gather his thoughts and words. What could he say about something he’d never spoken of, not to any other soul? But Nova wasn’t just anyone. She was the woman he wanted to spend the rest of his life loving. “I … I saw what slugs did to children during battles with the Warlord factions. Their innocence was stolen away. Those that survived slug occupation of various worlds will never be the same. Not ever.” He almost choked on words that finally refused to come out. “I-I can’t talk about it, Nova,” he whispered. “As bad as things are here, you don’t know and I can’t … I can’t say it … ” His words drifted away.
“Goddess above, Marcos. You saw that young girl begging for her grandfather’s life and you just—”
“For the first time in my life as an enforcer, I lost it. I wanted nothing more than to peel that slug leader’s hide from his bones and watch him suffer the way I’d seen … y-you can’t imagine what they did to the children of anyone deemed enemies. I just snapped. I can’t explain … ”
She reached out, touched his face, and then pulled him into her arms. “It’s all right, Marcos. I think I owe your father an apology. And you as an enforcer.” She pulled away slightly and blinked back tears. “It’s just that I’ve wanted to be free of this place for so long. All that matters is that you stood up when no one else did. For having done it, you were burned as badly or worse than anyone I’ve ever seen. I just … everything’s just so wrong and I … I wanted someone to blame … ”
He held onto her and rocked her back and forth. “I swear this will end. I swear it on my life, or I’ll forfeit it to see you free.”