by Shae Mills
The laughing eventually died down, and now all eyes were once again upon her. She took a few deep breaths. “I was abducted into the old Empire by force. I was assaulted by the Emperor.” She paused as she watched the smiles and grins fade. “Then I was abducted violently by the new regime…”—she glanced up into Talon’s now serious face—“… where I remain an unwilling captive,” she finished coolly.
She looked down before returning her gaze to the men. Her voice when she resumed was strong and steady. “Though I obtained the title of Empress through Korba, I never had the chance to reign. Therefore, I remained separate from the old Empire’s workings, as I remain now from the new Empire. In the beginning, I did not fit in with them…”—her eyes met Talon’s again— “… nor do I fit in here.” She hesitated. “I merely exist. And as for why, I do not know.”
Looks were exchanged among the sixty-odd men, and finally, one cleared his throat. Chelan looked up into Lethiason’s soft eyes. “You are not on trial here, Chelan. We are all aware of your stature and role within the old regime.” He straightened, his eyes hardening. “I, however, speaking for myself, was unaware until recently of your treatment by Ticees. I extend my heartfelt sorrow to you over what you were forced to endure. But as far as I know, you are no longer a captive here. You are free.”
Lethiason looked at Talon, as did Chelan. For the first time since she arrived, the Emperor spoke. “I knew of the assault but not the circumstances surrounding it. Nor was I aware of what ensued afterward. My late brother honored the Lady with the retribution he delivered upon the deposed Emperor, an act any honorable man would approve of. Regardless, she was abducted by us for our own purposes. And Lethiason is right: she is now free.” He glanced at her and then looked to his officers. “And she is honest when she says she cannot compare the two Empires. I have not made her privy to any information whatsoever.”
Chelan looked up at him in astonishment, surprised by his civility.
He continued, his voice low and even. “And she has remained unshakably faithful to her Warlords, with a loyalty even I admire. She cannot compare the two Emperors. All she knows is that Korba and the others are no more. The old regime is gone, and we rule.”
Lethiason nodded to the little alien. “Who are we, Chelan?”
She paused. “I am not sure.” She looked around. “You are of Iceanean genetics, yet you serve ROPE. That is all I know.”
More murmurs rippled through the room, and Chelan watched as a smile traversed Lethiason’s lips. “You are partially right, but you have much to learn.” He threw a surprised look at Talon. “You have indeed kept her in the dark.”
Talon nodded. “You have my permission to enlighten her at some later time, my good man. But right now, I believe, dinner is served.”
Chelan felt utterly confused and relieved at the same time. She sat quietly and watched as the men lapsed into their own conversations. Talon issued orders to the servants, and the exotic food poured forth. She looked down at her plate, recognizing nothing that was put in front of her. Once again, she was reminded poignantly of the new culture she was now bound to. She watched as eyes darted to her and heard as words were spoken in an alien tongue. But she understood none of it.
Finally, she peered up at Talon as he began to eat. She was far from hungry, and she wished she could quietly excuse herself, but she feared interrupting him. Then she looked around at the men and was startled to see Lethiason’s eyes riveted to her, his plate untouched. Chelan instantly glanced away, deciding to try her food as a diversion. She picked up her fork and prodded something that vaguely resembled fish. Cautiously, she raised it to her lips, but she did not taste it. Instead, she found herself returning Lethiason’s unwavering gaze. Slowly and almost imperceptibly, he shook his head.
Chelan’s eyes went wide with surprise, and she set the item down. She regarded him as he selected a portion of food from his plate and raised it to his mouth, eating it slowly while watching her. Chelan hesitated, taking a moment to observe the rest of the men, but all of them were absorbed by their conversations. Even Talon was completely preoccupied by the man on his right, speaking to him in their foreign tongue.
Finally, she looked back at Lethiason, and he nodded. She searched her plate for the same food, finding the pale, doughy balls. She raised one up and took a tentative taste, her eyes closing as the rich, semisweet flavor permeated her palate. It was divine. When she once again opened her eyes, she saw Lethiason nod and smile warmly.
And so the meal continued, Chelan carefully watching the warrior and following his lead with the food selection. When she had eaten her fill, she sat back as drinks were served and the plates were removed. She peered at her glass and then over at Lethiason. He shook his head while reaching for his. Suddenly, she jumped at the sound of her name. She looked up at Talon, who nodded to her drink. “You should try it, little one. It may lift your spirits.”
Chelan paused, sure that she should not betray Lethiason’s coaching. She took the glass and raised it slowly. As she moved it to her lips, the strength of the liqueur made her eyes sting. She lowered the glass. “No, thank you, my Lord,” she uttered. “It is too strong.”
Talon grinned and then returned to his conversation, much to Chelan’s relief. She continued to study the men around her in unwatched silence, even Lethiason finally releasing her from his scrutiny. Time passed, and one by one the men excused themselves, each nodding to her as they took their leave.
Eventually, Lethiason bid Talon good-bye in the alien dialect. Then he smiled at Chelan. “I will see you again soon,” he said in Iceanean.
Chelan stood and returned his smile. “That would be nice.”
Lethiason clicked his heels and turned, taking prompt leave. Suddenly, Chelan felt trapped, once again alone with Talon. Finally, she dared to look up at him.
“You conducted yourself very well, little one. Not a single word spoken was out of place, not a single gesture inappropriate. You impressed me.”
“I do not think I could do that again,” she confessed.
Talon smiled warmly. “Lethiason is right. It is time for you to learn about our culture. I will load the data banks with the material tomorrow. You may study it at your leisure.”
“Must I learn your language?”
“You may, but Iceanean is still the language of the Empire.”
Chelan nodded. “I would like to go back to my quarters, if you permit.”
Talon stared down at her for a moment. He took a long look at her pretty face and inviting lips. Then he spoke, his voice soft. “I have work to attend to. Can you find your way back?”
Chelan nodded. “I think so.” And she started for the door. Once there, she turned around and looked at him. Fully clad in the Imperial garb, his eyes soft, his features relaxed, he was identical to Korba. Chelan had to shake herself back to reality. “Thank you for dinner, my Lord,” she whispered.
Talon nodded. “You are welcome anytime. And I am sure that my men also enjoy your company, not only for the visual feast.”
Chelan blushed and glanced away. There was something in his mannerisms and his tone at that moment that caused her heart to stumble. But she quelled the feeling instantly. Quickly, not daring to look back at him, she turned and left, hustling down the corridors as fast as she could. Finally, she burst through the Command Center doors and sagged against the wall in relief. She closed her eyes.
“Welcome!”
Chelan gasped and straightened up just as the central chair whirled about to meet her. “Lethiason,” she croaked.
He smiled. “I told you I would see you again soon.”
Chelan glanced around anxiously. “Are you allowed here?”
Lethiason stood. “If you permit it, I am.”
“If I permit it?” she repeated in a whisper. “What about Talon?”
Lethiason laughed lightly. “This is not an active Command Center at the moment. It is yours, designed by Korba and allotted to you by Talon. Now the questio
n becomes, does Talon permit me to visit you in your domain?” Lethiason’s eyes sparkled as he approached the stairs. “He has forbidden nothing of the sort, and you are now free to have visitors. He also granted me the permission, or shall I say he granted me the luxury, of educating you, did he not?”
Chelan nodded apprehensively, somewhat perplexed. “But he told me not to interfere with his men. I mean, he didn’t want any trouble. He was afraid that… Well, he warned…”
Lethiason chuckled and shook his head at her. “You worry too much.” He raised his brows with amusement. “Besides, you have only just met me, Chelan. Do you plan to… interfere with me so soon?”
Chelan turned bright pink. “Ah, no, I, ah, it is just that Talon and I—he does not want…” She looked down and steadied herself, the night’s events scrambling her thoughts. “I just don’t want to cause any upheaval right now.”
A warm smile settled on his lips. “I will not get you into trouble with Talon, Chelan. And if somehow I do, I will handle it, not you.”
Chelan felt the tension drain from her bones. Then she smiled as he offered her his ebony-clad hand. Chelan finally released the clutch she had on her gown and allowed him to usher her to the chair. She sat down and watched as he seated himself next to her.
“So, where do you want to start?” he asked.
“You said I was only partially right about who you are.”
Lethiason nodded. “We are of Iceanean genetics, bred by and for ROPE. But we no longer serve them.”
Chelan was thunderstruck. “I don’t understand.”
“This much we have in common with your deceased mate: Though we initially fought for ROPE, like Korba we have always felt that the galaxy’s rule should belong to Iceanea, our native planet. Korba planned that when he took down the Ticeenean regime. He also sought to eradicate ROPE. We now rule Korba’s dynasty, but Talon did not stop there. He fought on two fronts, and now, as Korba had always wanted, ROPE is no more.”
Chelan was aghast. “Mutiny?”
Lethiason nodded.
Chelan stood slowly, her mind reeling. Then she whirled to face him. “But why did he not simply join forces with Korba? Why did he overthrow the Empire?”
Lethiason rose. “He wanted the Empire, and initially, he required ROPE’s help. Then, once the Warlords fell, he had the necessary inside information and the ability to send ROPE to its death. That is what has been occurring since he arrived here. Now, it is pretty well complete.”
Chelan looked up into Lethiason’s azure eyes and shook her head. “He killed his brother to attain what Korba had always fought for. Talon killed Korba for nothing.”
Lethiason took a deep breath. “They were brothers only by blood, Chelan. They were raised as rivals. Talon sought the throne, and now he has it.”
Chelan rubbed at her brow and then looked up at the massive warrior. Standing close to him in the quiet of the Command Center, she noticed for the first time his sheer size. He was even taller than the Warlords—like Ticees, probably well over seven feet. She suppressed a small shudder, suddenly relieved that he appeared to be her friend and not her enemy. “And what has your capacity been in all this?”
“I am Talon’s First Officer and chief military advisor.”
“You are the mastermind.”
Lethiason shrugged. “I am his main Commander, but there are thousands like me.”
Chelan sat down in a heap, her mind tumbling. Then she looked up at him. “Why am I still here?”
“I am not sure.”
Chelan stared at him. “You must know him better than anyone else. Surely, you have some idea.”
Lethiason sat and studied her for a long time. “Though his mission was to destroy Korba, he is Korba, in flesh, in blood, and in thought”—his voice softened—“… and in passions and desires. He is not immune to your beauty or your alien ways. You captivate him as you did his brother.”
Chelan smirked. “He has done nothing but rain terror down upon me from the second we clashed on Earth. And since the Empire fell, he has essentially kept me both captive and completely isolated. He is nothing like Korba. Korba was gentle. Korba never…”
Lethiason leaned forward. “No similarities?”
Chelan swallowed. “Korba cared for me after my abduction,” she said defensively.
Lethiason raised his brows. “Either you lie, or you forget. He left you. Your care went to the men of RIBUS 8.”
“How do you know?” she shot back.
“I know all. That is my business.”
“You did not know of Ticees.”
Lethiason smiled. “Or so I said. Regardless, all the knowledge I needed on you, Korba, Dar, and Toran, I had obtained before your unfortunate encounter with Ticees.”
Chelan leaned forward to meet him, her eyes cutting into him. “You infiltrated the Empire?”
Lethiason sat back. “Yes.”
Chelan’s anger surfaced. “I should hate you as much as I do Talon.”
Lethiason settled back into his chair, his hands neatly clasped in his lap. “You could, but that would not be wise.”
Chelan was enraged, but she held her temper. “Why?” she asked through clenched teeth.
“Because right now, what you need more than anything is a true friend. I will be that for you if you allow it.”
Chelan tried to catch her breath and maintain some semblance of control over herself. She pondered his offer. Finally, she began to relax. He was right. She could ill afford any more enemies, and in the end, for reasons she could not pinpoint, she felt that his friendship could prove to be invaluable.
She finally sagged back into her chair and stared upward. “I am so tired,” she whispered to the ceiling. “All I wanted in life was to work, to build my career, to spend time with family and friends, to love…” She was silent for a moment. “I asked for none of this.”
Lethiason studied her from under his brows. “What is it that you now desire?”
Chelan continued to stare at the ceiling, a smirk traversing her lips. “To wake up in the morning, with all of this but a nightmare—a nightmare that fades and vanishes with the morning light.”
Lethiason remained silent for a time and then spoke. “Would you erase Dar and Korba also?”
Chelan exhaled slowly. “They are but a memory now.” She tipped her head forward and looked down at her slender abdomen, her hands passing over her belly. “All has been taken from me—their care, their love, their touch…” She could barely speak, and her voice cracked as she added, “… my baby.”
She glanced up at Lethiason, noting his somber features. “All I had left was Dar’s son, but now I am barren, all the essence of the Empire I once knew ripped from me.” She drew in a shaky breath. “It is all gone,” she whispered. “It was but a fantasy, a hastily destroyed illusion. I exist now in limbo, caught between death and hell itself.” She paused. “Here I have no value, at times not even to myself.”
Lethiason watched as she hunched forward and lifted her listless body from the chair with unsteady arms. Slowly, she shuffled toward the hidden chambers. She had just aged an eternity, her bedraggled soul laid prostrate for the taking. A few hours ago, he had witnessed an alien beauty enter the dining hall, head held high and shoulders squared. Now, he observed a beaten creature retreating from life itself.
He moved quickly to his feet and caught up to her just as she stepped through the doors. He looked down into her vacant eyes. “You will find both purpose and love again,” he whispered.
Chelan looked up at him. “I can find no purpose while suppressed by tyranny. And who within this realm would I ever be foolish enough to love?”
Lethiason’s ebony finger traced a line down her petal-soft cheek and then moved ever so tenderly to her chin. He held his breath. “Why not Talon?”
Chelan shuddered, her eyes widening at his suggestion. “He killed my mate,” she reminded him caustically. “Jesus—he killed my baby!”
“But you live.”<
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“Regardless, I hate him as much as he detests me. He beats me down. He plays with me as though I were nothing but a toy. And he reminds me constantly that I will not make it on my own.”
“Yet he keeps you. He protects you. He shelters you in his domain even though all logic and protocol dictate that he should now be done with you.” Lethiason reached for her shoulders. “Do not succumb, pretty woman. He is Emperor now. Nothing will change that. Rise to his side as you did to Korba’s.”
Chelan shook her head. “You still don’t seem to understand. He has killed all that I love. I can hardly stand to be in his company. How can you ask me even to care for him, let alone share myself with him?”
Lethiason hung his head. “Because he is all you have.”
“No,” Chelan asserted, “I have you. You just told me so. A close friend is all I need.”
“But Talon holds the ultimate power, Chelan. He could order me away anytime.”
Chelan twisted from him and turned toward her bed. “Never will I share my emotions, my body, or any part of myself with someone so cold and vile.”
Lethiason frowned. “As you wish. But I tell you, he can provide all for you if you allow him to.”
Chelan sat on the edge of the bed and hugged a pillow to herself. “He cannot provide me with the world I once knew,” she whispered.
Lethiason watched her for a long time. Talk was obviously futile. Hopefully, with time, she would learn that she needed Talon. Her only hope for survival was the Emperor, and for that matter, the survival of the Empire required that she accept him.
Lethiason took a deep breath. His work was cut out for him, and the sooner he started, the better.
Chapter 11
Chelan stayed mostly in her room for the better part of the next week, struggling to choose between her dismal options. She made the odd foray out into the Palace, but it was as though she were invisible. Warriors and other people hustled along, tending to their tasks, but few seemed to notice her—not that she minded her apparent anonymity. But she did find it curious that not a single person had either the time or the inclination to engage her. And then it struck her: maybe they were not supposed to interact with her. No one had come to check on her either, and as a result, she was to the point of longing for some human interaction, even Talon’s. But maybe that was another of his tactics. If so, she had to admit it was effective. Up until now, she had thrown herself into her work, but that strategy was wearing thin.