by Rebel Miller
I gave Gabriel a nod at the same time Gannon called the meeting to start.
“We are scheduled to start with discussion on the task force’s terms of reference,” Gannon began, his eyes touching steadily upon each person at the table. “But I’ve just been called to meet with our sovereign on Dignitas. Therefore, I’ll need to cut today’s agenda short and move directly into discussion of the composition of the task force. More than likely, she will want to be updated on this matter.”
My stomach sank. This was the section of the agenda that required the missing files. Gabriel looked at me with a pinched expression.
Gannon led the Council through an animated discussion. As the meeting progressed, I was increasingly impressed by his control over the group and his command of our governance and law. It was expected that, as the chancellor’s son, he would be familiar with the process, but Gannon had an understanding of our law’s nuances that went beyond merely having read background information and attended a briefing or two. If I were to believe Tai, Gannon should have been a reluctant contributor who participated only out of a sense of obligation. But he was fully engaged in the process, and his natural leadership skills earned him genuine respect from even the much older councillors in the room. He was more than a figure-head at the meeting: the group followed his every word as he moved from issue to issue.
Between frequent moments admiring Gannon’s competence, I sent uncommon pleas to All Above that no one would require Judiciary input. Of course, we weren’t so fortunate. We were close to the end of the meeting when Akira Minister of Prospect Two raised for consideration a topic that made me glance up from my note taking.
“Wouldn’t we require subordinate representation on a task force to develop a law that will impact all castes?”
The group was silent for a beat before launching into discussion.
While the Subordinate caste was touted as being the very fabric of our system, we had no voice at Realm Council. There had been calls for change over the Realm’s more than four-hundred-year history, but they had gone unheard. The fact that we had representation at the region council level was considered sufficient. That a subordinate would be invited to join such a task force was inconceivable at best.
Gannon commented on a few of the louder and better-articulated opinions that were thrown out then looked to our side of the table.
“Gabriel,” he said, “perhaps you could provide some insight.”
“I believe,” Gabriel said slowly, “that there is a section of law that speaks to subordinate representation.” I tensed, racking my brain.
Gannon frowned. “Would you care to you elaborate?”
Gabriel clasped his hands on the table. “Inviting subordinate representation sets a precedent we are not prepared to encourage.”
Gannon skimmed a look about the room. “Thank you, Minister, but I’d like to know more about our requirements according to law, not your opinion on it.”
Suddenly, I remembered.
“Gabriel,” I whispered, leaning forward. “It’s section four hundred and —”
“Subordinate Metallurgist.” Gannon leaned forward in his chair. “What were you saying?”
Startled, I looked up at him then back to Gabriel.
“Forgive me, Chancellor,” Gabriel interceded. “If you’ll just allow —”
“Subordinate, please approach the table,” Gannon said.
All eyes were on me. I sent a desperate look at Gabriel, who, after a moment, gave me an almost imperceptible nod. I rose and took my time approaching the table.
Gannon looked at me with an unwavering gaze. “You were saying?”
I took a steadying breath. “Regarding exploration, under section four hundred thirty-two on Special Committees for the Development or Amendment of Law, you are required to appoint a representative from at least one region council. As you know, region councillors are all subordinates. Therefore, a subordinate should be appointed to the task force.”
A few murmurs rippled around the room.
Gannon studied me. “That law has never been used.”
I blinked. “Exploration has been banned for hundreds of years. We’ve never had need for such a committee, and so no need to refer to the law.”
He leaned forward. “I could easily argue that this task force doesn’t meet the requirements of a special committee.”
I pressed my lips together as my mind spun, trying to weave together an appropriate counterargument.
Gabriel rose from his seat. “Chancellor,” he said, “I can expound on that section of law for the benefit of my fellow councillors.” I quickly backed away from the table, ready to relinquish the floor.
“Yet I’ve not asked you to,” Gannon said, cutting him a look.
Gabriel fell back into his seat, bewilderment on his face.
“Subordinate, please step forward.”
I retook the position with an uncertain step.
“Why do you think we should adhere to this law?” Gannon asked, his blue eyes gleaming bright.
My temper flickered to the surface. He was putting me on the spot and I didn’t know why. If he thought he could intimidate me, he could go straight to the underworlds.
I raised my chin. “Subordinate representation would give you an opportunity to gather information about how the caste might have contributed to Argon’s dissension and how to prevent it in the future.”
He chuckled, raising my hackles even higher. “The growing consensus among your caste is that Argon’s expulsion rests solely on the shoulders of their leadership.”
“And I agree with my fellow citizens.” I ignored a few startled murmurs working their way around the table. “But wouldn’t a task force that included their thoughts and opinions help you to decide?”
Gannon smiled. “I see,” he said.
The group remained silent as Gannon considered my arguments.
“And how,” he asked after a time, “would we determine from which region council to select a subordinate representative?”
I broke from his gaze and glanced at Gabriel, seeking direction, but he was staring at Gannon, inaccessible to me. “I suppose,” I began slowly, looking at Gannon again. “Since Prospect Eight was asked to lead the creation of the task force and is the center of our dominion’s administration of governance and law, we should appoint someone from one of our region councils.”
He held my gaze for a moment then turned to the others in the room. “What are your thoughts?”
There was a flurry of commentary, some in favor and some against.
Akira Minister’s voice rose above all others. “The law is clearly in support of subordinate representation.”
“It would be impossible to get this recommendation approved by Realm Council,” said a louder voice in response.
Gannon raised a hand, silencing the room. “I’ll be working with Prospect Eight’s Judiciary on a proposal. We’ll need to present our recommendation to all the other dominions’ world ministers before it goes to Realm Council anyway. We’ll let them decide.”
* * *
I was only mildly simmering by the time the meeting ended. At adjournment, I approached Gabriel, seeking his thoughts on the day’s proceedings and my part in it.
“You did well, Metallurgist,” Gabriel said, nudging his tablet under an arm. “However, next time, let’s be sure we’re both properly armed with the information we need. I’ll see you back at the offices.” He turned and walked away.
I was trying to determine whether to be relieved or worried by Gabriel’s response when I heard a ping.
Please come to room 8.
Gannon.
I scowled fiercely, wondering how to tell him to take his arrogant ass back to Dignitas One in a way that wouldn’t end with me losing my job. But then I thought more rationally. Gannon had gone out of his way to embarrass me and disrespect Gabriel. I had a few things I wanted to say to him.
I stalked down the halls toward the smaller meeting room, my bag bouncing in tim
e with the click of my heels. When I arrived, the door was open, so I peered inside.
“I’ll be working with the Judiciary to develop a proposal for the world ministers to review,” Gannon said. He was standing with his arms crossed in the center of the room, facing two large monitors. He didn’t stop talking as he waved me in. “Once we have their endorsement, we should be able to present a detailed recommendation to the Corona and the rest of Realm Council.”
“When will the proposal be ready?” asked a disembodied voice. Walking into the room, I saw Aresh Ambassador’s image displayed on one of the monitors. I stepped back immediately, ready to retreat.
His eyes on the monitors, Gannon held up a hand in my direction, staying me. “It should be ready in a week, Ambassador,” he replied.
“Good. I’d like to get this passed quickly, Gannon,” said another male voice. Leaning in a bit, I saw the high chancellor on the other monitor. My grievance with Gannon would have to wait. It was time to leave.
“As do I,” Gannon said. “Thankfully, I’ll be working with an excellent team here on Prospect Eight. Subordinate Kira Metallurgist from the Judiciary, in particular, has presented some worthy ideas for consideration.” I paused near the door, and turned to look at him once again.
“A subordinate, is it?” his father mused then frowned for a moment, as if deep in thought. “I like your thinking,” he said. “Getting a subordinate involved and supporting this process from the start will go a long way in placating the disgruntled caste.”
I flinched.
Gannon glanced at me quickly then looked back to the high chancellor, eyes narrowed. “That wasn’t the intention.”
“Nevertheless, it was a good idea,” he said dismissively. “We look forward to reading the proposal in a week’s time.” The transmission ended.
I made for the door.
“Kira,” Gannon said sharply.
I took a deep breath and turned back to him.
He took a few steps toward me then stopped. “Please disregard what my father said.”
“You used me,” I said, advancing on him.
“No.” He shook his head firmly.
“Then please explain why you humiliated me during the meeting.”
Gannon looked puzzled. “Is that what you think I did?” he said, scanning my face. “You were incredible!”
That threw me off for a moment, but I rallied and stuck to the issue at hand. I folded my arms and rolled back my shoulders.
“You embarrassed Gabriel,” I said, “completely disrespecting him.”
He raised an eyebrow. “Is that so?”
I glared at him.
Gannon ran a hand through his hair and turned away. I watched as he settled into a chair behind an imposing desk directly across from the monitors. He began to type on a much larger tablet attached to the desk.
After a moment, I let my arms fall to my sides. “Don’t you have anything to say?” I asked.
He continued typing, not looking at me. “What should I say? You’ve told me what I’ve done. Case closed.”
I walked up to the desk, baffled. “So you admit it?”
He exhaled and leaned back in his chair. From my position looking down at him, I should have felt like the one in command, but I didn’t. His eyes made a slow and scorching path over me. My body lit up under his blatant observation.
“I make it a practice,” he said coolly, “not to defend myself against other people’s assumptions about my character or intent. It grows very tiresome.”
I flushed and my gaze dropped to the desk, falling on the official seal of the Realm engraved into its wooden top. It was a timely reminder that I was speaking with a senior member of the Senate caste.
I readjusted my bag. “I’ll leave you to your work then, Chancellor,” I said, turning on my heel and feeling oddly deflated for not getting the fight I’d anticipated. As I stalked toward the door, I heard shuffling and the creak of a chair.
“Who is he to you?”
I stopped where I was and turned to find him standing by the desk, hands in his pockets.
“Who?”
He approached me and I took a few steps back.
“Tai.”
He’d caught me off guard. I struggled to find the right words to describe Tai’s relationship with me.
“He’s … a friend.” That would have to do.
Gannon studied me. “But he wants more,” he said. He was so close now I could see the steel gray flecks in his blue eyes.
I narrowed my eyes, incredulous that he would be so presumptuous. “That’s none of your business.”
“Has he told you about me, about all my flaws and shortcomings?”
“I thought you didn’t care what others thought of you,” I countered.
“I said I don’t defend myself against them.”
I tilted my head, considering his words.
He leaned forward. “Has he had you yet?”
All Above!
“You’re unbelievable,” I said, and shifted to his left, trying to get around him. But he held firm, his large, lean build blocking me.
“He hasn’t, has he?” He scanned my face as if searching for the answer. A grin slowly took shape on his mouth. “No, if he’d had you, he wouldn’t have been so ill at ease when he saw me with you.”
I pursed my lips. He was baiting me.
“There’s a chance for me yet,” he added.
I couldn’t hold my tongue any longer. “You are an arrogant ass,” I said.
He chuckled, his full lips curving into a wider smile. “So you have spoken to Tai about me.”
“I don’t need Tai to tell me what’s plain to see.”
He nodded. “Well said.”
I dragged my eyes from his and took another few steps back, coming against a wall. He followed me. My pulse picked up. Ignoring it, I raised my chin. It was time to deal with matters head on.
“What do you want?” I asked.
His expression sobered. He rested a palm on the wall by my head and ducked his so we were eye to eye. “Anything you’re willing to give.”
“You’re my superior.”
“So?”
I couldn’t help but laugh. “So?” I echoed in disbelief. “We’re working together on this project. It would be irresponsible.”
“And if I wasn’t your superior on this project?”
“You’re insulting me.”
He frowned. “Why do you say that?”
I couldn’t believe him. “Are you making it a practice to humiliate me?” I asked.
I felt a shift in the air between us as his face clouded over. “I will say this only once, Kira. My intention wasn’t to humiliate you.”
He held my gaze as I judged the sincerity of his words.
“You’re a senator,” I said simply.
“So I’ve been told.”
“I won’t be used as a plaything.”
It was his turn to cock his head, confusion clear in his regard. “You could never be a plaything.” He raised his free hand toward my cheek but then let it fall. After a few moments, he grinned.
“You should have seen yourself,” he said. “So fierce. You looked ready to murder me.” He leaned in once again. I licked my lips, unintentionally drawing his gaze to my mouth. “I’ve never been aroused during a meeting before,” he added.
Tingles raced up my spine. I closed my eyes and rested the back of my head against the wall.
“You want me, Kira, and I think as much as I want you. Is it Tai who’s stopping you?”
I shook my head, opening my eyes.
He gave me an incredulous look. “It’s not?”
“It’s not Tai,” I said firmly.
“Good.” He kissed me, startling me into place. Gannon curved an arm around my back, pulling me to him. The position gave him better access to fully engage his assault on my mouth. I breathed in deeply, trying to catch my breath even as he delved between my lips. He tasted and smelled the way he looked a
ndbehaved — unrelenting, masculine and overpowering. I held still, refusing to give in even as my mouth opened beneath his.
All Above, he used his mouth like a weapon, taking down my defenses one lick at a time. He ran his other hand roughly up along my ribcage. Gannon seemed to be trying to commit every part that he tasted and felt to memory, so forceful were his movements and kiss. With a sigh, I softened under him a bit. I tried to raise my hands, to touch him in some way, but he had them trapped tightly against his chest within our embrace. Instead, I pulled back a bit to lick at his lips and he made a rough, needy sound low in the back of his throat.
Abruptly, he moved his hands to my thighs and in one sudden movement lifted me, his stance widening to prop me up against the wall with his hips. With my hands now freed, I raised them to his hair, brushing back the blond locks that were tickling my cheeks. My skirt was bunched up high around my thighs, and I felt the stiffness of his arousal as he rocked against me. I began to rub against him, an ache rising painfully between my legs.
He must have sensed my growing desperation. With a sound of impatience, Gannon thrust his hips, giving me the friction I needed while I allowed him to feed from my mouth. I was drugged. There was no other way to describe why I was engaging in this tryst.
“Gannon,” I panted between his lips. He grunted, forcing my thighs wider with his hips. “Stop,” I said.
He leaned back immediately, chest heaving, staring hungrily at my mouth.
I avoided his gaze. “I can’t do this,” I said to the collar of his shirt, watching his pulse beat heavily at his neck.
“Why?” he demanded.
I rubbed my lips together and shook my head. There were many reasons, but I had to admit to myself it was my feelings for Tai that held me back.
He considered me quietly as our breathing evened out. Still, my heart thumped painfully against my ribs. Finally, he took a step back, holding my upper arms to steady me as I slipped down the wall. My skirt fell into place while he straightened his uniform. If not for our labored breathing, no one who came in now would be the wiser about our passionate exchange.
He crossed his arms. “How long have you known Tai?”
“More than five years.” I said, wondering at the question.
“And in all that time, he hasn’t taken what he so obviously wants,” Gannon mused.