by Rebel Miller
I smiled, scanning the room. “They look so different from their images.” I had studied everyone’s profiles in preparation for this.
“That’s because those images are treated with layer upon layer of optics.” Gannon’s lips tilted slightly before he looked back at our subjects.
We were standing in the middle of the reception for leadership delegations following Realm Council’s first day of meetings. I was still buzzing from the excitement of being counted as part of such prestigious group, though during the meeting, I had managed, I thought, to maintain a look of polite interest despite the fact that my heart had been skittering at a distracting pace.
While I sat through the proceedings, I’d been reminded of the Realm Exhibition where I had first seen the Corona speak in person. She was as quietly commanding at the meeting today as she had been then. As she navigated the discussions, she revealed her concerns about approving the proposal without an opportunity to first hear from her fellow Council members. She asked that each ambassador speak, then gave an opportunity to both the high chancellor and the high marshal to weigh in.
The high chancellor explained the process and the issues that had been carefully considered before coming to the decision to present the proposal to the Corona. When she inquired about the involvement of subordinate representation, he launched eloquently into its value considering the rise in rogue activities among the caste. It was during his commentary that I learned of the alarming increase in the number of factions. They had become more organized since I’d first learned of them from Tai, and comprised mostly subordinates, with a smattering of senators and protectors. Initially, their focus had seemed to be on disruption as a form of protest to Argon’s expulsion, but now their activities had taken on a more strategic and violent bent.
After careful consideration, the Corona acknowledged the hard work of all parties and promised to return with a decision on the next and final day of meetings. Shortly after a brief discussion of more regular matters, she adjourned the meeting.
The reception afterward was where Gannon and I managed to find each other, in the center of the room with all of system’s leadership milling about. Unfortunately, I had only been able to catch a glimpse of him during the meeting. He had sat on the periphery of the assembly room while I sat close to the front with Gabriel.
When we came upon each other, I wasn’t sure how to interact with him. How did a senator’s paramour act when in public with her lover?
Gannon raked his eyes over me and I almost threw my arms around him before I came to my senses. He smiled knowingly before we glanced away and stood shoulder to shoulder, surveying the crowd. I accepted a glass of wine from a passing server and chanced a look at Gannon to find his expression had taken on a detached look that suited his aloof alter ego. With me holding a cool drink and him with his hands clasped firmly behind his back, I hoped we looked as casually professional as we were trying to be. I wasn’t sure. My heart had started beating erratically at the sight of him. When he finally spoke, it was to provide me with an amusing insider’s view of Realm Council leadership.
“And here comes designate to Maria Ambassador of Septima.” He used his chin to point out a woman who looked to be in her late forties. She wore the requisite purple and black uniform, her full head of gray hair pulled back in a tight bun. “She’s probably the only one I don’t have much to say about, which means she’s more than likely the one with the most secrets.” He winked at me.
I chuckled then choked, struggling to down my wine. I covered it hurriedly with a cough.
Gannon looked back over the crowd with a grin that fell flat as soon his eyes focused on the next person to arrive.
Tai walked in briskly, with Aresh Ambassador and two protectors. The ambassador was speaking rapidly as they strode in. However, as soon as he spied the Corona, the ambassador ended the conversation and moved in her direction, drawing Tai’s eyes our way. I glanced up at Gannon to find him observing me, and sent him a tight smile. I knew Tai was closer now without having to look — my skin started tingling with awareness.
“I need to speak with you,” he said to me without preamble, rudely ignoring Gannon. The urgency in his voice made me move reflexively toward him, thinking immediately of my family.
“What’s wrong?”
Tai shot Gannon a look. “Let’s go somewhere private.”
“She’s staying right here,” Gannon said.
“Come with me,” Tai said, reaching for my hand.
“Anything you have to say to Kira can be said around me,” Gannon said, stepping forward. Tai’s hand fell back to his side as he finally looked in his direction.
“What right do you think you have to make those sorts of demands?” Tai eyed him, incredulous.
“I have all the right I need,” Gannon said smoothly.
I pursed my lips and pierced Gannon with a glare. He was all but flaunting our relationship!
Tai’s brows furrowed. He glanced at me then looked at Gannon once again before his gaze came to rest on me. “What’s he talking about?” he said to me.
The urge to give in to the guilt seeping through my veins was strong. Pushing my hair behind my ear, I ducked away from his scrutiny and stared unseeingly at the engraved cufflinks on Gannon’s jacket. I stayed like that for a long time until I noticed that Gannon’s hands were clenched at his sides. It occurred to me how I probably looked to him in that moment, head down like I was ashamed of him. But that wasn’t it. I smarted at the thought of Tai thinking I was in a relationship with Gannon for no other reason than to use and be used.
I lifted my eyes to meet Gannon’s gaze. He had been watching me as I collected my thoughts. Pain lanced through me at the insecurity my hesitation inserted beneath the customary arrogance in his eyes. I had put that there, and I didn’t like it. The truth was, I acknowledged to myself, that Gannon meant more to me than a fickle affair.
I faced Tai, my chin slightly raised. “He’s just speaking the truth.” I couldn’t articulate that I was Gannon’s and happy to be so any more clearly than that in the crowded space.
Tai blanched. He searched my face, disbelief written all over his. Though confident in my declaration, I felt a deep pang of regret for what might have been with Tai.
He took a step back. “If you ever want to hear news of your family, you know where to find me,” he said bitterly. He was about to walk away but had to stop short.
“Tai Corporal, so good to see you again.”
The Corona and high chancellor approached us, two women wearing red and black following closely behind them. I immediately handed my glass to a nearby server and straightened my back. I was about to meet our sovereign leader. I wouldn’t do so with my hands full of liquor.
Without missing a beat, Tai nodded with a slight bow. “And you as well, Sovereign.”
“I’ve heard you’ve been making strides here on Prospect, but then, I’m not surprised,” she said to him. “Your father was a remarkable leader.
I’m happy to see you following in his footsteps.”
Tai responded with a tight but cordial smile.
“How is Diana?” she inquired, plaiting her fingers together at her waist. Her pale shoulder-length hair was pulled back from her face with two jeweled combs.
“My mother is doing much better. She recently received a clean bill of health from her medic.”
The Corona smiled, her brown eyes sparkling with the right amount of charm. “Please send her my greetings.”
“I will, Sovereign.” Tai nodded respectfully.
She tilted her head a notch to eye Gannon. “And you, looking as hale and healthy as your father, I see.”
“Sovereign,” Gannon said in greeting.
“Come now, Gannon, our families go back too far for that. You must call me Layla, as your father does.”
“Thank you for the courtesy, Sovereign,” he said with a slight curve to his cheek.
The Corona snorted elegantly and peered up at the hi
gh chancellor, who had been standing patiently to the side. “You’ve trained this one well, Marcus.”
He grunted with a rueful grin. “I continue to try.”
Gannon thinned his lips and looked at me. The Corona turned her gaze in my direction.
“Subordinate Metallurgist, I’ve heard quite a bit about you.” I inhaled deeply, trying to settle my nerves. “You’ve done excellent work on the proposal,” she added.
It took me two tries before I could get my response out. “Thank you, Sovereign,” I managed. “I benefited from the guidance of the chancellor and Prospect minister. I played only a minor part.”
She considered me. “The task force is integral to our understanding of how the corruption of Argon could have happened under our watchful eyes. Do not diminish the importance of your role in this process.” She enunciated every syllable meaningfully. The Corona held my gaze for a long moment, assessing me as everyone in our tight circle stood silent within the din of the room. I swallowed and managed not to look away. Then she smiled, seemingly satisfied, and looked at the high chancellor.
“Argon has sent Realm Council many petitions for leniency,” she said.
The high chancellor grunted. “They can go to the underworlds to search for leniency, Sovereign,” he said, his eyes flinty.
She grimaced delicately, appearing put off, but I could hear the steel in her voice when she responded. “It’s unfortunate that their selfishness came to this, but they knew the rules. Strength, resolve and heed the Realm.” She looked at me.
I lowered my gaze. It sounded so simple without the context of those people such decisions were impacting. Had my family not been caught in the fallout, perhaps I too would have been casting the dominion to dark forces like them.
I felt both Gannon’s and Tai’s eyes on me. No doubt they knew the course of my thoughts. I remembered myself and quickly raised my eyes to the Corona.
She tilted her head. “What is it?” the Corona asked softly, but I could hear the command all the same.
“Pardon me?”
She narrowed her eyes. “What were you thinking just now?”
“I — I was —”
Tai stepped forward, but Gannon took hold of my hand and spoke first. “Sovereign, she was simply —”
The high chancellor’s eyes snagged on Gannon’s grip.
“Gannon,” the Corona said, slanting a look his way, “I believe she can speak for herself.” Gannon’s jaw tensed, but he released his hold on my hand.
I tried to think quickly. “I … was just wondering how the task force can have a thorough discussion when we don’t know what we’re up against.”
“Meaning?”
I looked to Tai, but he was busy boring holes into Gannon, who was, in turn, watching me. “Well,” I said, “for us to develop law to prevent exploration, shouldn’t we have a full understanding of the impact of the offense?”
“Are you forgetting the annihilation of our citizens on Septima One?” she said.
“No, not at all,” I rushed out. I closed my eyes briefly trying to summon a coherent articulation of my thoughts and then held her gaze. “Punishment should match the crime. If we haven’t explored beyond the Realm in over three hundred years, how can we know what threats exist?”
“We don’t need to be bitten by a dog multiple times to fear its bite,” the high chancellor said.
I considered that a moment then said, “The number of worlds beyond the Realm is infinite. They can’t all be so hostile.”
The high chancellor and Corona stared at me, consternation clear in their gazes. Marcus Consul’s face took on a look of disdain as our sovereign swept her eyes over me slowly. I would have found the Corona’s perusal insolent if I didn’t see genuine curiosity in her eyes.
Her eyes sharpened. “You live up to your reputation, subordinate. That’s not a common thing.” She drew herself up, looking to the high chancellor. “Marcus, I’ve much to do before tomorrow’s meeting. I will see you then.”
We watched in respectful silence as she walked away, her two assistants in tow.
Shit.
I chanced a look to my left and right, fearing the worst. Gannon was staring at me in a low-grade state of wonder. Tai, on the other hand, looked like he wanted to strangle me. I frowned, uncertain how to feel myself about my surprising candor.
The high chancellor cleared his throat, drawing my attention to him. “Gannon, you’ll be pleased to know that Petra is here.”
Gannon finally pulled his eyes from mine. “Why in the Realm is Petra here?”
I looked between Gannon and his father, wondering who this Petra was and why Gannon suddenly looked like he wanted to wrap his fingers around his father’s throat. Tai stiffened beside me. Apparently, this Petra was known to him as well.
“I invited her, of course. She should be here. She’s designate to Hale Six’s minister, and with Nigel’s health deteriorating as we speak, she will no doubt take over shortly. The poor man is rotting away with every arc he takes around the dominion. I despise the man, but no one should have to suffer as he has with all the medical advances we have in this day and age.”
“You’re only encouraging her,” Gannon bit out.
His father harrumphed. “She has excellent connections on Hale and Dignitas, is intelligent and well regarded, and a more charming person I’ve never met.” His eyes slid over to me. “You could do much worse in a suitable partner.”
I forced myself not to show a reaction but took a small, unsteady step back all the same.
“I’m not interested in Petra,” Gannon ground out, his eyes cool as ice on his father.
“Ah, so there is someone else you’re interested in. I was wondering. I haven’t heard as much gossip about you among the female senators and elites over the past few months. Halls, we know how much you like to entertain women — every week a new conquest, a chip off the old block. Of course, that was before I met your mother.”
“Father —”
Marcus Consul turned to Tai, cutting his son off. “I know you’re nothing like Gannon,” he said. “His love of women is legend, after all. But a man of your standing and physical attributes must appreciate the need to sow one’s oats, as you will, until the right person comes along.”
Gannon’s eyes narrowed dangerously. “What are you doing?”
His father continued as if Gannon hadn’t spoken. “A man will realize at some point,” he said to Tai, “that he must settle down, especially when he thinks of the future ahead of him, leading dominions. Don’t you agree, Corporal?”
I held my breath. I could hear my heartbeat echoing throughout my body. I feared Tai wouldn’t answer, but I was wrong. Tai looked down at me then glanced over my head at Gannon, who stood a simmering statue to my left.
Tai exhaled deeply. “I suppose a man will settle down when he meets the right person,” he said diplomatically.
The high chancellor shrugged. He looked at Gannon. “I believe Petra is that person.”
“If you’ll excuse me, I need to use, to find —” I cleared my throat, trying to dislodge the vise wrapping around it. “I need to make a call.” Gannon’s hand lifted as if to reach for me, but I stepped away quickly. But I wasn’t quick enough to evade Tai, who wrapped a hand around my elbow.
“Let me accompany you,” Tai said, holding my arm firmly.
I gave him a tight nod. As we walked away, I caught Gannon’s expression, his eyes fiercely haunted. But Tai and I didn’t get very far. Suddenly standing before us was one of the most elegant women I had ever seen.
She was my height but lithe, moving like a wisp of smoke. Her complexion was the same as mine, but our ancestry was clearly different. Her eyes were an exotic swirl of green and blue framed by slanted almondshaped eyes. Her hair was a winding river of black silk that draped luxuriously over one shoulder falling nearly to her waist. She appeared closer to Gannon’s or Tai’s age than mine. I had never seen the uniform of the Senate look so femininely alluring a
s it did on this woman.
She smiled at Gannon and then at his father. “I was hoping I would catch you,” she said.
“Petra,” the older man said as he greeted her with open arms. They kissed each other’s cheeks.
My heart took a sharp dive and my breathing slowed. This was the woman the high chancellor wanted for his son.
I began to calculate a seamless way to take my leave. I shot a look at Tai, who had been eyeing me. The reception was proving a challenging place for either of us to escape.
When I glanced at Gannon I found his eyes on me as well. The anger twisting his mouth into a scowl told me he had read my mind. He shook his head once.
“How are you, Gannon?” Petra asked, pulling his gaze.
“Well. And you, Petra?” he asked pleasantly enough.
She shrugged, her hair shimmering liquid as she moved. “I’m happy to see you again.” She ran her eyes over him possessively.
Gannon turned to me with a look of mild exasperation. “Allow me to introduce you to Subordinate Kira Metallurgist and Tai Corporal, both of Prospect,” he said graciously. She seemed a bit surprised by the courtesy, but quickly greeted us. Tai and I gave our cordial, if awkward, responses. I didn’t miss the way she discreetly assessed me.
“I was just waxing poetic about you, Petra,” the high chancellor said, grinning. “I know that with Nigel sick, you might not have been able to join us.”
She laughed. “I’m sure you exaggerated, Marcus.” She sent the man a brilliant smile before turning to Gannon. “I have, in fact, been very busy with duties on Hale but was more than willing to adjust my schedule.”
“We appreciate you making the effort,” Gannon’s father said.
“It’s been so long since I last saw you, Gannon,” she said, stepping closer to him. “I must admit, I’ve used this meeting as an opportunity to see you again.”
Gannon rolled back his shoulders as if bracing against a strong wind.