by Rebel Miller
“Yes. Do you sympathize with the factions that are at this moment mounting forces against the Realm, demanding that the Subordinate caste be exempt from expulsion?”
“No.”
“But you agree with them?”
I hesitated.
She sighed as if beleaguered. “There’s nothing I despise more than evasion.”
I frowned, thinking immediately of Gannon and Tai. I imagined one of them at either of my shoulders, telling me, for a multitude of reasons, to keep my mouth shut.
I lifted my chin. “Yes, I agree, Sovereign.”
She nodded, satisfied. “You chose a more constructive form of protest, then. Becoming involved in this project, giving the Subordinate caste a voice through legal means.”
“That wasn’t what I set out to do.”
“I gathered that.” She placed her tea on the table. “And then last evening, you suggested that we should be exploring beyond the Realm?”
I felt the blood drain from my face. “Simply for the purpose of protecting the Realm,” I said.
“And these factions you sympathize with, do they believe that such exploration should be permitted?”
I stiffened. “Sovereign, I have no knowledge of what the factions are interested in and have no desire to know.”
She wasn’t put off in the least. “But what do you think they believe about exploration?”
I thinned my lips and considered what little information I had about the rebel groups. I thought about my Uncle Paol and why he would even consider aligning himself with them.
“I think,” I began slowly, “that the factions — at least, most of them — are not so much interested in exploration as they are in exemption.”
“In the early days, yes,” the Corona agreed. “But they’ve become more organized and articulate in communicating their interests. We’re starting to hear sentiments supporting the decriminalization of exploration.” She crossed her legs under her deep gold skirt and rested her pale hands atop them. “You said yesterday that the number of worlds beyond the Realm is infinite. You are correct. Unfortunately, one cannot manage an infinite unknown.”
I considered her words. “So … the reason we choose to close our-selves off from the rest of the worlds is for control?”
Her eyes narrowed and she leaned forward. “It’s for order, survival, advancement of our citizens. Going about willy-nilly, trying to take on the unknown without a strategy, is poor planning. And you cannot create strategy for something unknown.”
“I see.” I saw more than she realized. She was trying to justify her decision to expel Argon. Why, I wasn’t sure.
She leaned back. “You’re a beautiful girl. Is Gannon your lover?”
I jolted.
“Perhaps it’s Tai then?” she added.
“No, Sovereign,” I said, finally able to respond, and do so truthfully.
She grinned. “Come now, we are women. We can speak freely. I’ve known Gannon, Tai and their families for as long as I’ve been Corona. They are good men: ambitious, generous, not to mention extremely hand-some. Gannon likes to pretend he’s different from his father, but I can see the traits in him — the good ones, at least. As for Tai, he’s haunted by his father’s memory, afraid of his ambition for fear he’ll end up like him, dead, leaving loved ones behind and alone.” She eyed me. “So … it must be Gannon you’re with.”
“Forgive me, Sovereign,” I said, struggling to find the appropriate words. “I don’t understand what this has to do with my being here.”
She waved her hand dismissively. “How old are you?”
“Twenty-one.”
“Do you know how old I was when I became Corona?”
“Yes, you were twenty-four.”
She nodded. “That was fifteen years ago. The Realm Council and Elite caste voted me in not because of my inspiring vision or great abilities, which I had. It was because they thought to control me. I was young, soft-spoken and somewhat naive.” She shrugged. “I was. I had to grow up quickly. Over the years, I’ve learned that people should listen to their gut feelings, and my gut told me to speak with you. I wasn’t sure why, but now I know. You are genuine in your support of the Realm.”
“I only want what’s best for our citizens.”
“I believe you, Kira Metallurgist.” She nodded thoughtfully then smiled. “I hope you are just as genuine in your interest in Gannon or Tai. It will keep you motivated. You’ll need that motivation with men like them. Such relationships become quite treacherous to navigate at this level.”
I thought about that statement over and over after she gave me leave, not quite sure to make of it. Truly, I wasn’t quite sure what to make of the entire exchange. But as I made my way back to the Prospect Council building for the final meeting, my mind turned to different matters.
Later that day, after a swift discussion at the meeting, the Corona announced that she approved our proposal and called for the immediate implementation of a task force that included subordinate representation. I didn’t know what was more incredible: her landmark decision or our bizarre conversation.
* * *
“How is it that you know where Realm Council residences are?”
I had just arrived back at the Judiciary following the meeting, hoping to check my messages before heading home for the evening. Talib was waiting for me in a hover downstairs. Gannon had messaged me three times already, demanding that I meet him at his house, no doubt to celebrate our success. I was already thinking of the many arousing ways we would do that. Deep in thought, I was rushing passed Gabriel’s office when he stopped me with his question.
I frowned and turned slowly to face him. His arms were crossed as he stood just beyond the threshold of his office, his gray eyes as sharp as always.
“I searched for it on my scroll on the way,” I lied, rolling the tablet up and shoving it into my bag.
“That information isn’t listed.” His lip curled. “Try again.”
What the fuck?
I stepped into his office, straightening my spine. I was getting tired of Gabriel’s attitude. If he had something he wanted to tell me, it was time for him to get it out.
“Gabriel, have I done something wrong?”
“Whatever do you mean?”
I ignored his snide tone and decided to answer him straight. “Over the past few weeks, you have seemed unhappy with me. Have I done something to offend you? If so, then I apologize. It wasn’t my intention.”
He studied me. “Do you know how you got this job, Metallurgist?” he asked, but it was obviously rhetorical. “I thought when they recommended you it was simply a way to better engage our lower caste, a strategic way to gain buy-in, if you will. But I was wrong. I just did a background check on you. Your recommendation came from someone high up in the Senate. That person, whom I struggle to identify, recommended you specifically. Why is that, Kira?”
My mouth fell open. Could it be?
I shook my head, dismissing the thought. I didn’t know Gannon, or any other senator for that matter, until I started work at the Judiciary. Who in the Senate would recommend me?
“Gods, I was a fool.” Gabriel threw his hands up in the air, looking to the heavens as if in worship. He looked back at me. “You slipped under my radar. I must say, you play this game even better than I did at your age.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“That’s the thing. I actually believe you.” He came to stand in front of me, leering. “I also believe you’re a power-hungry little girl who weaves a web of manipulation so well crafted you don’t even know who you’ve tricked into working in your favor.”
I was looking at a madman. “You’ve lost your mind.”
“Have I?”
“This is why you’ve been acting this way? You think I’m trying to
trick people? To do what?”
“Don’t play the innocent with me. We all want power, no matter what caste we come from and how much of i
t we truly can have. It’s an addictive thing to people like us — people with imagination and ambition and the means, whether physical beauty or beautiful intellect, to get it.”
“I only want to do my job, Gabriel,” I said through clenched teeth.
“You think I haven’t seen the way you and Gannon Consul look at each other? The heat between the two of you is palpable, impossible to hide.”
“You don’t know what you —”
“Shut up!”
I staggered back, but he followed me. I held up my hands as fear lanced through me. “Gabriel, you’re scaring me.”
“Why? I’ve done nothing wrong. I’m a superior giving his subordinate a performance review. And you’ve failed.”
“I’ve done nothing but try my best for you.”
He shrugged. “You’re a dime a dozen. Ana did a more than adequate job assisting me. She knows her place as well as I know mine. She’s not an attention-seeker rallying the troops around her to gain applause.”
All of a sudden, the pieces started to fall into place. “You gave me an office to separate me from the others,” I said. The office wasn’t a reward — it was a punishment. While I’d been working, trying to please him, he’d been resenting my every move.
Gabriel clapped mockingly. “She comes to her senses.”
For a few seconds we glared at each other.
“Goodbye, Gabriel.” I went to turn away, but he caught my wrist. I winced as his fingers sank into it.
“Let me go.”
He yanked my arm and I stumbled into him. “Gods, you’re pretty,” he sneered. “It never fails to get what you want, does it.” He wrapped an arm around my waist and hauled me against him. I pushed my palms against him, but he tightened his hold so I couldn’t move my arms. Ice filled my veins as we struggled.
“Gabriel, stop!”
He leaned in and lowered his face to my neck. I tried to stop him by raising my shoulder and twisting my head, but he used his free hand to grip my jaw and forced my head to the side. I cried out and arched back at the shock of it, inadvertently giving him access to my neck. I tried to shift my legs to thrust a knee into his groin, but he held me so tightly against him that I couldn’t move.
He closed his eyes, inhaling deeply. “So this is what it smells like.” He pulled back and opened his eyes. “A subordinate fucking her way to the top.”
My fear shifted sharply into anger. I did the only thing I could do. I spat in his face.
The surprise of it made him loosen his hold and I was able to shove him away. I turned to run out the door, but he gathered his wits quickly enough to grab the back of my jacket. He tugged, spun me back toward him and slapped me across the face with the full weight of his body behind it. My head snapped to the side and I fell hard to the ground, landing on my hip and elbow as my bag overturned angrily beside me. Pain seared along the side of my body, but I ignored it, more concerned about Gabriel, now standing over me. He crouched down, resting his elbows on his knees as he looked me over. I scrabbled backward, trying to get away, but met up with the doorjamb. As I cradled my cheek in a palm, tears gathered in response to the pain and anger flooding my body.
“If you say a word of this,” he began, “to your senator or whoever else you have wrapped around your finger, I will destroy you, Metallurgist. You don’t know who you’re dealing with. I’ve been playing this game since way before you lost your virginity to trap your first conquest, and we both know that was years ago,” he seethed.
I was still holding my throbbing cheek when I struggled to a stand. I bent down to quickly retrieve the spilled contents of my bag and ran out the door.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
“We have much to celebrate,” Uncle Khelan said, raising his glass.
The day after the Realm Council meetings ended, Rhoan and I were visiting our family for our standing end-of-the-week dinner. As had become customary for our visits, Ma set the table with her finest tablecloth and cutlery, but this time there was greater cause for celebration than simply Rhoan’s and my presence.
“It was only a matter of time before you were promoted to region councillor,” Da said to Rhoan, his eyes gleaming with pride. He ran a hand over Rhoan’s head in a tender way that reminded me of when my brother was much younger.
When Rhoan had first told Da about his ambition to work in the Advocacy, Da had been apprehensive about where the career choice would take him. But he was slowly coming around. He was as proud as any father could be about his son’s accomplishments.
Rhoan ducked his head, uncommonly bashful from the attention, and promptly lifted a lid from one of the platters on the table. Ma just as quickly rapped his knuckles with a spoon, giving him a stern look, which she softened with a smile.
“And Kira, you’ve had some exceptional accomplishments as well,” Uncle said, referring to Realm Council’s approval of the proposal and my meeting with the Corona. There was a proud glint, similar to Da’s, in his eyes.
I gave him a tight smile and hid my face behind a sip from my cup. When I’d told my family about my conversation with the Corona, I had omitted quite a bit of it, simply saying she’d wanted to congratulate me on my work.
“It seems our sovereign is not without some compassion for lower castes, after all,” Uncle added. “It’s a testament to your work that you were able to get your proposal through.”
Who did I think I was? Who gets to work with a world minister as soon as she walks out of the Academy?
My stomach twisted as I swallowed down the sweet drink and watched Ma sink serving spoons into platters of food. Her shoulder-length hair was twisted into a tight curly knot, high up on her head. It showed off her elegant bone structure.
“And we can’t forget the wonderful news we received about our family this past week,” Ma said, her brown eyes sparkling as she referred to my aunt. Her hand ran lightly along Uncle’s forearm in the familiar way I had seen so many times before.
Does the Corona suspect something about me and my family? Is that why she wanted to meet with me? Did she bait me into saying something I shouldn’t have?
“It’s good to know everyone is safe, even if just for the moment,” Uncle said, covering Ma’s hand with his own.
And Gabriel? Gods, Tai was right. I’m out of my depth. The leadership are self-serving, distrustful and manipulative … Yet I would trust Gannon with my life.
“Kira, are you all right?” Da asked, picking up his fork. “You’ve been very quiet.”
“She’s been staring at me all evening.” Ma smiled as she started dishing out vegetables onto her plate. “I was starting to wonder if I had something on my face.”
I glanced guiltily at Rhoan, who was shooting daggers my way. I had, in fact, been watching her. I just hadn’t realized it until then.
I looked around the table while they all carried on with their conversations, everyone acting as if everything was normal. Ma was her normal unflappable self, while Da was stoic and Uncle Khelan boisterous. Things seemed almost like they had been before the expulsion. But now I knew. I knew about their relationship. Now I could read between the lines of their subtle movements and find what they weren’t saying. It was like a secret language for which I had only recently been provided a code to unlock its meaning.
Meanwhile, my cheek still tingled from the strength of Gabriel’s blow.
I felt the first spike of anger.
“Aren’t you going to get that?” Da asked me. “It’s been vibrating non-stop.” He passed the pitcher of drink to Uncle Khelan.
Both Gannon and Tai had been trying to reach me since the day before — Gannon, from the moment I told Talib in a humiliating rush that I wouldn’t be going to meet the chancellor after all, and Tai, since around the same time.
I changed the mode of my comm from vibrate to silent. Almost immediately, Rhoan’s comm started to ping. He glanced at me then silenced his device as well. Tai had also been trying to reach me by messaging my brother all day. I’d told Rhoan I d
idn’t want to talk to Tai, which seemed to suit my brother just fine since he no longer considered Tai his friend.
“You should answer. Maybe it’s that Lukas boy,” Ma said, cocking her head to the side to consider me.
I took hold of my fork, prepared to make an effort to eat even though dust coated my tongue at the thought. “We’re no longer seeing each other.”
Ma’s eyebrows raised. “But why? He sounded like a gentleman.”
“We agreed it wouldn’t work out,” I murmured, picking at the meat on my plate.
“Well, you have to try harder than that to make a relationship work, Kira. I wish I could have met him,” she added and pursed her lips. “You really should have invited him over instead of hiding him away.”
The irony of her statement made my nostrils flare. I lowered my fork and lifted my eyes to hers, amazed at her calm duplicity. “If I was truly interested, he would be at the table, Ma. I wouldn’t deny him or hide him away.”
Rhoan cleared his throat and his chair creaked as he shifted position. “Kira, perhaps you should take the call. Maybe it’s Sela, about the baby,” he said, catching my foot under the table. I cast a dirty look his way, which he responded to with a threatening scowl.
“Which reminds me,” Ma said. “I was speaking with Sela’s mother. Lilian says Sela and Derek will be available for a small baby-welcoming event in the next few weeks. We’ll have to help out where we can.”
“She’s my best friend,” I said. “Of course, I will.”
“I had one child already by your age,” Ma said under her breath with a shake of her head.
I stabbed at a beet.
“Hopefully, one day,” she continued, “I’ll be holding a baby welcoming for you.”
I glanced up at her. “Is it so much to ask that I venture out on my own before tying myself down with a child?”
Ma frowned.
“Kira, what’s gotten into you?” asked Uncle Khelan.
Where to start?
I locked my eyes on Ma, feeling a welcome surge of anger flow through my veins. It helped me decide to deal with the one lie I could bring to light.