The Traitor's Bride: A sci fi romance (Keepers of Xereill Book 1)

by Alix Nichols

  “I’m Atipoly,” the gray-haired farmer said.

  His younger companion turned back and flashed Areg a big smile. “I’m Duko.”

  Areg brow-and-bowed. “I’m—”

  “Lord Sebi, Eia’s Savior,” Atipoly finished for him.

  Areg blinked, taken aback.

  Duko chuckled. “You look like you’ve never heard that one before.”

  “I haven’t.” Areg squinted at him. “I thought people… most people, at any rate, believe I’m a traitor. After all, I did confess in public.”

  “Some folks bought it.” Duko waved dismissively. “The dumb kind of folks.”

  “To anyone with half a brain you’re a paragon,” Atipoly said.

  Duko turned to Areg. “Come to think of it, ‘Eia’s Savior’ actually came about after your arrest. We used to call you Menials’ Champion before.”

  “And Major Lionheart during the war,” Atipoly added.

  Duko grinned from ear to ear. “I dread to imagine what people will start calling you now that you dodged the executioner’s axe.”

  Areg’s lips curved into a smile despite his fatigue and precarious situation. The adrenaline rush that had kept him going all day was finally wearing off, and unpleasant sensations such as pain, thirst, hunger, and worry were kicking in.

  Had Rhori and Etana made it safely to their parents’ house? Was she all right? Had Ultek already sent someone to check on her? And what if he ordered her brought in before she got to Aynu? The thought sent a chill down his spine.

  “You a rich-blood?” Atipoly asked. “A mesmerizer of some kind?”

  “No.”

  “Then how did you get away?”

  “No idea.”

  “Maybe it was Aheya’s hand,” Duko offered. “It was high time she helped us out.” He paused, thinking. “Either that or a LORSS intervention.”

  Atipoly scratched his head. “Except, if it was LORSS, why did they leave him behind? Why didn’t they get him off Hente?”

  The men fell silent, pondering the question.

  “May I have some water?” Areg asked.

  Duko slapped his forehead. “Of course! Stupid me.”

  He crawled into the wagon and pulled a flask out of a crate at Areg’s feet.

  Areg drank greedily.

  “You can finish it,” Duko said. “And sorry about dumping those smelly blankets on you. But they’re the best to put hounds off a scent.”

  Atipoly shook his head. “That’s a good one, Duko! Makes you sound smart, like you actually plan things.”

  He looked over his shoulder at Areg. “He would’ve covered you with clean blankets if he had any. But he doesn’t. Seeing as he never washes them.”

  “That’s a patent lie.” Duko pinched the top rag. “I washed this one last year.”

  The two of them doubled over, laughing.

  Handing the empty flask to Duko, Areg wiped his mouth and lay back down, too weak to resent the stench of the farmer’s blankets. Extreme exhaustion invaded every cell of his body, winning over the pain his leg, the worry, everything. He shut his eyes, telling himself it was just for a minute.

  But he immediately sank into a vivid dream where he lay somewhere sunny, on a fragrant stack of freshly cut grass, in Etana’s arms.

  14

  At six in the morning, Etana was ready and her little suitcase packed.

  She sat on her bed in the little attic bedroom she’d shared with Mayka before moving into the Gokk House and prayed for Areg.

  Her younger sister was fast asleep. Pity she wouldn’t have a chance to hug her and tell her how much she loved her before she and Rhori took the first coach to Orogate. Aheya only knew when she’d be back. If ever.

  Etana headed across the room to wake Mayka up, but stopped in the middle, hesitating.

  Rhori would be back any minute from scouting their route. They’d leave immediately. There wouldn’t be time to comfort and reassure Mayka who would, no doubt, panic. Heaving a sigh, Etana returned to her bed.

  Someone scraped the outside of her door.

  Rhori. She grabbed her suitcase and tiptoed out of the room.

  It was Rhori, all right, but he stopped her from rushing downstairs. “We have a… complication.”

  Etana raised her eyebrows.

  “The police and soldiers have blocked all the roads, trails, and footpaths leading out of Iltaqa,” Rhori said. “Everyone who wants to pass gets checked and questioned.”

  She put her suitcase down.

  He winced in sympathy. “We could head west and hide out in the Royal Woods until—”

  She shook her head.

  Rhori bunched his brows. “It’ll be rough, but at least it’s summer. We can live on berries and nuts. I’ll try to hunt… The alternative—”

  “The alternative is that you go to your workshop and clear your backlog, and I go to the Gokk House. It’s laundry day. It would be unfair if other servants have to do my job on top of theirs.”

  “It’s your safety we’re talking about, Etti. Shouldn’t that come first?” He cocked his head in reproach.

  She rubbed her forehead. “I’m sure the roadblocks will be removed in a few days. We’ll sneak out of Iltaqa then.”

  “Sure.” He smirked. “Unless you’re picked up before we get a chance.”

  “The Gokks have my back.”

  “They admire Areg, and they’ve been supportive of you, but I doubt they can stop Ultek from arresting you.”

  Etana shrugged. “I guess we’ll have to find out.”

  Rhori pestered her for another fifteen minutes then gave up. “You’re making a mistake staying in Iltaqa,” he said before heading to his workshop. “A big mistake.”

  His tone was bitter and his expression grim.

  And, perhaps, he was right.

  But, deep inside, Etana was relieved to stay. Ultek scared her stiff, but the idea of dragging Rhori and the rest of her family into her mess scared her even more. When she’d tied her destiny to Areg’s, she hadn’t asked for their counsel. Not even their opinion. Making them pay for actions they would’ve advised against wasn’t right.

  Because, if she vanished now, Ultek would take his rage out on them. Etana was sure of it. He’d hurt them, and then use them to reel her back in. All things considered, she’d rather face the music than run. That’s what Areg would’ve done.

  That’s what he had done.

  Two hours later, Etana was scrubbing little Benty’s grass-stained pants when Padefa burst into the laundry room, flushed with excitement. “They’re looking for you!”

  “Who?”

  Etana plunged the pants back into the tub and dried her hands. She knew who.

  “The police!” Padefa looked positively thrilled. “They’re in the main parlor, talking to the masters. Dame Gokk sent me to fetch you.”

  As they hurried out of the annex, across the gardens and down the ground floor hallway, Padefa kept giving Etana sidelong glances and searching her face.

  “What is it?” Etana finally asked her.

  “Are you scared? Do you think they’ll lock you up? Torture you for information?”

  Etana sized her up as coolly as she could. “They have no reason to lock me up. I don’t have any information.”

  “Oh, come on!” Padefa leaned toward her and whispered, “You attempted to save that traitor Sebi’s ass last week by marrying him. You spent a night with him in his cell! It’s been the talk of the whole house. Actually, the whole town. You must know something.”

  “Except I don’t.”

  On a hunch, Etana untied the wedding cord she’d still worn around her wrist and shoved it in her apron’s pocket. A moment later, she entered the main parlor.

  Three police officers stood in the middle of it next to Dame and Sir Gokk.

  “Thank you, Padefa.” Dame Gokk gave her maid a fleeting smile. “Can you please run a bath for me and brew some kawa? I’ll want both ready and warm as soon I get upstairs.”

  Pad
efa bowed and rushed away.

  “Etana Tidryn, you’re a person of interest in Areg Sebi’s escape.” One of the cops advanced toward her. “You will come with us to the Iltaqa Police Station.”

  The man looked familiar, but out of place, like someone who belonged in another context.

  The Iltaqa Prison!

  The officer who’d spoken to her was none other than the red armband-wearing prison guard. The guard who had laughed obsequiously at every vulgar joke Ultek had made that fateful night. Her wedding night.

  Etana smirked. Clearly, all that bootlicking hadn’t been lost on Ultek.

  The guard-turned-cop pulled a pair of handcuffs out of his pocket.

  “Is that really necessary, officer?” Dame Gokk asked.

  “Just a precaution, ma’am.”

  Etana stared at him. “If I’d planned on escaping, do you think I’d show up for work today?”

  “Pack them away, Qur,” an older policeman said, sneering. “I think we can handle her.”

  Sir Gokk puffed his chest. “I expect Dame Tidryn to be back later today after you’re done questioning her.”

  “That depends,” Qur said archly.

  “On what?”

  He sneered. “On how thoroughly and eagerly she cooperates with Chief Ultek.”

  The way he said “eagerly” made Etana’s stomach turn.

  “Officer, I had a business dinner with Judge Mahabmet and Governor Boggond as recently as last night.” Sir Gokk stood taller and stepped closer to Qur, making him recoil. “Do you know who I am, and what role I play in Eia’s industry, including defense? Because if you don’t, I suggest you make inquiries.”

  The older policeman cleared his throat. “Sir Gokk, please forgive my colleague’s gaffe. He’s new to the force. And to Iltaqa, as it happens. He’s from the Frontier Zone.”

  “I don’t get it.” Qur butted in, narrowing his eyes at Sir Gokk. “She’s just a maid in your house. Why do you care so much? It’s almost suspicious.”

  “My father cares so much”—Geru Gokk’s voice came from the doorway—“because I proposed to Dame Tidryn yesterday, and she’s been considering my proposal.”

  He stepped into the parlor, his fists clenched.

  Etana couldn’t believe what she was hearing.

  Coming closer, Geru planted himself by her side, his legs spread, and his shoulders squared.

  She glanced at Sir Gokk, who was blinking rapidly, and then at Dame Gokk, who’d turned the color of her lacy white gown.

  The older officer squinted at Geru. “You proposed to her, eh? Yesterday?”

  Geru nodded.

  “On the day of her first fiancé’s failed execution?”

  He nodded again.

  “Where did you do that?”

  “In Queen’s Park,” Geru said without batting an eye. “We were there all evening.”

  A wave of hot gratitude filled Etana’s heart.

  Geru Gokk hadn’t lost his mind. He was just conveying to Ultek’s men that she was special to him and, by extension, to his powerful family. Better still, he was providing her with an alibi for last night.

  A very clever alibi. Queen’s Park was full of discreet little gazebos, mazes, nooks and crannies, which made it a hit with young couples. Given the park’s layout, it wouldn’t be odd that no one had seen them there.

  “You heard my son,” Sir Gokk said to Qur. “Do you get it now? Can you relay to Chief Ultek that we’re expecting Dame Tidryn back by dinnertime?”

  Qur’s lips were tight when he nodded and even tighter when he and his colleagues led Etana out.

  On the way to Ultek’s office, her mind spun in circles with the question she had no answer for. Did her impending detention mean Areg had survived last night and gotten away?

  “So, you’re Geru Gokk’s fiancée now, huh?” Ultek squinted at her after his men briefed him on what had gone down at the Gokk House. “You’re a cutie, no doubt, but for one of the realm’s wealthiest heirs to want to marry you… that I find puzzling. He can just fuck you, especially now that you’re sort of damaged goods.”

  Etana said nothing.

  “Where were you yesterday morning?” he asked without a transition.

  “At Town Hall Square.”

  “Did you help Areg Sebi escape?”

  She tilted her head to the side. “How would I have pulled that off?”

  “You tell me.”

  As panic surged deep in her belly, Etana recalled Areg’s words. Chief Ultek thought she was a nobody. He couldn’t conceive of her as someone capable, even less as the first rich-blood born on Hente in two hundred years. Nor could he conceive of motivations other than self-interest or greed.

  “I watched him kneel,” she said, “then the executioner swung his axe, and then… then I was just as floored as everyone when he vanished.”

  Ultek sucked his teeth. “But you did try to help him last week with your marriage proposal.”

  “That was before Sir Geru Gokk confessed his feelings for me,” Etana blurted, suddenly inspired.

  Ultek’s eyes lit up.

  “I always dreamed of marrying someone rich and powerful.” She watched his expression brighten with her every word. “I dreamed of beautiful clothes and jewelry.”

  He was gobbling up her “confession” as if it were the best dish prepared by Gokk’s chef.

  She smiled coyly. “Can you blame a menial girl for taking her chances?”

  He stroked his mustache, trying to conceal his glee.

  Time for dessert.

  “I thought I’d inherit the money and the estate after Lord Sebi’s death,” Etana said. “Didn’t realize he’d been stripped of all his possessions.”

  “I knew it!” Ultek gave his officers a triumphant look. “Didn’t I say exactly that, right there, when she invoked the stupid Maiden’s Privilege? Isn’t that exactly what I said?”

  Qur nodded. “Word for word, sir.”

  “Why didn’t you back down at that point?” Ultek asked her.

  Think fast, Etana!

  “It was too late.” She pulled an annoyed face. “I would’ve been labeled a gold digger. No rich man would’ve married me after that. And… and I hoped you were bluffing.”

  “Etana, sugar ass.” Ultek flashed her a saccharine smile. “I’m glad you came clean. And even though it pains me to see you slip through my fingers, I’m willing to let you live your dream with Geru Gokk.”

  “Thank you, sir,” she said. “I really appreciate your kindness.”

  “You say you like jewelry, huh?” He pulled out a watch set with gems from the top drawer of his desk. “What do you think of this?”

  Etana schooled her features into an awed gawk. “It’s gorgeous.”

  “I want you to wear it, day and night, as a token of our appreciation.” Smiling, Ultek adjusted the strap to her thin wrist and clasped the buckle. “Understand?”

  She nodded.

  “If Sebi makes contact, you’ll be sure to lure him out of his hole and give me a heads-up.”

  He’s alive! Thank Aheya, he’s alive!

  She nodded again.

  Ultek’s mouth hardened. “Your future depends on it.”

  “I’m aware of it, sir.”

  He surveyed her, grimacing with half-satisfaction, half-regret. “You help me catch Sebi—you get to enjoy the Gokk riches. Just think of all those expensive gowns!”

  Etana pointed at her drab uniform. “I can’t wait.”

  “But if you disappoint me, you’ll spend the rest of your days in my basement with nothing on your back. Is that clear?”

  “Very clear.”

  Ultek turned to Qur and winked. “It’s a win-win for me.”

  Right on cue, Qur burst out laughing.

  “Drive her to the Gokk House,” Ultek said to him, trailing a fat finger down the side of Etana’s neck.

  It took her all her strength not to shudder with disgust.

  She was home just before dinner, which she took
downstairs with the other in-house servants, as usual. Only this time, a pregnant silence reigned around the table. The housekeeper, or perhaps Dame Gokk herself, must have instructed everyone to refrain from questions.

  Etana could sense their curiosity but there was no envy. Except in Padefa’s eyes, which kept darting to Etana’s sparkling watch. But that was it—just the watch. Clearly, Geru’s words hadn’t been overheard outside of the main parlor.

  The news was bound to get out sooner or later—a thing like that wouldn’t stay a secret for long. When it spread, hosts of indiscreet questions would be asked. She’d have to answer them as vaguely as possible.

  But for now, she was left alone.

  While Cook doled out the main course, the housekeeper whispered in Etana’s ear. “Dame Gokk wants to have a word in the cream salon once you’ve eaten.”

  “Thank you,” Etana said.

  She almost ran to the cream salon.

  When she entered, she found not only Dame Gokk, but also Sir Gokk and Geru seated around a small kawa table with cookies and cups laid out on it.

  “Would you care for some?” Dame Gokk held up the kawa pot.

  “Thank you,” Etana said politely before pointing at her watch. “Isn’t it pretty? Chief Ultek gave it to me.”

  “It is, indeed…” Dame Gokk frowned, confused.

  Comprehension flashed in Sir Gokk’s eyes. He gestured to Etana to remove the watch, then carried it away to the adjacent room.

  When he returned to the cream salon, he pulled the door closed behind him. “I stuck it under a pile of cushions and plaids so we can speak freely now.”

  Dame Gokk clapped her hand to her mouth. “Do you think—?”

  “It may be an advanced listening and tracking device, or just a tracker,” Geru said. “But Father is right. Better be safe than sorry.”

  “I had no idea tech like that even existed,” Dame Gokk said.

  Etana smiled. “Neither did I. But the way Chief Ultek pressed home that I should wear it day and night made me wonder what that watch really was.”

  The Gokks nodded, then they all fell into an awkward silence.

  “Etana.” Geru’s cheeks and ears were red. “I surprised you and my parents earlier with my unexpected proposal.”