by K. L. Bone
I glanced at my father who was standing beside me. We exchanged a glance. “Funny,” I said, turning back to the Emperor, “that you should mention Commander Kimle.”
“Why?” the Emperor asked.
“Lord Kasar,” I said very carefully.
He turned and walked toward the door.
“Where?”
“He’ll be right back,” I said, then turned back to the Emperor. “Tell me my Lord, if Commander Kimle could be turned?”
“Impossible,” he said simply.
I smiled. Footsteps echoed into the room. I turned to see my father at the door. “Members of the council, my Lord Emperor,” I said. “May I present Command Kimle.”
My father walked back into the room. Behind him, stood the Lorid commander. His fur was bright red, and his three eyes stared ahead. He walked forward into the silent room. He stopped just shy of where I stood in the center of the room, and bowed low before the council. “My Lady,” he said to me.
“My commander,” I answered. I turned to face my Emperor. I fought to keep my face blank. “As you can see, my Lord, it is clearly not impossible.”
He glared at me as though his hatred could sear my skin through the heat of his gaze. “How?”
“A good commander like him will do almost anything to save the life of those he loves,” my voice was cold with barely suppressed glee. “We grabbed his wife and daughter, and he, like a cliché hero, came running handing us not only himself, but all his people just to save their precious lives.” I shrugged, “Sometimes basics work best, and after a brief exploration and learning exactly where he was, it just worked, my Lord.” I cleared my throat and turned back to the commander at my feet. “Three quarters of the Lorid outer defense system have already been infested, and those who remain soon will be. The inner rim is ready.”
“Wait,” the Emperor said, “have you been to the inside of the battle front?”
“Yes.”
“Despite my director orders not to leave your post?”
“Your orders, Emperor, were to stay at my post, the Lorid battle front. I stayed at the front…I just went a little deeper than you thought I would.”
“You mean that you once again deliberately disobeyed a superior commander?”
“Again?” Marina, a fellow counselor asked. She was sitting to the left side of the Emperor. Her human body, a popular choice among Councilors, sat in a long red gown of satin. Her long black hair was pulled back on either side with the aid of small silver clips. Her lips were painted red with an ink far more permanent than lipstick. She had sat on the council for upwards of twenty years and it would have taken one braver than I not to cringe ever so slightly beneath the ice of her blue gaze. “What do you mean, again?”
The Emperor began to answer, when I took a deep breath and beat him to the words. “Would you be referring, my Lord, to the incident where the recently executed Jetreal ordered me to remain in my room during the takeover of earth, the disobeying of which, led to the capture of Darin Hoyle, captain of the earth resistance, and the ultimate victory over the planet? That incident where I was ordered to remain in my room, and allow Captain Darin to go free? A command which, if I recall correctly, you supported? Would that be the one, my Lord?”
“The Emperor told you not to capture Darin?” Marina asked. She looked shocked.
“Yes,” Councilor Vektor piped in. “That would be correct. Councilor Revdran and I can validate the claim.”
Losing ground, the Emperor said, “That doesn’t change the fact that she disobeyed an order. The fact that she got lucky should not change the facts.”
“Lucky?” I said. “No battle in the history of this great Empire has ever been won without a bit of luck, my Lord. Your orders,” I drew breath, “were wrong.”
I paused and when no one spoke, I continued. “No battle in this Empire has ever been won by your judgment, my Lord. You have ridden on the backs of others, claiming the credit they have won and tricked your way to the ultimate position of power. You always play the safe card, never taking a chance and because of that, this Empire never moves forward. Every major battle in the past twenty years has been won by Lord Kasar, Lord Kavra, or myself. If you had your way, we would still live on a single planet and would never had even heard the word Empire. You’re weak, my Lord. Unfit to rule this council. You’re orders would have resulted in an eternal stalemate. Mine just won the war.”
Silence filled the room again, all stunned eyes on me. It was suffocating. There was a possibility I had just signed my death warrant. Finally, Marina spoke, “Lord Kasar, Councilor Chrissa, would you please step outside?” We consented, stepping outside the chamber and slowly sinking into the black chairs sitting at the doors in the long corridor. After several moments, Kasar finally whispered, “It…it needed to be said. You were in the right to say it.”
I looked at him, suddenly scared, “Tell me that when we both live through it.”
He gave a small smile. “Well, you did want an adventure, didn’t you?”
I couldn’t help but smile back. “With certain death assured,” a pause, “they’re the best kind, you know?”
He nodded, “so Kavra informs me.”
We sat there for nearly four hours, but it felt like years, the infernal hall clock chiming with the passage of each new hour. I looked around. The chamber was as magnificent as ever, though, I thought to myself, I’d rather not have it be the last thing I ever saw.
At the end of the fourth hour, the door to the chamber opened and Lord Kasar and I were called inside. As we stood to enter, Lord Kasar stepped close enough to lean over me and whisper. “Chrissa,” he rarely used my name, “do you regret it? What I did to you?”
It was the easiest question I ever had to answer. “No my Lord, I do not.” I kissed him then, a light brush of the lips and then turned to enter the chambers. Walking with far more confidence than I actually had, we entered. The Emperor was missing.
“Councilor Chrissalynn Dehartra Kasar.”
“My Councilor Vektor,” I replied back.
“I trust there is no need to inform you how dangerous your words were or how easily from them you could have lost your life.”
“Could have” was a good sign. “No, my Lord.”
“You are also aware, that for standing with you, Lord Kasar could have lost his life as well?”
“Yes, my Lord. I am aware.”
“Tell me, Dehartra, do you believe you can truly beat the Lorids?”
No hesitation. “Yes. I know I can. Just as I have won every other battle I have ever fought.”
After a pause, he gave a slight nod. “The Emperor was right about one thing, luck must live on your side,” I let out a breath I did not know I had been holding, “because we find your claims to be correct. The Emperor is being executed as we speak.”
Oh my god.
“And it is my pleasure,” Councilor Vektor continued. “To bestow upon you the title of Empress of the Setian Empire. Empress Chrissalynn Dehartra Kasar, you may begin the final assault on the Lorid home-world at any time you wish.”
I stood speechless for possibly the second time in my life. “Empress,” I stammered.
Councilor Revdran smiled. “So you are capable of feeling. I was beginning to have my doubts.” He laughed then, and it was joyous, “Congratulations Chrissalynn Dehartra.”
“I…Thank you,” I finally said. “Thank you, Councilors. I will not fail you. The attack upon the Lorid home world will begin soon.”
Lord Kasar whisked me out of the council chambers. Once outside, he took me in his arms and literally swung me around the room. “Chrissa, Chrissa, I am so proud of you. Oh my god,” even he laughed, “Empress. My daughter, I have never been more proud.” He put me down gently.
“Soon father,” I replied. “Soon we shall defeat the last of our enemies, and you shall be free to rule by my side.”
We left for the ship that night and a few days later, docked with my own back at the Lorid
battle front. Lord Kavra was waiting to greet me with a pouting look on his face. “Aww, you mean I don’t get to keep your bedroom after all?”
“You did not sleep in my bedroom!” I said back. The grin he could not stop from spreading across his face was one I knew well. I smiled in return. “You’re a sight for sore eyes, my Lord.”
His smile turned real and he pulled me into his arms. “Glad you’re back, Chrissa. Was worried there for a while.”
“Safe and sound,” I replied. “Talk with me?”
“Absolutely,” he offered his arm and I took it gladly. We walked into my bedroom. The bed was unmade. He had slept in my room!
Beating me to it, “You said it was an adventure with certain death assured. I thought I might as well get comfortable.”
I smiled, “They’re the best kind, you know?”
“Wouldn’t miss it for the world.” A pause then he asked, “So, who’d you kill?”
“What do you mean?”
“Well look at you. You haven’t been this giddy since you got Jetreal’s head chopped off. So who’d you kill this time?”
“You helped me get his head chopped off, thank you very much.”
“You, me, there’s no difference.”
I shook my head, “I’m changing the subject now. What did you do to my war while I was gone?”
“Not much, sadly. Read the daily reports, played some board games with the computer. Other than that, all boring on my end.”
I smiled. “Not for long it won’t be.” He looked at me. “I wouldn’t be so fast to leave if I were you.”
“What’s going on?”
“Well, I thought I’d start a fight.”
He looked at me curiously for a moment. “The Emperor finally gave you permission?” he asked. “Thank goodness! I thought he would never come around.”
“Nope, he did not give permission. But I’m going to start a fight anyway.”
“With who?”
“The entire Lorid fleet.” I said in a quiet, matter of fact voice.
“You’re joking?” One glance was all it took. He groaned, “Death assured.”
“The ‘Emperor’” I paused before and after the word, “did not give me permission.”
He tilted his head with a strange look on his face. “What do you mean?” I stared at him for a long time, fighting to keep my smile from reaching drastic proportions. “What exactly did you say to the Emperor?”
“That he was unfit to rule and rode the back of other’s to power.” His jaw dropped.
“You’re serious,” it wasn’t a question.
“You…you got the Emperor executed.” I couldn’t stop the smile this time. “Who’s the new Emperor?”
“There is no Emperor.”
There was no pause, he simply said, “You’re the Empress.” It wasn’t a question either and I was suddenly in his arms. “Oh my god, oh my god! This…” he spun me around, “this is the happiest day of my life. I…I’m,” he drew back enough to see me, his mind grappling with this news. “I’m going to throw a party. I’m going to hire the best artist in the Empire and have your portrait painted. I, I…I’m going to tell everyone I slept in your bed.”
“No, you’re not!” I shouted playfully. He ran out the door then, with me close on his heels. It was as high as I have ever been.
After that, plans for the upcoming attack moved swiftly. I attended meetings and issued various orders, though with both Lord Kasar and Lord Kavra by my side, my work was cut more than in half. We began work with our Lorid hosts to infest the rest of the outer fleet as well as begin to infiltrate the Lorid home world as well. Ever so slowly, the Lorids fell victim to Setian infestation, their own leaders luring them to their captivity.
During this time, I began to further break my ever-resistant rebel leaders. One moment I would grant their desires, while the next I would remind them just how powerless they were. This is not to say I treated them poorly. On the contrary, I treated them as my guests, as opposed to prisoners. I moved them to large, private rooms and dressed them in all the finery the Empire had to offer.
I began to dine with Darin frequently and allowed him access to the ship’s vast archives. He had a keen interst in learning about the Empire and its history. I was happy to provide the information he sought. Darin did not tend to notice how over time he became more and more willing to comply with my desires. His compliance and furthermore, his ignorance of this compliance, convinced me that it would only be a matter of time before I would own him completely.
Meanwhile, I continued to direct my troops in their secret infestation of the Lorid fleet. I met every night with Lord Kasar and Lord Kavra to discuss daily reports. The number of infestations rose steadily. Soon only a small group of Lorids in the outer defense were left to be infested. The plan was falling into place and the last battle would soon be fought.
Chapter XXV
One night I brought Darin to my private chambers. I had him wear an outfit of black leather. The shirt was sleeveless but his arms were covered by the black leather coat he wore. His skin appeared pale from the lack of sun. His dark attire matched my own black gown, which was floor length and lined with crimson lace. The colors clashed against my white skin. My black hair laid in long curls down my back, with ringlets pulled down to frame my face. My dress came low enough to show the top of my breasts. I wore a necklace of black diamonds that came down to the line of the dress in strands that humg from the center diamond of the necklace. Black diamonds hung from my earlobes with white diamonds in the center of the earrings. Rings of black diamonds and rubies also covered my hands, along with the plain golden band I always wore. My black eyes held a touch of gold that nothing human could create.
The lights had been turned off and the jewels I wore sparkled in the dim light of the fire. To one side of the room was a table where dinner was waiting. The table was set for two and in the center was a vase of two dozen red and black roses. The walls to the room were black as well. Darin sat down across from me as I poured the champagne. We enjoyed a private dinner and talked quietly about nothing. The champagne was exquisite and the scent of the roses filled the room.
Once dinner was taken away I stood slowly and moved to his side of the table. I ran my hands over his arms before moving my lips to his, offering a soft kiss. He remained still under my caress. When I pulled back, Darin said, “Why are you doing this, my Lady?” I knelt down to my knees in front of him, to stare up into his gaze.
“Because you are mine, Darin; body and soul.”
“You can never have my soul,” he answered back. I gazed up at him from my kneeling position for several moments, then to my surprise, he moved his hand forward and touched the left side of my face softly with the tips of his fingers. “You look sad, my Lady.”
“There was a girl I once knew,” I answered, not knowing why. “I wonder if, in another life, she would have been as brave as you.”
“What happened to her?” his voice was soft.
“The same thing that happens to all who become a part of the Setian Empire.” I shook my head and then turned my dark eyes back to his. “Understand this, Darin. Soul or not, you belong to me and I, in kindness, am giving you a choice. Stay by my side and in my bed, or return to the torture chambers. Your call.”
His eyes shifted around the room, “My Lady, I…”
I stood from my kneeling postion and reached for his hand. “Come with me, Darin.” I smiled sweetly. “Please.”
He slowly rose from the chair and allowed me to lead him into the large bedroom. Candelight lit the room on all sides, and a large fire burned with bright blue flames across the left side of the room. The large bed was covered with crimson blankets over black sheets of satin. Red Rose petals lined the floor, leading from the chambers doors to the bed and soft music played in the background. I led him towards the far side of the room in front of the fireplace before turning around to face him. “Dance with me, Darin.”
He paused briefly bef
ore nodding his consent and taking me into his arms. The music grew louder as we swayed across the small space, the blue flames of the fire dancing upon the walls around us. At the heart of the music, Darin twirled me in a tight spiral and then turned me back into his arms. “Where did you learn to dance?” I asked him.
“My mother.”
“She taught you well.”
“Thank you. You’re not bad yourself, my Lady.”
“I had many instructors over the years.”
He twirled me again. “Were you born in the Empire?”
“No. I was born on Earth, the same as you.”
“Then how did you become…” his voice trailed off.
“I was raised the daughter of a Setian Lord.”
We continued to sway across the floor as his golden eyes studied me in silence. I closed my eyes and placed my head against his shoulder. “You’re beautiful,” his words were hushed as though constituting a confession. “It’s hard to believe that someone so beautiful could be so…”
I pulled back and met his eyes with my own, his golden eyes, so different from the dark blue of Lord Kasar’s. The light of the flames continued to dance around us as we stared at each other. Then I leaned forward and pressed my lips to Darin’s. This time, he kissed me back and what was meant to be chaste became deep and passionate.
I pulled back and began to kiss my way down his neck. His eyes closed and his hands ran slowly up my arms. I reached behind me and unzipped the back of my gown. I took his hand and led him towards the large black bed. I pushed down on the gown, allowing it to fall to the floor, revealing the black lingerie beneath. I slid onto the satin sheets and turned back towards the man standing beside me. He stared down at me for several moments. “Come, Darin,” I offered him a straightforward glance. “I won’t hurt you; not here.”
Without replying, he threw his shirt to the floor, revealing the smooth, pale skin of his chest. Then he climbed onto the bed and pressed his lips to mine.