The Conquest (Kelderan Runic Warriors Book 1)

by Jessie Donovan

  Taryn nodded. She and Kason moved to Kastor’s left.

  The king signaled one of the guards on the dais and a boom reverberated through the room. The voices died down and all eyes focused on Kason’s father.

  Kastor raised his voice and spoke in Kelderan. Taryn was grateful for the device in her ear as he said, “Tonight we are here to celebrate the proclamation of my second son, Kason. He has found his bride.” Kastor motioned toward Taryn. “Her name is Taryn Demara. While human, she has proven herself. Just recently, she helped to avoid war with the Earth Colony Alliance. I wish her and my son a fruitful union and eternal happiness.”

  The king made a fist and pounded it over his heart. Most of the people in the crowd did the same, although not quite all.

  To be honest, more people had followed the king’s blessing than Taryn had anticipated.

  Kastor continued, “Many of you have questions and want to bless the couple. They will make the rounds in a short while. In the meantime, enjoy the food and drink. It’s not often we have such a special event to celebrate.”

  With a wave of his hand, Kastor signaled the music to resume. Once the crowd settled back to enjoying the evening, he turned toward Kason and Taryn. “You must go now to talk with Keltor.” He looked to his oldest son. “Settle your differences.”

  The two brothers merely grunted. Keltor led the way. Kason and Taryn followed.

  She wondered what had happened between the two brothers. If things got out of hand, she only hoped she could help.

  ~~~

  Kason wanted nothing more than to take a few minutes to plan escape routes in case things went awry when he and Taryn accepted congratulations and mingled with the people in the great hall.

  Instead, he was following his older brother into the back room. And once the door shut, everyone stood in silence.

  At least, until Taryn spoke up. “So? What’s the cause of your big fallout?”

  He’d rather have had the discussion in Kelderan, but he wouldn’t shut out his bride; the translator in her ear could always make a mistake. “Keltor tried to shirk his duty.”

  Keltor’s face remained impassive, which was a surprise given his brother’s emotional nature as a teenager. “I was nineteen and in love. Maybe now you understand why I wanted to give up the crown.”

  Kason took a step forward. “You are the heir and honor bound to secure the royal line with a suitable bride. The daughter of a shop assistant would have torn the kingdom in two.”

  “In the end, I had no choice but to give her up. Although I will never forgive you for scaring her away.”

  Taryn chimed in. “Wait, what did you do, Kason?”

  Keltor looked to Taryn. “He told her that I was betrothed to another and that if she didn’t want her father to lose his position, she needed to forget I existed.”

  “It was for the best of the kingdom,” Kason gritted out.

  “It still wasn’t right, Kason,” Taryn pointed out.

  “If I hadn’t already been enlisted in the armed forces, we might be having a different conversation right now, Keltor. But I was set on my path and there was no room for an abdication, especially since females can’t take over the crown.” Kason forced his anger down a notch. “If it had happened later in life, then perhaps I would’ve acted differently. But it was over fifteen years ago. It’s time to let it go. What with Father’s health and the troublemakers trying to overthrow the monarchy, we have bigger problems.”

  “I hear you’re going to head the colony?” Kason kept the confusion from his face as he nodded. Keltor continued, “Then we shall stay out of each other’s way. I know more about the kingdom than almost anyone alive. All I have is duty now, with Kalahn gone. Only contact me when it’s related to our people on Jasvar. Now, excuse me, I have people to meet with.”

  Keltor brushed past them and out the door.

  Kason sighed. “I knew this wasn’t going to be easy. I hope my father doesn’t try to meddle anymore.”

  Taryn faced him. “Why did you do it, Kason? I understand duty and that you were young, but Keltor should’ve had his chance to decide his future.”

  “At sixteen, duty was everything to me. The war with the Brevkan was just dying down and everyone was afraid our society would crumble. I didn’t want to disappoint our recently departed mother. So, full of arrogance and pride, I went to father and tried to handle the situation.”

  “So your father knew about this?”

  “Yes, although Keltor always blamed me. Father probably never would’ve known about the female until it was too late if it weren’t for me.”

  “You need to apologize, Kason. Even if Keltor brushes it off, it might help your brother heal a little.”

  Even a few months ago, Kason would’ve ignored the request. Too much time had passed. Keltor should’ve moved on.

  But as Taryn searched his eyes, he was afraid of disappointment filling her gaze.

  Besides, the small voice in his head told him it was the right thing to do.

  He brushed her cheek with his forefinger. “While you hammer out the negotiations later tonight, I will find Keltor and apologize.”

  “Good. Although that’s only the first step. At some point, we’re coming back to Keldera to win over your brother. After all, he will be responsible for supplies and people coming to Jasvar. From a diplomatic standpoint, we need to have good relations.”

  “He will never abandon Kalahn, who will probably end up joining the colony, so I doubt he will forsake us.”

  “Kason.”

  He sighed. “Okay, I will try. Although the female he once loved has disappeared, so if he still wants her, I can’t help him reconnect.”

  She smiled. “So you tried to track her down? That tells me you regretted your actions.”

  He grunted. “I never would’ve meddled in someone’s love life as an adult.”

  “Then tell Keltor you tried to find her. It may make all the difference in the world to him.”

  He put out an arm. “I don’t know what will happen with my brother, but I do know that if we don’t head out into the main hall soon, people will feel neglected. Come, zyla. The sooner we finish this duty, the sooner you can hash out your negotiations and I can try to sort things out with my brother.”

  Taryn threaded her arm through his. “Okay, but try to keep our time mingling as short as possible. I’d much rather have more time to discuss the colony agreement. Besides, smiling and fluttering my eyelashes really isn’t my thing.”

  “Just be yourself. Well, for the most part. We’ll save your fighting skills for later. It’ll give you an element of surprise in case something goes wrong before we leave.”

  His female nodded, and Kason escorted her into the main hall. He did a quick scan but didn’t see Keltor anywhere. Finding his brother was going to be interesting since all the royal siblings were good at hiding when they didn’t want to be found.

  Still, he would seek out Keltor and try to make things right. Yes, for the colony, but more importantly, for his bride. He wasn’t about to disappoint her.

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Three hours later, Taryn flexed her feet under the table in yet another conference room and resisted slapping her cheeks to stay awake. Negotiations were slow because of the language barrier. The king had retired for the night, and it was just Taryn and a few members of the council. Hinvel Mayta, the head of government, had resorted to interpreting or allowing the computer to do so.

  Once the computer finished translating Taryn’s latest point, Hinvel answered in CEL, “After a year, the colony will be given more autonomy in terms of changing the laws. While anyone who violates one of yours will be prosecuted by a joint team of Kelderans and Jasvarians, the basics of Kelderan law will be enforced on the Kelderans living in the settlement. It’s the only way to ensure order.”

  The computer interpreted and Taryn answered, “Let’s revisit it in six months, and you have a deal.”

  As Hinvel told her answer, a
few of the others shrugged. She pushed on. “This is the last point, gentlemen. We both want the colony. Unless you have so little faith in your people that you don’t think they can adjust to a new way of doing things, then let’s call it a deal.”

  The Kelderan council members talked among themselves. Taryn caught bits and pieces. Although limited by the device in her ear, most seemed ready to cave.

  Hinvel finally met her gaze again. “We will agree to six months provided Kason and the general we send to oversee things on Jasvar provide positive reports on progress. If there is worry and dissent, it will extend to one year.”

  Taryn knew that was probably the best she could get. Kason would be on her side already, so she’d just have to work on winning the unnamed general’s favor as well.

  She nodded. “Deal. Are we ready to sign?”

  The young man at Hinvel’s side tapped a few things on his tablet and a few seconds later a copy printed from the far wall. Once he retrieved the documents, he laid them in between Hinvel and Taryn. Two pens followed suit.

  Hinvel gestured toward the document. “Confirm the changes and sign.”

  She raised her brows. “I’d like time to study it first.”

  “We thought of that.” Hinvel took a piece of paper from behind the agreement. “This is a temporary agreement. It says you agree to allow a Kelderan colony, but no ships will be sent until you sign the official document.”

  Scanning the CEL portion of the one page document, she didn’t see anything out of the ordinary or deceitful. Taking the pen, she signed the temporary agreement. “I’ll look over the other one and hope to sign it before I leave.”

  Hinvel signed the one-sheet paper and nodded. “I will meet you right before your departure to check on your progress. I look forward to working with you, Taryn Demara of Jasvar.”

  “And I you, Hinvel Mayta of Keldera.”

  The much older man smiled. “It’s late and I think we should all go to bed. Keep me abreast of your departure time. Your lord will know how to contact me.”

  At the term “lord,” Taryn decided her next order of business was finding a new word for her spouse. “Husband” might be too bland. Maybe Nova could help her back home.

  Thinking of her friend, a small sense of homesickness overcame her. She needed Kason.

  She made her final good-byes and exited the room. She expected to see Kason, but it was just the guards and an unfamiliar Barren assigned to her. Since neither the guards nor the Barren female spoke her language, Taryn smiled and motioned for them to go with her hands. The woman nodded and Taryn followed her lead.

  As they turned down one corridor and the next, it became harder and harder for Taryn to stay awake. It’d been nearly twenty-four hours since she’d slept and a lot had happened in the interim. Maybe she should cut back sex on the days she knew she’d be busy with negotiations and meetings.

  After what seemed like an hour but was probably only five minutes, they entered a corridor more poorly lit than the rest. It was then that Taryn noticed the Barren woman was gone and it was just her and the two guards. She slowed her pace to get a better look at them. However, they stopped and faced her.

  Both of them had swords in their hands.

  Just as she reached for her dagger, a blur jumped from one of the doorways in the hall and tackled one of the guards to the ground. Taryn didn’t miss a beat drawing her weapon and rushing the other one. From the stunned expression on the man’s face, he hadn’t expect a female to fight back.

  But it was too late for him. Taryn knocked him off balance and grabbed his genitals with one hand and positioned her dagger at his penis with the other. “Move and I’ll cut it off.”

  He probably didn’t understand CEL, but he understood the threat and went eerily still.

  Keltor’s voice filled her ears. “So the rumors are true.”

  She didn’t dare look away from the guard beneath her. “I have no idea what people are saying about me. But if you could help me tie this guy up, I’d appreciate it.”

  Keltor grabbed the guard’s straps across his chest and hauled him upward. Taryn barely had time to scoot away without making him much more than a eunuch.

  A quick glance told her the other guard was already detained. Keltor made quick work of the other one before facing her.

  They stared at each other for a few seconds before Keltor finally spoke up, “I’m sorry you were attacked. No matter what is between my brother and me, you are part of my family now and should be protected.”

  So Kason must not have found Keltor and apologized. “It’s not your fault those two men were jerks.”

  Keltor went to the nearest console in the hallway, placed his hand, and spoke something in Kelderan. Since she couldn’t understand it, she assumed the tussle must’ve jarred her interpreting device.

  When finished, he answered her. “They will be tried and imprisoned for a very long time. Kason should be here soon to collect you.”

  Taryn should let Kason and Keltor hash out their problems. However, she couldn’t help but blurt, “Kason tried to find the woman you loved. I think he knows he wronged you.”

  “It does not matter.”

  “Liar.”

  He raised his brows. “It can be considered treasonous to question the heir.”

  “Well, then it’s a good thing I’m family now, isn’t it? Convicting one of your own as treasonous would be quite the scandal.”

  One corner of Keltor’s mouth ticked up. “You are clever for a female.”

  “I’m clever, period.”

  Keltor shook his head. “You are intriguing, human. You might actually keep my brother on his toes.”

  “Of course I will. But that isn’t important. Give him five minutes, your highness. I don’t want to start a new life, let alone a new colony, with the past hanging over our family’s heads. I know Kalahn wouldn’t want it.”

  He studied her. “How do you know what my sister wants?”

  She shrugged. “We became friends onboard Kason’s ship. She snuck on, you see, and we were roommates.”

  “So that’s where she disappeared to.”

  “Yes. But what’s more important is that she wants her brothers to at least talk with each other. If not for Kason, then try for her.”

  He paused for one long minute before replying, “I will listen and see what he has to say.”

  Taryn clapped her hands. “That’s all I ask.”

  Kason’s voice echoed down the hallway. “What’s going on? Are you okay, zyla? Did they hurt you?”

  She turned just as Kason reached her. He took her face in his hands and scanned every inch. She finally smiled. “I’m fine. Keltor and I make a good team.”

  Kason looked to his brother. “Thank you for helping her, Keltor. I am forever in your debt.”

  “It was nothing. It’s partially my fault for not better vetting the guards. Not everyone is as welcoming as Father when it comes to your bride.”

  “And you, brother? What do you think of Taryn?” Kason asked.

  Keltor smiled. “I think she will be a valuable asset.”

  Silence fell. It took everything Taryn had not to speak up. She wanted the two brothers to talk to each other without her constant nudging.

  Kason’s voice finally filled the corridor, but it was in Kelderan. All she could do was watch their facial expressions and wait for an update later from Kason.

  ~~~

  Keltor’s words, about Taryn being an asset to the family, finally convinced him he needed to try to make things right. Not just for Taryn, but also for himself. It had been a long time since he thought about how horrible his actions had been in the past. If someone had ripped Taryn from his life once he’d fallen in love with her, Kason may not have recovered.

  And yet, his brother was doing his best to gear up for taking over the planet without the benefit of a bride. Keltor may not be a warrior, but he was strong in other ways.

  Kason finally said, “My words will never bring he
r back, but I now understand the full extent of your loss, brother. I am profoundly sorry for what I did all those years ago. If I could bring Azalyn to you now, I would.”

  “Your female mentioned that you tried to find Aza. If you were so determined to keep us apart, what convinced you to try to reconnect us?”

  “Because as you grew up and shouldered more responsibilities, I saw that you did little for yourself. A female of your own choosing might help alleviate the loneliness that comes with being a monarch.”

  Keltor assessed him a second before replying, “We may never be close, but we can try to be a little less guarded around each other going forward. For both Kalahn’s and your bride’s sake.”

  “So you forgive me?”

  Keltor glanced to Taryn and back. “I think you finally understand the extent of my loss. I will always be hurt by what happened, but I don’t wish to be petty. Your female shouldn’t suffer for something that happened long before she came into your life.”

  It may not be all-out forgiveness, but Kason would take it. “Thank you.”

  Keltor moved toward the restrained guards. “I will handle these traitors. Go. Your bride looks about to fall over, even if she’s trying to hide it.”

  Kason nodded. “I hope to see you again before we depart.”

  “You will. I have messages for you.” He motioned toward the guards. “I’ll tell you more later.”

  Taryn swayed a little and Kason gripped his female’s shoulders. “Until then, brother.” He switched to CEL. “And it’s time to take you to bed.”

  “I would protest, but the adrenaline is wearing off and I’m going to crash.”

  He scooped up his bride. When she didn’t protest, he knew she was exhausted. “I will always have your back, Taryn Demara.” He waited until they were far enough away from Keltor and the two prisoners before he added, “Keltor and I are on better terms now.”

  She leaned her head against his chest. “I’m glad. The bigger our family becomes, the better.”