by S. E. Smith
Emotion choked him when she suddenly wrapped her arms around his waist and gave him a quick hug before pulling back with a nervous laugh. She shyly tucked her hair back behind her ear again and looked back down at the tablet.
At that moment, Ristèard felt as if his heart had suddenly awoken from a long sleep as another emotion welled up inside him. He knew immediately what it was… Love. He was falling in love with his unwilling Empress.
He started when the comlink at his ear chimed. They must have arrived at the Spaceport and the transport was ready for their departure. Tapping it impatiently, he waited for Andras to respond.
“Is the transport ready?” He asked, staring at Ricki’s sun-kissed hair.
“Yes,” Andras responded in a clipped tone. “Be prepared for a welcoming committee. Manderlin informed the council that you had returned with the Empress of Elipdios.”
Chapter 12
Ricki nodded as Ristèard, Emyr, and Sadao all gave her instructions. Her brow creased with concern. She had never been in such a dangerous situation before. One thing she wasn’t about to do was discount what they were telling her. She could tell from the intensity of their expressions and the worry in their eyes that they meant what they were saying.
“What should you do at all times?” Ristèard asked.
Ricki nervously smiled. “Always keep Sadao and Emyr on each side of me. Harald will protect my back. If anything should happen, I will follow Sadao. He will keep me safe until you and the others can come … or,” her throat tightened for a moment, making it difficult to speak. “Or until Ajaska or Torak are alerted. Did you talk to my father yet? Does he know that I’m safe? Well, sort of safe, only don’t tell him the ‘sort of’ part. Dad is very protective of me and mom.”
She saw the flash of unease cross Ristèard’s face. Worry gnawed at her when she saw him look away. Reaching out, she touched his arm.
“You didn’t tell them, did you?” She asked in a quiet voice.
Ristèard shifted in his seat. The transport was much smaller than she had imagined it would be. This one contained six passenger seats bolted at the floor and ceiling. Three of them were on one side and faced the three opposing ones on the other side. Sadao and Emyr each took a seat on either side of her while Ristèard sat directly across from her. Andras and Harald were piloting the transport down to the planet.
“Ajaska and I spoke,” he replied in a gruff tone. “He is aware that I took you.”
Ricki raised her eyebrow at him. From the way he squirmed a little in his seat, there were a few details that he had neglected to share with her. If he wanted her help, he was going to have to learn that she liked to have all the details, not just what he felt like sharing.
“And… What was his response? Did you tell him why you took me?” Ricki paused and frowned at that. “Why did you take me? I know you think I look like this Empress of Elipdios, but I can assure you that I’m not. I seriously doubt your people even knew about humans or Earth back then.”
Except for that one reference that still didn’t make any sense, she thought.
Star had told her about a dream she had and it matched one of the stories in the archive. Ricki had dismissed it as just a dream, but now, she couldn’t help but wonder. What if it was true and somehow, someway, the people of Earth had once traveled the stars?
She blinked when Ristèard suddenly leaned forward as far as the straps across his chest and lap would let him. The fierce look in his gaze made her swallow nervously. She had a feeling she wasn’t going to like what he was about to tell her.
“It doesn’t matter what I believe or not,” he replied in a low, intense tone. “What matters is what my people think. If they believe you are the prophesied Empress of Elipdios that has returned to save their world, then you are. Time is running out for my world, Ricki. If the information you have found proves to be unsuccessful, hundreds of millions of Elipdiosians will perish. I took you because I needed you. That is the only reason you need to understand. You are a symbol of hope for my people. Ajaska is aware that you are here and I have given my word that I would keep you safe. He will inform your parents. There is nothing he or your father can do about that now.”
Ricki schooled her face to hide the hurt she felt at his words. He was right. Just because they had shared a few kisses didn’t mean anything. She needed to focus on her original plan, help Ristèard and his people if she could and return to Kassis and her own family. Once she returned, she would see if Stan was interested in trying a second date.
“Very well,” she replied coolly. “Once we are down on your planet, I would like to have full access to any information you might have pertaining to the history of your world. This should include both digital and hard copy materials.”
Ristèard leaned back with a nod. “We will meet with the council first. Afterwards, I will give you what access you don’t already have,” he stated dryly. “Once I am free, I will give you a tour of the palace.”
“Thank you,” Ricki said, sitting back in her seat when the transport bounced. “I look forward to learning more about the history of your world.”
He nodded his head in acknowledgement before turning his attention to the two men sitting on either side of her. She distractedly listened as Emyr, Sadao, and Ristèard discussed what they expected to happen at the council meeting. Her mind turned to the material she had found so far.
Glancing down, she opened the tablet in her hands back to the map. She studied it carefully, enlarging sections of it so that she could see the symbols marked on it better. Opening her purse, she pulled the thin scanner Jazin had given her out and ran it over the corner of map at some symbols that were very faint.
Frustration swept through her. She really wished she had the actual, physical map in her hands. If it was still in existence, she would find it. Her hand slid down the smooth glass when the transport turned as it began banking for landing. The scanner light flashed as it passed over a section of the map that looked blank.
Ricki glanced under her eyelashes at Ristèard. He was busy talking still. Lowering her eyes to the slate in her hand, she ran it carefully back over the screen. It took several tries before the scanner picked up the almost invisible symbols. Narrowing her eyes, she waited for the scanner to decipher the words.
Careful seeker for the treasure lies protected by the guardians of Elipdios. Only those true of heart led by one born with Blood of ice can pass through the crystal doors. Keep a wary eye, for dangers lurk to keep safe the treasure that will heal this world. Emera
“Who is Emera?” Ricki asked, looking up at Ristèard.
All three men stopped talking and only the sound of the engines of the transport could be heard for several long seconds. From the look of surprise in Ristèard’s eyes, it was a name that meant something to him. Pushing her glasses back up on her nose, she waited for his response.
“She was the first Empress,” he stated with a shrug. “It was said she was crazy, but she is the one who ordered the building of the underground cities that would later save the people of Elipdios. It is believed that she was not from our world, but that the First Emperor fell under the spell she cast and claimed her as his bride. Legend states she died during the birth of their second son.”
“Why are you called the Grand Ruler if the previous rulers were called Emperor?” Ricki asked, looking back and forth. “I apologize for not having more knowledge, but I wasn’t expecting to be kidnapped. If I had known, I would have brushed up on your history.”
Both Sadao and Emyr chuckled at her pointed reference. Ristèard shot both men a dark look before he returned his gaze to her. A frown creased his brow and he sat back in his seat and folded his arms across his chest.
“My father changed the name to Grand Ruler and redesigned the council appointments to elected positions,” he informed her.
“After we killed the others,” Emyr chuckled. “The former council was made up of warlords from the different zones that cared nothing for the
ir people, just for the power and wealth they could amass on the backs of their subjects.”
“That power and wealth came from the Blood Crystals that they sold for weapons to off-worlders,” Sadao added quietly. “When Ristèard’s grandfather tried to stop them, they turned on him.”
Ristèard nodded. “My father was imprisoned,” he told her in a grim voice. “What they did not expect was that he would build a resistance among the prisoners.”
“That included our parents,” Emyr added. “Our bond is the fact that each of us was born in the bowels of an Elipdios prison.”
Ricki glanced at each of the men in horror. “Each of you… How?” She asked in shock.
Ristèard shook his head. “It doesn’t matter. Emera was the first Empress. She was considered crazy and banned to the deserts of Elipdios to live out her final days as an outcast,” he said. “We are landing, remember what we told you.”
Ricki nodded. She was too stunned by the information she had learned to ask any more questions at the moment. There was so much she didn’t understand, but wanted to know.
She silently studied the man across from her. He stared back at her in silence, daring her to feel pity for him. Pity was the last emotion she felt; Respect, confusion, and understanding, yes. Pity? Never. Ristèard Roald was a man used to violence, a life on the edge and he was perfectly capable of handling both.
Ricki pulled her gaze away from him to look out the front window. Her throat tightened as she caught her first glance at the capital city of Elipdios. A huge, black palace rose high above the city that surrounded it. It looked as if it had been carved into the mountain where it stood like a magnificent sentinel watching over the citizens far below.
“Welcome to my world, Ricki Bailey,” Ristèard murmured as the transport began its descent.
Chapter 13
Ristèard discreetly watched Ricki’s face, trying to decipher what her reaction would be to his home before he turned to press the control to open the loading platform. He nodded to Andras when his second-in-command murmured that he had checked with the elite guards at the palace and made sure that everything was secured for his and Ricki’s arrival. His mouth tightened when the loading ramp to the transport lowered and he saw the crowd pushing against the guards.
Ricki stepped up next to him and stared in shock at the crowd. Her fingers nervously twisted the end of the braid she had quickly weaved to keep her hair out of her face. A loud roar sounded from the crowd when they caught sight of them.
“They appear to be very happy to see you,” she murmured, gazing with wide eyes at the large crowd.
Ristèard’s mouth tightened into a straight line. “It is not me they are here to see,” he responded, placing his hand on the small of her back. “It is you.”
Ricki’s head jerked around to stare at him in disbelief. She stumbled a little on the edge of the platform as he guided her down it. He quickly wrapped his arm around her waist to steady her. A low chanting began in the background, slowly rising by the time they reached the end of the platform.
“Why?” She asked, gazing around at the thousands of blue skinned people staring at her. “Why would they come to see me?”
Ristèard slipped his hand from around her waist and threaded his fingers through hers. Raising their entwined hands up above their heads, he stared down at the huge crowd of people. A wave of hopeful cries rose like a wave. The sound crashed around them as his people acknowledged that the rumor of the mythical Empress of Elipdios was true. She had returned to save them.
“You are their Empress,” he whispered in her ear. “You have returned to save Elipdios.”
Ricki felt her knees grow weak and her head swam for a moment. Ristèard felt her sway. He did the only thing he could think of to keep her from fainting. Lowering their entwined hands, he turned her toward him and wrapped his other arm around her.
“Ristèard?” Ricki whispered, her eyes glazed and disoriented. “What if…?”
Ristèard didn’t wait for her to finish her sentence. Pulling her roughly against his body, he captured her lips with his. He blocked the loud roar of approval from the crowds. His only focus was on Ricki right now. This was not the way he would have liked to have introduced her to his world, but he could reluctantly appreciate Manderlin’s move. There would be no denying Ricki’s existence to his people now.
Pride seared through him when he felt her body shudder and relax for a moment before she broke their kiss. She blinked several times and he saw her vision clear as she looked up at him. His hand rose to cup her soft cheek.
“I’m sorry,” he whispered, staring down at her with regret. “This is not how I wanted to introduce you to my world.”
A faint, reluctant smile curved Ricki’s lips and she shook her head at him. “You should have thought about that before you kidnapped me,” she teased in a faint voice before glancing at the suddenly quiet crowd. “I’m terrified I’ll let them down,” she admitted, turning away from him and smiling down at a group of young children peering through the legs of the guards.
“You aren’t the only one,” Ristèard muttered under his breath, watching as Ricki walked down the steps of the landing platform and crossed over to where the children were watching her with awe. “You aren’t the only one,” he repeated before he followed her.
..*
“Take her to my rooms,” Ristèard ordered quietly to Sadao an hour later. “Stay with her and keep her safe. And Sadao, do not trust anyone.”
“Of course,” Sadao replied, bowing his head at Ristèard and resting his hand over his heart to show his respect and allegiance. “Lady Ricki.”
Ristèard saw Ricki hesitate for a fraction of a second, her worried gaze focused on him before she nodded. Another wave of pride swept through him when she ignored the harsh shouts directed at her. She had stood by his side, her head held high, listening to and observing the fury that had burst from several of the councilmen. He had been right when he said that having Ricki beside him would show the true colors of those that opposed him.
Fury burned through him as the circle of men on either side of him continued to argue with each other. The threats were growing louder, and he suspected that it would turn to violence before too much longer. He was positive his next move would push the traitors out into the open.
“Enough!” He roared, bringing instant silence to the room. “You have defied me for the last time. As of now, the council is dissolved. Those that wish to challenge my right to do so stand before me now and we will deal with this once and for all.”
Ristèard’s face twisted in disgust as Texla and Roamlin both rose from their seats and pulled their weapons. It would appear the puppets wanted to play. His eyes narrowed when five other councilmen rose and jumped over the sides of the circular room to land in the center. Only three councilmen remained seated, Manderlin, Pertilis, and Dertus.
“We have been trying to kill you for years, Prison rat,” Texla snarled. “But, you and your fellow rodents have continued to slip through the traps we have set. No longer will that happen.”
Ristèard glanced at Andras, who moved closer so that he was standing back to back with Ristèard. He knew that Harald and Emyr were also in the room. Each of his trusted personal guards, and the only men he would call friends, had taken up a position in the room. Seven against four wasn’t bad odds. He could handle that many on his own.
He turned his head, watching as one of the guards at the door slipped through it before the other guard locked it behind him.
Six other guards slipped in through the back entrance to the council room.
Okay, fourteen to four, he thought with grim determination.
“Who pulls your strings, Texla?” Ristèard mocked, sliding the blades at his waist out and extending them. “I was told you are just the puppet. There is always a master because the puppet is too dumb to move on his own.”
Texla hissed and sneered back at Ristèard. “I am no puppet,” he snarled. “The wealth
I have collected will keep me comfortable for the rest of my life.”
Ristèard’s face froze into a cold, deadly mask. “You would sell your planet for your own personal gains, but you will not live long enough to collect on it,” he promised. “I will see you and every other traitor to Elipdios dead first.”
Texla chuckled. “You are outnumbered, Grand Ruler,” he sneered, waving the blade in his hand toward the guards circling the center area. “Two against all of us, this time you are the one who will finally be dead. You and that female you brought to Elipdios. Even as you stand here, our men are on their way to kill her.”
“Not just two,” Manderlin roared, rising up and striking at one of the guards closest to him. “Five!”
“Kill them all!” Texla ordered, stepping in to attack Ristèard. “Kill them!”
..*
Ricki glanced at Sadao with a worried look. She knew that they had discussed this might happen, but that didn’t make it any easier. She started to glance back over her shoulder, but Sadao stopped her.
“Do not look back,” he murmured in a quiet voice, raising his hand to grip her arm and picking up the pace of their walk. “We are being followed.”
Ricki nodded. Glancing back and forth, she didn’t have much time to enjoy the beauty of the palace. The walls of the palace were so smooth that the surface resembled a highly polished mirror. The only light coming into the long corridor was either from the large windows they passed by or from hidden lights along the walls.
Ricki reached her hand out to touch the surface as they turned the corner. A gasped escaped her when threads of gold blossomed from where her fingers touched it.
“The stone contains a natural chemical that reacts to touch,” Sadao explained in a quiet voice as they neared a narrow staircase. “Do not touch it until we get to safety.”
Ricki nodded again, pulling her hand back and wrapping her fingers around the strap of her purse. She was thankful she seldom wore heels. The soft, yellow dress shoes that she was wearing were not only comfortable, but quiet against the tiled floor.