Web of Truth (Cadicle #4): An Epic Space Opera Series

by DuBoff, Amy

  “This feels a little… risqué,” she commented after twirling a few times in front of the mirror with her auburn hair still loose around her shoulders.

  “It’s the current fashion for people our age. You look stunning,” Wil said, the awe apparent on his face. “You’ll be the center of attention.”

  “I guess I wouldn’t mind turning a few heads.”

  Wil smiled. “You definitely will.”

  A knock sounded at the door.

  Saera’s heart jumped. “Is it time to go? I’m not ready yet.” Wil went to answer the door while Saera looked around for her hair clips. What did I do with that bag? She felt someone watching her and looked up to see her mother standing in the doorway, fully dressed and with her hair done in her signature twist-and-braid style.

  “Will you be okay?” Wil asked Saera telepathically from the adjacent lounge room.

  “I think so.”

  “I’ll be right outside,” Wil said aloud and left.

  Marina watched Wil go and then turned her attention to Saera. “I thought you might like some help getting ready.”

  Saera fought the urge to scream at her. No. Though I can’t easily forgive her, I shouldn’t turn her away now when she’s trying to reach out to me. “Sure, thanks.”

  Marina came forward. “Why don’t you sit? I’ll do your hair, just like old times.”

  Saera sat down at the vanity in the bedroom. She looked at Marina in the mirror, weighing her intentions.

  “I never imagined a reunion like what happened last night,” Marina went on, her voice quavering slightly. “I’m so sorry for what I put you through.” She set down a small clutch on the vanity and began extracting various clips and pins.

  “Last night was nothing,” Saera replied. I can get over that shock. The years of abuse she left me to are harder to forget.

  Marina took some pins in her hand and began sectioning out Saera’s hair. “I know it isn’t any consolation, but I’ve thought about you every day since I left Earth. I was never much of the nurturing sort, but you brought out a side of me I never knew I had. I tried to suppress it, but it’s been there all these years with nothing to fill the void.”

  She’s right, that isn’t any consolation at all. “We can’t just pick up where we left off. You’ve missed most of my life.”

  Marina paused the hair styling for a moment, the muscles around her eyes and mouth twitched. She took a breath and then continued arranging the strands of Saera’s hair. “I know we can’t. But I hope things can be different going forward.”

  “I’ve already had a fresh start. Joining the TSS was an escape. I don’t think you understand how awful things were living with dad’s other family.”

  “Maybe in time you can forgive me,” Marina murmured.

  That’s easier said than done. “I’ll try.”

  They made small-talk for a while, starting the process of rebuilding the foundation of their relationship. It felt forced to Saera, but she owed it to herself to make a genuine attempt at reconnecting with her mother, so she pushed through the awkward silences.

  Eventually, Marina took a step back and looked at Saera from several angles. “There. How’s that?”

  The hairstyle was sleek and sophisticated, with braided sections folding over each other and twisted up into a looping bun. Saera tilted her head to either side and admired the up-do. She made it suit me now—not the child I was. “I love it. Thank you.”

  “You’re going to make a lot of girls very envious tonight,” Marina said with a smile.

  “What do you mean?”

  Marina seemed surprised by the question. “You’re about to show up to a party with the most eligible bachelor in all the Taran worlds.”

  “Wil?”

  “Of course. He is the son of Sietinen and Vaenetri.”

  The nerves that Saera had tried so hard to settle came flooding back. “I guess I just never think about him that way. Our entire time together has been within the TSS.”

  Marina shook her head. “I don’t believe he thinks of himself that way, either. You’re fortunate to have someone so thoroughly taken with you.”

  He does love me. I’ve never questioned it. That’s one part of my life that I’ll never regret. “I am lucky.”

  “Well, I’ll let you gather yourself,” Marina said and glided to the door.

  Am I about to walk into another trap? Saera’s chest knotted. “Thank you for coming by.”

  Marina bowed her head. “I hope we can spend more time together in the future.”

  “Me too.”

  * * *

  “Well, she may have failed you as a mother, but she makes a pretty good hair stylist,” joked Wil.

  “Very funny,” Saera replied, not sounding amused at all. She was pacing the room as Wil sat on the edge of the bed in their suite.

  “Seriously, though, you look incredible,” Wil said, a swell of love in his chest as he admired her.

  Saera continued to pace in front of him, her fists clenched with nervous energy.

  I need to set her at ease. We just have to get through the next few hours… “I’m glad you’re at least on speaking terms. It’s a start.”

  “Yes, it is.”

  How can I distract her? “We should get going. We have a ball to attend! I may even make you dance.” He grinned at her.

  “Oh, like you’re the dancer in this relationship,” retorted Saera, stopping in front of Wil.

  “Hey, I can dance. I think. I figure all that hand-to-hand combat training has to have yielded some transferable skills.”

  “Like flying kicks?”

  Wil smirked. “I was thinking more like back-flips, but that would be fun, too.”

  “Sounds dangerous.”

  Wil shrugged. “It would keep things interesting.”

  A smile finally broke through on Saera’s face, lighting up her eyes. “Let’s just stick to the finger-food and mingling.”

  And she’s back! “Very well, if you insist.” Wil rose from the bed. He held out his hand. “Shall we?”

  With a deep breath, Saera took his hand, entwining her fingers in his. She had her jaw set with determination to get through whatever Wil’s grandparents had planned.

  Wil admired how she was taking everything in stride. The visit had already unveiled more surprises than he could have ever anticipated.

  He escorted her through the labyrinth of halls to the largest ballroom on the other side of the manor. As they approached, orchestral music swelled, interwoven with the buzz of conversation.

  “It sounds like quite the party,” Saera commented.

  “Undoubtedly. Sietinens don’t mess around when it comes to event planning.”

  Before them was a massive set of double doors, more than three meters tall. The wood was painted white to match the marble walls and floor, and it was carved into a delicate geometric pattern accented with gold and silver. Attendants standing to either side of the door bowed.

  The attendant on the left straightened his back but kept his head down. “My lord. Our guests await you.”

  “Thank you,” Wil said, unsure if there was some formal protocol he was missing.

  The attendant paused for a moment, as if waiting for something else, and then proceeded to swing open the double doors with his colleague.

  Wil’s breath caught when he saw the ballroom, and he heard a gasp from Saera next to him. The doors opened onto a marble staircase that descended half a story to the main level. Crystal chandeliers hung from the ceiling, set with tiny lights that sent cascading sparkles across the ceiling and walls. Three walls of the room were almost entirely glass, shaped into a sweeping curve that overlooked Lake Tiadon below. An elaborate buffet was arranged along the left wall, and to the right was a twenty-piece orchestra providing the festive music. In the center of the room, at least four hundred guests were talking amongst themselves. Seeing Wil and Saera standing at the top of the stairs, the conversation halted and everyone turned toward them.
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  Wil gulped. “I’m sorry, I didn’t expect this,” he said to Saera telepathically.

  Saera smiled at the crowd despite her nerves and took Wil by the upper arm.

  They were about to walk down the stairs when Reinen emerged from the sea of people with Alana close behind. He climbed the staircase to stand next to Wil.

  “Esteemed guests,” he addressed the crowd, “thank you for joining us. I am pleased to present to you Williame Sietinen-Vaenetri.”

  So he’s still making this all about me? Wil gave a little bow, and Saera dropped into a curtsy when he started to move. They rose and Wil looked to Reinen for guidance.

  Reinen came alive in the crowd’s presence. “Our family has experienced so much good fortune, but so rarely can we share it with each other. All of us being here together is a special occasion indeed. We are honored for all of you to share in this joyous time with us. Have a wonderful evening!”

  There was light applause from the audience as Wil and Saera descended the stairs with Reinen. Wil felt the hundreds of eyes on him, and many people leaned over to whisper to their neighbor. Saera’s grip tightened on his arm, but she kept her face composed. When they reached the bottom of the stairs, Reinen clapped Wil on the shoulder and then went back to hosting with Alana.

  “That should be the worst of it,” Wil said to Saera.

  Saera looked around. “Everyone is watching us.”

  In particular, the younger members of the crowd were paying special attention. The women were all staring daggers at Saera while checking out Wil, and even the men were subtly distancing themselves from their dates. Wil decided to just make matters easier for everyone and put his arm around Saera. We won’t have to deal with this for much longer…

  To Wil’s relief, he saw his parents approaching. “I can’t imagine attending these things all the time,” he commented as they walked up.

  “You’re telling me,” Cris replied.

  “Oh, you get used it,” said Kate. “Come with me, my brother is here and wants to meet you.” She beckoned Wil and Saera to follow her.

  Wil sighed but complied. He took Saera’s hand.

  Kate led them around a few groups to a man in his late-sixties and his wife. They both wore Starstone rings. “Wil, this is my brother Kaiden, heir to the First Region.”

  Kaiden had the same hazel-green eyes as Kate and dark hair with touches of gray. He held out his hand, which Wil took. “Wil! I’ve heard so much about you. It’s a pleasure to finally meet you.”

  “And you, as well,” Wil replied. “This is Saera.”

  “Yes, of course.” Kaiden held out his hand to Saera. “You make a striking couple.”

  At least some people aren’t as dead-set against us being together as my grandparents.

  Saera blushed and took Kaiden’s hand. “Pleased to meet you.”

  “And this is my wife, Renae,” Kaiden said, presenting a graceful fair-skinned woman with graying brown hair. Everyone greeted her.

  Kaiden looked over Wil’s TSS uniform. “I’m interested to see that the family is trending toward life in the TSS. We were all surprised when my little sister asked to join, and now you have continued in her footsteps.”

  “And my father’s,” Wil pointed out.

  “Yes, very true. There’s always been some consternation over the Sietinen heir being Lead Agent of the TSS.”

  “But think of all that delightful ‘real world’ experience I’m getting,” Cris chimed in.

  “Fair enough,” Kaiden conceded. “I suppose I just wasn’t cut out for such a rigorous life. I don’t know how you all do it.”

  “You certainly had it in you. I’m just your little sister—as you were so quick to say—but look at what I’ve done,” Kate said.

  “You have me there. I should make my retreat now before I misspeak again. I applaud you all for your service.” Kaiden looked to his wife. “Now, if you’ll excuse us, I need to keep making the rounds. Business, you know.” He inclined his head to them and departed.

  “Is being in the TSS really so strange?” Wil asked his parents.

  “They’re coming from a different perspective,” Kate replied.

  “They’ll be in for quite a shock when they learn the extent of the power it’s granted us,” Cris added. “Then they’ll wish they were alongside us the whole time.”

  And aligned with me, most of all, Wil thought as he surveyed the room. But, there was little time for reflection. Kate eyed another relative, a cousin from the Fourth Region, and quickly dragged Wil and Saera along. Wil was content to follow his mother, knowing it diminished his chances of being pulled aside by any of the young women and their fathers who were eyeing him from a distance.

  Wil was introduced to—and, in some cases, reacquainted with—various other family members over the next hour before he and Saera were finally able to extract themselves so they could get some food. They helped themselves to the buffet, while trying to not appear too gluttonous, and then washed it down with sparkling wine.

  With his hunger satiated and feeling slightly buzzed, Wil couldn’t take the predatory stares any longer. “Are you okay leaving here for a little while?” he asked Saera.

  “Sure.”

  “Great, I need a break.” He took her hand and led her out a side door in the ballroom directly into one of the gardens surrounding the Sietinen estate.

  The air was a perfect temperature and they strolled through the garden hand-in-hand. After some time, they arrived at a bench along the walkway in front of a large lawn overlooking the lower gardens and the lake—one of the most spectacular views on the entire estate.

  “Let’s sit down here for a while,” Wil suggested.

  Saera smiled. “Okay.”

  This is your time to finally do something for yourself. Don’t rush it. Wil gave Saera a moment to take in the view. “This is a special place to me. It’s where my parents got married, and it’s always been one of my favorite spots on all of Tararia.”

  “I can see why. It’s beautiful.” Saera looked out at the moonlight dancing on the surface of the lake in the distance.

  Wil swallowed. “There’s no one else I’d rather have here with me. I’m so thankful to have you in my life.”

  “Me too, Wil.” She met his gaze, and there was nothing but love in her eyes.

  She has no idea what’s coming. “Times haven’t always been easy for us and there will be even more trials going forward, but you give me the strength to make me feel like I can get through anything. I can’t imagine a life without you.” In one motion, Wil dropped to his knee and reached into his inner jacket pocket. “And as we go through that life together, I want you to be by my side as my wife.” He pulled his hand out from his pocket, holding a Starstone ring.

  Saera took in a sharp breath of surprise.

  Wil looked into Saera’s eyes. “Will you marry me?”

  Saera teared up. “Yes!” She pulled him in for a kiss. “I’m yours forever.”

  And I’m yours. Wil held her close. He couldn’t keep the grin off of his face.

  Saera trembled slightly in his arms, but he could feel the joy radiating from her. She pulled back and looked at the ring in Wil’s hand. “It’s stunning.”

  “Oh, right!” Wil took Saera’s left hand and slipped the engagement ring on her finger. A perfect fit.

  She admired her new accessory, awe in her gaze. The round center Starstone was complemented by delicate swirling metalwork accented by smaller Starstones. “So this is why you brought me here.”

  “It was the main reason, yes. Even with everything that’s happened, I wanted to make things official with us.”

  Saera couldn’t take her eyes off the ring on her hand. “What happens when we get back home?”

  “We’ll need to keep the engagement quiet for a while. We can have the wedding after you graduate.”

  She brought her gaze up to meet Wil’s eyes. “Here?”

  “Probably. But there’s plenty of time to figure tha
t out.” He leaned forward for a kiss and she relaxed into him.

  They took some time to revel in the moment before returning to the party. As they strolled back, Wil was overcome with a sense of elation. I don’t know how this will go over with everyone, but nothing could take away this feeling.

  Wil led Saera back into the ballroom through the same side door. Cris and Kate came over as soon as they entered.

  “Where did you—” Kate began, but then she noticed the ring on Saera’s finger. “Stars! Congratulations.” She gave Wil and Saera hugs, beaming. Cris did likewise.

  “We have your back, don’t worry,” Cris said.

  “What does he mean?” Saera asked Wil.

  Wil took her hand. “I didn’t exactly have my grandparents blessing to propose to you, but I would never let that stand in the way.”

  Saera’s face drained. “You never said anything. I thought they were fine with this.”

  Wil glanced over his shoulder and saw his grandparents approaching to see what all the commotion was about. “It’ll be okay,” he said to Saera. He put his arm around her protectively and turned to confront his grandfather.

  Reinen’s eyes narrowed. “How dare you so openly defy me?”

  Wil stared down Reinen. “It isn’t your right to decide who I can be with. Especially now that we know she’s from a well-respected lower Dynasty.”

  Reinen hung his head, his disappointment evident. “That discovery doesn’t change the fact that you’ve gone against me. There are so many who would be a better match.”

  “No. You might not see it, but there is no one else.” Not everything is about what happens here on Tararia.

  “I just can’t abide this.” Reinen looked away.

  Alana stepped in. “Reinen, let the boy be happy.”

  “Oh, this is about much more than happiness,” Cris said, forcing himself between his son and father.

  Reinen examined Wil and Saera. “Whatever is so important about them being together?”

  Cris looked around at all the party-goers watching the conversation. “Let’s go outside.” He led the group into the gardens.

  Wil examined the place his father had selected. It was a private enough setting. We need them on our side. He took Saera’s hand and met Reinen’s eye. “I know you wanted a different path for me and my father, but we had another fate. I’m sorry if it’s made you feel betrayed or abandoned. However, I have been handed so much responsibility, there are times when I must act in seemingly selfish ways to look out for myself. Choosing to be with Saera is one of those instances. I need her, because she’s the one person who can fully support me in what I need to face.”