The Reluctant Empress

by Teresa Howard

  “Look at you, little one, getting big.” Houston laughed and swung Ninallia around. He stopped when his saw Tegani. Ninallia looked up and followed his gaze.

  “She’s missed you too, more than me,” she said. She stepped aside and let Houston get closer to Tegani. There was a shy almost awkwardness to his approach.

  Tegani could see his uncertainty and gave him a welcoming smile. She extended her arms toward him, and he took her into a crushing embrace.

  He held the embrace longer than was proper. When he let her go, they were both breathing heavily.

  “Well, let’s let Houston come inside, ladies.” Sayeri laughed

  She led them into the great room where Ninallia settled in a large chair and put her feet up. Her ankles swelled at times. “Now tell us about your adventures in the Empire. Were you able to locate this woman who claims to be the assassin’s wife?”

  “Yes, she was in the bar. In fact, Beliani owns the place and acts a bartender.” He brought them up-to-date.

  “That witch! She could have given you the key in the beginning.” Ninallia growled. This was followed by laughter as she gasped and clutched her stomach. “The emperor agrees!”

  Everyone laughed. Sayeri and Tegani filled Houston in on the news from the Temple City. Sayeri promised to let him see a pair of beautiful horses she purchased from the League Trade Commission. Several of her neighbors were successfully breeding the animals, though many Bengarians felt the animals were not worth the effort. Riding horseback was slow to catch on and horse meat even less so. Horses were graceful and powerful as they galloped across the open grasslands. Tegani figured that was why beef cattle were more popular and practical. But she enjoyed watching the horses.

  ~ * ~

  Houston’s mouth watered as the smell of grilling steaks reached him. What a wonderful homecoming. He froze at the thought. Was this what a homecoming felt like? Why did he feel he was home? He looked at the three women who felt more like family than anyone had in a long time. How hard would it be when he left them to return to space?

  The meal was one of the best. The Bengarian tubers were tasty, but he preferred Earth potatoes. Ninallia laughed, and Tegani looked happy. He ate more than was usual as evidenced by the tightness in his belt.

  A piercing alarm sounded, and everyone jumped up from the table. The intruder alarm. Security sensors had been triggered by someone entering the estate without going through the checkpoint.

  Houston bolted from his chair with weapon in hand. Sayeri was on her communicator. The intruder had shown up like a blip on the sensors, and then disappeared.

  “You and Ninallia stay here,” he told Tegani. “Lock this door, and don’t open it for anyone.”

  Tegani took the small blaster he put in her hand. Ninallia was standing with her hands on her stomach with tears streaming down her face.

  Sayeri put her arm around the girl. “It’s okay. It may not be anything.”

  The curtain shifted, and a figure stepped through the window. Houston whirled to fire. The trigger froze. He prepared to launch himself at the figure when Tegani called out. “Arturon, what are you doing here?”

  The tableau froze.

  Arturon bowed to Tegani. “Thank you, Sister, it’s good to see you.”

  Puzzled, Houston lowered the blaster, thankful he hadn’t fired. He knew of First Brother, Arturon. Houston bowed and extended his hand. “I’m glad to meet you, Brother.”

  Arturon bowed then shook the proffered hand. “I regret my duplicity. It cannot be known I am here.”

  “Why are you here? My Lady is in danger. You should be there,” Sayeri said.

  “My Lady sent me because paternity must be verified as soon as the baby is born, and I am one of those authorized to handle royal paternity matters.”

  “You traveled all this way to verify the paternity before Hanoree has time to dispute or destroy the evidence?”

  Arturon looked at Sayeri and smiled. “Yes, My Lady has foreseen much trouble.”

  The door opened, and in ran young Peterno straight into his grandmother’s arms. Everyone stopped as Sayeri comforted him.

  Tegani’s wide eyes looked from the child to Arturon. That caught Houston’s attention. When he looked, he realized the resemblance was striking. Arturon glanced from the child to Sayeri. Utter confusion and amazement shone in his expression.

  Tegani touched Houston’s arm, nodding toward the door. Ninallia stood and followed him and Tegani, giving Sayeri and Arturon privacy.

  ~ * ~

  Sayeri stroked her grandson’s hair. She smiled at Arturon. “It’s been a long time, Arturon. There are things I should have told you. Say hello to your grandson, Peterno.”

  Peterno looked up at Arturon with those uncannily similar eyes and smiled shyly. “Grandfather?”

  “How?”

  Sayeri motioned for Arturon to sit and explained, “I learned I was pregnant as soon as I got back to the Empire and was in great disgrace when I refused to name you as the father. I couldn’t because they would have ruined you. I knew I couldn’t marry you and live in the Temple City so I married Nabaro and came to live here. Our daughter, Hennina, was born, and Nabaro accepted her as his own.”

  She gave a shrug and sighed. “She inherited my wild nature and ran off to live with a trader, leaving me with Peterno.”

  The belated confession was spilled in such a matter of fact way that Arturon sat in silence. It was a shock to find the boy was his grandson and he had daughter he had never meet. The revelation seemed to leave him dazed. Tears filled his eyes. They’d been foolish youngsters in love long ago.

  She walked to a portrait of a young girl standing next to a grape arbor. Their daughter. Hennina had Arturon’s eyes, her mother’s hair and smile. The artist captured something of a wild nature in the portrait, also a love of life and kindness.

  Arturon stared at the portrait. Sayeri put her arms around him from behind. Her body pressed against him, her head leaned against his shoulder. “Please say you forgive me.”

  He turned Sayeri around and held her in his arms. He kissed her hair then her lips. Was it possible to find love again after so many years?

  Sayeri drew back. “We should let My Lady know you have arrived.” She squeezed his hand and waited for him to contact My Lady.

  My Lady responded quickly, her mental voice as clear and crisp as ever. Arturon, we trust you had a safe journey. Is everyone well there?

  Yes, My Lady, it appears so. The girl is healthy, and the child appears to be growing inside her.

  And Lady Sayeri? My Lady asked, a hint of irony in her voice.

  Sayeri is well, My Lady. She sends her best wishes.

  She is a brave woman, Arturon. Take care of them as best you can. What do you think of this League colonel?

  He seems to be a good man. I sense honor and loyalty in him. He hesitated. He loves Tegani or, so he believes.

  And what does our Sister feel?

  She is in love, My Lady.

  Oh dear, I did not foresee this.

  Don’t worry, I won’t mention this to Tegani. Perhaps the colonel can be persuaded to become a permanent resident of Bengar.

  “Arturon.” Sayeri’s voice called through the fog of his connection. “Tell My Lady goodbye and come to dinner.”

  Sayeri had never been respectful of rank or position.

  ~ * ~

  Tegani sat on the wide veranda, moving the porch swing back and forth. Her thoughts echoed the pattern. It was understandable the League and the Order would predicate their involvement on the birth of a true heir. There was no reason to automatically believe Ninallia. She could be a fraud, or Madama Ector could have been lying about which dumas carried the royal heir. Tegani didn’t even want to imagine that scenario.

  Seeing Arturon and Sayeri together brought other feelings. How sad they missed all those years together. What about her feelings for Houston? She was bound to Ninallia until this was resolved, then her loyalty was to the Order. Could she ab
andon her training and go with Houston?

  “You look serious. Aren’t you glad to see Arturon?” Ninallia joined her on the swing.

  “Yes, I worry about My Lady,” Tegani lied.

  Too much was already apparent to Ninallia because of her abilities, and Tegani was not ready to share her personal feelings. She looked at the girl sitting next to her on the swing. Pregnancy made her face glow. She wondered if Ninallia realized how much her life would change if her son became emperor.

  “Now you’re worrying about me. I am too, but we must not let Hanoree get away with murder.” Ninallia placed a hand on her stomach. “If I had known whose child I would carry, I don’t know if I would have agreed to be a dumas.” Her eyes narrowed. “Hanoree will get to my son over my dead body.”

  “You’re looking and sounding fierce,” laughed Tegani. There was something frightening about the sudden determination in Ninallia’s eyes.

  “I hate Hanoree. He killed my friends from the hostel. He is the reason Madama Ector is dead. My mother and aunt are...”

  “They are quite safe,” said Arturon coming onto the veranda and catching their conversation.

  Ninallia squealed with joy and launched her rounded body at the senior Brother. He laughed and caught her in his arms. “We were able to get them to safety before Hanoree could act, if in fact he knows about them. They are under guard for the time being, and your mother is receiving medical attention and is doing well.”

  Tears of joy flowed down Ninallia’s face. Tegani smiled and hugged her old mentor.

  Clouds darkened the sky so she suggested they go inside before the rain started.

  Twenty-Eight

  Hanoree was growing restless. The Council of Nobles refused to crown him emperor. The First Minister, a man Hanoree now considered an ally, spoke up for him. He counseled Hanoree to remain calm.

  “You do not want to appear eager to take the throne. The Empire and the council are in shock and in mourning. They are afraid to act. They do not wish to dishonor the late emperor, and neither should we.”

  Hanoree smiled. Let the old fool think he will retain his position once I am crowned.

  Varick came into the room and stopped when he saw the First Minister, then bowed to both men.

  “You will excuse us. My aide no doubt brings a list of household matters from my wife,” Hanoree said.

  The First Minister bowed and excused himself. Hanoree smiled and returned the bow. After the First Minister left, Hanoree turned to Varick. “The man’s an old fool. I hate to depend on him to prod the Nobles into action.”

  “Yes, my Emperor,” Varick commented in a dry tone. “I have been busy on your behalf. I believe I have news of greatest importance. There has been communication between the Order and Lady Sayeri in the Kingdom of Madori. It seems she may be harboring our fugitive. This proves the Order was involved in her escape.”

  A white heat of anger engulfed Hanoree. He refused to let it take control. If he attacked a holding in Madori, its maniac ruler might unleash a terrible round of bombs. He stopped short of beginning the next Great War among the kingdoms. “I want someone inside the compound. I want the mother and child dead.”

  “It will be hard for Sayeri is not easily fooled. If you will leave it to me, I think I can find the right individual for the job.”

  “See that you do. I will take care of Sayeri later.” The two men shared some wine. “Should I contact the old witch in the Temple City? I would love to see her face when I tell her I know where the fugitives are.”

  “Oh no, my Emperor, give my assassin a chance. Do not forewarn them,” Varick said in an almost teasing manner.

  Hanoree saw the wisdom and assented. “Have you heard anything said among the Nobles? Are there any rumors about me?”

  “They worry you will be a stronger emperor than your uncle, and they are jealous of your power. The late emperor was too weak in his dealings with the Nobles.” Varick refilled Hanoree’s glass but added no drug.

  Hanoree smiled and drained the glass. “What shall we provide our guests for entertainment tonight?”

  “Something subdued. Remember we are in mourning.”

  He chuckled, and Hanoree joined him until he and Varick were laughing like schoolboys sharing a dirty joke.

  Twenty-Nine

  Months passed, winter turned into the rainy season in the Southern Kingdom marking the beginning of spring. Ninallia thought about the changes in her friends. Arturon and Sayeri had rekindled their romance. She could see the smiles and gentle touches they exchanged. Happiness gave a glow to Sayeri’s face. Ninallia frowned. Houston and Tegani were still dancing around their feelings for each other.

  Her due date nearing caused her to walk in slow, cumbersome steps. She was uncomfortable and eager to get the child born. To make matters worse, the nursery maid hired by Sayeri was unable to take the job. The replacement seemed like a nice girl, and she came with excellent references, but there was something solemn and almost sad about her. She was too quiet to suit Ninallia.

  The rain slackened to a cool damp mist. She decided to venture onto the veranda when a sharp pain nearly doubled her over. A flood of wetness ran between her legs. Sayeri had prepared her for this—her water had broken. She turned to go back in and slipped. She fell hard onto the stone floor of the veranda and cried out in pain.

  Ninallia’s call found someone, and her friends rushed to find her lying on the cold wet stones of the veranda. They eased Ninallia to a sitting position, then the men gently lifted and carried her inside.

  The healer arrived and examined her. “There are a few bruises, but nothing is broken. She’s young, healthy, and is in the early stages of labor. The baby will be here soon.” He smiled as he gave the good news.

  “Praise the Spirits,” Sayeri said.

  Ninallia yelped in pain as contractions began. It was a long evening of waiting, pacing, pushing and sweating with effort. Before dawn the new emperor was born.

  “He’s beautiful,” Tegani sighed.

  “All babies are beautiful,” Sayeri added.

  Beaming, Ninallia held her son as Arturon drew the necessary material for a paternity test.

  He assured them, “The late emperor’s information is on file in both the Bengarian and League data bases. I’ve uploaded the data from the sample and now we wait for the results.”

  ~ * ~

  “What do they mean a week?” Ninallia fumed. “It cannot not take longer than a day or two.”

  “Of course not, if we want to alert Hanoree to the fact the child has been born. The tests are being run secretly, and the results will be sent to us by an indirect route. Have patience, dear girl. We are almost at the end of this journey.”

  A week came and went with no word on the test results. Ninallia recovered, and Hiroto was eating, sleeping, and growing as babies were meant to do. The nursery maid shared the duties, giving Ninallia time to rest. She insisted on having the crib in her bedroom, so her son could sleep near.

  It was the middle of the second week. The nursery maid brought a warm cup of tea and milk for Ninallia. “You drink this, and I’ll get the baby ready for bed.”

  “Thank you, Dorna.” Ninallia placed the squirming infant in the nurse’s hands, and he was soon settled in his crib.

  “Goodnight, Miss Ninallia,” said Dorna as she closed the door.

  Ninallia had finally started warming up to Dorna, and their relationship had turned companionable. Ninallia started to drink the tea, and a sudden fit of sneezing caused her to spill it. Dorna would insist on fixing her another cup, and the nurse needed her own rest. Hiroto seemed to thrive on keeping everyone busy.

  Ninallia got up long enough to take off the wet covers and remake the bed, then tried to sleep.

  It wasn’t long before she heard a sound. She froze as Dorna slipped back into Ninallia’s room. “Shush baby, this won’t hurt a bit,” Dorna crooned.

  “What are you doing?” Ninallia cried in alarm.

  Dorna dr
ew a knife from her pocket. “Don’t make a sound. Stay there, or I’ll use the knife, and it won’t be painless.”

  “Dorna, why?” In horror, she watched as Dorna used a thumb to open the vial.

  “There can only be one emperor; Hanoree is our emperor. Anyone else will lead to a civil war.” She tilted the vial down to the infant’s mouth.

  “No!” Ninallia screamed as she lunged toward Dorna and fell.

  A dark figure crashed through the window and wrestled the knife from her hand. Houston pushed her to the floor. She scrambled for the vial and swallowed the liquid. Within seconds a strange look appeared on her face, and her hands flew to her throat. She died quickly.

  The commotion woke the others, and soon they were crowded into Ninallia’s room staring in disbelief at Dorna’s body.

  “I can’t believe this. I’ve known Lady Kittel for many years, and she recommended Dorna.” Sayeri was beside herself with anger and grief. She stared at the infant. “At least he is unharmed, thank the Spirits.”

  “Apparently Hanoree’s hands extend even here,” Arturon said.

  Ninallia was rocking Hiroto and crying. She could not stop. After catching her breath, she asked. “How did you know?”

  “You called me. I heard you say Houston, I need you. The window. Hurry. I got a picture of what was happening, and I came in through the window.”

  “Amazing, she can send to non-gifted people,” Arturon observed.

  “Thank the Spirits,” said Sayeri. “I think we need to get some sleep and decide on a new plan of action in the morning.”

  Ninallia agreed but wasn’t sure she’d sleep.

  ~ * ~

  Tegani slept fitfully. It was evident Hanoree knew where Ninallia was hiding. He had known long enough to arrange for that stupid girl to kill the baby. Tegani shuddered, remembering how close the woman had come to succeeding. When the first light of morning began to peek through the window she got up.

  Sayeri and Arturon were in the kitchen at the small table drinking a hot beverage. Houston was sleeping on the floor near Ninallia’s bed and Hiroto’s crib.