Heart of an Assassin [Daughters of Lyra Series]

by Felicity Heaton

  He touched her face, immense sadness filling his heart. “Then I will watch over you ... somehow ... we will be parted but I will always watch over you."

  Tears streamed down her face and she hiccupped on her sobs. “I don't want you to leave."

  But she couldn't leave with him. To remain here would be a death sentence for him. The pain in her eyes spoke of confusion and fear.

  "I don't want to have to choose between you and my family ... am I so bound by my title that I can't even escape when offered the chance?” She turned away from him and wiped the backs of her hands across her face. “I have a responsibility ... but I love you."

  Someone knocked at the door.

  Natalia said nothing.

  Ixion stepped up behind her and hesitated a moment before placing his hands on her shoulders.

  "I love you,” he whispered, knowing that she needed to hear him say it, and that it would comfort her through whatever darkness lay ahead of them. “I have loved you for seven years. I have watched you all that time, watched over you, and nothing will change that."

  He pressed a kiss to her hair and then walked to the door. His hand shook as he opened it, expecting to find her brother and father on the other side.

  It was neither of them.

  Renie's face was a picture of deviousness and excitement. She pushed past him, bursting into the room and going straight to Natalia. Ixion raised an eyebrow when a young man followed her in at a more refined pace. White skin and blue hair. His eyes were wrong somehow, with bright blue pupils and black irises. Was this the prince of Vega that Renie was going to marry?

  Ixion had never seen such a strange looking male. He appeared nothing like the pictures Ixion had seen of Vegans.

  "I have a shuttle in the royal port,” Renie said in a rush of words. “Yellow and silver. It can fold space. We can take you both to Vega and Tres will protect you!"

  Tres? Ixion looked at the male. He didn't look particularly strong but there was a confidence about him that said looks were deceiving.

  "I heard about what happened,” Renie continued in a blur. “Rezic is furious."

  "And father?” Natalia said in a solemn and calm tone.

  Renie shook her head.

  "We cannot flee,” Ixion said and Renie looked at him, her dark eyes large and round, reflecting her confusion. “Natalia refuses to."

  "You're insane. Rezic will kill Ixion."

  "It would be interesting to see such a fight,” the Vegan said and drew his gaze down the length of Ixion. “This male seems competent at killing."

  "It would go against my creed to raise a hand against one of this family,” Ixion said with a frown.

  "I'll go,” Natalia said and everyone looked at her.

  "To Vega?” Renie sounded as surprised as he felt.

  Natalia shook her head.

  "No. I'll go and speak to father.” Determination flashed in her green eyes and Ixion knew that she would give her father another piece of her mind. “If he refuses to let me live my own life ... then I will leave ... but I can't leave without fighting for what I want."

  Ixion's heart thudded against his chest. She was going to fight for him? His beautiful princess loved him that much?

  "Then I am going with you,” he said, looking her straight in the eye. “As your personal protector."

  He wouldn't let anything happen to her.

  * * * *

  Natalia's palms were sweating as she walked through the wide corridors of the palace, Ixion at her side. She kept trying to find something to say to him, but her thoughts weighed her down. What if she couldn't convince her father to grant her some freedom? What if by going to see him now, she was condemning Ixion to death? Her father could easily have his personal guards with him. The four of them could overpower Ixion. It was a thought that made her ache inside and want to tell Ixion to leave on the shuttle that waited for them in the royal port. She couldn't bear the idea of losing him.

  Ixion stopped in front of the door to her father's chambers. She didn't bother to knock. She barged straight in and relief swept through her when she saw that her father was alone, sitting at his desk, looking straight at her as though he had been waiting for her to arrive.

  Her nerve almost failed but the feel of Ixion close by strengthened her resolve to face her father. She had been silent too long. She wouldn't hide her feelings anymore. It was time that her father knew how hard this life was for her and how much it would hurt her if he made her marry someone that she didn't love.

  She came to stand before him, her gaze unwavering. Ixion closed the door and remained near it, as though guarding her from anyone who might intrude.

  "Ixion gave me a lot to think about,” her father said and she was tempted to look at her assassin but kept her eyes fixed on her father's. “As did your mother when she heard about what had happened."

  Natalia's heart missed a beat. She smiled inside, pleased that her mother had chosen her side just as she had hoped that she would. She was sure that her mother had mentioned more than just what had happened today. She would have mentioned his whole idea of finding Natalia suitors too.

  "I have long let my children run wayward, but I need a firm hand to guide them ... one that will be willing to stand up to them.” Her father stood and his gaze shifted to the door. “One like Ixion."

  She heard him move and couldn't stop herself from looking at him this time. He seemed shocked by her father's words, as surprised as she felt. Was her father granting Ixion a reprieve?

  "I saw Aiden and Ciel in a light I did not like the other day, and saw my daughter's strength, and I knew that she was fighting with a reason. You.” Her father picked something up off the desk and held it out in Ixion's direction. Ixion moved across the room to her and stared at her father's hand. It was his insignia. She hadn't noticed that he had lost it. Had he cast it aside after seeing the way her family had treated her? “You are free to return to us without repercussion ... if you will train my sons in combat and help me turn them into men worthy of their titles."

  Ixion didn't move. He stared at her father, his purple eyes impassive and emotionless.

  "What of Natalia?” he said in a calm tone.

  Her father looked at her. “My daughter has long done the duty of her brothers as well as her own. From this point forward, she will guide them also, ensuring they take responsibility and behave as expected of their status. Ixion will be assigned to her—"

  "Assigned?” Natalia broke in and snatched Ixion's hand, holding it tight. She was ready to flee with him right now if her father was daring to suggest that they go back to normal, that she give Ixion up. “I don't want Ixion to be assigned to me, just like I don't want my husband chosen for me. I love Ixion and I will be with him, even if that means we leave the palace."

  Her father held his hands up. “I have already had one daughter threatening to give up her title in order to marry the man she loved ... and one is enough. I had intended to say that Ixion will be assigned to you as whatever you choose him to be—your personal assassin or future husband."

  Natalia blinked, stunned into silence. She was sure that she had heard him wrong. Her father was stubborn, just like his brothers, and it wasn't like him to back down so easily and give in to someone else. It could only mean one thing. He really did dote on her as much as her mother said. He loved her and wanted her to be happy.

  Ixion's hand tightened against hers. She looked at him, into his warm eyes that smiled at her. He reached out and brushed her cheek with the backs of his fingers. Her eyes slipped shut and she leaned into his touch, savouring the softness and the love behind it.

  The galaxy faded away until there was only them, standing so close to each other, joined in a tender caress.

  The door slamming snapped her out of the moment. Her gaze darted to it. Renie stood in the doorway, her laser pistol drawn, with Tres beside her.

  "Are we leaving?” Renie said in a hurried tone.

  Natalia wondered if her older s
ister was actually prepared to hold their own father at gun point.

  "We're staying.” Natalia smiled at Ixion. He placed his arm around her shoulder and drew her close.

  "I believe you must congratulate your little sister,” her father said and Renie's eyes went wide.

  "He agreed?"

  "It was his idea,” Natalia said, still not quite able to believe it. Her father wanted her to marry Ixion. She looked at her father, wondering if he was going to burst out laughing any moment now and tell her it was all a joke.

  Her father smiled. “I wouldn't have parted with you for a lesser male. I have no fear of your happiness or safety when Ixion is with you."

  Natalia blushed and then grinned at her sister when it finally sunk in. “I'm getting married!"

  Her father laughed. Tres said something which she didn't understand but hoped was congratulations.

  "Double wedding!” Renie grinned right back at her.

  Natalia hesitated and looked at Ixion. He towered over her, the tendrils of his black hair obscuring his eyes. His gaze slid down to meet hers and she waited with bated breath to hear what he would say.

  "You haven't asked me yet,” she said, feeling a little awkward about how carried away she had been. Ixion might not want to marry her.

  His arm left her shoulders, making her feel cold, and then he took hold of both of her hands, standing before her. His eyes held hers, steady and confident, but something lurked in their clear purple depths.

  "Natalia ... my princess ... I am not worthy—” He pressed his finger to her lips to silence her when she went to speak. “Will you ever learn not to interrupt?"

  Her father laughed again. The suspense was killing her. She didn't want him to outline just how unworthy he felt of her love and what she wanted to share with him. She wanted him to marry her.

  "I am not worthy of a royal wedding. My status is not that of a prince or even a noble. I am merely an assassin, a servant of your family.” He hesitated and then sighed. “I want to marry you more than anything and make you happy, but I cannot stand before the population and bring dishonour to your family by marrying you at a royal wedding."

  Natalia's heart sunk. The thought of having such a grand wedding and sharing it with her sister had been like a dream, but it wasn't everything. She would be happy to marry Ixion here in this room in front of the few gathered. She was about to say so when her father spoke.

  "I have a solution. Come here."

  Ixion released her hands and did as her father had ordered, walking around the large desk to stand before him. Her father took down one of the swords that hung above the grand marble fireplace behind him and turned to Ixion.

  "Kneel."

  Natalia raced forwards, afraid that her father was going to hurt Ixion. She stopped in her tracks when he said a few words in Lyran and placed the tip of the sword on one of Ixion's shoulders and then the other.

  "Rise, Lord Ixion. Knight of Lyra Five. Commander of the royal assassins."

  Ixion stood, looking confused.

  "What does it mean?” Ixion said.

  "It is something from my mother's species’ past.” Natalia went to Ixion and smiled up at him when he looked at her. “A lord was a noble title of the Terran species. A knight is a protector of the realm."

  "A noble?” he said and a smile slowly curved his lips.

  "Will you consent to the wedding my daughter deserves now?” her father said.

  Ixion nodded. “If she will have me, I will marry her in front of the whole galaxy."

  Natalia grinned, threw her arms around Ixion's neck, and kissed him breathless.

  If she would have him?

  She would be a fool not to accept his offer and have him.

  "Yes,” she whispered against his lips, giddy with excitement and love. Ixion held her close, his lips barely grazing hers.

  He was everything that she wanted.

  Her Lover.

  Her Lord.

  Her Knight.

  But above all else...

  Her Assassin.

  The End

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  About the Author

  Felicity Heaton is a great believer in love at first sight and the romantic ideal. Having grown up reading extensively, she developed a deep love of classical literature, ranking Jane Eyre, North & South, and Persuasion amongst her all time favourite reads. The most romantic moment of her life was when her husband got down on bended knee on the steps of Sacré Coeur, Paris, at night in front of several hundred spectators and proposed. She was too drunk on love, and subsequently champagne, to care about the audience. All she could see was the man that she loved. A writer of emotion and life, she always strives to touch a chord of familiarity in her readers and give them characters they can love and a read to remember.

  Check out her stories:

  www.felicityheaton.co.uk

  Stories in the Daughters of Lyra series:

  Heart of an Emperor—out June 7th 2009

  Princess Sophia, one of the beautiful and strong daughters of Lyra, has had it with the never-ending row of suitors that her father, King Sebastian Lyra I, has lined up for her. When the latest suitor turns out to be the emperor of Varka, a species known for their lack of emotions, nocturnal lifestyle and bloodlust, Sophia wants little to do with him.

  But when she greets the emperor and his two attendants, Sophia realises that a Varkan makes her heart beat like no other man before him and might just win her after all. Only, it isn't the emperor who was caught her eye.

  Regis, Count of Sagres, is transfixed from the moment he meets Sophia. She pushes him to the brink of surrendering control to his bloodlust with every beautiful glance and smile she throws his way. But would she ever marry a male who doesn't know the meaning of love? Fear of the bloodlust makes Varkans retain an iron grip on their emotions. No Varkan has ever experienced love before, but Regis is willing to surrender control and risk everything to win Sophia. And Sophia will do whatever it takes to make him see that Varkans can love and that she wants no other man in the universe, including triggering his bloodlust and putting the whole palace in danger!

  Will Regis's feelings for Sophia be enough to stop him from hurting her and killing the entire palace? Will Sophia be able to love a man that the universe sees as a monster? And will she still love him when she realises the Varkans’ deception?

  Heart of a Mercenary—out July 5th 2009

  Princess Miali, one of the beautiful and strong daughters of Lyra, is an ambassador for Lyra. Her true identity is kept secret to protect but it's her beauty that puts her in danger when slavers attack her ship while she's in cryo-sleep. When she wakes, she finds herself heading for the markets, her only company the ship's handsome young Minervan doctor. Kosen makes Miali's body react like no man before him, sending her hair floating with her positive emotions and making her wonder if she might just be falling for her captor.

  Kosen has been part of Nostra's crew since his two sisters were sold into slavery. His only desire is to gain enough money to buy them back, and Miali's sale will get him just that. But the more time he spends with her, the more he realises that the path he chose was a mistake and the life he's led is a shameful one. When he discovers Miali's secret, he agrees to help her escape, and not just because she promises him the money he needs. Miali fascinates him with her beauty and the way her body reacts to him, and he can't help believing that they might have a chance with each other, and he might have a chance at a better life.

  Can Kosen help Miali escape the slaver vessel and the terrible future that awaits her at the markets? Will he be able to save his sisters and change the course of his life? And will Miali be able to convince Kosen to stay with her?

  Heart of a Prince—out August 2nd 2009

  Princess Renie, one of the beautiful and strong daughters of Lyra, loves nothing more than exploring space with her twin brother, Rezic, but when they venture too close to the Black Zone, the barrier between Vegan space and the res
t of the galaxy, things turn from exploration to a fight for their lives. With Rezic injured in a meteorite shower, Renie has no choice but to accept help from a vessel within the Black Zone, even when it turns out to be Vegan! Separated from her brother and taken hostage, to be held for ransom, Renie isn't sure what she's going to do...

  Until she meets a man in the cells, the most unusual and gorgeous male she has ever seen, a man who seems to be willing to do anything to protect her and makes her pulse race.

  Tres isn't enjoying his stay in the cells. The commander has broken his thermal suit, leaving him cold and weak, and his last chance of leaving the Black Zone has been thwarted. But the galaxy comes to him instead, and she's more beautiful, warm and full of feeling than he'd ever dreamed. When he discovers her and her brother's plight, he vows to help her if she'll help him, and when she touches him, showing him warmth, he wonders how touch can be so forbidden and realises that he'll do anything for her.

  When Renie is injured during their escape and Tres is forced to stay behind so Rezic can leave with her, will she ever see him again? Will she be able to convince her father, General Lyra II, to go back into the Black Zone and rescue the man she's fallen in love with? And will she still love Tres when she realises just who he is?

  Heart of a Commander—out August 30th 2009

  Lieutenant Amerii, one of the beautiful and strong daughters of Lyra, wants nothing more than to prove herself to her captain and the army without her father, Captain Lyra III's, help ... except maybe one thing. Van, Count of Aeris and attendant to Emperor Varka has been on her mind since she met him at her cousin Sophia's wedding, and she wants to see him again.

  Charged with the duty of meeting the Varkan first fleet at Varka Two, Amerii is pleasantly surprised when the commander turns out to be Van, and he wants her to be the one to join him on his vessel to sign the contract between Varka and Lyra. When she meets him again, he's more handsome than she remembered, and she resolves to risk the violence of his bloodlust to make him hers.

  Van is sure bringing Amerii to his vessel is nothing short of dangerous and his fears are quickly realised. Amerii stirs his blood like no other female and he's been battling his bloodlust since first meeting her, desperate to know what love is and to find a way of controlling himself so he can have her, but his feelings for her are too strong to resist, placing his whole crew in danger.