by Liz Craven
“You’ll likely be received on N’yota as heroes,” Ilexa interjected.
“Heroes?” Maude asked, one side of her unibrow inching upwards. The Dawn Rider’s mechanic sounded skeptical.
“You rescued Lia,” Ilexa said with a shrug. “My people are in your debt.”
“A wealthy League planet in my debt,” Brisby mused aloud.
For some reason, the greed Lia heard in his voice rubbed her the wrong way. She suppressed her irritation, but sought to tamp down his avarice and planning. “Possibly. Of course, they may not take kindly to you not returning me.”
“You didn’t tell us who you were,” he objected.
“Why don’t you tell us what you’ve been doing since Lia last saw you,” Ilexa suggested, clearly wanting to change the subject. The beautiful woman looked surprised when the group of pirates began to laugh.
Lia couldn’t contain a grin. “I don’t think my friends want to detail their activities in front of League representatives.”
A delicate blush stained Ilexa’s cheeks, but she didn’t miss a beat suggesting, “Perhaps they would prefer to share some childhood stories about you.”
Lia groaned aloud.
“She was the strangest little creature I’d ever met,” Falk announced.
“Strange?” Ilexa sounded outraged.
Brisby laughed. “That’s a gentle description. Now, I ain’t that familiar with kids, but I do know they know their mind. We asked this girl what she wanted for dinner and she stared at us like we’d asked her to do quantum calculus. For the first few weeks, whenever we’d ask her what she wanted, she’d freeze like a gundar in the light.”
Levin, one of the older crew members, snorted. “She got over that pretty damn fast.”
A round of laughter followed his statement, and Lia stuck her nose in the air. “I was an angel.”
“She bossed us around like she was the captain,” Falk said.
“You should have been so lucky,” Lia informed him, snottily.
“As I recall, you all obeyed her like she was the captain,” Maude teased without looking up from her handheld reader.
“So did you,” Falk shot back.
“That just shows your wisdom.” Lia offered the false praise to the group at large in the haughtiest tone she could manage.
“I think it shows our collective stupidity,” Brisby retorted.
Lia crossed her arms under her breasts and leaned back against her seat with an indignant huff. “Clearly your memory is failing in your old age. Otherwise you would recall my brilliance.”
“Like the time you made us travel eighteen light years out of our way to see a circus?” Ivan asked.
“That was a great trip!” Lia protested.
“Especially when the elephant broke Mack’s foot and the ship ran out of fuel,” Brisby sniped.
“Well, I had fun,” Lia pronounced.
Ilexa began to laugh. “Sounds like you kept this crew on its toes.”
“To say the least,” Falk said with a grin.
“Lia is definitely a force to be reckoned with,” Ilexa commiserated.
“Hey!” Lia protested.
Ilexa rose gracefully from her seat. “I’m afraid we need to prepare for dinner. It was a pleasure to meet all of you. I look forward to getting to know you during the rest of the trip.”
Reluctantly, Lia rose to join Ilexa. The afternoon had passed too quickly, and now she had to return to her quarters. As they left the room, a cowardly part of her hoped Talon wasn’t there.
—
Talon stared out the portal at the passing blur of stars. His immobile stance contrasted drastically with the churning turmoil in his mind. The Aegir would reach N’yota in a week’s time, and Lia had yet to accept her role as the Damaia. He had to convince to her to embrace her new life before they arrived—or at least resign herself to it.
Talon had dealt with people in many roles over the course of his adult life. He’d acted as a League soldier, commanding men and leading charges into battles. As both the husband to the Damaia and first minister of N’yota, he had played the role of diplomat, smoothing egos and making both sides of an issue feel they had won. As a politician, he had learned the art of careful phrasing to ensure no one felt his political position challenged their carefully held beliefs.
But nothing in his past had prepared him for dealing with his recalcitrant wife.
Replaying their interactions in his mind, Talon still didn’t know how to handle her. He decided to be direct. Social niceties made her suspicious, and the idea of trying to manipulate his wife like he would an opposing side of a diplomatic assignment turned his stomach. Having decided on a course of action, he waited for Lia to return to prepare for dinner. Offering a silent prayer to the N’yotan gods, he continued to stare out the portal as he waited.
Talon felt the change in air currents when the door opened, followed by the soft tread of Lia’s feet on the plush carpet. She only took a few steps into the room before stopping. He didn’t doubt she felt dismay at his presence in their quarters.
Talon didn’t turn to face his wife when he addressed her. “The fall before you were born, six hundred primary school children died when a nova bomb detonated inside their school. Neither the Gemadam or Lassan House had progeny at the school, but because the school sat on the northern continent, it was considered Gemadam property. Those children died solely because the Gemadam House claimed the land beneath their feet. That is only one of countless atrocities committed during my lifetime. Considering the battle between the ruling lines has gone on for millennia, I can only imagine the actual number of children killed in the conflict. Parents struggled to feed their young, only to see them grow to be slaughtered in the never-ending war.”
“I—” Lia began.
Without turning from the portal, Talon cut her off by raising his hand. “Regardless of your belief in the Prophecy, your conception and birth has been embraced by a planet exhausted by war. You are their salvation. Since you were born, art forms believed forever lost have reemerged, skills and techniques handed down through families. A strong central government has been erected and justice no longer depends upon family connections. Our world is becoming a paradise, and people are actually enjoying life rather than merely surviving.”
“Talon—” Lia began again.
He turned to face her, letting his determination show on his face. “I don’t want to force you to take your place as the Damaia, but I will. I would like our life together to be filled with laughter and happiness. I want our lovemaking to be passionate and joyous rather than the perfunctory begetting of heirs. But make no mistake, I will force you to assume your rightful role. I will not allow your selfishness to destroy a civilization that is just beginning to reemerge.”
He met his wide-eyed wife’s stare with a ruthless look, careful to hide the sympathy he felt for her. After a moment, her shoulders sagged, and her gaze dropped.
“You’ve made your point. I have no desire to go through life drugged into compliance.”
Talon kept the surprise off his face. He hadn’t considered how he would carry out his threat of forcing his wife into her role as the Damaia, but her automatic assumption he would drug her gave him another unpleasant glimpse into her childhood.
He crossed the space between them. Cupping her chin, he gently lifted her face to meet her eyes. “Even though this isn’t the life you chose, I’d like you to find happiness in it.”
“I know.” A sad smile crossed her face. “There’s a kind person underneath that sense of duty and obligation.”
She pulled her face from his grasp, and he reluctantly let her withdraw. She had a lot to think over. With a heavy heart, he watched her walk away from him and his threats. When the door to the lav closed behind her, he sank into the chair beside the portal, feeling much older than his years.
Chapter Fourteen
Lia spent her final week aboard the Aegir in contemplation. The “rescue” had ended her mini
ng career, and her failed escape attempt ensured she’d be arriving on N’yota. The only questions she faced centered on her course of action once they reached the planet.
She knew they’d increase her security when planetside, which guaranteed she would never manage an escape, and she held no illusions Talon would hesitate to force her compliance with the role of Damaia. Memories of being drugged by the Council left a foul taste in her mouth. They never hesitated to slip her something to perk her up for a celebration or make her appear more somber for a religious service. She had a hard time imagining Talon forcing drugs on her, but the man was ruthless in his determination to see N’yota’s peace last.
In all honesty, Lia admitted even if she managed an escape, her desire for Talon had begun to overwhelm her desire for freedom. The thought of life without him made her feel vaguely nauseated.
She passed her days with the Dawn Rider’s crew, careful to avoid Talon whenever possible. She couldn’t avoid him in their quarters. To her relief and annoyance, Talon left her to her thoughts, speaking to her only when necessary.
She would have believed him indifferent to her and the internal battle she waged, except she often caught him studying her in brooding silence, his expression indicating he wanted to say something.
He never did.
Much to her dismay, Lia discovered she couldn’t fall asleep until she felt the mattress dip under her husband’s weight, and though they fell asleep clinging to opposite sides of the bed, Lia always awoke cuddled against him, feeling far too content for comfort.
Still, despite her soul searching and the revelation she wanted to stay with Talon badly enough to endure life as the Damaia, she dreaded disembarking once the Aegir reached her home world. To make matters worse, Talon, Ilexa and Caden shared an excitement at being home that grated along her nerves, worsening her mood.
As they disembarked from the shuttlecraft that had ferried the group from the ship to the planet, Lia felt Talon’s arm tense beneath her hand.
“Did Lex warn you about her mother?” he asked.
“She was your mother long before she was mine,” Ilexa hissed from behind them.
Confused by the unusual byplay between her husband and her sister-in-law, Lia’s gaze swept the small hangar bay. Standing by the doors that clearly led to the main complex, Lia noticed the tall willowy figure of a woman, whom she concluded must be the mother in question.
Caden, holding Asha’s leash, jerked to a stop a few steps ahead of them and turned to look back at Talon. He halted so suddenly, the gangly animal’s front legs pulled up off the ground. “Security protocol dictates no one enters the hangar bay until we’ve cleared decontamination.”
Before Talon could respond, Ilexa interjected in a resigned tone, “You’ve obviously never met our mother. Security protocols are no match for her.”
To Lia’s surprise, Vardin made no objection to the breach in procedure. She could only assume he’d previously met her mother-in-law.
Lia wracked her mind, searching her memory for the name of Talon’s mother, as she stepped into place beneath the decontamination beam. Though the Council had drilled the details of Talon’s father—the leader of the resistance—into her head, she couldn’t recall the name of the man’s widow. Perhaps they hadn’t considered her important enough to mention.
The decontamination beam shutoff with a loud click, and Lia reluctantly let Talon lead her to his mother.
Like Ilexa, the Goddess Fina had blessed this woman with unnatural beauty. With the exception of their eyes and subtle differences in their facial structure, Ilexa and her mother might have been cut from identical molds. Though the older woman’s eyes held the wisdom of age, her face remained unlined. No one would believe the lovely image before them had raised six grown children.
Lia stiffened as the woman’s rich chocolate gaze flickered over her. To her surprise, Talon’s mother suddenly sank into a full curtsey, gifting Lia with a view of the crown of her head. The woman rose, keeping her eyes respectfully downcast. “Welcome home, Damaia. The land rejoices at your return.”
Discomfited by the woman’s deference, Lia murmured a quiet thank you.
A warm smile lit the woman’s face, and her elegant features shone with happiness. “Now that the formalities are behind us, welcome home, daughter.”
Lia yelped in surprise when the woman flung her arms around her in a surprisingly strong hug.
“Damaia, may I present my mother, Teresa Dhakir.” Talon’s dry, formal tone had others in the hangar bay snickering.
Teresa released Lia and rounded on her son, reaching up to smack him on the back of his head. “Behave yourself. Long have I awaited the day I would welcome my daughter home.”
Talon tilted his head, offering his mother a cocky smile. “Yes ma’am.”
Teresa laughed and embraced him. “I am glad to have you safely returned and proud you have found the Damaia. I never doubted you would return her to us.”
“She prefers her friends and family to call her Lia,” Ilexa stated, stepping forward to hug her mother.
“A lovely name for a lovely girl,” Teresa replied, beaming at Lia over Ilexa’s shoulder.
“Thank you,” Lia repeated, squelching the self-conscious urge to shift her weight from foot to foot.
Teresa stepped forward, linked her arm through Lia’s and began pulling her along. “You’ll forgive my enthusiasm. I have five sons. Lex and I have dreamed of the day we’d have another woman in the family. Come, you must meet your brothers-in-law. They are all here to greet you.”
Lia shot Talon and Ilexa a panicked look over her shoulder, but the two of them merely gave her relieved grins, obviously delighted to not be the target of Teresa’s zeal.
The doors swished open and Teresa hauled Lia forward, into the waiting room. Four large men turned and pinned her with their gaze. Lia’s throat went dry, and she swallowed reflexively.
“Boys, I’d like you to meet your sister-in-law, Lia.”
Boys? Only a mother would get away with calling the four broad-shouldered men before her “boys”.
Three men in front of her saluted her in the League manner, silently letting Lia know they had served tours of duty. The fourth offered her a courtly bow. But they all stared intently at her. Something about the hardened men before her made her nervous and thankful for Thane’s and Vardin’s presence. She wished Talon had let her hold Asha’s leash. Petting the gimfrey calmed her.
To Lia’s relief, Talon stepped up behind her, hooking his arm across her chest. She dropped her chin to rest on his forearm, enjoying the comfort he offered. His touch helped calm the emotional turmoil churning inside her both at the prospect of being back on N’yota and facing Talon’s relatives.
“I’ll be damned. I can’t believe we are all here,” Talon said.
Lia felt his excitement at being reunited with his family. Two of the men before her broke into broad smiles at Talon’s enthusiastic greeting. Teresa huffed an offended breath, clearly disapproving of her son’s language.
“Lia, let me introduce you to my brothers,” Talon said. “The one on the far left is Malachi. He’s two years younger than I am. You have a lot in common. You’re both artists.”
Malachi, one of the two who smiled at her, looked the most like Talon. The two stood at the same height and had the same piercing silver eyes and dark hair. Unlike Talon, Malachi’s hair was long and flowed freely down his back in a silken waterfall.
The man stepped forward and offered Lia an exaggerated bow. “What a shame I was not first born. I would consider myself lucky to call such a beauty my own.” The man looked up from his bow and comically waggled his eyebrows at her.
Lia smiled in response. Malachi clearly wanted to help put her at ease. “It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
“Likewise, dear sister. Tell me. Do you paint as well?”
“I work with glass,” Lia replied, amused at Malachi’s antics.
“Don’t be taken in by Mal’s phony charm,�
�� Talon warned.
“Phony?” Malachi straightened and clutched his heart. “You wound me Big Brother.”
Talon snorted, but ignored Malachi’s antics. “Next to him is Bastian. Bastian’s a pilot.”
Bastian arched an eyebrow at Talon’s terse introduction. The man had his mother’s dark eyes and silver-blond hair, a striking combination set against his rugged features. She discerned Talon disproved of this brother, and that that disapproval amused Bastian.
“I’m honored to meet you, Damaia.”
“Lia,” both Talon and Lia corrected.
The man next to Bastian hooted in laughter. “You sound like an old married couple. But, then again, I guess that’s what you are.” He turned a dazzling smile on Lia. “I’m Tristan. Welcome home, Lia.”
“Thank you,” she said, wondering what he found funny.
“That leaves me,” the last man said, offering her a warm and sincere smile. “I’m Dante.”
She felt herself begin to relax at the genuine welcome she received. She didn’t doubt for a minute the men were as lethal as her husband, but they didn’t appear to mean her harm. She silently cautioned herself to be suspicious. Her instincts may tell her she was safe, but instinct was no substitute for common sense.
The door to the main complex opened, and an officer wearing the deep blue of the N’yotan Home Guard strode purposefully into the decon waiting room. Talon released Lia and crossed to meet the man.
“Now that the formal introductions are behind us, do you have a hug for your big brothers?” Malachi asked.
His casual invitation for an embrace shocked Lia, but she nearly laughed at her assumption when Ilexa scooted around her to hug her brothers.
With her new family distracted, Lia glanced over at Talon and saw his expression become carefully blank. Her heart rate increased when he turned towards her, and she couldn’t identify the emotion swirling in his eyes. With a slight tilt of his head, he indicated she should join him.