Star Chasers

by Viola Grace

  “I wish you’d all stop calling me a kid!” The words slipped from her lips before she realized. She covered her mouth with her hand. How could she have blurted that out in front of the king?

  “Sorry, child,” Biryn said, smiling at her kindly. “You are a young woman, but you are so petite and look very young. Tanoth, I put you in charge of recovering Isabella’s belongings, and reward the young waitress who was so kind to her.”

  “Your Royal Highness, I don’t know how to thank you.” Isabella almost stumbled over the words. “Helping to look after two babies will be no punishment at all. I love little ones.”

  “It is decided. Erica, take Isabella to meet Cylena and the twins, please? She will move to the palace tomorrow.”

  Chapter Six

  Isabella twirled before the tall mirror in her room. The new dress Cylena had given her was absolutely gorgeous. It was the palest pink, embroidered with small red roses and white lace cascading from a deep collar and at the hem. It was a dress fit for a princess. After surviving months on whatever she could steal, she felt so spoiled. She and the queen had connected instantly and become very good friends. Cylena kind of reminded her of Hannah. She loved spending time with her.

  Though her heart ached at the loss of her sister, in a way, she was glad she’d woken up on Ierilia. The people here were kind, and in many ways so simple—even the king and the queen. They had embraced her like family and treated her as if she were their little sister.

  She adored taking care of the babies. They had wriggled their way straight to her heart. They were starting to smile now and gurgle. Eliya had even started to roll over and Aylie, though much smaller than her brother, wasn’t too far behind. She and Cylena had so much fun with them. Of course they still slept a lot, so during that time she studied the language and Ierilian culture religiously and was close to mastering the language.

  The king and queen allowed her a lot of free time to visit Laro and Erica. She also spent a lot of time with Tanoth. It amused her that Erica always managed to invite Tanoth the evenings she visited. Isabella didn’t mind at all. She looked forward to being with her handsome rescuer. She was becoming more attached to him each time they were together. A strange pull from deep within drew her to him like a moth to a flame. It was so odd. She’d never felt that way in her life, with any boy. Then again, they had been boys. Tanoth was all man. She peeked one more time at her reflection and grinned. She had never looked so happy, even back on Earth. Her cheeks were flushed pink, and she had a healthy glow. Her hair bounced around her shoulders in golden waves, and her eyes flashed with excitement. Laro was on his way to pick her up with his flyer after the babies had gone down for the night. She would see Tanoth again that evening. Sometimes she felt guilty when she thought about Hannah. But she had to move on with her life. Hannah was gone, her parents she’d never see again. This life on this planet was her destiny now.

  Hand in hand they strolled through Laro and Erica’s gardens. The moons and the big star that she had learned was called Polarium shone down on them. It was apparently a magical star that could be seen from all planets.

  Tanoth stopped and twirled her to stand before him, then caressed her cheek. “Isabella, I have to tell you something.”

  She sighed. Every touch was like a shock sending tingles racing across her skin. She looked up at his deep blue eyes. “Yes?”

  Her breath caught when he twisted a lock of her hair around his finger. “You are the woman the gods and goddesses showed me in my dreams. The woman destined to be my lifemate.”

  Isabella stood rooted to the ground for a few moments. Yes, he was her dream man come to life, but was she ready for such a commitment? “Tanoth, I’ve got feelings for you, but I’m still young. I have no life experience at all. I’m not sure I can commit to you at this time.” She was so confused. Her heart and soul told her he was the one, but her mind just couldn’t wrap around it. What the heck was a lifemate? “I am so unfamiliar with your gods and goddesses and their plans. I am just a girl from Earth. How can I be your lifemate or whatever that is?”

  Tanoth’s sigh sounded like it came from deep within. “I understand your confusion. Maybe I should have waited to tell you.”

  “Hell, baby, there is a lot of chemistry between us. I feel it, too. My hormones are raging off the charts.”

  He shook his head. “Your language is confusing. Can we continue on as before? Just forget I said anything.”

  Standing on her tippy-toes, she nodded. “Yes, of course.” She placed a butterfly kiss on his lips. They were so soft, she kissed him again. His hold on her tightened. Then his lips parted hers, and the kiss deepened, drawing the life from the depths of her soul. Feelings she had never experienced rushed through her body. It was exquisite and sexy, and oh, so hot. Her blood felt as if it were on fire. Her heart pounded almost out of her chest. Sure, she’d kissed boys, had dated, but it had never gone beyond that. This was different. This was very real. Too real.

  He broke the kiss, but his lips still hovered over hers when he whispered, “I have fallen in love with you, my beautiful princess from Earth.”

  She took a breath to still the racing of her heart. “Hardly a princess. I’m just an ordinary girl.”

  He cupped her chin and placed a featherlight kiss on her lips. “My princess. And I will wait for you patiently.”

  Isabella almost hated to go back to the palace. She loved being with Tanoth. He told her such interesting stories about Ierilia, its magic, sorcerers, shapeshifters, and about his work and the excursions he had to go on to test soil samples. He’d been on just such an excursion when he’d found her—to make sure the soil where their ship had crashed was okay.

  She loved the fact they could speak now without using the translator. Relaxing on her pillows, she couldn’t help thinking of their kiss. The heat of his body against hers. The feel of his arms wound tightly around her. Her pulse rate kicked up a notch. Could he truly be in love with her? That pull she felt deep inside was so much stronger now. She knew she was falling in love with him, too. She smiled, looking forward to their next date, and slowly drifted off to sleep, but then something woke her. A strange sensation infused her body... her mind. Shifting uncomfortably on the bed, she tried to shake the feeling, but it wouldn’t go away.

  Her mind tried to blank out. It was almost as if another mind was trying to overpower her thoughts. A sharp pain pierced her skull, and a man’s voice rumbled inside her head.

  Let it go, little one. My name is Zohmes. Accept what is happening. I will release you when my mission is done.

  An inky black cloud engulfed her. Flames and smoke burst through it like the smoke was on fire. God, she couldn’t breathe. She was gasping for air, but the thick fog filled her lungs. Grabbing her throat, she coughed and coughed, but she couldn’t expel the smoke. Black spots danced before her eyes and a wave of dizziness hit her. Oxygen. She needed fresh air. She stumbled from the bed and threw open a window. Leaning out, she tried to take a big gulp of the crisp night air. It didn’t help. She was choking. She was going to die. She fell to the floor, still clutching her throat. Darkness, then blessed peace.

  Isabella sucked in a deep breath and opened her eyes. Everything was blurry, so she tried to rub her eyes. Her hands were stuck. They wouldn’t move. Slowly her vision cleared. She lay on the floor near the windows. Like an automaton, she stood and dressed, then made her way to the royal quarters.

  She was in the nursery bending over little Aylie’s crib. Her hand stroked the baby’s cheek, but she couldn’t feel it. She could feel nothing. It was as if her body had been taken over by another being.

  Willing her body with all her might, she tried to take a step. Her feet wouldn’t budge. The nightmare. It couldn’t have been real, could it? The man’s voice, the smoke. Had she died? Was she in hell? The man’s rumbling laughter echoed through her mind. His essence brushed hers. Anger. Pure unadulterated hatred. It poured off him in waves. It permeated her skin and every breath she t
ook.

  Then she realized. No, she wasn’t trapped in hell. It was much worse. She was caged within her own mind. A mere spectator to what happened around her. And the worst evil she had ever felt was in control. His mind was in control of everything her body said or did.

  Cylena and Biryn entered the nursery. When Isabella turned to greet them, malice filled her veins. Whatever had taken control of her body and mind despised the king and queen.

  There was nothing she could do. She attempted to muster all the power within her to talk, to warn the royals, but it didn’t work. It was like watching herself in a movie and not being able to change the script.

  Who in the hell was Zohmes? Had she really heard all that in her mind? She’d been in the palace for weeks now, more than a month, well, what she figured was approximately a month, had long conversations with Cylena, but never had she heard mention of that name, though Cylena had told her many stories about all the magic on the planet.

  Biryn picked up Aylie, and Cylena took Eliya out of his bassinet. The royal couple looked so happy and proud.

  “Eliya feels very hot,” Cylena said suddenly while feeling the baby’s forehead.

  “Your Majesty, I thought so, too. I was about to contact you. Maybe he has a fever?” Isabella shook her head. It was her voice, but it wasn’t her talking.

  “For goodness sake, Isabella, you always call me by my name,” Cylena chastised her. “What do you think is wrong?”

  “I don’t know, Cylena.”

  “What about Aylie?” Cylena asked.

  “She felt warm to the touch, too. They don’t appear sick, but maybe the doctor should examine them both,” Isabella answered.

  She cringed. Whatever was using her to talk and act sure as hell didn’t speak as she would. She hoped the king and queen would pick up on it and know something was wrong. Very wrong.

  Isabella watched the royals fuss over the babies.

  Before long, Catrice rushed into the room.

  “Doctor Catrice, I don’t understand. They haven’t been fussing,” Isabella heard herself say.

  The doctor gave her a curious glance, then hurried to examine the infants. After she thoroughly inspected both infants, she turned her attention to Biryn and Cylena.

  “I can’t find anything wrong with them. Their temperature appears normal, and their vital signs are perfect. Why did you call me in?”

  “My son was burning hot,” Biryn told her.

  “And our girl was beginning to feel very warm,” Cylena added.

  “My diagnosis is that they’re fine. They don’t have a fever but do keep an eye on them. Call me if you need me or if there is a change in their temperature.” Catrice packed her stethoscope and thermometer back into her bag and smiled at the king and queen before leaving the room.

  Isabella watched the little spectacle. So this whole charade was just to frighten the royals. To what purpose? Who in God’s name was this serpent who had invaded her mind and was controlling her every move? How could she contact anyone to let them know what was happening to her? Tanoth and Cylena had told her so much about all the magic on Ierilia, the shapeshifter lions, the jewel dragons. Was this some kind of magic? But why her?

  Maniacal laughter sounded in her head. She tried to bring her hands up to her ears, wanted to drown out that crazy guffawing, but couldn’t.

  “Isabella, what is wrong? You look pale.” Cylena rocked Eliya back and forth. “Biryn and I will stay with the twins for a while. I will put them to bed after their next feeding. Go and rest for a few hours.”

  “Cylena, I’m fine. Thanks for worrying.”

  “Then you can go and study for a while.”

  They wanted to be alone with the twins. That was obvious. The entity inside her brain didn’t want her to go, but with the queen urging her to, he had no choice and made her walk to the door and leave the nursery.

  When she was in her own room, she fell on the bed and cried. Well, she did... sort of. The girl on the bed didn’t shed a tear and just lay staring at the ceiling. Damn, she was seeing everything, hearing, and able to think. But she couldn’t move freely. It really was an invasion of a body snatcher.

  What do you want? Get the hell out of my head and body.

  Again, that maniacal laughter.

  Girl, I will let you go when I have what I came for.

  And what is that?

  That is of no concern to you at this time.

  Silence.

  She tried to sit up, but her body wouldn’t cooperate.

  Quite a while later, someone knocked on her door. She sat up. “Come in.”

  Cylena came into the room and sat on the bed next to her. She laid a cool hand on her forehead. Isabella felt it, tried desperately to say something, but her lips wouldn’t move.

  “How are you feeling, Isabella?” Concern laced her voice.

  “I’m fine. Really.”

  “Come and sit on the balcony with me. We will have a cup of tea.”

  “That sounds good. The babies—”

  “They are sleeping. It is not time to feed them yet. Biryn is with them, so do not worry.”

  Cylena walked to the door and told Dunmore, who had escorted her, to bring them tea. “Now come and sit on the balcony with me and we will talk a bit. I have a feeling something is troubling you.”

  Ah, good. Cylena at least felt that something was awry. She got up off the bed and followed the queen out onto the balcony. It was a glorious day. She should be out in the gardens, taking the twins for a stroll.

  Dunmore appeared with a tea tray. He set it on the little table between their chairs. “Will there be anything else, Your Highness?”

  “Thank you, Dunmore. No, you can go.” Cylena stood to pour tea, but Isabella stopped her.

  “I’ll do that.” Cylena sat again, and Isabella lifted the teapot to fill their cups. A vial appeared in her hand. Where the hell had that come from? It was very small and fit in the palm of her hand. As she poured tea into Cylena’s cup, the vial magically opened, and some liquid dripped into the tea. She poured tea into her own cup, but the vial had disappeared. How weird was all that?

  “Thank you, Isabella.” Cylena took her cup off the tray and brought it to her lips. With all her might, Isabella concentrated to try to knock the cup out of the queen’s hand, but it was of no use. Her limbs wouldn’t cooperate.

  What the fuck did you put in the queen’s tea? Poison?

  The potion will not harm her.

  Like she believed him. Isabella felt sick to the stomach. Had he poisoned the queen? Words came from her mouth, words she did not speak, yet she did.

  “Cylena, what is a grimoire?”

  “Where did you hear that word, Isabella?”

  “Tanoth mentioned something and told me about a black gem. Discovered on his last excursion, he said.”

  “Tanoth should not have told you about it.”

  “Oh. Is he in trouble now? But what is it?”

  “The grimoire is a very old book containing many spells that can be used for good or evil. The grimoire can be very dangerous in the wrong hands.” Cylena drank her tea, then continued. “But I will tell you all about it. Please pour me another cup of tea?”

  Whatever was in the vial had done no apparent harm to the queen, except she was very talkative. More so than normal.

  “Will you be seeing Tanoth this evening?” Cylena asked.

  “Yes. He is coming to the palace.”

  “I have a feeling you are very fond of that young man.”

  “More than fond, but it scares me.”

  Okay, so the idiot inside her head and body knew exactly how she felt about Tanoth? How damn invasive was that?

  “Has he kissed you?”

  “Eh... yes. But tell me more about the grimoire. I heard of such things in stories and movies on Earth. Can I see it?”

  “No, Isabella. The king has hidden it in the royal treasury to which only he has a key. The grimoire is safely tucked away in a small, secret room
.”

  “Wow. Sounds intriguing. Where is the secret room? Do you need a key to it, too? Does he keep the black gem in it as well?”

  “Yes. It is a pity. The little box it rests in is so beautiful. I would love to display it. The secret room is behind a very large portrait hanging on the wall. If you remove the portrait, a panel slides open.” Cylena finished her tea. “I should go back to the twins. It is almost feeding time.”

  “Where does the king keep the key for the treasury?”

  Isabella could hardly believe the questions she heard coming out of her own mouth. She was astonished when Cylena freely told her.

  “In the drawer of his bedside table. It is safe there.” Cylena stood. “Goodness, look at the time. We had a lovely talk about you and your young man, Isabella.”

  After the queen left her room, Isabella sat on the side of the bed. Or... he sat. She just watched where he led her, forced her to sit, walk, or stand.

  So what was all that about?

  An old book that you are going to steal for me. And the black gem.

  Like hell I will.

  You might have noticed, you have little choice what your body does or what you say.

  The queen will realize she told me too much and she’ll hide the key.

  The queen will not remember anything. The potion has worn off and with it her memory of her conversation with you, except your romance.

  You’re an evil bastard.

  And you are a little spitfire. It is strange. I have possessed many, but never have any been able to talk back to me or know what I was doing while in their body. But not to worry. You will not remember any of this after I leave you.

  And when will that be?

  After you get me the book and the gem.

  Chapter Seven

  The asshole in her head and body had no patience with the babies at all. He let them cry. Isabella ached to pick up Aylie and comfort her, but instead, he forced her to walk to the balcony, close the door, and stand there gazing at the gardens.