Soldar’s gaze bored into Cordis’ back as his sibling left the room.
The implication was that Lyra hadn’t been with anyone since Reisen Four. As her best friend, Myranda would know this to be true and would know the reasons why. In fact, Myranda might have even mentioned the matter to Cordis.
He wasn’t tactless enough to dig into Lyra’s personal life once she’d dismissed his efforts to communicate. The idea of probing for information not freely given from the source left a bad, gossip-tinged taste on his tongue. This is why he’d kept silent concerning the specifics of having banded an Earth woman. His family knew about Lyra. They knew he had strong feelings for her only because she wore his token on her left arm. They also knew personal matters between them were strained. But he’d said nothing else, nor had he asked for more information other than to inquire after her safety and health.
Cordis was only saying these things now, because something important had come to light. There was some piece of information his younger brother was tactfully trying to impart and without being overtly indiscreet.
He thought on the matter for a few more minutes then saw the shimmer of silver hover shuttles. Over a dozen were headed toward the castle, and from the direction of the Earth Embassy.
He took a deep breath and let it slowly out.
If there was one chance in the universe that they could still be together, he had to take it. Gone were the derisive condemnations. In Cordis’ carefully worded explanation, he’d seen another scenario.
As he stood there with his family intact, he hadn’t fully acknowledged the pain she was suffering because of the loss of hers. That might be the reason she kept asking for the truth concerning Aigean’s mind control techniques. She’d obsessed over the Elderian’s powers so much that mentioning the subject one more time threatened her career. He’d heard this from General Shafter’s own lips.
It could be that she feared for his safety and any future with him if she didn’t know what hold the Elderian might have. Lyra didn’t understand that he was truly free from further mental machinations. Her mistrust was born of being ordered on the Venus against her will, and having little control over anything thereafter. Even he’d mentioned misgivings about the Elderian back then. But that was a different time. They’d had to be flexible and a soldier used to taking orders — a ground fighter like her — might not like the by-your-seat-of-the-pants maneuvering.
Though she was a supervisor now, he seriously doubted Lyra would ever keep secrets from her subordinates unless put to the wall by superiors. She disliked hidden agendas. She saw certain tactful omissions as lies. It could be that field supervisors had lied to her and her friends. The result might have meant death for others, cementing her monumental inclination to get at the truth now.
He suddenly recalled a past occasion when Cordis and Myranda had a very heated argument about Aigean. Though it ended with a truce, he strongly suspected Myranda intensely distrusted the Elderian. Even now, Myranda refused to say more but her choice in this matter appeared to be a conscious avoidance of further conflict.
His heart beat more quickly. Resolve concerning his intended breakup melted. He saw things clearer.
If he wanted a future with meaning — a future with a woman of enduring strength — there was no other mate for him. Who else would ever understand what he’d been through but the very one who, even now, might be trying to protect him the only way she could.
He hurried to his room. The old brown trousers, beat-up boots, and comfortable open shirt he wore weren’t appropriate for the occasion. Especially not since he now intended to make the impression of a lifetime.
Ten minutes later he stood on the stairs in the grand foyer. Servants were gathering luggage and bags for those who intended to celebrate the rehearsal dinner tonight, the wedding tomorrow night, and the party on the next day, sending the happy couple off on what the Earthlings referred to as a honeymoon. He saw Cordis merrily push through the crowd and greet Myranda by picking her up and twirling her around ecstatically. The joy on his brother’s face was inspiring. He was grateful for their love and the appreciation of it. His parents and sisters were gleefully inciting the embrace to go on. He searched the faces of dozens already within the castle doors and those who were only now entering.
Then he saw her.
Fifteen campaigns on seven planets and he’d never frozen until now. Sadly, now was the most inopportune of times. He had a future to forge.
He couldn’t stand there like a callow, embarrassed youth. He would be the master of this estate one day. He had duties to perform. But all that drifted into some mental folder where things just didn’t matter. Only her presence did.
She let her hair grow.
Swirls of very loose red-brown curls cascaded down her shoulders, to her sweet, full breasts. The very next thing he noted was how brilliant her blue-green gaze really was and how the happy look on her lovely face lit the entire room.
Fading light outside still shone through stain-glassed windows high above the massively arched wooden doors of the castle. In the myriad patterns of glowing color there was an ethereal glow around her slender body. That radiance lent her a magical quality that made her stand out from everyone else.
The halter-top black gown she’d donned for dining plunged deeply. The garment hugged her figure all the way to the floor. Something on the fabric shimmered as she moved. The effect was extraordinary. More so because it was sleeveless. His golden armband shimmered around her left bicep. Pride filled him. Even though he’d told Cordis she shouldn’t be considered property, he still couldn’t help the utter elation in having loved such a breathtaking woman.
Other women there might have been similarly dressed but his attention was riveted on her.
What she wore was so much more exquisite than the costumes aboard the Venus. This was how she really looked, in a normal life with friends, co-workers, and joy surrounding her. This was how their life
should
be — surrounded by merriment and bliss as they began their existence together.
He saw her smile brightly as she reached for Cordis. His brother finally let Myranda go to acknowledge the Maid of Honor.
Then the three of them — Cordis, Myranda, and Lyra — group-hugged. That heart-felt, wonderful embrace was a bonding experience he wished to share. But before that could happen, he needed to get his booted feet down the damned stairway.
How could I have ever considered letting her go? She’s the most beautiful creature I’ve ever seen. She’s everything I’ve ever wanted.
Finally, he was able to move one leather-clad foot forward. The other followed, if rather woodenly.
He slowly descended the grand staircase.
• • •
When Cordis and Myranda finally released her from their hearty hug, they immediately pulled her forward until she stood before a lovely, regal-looking woman with very pale hair. Her coif was intricately braided around her head. In it, green jewels sparkled. These exactly matched her green, long-sleeved gown.
A very tall, stately man stood next to this graceful lady. His chest was massive and his square jaw seemed intimidating on first glance, but the older man’s size and strength was offset by the graciousness in his silver-gray eyes. His black tunic, leggings, and boots were the uniform worn by a Craetorian High Councilman.
Having familiarized herself with their data-based images, Lyra knew she was about to be introduced to Lord Rycos and Lady Aurel. Three lovely girls stood to the left of the mother, but several steps to the rear. All of them were flaxen beauties also bearing amiable, open smiles. From left to right, she knew them as Dorin, Brez, and Brean. Their current position indicated their birthright as ladies of the household. Lyra was grateful for the research she’d done concerning protocol. She could hardly serve as Earth Embassy Security Chief without some working knowledge of etiquette. Still, there was one person missing. She kept her attention on the family in front of her, resisting the urge to glance through the crowd.
Cordis began the introduction. “Mother, Father … this is — ”
Lyra was gently pulled backward against a very broad chest. The movement stopped Cordis’ introduction.
She looked over her left shoulder and saw Soldar’s spellbinding, silver gaze. He stared down at her intently, as if he was really seeing her for the first time. If he was happy or furious, she couldn’t tell. But his hands were warm on her bare shoulders. His fingers closed gently around her flesh, almost possessively. Her body quickly responded to that gentle caress. The reaction was due to the surprising, unexpected gesture. Nothing more. At least, that’s what she told herself.
“If you don’t mind, brother … I’ll take it from here,” Soldar insisted.
Cordis smiled broadly and backed away. “Thought you might be late,” he murmured as an apology.
“Mother, Father … this is Lyra Markham. She’s not only the new Security Chief at the Earth Embassy but, as you can plainly see, she wears my band.”
“Of course we know her,” Lady Aurel stated. “And you are most welcome here, my dear. You must think of this as your home.”
Lyra smiled, bowed her head courteously, and curtsied. This was all protocol. But as she was introduced to the rest of Soldar’s family, the kind words and genial hugs seemed to blend.
She knew that covering the armband with long sleeves would have been construed as rude since she was new in their household, and was reasonably sure everyone there knew she wore it. Myranda and Cordis had already said so. But how was she supposed to really respond? Was she supposed to smile as if she was happy to accept a looming confrontation? Should she adopt a taciturn air?
They were behaving lovely. In response, she tried to smile brightly and answer questions intelligently. But what was her exact position? Hadn’t Soldar told them she’d been out of direct communication with him for two years? Didn’t they expect her request to remove the band?
“If you don’t mind,” Soldar eventually announced, “as Lyra and I have been out-of-touch, we’d like a few moments alone.”
Lord Rycos moved toward Soldar, put one hand on his shoulder, and nodded, almost imperceptibly. The look the two exchanged was sobering. It was as if the father was trying to silently console the son. Or give him courage to take some previously agreed upon action.
Maybe she’d had it wrong? Maybe he actually wanted the armband back so badly that even his family was pushing for the breakup. It
was
Ky’Nar property after all. And she had treated the eldest son with terrible disdain.
The small gesture between father and son made her feel as if she was in a place she didn’t belong. But she’d agreed to stand up with Myranda. If not for that promise, she’d have waited a respectable period of time then asked for a shuttle to take her back to the embassy compound later in the night.
“Lyra, will you come with me?” Soldar softly murmured as he took her arm and looped it through his.
For some stupid reason, she wanted to cry. But as he silently led her through the gray stone hallways bearing lovely, colorful tapestries, the reason came to her. It was always there and always would be.
God help me, I still love him! I don’t want to lose him. He’s going to take back his armband and it’ll be like I never existed.
She tried to breathe deeply while looking as though she was in utter control of her emotions. It was the hardest thing she’d ever done in her entire life, including that damned mission on Reisen Four.
He was dressed in black like his sire. The expertly altered uniform of a commander in the Craetorian High Guard only made him look that much larger, more muscular and officious. The metals pinned over his heart epitomized his courage. They made a soft clinking sound as he marched.
The only other sound was that of his boot steps. These echoed off the hallways in steady cadence.
She dared do no more than glance at him. What she valued of her self-control would be gone if she did. Had he always been so tall? Had his shoulders been so broad before? And had his blond hair ever shimmered, almost looking like silver in the low light? Or had she pushed this all out of her mind so she could let him go?
His gentle but insistent touch, his stoic bearing, and even his strong stride all indicated a momentous decision had been made. He didn’t look at her. He stared straight ahead as he moved. This only reinforced the sad scene to come. She hoped she wouldn’t stammer or, God forbid, cry. Tears had no place in a galaxy where she’d been through hell only to face this.
Only years of running fast gave her the strong gait that allowed her to keep up. If he was in such a hurry to get his property back, he could have stopped in any hallway away from the buzzing crowds.
At least he wouldn’t do it in front of everyone. He’d never been that cruel. He’d never been a cad, nor did she believe he’d changed in that respect. But why were they moving so far from the main foyer? No one was near now. Not even servants passed them.
Somber, silent moments later they exited the castle. She found herself on a patio overlooking a garden where late afternoon light illuminated brightly colored flowers. The half-
glow made the blossoms look as if they were shining on their own. Thousands upon thousands of beds and herb gardens lay there to be explored. Moonlit paths would be enjoyed by many this night. In the distance now, lanterns were being lit for that purpose.
Over distant mountains, dragons flew. She could see their massive silhouettes even from the castle’s patio. It was from these noble creatures his family had chosen their emblem. She resisted the urge to glance down at it. Her armband was such a part of her now that its removal was going to feel strange. In his culture, the gesture would be viewed with the same legal ramifications as a divorce.
Still, she maintained her silence even as he kept his.
There’d be a full moon tonight. Planets and stars would glow down on Cordis and Myranda. Maybe the couple would stop and make love in one of the hidden glens. She hoped so. And she prayed she had the strength not to break down during the celebration of their love. She’d wept for her family. She’d cried for lost friends. Cordis and Myranda deserved better than a broken mess-of-a-woman to stand up for them. All she’d have left after tonight was her career, and she’d come to know this wasn’t enough.