His Highness the Duke (18 page)

their ways until you want to hit them over the head with the nearest rock. I can relate. I

have thrown a few rocks at my husband. I may be Draig, but that only makes my

situation worse. My husband treats me like a rare flower that needs constant guarding.

In truth, shifted, I can hold my own against him.‖

Aeron swallowed nervously, trying to process all she was told. ―I can‘t shift. I

can‘t really do anything special.‖

Mede chuckled. ―That is not true. You can love your husband and honor him.

There is much to be said about that. All the grand schemes in the universe pale in

comparison to love and family. All jobs mean nothing when put up against being a

mother and wife and partner. That is not to say you cannot work if you so choose, but

there is something very noble to also walking a simple path. I am queen. I rule half a

planet. I have power and respect. I negotiate and entertain alien races, and yet if you

ask me, do you know what I‘d tell you my most important roles are?‖

―Wife and mother,‖ Aeron supplied.

The queen nodded. ―Yes, family.‖

―Is it too late to stop the process? Can I find Bron another crystal?‖ Aeron knew

Bron had explained some of this to her, but the queen had a way of explaining it that

Bron did not. Her husband made it sound like a command that she stay with him, all

dependent on duty and honor and tradition and fate.

―I have seen the way he looks at you. It is far too late for him. Whether he

realizes the full connection or not, he
has
given you his life. He has shortened his days to

116

His Highness The Duke

extend yours so your fates could remain entwined. If you were to choose to leave him,

he would be alone for the rest of his life. If you die, he will be alone. Without the aid of

our blue sun, your life would play out like normal, maybe extended a few more years

than usual. When he took you to his tent, it was his choice. When you stayed, that was

yours. You are all he will ever have. So, please, I beg you for the sake of my nephew

and my family, consider your future very carefully. I see you thinking of going, of

denying the marriage. I am sure Bron thinks you mean to stay. He could not, would not,

have brought you back to the palace otherwise—not after the king ordered him to stay

at the cabin until your marriage was made right.‖

Aeron couldn‘t deny it. She did think of leaving, not because she didn‘t care, but

because she was scared of caring. The last home world she‘d had exploded. Could she

really accept a new one knowing what she did about the Tyoe? It seemed a choice

destined for heartache and pain.

―How is all this possible? It can‘t just be the radiation,‖ Aeron tried to reason. If it

was true, when she died Bron would be alone. Was giving his years to her enough to

counteract her lineage? She was scarcely able to believe as much.

―Why question it? You feel him, don‘t you? You have started to feel what he is

feeling. And he feels what you are feeling. If you are discontent, he will feel it. It will

distract him. If you are happy, he will smile more and not know why.‖

―If not love, then he could have companionship, at least, couldn‘t he?‖

The Queen merely laughed, not shying away from the revealing question. ―You

are curious, aren‘t you? In the past, the boys have occasionally left our planet for

ambassador duties. And, distasteful as it sounds, there are several roving bands of

women with loose morals who make scheduled stops for the warriors. They are men

after all. But that is all in the past. Such are the pursuits of unmarried men, a mere

means to idle away the time until fate chooses their future. Once mated, they do not go

back to such things. He couldn‘t if he wanted to. You would know right away. Besides,

if he wanted to, you would know that, too. He doesn‘t desire anyone else, rest assured.‖

117

Michelle M. Pillow

Aeron wasn‘t sure how to respond. She hadn‘t been asking about Bron‘s sex life,

but the idea gave her much pleasure.

―I have given you much to think about. I love my family, but men are men and

they sometimes forget that not everyone thinks as they do. I find it best to command

information from them, if they are being evasive.‖ Mede laughed. ―I can see by your

expression that evasiveness has been an issue. Those men and their secrets. Do they

really believe they can keep them from their wives?‖ The queen stood and crossed the

distance to Aeron. She cupped her cheek gently. ―You have so much power, little niece,

as do all women. Your husband will act like he is in charge, like he is protecting you

and your honor. Let him think that, for in truth, you hold all the power in your

marriage. If you accept him, he will give everything he is and everything he has to

please you. Use that power well…‖

Aeron nodded.

―…or I will have to hunt you down.‖

Aeron nodded again, looking for a sign the woman was joking. She wasn‘t.

―Good.‖ The queen removed her hand and turned toward the bathroom. ―I will

leave you to bathe. We are about the same size, I think, so I will have some of my gowns

brought to you.‖

―I can‘t possibly accept—‖ Aeron stood in protest.

―You cannot possibly walk around the palace dressed as you are,‖ the queen

corrected. ―It is understandable after a journey, but not after you have been given our

hospitality.‖

Aeron nodded. ―I don‘t wish to embarrass anyone.‖

Let alone myself,
she added silently.

―Then it is settled. You should find everything you need in these chambers.‖

Mede gestured toward the bathroom. ―Bron will join you when he‘s finished his

business with the king.‖

* * * * *

118

His Highness The Duke

―Do you trust your wife?‖ King Llyr watched his nephew from behind his desk

in the royal offices.

―Yes,‖ Bron said without hesitation. He glanced from the fireplace to look over

his shoulder at the king. ―I would stake my word to hers.‖

―Then that is all I need to know.‖ The king nodded, taking Bron at his word

without hesitation.

Bron moved from where he had been staring into the fire. He walked with a

natural grace to take his place before the king‘s desk. There were several documents in

front of the man, including a very large stack of parchment contracts.

―This is not the most welcome news,‖ the king said wearily, watching Bron with

shaded eyes. ―I have my hands full with the Var threat. They grow overbold as of late.

This last batch of brides seems intent on being obstinate. None of the royal marriages

are settled. I would cancel next year‘s shipment of potential brides until we can look

into why this many are unsettled, but then I would have a riot on my hands with the

men. Several of the soldiers will be ready to join the bachelors, and we will have a

record number of men in attendance within the next five years. It would seem on the

surface the royal and noble marriages have given the men hope. We have looked for

years for another way to bring brides to our planet. Short of finding the legendary

portals our ancestors were said to have buried beneath the earth, so that we may once

again kidnap brides like savages, I have no alternative to Galaxy Brides.‖

Bron didn‘t answer. What could he say?

The king sighed. ―All this and now I have to worry about a potential space attack

by a race of aliens I have never heard of.‖

―Mirek will look into it and we will submit a report with our findings.‖ Bron

thought of his wife and wondered what she and the queen were discussing. He knew

his aunt could be possessive of family and hoped Aeron didn‘t express any

discontentment to the woman. The queen wouldn‘t hurt Aeron, but she wouldn‘t

hesitate to put her into punishment.

119

Michelle M. Pillow

―I will speak to Zoran and have him pick up the men‘s training. They will be

sharp and ready. For now, we will tell them that it is because of the Var threat, which is

not a lie. I do not want the men distracted by looking up to the skies for a possible

threat when the Var are a very real one on this planet.‖ The king glanced at the ceiling,

as if he could see through the stone to the universe beyond.

―Let them try to take our mines,‖ Bron said. ―My brothers and I will be ready.‖

The king gave a small laugh, as if part of him welcomed the space battle. ―I trust

that you will. I will leave this matter to you. Speak to command in the communications

tower, but no one else. Jorne is posted there. He‘s discreet. If an unauthorized ship

comes close, we will be ready.‖

―I will before we leave.‖

―Your brothers should be home by now.‖

―All but Alek. I left him at the cabin.‖

―Of course.‖ The king nodded. ―Your rescue. It was very lucky your bride had

the presence of mind to come toward the palace.‖

―Yes. It was.‖ Bron didn‘t mention the fact his bride had probably done so out of

fear rather than planning, but the bravest acts were those done in spite of fear. For that,

he took much pride in his wife‘s actions.

―Your capture, though uncertain of origin, is very suspect. It does not sound like

the Var to leave you in a pit to rot, but we cannot rule them out. I don‘t expect a cat

shifter to fight with honor. As I said, they grow restless and bold. I fear King Attor will

soon lead an attack on the palace. I‘ve heard rumors he was at the bridal festival,

though nothing substantiated by anything more than men too far into their cups to be

sure.‖

―My soldiers are ready, and the miners will defend their homes,‖ Bron assured

him. ―I‘ll ensure the unused shafts are hidden and will double the guards on the

others.‖

120

His Highness The Duke

―Send reports,‖ the king said. ―And perhaps it is time we prepared the

communication devices between the cabin and the palace. I‘ll order a technician to see

to it.‖

―We haven‘t used them for nearly thirty years,‖ Bron said. ―Can they even be

repaired? I think we used some of the parts to repair the link between my home and the

palace about ten years back.‖

―Has it been so long?‖ The king shook his head. ―It is no surprise. Who wishes to

be disturbed by duty when hunting? It will be a shame to lose the solitude, but I will

repair them nonetheless. We cannot be out of communication should there be an attack.

Let‘s just hope the Var and these Tyoe don‘t take it to mind to attack the same day.‖

―I will have the system at my home checked as well.‖ Bron had maintained the

main communication line between his home and the palace, but the others had fallen to

neglect from little use. Most news could be delivered in person and repairing the

communication devices through the mountain ranges was no easy task. Satellite

transmissions could be listened to, so they had to use ground methods.

―If we are lucky, one of you will have married a communication expert.‖ The

king smiled to himself, hopeful.

―I will ask Aeron. Perhaps she knows something about it. She was a

communication analyst for the Federation. It is how she came about this news of a

threat.‖

―A communication expert? See, the gods have a plan.‖ The king grinned. ―There

is a reason Lady Aeron came to you.‖

At that Bron couldn‘t help but smile.

―If the attack proves true, we owe your wife a great deal. I will be sure to throw a

banquet in her honor in a few years, once all these unruly marriages are settled and the

princesses are well established.‖

In their world, a few years were nothing when compared to a lifetime of

hundreds. Bron nodded. ―My family would be honored by such generosity.‖

121

Michelle M. Pillow

The king stood, wryly answering, ―Generosity nothing. My wife enjoys

entertaining and will love the excuse to get you boys here to the palace. Do not be

surprised if she uses your brides to lure you here more often. We do not see enough of

you.‖

―You have but to ask it and we will come,‖ Bron said.

―Do not say as much to my wife. She will build you all wings and will never let

you leave. She loves you like you are her own sons.‖

―If that is true,‖ Bron said as he followed his uncle to the royal office‘s door,

―then she will surely grow tired of all of us underfoot. I have heard her scold her own

sons, threatening to move them out to the mountains with their cousins.‖

―That was before they gave her daughters,‖ the king corrected. ―Now she is

content. At least for the next twenty years. It is a small reprieve from her nagging, but I

will take it.‖ The king might have sounded serious, but Bron knew well the man adored

his wife. He would be lost without her, as they all would. Mede was Llyr‘s universe, his

very reason for being. There was no shame in it, only honor and love.

―Speaking of wives, I must find mine. We will not overstay our welcome this

time. I should find Mirek and make sure the necessary precautions are underway.‖

―Stay one night. Morning will come fast enough and your mounts will be rested

by then. If you leave any faster, it will cause speculation amongst the servants. You are

welcome to dine in the hall, though I imagine newly married couples have little use for

hall dining.‖ The king held up his hand. ―No. Before you refuse, I will simply decree