“So returns the prodigal child,” one of the guards said, stepping forward. He gave instructions for two of his men to take Angel’s mother and carry her back into the palace.
Angel gave her mother over without a fight, then turned to face the guard. “Hello, Herrod. Still doing
his
dirty work?”
The guard called Herrod did not rise to her bait. Instead he gave her a knowing smile. “He will be pleased to know you’ve returned.” Another gesture of his hand and two more guards stepped to either side of her. “And you’ve chosen a particularly interesting dress for the occasion.”
Angel felt herself blush. She pulled off the turban and undid the shirts at the waist, letting them all fall to the ground. Then she peeled off the shirt she wore. A woman in men’s clothing would be frowned upon, but she wasn’t interested in respecting their customs. If an opportunity to escape presented itself, she didn’t want to be hampered by the makeshift dress.
When she looked back at Herrod, he smiled. It wasn’t a friendly smile. It was the kind of smile that made her wish she had on more clothes – or better yet, was carrying an assault cannon. He seemed pleased with her discomfort and moved closer so he could speak to her without the other guards hearing.
“An’jel, you have grown into a beautiful woman.” He walked slowly around her, letting her feel his eyes roam over her body. He stopped behind her, close enough that his breath brushed against her hair when he spoke. “Unfortunate hair color, but I suppose it'll grow out. Tell me,” he whispered, “are you still a virgin?”
Angel whipped about to face him, barely controlled fury in her eyes. “Stay away from me, Herrod.”
Putting a finger to the side of his chin in an imitation of deep thought - Angel was sure he was incapable of the real thing - he studied her. “I think after all these years, you’re not a virgin anymore. Maybe you’re married.” He made a show of looking around. “But I don’t see a husband, do you? No husband. No virginity. I guess that makes you a whore, doesn’t it, An’jel?”
Angel ignored his taunt, turning to face him as he circled her, because she didn’t trust him.
“Are you a
whore
, An’jel?” He made the word sound as filthy as he could. “Will you beg men in the streets, offer them your body in exchange for a crumb of food? Sleep with them just to have the warmth of a real bed?” He stopped walking. “Perhaps I should find out what sweets you have to offer a man. If I find you pleasing, I’ll keep you for myself.” He reached out his hand as if to touch her face.
“Touch me and you’re a dead man,” Angel said, pleased that she managed to keep her tone so even, despite the rapid beating of her heart.
His hand stopped midair, then fell to his side as he laughed. “Am I supposed to be afraid of you?”
“No.” Angel smiled. “You’re supposed to be afraid of
him
, because if he finds out you raped me and took my virginity, he’ll kill you.”
Herrod’s laughter stopped and the smile faded to a face gone red with anger. “If I take your virginity, then I can claim the right to be your husband. And as such, I will be the next High Counsel.”
Angel’s laughter was genuine. “Do you really envision yourself to be
his
choice for successor? He’d probably have you killed before dinner – a minor inconvenience.”
“I think not. I am the only male blood relation the High Counsel has left.” Herrod countered between clinched teeth.
“Your mother was a whore your father experimented with to prove he was a man. But he was weak and killed himself after the High Counsel found him in his lover’s bed. His male lover. And you think the High Counsel will openly claim you as blood? You’re not even good enough to be his advisor; you’re a security guard.”
She’d pushed him too far and didn’t duck fast enough to avoid the blow to her face when it came. She fell back, stunned, eyes watering. But she lifted her head to face him. She’d gotten to him, broke his control. He’d lost and she’d won - and she wanted him to know.
The other guards pressed closer and Angel knew that if he came at her again, there would be dissension in the ranks. They reported to Herrod, but they feared the High Counsel.
Herrod stared at the guards and for a moment, she wondered what he would do.
“Bring her,” he ordered, giving her a look that promised more between them.
“Where are you taking me?” She dared to ask as he walked off, not knowing what answer she hoped to hear. Either he didn’t hear, or didn’t care to tell her.
He disappeared around a corner and Angel had no choice in whether she followed or not as the guards tightened their hold on her arms and led her forward.
* * * * *
Nicoli and Yanur were ushered into the main banquet room of the palace. A long table stood along the far wall, topped with food and drink. Men in formal Coronadian dress stood around, visiting with one another. Nicoli let his gaze travel across the room, and though he didn’t expect to see Angel, he was nevertheless disappointed when the only women present were servants.
“Colonel Romanof, I’m glad you could make it.” The High Counsel stepped from the crowd, extending his hand in greeting. Behind him, two men stood patiently attentive. They wore ceremonial dress similar to the outfit worn by the High Counsel, with tunics made of obviously high quality fabric and adorned with the House of Scyphor emblem, a large black bird in flight. Below the tunics, fitted slacks were tucked into boots and warring blades were strapped about their hips. Nicoli was struck with the thought that though the outfits seemed ceremonial, they were well suited for easy movement, or fighting, if need be.
“High Counsel.” Nicoli began, pausing when the old man wagged a reprimanding finger in the air. “Gil’rhen,” he quickly amended. “Thank you for inviting us on such short notice. It is an honor to be here.”
“I would like to introduce you to two of my advisors.” The High Counsel gestured to the men standing beside him. “This is Rianol D’Wintre and Pualson Metters.”
Nicoli exchanged handshakes with the two men, studying each closely as he did. Both were near his own age, and as typical Coronadians, both tall, blond and with a warrior's physique.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you.” D’Wintre said. His ready smile was smooth and easy. “I’ve heard much about you.” His manner seemed genuine.
The other one, Pualson, seemed less comfortable, but still extended his hand in greeting. “A pleasure, Colonel.”
“Thank you.” Nicoli politely acknowledged their words. “And allow me to introduce Yanur Snellen, crew member and good friend.”
Yanur shook hands with all three men and they exchanged a few words of greeting.
“Didn’t you say you had two members to your crew?” The High Counsel asked, looking around the room, presumably for the errant crewmember.
“Yes. I thought it best to leave her aboard my ship for now,” Nicoli lied.
The High Counsel looked at him quickly. “A woman?” He nodded then. “Of course. A servant.”
“No. Not a servant.”
The High Counsel’s expression turned smug and knowing. “Of course.”
Nicoli wasn’t sure he liked the suggestion inherent in the man’s words. The thought of Angel out there alone swept through his mind. Despite the fact that he didn’t entirely trust the High Counsel, Nicoli considered enlisting the man’s help in finding her, just to make sure she was okay. Before he could make up his mind, the big double doors to the chamber opened and a guard hurried in.
He went directly to the High Counsel and whispered something in his ear. The High Counsel’s face became animated as he moved off to the side and murmured something in return. Then the guard hurried back out the door.
By this time, everyone in the room had grown quiet, no doubt speculating on the situation. The doors opened again and several more guards entered. The guests crowded forward, obstructing Nicoli’s view. A short distance from him, Yanur’s face turned an ashen white.
With a mounting feeling of trepidation, Nicoli pushed his way through the gathered crowd until he could see. And then he felt his own face drain of color.
Angel stood, clutched between two guards, looking more defiant than scared. Her cheek was red where someone had hit her and the sight of it made Nicoli’s blood boil. Someone would pay for that, he vowed.
He moved forward at the same time the High Counsel did. The older man’s face had paled and he stared at Angel as if he’d seen a ghost.
“Are you all right?” Nicoli asked as he moved to stand beside her.
Neither Angel nor the High Counsel seemed to notice him, their attention focused on each other.
“I never thought to see you again, An’jel.” The older man spoke quietly, his voice tinged with emotion. “Welcome home.” He nodded once to the guards, who released their grip on her and stepped back.
Nicoli saw her chin rise a notch as she squared her shoulders and met the High Counsel’s eyes.
“Hello, Grandfather.”
The crowd stood in absolute silence as they absorbed the announcement. Nicoli shook off the fleeting feeling of betrayal. He wished she had confided in him, but after meeting her grandfather, he understood her need to keep her secrets. But now that he was here, he couldn’t help but wonder what other surprises lay ahead.
As if in answer to his question, a commotion began in the back of the room. Acting in concert, the gathered crowd split apart, like the Red Sea parting, opening a path between them. A man appeared, moving forward with a calm, confident air. Nicoli judged him to be near to his own age, with similar height and build. The ceremonial outfit he wore was unlike the advisors’ outfits. As he drew closer, Nicoli saw that it was identical to the High Counsel’s.
“Oh no.”
Hearing her quick intake of breath, Nicoli glanced sharply at Angel in time to see her eyes widen.
“What’s the matter?” He whispered. “Who is that?”
“My husband.”
Chapter 18
Angel felt Nicoli’s silence like a physical blow. She shook her head, trying to clear her thoughts, wishing she had time to explain.
“Welcome home, wife.” His voice was like warm honey, dripping with sincerity, and he stared at her with a possessiveness that startled her. His smile transformed an already handsome face to one of such stunning masculine beauty, it took Angel a moment to compose herself.
She could not allow herself to fall into Gil’rhen’s trap just because the man he’d appointed as his successor and her husband was attractive. A pawn was a pawn, no matter how enticing the other game pieces appeared.
“I am not your wife.”
A gasp went up from the crowd at her announcement. The warm light in the Counsel-elect’s eyes grew cold and menacing, causing Angel to take an involuntary step closer to Nicoli.
“Do not be afraid of me, An’jel. We will suit each other well, you and I. For the last several years, I have followed, and admired, your exploits as a galactic courier. You are bright and intelligent, as well as beautiful.”
His speech, meant to put her at ease, had the opposite effect. “What do you mean, you’ve followed my exploits for the past several years?”
It was the High Counsel who answered. “You didn’t think that I would just let you run away, did you? My contacts on Delphi IV spotted you when you arrived. I would have brought you home immediately, but the war had started and I felt you would be safer off the planet. So I dispatched guards to watch over you, make sure you were safe."
“No, no.” Angel shook her head, absorbing his words through the ringing in her ears. Her whole life! He’d known where she was, been watching her, the entire time. Not once had she ever been free of him. She’d been living a lie and never once suspected the truth.
“The whole time?” She wasn’t aware she’d spoken aloud until her grandfather chuckled.
“Up until a couple of weeks ago. We lost you on Earth during the attack on the airfield. I thought you were gone for good then. I never expected you to show up here.” An inquisitive expression crossed his face. “How did you get here?
“She came with me.” Nicoli spoke for the first time, drawing everyone’s attention to him.
“You?” Both the High Counsel and Counsel-elect looked from Nicoli to Angel as if weighing the truth of the statement. Then the High Counsel’s expression changed to one of horror. “My granddaughter is the woman you have been traveling with?”
“Yes.”
Angel watched her grandfather’s face turn red as he stared accusingly first at her, then at Nicoli. Again, she was grateful for Nicoli’s solid presence beside her.
“For the past eight years, I have allowed my granddaughter to do as she pleases, wandering across the universe, all the while, discreetly following her from a distance, interfering only when I felt her life, or her virtue, was in danger.” The High Counsel’s voice rose in volume. “I have gone to great lengths to ensure that
no man
take from her that which belongs to her husband.” The words practically spewed from his mouth. “And now, I find out that the most reputed soldier of the USP has turned my granddaughter into his whore?!”