The Complete Madion War Trilogy

by S. Usher Evans

  Her smile warmed my heart. "You think so, Dr. Princeling?"

  "And in my professional opinion," I said, cupping her ass under the robe and squeezing it, "I firmly believe that being thoroughly pleasured is the best way to get over stage fright."

  She laughed quietly but already her nerves had set in. "I wish you could be there."

  "Do you want me there?" I said with a smile. "I'll be there."

  Her face twisted into horror. "Don't you dare show up, princeling. I'm serious. It was one thing to be at the hotel, but if someone saw you at the summit—"

  I kissed her. "I love that you still call me princeling."

  "I do when you're being an idiot," she said, and I felt her heart race as her bare chest pressed against mine. "I should start getting ready. Emilie's probably livid."

  "You did tell that guy you had to shower," I said, twisting a lock of her hair around my finger.

  The corners of her mouth quirked up. "I did, didn't—Ack!" She'd barely finished her sentence before I tossed her over my shoulder, heading for the bathroom.

  Theo

  "You look flushed, Theo," Emilie said, eyeing my reflection in the mirror. "Are you feverish?"

  "No, just...had a very good night's sleep," I said with a smile I hoped was genuine. There was a red tint to my cheeks, but also a sparkle in my eyes, and I couldn't keep the smile off my face.

  Galian promised me he'd be waiting in my room when I returned for one more night of passion. He'd asked me again to consider staying in Jervan with him, and as much as my mind decided that was a terrible idea, my heart overruled it. Five seconds in his presence, and I was back to the lovesick girl who'd decided it was more fun to daydream about kissing a prince than pay attention to where she was going. On the island, it had gotten me lost and stuck up a tree. In the more dangerous game of international politics, it was much more treacherous.

  I struggled to remain present in the room as I watched the stylist straighten my hair. I rarely wore it down, as it conflicted with the Raven uniform codes. But Emilie said that it made me look more approachable.

  She'd been furious when I'd finally arrived at her room to practice. But, to her surprise, I delivered the speech without as much as a stutter. To be sure, she had me reciting it every fifteen minutes while the Raven stylists fretted with my hair.

  "Remember to pause between the part about the prisoners and that the king does nothing," she said, more visibly agitated than I'd seen her before.

  I nodded and smiled at her. "I've got this, Emilie."

  In the mirror, I spotted Cannon watching me from the bed. I was fairly sure that if he'd heard Galian, I—and everyone else in the Raven delegation—would've known about it. Still, he knew something was amiss, so I had to be more careful around him.

  "That's fine, that's fine," Emilie said, brushing away the stylist and pulling me to stand. She adjusted my uniform and pinched my cheeks. "Since you didn't meet with anyone yesterday, we need to do a quick meet and greet today. Can you handle that?" I nodded with a smile, and she stared at me, cocking her head to the side. "Something's...different about you."

  "Took some time to clear my head," I replied, amazed at how easily I could lie.

  I almost skipped after Emilie as we entered the lobby of the hotel. I glanced around for my amichai, but I was secretly grateful I didn't see him. I wasn't sure I could hide my excitement.

  I did, however, see one familiar Kylaen. Galian's guard who'd rescued me from Mael was sitting in one of the chairs with another woman I didn't recognize. I knew enough to feel their eyes on me, and I chanced a small smile to him. Imperceptibly, his head tilted down, before disappearing behind the newspaper again.

  I followed Emilie out of the lobby to our car, as I would be riding with her and Cannon today. I was eager to see more of the city—

  —especially since I might be living here, my brain responded in a singsong voice. But instead of getting mad, I simply smiled at myself. It had been too long since I'd been this hopeful about the future.

  "We have two hours before your speech," Emilie said, looking over a page in a leather-bound folder. "Cannon, you will round up some of the ministers for Theo to speak with."

  He snorted.

  "Don't pout," Emilie snapped. "This is Theo's day. You can't have the spotlight forever."

  I didn't relish his disappointment, so I focused my attention on the city as it passed by. More white plaster buildings, more flowerpots on the wall. I considered what my life would be like if I lived there with Galian. Walking the market I'd seen the day before, finding our food and cooking it for him. Just like back on the island.

  "Why are you grinning?" Cannon snarled.

  "Just excited to finally be here," I replied without missing a beat. "I..." My eyes widened as our car turned and the Jervanian palace came into full view. It rose above us in spires and towers too many to count, each one meticulously carved with detail visible from hundreds of feet below. Our car passed through wrought iron gates that far surpassed those at Platcha, complete with marble columns with golden statues that sat atop them.

  "Put your tongue back in your mouth, kallistrate, we don't want them thinking you're simple," Cannon remarked, looking wholly unimpressed by the splendor surrounding us. I was in too good a mood to glare at him.

  "Theo, how are you feeling?" Emilie asked.

  "I'm ready," I replied. And for the first time, I was. Maybe Galian was right; perhaps bottling up my feelings had been keeping me from speaking clearly. And the sex hadn't hurt either. God, what that man could do with his tongue. I hadn't believed a person could handle that much pleasure in one night.

  Once we were out of the car, the insanity began. Photographers rushed toward us, bulbs flashing, calling to us with questions about Rave and Kylae and my speech. Most of them were Jervan, but I spotted one or two who could've been Herinese.

  Emilie pushed me through the gaggle, even managing to wear a flawless smile as she did. Once we passed through the open doors, we were greeted by a surprisingly upscale security screening area. They checked me for every conceivable weapon before letting me pass.

  Emilie and Cannon joined me shortly thereafter, and led me down another ornate hallway. We passed a large arena-like chamber already filled with people and chairs, which Emilie pointed out would be the location of my speech. The panic, which had been gone since the moment Galian had first held me in his arms, returned with a roar.

  "G-good," I said, wrenching my gaze away.

  "It'll be fine, 'neechai," Emilie said, stopping to place a hand on my shoulder. "Come, we've got to do the meet and greet."

  The antechamber was a much smaller room, made more so by the number of people and the loud conversations. I recognized a few Raven ministers, but most of the room was Jervanian, with a few Herinese towering over the rest. Emilie threaded through the room as if she knew exactly where she was going.

  "And there's the major of the hour!" Bayard's booming voice echoed over the din, and before I knew it, he'd wrapped his arm around my shoulders and he was introducing me to the leaders of Jervan and Herin. President Kuman of Jervan, a rotund man, was at least a head shorter than I was. His hand was warm and fleshy, and his shake was so vigorous, he nearly yanked my whole body with my hand. Prime Minister Bouckley of Herin was a tall, pale woman whose cheekbones and severe gaze stood in stark contrast to the leader of the nation just south of hers. Her hand was cold as it gently enveloped mine.

  Bayard's arm never left my shoulder, but I was not a part of this conversation whatsoever. They picked up on a thread they must've started the day before in their private meeting, tossing out terms that might as well have been in a foreign language.

  Except one.

  "Minister Breen is the expert on Malaske," Bayard said. "Sometimes I'll read his reports when I can't sleep at night."

  Bayard and Kuman laughed heartily, but I quirked my brow. Why was Bayard discussing our secret facility with the leaders of Herin and Jervan? Not that I kne
w what was going on there anyway.

  Bouckley lifted her pointed chin higher, and I got the distinct impression she was not a fan of either Bayard or Kuman. "But we're on track?"

  "We've begun testing, yes," Bayard said. "If the Herinese technology does what you say—"

  "It does."

  "Then we should be on track," Bayard said. I snuck a glance at him. He was smiling, but there was tension behind it.

  "Let's hope it doesn't come to that, yes!" Kuman said with a jovial smile to me. "Let's hope those bastards hear your charming major's speech and change their minds."

  Bayard agreed with him, but I didn't hear the conviction.

  "Ah, is it time? Yes, Emilie's giving me the look," Bayard said, and I noticed Emilie's tight smile and rigid stance from behind the Herinese prime minister. Bayard finally released me and I nodded my goodbye to the three world leaders and hurried after Emilie.

  "That man could talk for hours," Emilie snapped. "How are you?"

  "Nervous," I said honestly. Even though it would be completely irresponsible and dangerous of him, I hoped Galian might show up to watch my speech. Knowing him, he'd laugh off the danger and just walk in the front door.

  Idiot princeling.

  Emilie took me to a private room where she made me drink a spicy Jervan tea that soothed my throat. She told me to stay in this room until she came and fetched me. Tea in hand, I curled up on the small divan and attempted to run through the speech again in my mind. But it was crowded out by memories of Galian and the question of whether I should go with him when the day was over.

  Galian

  Once I was sure Theo and the rest of the Ravens were gone, I scurried out of her hotel room and took the stairs to the one I was supposed to be sleeping in. There, I found Kader and Johar huddled around the news, and Martin chowing down a Jervanian breakfast. Blessedly, there was a second one sitting next to him.

  "Well?" Martin asked.

  "Well, what?" I said, downing the coffee. "You want the sordid details?"

  "Yes," Martin said, mouth full of food.

  I smiled and shook my head, shoveling the cornmeal dish into my mouth. "I asked her to stay here with me. She's thinking about it."

  "Your father's ordered you back to Norose," Kader grunted without looking at me. "A plane will be here in three hours and will leave half an hour after that."

  "Then I just won't be on it," I said, throwing my hands behind my head.

  Kader turned to look at me. "Rosie would be very disappointed."

  "R—" My eyes widened, and I sat up. "Are you fucking serious? He didn't—"

  "Not in so many words, but the point was conveyed."

  I threw down my spoon in disgust. "So I suppose whatever mission you two were on was a failure?"

  Johar and Kader shared a glance. "Your father isn't aware of this mission. Nor should he be," Kader said.

  "In fact, the only reason the two of us were here is because a lovesick prince forced us," Johar replied. "And Eli called in a favor to an old friend to get you in the country and into her bed."

  I nodded dumbly and my attention drew to the television where Theo stood outside the Jervanian palace. Her face was still flushed and her eyes sparkled. She was a far cry from the soulless woman I'd seen behind Bayard. And now I would crush her again by leaving. I wouldn't even get to say goodbye.

  I sat up, a smile curling on my face. "We have three hours right? Can I at least watch her speech?"

  "In the Jervanian palace?" Kader asked. "Sure, we'll just walk you in the front door—"

  "I don't hate that idea," Johar said, cutting him off. "After all, Bayard's room was a bust. They're talking about Malaske in these meetings, and I don't want to go back empty-handed."

  I had no idea what or who Malaske was, but I was onboard with getting me into the Jervanian palace.

  Kader shook his head. "Sayuri..."

  "I have to bring Korina something concrete. Especially after dragging him along with us."

  Now I was really confused, but I kept my mouth shut, hoping I could learn something about the true meaning behind this mission. Knowing my mother, not my father, was the originator made me even more curious.

  "What's the cover then?" Kader asked.

  "Call up Sharif again—"

  "We already called in that favor to get us into the country."

  "So we'll owe him one. But he's got contacts in the Jervanian palace. We'll tell them that the prince harbors sympathies for the Raven cause, and he wants to meet in secret with a few key players."

  "And what if word gets out that Galian went to the summit? Grieg is already furious with him. I have Rosie to think about—"

  "We won't let it get out. We've still got crowns. Anyone who sees us will get paid off." Johar folded her arms over her chest. "I've got my orders, and they may be different from yours, Eli. But I am not going back to the queen of Kylae empty handed."

  I was getting dizzy from the back-and-forth conversation, so I was glad when Kader didn't respond for a while.

  "And what if we miss our plane?"

  "We won't," I piped up. "Theo speaks in—"

  "Shut up," Kader barked at me. "Sayuri, this is a big risk you're taking with lives that aren't yours to risk."

  "If what I'm hearing is true, it won't matter what Grieg does to Rosie, because there won't be a Norose," Johar replied quietly.

  "What in—" I started, but a look from Kader silenced me.

  "I've heard the same rumors, but you don't think they're true, do you?"

  "After five years of careful negotiation, Jervan pulls the plug on the wheat trade agreement? Herin's ambassador has delayed important discussions on scientific transfers? Greig may think it's just a temporary frosting of relations, but Korina believes otherwise. The Ravens are about to start fighting back, and Kylae doesn't want to find out what truly being in a war feels like."

  "And what, pray tell, are your orders?" Kader asked.

  "Classified, per the queen, my friend," Johar said, before looking at me. "Did your girlfriend say anything about a secret laboratory?"

  I shook my head. "No."

  "Galian, now is not the time to cover for her," Kader growled.

  "I swear, she didn't say anything about that," I said, holding up my hands. "And I know Theo. She's more interested in ending the war than keeping it going through more bloodshed."

  "It's not her I'm worried about, it's her crazy president," Johar replied with a shake of her head. "Boy, if you're coming—"

  I nearly tripped over my feet as I leaped off the bed. "Yes! Yes, I'm coming."

  "Then do as I say and keep your mouth shut," she replied.

  "Wait, Sayuri," Kader said, running a hand over his bald head. "I'm coming with you."

  "What about me?" Martin asked, having eaten the rest of my breakfast as well.

  "Go meet the Kylae plane, and if we aren't there on time, stall them," Kader replied.

  "And give her this," I said, standing and walking to the desk in the corner. There was a pad of paper and a pen, so I hastily scribbled out a note. For her protection, and my own, I was vague, but I still managed to say what I wanted to. I folded up the note and handed it to Martin. "Put this under her pillow. She's in room 509."

  "Ah, you three get to go infiltrate a castle, and I get to drop off your love notes," Martin said with a sigh, taking it from me. "Who says this job isn't fun?"

  Theo

  The roar of hundreds of voices conversing reached me as Emilie and I drew closer to the chamber. Bayard stood at the door, continuing his conversation with the other two presidents, not acknowledging us as we stood behind him.

  "Are you ready for this?" Emilie asked for the thousandth time.

  I looked out into the room and nodded, though I was sure my nerves were evident on my face. It was silly, but I wanted my amichai to be there. I knew he'd be watching, and I knew he'd be there when I got back to sweep me into his arms, but...knowing he was nearby might've done something to calm
my racing heart.

  A tone sounded in the chamber and the conversations quieted to a quiet murmur. The president of Jervan walked out into the assembly, greeted them warmly then introduced Bayard and the Herinese prime minister. Then I heard him introduce me.

  "Do your best," Emilie said with a confident smile.

  I stepped into the cavernous room and immediately felt every eye in the room on me. My body moved of its own volition, my hands resting on the wooden podium as Emilie's directions of how to stand echoed in my head. My mouth opened and air rushed out of my lungs to give voice to my thoughts.

  "Good morning, President Bayard, President Kuman, Prime Minister Bouckley, esteemed members of the Jervan and Herin parliaments, and the delegates from the great, independent nation of Rave. Thank you for allowing me the chance to speak to you today. Rave is grateful for this opportunity to have a seat at the table at the Three Nations' Summit, and I am proud to represent her in this very important assembly."

  What came next? My mind drew a blank, and I began to panic as I looked at the faces around me. I should've practiced more; I should've known what I was going to say. I was sunk. I couldn't do this—they were stupid to think...

  I saw him.

  He was in the back of the room, pressed against the wall. I almost missed him in my frantic searching, but his stance was unmistakable. He had come, even though I'd told him not to. I had no idea how he managed it, either. It wasn't as if—

  "'Neechai," Bayard's voice prompted from behind.

  I smiled and cleared my throat. "I come to you as a daughter of Rave," I said, my eyes glued on Galian. "As you know, fifty years ago, after our nation was ruthlessly sacked of resources and enslaved by the Kylaens, we declared our independence. Although we have considered ourselves to be a sovereign nation, our former colonizers believe they have a claim to our land and our peoples. This cannot and must not stand in the international community any longer.

  "There are many stories about how Kylae's attacks have stymied our economy, our people, and our independence, but today, I wish to turn the community's attention to another blight. There is a camp in the northern mountains of Kylae, known as Mael. The Kylaens use the barethium mined there to fortify their buildings and their bombs. In order to extract the toxic material from the ground, they employ slave labor, usually plucked from their slums filled with Raven refugees. I, myself, was imprisoned for..."