Choosing Riley

by S. E. Smith

  The tiny female Tiliquan only had one head but the rest of her figure was the same as Fred. She wore a simple gown with a black apron tied around the waist. She had the same green, yellow, and red coloring but her eyes were framed by long, thick lashes that swept down shyly under Riley’s scrutiny.

  “Do I not get a welcome?” A deep, melodious voice asked from the doorway of the small house near the gates of the city.

  Riley’s eyes softened on the huge gelatinous figure standing looking down at her. “Bob!” Riley cried out softly, stepping into the huge arms as they opened up for her. “I’m so sorry for what I said to you the last time I saw you,” she murmured against his broad chest. “You were right, I do belong with him.”

  Bob’s huge body shook as he chuckled. “That is good. I can rest knowing I made the right decision.”

  Riley leaned back and grinned up at her friend. “That doesn’t mean I don’t still have to put him in his place every once in a while.”

  Fred and Bob both broke out into laughter as they heard Vox snort. “Riley, I have to go. I won’t be long,” Vox said with a shake of his head. “Take care of her, my friends,” he said, brushing a kiss across his mate’s plump lips.

  “We will! We will!” Fred assured him, coming up and taking Riley’s hand in one of his while he clung to Doral. “You have to meet Bob’s mate. Come, come, we have refreshments.”

  Vox watched as his mate was pulled into the small cottage. He nodded to the two guards with him. “Stay with her. Protect her with your life,” he ordered.

  “Yes, my lord,” both men replied taking up position in front of the door to the cottage.

  Chapter 22

  Vox strode through the palace corridors to the conference room with a grim expression on his face. He had not shared with Riley the true nature of their visit. He had personally gone to interrogate his two former bedmates. He discovered that their betrayal was larger than he expected. He had managed to get the location of one of the rebel bases from Eldora before she died from a poisoned drink left for her. Pursia had hung herself the night before in her cell using the covers from her bed. Eldora had begged for forgiveness before she died, swearing she had been forced to betray him and his family. He discovered Bragnar, one of the warriors assigned to the kitchens was holding her younger sister hostage in return for her help. She told him with her last breath that Bragnar was responsible for the attempted poisoning of his mother several months before. If it had not been for his mother’s lady’s maid giving his mother the wrong bowl of soup, it would have been his mother who died instead of one of her personal assistants.

  “Have you any word as to who Bragnar is working with?” Titus asked as soon as he closed the door to the conference room.

  “No,” Vox said grimly. “Pallu and Walkyr are going to scout the rebel camp to see if what Eldora told me is true. She swore on her dying breath she was forced to do what she did.”

  “Do you believe her?” Banu asked as he activated the holovid in the center of the conference table. “The region she told you is thickly covered in mists and old growth forests. It is said even the trees there are alive. It is hard to believe that anyone could build a camp there.”

  “I believe her. Her family is from the forest clan. They would know how to live there. Plus, she had no reason to lie as she was dying. She knew there was nothing that could save her,” Vox said looking at the image of the thick mists that swirled into view.

  The satellites could not penetrate the cloud cover. Maybe he needed to talk with Ha’ven or one of his brothers. Those damn Curizan loved a challenge when it came to technology. He knew his friend would have something within a few days that could probably tell them exactly how many leaves were on the trees.

  “Have you linked him to anyone else? We know whoever Bragnar is working with must also be working with Raffvin. That damn Valdier has his fingers into everything,” Titus grunted out. “Who did Bragnar associate with while he worked at the palace?”

  “The handful of males and females he talked to have been cleared. None of them knew much about him. They all said the same thing, he kept to himself for the most part,” Vox replied.

  What was the connection? He knew it had to be related to the deaths of his aunt and her mate, the attempt on his mother’s life, his kidnapping. Why would they do this? His thoughts turned to his aunt. She had been a gentle soul. His mind fought to piece together the clues. He looked at his cousins. They had taken Titus and Banu as well. Why was it important to take his father’s side of the family? Titus and Banu were from his father’s oldest sister. Maybe the clue was with her.

  “Where is Illana?” Vox asked suddenly.

  Both Titus and Banu started in surprise at the mention of their mother. “She is probably in her workshop. She loves working with her hands and you know she creates some of the most beautiful bowls and vases with the mineral clay. Why?” Banu asked curiously.

  “I am not sure,” Vox murmured looking at the holovid again. “But something tells me we are missing something crucial and she may have the answers we seek.”

  “I’m not following you,” Titus said with a frown. “Do you want me to ask her to join us or would you like to go to her workshop?” He asked puzzled.

  “Let us go there,” Vox replied suddenly anxious to see his aunt.

  Titus and Banu stood up at the same time. Banu flipped the holovid off and shrugged his shoulder at Titus. He didn’t understand either but both of them had learned a long time ago to appreciate Vox’s instincts. It had saved them more than once during their youth, not to mention during the war.

  Titus lead them through the huge palace. The gleaming pale walls changed color as they passed through them, reflecting the difference in the warmth of their bodies against the sensitive stone that picked up on their moods. The stone for the palace had come from the mountains surrounding the city. The tall arched corridors allowed an abundance of light in through crystal clear windows that could be darkened with a single command. Workers moved on light feet, laughing as they went about their way. He could feel his aunt’s touch among the workers. They enjoyed their duties.

  Soon, they were entering a small building located on the west corner of the grand gardens. The small dome building was bright and airy on the inside and was filled with all different shapes and sizes of plates, bowls, and cups made from the special mineral clay found along the streams that ran down from the mountains.

  “Nënë, how are you doing?” Titus asked walking over to give his mother a kiss on the cheek.

  “I’m fine,” she replied with a raised eyebrow as she looked at her two sons before turning her gaze on Vox. “Hello, my lord,” she said with a graceful bow of her head.

  “Greetings, Illana,” Vox said walking over and brushing his lips along his aunt’s cheek. “How have you been?”

  She smiled and shook her head. “I am well. Now, out with it. You three only came to see me when you were in trouble as cubs. What mess have you gotten into this time? You know your father isn’t going to believe me if I try to cover for you, don’t you?” She said looking at Titus and Banu.

  All three men chuckled as they stood back. “This time it is for a different reason we are here, Nënë. Vox thinks you might be able to help us piece together the attacks on our family,” Banu said with a grin.

  “Ah,” Illana responded quietly before walking over to the sink to clean the mineral clay from her hands. “I knew this time would come,” she murmured. “This must not go anywhere else,” Illana said as she turned to look sternly at her two sons. “It pertains to Banu as well but I hoped that I would not have to tell him for a while yet. It would appear the time has come to share a little of our family history that is known to few.”

  Over the next hour, Illana related a tale of four brothers who were the first rulers of Sarafin. One ruled the forest kingdom, one ruled the city near the ocean, one ruled the desert kingdom and one ruled the ancient city as its guardian. The Gods had divided their worl
d so none could rule more powerful than the other but together they would be practically invincible. To know who the true rulers were, they were marked with a symbol. Each symbol was unique to the warrior but when placed together it marked the location of the Heart of the Cat, a gem so powerful it had the power to either heal their people or destroy them. The four brothers, concerned that the gem would fall into the wrong hands, hid the stone in a location only known to them. As they buried it, the symbols formed on each, mapping the location so it could never be truly forgotten. Only the leader of each kingdom would have the mark. If they were to die, then the mark would appear on the next ruler. But, if the line were to die out....

  “..... Then so would our people. Over time, legends built up about the location until it became more myth than reality. But, make no mistake, it is very real,” Illana finished. “Vox, you wear the mark as will your son. Just as Titus does since his father passed the throne onto him. Banu, you also bear the mark since the death of your father.” She turned sad eyes to her youngest son.

  Banu’s eyes narrowed in confusion. “I don’t understand. My father still lives.”

  “No,” Illana replied softly. “While your father and I consider you our son, your true parents died days after you were born. Your father was my younger brother. Your parents were murdered in their sleep. They had been drugged in an attempt to capture the desert kingdom which is your true heritage. Your nurse stole you away in the night and brought you to us. Arimis went to avenge my brother and his mate’s murders but the desert had swallowed the kingdom. That is one of the many myths surrounding it. Only two of the kingdoms are known, the ocean and city kingdoms. The other two remain hidden until their rightful rulers return to the throne.”

  “Why? Why would you not tell me years ago about my parents?” Banu asked clenching his fists in disbelief and rage. “You let me think all these years I was your son. Why would you not tell me?”

  “I have lost three of my siblings to tragedy. I could not bear to lose any more of my family,” she said calmly looking at him intently. “You became our son the moment I held you in my arms. I loved you as assuredly as if I had given birth to you. If I had told you before the wars you would have gone searching for the kingdom. You were too young to go. Then the wars took you away.”

  Banu swung around to stare out the window of the workshop, gazing blindly over the garden. “You said you lost three siblings. Who was the other and who and where is the fourth member bearing the mark?” He asked harshly, turning to stare at the woman he had always considered to be his mother.

  A tear ran down Illana’s cheek but she did not turn away from the harsh stare. “Mia,” she whispered. “She was taken as a baby and never found. I have to believe she lived. She bore the mark of the hidden forest.”

  Vox listened in disbelief as everything he and his cousins had ever known came apart. His own fury with his father mounted as he thought of the information withheld from him. He was the King and should have been told of the legend and its effect on his family and people, especially now that he had a mate to protect.

  “What happens if there is no one to bear the mark showing the hidden resting place of the Heart of the Cat?” Vox asked knowing deep down the answer.

  “Sarafin will fall,” Illana answered quietly.

  “That is why Raffvin wanted me, Titus and Banu. He knows about the mark, but how, and why didn’t he just kill us?” Vox asked coldly.

  “He needs us and Mia or any of her children who may bear her mark,” Titus replied calmly, piecing the puzzle together. “He could not kill us if he wanted to find the Heart of the Cat and capture the power of the gem. He ordered our deaths when it appeared that he would not be able to find Mia or her descendants.”

  “We do not even know Mia survived or if she had any cubs,” Banu stated in an emotionless voice.

  “Yes, we do,” Vox said with a sharp-toothed grin. “If she had not survived, then our world would have fallen already. We have family to find, cousins. Whoever is working with Raffvin must be aware of the legend as well. If that is the case, they may be working on their own agenda and not necessarily with Raffvin.”

  “Great!” Titus growled out as he ran his hand over the back of his neck in frustration. “So, is there anyone out there not wanting to capture or kill us?”

  “My lords,” a guard burst through the door suddenly. “Lord Vox, your mate has been taken!”

  Chapter 23

  Riley laughed at Tamia, Bob’s mate, as she related how she had captured the huge Gelatian’s attention. Bob just chuckled and rubbed against the large peach colored female. They enjoyed the afternoon as Riley teased both of her former ‘mates’ about abandoning her while they told their mates how she almost blew everyone up, not once but twice.

  “Doral and I need to go to the market. Would you like to come?” Tamia asked politely. “It is not far.”

  “I would love to go!” Riley said with an excited grin.

  Vox had kept her practically a prisoner at the palace. Okay, that may be a bit of a stretch but she hadn’t been anywhere outside the ocean city and she wanted to see the beautiful ancient city. It reminded her so much of some of the pictures she had seen of the older cities in Europe and since she never got to see them, she figured she might as well enjoy this one.

  “We will return shortly,” Doral said giving Fred a kiss on both lips with a blush.

  “Very shortly,” Fred’s left head responded with a soft growl while he held onto both of her hands for a little longer than necessary.

  All three women laughed as Doral pulled free with a vivid blush covering her face. They picked up the baskets by the door that they would need to carry their purchases. Riley adjusted her oversized purse over her shoulder and nodded to the two guards that Vox left. She knew better than to argue with them following her around. Vox should have been born a bulldog because he wouldn’t budge on her wandering around without a couple of guards always tagging along.

  “So where to first?” Riley asked as they stepped through the gate.

  “There is a market where many different fruits, vegetables, and breads are sold. Bob does not eat meat but Fred does. We will go to the market first. There is another market a few streets further where they sell beautiful cloth and other things,” Doral replied as she moved rapidly through the crowded streets.

  Riley followed the clipped pace Doral set. She might be small but she was a bundle of energy. She was so happy her two friends had found someone to spend their lives with. Fred had told her that his older brother had been killed in a dispute over credits and his father wanted him to return. He had talked at length with Doral and both of them decided that they did not want to raise their young on a fueling station. Bob had become a prominent silversmith in the small village he had settled in on Curizan. That was where he met Tamia who had also sought refuge after escaping captivity from a slave trader who made the mistake of challenging a Curizan warrior. The warrior had freed Tamia and brought her back to his world to live. She had been working as a seamstress in the village. Both men decided they wanted to start fresh and had already established their homes there.

  “Oh my,” Riley said with a huge grin as she took in all the different stalls selling their wares. “Do you think Vox has credit here?” She asked hopefully.

  One of the guards chuckled. “You may purchase whatever you want, my lady. Lord Aryeh instructed us to make sure you had whatever you desired. He said he would deal with Lord Vox if he should have a problem.”

  “I knew I was going to love that adorable old hairball once he realized I was the best thing that ever happened to his son!” Riley declared with a royal wave of her hand.

  Doral and Tamia dissolved into giggles while the two guards chuckled. Riley tossed her wayward curls over her shoulder and raised her arm. “Charge ladies! And I truly mean charge! We are going to do some major shopping. I swear I was going through withdrawals!” Riley said as she sashayed her ass right through the middle of the cr
owded market in excitement.

  She spent the next half hour exclaiming over one find after another in the food market. It was when they continued onto the merchant’s market that she thought she had truly died and gone to heaven. The silk scarves, unusual handbags and other accessories outdid the little over-priced boutique Tina worked in during high school. Riley moved rapidly from one stall to another, picking up scarves, hats, bracelets and handbags with a critical eye.

  “How much is this?” She asked one merchant before turning to another and pulling another item up and showing it to other merchant. “And this? Tamia is that too much for this? Doral, what do you think? Does this make me look too pale? Oh my god, look at this! I have to have it! Do you think Vox will be upset? The guy says it is seventy-five credits. Is that a lot?” Riley asked having no idea the worth of a credit. For all she knew, it could be the equivalent of a thousand bucks back home. “Damn! I should have had Viper tell Tina to clean out my account back on Earth. She has access. I might have been able to convert it or buy stuff at home to cash in here. I really, really want this bag. It will go perfectly with several of my outfits,” she added, biting her lip in indecision.

  “Lady Riley, seventy-five credits is very inexpensive,” one of the guards assured her. “Lord Vox would not be upset at all if you purchased the bag, especially as you like it so much.”

  “You really think so?” Riley asked anxiously fingering the beautiful beaded bag with the tips of her fingers. “It is the most beautiful handbag I’ve ever seen.”

  “Please package the bag for my lady queen,” the guard called out to the merchant.

  Riley grinned at the merchant as he handed her the carefully wrapped purchase with a low bow. “It is a pleasure doing business with you, my queen. I will inform my daughter you admired her work.”

  “Tell her I have never seen anything as beautiful as this and I will take very good care of it,” Riley responded to the beaming man.