Kyr put an arm around Aja. “My Lady, may I present Commander Karna Aram, Resistance leader and my brother. He is sworn to support your family to the death.”
Aja bowed. “I am honored, Commander, and I thank you for providing my family sanctuary.”
“The honor is mine, Lady.” Karna extended his arm as the guards bowed low. “Allow me to escort you inside.” He added in a quiet voice, “We can speak privately. Your sister tells me you will not be staying long.”
Aja acknowledged the guards with a nod. She took the commander’s arm. Karna glanced back at his brother. He heard Kyr instruct the men to send Mr. Fedd along when he felt well enough to make an appearance, and then he and the Lady Ennat followed.
Aja bathed and changed. Along with Kyr and the Lady Ennat, she hosted a formal meal with the commander and his military advisors. Aja played the role of gracious Royal, hating every minute of it. She was not cut out for politicking.
Her mother relished these games while Aja detested them. Her time remaining with Kyr was short and they had only a small window of opportunity to say what had to be said and do what had to be done before she must leave for Eir-Edan.
The military leaders didn’t know of her plans. They assumed she and her sister would remain their honored guests, their protected wards; titular heads of the Resistance forces.
Aja wanted to bash their heads together. If the Resistance was to have any chance of success over the Coalition forces, she and Ennat would have to lead the troops themselves.
Men, so prideful and patronizing, even when attempting to restore a female monarch to the throne.
As soon as she could excuse herself, Aja allowed Karna to escort her to his private quarters.
She watched with interest as Karna knelt down before his desk and reached beneath. He pulled out a small, wrapped box.
“No,” said Aja. She shook her head and backed away, “No. I will not do it. How dare she? How dare my mother abdicate? How dare she force me to accept this? I am not the Empress nor do I have any desire to take the throne.”
Karna rose to his feet. “Lady,” he said. “Please. Hear me out. She sent a message for you. I am to repeat her words exactly.”
Aja knew she was trapped. Her mother wouldn’t have abdicated without a good reason, but she didn’t want this dubious honor.
She’d been born with power, she hadn’t sought it. Her abilities did not come through the grace of the Gods; her abilities came with their own built-in, self-perpetuating curse. If she could flee her many destinies she would without hesitation.
Aja sighed. “Speak.”
Karna closed his eyes. He shaped the words with care. “Aja, Blood of Our Blood, Our eldest daughter. We beg you to take this ring of power and assume the throne in exile. For the good of the Empire We must withdraw and leave the future in your hands. We regret this decision, child, but Our destiny lies elsewhere. We know you journey to Eir-Edan. We cannot protect you there. The ring alone gives your mission a chance of success. Tell Our supporters We are with them in spirit, and We pray to the Gods for a swift victory.”
Aja backed up as he spoke until her thighs hit something. Fortunately, it was a bunk. She sat down and held out her hand, palm up. “Give it over.”
“Lady, surely it should be presented to you before your loyal generals.”
“Hells will freeze over before you’ll make such a presentation, Commander. Give me the ring and if you call me Lady one more time I’ll bash you in the nose. My name is Aja and I’m bonded to your brother. And I know you know exactly what that means. So drop the formality and skip the protocol.”
Karna approached and set the small box in her open palm.
“Please tell my generals to wait in the galley, Karna. I’ll be there presently to speak with them.”
Karna bowed and headed toward the door.
“Bow again and I’ll kick your ass.”
She heard him chuckle. “Send Kyr in. I want to tell him myself.”
Aja had changed into battle fatigues and strapped her jeweled knife to her leg. She’d undone her traditional braid and left her long, mahogany hair loose and flowing.
Let her men see her as she really was, the warrior queen, born and bred.
She headed to the galley, her lover at her side. Let the men see him too. Let them see his hand on the hilt of his sword.
Her heart took courage, knowing Kyr was prepared to come to her aid in an instant. He would die for her without hesitation.
Faces full of curiosity turned in their direction as she entered the room.
Her sister Ennat, lethal without even a single weapon on her person, moved to join her, as did Commander Aram, a pistol gripped in his hand, a sword worn in full view at his side.
All eyes widened as Aja marched straight through the men and leapt, barefoot, onto a table. She held up her left hand and with great dignity turned to all corners of the room, displaying the Royal Signet Ring to every man.
The enormous uncut ruby in the rough shape of a heart and set in a thick, red-gold band could not be mistaken for anything else. The gold had been mined and smelted on their ancient home world, Earth. It had been carried, along with the ruby, by the Empress Ya when she led her followers to Persephone. The ruby had been fitted to the band on the day of her death and handed down from empress to empress over the centuries.
Aja took a quick survey of the room, reading the heart of each man standing before her, those who met her eyes and those who turned aside.
She caught sight of Davi Fedd waiting near her sister. His hand, too, rested loosely on the hilt of his long knife. His courage and his loyalty warmed her heart.
“Commander Aram,” Aja said, “Please remove Captain Sis and General Faya and escort them to the brig. They are traitors.”
Aja heard angry voices rise in protest as Karna and his men made their way through the room. She glanced at her sister. Ennat nodded and moved to guard the door.
“Gentlemen, forgive me. I have no time to waste, so I say to you now, shut up and listen.”
She glared around the room as one by one, the men fell silent.
“I am your Empress. I never lie. If I tell you these men are traitors then they are traitors and they will bring about our deaths given half a chance. You have lived too long with the lies of the Coalition to recognize the truth when it is right in front of you. In thirty years, some of you have forgotten what it is to be led by a woman of the Blood. You were expecting nothing more than a pretty face. I give each and every one of you much credit, for you’ve remained loyal to a dream. But be careful what you wish for, gentlemen. I am no dream. I read your hearts. I see your futures. I will fight your battles. I will spill my Royal Blood for you without hesitation.”
Aja lowered her hand. “But I am no tyrant. Any man here who wishes to leave, who does not like what he sees, who believes the dream he has held onto has become a nightmare in his eyes, that man is free to walk out the door. My sister will not stop you. Commander Aram will not stop you. My consort, Captain Kyr Aram, will not stop you. You will be escorted home and allowed to live your life in peace, in whatever peace the Coalition allows you.”
“Then it’s true. You can see the outcome, you can tell us what will happen,” a man called out.
“I am certain there will be a battle,” Aja replied. “I am not yet quite as certain of the outcome. That depends upon you. Gentlemen, know this, there will be a battle whether I am with you or no.” Aja smiled. “Unfortunately for you, I suspect your chances of winning this war are greater under my guidance and the leadership of my sister, the Lady Ennat, than they will be without us.”
Aja looked from one man to another and another. The room remained still and silent.
“Now, there are things I must do and the Resistance forces must be readied. You, gentlemen, have very little time to choose. Will you fight alone? Or do you accept our guidance and our leadership? I will not make the choice for you. I am not General Bom. The monarchy will end this day i
f that is your decision.”
Aja leapt down, her movements as graceful as a deadly feline.
“Choose,” she demanded. “You have one turn.” She strode from the room, followed by Ennat and Kyr. Commander Aram stayed behind.
“Ennat.” Aja took her sister’s hand and led her away from the door, aware that Kyr guarded the other side. “If I fail to return from Eir-Edan you must lead them, but only if the men are willing to accept you. If not, take Karna and Kyr and their friend, Davi Fedd, and flee. Promise me you will save yourself, because there is a danger they won’t leave any of us alive after this. And I think…” She swallowed hard. “I think if that happens, after what Tem has done, you will be the last of our line.”
Tears rolled down Ennat’s face. The two sisters were only a year apart in age. “You will return, Aja. I swear you’ll come back to me.”
“Have you seen this?” Aja asked. Her fingers traced the tears on her sister’s cheeks.
“No. I wish it.”
Aja smiled at her words. “Don’t let sadness take you, little sister. You have a handsome lover and he can protect you. He is of the Blood and he can give you many sons and daughters. Have faith. I’ve seen you in old age surrounded by your family. Remember, there has never been any middle ground for me. Either I will return with what I seek and we will be reunited or I will be dead.”
“You will not be dead,” Ennat said. “I will find you and resurrect you.”
“No.” Aja shook her head. “Promise me you will never do such a thing. I do not wish to be a god and neither do you. I fear our Tem has crossed that line. I thought it would be me, but when I saw what she’d done… It doesn’t matter that I want him dead as much as she does. Did you feel it too, the horror at her action?”
“Yes.” Ennat shuddered. “It should be me who kills him cleanly in combat. This way is foul.”
Aja laughed. “And here I worried I would do the deed. It seems we are all three bent upon killing our father. Tem has already succeeded. Our father, the General, just doesn’t realize it yet.”
“Perhaps we should have left it to mother,” said Ennat, with a sniffle. “It’s not fair to visit the sins of the parents upon the children.”
Aja said, “You know, I think the saddest thing of all is that there was love in him once. In his own selfish way he loved her, but she spurned him for Dua N’ib.” She looked up as Kyr entered the room.
He spoke to both women but his eyes looked only at Aja. “We haven’t much time,” he said.
Aja glanced at her sister. “Ennat…”
“Yes, I’ll go find Karna and leave you two alone, but what did you mean when you said, he’s of the Blood?”
Kyr took Aja in his arms. “Ask my brother about our grandmother, what she did before the coup.”
Book II: Return
Kyr shoved her against the wall. There was very little time and he didn’t want to waste it. He unbuckled the sheath she’d strapped onto her leg and tossed her knife on the bunk. Her tunic followed. He had to have Aja, now.
He swore under his breath.
This won’t be the last time.
If necessary he would hold her himself, hide her away from all political intrigue, from the danger she faced. He would even brave her own strong, stubborn, pig-headed, royal will to keep her safe.
Aja pressed her lips to his and Kyr knew he needed to move fast, make her his once more before duty called.
Aja possessed quicker reflexes than he did. He knew she was stronger. He knew she was the better pilot. But Kyr didn’t feel threatened by her power.
He understood the battle Aja waged every moment to remain in control, and it was only in his arms that she could lose herself. Only when he was holding her could she let go of all that power and simply be. Simply become a woman making love with her man.
His fingers deftly unlaced her trousers as he braced her back against the wall, lifting her by her hips.
He rested his forehead against hers, breathing heavily, holding himself perfectly still. He wanted to last long enough to share their blood. He shifted Aja’s weight and held her with an arm beneath her bottom while he slid his knife from its sheath with his other hand.
“Aja.” He growled her name. “Cut me.”
Aja took the knife from his hand and slid it across her palm. She did the same to his. Kyr heard the knife hit the floor. He kicked it out of the way as Aja grasped his free hand tight to mingle their blood.
Kyr roared as he took her, hard now, like a primitive claiming the spoils of war. There was no mistake. It was war now—whether war for the Empire or a fight for their lives.
Aja called out his name.
“Come with me, love.” Kyr spoke through gritted teeth. “I’m waiting for you. I will always wait for you. Come with me.”
“Yes. Oh yes, Kyr. I love you, oh Gods, I love you.” Aja shattered in his arms.
Kyr dropped to his knees, holding her tight, Aja clinging to him. “I love you, Aja. Gods help me; I love you more than life itself.”
Kyr carried Aja to the bunk and lay down, wrapping her in his arms. His hands caressed her, his lips kissed her. She didn’t want him to stop, she didn’t ever want him to stop, but she could hear the voices of her fighters as clearly as if they stood in the room, as if they stood at the foot of the bunk.
Some of the men had joined the Resistance for the romance, for the romantic chivalrous notion of saving a helpless woman.
What was it the ancients used to cry out? Gods save the Queen?
Some had joined out of a sense of righteous anger at the freedoms they and their womenfolk had lost. Others had joined forces with the Resistance because they smelled a profit to be made.
Then there were the old-timers, the men who simply wanted things back the way they were. The way they’d been for thousands of years.
She knew now who would prevail. She could see it. The decision had been made. Aja sighed with relief and nestled closer to Kyr.
“We leave soon,” she whispered. “If you’d prefer to stay here I can fly alone.”
Kyr tightened his hold. “Then it’s decided?”
“Yes.”
“Where you go, love, I go. I’ve already made that clear.”
“But you must hurry back and help your brother. We have five days left before the General assembles his forces.”
“Aja…”
“No discussion. We talked it to death on the way here.”
“Aja…”
“Your Empress commands you.” Aja laughed. “There will be no further discussion.”
Kyr flipped her over onto her back. “Trying to scare me?”
“No, trying to kiss you again because I don’t know when—”
“Shut up, then, and kiss me.”
Ennat reached over and closed Karna’s open mouth.
“By a gack’s shit, is that how all you women fly?”
“Of course.” Ennat grinned at him. “You’ve never flown with a Woman of the Blood. You must try it.”
“I’ve heard stories of my gran, but I didn’t believe them. I thought my father was simply telling tales.”
“Your gran?” Ennat’s eyes opened wide. “That was what Kyr meant? She was a pilot?”
“Yes. She flew the route between Calen and Matsu.”
Ennat closed her eyes. “How did I miss it?”
“Miss what?”
“Your smell. I should have smelled it. You are of the Blood. Why didn’t I know this?”
Karna laughed. “I should hope I don’t smell like you. You smell far too pretty.”
“Karna, I’m not teasing. Only a Woman of the Blood can fly between Calen and Matsu through the Tionay Nebula. That’s the route she took, isn’t it?”
“So says my da.”
“Let’s test it,” said Ennat. She reached for Karna’s hand. “Fly with me and we’ll see if you’re of the Blood. Let’s take the Glory to the repair station. I’ll pilot.”
“You’ll pilot?”
<
br /> “Of course. You saw Aja take off in that tiny craft. You watched her flash right above our heads. Exactly who do you think trained with whom? Your brother seems to have no problem with her, with the way we fly.”
Karna considered her words for a moment. He wasn’t so certain his stomach would hold up under those turns. He had no desire to appear less than a man in front of his woman. Davi Fedd had described at length how sick he’d been with Aja at the controls.
“All right, just let me settle—”
“It’s all settled, they’re all settled. They’ll be leaving to gather their troops. Arms shipments won’t arrive until tomorrow. Let’s have a bit of fun together.”
Karna raised an eyebrow. “What we do in my bunk isn’t enough fun for you?”
Ennat laughed. “Oh yes, that is most very fun. But I haven’t flown in weeks and I love it. It’s so thrilling, so exhilarating. Please? Please, Karna, fly with me.”
“Now you sound like a woman begging for a new gown.”
“Hah. As if a gown matters to me. I’d rather be dressed like you. Your weave is far more comfortable than this clothing. I hate formal garb. I find it so restrictive.”
Karna dragged her against him. “Restrictive? I like the way it restricts certain parts of your anatomy. But I must say, I didn’t notice you putting on any undergarments. All I need do is lift up that skirt…”
“Stop trying to distract me.”
“But it’s working, isn’t it?”
Karna stared at her exposed cleavage. He watched as Ennat’s breathing became ragged and she shoved her breasts forward, giving him a more pronounced view.
He led her to his quarters wondering what is this thing that happens between a man and a woman of the Blood? This overwhelming desire, this lust that seems to increase even more once you’ve shared the Blood?
All Karna had to do was look at Ennat in a certain way and he knew he could make her tremble with desire for him. He was certain this warrior woman had never felt this kind of weakness in all her born days. Despite his own weakness where she was concerned, he’d never felt more of a man.
The Daughters of Persephone, A Space Opera Special Edition Page 11
