by K Bledsoe
“Impossible,” he said.
Raahi shook her head.
“I am sorry, Baroness. But your information is flawed. I am… was… Lara, the companion. You see I was surgically alt—”
“I know all that and please, call me Lenore,” she said, trying to soften the abrupt interruption with her name to inspire trust. “I have detailed records. What you are perhaps unaware of is that in addition to physical appearance, they also altered both of your DNA. Some buyers need proof of close DNA typing before purchasing twins.”
“Still, I know who I am.”
“Ah, but I also know that the alterations had some interesting side effects.”
Raahi visibly paled and her entire body gave a massive twitch, whether from being startled or not wanting to face this, Lenore wasn’t sure.
“What side effects?” Jonah asked. Lenore ignored him, looking only at Raahi. This was a delicate situation.
“Raahi, I know the bond between you two was exceptionally tight. But after the surgery, it was even more so, not just with feelings but with thoughts and images. You two were telepathic.”
Jonah’s head swiveled toward Raahi. She nodded slowly.
“It wasn’t complete telepathy, but we were always in each other’s minds, always knew what the other was doing and thinking.” She closed her eyes, obviously upset.
“When she died, it affected you profoundly.”
Raahi’s hand went to her chest as if in pain. She opened her eyes though they focused on nothing as she spoke. “When…when she died, I collapsed. I was delirious and couldn’t move or speak. I wanted to die with her. And probably would have if the captain of the ship we were supposed to leave on hadn’t intervened. He had taken a fancy to us and visited often. He found me there next to her and took charge, arranged for her burial by selling her ticket. When she was taken away, I fought them, kicking, screaming and cursing in my delirium, using up what little strength I had. The captain had to carry me, near unconscious and sobbing, to the ship.” Raahi wrapped her arms around herself, unfocused eyes looking toward the ground. “I don’t remember much after that, only vague dreams and images. The doctor on the ship said it was like a high fever, but there was nothing physically wrong. I stayed in the captain’s cabin, and there was always someone to watch over me. He even arranged for someone to care for me when we reached the planet.
“It took weeks to regain my health. I didn’t even realize where I was. When I finally could function again, I asked to be returned to her, but the man who was caring for me refused, knowing it would undo all the healing. I walked away without so much as a goodbye and vowed to find a way to return to her. As I came to realize that he and the captain saved my life, I tried to find them to thank them but have been unsuccessful.”
Jonah had moved next to her but didn’t embrace her as Lenore thought he might. Instead they sat, knees touching. She didn’t react, continuing to stare at the ground, but Lenore had the feeling she was aware of the small contact.
“That delirium is what confused you. To be able to live with the loss of your…bondmate, you convinced yourself that you were her. In fact, became the companion instead of the princess so she would never be dead.”
Raahi shook her head. “No, that is not possible.”
“I have proof.”
Raahi’s head jerked up and her eyes narrowed. “How can you…”
“It is on my ship. You must see it.”
“Very well.” She swiped at her eyes though Lenore hadn’t seen any tears, and she stood, all business. Jonah stood as well, but Lenore shook her head.
“Raahi only, Jonah. I’m sorry.”
“No way. I am not letting her out of my sight.” While his protectiveness didn’t surprise Lenore, the intensity did.
Raahi put her hand on Jonah’s arm. “I will be fine, Jonah.”
“I’m going with you.”
“I’ll be fine.” She looked like she was going to move her hand to his chest, but evidently thought better of it and gently squeezed his arm instead. “I can take care of myself, you know.” He clearly didn’t like it but relented.
“Let’s go,” said Lenore.
***
As they entered the ship, Raahi paused right inside the hatch and waited for it to close before she spoke.
“Ok, would you mind telling me what that was all about? Lenore, was it?” She crossed her arms and leaned against the hatch. She had a tight rein on her emotions, though with everything that had happened, the hold was fraying. More people urging that she become Maya, stirring up painful memories.
“About?” said Lenore.
“I may have been confused when Maya died, but not that much. If you have any sort of proof, you should know I am not the princess.”
“Yes, I know.”
Raahi’s arms dropped, not expecting that answer. “Then, why?”
“There are things you need to see. Three things to be precise. They are for you and only you. It’s why Jonah couldn’t be here.”
“Such as?”
Still she wouldn’t budge. Lenore sighed.
“I was given a message to give to you, a data stick. Forgive me, but I watched it to make sure it was nothing harmful.”
“Who gave it to you?”
“A man on Recavan. A tall, very thin man with short, spiky, blond, nearly white hair.” She reached into her pocket, drew out the data stick and held it out to Raahi.
Raahi unclenched hands that had stiffened by her side at the mention of the planet.
“You were on Recavan?” she asked, voice hoarse and just above a whisper.
“Yes.”
“Then one of the other things…”
“In our cargo hold.”
“Take me to her.”
Lenore opened her mouth but as she peered at Raahi, she simply nodded and said, “Follow me.”
A man with incredibly dark skin who Lenore introduced as Diarmin was waiting in the hold. Lenore stepped aside to allow Raahi to go to the coffin containing Maya’s body. She approached slowly and lightly touched the top but didn’t open it. Instead she allowed herself to unleash some emotions.
“You had no right.” Anger slurred her words. “She was my sister. It was my duty.”
“We were hired to find the princess and we did.”
Raahi’s head snapped around, her lip curled into a snarl.
“Before you judge us further,” said Diarmin. “See what is on the data stick.” He held out a reader.
Raahi took the reader and shoved the stick in. She was aware of Lenore’s scrutiny as Diarmin put a chair close by.
“Hello my dear, Lara.” Maya’s face on the screen caused Raahi’s hands to shake, and her legs gave way to sit hard in the chair. Maya spoke softly, often pausing for slow, liquid breaths. Her ailment was quite evident, and the fact she was lying in a hospital bed only confirmed it.
“I have asked Menot to record this and give it to you after I die. Yes, I know I am dying, and I am never going to make it home. I also know how you are going to react, sister of my soul. You have protected me from the moment we met. And though I didn’t know it at the time, I discovered you occasionally took my place when it was my turn to lie with those abominable men. Fought off those thugs on the cargo ship and other horrible foes when I hadn’t the physical strength. You gained us our freedom and I, in my weakness, couldn’t even see it through to getting home. You have done everything for me, asking for nothing in return, and yet I have one more favor to ask of you. You have always been the strong one. Get home. And if…if it becomes necessary…” a deep breath and pause for several slow breaths. “As we swore all those years ago,” she rubbed her scar with her thumb in a move identical to Raahi’s. “Take my place. Become the princess. Protect the people. I know this is a burden, but I can go to my rest peacefully knowing that you will watch over our people and make sure they are well cared for as you have cared for me our entire lives. I love you, Lara and will always be in your heart and soul.”
The tears she had been withholding for days finally broke free, running down her face unchecked. It was just like Maya, thinking of her duty and her people. She touched the image frozen on the screen, and her heart contracted. How very like Jonah she was, wanting nothing but the best for her planet. Probably why I am so attracted to him. He reminds me of her.
A throat clearing brought her out of her reverie, and she turned her attention back to the people who had brought this gift. She pulled the data stick out of the reader and wrapped her fingers tightly around it.
“You know, she said I was the strong one.” Raahi spoke in soft voice. Her eyes were still wet, but she smiled as she thought of her sister. “But in fact, she had an inner strength that was solid and unmoving. With all that happened to us, she never changed. Never lost that sweet spirit. I became cynical and tough, unwilling to trust in anyone. She always was a princess in her entire being. Had the strength to always be her true self.”
She brought her fist to her chest, data stick still clutched tight. “Thank you for bringing this to me. And for bringing her home.” She blotted at her eyes to give herself time to collect her thoughts, and her voice firmed. “But I don’t know why you are pretending to Jonah that I am the princess. He knows I am not. And there is no way to prove such a claim. And no reason to do so.”
“As for the proof, that will be no problem,” said the woman. “My crew are quite skilled and can replicate the tattoos that are covered by your gloves.” Before Raahi could protest, she went on. “Yes, we know there is more than ink to those tattoos, and that is the tech we can duplicate.” Raahi snapped her mouth shut and tried not to show her surprise. Who were these people that could do this?
“And…” Lenore took the three steps needed to be closer without seeming threatening. “With those codes you gave me, we found the details of the alterations to your DNA so that it will explain why it does not match exactly. But there was also something else in the information we uncovered which is the third thing that you need to see.” She stepped aside and gestured at the ladder. “If you would follow me to the bridge and the secure terminal?”
As they climbed the ladder and headed down a corridor, Raahi’s stomach tightened more and more. Was it fear? Repressing the wave of emotions that she was feeling from the video? Confusion over what they could have found that concerned her? Her mind searched for any distraction.
“Excuse me, Bar- um Lenore? I have to ask. What about Lord Timatay?”
They took several more steps before Lenore answered. She paused at a ladder and seemed to be composing her thoughts.
Raahi felt a chill. “You…you didn’t…”
“No, Raahi. I didn’t kill him.” But relief was short-lived. “He took his own life when I refused to.”
Raahi was again swamped with emotion, wondering why she would be so moved at the death of one of her “owners.”
Lenore touched her lightly on the arm. “He knew he would be tortured and punished because he had let you go. Because he had allowed you to escape with the codes that would help bring down the entire organization. It is…was…quite noble what he did.” The look on Lenore’s face was also emotional which, strangely, made her feel better.
They continued up the ladder to the bridge of the ship. Lenore indicated a chair at a terminal set aside from the flight console. Raahi sat, and Lenore turned the screen away, typed in what was surely a personal code, then turned the screen back around for Raahi to read.
At first, she didn’t know what she was looking at. Lenore waited patiently for her to decipher what was exactly on the screen. Ok… they were messages… from who? Her gut clenched as she realized they were from very high ranked members of the slave organization. But when she saw who they were addressed to, a wave of nausea swamped her. She launched out of the chair and away from the console, barely stopping herself from climbing down the ladder and running away. She stood breathing heavily for several moments and firmly drew on her well-honed discipline to bring the tumult under control. Finally, she turned back to Lenore, still shocked but able to speak.
“Those…those criminals. They are in collusion with Prince Hahn.”
***
Lenore nodded, quite understanding the girl’s reaction. She had felt much the same but now it was a slow, burning anger.
“From what we can tell,” she spoke in a quiet, even voice that experience told her helped to calm others. “The organization have had their fingers in the workings of the government on your planet beginning right after you were abducted. They figured the best way to keep from being caught was to be on the inside. They quashed most investigations, bought off officials and kept their interests here quite unnoticed. Until you escaped from Timatay.”
Raahi’s eyes widened, then narrowed. She understands, thought Lenore.
“They were afraid you two would return here, so instead of secret manipulation, they openly approached the prince to help him consolidate his powers. They wanted him on the throne before the princess returned. When you didn’t come back right away, their plans weren’t as rushed, but the wheels are still in place. They have been giving the king, not poison, but a rare, relatively unknown drug that intensifies emotion. When the king had a recent upswing, they realized they needed to do more, and thus are planning his death when the prince is confirmed.”
“Jonah was right. About everything.”
“As you can see from the messages, the plan they have for the planet would devastate the economy and the people. The prince is too young to realize he will be, in fact already is, a puppet of this organization. All he wants is the power of a ruler, not caring how he gets it.”
Raahi stared at her again. “Why do you care? What’s in it for you?”
Lenore smiled, having expected this question. “Money of course.” Then her lip twisted with her next words. “And the fact that we have our own score to settle with these slavers.” She hadn’t meant to add the last, but it seemed to resonate with the young lady.
“So? Will you become the princess and keep your planet intact?”
“I…” She opened her hand and looked at the data stick she was still holding. She stared for a long moment, then straightened, spine stiffening and appearing to grow a couple of inches as she tucked the stick inside her jacket. The fire in her eyes told Lenore her decision. “Tell me about this proof with the tattoos.”
“I will let Diarmin explain that. If you would follow me back down to the lounge?”
“And Jonah. What am I going to tell Jonah?”
“Nothing,” Lenore replied, and she held up her hand to forestall the inevitable protest. “For what we plan to do, he must not appear to be involved. For his safety and yours.”
Raahi shook her head. “I don’t like it.”
“Wait until you hear the plans. You will probably like those even less.”
Chapter Fifty-nine
Jonah slumped in his chair, eyes glued to the screen. He was so upset he couldn’t muster up the energy for his usual anxious pacing. What was going on? Was Raahi really the princess? He shook his head. No. She wouldn’t have stayed away. Would have sought her father out. But… he could only imagine the horrors she had gone through. Maybe she did block it out.
What if she really was the princess? Jonah jerked his head up then let it sag again. Would she even want him? Or be angry at him for taking advantage of her? They weren’t married. Traditionally it was forbidden for royal betrothed to be together intimately before marriage, though it did happen occasionally.
He picked at his lower lip as he slumped further. He would just have to wait until she returned to tell him what happened. They would figure it out then. Together. He glanced at his wristcomp. It had been over two hours. What could be taking so long?
The personal comp beeped, and he lunged toward it, chair tipping over in his eagerness. The relief he felt at seeing Raahi’s face disappeared quickly when he realized it was a recorded message like the one Lenore had delivered. Had it only
been that morning?
“Jonah, I am sorry for not coming to you in person, but the most wondrous things have happened.” Her face was flushed, eyes bright. “I have remembered things, and I am now prepared for the next step. However,” her face dimmed a little and his stomach dropped. “I am sorry, Jonah, but we are going to have to cut all ties. Please destroy all evidence of us being together. Someone will come by soon and pick up all the other evidence that you have gathered over the years. I know you are going to argue, but I am asking you to trust me, and to know that this is all a part of the plan. It has to be this way if we are going to succeed.” She smiled, but he felt his heart breaking. “Thank you for everything Jonah.” The screen cut out with the usual sign the recording was destroyed.
Jonah could only sit there in shock. She wasn’t coming back? Break all ties? Only hours ago they were planning on running away together, making a future. He had been ready to give up everything for her, and now she wouldn’t even acknowledge him. He knew he should be crying, but all he felt was empty and numb. Now that he thought back, she had never actually said she would leave with him. Did she ever say that she loved him? He had to be brutally honest with himself. No, she never had.
When the doorbell rang, the numbness was replaced with anger. He flung the door open and stood facing Lenore and a young boy, probably in his teens.
“What did you do to her?” he yelled and reached toward her, but she shoved him off balance, and he stumbled back inside. They followed, closed the door, and Lenore pulled a small globe out of her pocket. Jonah vaguely recognized a dampening field generator, but he was too emotional to think. He quickly regained his balance, strode back toward her, fists clenched, single-mindedly ready to demand answers.
Suddenly he was on his back, staring up at the ceiling, unable to speak with the wind knocked out of him. He should have known better than to threaten a Xa’ti’al, but it was the boy who stood over him.
“Nice job, Quinn,” said Lenore who then came to look down at Jonah as well.
