Beyond Orion

by Laura D. Bastian

  “They have made vast improvements on mining techniques since the ban was established,” he persisted. “There would be no risk of contaminating the water supply and those with ore finding Talents will know the precise location to start digging. We could use the revenue created by the taxes imposed on the ore they extract to fund many of the programs necessary for our world.”

  “Have you forgotten the earthquake already?” I looked out the new window and fingered the piece of glass I’d insisted on keeping as a reminder of how things could change in an instant. The perfect triangle had been mounted on a polished piece of yew.

  “I remember it. But the geologists can’t find any definitive results that the mining caused the quake.”

  “Marcus.” I felt like I was talking to a child who wanted to get his way. “The results were inconclusive, yes. But there had been no signs of a quake before. No little tremors, no seismic activity of any kind, until the quake itself. There was nothing to indicate it started anywhere else but there.”

  “But—” He stopped when I held up my hand.

  “That mountain is off-limits and it’s time to tell you why.” I moved over to the picture hiding my father’s safe. I slid it to the side and placed my hand on the scanner.

  Marcus watched me as I closed the safe door after pulling out the file I needed and returned to my desk. I sat on the chair and felt him behind me, looking over my shoulder.

  I glanced at him, catching my breath at the unexpected wave of desire. He was so close and smelled amazing. A perfect combination of his own musk and a spicy cologne. I could usually forget we were technically married. He kept himself in control and behaved honorably at all times, but every now and then I was caught by surprise at the absolute perfection of him.

  At moments like these I didn’t want to pursue the option of a divorce or annulment. In fact, I hadn’t thought about it for some time now. I watched the pulse in his neck, admiring the smooth skin and the hint of stubble on his jawline. I watched a small smile form, starting at the corner of his mouth until it broadened enough to reveal two perfect dimples. Why had I never noticed those dimples? A small wrinkle under his eyes brought my attention to the light hazel irises that sparkled with amusement. I turned my head back to the papers on my desk and coughed to clear my throat, ready to die of embarrassment.

  “This is the reason we can’t mine there.” I touched the report from the scientist and hoped Marcus would take it and read it somewhere else, but to my horror and immense pleasure, he remained behind me, leaning over me to read.

  “What exactly is niamon?” he asked.

  I slid the drawer in front of me open. He stepped back, and disappointment washed over me. I reached into the back for the used-up Traveling medallion. “This was made of niamon.”

  Marcus took the leather strap and placed the medallion in the palm of his hand. “What is it?”

  “It allowed me to Travel to Earth and back.”

  “Niamon makes Traveling possible?”

  I nodded. “But our medallions will only allow two trips.”

  “And you don’t want to find more of it? I thought you said there was no more of this ore to make these medallions. That you would never be able to return there. That Jai was lost to you forever?”

  “I did. That’s all still true. I cannot allow the mining of niamon to happen. It’s embedded so deep it’s nearly impossible to get to without destroying the entire range. The consequences of that would be devastating for our city.”

  “But mining techniques have changed since your father first declared those mountains off-limits. The council has agreed to open it up for surveys and studies.”

  “More mining will cause us so many problems, it isn’t worth it. The little we have remaining of the niamon found years ago by my great-grandfather will be enough to combine with the other elements the scientists have used. We can still make teleportation possible, but we cannot do it at the expense of our livelihood and well-being.”

  “But if just a little bit of niamon can be used to create this, why not allow some surface mining?”

  “It isn’t found on the surface. It is deep in the earth. All of our Ore Talents we trust with this information have agreed there is no pure niamon on top.”

  Marcus returned to his couch and looked at me, saying nothing, but appearing deep in thought. I returned to my other duties as I waited for him to come to a conclusion on his own. We would continue the discussion when he was ready.

  “Do we have a supply of the other materials needed for this new blend?” Marcus asked.

  “We have most of it here on Rommader but not all. Part of it comes from one of Dempka’s moons. Zast ore is what we use to power our Space Travel. We’ve been trading with them for centuries in exchange for allowing them to hire our Healers and get rodite for artificial gravity and yoshida for cooling the reactors. We also need panonium from Kas and langstrom from Oshan.”

  “If we continue to get these items, we’ll be able to make Traveling medallions?”

  “According to this report.”

  “Why haven’t you acted on this yet? Why didn’t your father begin production?”

  “I’m not sure why Father waited. Perhaps as he got sicker, it became less important.”

  “Why haven’t you?”

  “Because I hadn’t had a chance to speak with you about it. I found these files a few days ago and wanted to speak with the scientist to understand it better. Then we found out about our unexpected visitors and things got off track.”

  “You really wanted to speak with me before making a decision?” The surprise in Marcus’s voice was evident. I put down the paper I’d been holding and looked directly at him.

  What could I say? That I hadn’t been sure I could trust him with the information at first? I took a slow breath. “Of course. I would need to get your consensus. You are the king.”

  “And you are the queen. You’ve been trained for this your entire life. I’m still learning things, obviously. There is no way I would have known how to prepare things for the banquet. I could have caused a rift in the interplanetary relations.” Marcus removed his ankle from his knee and leaned forward, watching me closely. “I understand how frustrated you are at not having the power and control you should have been granted at your father’s death. But I am humbled, and pleased, that you would think to work with me in all matters of the kingdom.”

  His words soothed me, making me feel more tenderness toward him. I didn’t know if he was doing it on purpose or if he was naturally this way, but if I wasn’t careful, I’d find myself liking this man. And that was something I didn’t want to deal with right now. There was too much going on to let emotional attachment get in the way.

  “I should schedule an appointment with the scientists on this sometime this week. Would you like to accompany me?” I met his eye.

  “It would be my pleasure.”

  “And until we know more about the Fuhan and Pacell Mountains’ stability, the ban on mining will remain in place.”

  Marcus nodded. “Understood. However, I would like to commission a study to be done on it. Perhaps K and S Solutions could find traces of niamon on the Pacells as they drill for their copper.”

  “I agree to a study being completed.”

  He smiled at me and I felt my heart melt a little more. Darn the man.

  He looked at the list. “But those are so expensive to trade for. Can we afford to use those elements in research when we need them for Space Travel?”

  “If we can create something that allows us to Travel long distances without effort, the cost will be worth it.”

  Marcus leaned back, his hand coming up to rub at his chin in thought. “Will it really?” He examined the spent Traveling medallion. “With something that allowed such easy movement, we could have problems. What if someone used it to go where they shouldn’t? There would need to be studies to learn the limitations to its use. Do you have to know where you’re going? Do you have to have been
there before? Is there danger to the body to Travel so much?”

  “I have no idea.” I shook my head. “But you’re right. What if someone decided to attack another world? There would be no stopping an army that could Travel like that.” I eyed the formula for unlimited Travel on the desk. “We have to keep this secret. We can’t develop this any further, can we?”

  Chapter Fourteen

  Compromise

  I stood in front of the mirror and adjusted my gown. The deep black of mourning accentuated my figure and made my pale face and green eyes seem more vibrant. I wished I had something to lessen the severity of the dress. Though I had worn these frequently before going to Earth, it still felt odd to wear a dress so often. I was torn between being the ruler my father wanted me to be and the young girl I still felt I was. How could I hope to rule this nation? Marcus was a huge asset, but he still didn’t know all the ins and outs of ruling. We made a good team, and together we could probably weather this storm I felt coming.

  I was still irritated with the ruling council. Why they thought it was a good idea to invite four neighboring planets to ours during this time of transition was beyond me. If I had the authority, I would fire Jonah and replace him with someone I could trust. Unfortunately, the people were involved in the assignments of council members. And he still had a few years on his term. It was best to tolerate him and work around him if possible.

  One last look in the mirror to check my makeup and I turned to allow Delilah to help me with the emerald necklace. She had brought these stones back with her from Earth, and had them made into this gorgeous piece for me.

  “I can’t get over how well they match your eyes,” Delilah said.

  “Thank you for them. It reminds me of that simpler time.”

  Delilah smiled. “Surely you don’t wish to be back on Earth, do you?”

  I fingered the necklace and shook my head. “It’s hard to put into words. It was a trying time for sure, and I missed Rommader more than I let on. Leaving my father was torture. I always thought I’d be back to spend more time with him before he died.”

  Delilah pulled me into a gentle hug. She was almost a mother to me after the loss of my own mother, and I loved her dearly.

  “But I miss Jai and Holly. I wonder every day what they are up to. I hope Jai managed to save Ramal. I take Shander’s continued absence as a good sign, but I still can’t rest easy. Did they take care of him? It’s been more than three weeks since we left. I keep waiting for Shander to show up any minute. And if he does, I don’t know if I could handle one more thing to deal with.”

  Delilah pulled back from me. “The people have voted for Marcus, and have accepted you. There is no way Shander could get the kingdom now without a massive uprising.”

  “Yet he would do it. He wouldn’t care the cost it demanded from the people. If he could get enough followers, he’d try.”

  Delilah put her hand on my shoulder and spoke softly. “Don’t let him worry you. Jai is highly capable.”

  I nodded. “I have other things to occupy my mind. Instead of Shander and betrayal from the inside, I get to worry about being attacked or manipulated from the outside. I dread this ball, Delilah. I don’t want to attend. Why can I not claim I’m still in mourning? This has all been too soon.”

  I had been unconscious, recovering from the assassination attempt, when my father was buried. I had only been able to visit his grave once since he was laid to rest there. Normally, the mourning period would last for a month, but nothing was normal about all of this.

  Delilah gathered me into another hug, bringing a sense of calmness and peace to my heart. “We are all tried and tested. Some days more harshly than others. And you have endured much, my dear. But there is still a long way to go in your journey. Each success will bring more opposition. Each triumph will bring something new to experience, but you have a good head on your shoulders, and you have people who love and support you. Don’t ever forget we are here for you. Ryad, Marshal, and I will do all in our power to assist you. Remember that. And Marcus is...”

  I pulled away from her enough to look into her eyes. “Marcus is what?”

  “Marcus is yours completely. I know you claim you don’t want him. At least as your soul mate. But let him be your king. Trust him. Go to him in times of need. Lean on his strength.”

  “I do trust him.”

  “Do you truly? Have you allowed him to rule beside you? Or are you using him as an assistant?”

  “An assistant?” The word was too close to what I had thought of him as.

  Delilah smiled. “What have you given him as far as responsibilities? Have the two of you broken up the duties of ruling a nation equally, or are you trying to do it all?” She smoothed back a loose curl from my face, tucking it behind my ear. “Even your dear father allowed others to help him.”

  “And look where Shander went with that authority.”

  “Not just Shander. Your father delegated the responsibilities out. Look at Marshal and me. Look at Ramal and Jai. He knew that in order to take care of what was solely his, he had to let others do what they could.”

  “Are you saying I’m not doing a good job as queen?” I blinked back the tears, hating how Delilah’s words stung.

  “That is not what I’m saying. You are doing well as the queen, but you could also let Marcus be king. Give him some authority in your mind. Not just in the minds of the people. When the two of you actually become one in the governing of this world, you will be able to handle whatever comes your way. The people will see how you are meant to rule together. I know you’ve trusted him with the secrets of the niamon. That was a bold step. Now trust him with dignitaries from our neighbors. Together you will be an unstoppable pair.”

  Delilah turned to the dressing table and picked up the earrings she had made to complement the necklace. I absently placed them in my ears as I thought over her words. Had I not been allowing Marcus to rule? Had I taken over everything? Memories of me sitting at my father’s desk in our office rushed me. He spent much of his time on his favorite couch, reading the histories and the laws of the world. I gave him jobs and things to do, but they were usually the mundane irritating things about ruling.

  And only once had I discussed anything important with him. I decided how to handle the dignitaries. I decided how much information to give him about the niamon. I told him what to demand or say to the council members. But why had he let me? He had seemed so strong and stubborn when I first arrived. Was I taking control, or was he giving it to me?

  Delilah didn’t speak more about it, but the look in her eye as she escorted me to the guards let me know she was pleased I was giving her suggestion some serious thought.

  “Thank you, Delilah. As always, you are exactly what I need. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”

  She squeezed my hand and then took a step behind me as we walked down the hallway. The regiment of guards had not dwindled in size, even with my pleadings to Ryad. With this many surrounding me, I doubted I’d be attacked from the outside. And given Ryad’s strict screenings, I was sure I was safe from them. But how would it look to the dignitaries if I was surrounded by bodyguards?

  Ryad met us at the intersection of the hallways and slipped through the guards to offer me his hand. I took it in the casual way I’d held it on Earth. Simple friendship instead of the formal offering usually shown.

  “Don’t you think this is a bit much?” I motioned with my free hand to the surrounding guards.

  “I value your life more than you do, apparently.”

  I smiled at him. “That is kind of you. But I doubt there will be an attempt made on my life given all your precautions.”

  “Exactly.” He squeezed my hand and let it go. I felt a sense of loss, but didn’t know how much was from me, or if it had come through the oath bond.

  I took a slow steadying breath. “I can’t be completely surrounded at all times. I must interact with the guests at the banquet.”

  “And you s
hall. This escort will not accompany you everywhere. That is what I am for.”

  Though he didn’t look at me, I knew he was acutely aware of everything about me. The oath bond seemed to be amplified when he wasn’t in complete control of his emotions. My heart hurt at the thought of what might have been.

  I hadn’t imagined his interest in me on Earth, but here, in these messed-up circumstances, he’d been forced to completely shut down all feelings for me. I loved him for his honesty, and his morality. I was married to someone else. Whether I liked it or not. And Ryad was being a perfect gentleman, and an even better bodyguard than Jai or Carl.

  By Ryad’s insistence, the banquet was to be held in the palace. The security was much easier to manage here than anywhere else. Besides, having the dignitaries housed in the guest wings allowed Ryad the permission to thoroughly check them for weapons or chemicals that would be dangerous. He did that to all guests, whether from Rommader or one of the visiting planets.

  I was grateful for his diligence, but wished there was no reason for it. I couldn’t help thinking back to all those spy and espionage movies he watched while we were on Earth. I’d thought it strange at the time, but now seeing some of the steps he’d gone through to watch for threats made me wonder if he’d planned on a change of career paths once he returned.

  His ability to assimilate another’s Talent while with them gave him an advantage over most anyone. I glanced at him, wondering if it were possible for him to deceive me. I felt many things through his oath bond to me. But would I be able to detect any hint of deception? His eyes were constantly on the move, watching everything around us. His body tensed for a moment, and I tore my gaze from him to see Marcus waiting at the end of the hall.

  The sight of him in his royal uniform took my breath away for a moment. I could see Ryad look at me from the corner of my eye, but I couldn’t help staring at the magnificence before me. Marcus was built exactly as a man should be. Tall, strong, perfectly proportioned. Nothing seemed out of place or odd about him. It hit me once again that he was actually bound to me by marriage. I felt sorry for the other women in the world who could never have him. And for a fraction of a moment felt sorry for myself that I had decided he would never truly be mine. I would not be forced into a relationship. It was just business.