“You think I’m lying?” Ax stabs him with a caustic look.
“Why are we only hearing about this now?” Logan retaliates.
“Because I’ve been preoccupied with other concerns.” He looks pointedly at me, and I flush scarlet.
“That’s not an excuse! Are you prepared to row in or not?” Logan bluntly puts him on the spot.
“I’m here, aren’t I?”
“That’s not an answer.”
Ax sighs in exasperation. “Who put you in charge anyway?”
“Axton,” the king interjects. “You of all people know the answer to that. Most others around this table haven’t seen those recordings of the future, but I’m pretty sure you have. You know how important Logan is to the future of the galaxy.”
“That was a version of the future that no longer exists. Things have already significantly altered so how do you know he is the one to deliver peace? You don’t. None of us do.”
“You may well be correct, but at this juncture, what is happening with the Saven has far-reaching implications for every nation. It’s important that we support Logan in reclaiming his birthright and ascending his throne. This is a step-change process. You are either with us or you are not,” the king says.
The statement hangs ominously in the air. Ax stares off into space before whipping his head around to look at me. I hold his gaze, pleading silently with him to get with the program, to stay the course, to keep a million miles away from his despicable mother.
“I’m invested,” is his succinct reply, and I sag in grateful relief.
“Good, now let’s get back to the matter at hand. I believe Logan made some valid points in relation to why the approach with regards to Torc has to be more carefully thought out.”
“My mother has the power to reinstate time travel which—Logan has already pointed out—could jeopardize all our plans. So that is why I need to assume control before she regains that ability.” He enunciates Logan’s name with barely concealed hatred. His fingers curl into fists.
“No. I think it’s far too risky. Way too dangerous.” I speak up, no longer concerned about protocol. “I don’t want you to go back there.”
“You lost the right to make those kind of calls when you chose him.”
My skin flares up again through a combination of embarrassment and rage. How dare he allude so blatantly to our personal situation in what is a strictly professional setting. Our personal differences are private, and they do not belong in this room. Intrigued looks fly at us from all corners, and it takes considerable effort to hold my head high. I struggle to remain calm when I look at Ax. I know he’s hurting, but that was still a low blow.
“We don’t know what she’s up to or what she might do if you show up with the High Commission Guard,” Logan adds, quickly jumping in to defuse the situation. I’m glad one of us can keep a cool head. He squeezes my hand under the table.
“Failing to take action now will only make the situation worse.” Ax leans forward, beseeching the other heirs around the table. Some nod in agreement, and others maintain blank faces.
“I think we should gather intel before we make a decision. When we are adequately informed, we can discuss the right plan of action for Axton and Torc,” Dali wisely interjects. “Arguing back and forth is getting us nowhere right now, so I suggest we table this motion for another day. Is that acceptable to you?”
By his rigid stance, I can tell Ax is unhappy, but I, for one, am glad that no concrete decision has been made yet. Now that my anger is abating, I’m concerned that his desire to get as far away from me as possible is clouding his judgment. He has no choice but to reluctantly agree, and I breathe another sigh of relief when he nods.
Catastrophe averted, for now.
After an hour and a half of serious dialogue, everyone is starting to get antsy, so the king summarizes the meeting before bringing it to a close. “So, we are agreed on certain key points, and there is further discussion needed on others. But I believe we have made real progress here today. Before I outline the agreed plan, we need to vote. While we hope you will all join our cause, if you can’t, we will respect your decision if you agree to adopt an impartial position. Let us decide.”
Lights pop up on each desk in rapid succession. With the exception of six heirs—who state they would prefer to remain detached—everyone else has pledged their allegiance to the plan. Logan, Ax, and Dali share a small celebratory smile, and hope blossoms in my chest. Maybe we can all work together without unnecessary drama.
The six neutral heirs drop out of the meeting before the king continues. “We have agreed on the following,” he starts. “Resuming control of Saven is our first priority, and installing Logan as king should halt the situation on Earth before it reaches critical status. We thank the independent states for their offer of air support, and we will gladly accept that aid. Logan will travel, with a contingent, across Saven to the Server Control Center, which is hidden in the Mendalla Mountains.”
Logan cuts in. “This unit is a secret back-up facility to the STSS. Only a handful of Saven know of this facility, myself included. Dante isn’t aware of its existence. I have a special clearance code which will enable me to shut down some of the systems temporarily.”
The king continues. “At an agreed time, Logan will deactivate the communications network and ground all air fleet on Saven. We will be hiding outside their airspace until we have word. Once we receive confirmation, we will invade and incarcerate all those who would oppose Logan. I will ensure that Chancellor Xava is on hand to officially issue the Interim Instatement Order, and then Logan will take charge of his planet. This needs to be precisely coordinated because it most likely won’t take long for the STSS to reboot communications.”
He draws a breath to take a sip of water. “At the same time, Dali and Axton will gather intel on Amara and Torc. Once we have ascertained their agenda, we will reconvene to decide on a plan of action. The aim is for Dali to ascend the throne in Amara and for Axton to fulfill the leadership position on Torc. Thereafter, all of you will either garner your king or queen’s agreement, ascend your thrones, or occupy leadership as part of a timed takeover. As agreed here today, everyone will down arms, and we will begin the process toward drafting a peace treaty.”
The king arches his spine, as he solemnly surveys the group of young men and women gathered around him. “What we have decided here today heralds the beginning of a new era in the galaxy. The road will not be easy. Our journey will involve sacrifice, and there will be much death and bloodshed before there is peace. But, I beseech you, do not lose faith. Do not lose hope. I have seen visions of the future.” He turns and looks at us. “And these two are going to lead us to peace. Trust in that. Trust in them. Trust in yourselves.”
Every pair of eyes zooms in on Logan and me. I dig my nails into his hand, but he doesn’t even flinch. My cheeks are redder than the two Amara suns. Ax’s heavy gaze presses down on me. Slowly, I turn and face him. His startling pink eyes shout a million different things. Conflict and torment are prevalent. I’m beginning to buy into his assertion—I don’t know if there will ever come a time when we can be together without anguish drawing a clear dividing line between us.
I jerk my head away as Dali sends me a sympathetic look.
Finally, the meeting breaks apart, and we all go our separate ways.
The king pulls Logan and me to one side when we return above ground. “I have one more item to discuss with you.” We follow him into his chambers. “Before we begin, Logan, would you mind fetching Lise?”
Logan looks pensive. No doubt he’s wondering why the king doesn’t just comm her, but he acquiesces. Perhaps he senses, as I do, that the king has something to discuss with me in private.
This time we sit in an informal seating area in the far corner of the room. The king sinks into one of the convex lounge chairs. It looks like it’s made of plastic, yet when I drop into the chair beside him, a soft, velvety texture envelops me. To hell wit
h formality, I think, as I kick off my shoes and pull my legs up underneath me.
The king smiles warmly. “I wanted to talk to you alone for a few minutes.”
“I figured as much. Why?”
He smiles again. “I haven’t only been watching over Logan and Dante all these years. I’ve been watching out for you, too. My friend siphoned recordings to me, and he kept me well-informed on your life back on Torc.” I shift uneasily in my seat. “I’m sorry if that thought makes you uncomfortable.” I pick at the side of one nail, unsure how to respond to that. I can’t tell him it doesn’t matter, when the reality is that all the ways in which my life has been manipulated do anger me. While I don’t doubt his intentions were honorable, it still feels like another violation.
He’s watching me intently, but I have nothing to give him, so I just shrug. “I understand your relationship with Axton, during that earlier part of your life, was a serious one.”
I open my mouth to explain, but he holds up a hand. “I don’t need any explanation, and I can only begin to imagine how difficult your position is, but we don’t have time to get into all that. Logan won’t be gone long. I need to ask you a personal question, and please forgive me in advance, but it is important.”
I rip the tip of the nail off my finger, relishing the sting. “Let me have it.”
“Do you still wish to Eterno bond with Logan?”
“Absolutely,” I answer in a heartbeat.
“Are you one hundred percent sure?”
“Yes. Logan is the one for me.”
“My understanding is that Axton and you had made plans for your future. Are you aware of that?”
He’s obviously talking about our marriage and the life we would have had if things had turned out differently. “Yes, but things are different now. That future no longer exists. I’m right where I want to be, with who I want to be.”
The door creaks open as Logan walks into the room with Lise by his side. “What’s going on?”
“I’m not completely sure. He was asking me about my intentions vis-à-vis the Eterno connection.”
Logan plops into the chair beside me as the king asks Lise to bring lunch for three.
She has barely left the room when Logan addresses the king. “Why are you inquiring into our Eterno connection?”
“I assume you have some basic comprehension of the Elders’ teachings on Eterno bonds? Do you understand how entrenched the connection becomes once the bonding has taken place?”
“Yes, I think so,” Logan replies.
“Then you understand the implications for you and Sadie with everything that is at stake.” The king looks carefully at us.
“What, specifically, are you saying?” Logan is direct, and I welcome it because I’m not sure what the king is hinting at.
“I think the safest course of action is for you two to Eterno bond immediately. I can make it happen tonight.”
CHAPTER 11
His statement lingers in the air as we both share stunned looks. I find my voice first. “I don’t understand. How is that a priority?” I grip Logan’s hand, lest he get the wrong idea.
“The Eterno concept of ‘exist as one’ is not some random, flippant notion. It speaks to the very core of the connection you share. Put simply, you will both be stronger as one unit, and I think we should take every precaution necessary, use every advantage, to ensure our success.” He rises, pushing a hand through his hair. “Look, I know it’s not a decision you can enter into lightly. I’ll leave you to discuss it in private.” He steps out of the room without waiting for a reply.
I peek shyly at Logan. He looks deep in thought. Panicky butterflies swamp my system. “Well? What do you think?”
He swivels in his chair so he’s facing me. Gently, he takes my other hand in his. “I don’t want to force you into doing something you aren’t ready for.”
“Do you want this?” I clench my lip between my teeth.
“You know I do. I have no doubts, if that’s what you’re asking.” His beautiful face looks strained. “Do you?”
“I believe in us,” I tell him honestly, staring directly into his eyes. “I’m committed to us, and I don’t have any doubts. It’s just …” I look down at our conjoined hands. “How can I give into my heart’s desire, allow myself to be happy, when Ella’s life is in danger? When I don’t even know if she is alive? Or where Jarod is right now? When there are ongoing battles on Saven and Earth?” I pick my chin up and look at him. “It doesn’t seem right or fair.”
Logan slides me over onto his lap, and I rest my head on his shoulder. “I know you’re worried about them, about everything. I am too. I’m worried about Evana and the Royal Advisory Council, my people, and my friends back on Saven. And I know it’s hard on you, to be up here when you want to be back down there. But we can’t rescue everyone at once. I wish we could, but I will sort this. I promise we won’t give up until we find your sister.”
“What if it’s too late?” I whisper, giving into my worst fears. The VP had only given me twenty-four hours to kill Logan, and that was weeks ago in Earth terms. I’m petrified to put into words what that could mean.
Logan brushes some stray strands of hair back off my face. “Let’s hope it’s not.” I respect that he doesn’t try to placate me. He understands the implications as much as I do.
A few minutes slip by before he speaks again. “I think the king’s logic is sound. Once we Eterno bond, we’ll be more intimately linked. We’ll share traits, and our ability to mindspeak will expand exponentially, irrespective of how far we are apart. I don’t know how everything will manifest, but it can only add to our collective strength. That said, I won’t push you into this, Sadie. If now isn’t the right time, we can wait. So it’s your decision.” He places a tender kiss on my cheek.
“Is this real?” I speak softly.
He runs his thumb across my lower lip. “We don’t need to put a label on our feelings, because we fit perfectly together. I am yours and you are mine. Sharing an Eterno bond, no matter how it came about, doesn’t alter that fact. We were always meant to be together.”
Tears glisten in my eyes. He always knows the absolute perfect thing to say. “Is it selfish to want to do it?”
He shakes his head. “I don’t think so. It could be argued it’s prudent to do it, but the romantic side of me won’t hear of it.” He tweaks my nose playfully. “I want to do this because I love you. Because I want to bind myself to you for all eternity. It’s as simple as that for me.” He releases a shuddering breath. “But I’m not going to force you into something you don’t want, whether it’s the timing or … anything else, holding you back.”
He thinks this is because of Ax? That I’m not sure?
I take a long, hard, inner look at myself. I want this with him, I genuinely do, and what I said about feeling selfish, and guilty, and worried and scared over Ella, is all true, but there is also another sentiment holding me back.
I’m terrified.
Terrified of losing myself.
Terrified of something going wrong.
Terrified of sleeping together, which is kind of ridiculous, because the thought also excites me.
I’ve dreamed of having this with him, and now I’m running scared?
Sitting up straighter, I stare into the hidden depths of his eyes. If we are going to be as one, I need to start giving him insight in to how I’m feeling. “Would it make sense if I said I’m scared?”
“Completely. Would it help if I said I’m scared too?”
That surprises me. “What are you afraid of?”
“Hurting you. Changing you. That you might turn around one day and realize you made the wrong decision.” He averts his eyes but not before I see the flash of anguish.
My heart pings around my chest. “We’re both going to change, and we don’t know in what ways, so I’d say that’s a healthy fear. But the rest? You won’t hurt me. I know you won’t. I mean, Alex is okay, right?” I vocalize my last fear
.
Logan touches my lips with his fingers and my mouth tingles all over. “Losing your conscience is definitely not something to worry about. Neve and Alex are at it like rabbits, and he’s perfectly fine.” He chuckles, as I blush.
“Jeez, not the type of visual I wanted. Thanks.” I roll my eyes.
His confident swagger falters. “Are you sure about me? That I’m what you want? I mean, you and him …”
I hate that my past keeps threatening my future. Pressing my lips to his forehead, I spear him with a fiercely determined look. “The feelings I have for you are undeniable. My heart is yours. Always. I won’t ever regret choosing you, Logan, and that’s a promise.”
As the words leave my mouth, they strengthen my resolve. While this is a life-altering decision, I’m being silly, because I’ve already decided to go there with him. Whether it is now or at a later time, nothing will amend that fact. So, there’s no point in hesitating, in procrastinating. If the king thinks it will make us stronger, and he can accommodate it now, it would be mad not to take that step, not when I decided ages ago that I wanted to take that step with Logan.
Cupping his face, I push my fear aside. “I want to Eterno bond with you today. Let’s do it.”
Blistering emotion burns the back of his hesitantly hopeful eyes. “Really? You’re sure?”
My smile is expansive. “I am. I want to connect with you in every way possible. I’ve already chosen my life, and it’s with you. There is no need to wait. I want this. Now. Tonight. Forever.”
His mouth collides with mine in wild abandon. Every brush of his lips, every sweep of his tongue, ferments the decision. I am ready to give myself to him completely. The thought makes me giddy with excitement.
An embarrassed cough breaks our embrace. We pull apart, panting with frenzied need. The king looms over us sheepishly. “I apologize, but time is ticking. Have you made a decision?”
“We have,” I answer for us. “We want to Eterno bond tonight.”
Saven Defiance (The Saven Series Book 4) Page 14
