by J. A. Comley
They re-entered the open-plan lounge. Naleiya was leaning against the mantle, looking at a family picture Starla hadn't noticed before. When she remembered exactly why her skills of observation had been so lacking at the time, she felt her blood begin to race again.
Larkel lightly kissed Starla. “After the meeting, I will check into this,” he said, briefly holding up her baby bracelet before pocketing it. “Shall we meet for lunch at one?” he asked.
“It will have to be a late lunch, say, two?” Naleiya said, before Starla could speak. “I assume Starla is your date tonight?” she asked as the pair turned to her. “If so, she will need some preparation time this morning,” she smiled at Starla, “and some lessons in Galatian protocol.”
“Thank you.” He beamed at his big sister. He hadn't thought about that. “All right, then, two o'clock. Here, this is where we'll eat.” Through their connection, he quickly sent her his memory of how to reach the restaurant. “See you then.”
On his way out of the door, he gave his sister a meaningful look and Starla was certain he was using the mental connection he had with other Makhi to tell her something.
Starla turned timidly back to Naleiya as Larkel left his house. Her indigo eyes looked inquisitive, as if she had just discovered an interesting puzzle and was trying to solve it. Then her face smoothed and she smiled over at Starla.
“Come on then, let's go. We'll meet up with Lia at her house.”
“There is no need to feel embarrassed,” Naleiya finally said into the silence as they passed another glass-spun mansion. “I am glad to see my brother so happy.” Starla just caught the flicker of protective warning that flashed through his sister's eyes
Starla squared her shoulders. “I like to see him happy too. I would never hurt him.”
Naleiya gave Starla a side-long glance. Pointedly, as if asking the question would prove this to her, she said, “Starla, do you know what happened sixteen years ago?”
Starla missed a step and nearly fell over her own feet. “Yes,” she whispered, with a profound sadness in her voice. “I am very sorry.”
Naleiya stopped, white robe swirling. She looked into the sincere emerald eyes of this stranger. “Thank you.” Taking a deep breath she ploughed on. “You know that my brother has never forgiven himself?”
Starla grimaced as she remembered the pain she had felt while she had shared Larkel's mind. She nodded mutely, not trusting her voice.
Naleiya's eyes widened a little as she realised that her brother must have shown Starla his story, rather than just telling it. “Do you know that many people here believe that he should have been executed? That they believe he is a murderer?”
“I didn't until he showed me.” Starla's voice was hard and cold. “I'm still not sure I understand how they could think such a thing.”
Naleiya smiled thinly. “They lost family members, people they loved. I guess they believe that my brother took too long to act, or that he should have taken the Curse instead of our father, or—” Though she was clearly trying to understand the people's sentiment, a deep anger burned in her eyes, a fire that was matched in Starla's. “I think you and I are going to get along wonderfully.” She said, suddenly smiling.
Starla fell into step silently, glad that that particular conversation was over. Her heart felt heavy, too full of sadness and anger. Taking a deep breath, she forced herself to shake it off. Today was a day of celebration, no doubt much needed in this time of war.
“So, what do you do for the Makhi Order?” Starla asked.
“I generally work in the healing department. But recently I was sent with one of the Makhi contingents to help evacuate some settlements. I have just come back from Simik.” A sad look in her eyes.
“Simik!” Starla gasped, drawing Naleiya to a stop as they entered the Rothers' property. “Was there a family there, um, Thum! That's it, the Thums. Were they there? Were they safe? Did they come back with you? Did they—”
“Whoa!” Naleiya held up her hands at the onslaught of questions. “I'm not sure. There were a lot of people. I only really spoke to those who needed immediate healing, as in, on the verge of death. I was really just there as added security.”
“Can you find out? Right now?” Starla asked, locking eyes with Naleiya, who, she noticed on some other level, was the same height as her.
Looking puzzled, Naleiya nodded slowly then let her eyes lose focus.
Starla waited anxiously, shifting her weight from one foot to the other and then back again.
When Naleiya came back to herself, she raised her eyebrows at Starla. “Yes, there is a family named Thum, though we know this only from the youngest, a child of about five. The mother and two elder children are still unconscious in the Magical Injuries Hospice. Now, may I know why you asked?” Looking up at the house, she smiled and waved to Lia, who was just closing the door, having seen them from her window.
Briefly, Starla told of her arrival at the City and of her trial. Finishing, she greeted Lia, who looked a little worried.
Naleiya had an amused smile on her face by the time Starla finished. “I should have guessed my brother would have chosen someone with a knack for trouble,” she said, playfully, saying hello to Lia in the same breath.
Starla smiled back. “Yes. Well, do you think we could find Officer Thum?”
“Sure. We can take the long way and pass by the command tower on the way into Market District.”
Starla walked on a few paces before she realised the others were not following. Thinking she had gone in the wrong direction, she turned to look for them. Lia was whispering furiously with Naleiya and pointing in Starla's direction. After a moment, they both saw her watching them and turned, closing the distance to Starla.
“Sorry,” Naleiya said, noting the curiosity in Starla's eyes and was that … yes, she was hurt too. “Lia was just expressing concern for your well-being.”
Starla looked to Lia, who blushed faintly. “I … I was worried that you might not know about the High Lord's past. I was worried that you would both end up getting hurt. I knew he hadn't told you and then you didn't come back last night and, well—” She shrugged, “I am sorry.”
Starla chuckled, waving a hand to dismiss the offence. “Thank you. For worrying about me, that is. It is good to know I have some real friends. But I do know. And I still love him as fiercely as before.”
The walk to the Command Tower was filled with light-hearted chatter as Lia and Naleiya filled each other in on the past few months apart. Starla smiled, enjoying the warm sun on her face, listening to her new friends talk.
“Makhi Naleiya,” a guard said, bowing deeply, “Duchess Shaneulia.” He looked dubiously at Starla before nodding politely then turning back to Naleiya.
“Is my wife in?” Naleiya asked, her tone business-like. “Call her, please,” she added as the Imperial officer nodded.
Wife? The social norms of this place were vastly different from Earth. Clearly there was more to get used to than just new creatures and strange-looking people. The acceptance of differences here was refreshing.
“You're married to a woman? In the Imperial Guard?” Starla asked, surprised. She had assumed Larkel's sister would be married to another Makhi.
Naleiya winked conspiratorially. “Not just any woman.”
“Darling!” Someone stepped from the tower, took Naleiya in her arms and kissed her. “I've missed you,” she whispered.
Starla felt her mouth open in surprise, then looked away, not wanting to intrude.
“Duchess Shaneulia, Miss Starla.”
Starla's eyes snapped up. “High Commander,” she bowed, smiling from Naleiya to her wife.
“Starla would like to know if we could get a message to Officer Gruyard Thum concerning his wife and children,” Naleiya said and explained where to find them.
The High Commander's eyebrows rose in surprise, then an approving smile lit up her face as she turned her gaze to Starla. “Absolutely. Thank you for bringing me the in
formation so quickly. I will see it sent out immediately. I know it will mean a lot to him,” she added, softly, laying a hand on her shoulder. “Now, I must send this message and then leave to see the King.” She kissed her wife once more then headed back into the tower to send the dispatch.
“Thank you,” Starla called after the young Commander.
Not that young, she reminded herself, smiling.
“Shall we do dresses first?” Lia asked as they turned for the Market District.
“Yes. I ordered mine before I left. Hopefully, it'll be perfect,” Naleiya answered.
“I called ahead and asked them to lay out any appropriate dresses in your size,” Lia added to Starla as they entered the store. “I'm sorry you'll have to pick from the rack, but there's always next year.” She smiled warmly, then her smile faded.
A heavy silence fell between them and Starla wondered if they were also wondering if this war would allow them a 'next year'.
“Good afternoon, ladies,” Savianna said, brightly, eyebrows rising slightly as she spotted Starla. “Your dresses are in room C. Karissa will help you,” she said, regaining her formal manner.
“Thank you,” Naleiya smiled, leading the way to the very back of the store.
Their assistant, Karissa, bowed deeply as they entered.
The room was a big half-pentagon. In it stood three dress mannequins. One held a Makhi robe of gossamer white. Beneath it was a pale, turquoise sheath dress with a slit all the way up one thigh and a scalloped bust. Another held an asymmetric soft green dress, with a sheer overhang from the bust down. Its single sleeve glittered faintly with golden blossoms, matching the pattern on the overhang. The third held a strapless, white and gold gown with diamonds flowing up from the right hip and ending just below the bust. More diamonds were scattered along the full skirt.
Next to Karissa stood a short dress rack with two rails, one empty and one holding six gowns of various designs.
“Go on,” Naleiya encouraged, grinning broadly. Lia nodded eagerly behind her.
As the others dressed and started discussing any changes, Starla moved to the rack.
The dresses were all beautiful. Starla ran her hand appreciatively over the soft fabrics, over the hand stitched details that must have taken days, if not weeks, to complete.
“Ah, you're all here,” a husky, feminine voice said.
The woman was tall and curvaceous. Her ebony skin was flawless, the light seeming to reflect off it as she moved towards Starla.
“I am Zerina Lutimo.” She nodded to Starla, her deep purple-black hair rippling in thick waves down her back. Her slightly pointed ears held four studs each.
Starla's eyes were fixed on the gold crown the woman wore. She recognised her from her first day here. This was the Queen of Cosmaltia.
“I am Starla. It is an honour to meet you, Your Majesty,” she managed, bowing deeply.
The young Queen smiled, her amber eyes brightening. “None of that. We are all friends. I hear our High Lord will be smiling more often, now,” she added, winking at Naleiya over Starla's shoulder, her vertical pupils dilating.
Starla blushed. How many people had been talking about her? Suddenly, all the stares she and Larkel had received made sense. The aloof and cold High Lord was all that the people knew. It must have been a shock to see him smiling and laughing like any other man in love. It must also seem unfair to those who wished him only misery.
The others giggled at Starla's blush as Zerina moved over to inspect her sleeveless gown.
“We have all been waiting a long time for him to be happy again,” Naleiya whispered, sobering.
Starla nodded and turned back to her dress options. She discarded the burnt orange, the white and the dark-pink ones, shifting them to the empty second rail. She was left with a dove-grey gown that had an open back ending in a bow; an emerald green one with a neckline to her bellybutton and silver accents; and one of deep, midnight-blue, with embroidered golden designs creating an hourglass effect on the abdomen. Further designs moved along the halter straps around the neck and bordered the long open back, which ended in a V. The back of the dress had a loose middle pane to give it a slight train. This was also in covered in gold embroidery. Looking closer at the design, she noted the tiny birds swooping between the curling vines.
From the corner of her eye, Starla saw Zerina emerge from the changing partition. In her white and gold dress, she looked every bit the queen. As she stood before the mirrors with the other two, Starla noted that she did not seem as excited by the coming festivities as the others did.
Catching Starla's eye in the mirror, Lia hurried down, her soft green gown a beautiful contrast to her red-toned skin.
“Is there nothing you like?” she asked, her eyes worried.
“They are all so beautiful it is hard to choose,” Starla smiled, pacifying her friend.
“Duchess Shaneulia?” Karissa called, holding a measuring tape and some pins.
“Choose quickly so that they can have time to adjust it to you if need be,” Lia said as she hurried over to the assistant.
Naleiya walked over, the slit in her dress revealing a nicely shaped leg. “If you'd like my opinion, I'd say the emerald one, for your eyes.”
Starla smiled distractedly, looking over at Zerina again. The young woman paced back and forth before the mirrors with feline grace.
“Is she alright?” Starla whispered, hoping that her question was not taken as prying.
Naleiya's cheerful smile fell away. “Her planet was the first to fall. It used to be beautiful, full of lush colourful gardens, bursting with glorious wildlife. Now, it is only darkness and fire,” Naleiya explained, keeping her own voice low as she patted the emerald dress. “She managed to escape after the assassination of her father. Through great skill and cunning, she also managed to save a third of her people. They arrived here eleven years ago today. It is still a difficult time for her.”
“Yes, it is.” Zerina's husky voice made Starla jump. “But we should not dwell on dark things,” she added. A good natured smile spread a flash of white on her dark face. “We have other appointments to keep.”
“I am sorry,” Starla said. Zerina nodded once and headed to a room to change back into her teal V-neck tunic.
“I should change, too,” Naleiya said.
“Do you mind if we leave you here a while?” Lia asked, already changed, as Starla pulled the midnight-blue dress from the rack.
“Not at all,” Starla said, confusion colouring the words and making them sound like a question.
“We need to book hair appointments before it is too late,” Lia explained. “We will go and do that and then meet you back at my house, okay?”
Starla managed a nod, trying not to feel nervous. It would be the first time she had ever moved around the city alone.
“I'll stay with her,” Naleiya said.
Starla turned, wondering if Naleiya had noticed her nervousness. Larkel's sister grimaced apologetically, then gestured to her Makhi robe by way of explanation.
“Of course,” Starla murmured. She still had to be watched. She had still not told anyone her secret. That must have been what Larkel had told his sister before he left. Smiling ruefully, she lifted the midnight-blue dress off the rail and headed to the partition to change.
Larkel was pacing in front of the throne room doors, his staff clicking out a staccato rhythm on the blue and gold chequered tiles. When he had arrived here this morning, he had been informed that the Baron was holding private audience with the King. He felt his anger flare again.
What lies was the Baron spreading now? He had already cancelled his lunch with Starla and Naleiya as the Baron's audience dragged on. He ground his teeth together.
Suddenly, the door flew open and an enraged Baron emerged. He marched straight past Larkel without looking up, muttering profanities under his breath.
Larkel grinned at the Baron's retreating back and then darted into the throne room, his mood greatly improved, an
d bowed deeply to the King and Prince.
“My King,” he bowed smoothly at the waist, “Prince Niden.”
“High Lord Larkel,” the King said, his voice hard. Larkel felt his good mood falter slightly. “The Baron came here greatly distressed. He informed us that you are keeping secrets from us, discoveries that your Order has made, discoveries you, personally, have made. He claims that your Order is divided, filled with spies. He says the disunity of the Makhi will cost us everything.”
Larkel looked up when the King finished, prepared to clarify any “secrets” the Baron claimed he was keeping, but the King's kind, brown eyes held a spark of amusement.
“Of course, we all know why the Baron behaves that way,” Prince Niden said, a shadow passing momentarily over his face. He paused, seeming to shake off a dark memory.
The King returned his focus to Larkel. “Come. Give us your report, High Lord,”
“Yes, your majesty. I wished to bring the report in personally,” started Larkel as he relayed all the information Redkin Gullit had discovered.
“How is our human guest?” the King inquired after Larkel mentioned the Order's failed attempts to contact Gaby.
“Yes, Larkel, what has our visitor been doing?” Niden added with a mischievous glint in his eye.
Larkel felt his mouth twitch up in a half smile. He and Prince Niden had attended the Royal Academy together. Although Niden was fourteen years older than Larkel and had acted more as a tutor, they had still become fast friends. Niden had lived mostly on Cosmaltia with his family, son to the King's youngest daughter. Too soon, he had become the only living heir to the Galatian throne.
“She is adjusting well. I believe she likes it very much here.” His tone gave away more than intended.
“Can't imagine why,” Prince Niden laughed. “Charmed by the High Lord himself. I must say though, my friend, it is good to see you … happy.” He seemed to choose a more appropriate word.
