The Heir

by Jessie Donovan

  She wasn’t going to lie to her son, but she needed to placate him for a little while. “Perhaps. But for now, just work with us. We might need your help. You probably wish to keep Toralyn safer than any of us.”

  Silence stretched and Azalyn sent a silent thank you to Keltor for giving their son time to decide for himself.

  There may be hope for them yet.

  Nodding, Kelzal said, “For now. And I would start by allowing me to improve the security of the palace.”

  Keltor spoke again. “Considering you helped Toralyn escape, I think that wise. You may go and begin on that, Kelzal. We will seek you out later to hear your suggestions.”

  Before her son could stand, Azalyn leaned forward and engulfed him in a hug.

  At first, he merely sat there. But slowly he brought his arms up and hugged her back.

  It’d taken decades, but she finally held her son in her arms.

  Tears prickled her eyes, but Azalyn forced them back. Crying would only make Kelzal uncomfortable and possibly ruin the moment.

  After a few more seconds, she released him and stood. “Go, Kelzal. We’ll keep you updated on Toralyn’s progress and whereabouts.”

  He nodded and moved toward the door. Right before he reached it, Keltor said, “Contact me at any time, Kelzal. I value your help and input.”

  Only a brief nod acknowledged he’d heard, and then Kelzal was gone.

  With a sigh, Azalyn faced Keltor. “At some point, I hope things become easier.”

  Taking her hand, Keltor replied, “Me, too. Now, as much as I’d love nothing more than to hold you close and nibble the side of your neck, I must reach out to Xerla. While I do, you need to contact Jasvar.”

  She blinked. “Me? Shouldn’t you do it?”

  “As much as I’ve started to admire my brother’s bride, I have a feeling she’d be more at ease discussing issues with the future queen of Keldera, especially since Kason and I have only begun to patch relations between us. Besides, it will be a good way to strengthen ties. After all, you will be in charge of the Jasvarian-related campaign. Taryn getting familiar with you will only make that easier.”

  If she hadn’t already fallen in love with him, his faith in her and his unflinching belief she could handle things would’ve done it.

  What she wouldn’t give for an hour alone with her future lord.

  Because, yes, she was going to find a way to keep him.

  “I’ll do it.” She lowered her voice. “And keep including me and treating me as an equal, and I may just have to reward you, your majesty.”

  Smiling, he placed a possessive hand on her rear. “I look forward to it, your future majesty.”

  Tempting as it was to pull Keltor down for a kiss, she resisted. “Now, go. Because if you stay here much longer, it’s going to be hard for me to concentrate on my tasks.”

  “As you wish, zyla.”

  Keltor exited the room, and Azalyn let out a huge sigh. If she ever wanted her male, she’d better get to work.

  Chapter Sixteen

  Stretching her arms over her head, Azalyn wondered if the leader of Jasvar would ever reply to her request.

  Yes, the waiting had given Azalyn a chance to study as much as she could about Jasvar and its leader. The idea of a matriarchal society was difficult for her to believe, given her forty years spent on Keldera.

  And while Azalyn would probably never have the chance to leave Keldera to see the strange culture on Jasvar, she had a feeling her daughter would enjoy the freedoms promised there.

  The light finally blinked on Keltor’s private comm unit and Azalyn took a deep breath before hitting Receive.

  The brown-eyed, lightly tanned face of Taryn Demara appeared on screen, but so did the golden-skinned, blue-haired face of Prince Kason.

  Before Azalyn could do more than open her mouth, Taryn said in accented Kelderan, “He translate only.” She switched to the Common Earth Language—CEL—but Azalyn only knew a handful of words and couldn’t follow along.

  Once the human female stopped talking, Kason spoke up. “I’m only here to translate for my bride. She says that she’s happy to finally meet you.” Taryn elbowed Kason in the side, and he grunted. “Vala has said much about you and Taryn hopes Keltor is treating you well.”

  Azalyn studied the slightly younger version of Keltor. Given the way the human female prodded him along, he was nothing like the reputation she’d heard about in the various cities.

  Gone was the calculating former general who never showed emotion and in his place was a male who didn’t mind taking orders from a female.

  If her influence on Prince Kason wasn’t enough, Taryn’s kind eyes and smile made Azalyn feel as if she could tell the female anything. Well, maybe if Kason weren’t in the room.

  Taryn said in Kelderan, “Keltor treat well?”

  The question brought her back to the present, and she nodded. “Yes. More than well, actually.” She glanced at Kason and back to Taryn. Since Azalyn had no idea if the line were secure, she kept her next statement vague. “We may even have some news soon.”

  Taryn grinned. “Good news, yes?”

  “I thought you couldn’t understand me?” Azalyn asked.

  Kason chimed in. “She has a translating device in her ear, so she understands but is still working on her Kelderan. I still think she should take the translating device out. She’d learn quicker.”

  “Too busy.” She said a few more sentences in CEL, and it gave Azalyn a chance to watch as Taryn said something with quite a bit of enthusiasm and Prince Kason smiled.

  The comfort and familiarity they shared spoke volumes.

  Azalyn cleared her throat and spoke up. “There isn’t a lot of time. Many things are happening at the same time here, and I don’t know how much power you have remaining for the long-range transmission tower.”

  Kason replied, “Enough for about ten more minutes. And before you ask, the line is secure and encrypted by our best technician. What did you need?”

  She expected Taryn to frown and scold Kason for speaking up for her. But the female merely raised her eyebrows in question.

  Taryn may be the leader of Jasvar, but the pair of them were a team and unafraid to lean on one another.

  The interaction made her miss Keltor, and she wished he was at her side.

  No. She was doing this to be with Keltor. Dividing up the tasks meant they could work quicker toward the future they wanted. If all went well, they would have decades to spend in each other’s company.

  Sitting up straighter, she said, “Well, Keltor is king, and—”

  Taryn cut her off. “You be queen soon.”

  She bobbed her head and Kason swore. “That might bring war. I hope you have a plan.”

  Kason’s tone washed away Azalyn’s reluctance and hesitation. “That is why I’m calling. We were hoping that Taryn would make an official statement, saying that any approval for future colonists must be made through the monarchy.” She explained her PR campaign and finished with, “Will you help us?”

  Taryn studied her and said something in CEL. Kason interpreted, “What else have you got planned? Taryn senses that you’re leaving something out.”

  “Keltor didn’t give me clearance to share the other part of our plan, but we’re doing something to handle the antimonarchy extremists. Maybe not completely, but to a certain degree.”

  Taryn spoke again, followed by Kason’s interpretation, “She respects your secrets, but hopes you’ll share with us as soon as possible. My bride thinks you have more than one secret to share.”

  Azalyn moved her gaze back to the human female. She tilted her head as if to say, “I’m right, aren’t I?” And Azalyn responded, “Once everything is settled, I hope to speak with you again.”

  Taryn waved a hand. “No being formal.” After Taryn said a few sentences, Kason spoke in a reluctant tone. “Remember this is Taryn. I would never say what I’m about to say—she is more than ready for a sister and hopes you’ll talk many
times in the future and maybe share princely stories.” Taryn poked his arm and Kason murmured, “Because Kelderan royals are stubborn and a handful, and if a female doesn’t have a chance to vent, she could explode.”

  Azalyn snorted. “I’ll have to brush up my CEL, too. I think we’ll have more fun without any males in the room.”

  “Kalahn speak CEL, but bad idea,” Taryn said.

  She smiled. “Yes, the sister shouldn’t hear those kinds of stories about her brothers.”

  Kason shook his head. “Are we finished? The power is nearly depleted.”

  She resisted laughing at the warrior prince’s discomfort. “I’ll send a detailed text transmission, and if you could record a message as soon as possible, we would forever be grateful.”

  “Of course, sister,” Taryn answered.

  What Azalyn wouldn’t give to meet Taryn Demara in person.

  She signed off and ended the transmission.

  At least she had one part of her grand plan in place.

  Quickly checking her messages, she had one from Keltor: Come to my conference room to meet the new council. We need you.

  So her male was following through on his promise to include her. She couldn’t help but smile as she made her way toward the conference room. She only hoped that she would still be smiling once she entered. Because if it were empty apart from Keltor, it meant none would accept a female colleague.

  No. She trusted Keltor’s judgment. He would select the best people for the job.

  Straightening her shoulder, Azalyn raised her chin and steeled herself for what was to come.

  ~~~

  Keltor stood at the head of the table inside his private conference room and surveyed the faces of the five males sitting around it. “Now that you know the truth that I’m king, there is one more piece of information you need to know before you decide whether you can accept or deny my request to be part of my council.” He paused to take measure of each male before adding, “I wish to also add two females to it.”

  One of the males, a middle-aged one with magenta skin and black hair named Nyson, spoke up. “May I ask why, your highness? Females don’t work in government, beyond secretarial duties. They have little to add in way of advice.”

  Keltor raised an eyebrow. “What of your bride? Does she have little to say when it comes to advice in your life?”

  Nyson grunted. “That is a different matter.”

  “Regardless, I will have female councilors. So if any of you wish to decline my request, now is the time to leave.”

  Even though Keltor had carefully selected the five men in the room, Nyson stood and bowed his head. “I thank you for the honor, but I must refuse.”

  “I accept your refusal and trust you to honor the confidentiality agreement you signed regarding items discussed here.”

  As soon as Nyson exited the room, Keltor looked to each of the four remaining males. One of them, Farren, had a small smile on his lips. Keltor asked, “What is it that you find so amusing, Farren?”

  “Do not be offended, your majesty. I was only thinking what if Nyson’s wife found out what he’d said here. I suspect he’d get an earful and a half.”

  Nyson’s bride had a reputation for being opinionated, regardless of who was listening. However, she was intelligent and correct most of the time. It was why Keltor had risked asking Nyson to join him. “Perhaps I should’ve asked her to be part of the council instead.”

  Farren grinned. “I wouldn’t mind that. She’s much livelier than Nyson.”

  More like Farren wanted to flirt with her; he was the only male councilor without a bride.

  As much as Keltor enjoyed joking with another male, he steered the conversation back to what was important. “This is your last chance to refuse my offer before you sign the agreement which dictates you cannot leave the position for at least a year, on penalty of imprisonment.”

  The requirement was harsh, but if Keltor wanted any chance of stability despite the changes to how the council and monarchy functioned, he needed confidants who would stay the course.

  Farren picked up the nearest laser pen and seared his name into the document. The other three males soon followed his lead.

  Keltor had selected Farren because of his knowledge of trade relations—both on Keldera and with allies—and his former term as a commoners’ representative. However, he was also a natural leader with an abundance of charm. Keltor would have to remember that.

  Once everyone completed signing their names, Farren spoke up. “So, who are the females joining us?”

  After collecting the signed documents, Keltor replied, “One of them is Azalyn Rippak Sulani.”

  The oldest male still in the room, Rohvel, frowned. “Forgive me, your majesty, but isn’t she the female you dallied with as a youth?”

  The urge to castigate the man for dismissing his female coursed through his body, but Keltor drew on decades of restraint to reply calmly, “She has worked her whole life in the merchant business and will be a valuable asset.” He paused, but decided that if he wanted to earn the respect and confidence of the new council members, it was better to be truthful. “She will also be your queen in the near future.”

  Murmurs broke out, but Farren’s voice drowned out the rest. “I would assume you have a plan, your majesty. Otherwise, the extremists are bound to attack en mass at the announcement.”

  “Of course,” Keltor answered. “As soon as Azalyn secures the necessary resources, she will join us and help me share our plan.”

  The youngest male in the room, Yorjan, who also was the quietest, asked, “Who is the other female? You mentioned there would be two.”

  “Two, yes. With Nyson gone, there may be a third.” Yorjan merely tilted his head in question, and Keltor admired the male’s ability to stick with a task. After all, Yorjan had been selected for his intelligence and analyzing skills and his broad swath of contacts. Keltor continued, “Once matters are finalized, I will introduce her, but not before. I’m certain you’ve never heard of her.”

  And for good reason. She was a former royal assassin forced into retirement because of a debilitating injury.

  Keltor had debated adding her to his council, but Nalia had more knowledge of the dark side of Kelderan society than any male in the room. And her injury may restrict her abilities to fight, but her brain was as keen as ever; his father had often mentioned her as a resource.

  The door chimed and the computer stated, “Azalyn Sulani wishes to enter.”

  “Permission granted,” Keltor answers.

  The door opened and Azalyn strode into the room, her head high and every bit the strong female he treasured.

  To their credit, the males in the room remained silent. Once Azalyn was at his side, Keltor spoke again. “Meet your fellow council member, Azalyn Sulani.” He made brief introductions, noting that Rohvel was the most hesitant, but Keltor trusted the male to come around. Otherwise, he never would’ve signed on for at least a year on his council. “Now, let’s get to work.”

  As he and Azalyn explained not only their plans regarding the Jasvarian campaign, but also the truth about having a son and daughter, Keltor lost track of time. All that mattered was smoothing the way so that he could steal an hour or two with his female, to remind him of what he fought for.

  Chapter Seventeen

  Keltor and Azalyn had barely had time to take a fifteen-minute break for food and drinks after the end of the councilors meeting before the private comm unit attached to the conference room beeped with an incoming transmission.

  He glanced at his female. “Feel free to listen, but I think it best if I handle this alone. As much as I admire your emotions, Ulrick or his son will no doubt see them as a weakness and pounce.”

  Azalyn sighed. “I know. It’s hard, because he maneuvered my life even more than your father did, and I have a few words to say to him.”

  Rubbing her arm, he said, “Eventually he will get his comeuppance. Trust me, zyla.”

  “I
do. You may want to enable the privacy screen and just broadcast the transmission to the conference room. That way I can yell as needed, without disrupting you.”

  He smiled. “As you wish. Just avoid throwing things, if you can help it.”

  Lightly smacking his shoulder, she frowned. “Just go before I do decide to throw something at you.”

  With a chuckle, he quickly kissed her and moved to the private comm unit.

  As he engaged the privacy screen, Keltor took a few deep breaths to calm his mind and erase any lingering emotions. Because this was going to be one of the most important negotiations in his life.

  Keltor clicked Receive. The light-blue skin and dark hair streaked with gray head of Ulrick Sulani appeared on screen. “Good to see you are leading these negotiations yourself, Ulrick.”

  Ulrick bowed his head a fraction before meeting Keltor’s gaze again. “It is an honor to talk with you, your highness.”

  Judging by his address, Ulrick didn’t know Keltor was king yet. It was better to keep him in the dark. “Let’s talk about what you want in exchange for your support. Your son was overly vague about it earlier.”

  “A male who likes to get to the point. I admire that.” Ulrick shifted his weight and continued, “However, you first need to tell me where Toralyn Sulani is located.”

  Keltor’s suspicions that Ulrick had smuggled his own pirated technology to Jasvar, to maintain long-range communications, had all but been verified with that statement. “Am I supposed to know who that is?”

  “Play the ignorant one if you like, your highness, but she wouldn’t disappear without a trace. And seeing as your son has joined you, I imagine he’s reached out to his sister.”

  Keltor forced a frown. “He doesn’t have a sister.”

  “You are a skilled liar, Prince Keltor, but I am a better one. Shall we drop the pretense or would you prefer for me to withdraw my son’s offer?”

  He kept his tone casual. One of the first rules of negotiating was to never appear eager; an opponent would use it against you. “You may try, but coleaders of Jasvar would revoke your merchant’s license if I even remotely believe you disloyal to Keldera.”