The Heir

by Jessie Donovan

“Sensors indicate a foreign vessel, although the origin is unknown.”

  General Morvel stated, “Follow the established protocols. If they refuse to heed the summons to return back to space, detain them. However, if at all possible, refrain from destroying the ship. I want whoever is inside alive.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  The male went to work and the general faced Keltor. “The situation is growing dangerous. If the unknown starship refuses to turn back, I will invoke my right to order you to the bunker to ensure your safety.”

  Keltor nodded and moved to the general’s computer panel, typed in the required codes, and brought up the sensor’s image of the foreign vessel, along with its specifications.

  After scanning the information, he silently sighed in relief that it wasn’t any known Brevkan vessel. Dealing with the antimonarchists was bad enough, but add in Keldera’s greatest enemy, and the situation would quickly become catastrophic.

  However, the green starship emblazoned with gold lettering was unfamiliar. He typed in a command for the computer to translate, and the reply appeared on screen: Language unknown.

  He wondered if the antimonarchists had found a way to hire mercenaries from an unknown alien planet.

  Glancing at the general, he stated, “Keep me apprised of the situation. I want to know immediately once all but the most essential security personnel have been evacuated.”

  Morvel gave a curt nod. “Yes, your majesty.”

  Assured that the general had things in hand, Keltor moved toward a private room off the main floor, motioning for Xerlig to follow. Once the door closed, Keltor made a clicking motion with his hands. Xerlig removed a tube and obliged.

  The temporary privacy shelter might be enabled, but Keltor was still going to keep things as vague as possible, just in case. He didn’t want to give away Toralyn’s identity and current mission. “You need to reach out and ensure they’re both okay. For all we know, part of their assignments requires attacking the palace.”

  And if so, they should’ve reported the attack. But he left that unsaid.

  Xerlig grunted in agreement. “I had thought the same, your majesty. But it would be a grave dishonor to leave the palace at this time.”

  “I understand your desire to stand guard, but protecting the person in question is more important, especially given their value.” He paused and added, “I will order you if need be, Xerlig. But I would hope after so many years, you’d do it as a favor to me.”

  The male stood taller. “No need to order me, your majesty. But if the person is in danger?”

  “Then abort the mission and order them to safety. However, if the person isn’t compromised, continue to observe from a distance. I trust you to act as you see fit. I will contact you via our regular methods, once things have calmed down.”

  Another shock reverberated through the palace and Keltor crashed into a wall. The alert sirens blared.

  Xerlig disengaged the privacy shield and the pair of them rushed into the adjoining room.

  Debris had crushed the computer terminals on one side of the room, but the remaining men were typing, shouting, and doing everything they could to contain the situation.

  General Morvel rushed to Keltor. “You must retreat, your majesty. The spaceship has opened fire on us.”

  Another explosion rocked the building, but nothing beyond dust rained down on the room.

  Keltor found his footing. “I’m on my way. Remember to follow protocol yourself, General.” He looked to Xerlig. “You have your orders.”

  Without another word, Keltor exited the room and ran toward the nearest secret entrance to the bunker, which was in the secure conference room two doors down from the security command center.

  He’d just managed to manually open the door and reach the far wall when another explosion sounded. Just as he heard a creak, the world went black.

  ~~~

  Toralyn watched another bomb drop on the palace and clenched her fingers until they turned white. She may not have wanted to reconcile with her birth parents, but she certainly didn’t want to kill them.

  Not to mention her brother could be fighting for his life as well.

  However, if she followed her current set of instructions, she would only help along either cause.

  Xerla spoke quietly. “We’ll be strategic, to appear we’re following orders but will avoid any real damage. However, we must do this, or we’re out.”

  Not caring that the female could probably kill her with her bare hands, Toralyn glared at her companion. “I don’t care about staying in. I’m only doing this for my brother and I’ve more than fulfilled what was expected of me.”

  “So you’re willing to risk everything you’ve already done for him and give up the information we could compile to better protect him?”

  She growled. “There are other ways to protect him.”

  Xerla looked at her with disgust. “Then you are silly, weak, and not as loyal as I thought you to be. Because keeping our cover is the best way to protect him. Few can make it as far as we have.”

  Trusting that their location on the roof of a building, behind a temperature control unit, would shield them from view, she tackled Xerla to the ground. For a brief second, she pinned the older female. But in the next instant, Xerla had her on the ground with a knife to Toralyn’s throat. “Until you take duty seriously, you will never defeat me.”

  Anger surged through Toralyn. With a roar, she knocked the knife from Xerla’s hand, wrapped her legs around her neck, and flipped her over.

  With the female on her back, she wrapped an arm around her neck and restricted her airway. “There are more important things than duty.” She tightened her grip a fraction. “I love my brother, and if you attempt to go through this exercise and hurt him, then I will be forced to detain you by any means necessary.”

  Xerla gave a strangled laugh and went limp in Toralyn’s arms. Her split-second confusion was enough for Xerla to once again pin her to the ground, but this time with her arms wrenched behind her back and her knee grinding in her spine. Pain radiated through her shoulders, but she forced herself not to cry out. Xerla finally said, “There is more fire in you than I had originally thought. Love can sometimes give you an advantage, but it also provides a weakness.”

  The deep voice of Xerlig—one of her biological father’s guards that she’d been introduced to during previous clandestine report meetings as Xerla’s brother—filled the air. “Enough. Let her go.”

  The pain vanished as Xerla released her. She jumped to her feet, readying her stance for another attack. However, Xerla merely said to her brother, “You and Ervan weren’t supposed to meet us here for another two hours.”

  “Things have changed. Per my orders, I am authorized to have her abort the mission.”

  “On what grounds?” Xerla barked.

  “Threats to her safety. From you.”

  Xerla shook her head in disgust. “And this is why you are a mere guard, brother. All of this was part of her training.”

  Toralyn frowned, but Xerlig spoke before she could. “That does not matter. For all we know, she could be the only surviving member of the royal family still on Keldera. You are relieved of protecting her, sister. She is my charge now. Per the king’s orders, you are to return to the safe house and await further instructions.”

  Xerla tossed her one last look. “Since the king would be displeased if you were killed, remember to change your appearance and name. Otherwise, the antimonarchists will find you.”

  Before Toralyn could say anything in reply, Xerla vanished into the doorway and down the stairs.

  Xerlig motioned with a hand. “Come, your highness. I must get you to safety.”

  “My name is Toralyn. And before I go anywhere, I want to know about my brother. Is he safe?”

  “He was when I left the palace. Now, come voluntarily or I will take you forcibly.”

  A part of her wanted to scowl and ask why everyone kept ordering her around. But until she k
new Kelzal was alive and safe, she had no choice but to obey Xerlig’s orders. “Then lead on, your highness,” she drawled.

  She swore she saw the corner of Xerlig’s mouth tick up, but if so, it was instantly replaced with his usual stoic expression.

  He went to the door, checked inside, and motioned for her to follow.

  As she made her way down the stairs, out the building, and maneuvered through a series of streets, she counted every blast or explosion along the way. What she’d thought had been an exercise for low-level inductees had turned into an all-out attack.

  She only hoped everyone was okay. The anger she’d had at meeting the mother and father who had given her up had morphed into a solid knot of fear in her stomach. She’d lashed out, assuming she’d have the chance to know them later. But now, she might’ve given up her only chance to ask the questions she’d had since learning of her adoption at age eighteen.

  One thing was for certain, if she were reunited with Kelzal and her birth parents, she would at least remain in their company long enough to get some answers to her questions, and maybe better know herself. The Brevkan war had ended before her birth, but at the rate, things were going, Keldera might face another war. And if the history of the previous one had taught the world anything, it was that one shouldn’t take friends and family for granted. Toralyn would just have to find a way to balance her adopted mother, birth parents, brother, and cousins. Because in a way, they had all helped shape her into the female she had become.

  It was time to grow up, embrace that fact, and seize what opportunities she could.

  ~~~

  Azalyn had just ended the transmission with the Barren Mother when another incoming call flashed on the screen. While it could be for Keltor, she decided to hit Receive. The stern face of General Morvel appeared on the screen. He said without preamble, “Has King Keltor reached the shelter?”

  She glanced at another screen in the small room, showing the security footage for the underground set of rooms. Kastor, his nurse, Kelzal, and a few essential staff members were all she saw. Looking back to the general, she shook her head. “Not yet. Should he be?”

  “Yes. He stated he was going to the bunker twenty minutes ago. That’s more than enough time for him to have arrived. I checked the computer’s sensors, but they’re too damaged to find out where he is.”

  Dread pooled in Azalyn’s stomach. “Have you sent anyone to look for him?”

  The general barked an order to someone off-screen and then met her gaze again. “I wanted to ensure he wasn’t in the shelter. Until the army arrives, my resources are limited.”

  “I can help look—”

  “No. It is best for you to stay with the former king and the crown prince. Once the king is found, he will join you.”

  The screen turned dark and Azalyn cursed. Keltor had better be alive. Otherwise, she’d have to find a way to bring him back so she could kill him herself.

  Yes, anger was easier than the alternative. She didn’t care if it were selfish or not, but she wanted more than a matter of weeks with her male after being decades apart.

  Especially since she was fairly certain she carried a good secret, but hadn’t wanted to share with Keltor until she’d been positive.

  Taking a few deep breaths, she willed her nerves to settle. Kelzal was an astute observer, and she didn’t need to worry him unnecessarily.

  She exited the private comm unit and headed to the main living area, where Kelzal waited. Kastor had retired to take his medications. She only hoped the attack and evacuation didn’t end up killing him.

  She found Kelzal watching a small notescreen in his hands. “Did you find a way to access the public transmission channels?”

  “Yes. I’m watching one of the live feeds.”

  Since her son didn’t elaborate, she moved to stand at his side and peered at the video.

  A sphere-like spaceship darted to and fro above the palace, dodging anti-aircraft lasers. The dark green hull of the ship was a foreign-looking color, as was the strange symbol emblazoned in gold on the side. Azalyn had never been good with foreign languages; yet again she longed to have Keltor with them. He would probably understand what was painted on the side of the ship, or at least be able to identify the branch of languages it belonged to.

  The dark green ship dropped a blazing ball of light, which exploded upon impact. She expected to feel the shock, but the shelter was deep enough underground that she didn’t detect the faintest vibration.

  The ship ascended higher into the sky before it exploded. Frowning, she asked, “Did I miss something? I didn’t see any missiles or lasers hitting it.”

  “No. I believe the ship self-destructed.”

  Red-hot shards scatted over the palace, with the largest remaining chunk of the spaceship crashing just outside the walls of the compound.

  The reddish-brown shapes of Kelderan Army fighter ships rushed into view, forming a protective circle around the palace and surrounding property.

  However, before they could do more than settle into position, the main elevator to the bunker chimed. A second later, the doors opened.

  Two soldiers carried something between them. Azalyn rushed to them and saw Keltor’s pale, blood-streaked face above a blanket.

  For a split second, she feared the worst—that after so many years apart, he’d been ripped from her side for eternity. But then she noticed the rise of his chest, and the fear lessened a degree. He was still alive.

  And if she had any say in the matter, she’d make sure he stayed that way. She croaked, “What happened?”

  The doctor who had helped Azalyn weeks ago, plus two familiar nurses, rushed out behind the soldiers. The doctor spoke. “The king was injured. He’s alive, but I must get him into emergency surgery.”

  She opened her mouth, but Kelzal appeared at her side and placed a hand on her shoulder. “Let them work.”

  Following the soldiers carrying Keltor, it was only when they had disappeared into the medical wing of the shelter that she looked to her son.

  Kelzal took her hand and squeezed. “That particular doctor and his nurses have been vetted more than any other medical professional on the planet. They will do everything they can to help Father.”

  Tears prickled her eyes. “You choose now to start calling him your father.”

  “He has proven a worthy male, who wishes to protect everyone but himself. A bit foolish, but honorable in a way. He has also allowed Toralyn to do things I never thought he would. Not to mention you care for him. It all merits that I try to accept him. Although I’m still determined to give the crown to my sister.”

  “I do more than care for your father, Kelzal. I love him, just as I love you and your sister.”

  Her son shifted his feet. When he didn’t say anything, she softened her voice. “And no, I’m not expecting you to profess your feelings about your new family. I just want to make sure you know that I love you, Kelzal. Especially since today has only reinforced how much we should treasure what time we do have together.”

  The warriors who had carried Keltor into the medical wing reappeared and headed toward the elevator. Azalyn spoke up. “Can you give me an update on what’s happening?”

  One of the warriors, who couldn’t be much older than Kelzal, answered, “The army is securing the premises. The general will contact you once the task is complete.”

  Kelzal spoke up. “Will we be moved from this location?”

  “I don’t know, your highness. Until the traitors are contained and the danger has passed, it is best for you to remain here.”

  The warrior bowed his head, made a fist, and pounded it over his heart.

  Within seconds, Azalyn was once again alone with her son.

  “Come, Mother. You’re part of Father’s council and I need your help.”

  “With what?”

  “While most likely unnecessary, I want to ensure I have a speech prepared, in case the planet needs reassurance.”

  She resisted
praising Kelzal’s foresight, especially considering how much he detested public speaking. “Of course. I will help you in any way that I can.”

  As they sat down and went to work on crafting a speech, Azalyn forced her mind to focus on her son. Because if she started thinking about Keltor’s blood-streaked face, she might start crying.

  No. Keldera needed all of them right now. It was time for her to follow Keltor’s example and fulfill her duty to Keldera as their future queen. After all, her stubborn male would pull through. He just had to.

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  A few days later, Azalyn sat next to Keltor’s unconscious body and outlined the shape of the markings on his arm closest to her. He’d pulled through the surgery and all signs pointed to recovery, but the stubborn male had yet to wake up.

  Not even the move to a remote, secure location had jostled him from his unconsciousness.

  The door slid open, and she looked up to see Kelzal. She opened her mouth to ask what he needed, but he moved aside to reveal Toralyn’s lavender-skinned, golden-haired—albeit a different shade than before and only chin-length—form in the doorway, and she forgot what she was going to say.

  Toralyn raised her brows. “Hello to you, too.”

  Her daughter’s dry tone snapped her brain into action. “We didn’t expect you.”

  Toralyn glanced to Keltor’s form on the bed. “Since Xerlig and Ervan refused to tell me the exact location of our destination, I didn’t know where here was until a few minutes ago.”

  Kelzal walked up to her. “The two guards thought it would be easier to protect her by bringing her here.”

  Inclining her head, Azalyn said, “I agree. Although the bigger question is whether Toralyn will stay or try to sneak off.”

  Her daughter squared her shoulders and stood taller. “When they asked me to come, I did so without protest. If all you’re going to do is accuse me of dishonorable acts, then maybe I should rethink my decision.”

  Azalyn stood. “No, don’t. But my concerns are well founded. After all, you said you didn’t ask for any of this.”