“We will do anything that you would like, sweet wife,” Fitz promised as he kissed my temple.
When we entered the foyer of the house, at least twenty ladies curtsied to us. “Princess Probus, welcome. I am Cassie Avitus.”
“Thank you for inviting me, Lady Avitus.”
“Are you alright, my dear? You seem troubled.”
“Forgive me. I will do my best to set my worries aside. When Director Sapor informed me of the efforts you ladies are making to help Ephors heal, I was overcome with gratitude at your generosity.”
Lady Avitus smiled brightly at me. “Thank you, Princess Probus. Please, come in.”
I noticed hired photographers were in attendance. “Please, allow me to introduce my husband, Fitz Jiri.” I lifted my right hand to the necklace that practically dripped with diamonds. I still clutched the silk square and wondered how that would be interpreted and scrutinized.
“Lord Jiri, welcome,” she said.
After the remainder of the introductions were made, Niklos began to fuss, so I picked him up and cuddled him as we made our way through the beautiful house and out to the back lawn. Gardens full of flowers in every color imaginable were artfully scattered about. Paths led around them, under arbors, and around trees. With the pink and orange sky above, it was gorgeous.
“Chirp! Chirp! Chirp!” Thunderdrop ran up, down, and all around the skirt of my dress in his excitement to go and play.
Laughing at him, I asked Lady Avitus, “Is it safe for Thunderdrop to explore your gardens?”
“Oh, yes. It is very safe here. I assure you.”
Rubbing Thunderdrop’s abdomen, I said, “Yes, you can go and play. I love you. Be careful.”
“Chirp!” Thunderdrop said before darting off into the bushes.
“Thank you. He has been bored.”
Lady Avitus seemed excited as she led me to a metal garden table surrounded by padded chairs. Fitz held one out for me, and I sat with Niklos in my arms. Pierce parked Neema in her stroller next to me. Ladies continually told me how adorable my babies were which had me in a much better mood. Then, servants brought coffee and little cakes which had me in a blissful state.
“Do I see my grandchildren?”
I looked up and saw Yukihyo’s mother.
“Ma! Ma! Ma!” Neema said excitedly as she tried to free herself from her stroller.
“I’ll help you with that,” Mrs. Tereas said as she picked Neema up.
“Ma!” Neema smiled and hugged her grandmother’s neck. I sent her my feelings of annoyance at the men who were being thrown at me. She smiled at me and then sat with Neema who she began feeding bites of cake and sips of juice.
“Teagan, there you are. It’s so nice to see you off of the Palace grounds.”
I turned my head. “Aunt Seyla!” My smile grew even larger when I saw Grandmother and Gram several feet away chatting with three other white-haired ladies.
“Fitz, we heard the news. We are so happy to be able to call you family,” Aunt Seyla said as she hugged him.
“Teagan, why have you been crying?” Grandmother asked as she came closer and lifted my chin to examine my eyes.
Noticing the small audience of women at a nearby table who were straining to hear, I said in a just loud enough whisper, “I am heartbroken over the situation on Coronis. It made me want to stay in bed and weep.”
Grandmother knew what I was up to. I wanted to guilt them into ceasing their hostilities. Tears would sometimes work on men when nothing else would. “Teagan, it isn’t your fault. Please, don’t cry anymore.”
“But Grandmother, they are our own people.”
I felt her amusement at how thickly I was laying it on, but she played along. “I’m so sorry this hurts you. We can speak of this later. We wouldn’t want to be overheard. Alright?”
“Yes, ma’am,” I nodded. I snuck a glance at General Luca Braga who had a pale, sickly expression like he had eaten something that wasn’t sitting well in his intestines. He tapped away at his vid-screen. Fitz was looking at me as though I were as delicate as butterfly wings. I gave him my sweet smile. Then, I glanced at Larkin. He was smirking at me. I shot him a warning look. Inquisitor Gordian had also moved away to privately communicate with someone. The ladies at the table nearby whispered amongst themselves.
Vice Admiral Dario Galerius had been paying close attention to each of us and wore a cunning smile like he knew what I was up to. I winked at him, but quickly changed my expression when Gordian returned to our table. Aunt Seyla took Niklos from me and began showing him off to her friends.
“Princess Probus, may I introduce my son, Dorian? Dorian is a colonel,” Lady Avitus proudly said. I began to rise. Her eyes shot to the patch on my chest. “Oh, please rest,” she said with her palms held out at her waist.
I lowered myself back down to my chair. “Hello, Dorian. It’s nice to meet you.”
He went down to his knee before me, took my hand, and kissed it. Dorian had large brown eyes and a small nose. “I am honored to meet you, your highness. I am forever at your service.”
I blushed and said thank you.
“Dorian, show the Princess my little pond. There were tadpoles this morning.” Her hands were like small white birds trapped at the ends of her arms and ceased their frantic fluttering so she could squeeze her son’s arm.
“May I interest you in a short stroll, your highness?”
I took the opportunity to cast sad, disappointed looks at Braga and Gordian before saying, “Yes, thank you. Perhaps it will calm my mind.” As Dorian stood, Fitz helped me to rise.
“Fitz, darling. I am so happy to see you. May I get your opinion on some flowers that I had imported from Thalassa? They aren’t doing very well,” Lady Avitus asked imploringly.
He had no choice but to acquiesce. Outmaneuvered by my hostess, I took the arm her son offered me and allowed him to lead me off along one of the white stone garden paths.
“Your mother seems very kind,” I said as I watched a dragonfly as it crossed in front of us. Birds chirped from the branches of decorative trees with tiny green leaves and pink blossoms.
“She has forever been affectionate and doting. The two of you have that in common with your children.”
I smiled up at his compliment of my parenting. “Thank you. I’m just going on instinct. I envy you your doting mother. It must be nice.” Dorian reached up with his left hand and plucked a pink flower down for me. I took it from him with my right hand and smelled it. “That’s pretty.”
“I will be happy to loan her to you whenever you feel the need to be smothered with attention, but only to loan. This is my mother’s favorite little spot. She sits here in the morning in her robe and sips her tea.” A cushioned, wooden bench sat beside a small pond. Flowers grew wildly around it, and moss grew on the stones on the sides farthest from us. “Look here,” he said as he pointed. “There are the tadpoles she wanted for you to see.” I watched the little black tadpoles. A white and red fish swam up and sucked one into its mouth. I frowned. I looked at Dorian. He shrugged at me. “Such is life. The small mammalian population is necessary to sustain the larger predators on Ephors.”
“Chirp!” From his perch on a branch, Thunderdrop dropped a bundle onto the path beside me.
“Thunderdrop, good boy! Did you catch my dinner?”
“Chirp! Chirp!” He scampered away to another tree.
I bent down and picked up the small bundle. “You were saying?” I asked. Dorian laughed. We continued to walk. I could see over a bed of roses the large house. “Does your mother grow all of these plants on her own?”
“Yes, it is a hobby of hers. She hires men to maintain the grounds, but the gardens are hers. Princess, as these flowers are nurtured, so too would I nurture you if given the chance. Should you wish it, I am yours.”
I blushed. “That is very kind of you.”
Dorian stepped in front of me. “No, kindness has nothing to do with it. I want you. You are far more delicate and
fragile in person,” he said as his eyes roamed over my monitor and the scar that showed just above the neckline of my dress. “I want nothing more than to hold you and keep you safe.”
“I will consider your words when my thoughts are less troubled.” We continued our slow pace along the path, but I began to tire.
“What troubles you?”
I thought of Yukihyo. “Our warehouse flooded. It had to be sabotage. I can’t be happy when Yukihyo is troubled.”
“He is important to you?”
“He means more to me than I mean to myself. Had it not been for Yukihyo, I might still be emptying trash bins on Earth.” My heart monitor became audible. Dorian stopped walking and observed me with serious alarm. “I’m okay. I’m just tired. It’s been months since I’ve been allowed to go for a walk outside.”
His face transformed from that of a romantic courtier to that of a stern protector as he scooped me from the path and into his arms which made my beeping increase. Realizing that arguing was pointless, I put my arms around his neck and rested my head against his shoulder as I willed the beeping to stop. Everyone stood in alarm when they heard our approach.
“I’m fine.”
They didn’t listen. Dorian took me inside and laid me on a couch. Gram was beside me.
“She’s alright. Just let her be,” Gram said.
Dorian looked ashen. “What can I do?”
“She really is alright,” Fitz assured him. “Shall I take that?” Fitz asked of the small bundle.
“Yes, just don’t let him see.” I gave Fitz the silk square that was full of Thunderdrop’s gift. I stayed still until the beeping stopped. “I’m fine. I promise. I beep anytime my heart rate goes up the tiniest bit. I wish they would take this stupid monitor off of me.” I pouted.
Gram said, “Now, Teagan, they just want to be safe.”
I heard Niklos’ hungry cry. Lorca brought him to me. I was surrounded by concerned Parvac ladies. It would be awful to have a dead princess in the sitting room. “Lorca, would you please tell them I’m okay?”
“The Princess is perfectly fine.”
“How can you be sure? You aren’t a doctor,” Lady Avitus said.
“No, but last night and this morning when the Princess was alone with her husbands….”
“Lorca!”
“Now, now, gentlemen, give my granddaughter some privacy to feed her son,” Grandmother said as she and the other ladies banished the men out to the lawn.
I scowled at Lorca who gave me an innocent look. Then, I saw to Niklos. My son filled me with peace and serenity as I filled him with milk. When he was full, Gram took him. The ladies fussed over me a little while longer before allowing me to return to the garden. I didn’t tell them what Phillip had ordered me to do if I beeped. I didn’t want to be stuck in bed for the remainder of the day.
In my mind, Zared said, “Word has spread that the fighting on Coronis is making you physically ill. News reports are admonishing the Warrior Caste for destroying your health with their selfish squabbles.”
“Seriously?”
Fitz rushed to me and carried me to my chair. “May I do anything for you?” he whispered.
“Yes, I’m worried about Yukihyo and Phillip. Will you call and check on them for me, please?”
“Yes, my darling,” Fitz said as he stepped over to Zared and pulled out his vid-screen.
“Teagan, are you certain you are okay?” Larkin asked.
I nodded and gave him a reassuring smile.
“Princess, would you like to go on a quiet air transport tour of Parvac this evening?” Vice Admiral Galerius asked.
“Oh, that sounds nice, but I have plans. Merick invited us to have dinner on his warship and watch a comet tonight. I’ve never seen one.”
“How about tomorrow?”
I looked at Larkin. “You have no obligations tomorrow.”
“Thank you. I’d like that. I haven’t seen much of Parvac,” I said as I glanced at Fitz.
Galerius had a victorious gleam in his eyes.
“I want to know who was responsible for the water damage to our warehouse. Much of our cargo was lost.”
Inquisitor Gordian became attuned to my every word. “I will discover the cause, your majesty,” he vowed.
“You may come to me in my wing of the Palace when you have the information that I want.” Inquisitor Gordian rose from the table, saluted me, and excused himself. I turned my attention to General Braga. “Once I know the identity of my tormentor, if you wish, you may help me plot my revenge.”
“Do you wish the culprit arrested?” he asked.
“No, I want to pay the person back double. The person’s actions have hurt my husband, family, and me. Whoever did it meant to get Yukihyo out of the way. I intend to give that asshole my full attention.”
“Princess!” Larkin admonished.
“What?”
“That language is inappropriate.”
“Too bad. Papa has put me in a mood. He and his cronies have set up this game for their amusement, and I refuse to follow their rules.”
Fitz returned. “Phillip says the waterline is repaired. Yukihyo hired a crew to clean the warehouse. Your paintings were ruined.”
My monitor became audible with my anger. Gram and Grandmother approached our table with Niklos. “Teagan, what has you so angry?”
“Nothing, Grandmother.”
She gave me a concerned look before taking her seat. Pierce hovered near Neema and Mrs. Tereas.
“Ladies and gentlemen, thank you so much for attending. The ecology of our planets is a major concern for each of us. For our environments to nurture us, we must in turn nurture them. The funds we raise today will allow the scientists and volunteers on Ephors to assist in the replenishment of the devastated wildlife population,” Lady Avitus paused, and everyone clapped. “It will take time and patience for Ephors to recover. Such is also the case for our own beloved Princess Teagan Probus, who came to spend the morning with us in support of our worthy cause while still continuing to recover her own strength after her traumatic ordeal.”
Ladies turned to me and clapped. Terrified, I forced myself to smile. Larkin stood and gave me his hand. I took it and allowed him to escort me to Lady Avitus. I smiled at her and kissed her cheek.
“Lady Avitus, I am deeply honored to have been invited to your beautiful home today. Your love of the environment is obvious through your care and cultivation of your own lovely gardens.” Thunderdrop jumped to my shoulder and chirped causing Lady Avitus to give a surprised and nervous laugh. “Personally, I am grateful to you for your efforts to help Ephors recover. Ephors and her people are dear to me. Unfortunately, our enemies often seek out our weaknesses and strike where we are vulnerable. Thank you for working diligently to repair the damage.” I held out my palm to Larkin who handed me the certificate. “On behalf of the Imperial family, please accept this humble offering along with our deepest gratitude.” I gave the certificate to her and curtsied. When she saw the amount, she paled slightly, and I worried it wasn’t enough, but her voice shook with excitement as she turned the certificate toward the small audience of forty or so people in her garden.
“House Probus donates two million credits to our cause.”
They clapped. I gave her cheek another peck and took Larkin’s arm. As he walked me to my seat, he mumbled, “You are your father’s daughter.”
Each of the ladies took turns approaching Lady Avitus with donation certificates. I enjoyed another cup of coffee. After the women had finished making their contributions, Galerius approached her with a pledge of one hundred thousand credits. Then, Braga donated one hundred and fifty thousand credits. I gave each of them a pleasant smile.
“You should see the looks Braga and Galerius shoot each other when you are not looking,” Zared said in my mind.
I smiled. My children were returned to me. Neema was tired and fussy. “Is it okay to excuse ourselves?” I asked Larkin.
He nodded. Once we we
re in the transport, I covered myself with a blanket and fed Niklos. House Jiri had donated half a million credits. “Thank you for your generous donations. If it hadn’t been for me, Ephors wouldn’t have been attacked in the first place.” The thought of the elderly who had died had me wiping at my eyes.
Fitz patted me. “You are not to blame,” he whispered.
Chapter Seven
I began thinking of Yukihyo. When we returned to the Palace, Lorca and Pierce put the children down for much needed naps, and I went into my bathroom and changed into soft black pants, a T-shirt, and exercise shoes. I put on my belt and slipped my white blaster into its holster.
“Where are you going?” Fitz asked in shock.
“To help,” I said as I walked to my sitting room. “Otto, please have my transport brought to the front.”
“Yes, Princess.”
As we neared the front of the Palace, a group of officers stood around Larkin. They came to attention and saluted as I came closer. “Shouldn’t you be resting?” Larkin asked.
“Yes. I’ll be back later.”
“Where are you going?”
“Out.”
“Teagan Probus,” Larkin said in a quietly stern tone.
“Someone wrecked our warehouse. I’m going to go help out there for a couple of hours and then be back in time to feed Niklos.”
Larkin and the officers followed us. Fitz held open the door of my solid white transport with its Imperial seals. A uniformed soldier was driving. I heard Larkin say the word “stubborn” before Fitz sat beside me and closed the door. I told the driver where to go. When we arrived, I saw that the large cargo bay door was open. Yukihyo’s pants were wet up to his knees. He had a ruined painting in each hand that he was taking out to a large bin. I got out, went to him, and kissed him.
“I’m so sorry, husband.”
Yukihyo’s eyes were an angry mess. “Teagan, what are you doing here?”
“I came to help.”
“No, go back to the Palace and rest.”
“No, we’re in this together. Phillip is here. He won’t let me overdo it. I’m not pregnant, and I have a brand-new heart. Let me help you.”
Omnes Videntes (The Space Merchants Book 4) Page 11
