Stardust And Shadows

by Janelle Taylor

  “No, but they will be soon. Word has it they were rushing their plans and had to slow down to make sure they give the best party that’s ever been held in this galaxy. I’m sure it will be a great spectacle.”

  “Am I a prisoner? Will no one ever see me again besides you?”

  “Certainly not. Have you changed your mind about attending their signing and celebration? You said you didn’t want to accept my offer to go because you didn’t want people gaping at you. We do have better things to occupy our time and energy, specifically that long trip beginning next week.”

  “What trip?”

  “We have stops at Caguas, Kudora, Auriga, and Zamarra before we reach Tartarus, capital of my grandfather’s empire in Androas. You do still want to come along, don’t you? You were looking forward to seeing Avatars Faeroe, Saito, Rhoedea, and Suran once more. I’ve already notified them of our visits. They’re eager to see you again. You told me one of your friends from the Wanderlust lived on Auriga now. I can arrange for you to see Kathy if you’d like, but we won’t have much time there. Our stops will be short—a few hours to overnight—enough time to make deliveries and pay our respects. This will be our first time out in public as newlyweds.”

  “You’re taking me to see the rulers of those four planets?” she asked, as avatars were the most powerful men on each of the thirteen planets. They were also members of the Maffei Interplanetary Alliance Assembly of sixteen men, the others being the three-man Supreme Council of which Kadim Tirol Trygue—Varian’s grandfather—was the high ruler of this galaxy. The other two councilmen were Draco Procyon—her past guardian—and Segall Garthon, Canissia’s father. Their word was law and no one dared disobey it openly; to do so meant death or imprisonment for life on an inescapable and savage penal planetoid, as Maffei practiced no pardon system. “Can you show me off in public?” she asked.

  “Show you off? I do not understand. Perhaps your question does not translate clearly into my language. What does that mean?”

  How could Ryker carry her into public if she had been kidnapped from Varian? He couldn’t. Perhaps he would find an excuse to cancel their journey. “I was told a Maffeian citizen couldn’t marry his charl. Did you have the power to free me and marry me, or is it a lie to manage me better?”

  “I swear to you, Jana, you are a free woman, a Maffeian citizen. I swear to you our marriage is legal under Maffeian and Androasian law. Kadim Tirol had no choice except to do as I asked, and Varian did not resist the deed.”

  In her beautiful “dream,” Varian had said his grandfather freed her so she could marry him. Had she actually been freed so she could marry Ryker first to get her hands on Trilabs before marrying Varian? How could her love paint himself so black to her while impersonating Ryker? Didn’t he realize this ruse could destroy her love for him and her trust in him?

  “Do you not want to be seen at my side, Jana? Are you sorry you married me? Have I been so terrible to you?”

  “Why did you marry me, Ryker, and make me your heir? Don’t you realize how dangerous that is? How can you trust me that much? What if Varian did plant me here to seduce you and steal your secrets? You said something was brewing, remember? What if he’s after your life now?”

  “It wouldn’t do him any good to slay me for youto inherit Trilabs. You can’t get into the main complex. My best formulas are safe, alive or dead.”

  “So, you don’t really trust me?”

  “That isn’t my motive. It keeps us both safe from harm for you to be in a position of being unable to betray me accidentally or by force. Besides the enormous value of my products, in the wrong hands they are deadly and powerful. I, as their creator and. seller, have a responsibility to make certain they remain in the right hands: mine. Do you understand?”

  “Yes, and I agree. As long as you don’t confide in me, you’ll never view me as a threat. I much prefer it that way. But you didn’t answer my question. Why did you marry me, your hated enemy’s ex-mistress?”

  “You’re referring to what I said that first day about Varian knowing how much I would resent following him to your bed. I believe I put it: ‘A cunning torment to send me a ravishing creature who boils the blood and troubles the mind.’ I explained, but I’ll tell you again since you’ve forgotten: that was only to extract clues about my half brother’s motive for sending his prized treasure to his hated enemy. I suspected it was a scheme to get you inside my lab and to win my trust. I told you Varian and the Alliance had tried similar ruses before and they never worked. Using an alien captive as their newest Elite Squad member would be a clever ploy. Since you’re a researcher like myself, you would understand my work, and who would suspect an alien slave of bold treachery? I surmised you might be a spy or agent willing to do a mission for them to win Varian or your freedom. There are few men in the TriGalaxy who wouldn’t lay claim to you if they could. But my spy obtained the true motive for me: Varian wanted to be rid öf you before marrying Cass. What better place to send you than to me where he believed you’d never be seen again or tempt him again, sent to a man rumored to have little, if any, feeling and respect for women?”

  He captured her hands in his before continuing. “I asked you to help me beat Varian at his evil game, to marry me before his marriage to Cass. I told you I wanted your superior image as my wife. I’m the last of my bloodline, Jana, so I need a son or a daughter. The day will arrive when you’ll become the mother of my child, heir to a throne and empire. I’ve found no woman more suitable to that role than you. Varian doesn’t, and never has, loved you. He has only lusted for you. I’m not sure he’s capable of loving or trusting any woman, especially an alien temptress. Even if he has deep feelings for you, he hates me more than he loves you. He craves me dead more than he wants you alive and at his side. He used you as the cover for his mission to your world by distracting me and others from it with your rare beauty and superiority. He and the Alliance fear my grandfather and I will ally with the Pyropeans to attack Maffei while their starships are away either saving your planet from that rogue worldlet or Stardust seeding your atmosphere before certain destruction.”

  Jana didn’t want to think about her world’s possible grim fate at this moment, especially of the Stardusting that induced coma and death. No doubt she was in just as much peril of destruction as Earth was. Besides, there was nothing she could do to prevent fate’s hand from striking at her world. Surely God, in his infinite mercy and wisdom, wouldn’t allow it to happen.

  “I don’t want Maffei; I don’t even want to become Kadim of Androas. I’m too busy with my work here, and politics doesn’t interest me.-Don’t you understand? Varian used you as bait to lure me away from Darkar to your auction because he had spies here and he hoped they could steal my secrets while I was stalking you. They were slain by my defense system. Of course, he and Star Fleet claimed no knowledge of the men.”

  After a brief frown, he said, “Varian pretended you were important to him to catch my interest. He never anticipated I wouldn’t fall for his tricks or that I would crave you for myself after I got to know you. Ever since you were taken from Earth, you’ve been racing toward an unknown destiny, a true destiny—me. It’s ironic that Varian was the one who helped us both fulfill our fates. He and others think I hate women; but they’re wrong. I only scorn those who pursue me. You’re different; you will want nothing more from me than my love, trust, and loyalty, if I’m fortunate enough to win you. The women I’ve met—women like Cass—either want me for my wealth, powerful status, looks, drugs, or for all four reasons. Some even desire me because I do favor my older brother, and he is Galen’s heir. A few hunger for me because they believe I am dangerous and wicked, and they find that exciting. I’ve never met one who got to know and want the real me. I hope you will do that one day. It’s my dream that you’ll want to become more than my wife in name only: other than promising to provide me with an heir one day, that was our bargain, but I am hoping you’ll broaden it. Does that possibility frighten and repel you, Jana
of Earth?”

  Her mouth and eyes were agape. Her heart raced. “Are you saying . .. you want me to … Us to … consummate our marriage soon?”

  The green-eyed blond alien threw back his head and laughed. His tongue flicked his upper lip as he brought his amusement under control and his eyes twinkled with merriment. “I’m sorry, Jana, but you reached far for that word to describe what should be a normal act between husband and wife. You’re even blushing. For a woman in your position, that surprises me.”

  “Because I’m experienced sexually?”

  “No, because you’re a scientist. Mating is something you’re well aware of with your laboratory specimens. I didn’t mean for us to race into bed this morning or this week or even next week. I was exploring the possibility of a future intimate relationship. Simple sex for reproduction isn’t what I have in mind. I want a full life with you, Jana. I want you sooner and for more than the few times it might require to impregnate you with my heir. I know we agreed only to have sex for reproduction; that was before I spent time with you and came to desire you so much. You don’t have to worry about me breaking our bargain, but I hope you will give us a chance at a rich and full life together.”

  When she remained still and silent, he said, “Perhaps something is being lost in the translation from my language to yours. Am I being unclear or crude? I’ve tried to make this discussion light, but I’ve never had much of a sense of humor. I’ll work on developing one and hope you’ll help me succeed.”

  Are you trying to test me to see if Ryker can entice me into this bed? she questioned him silently. Why are you saying such horrible things about yourself, about me, about us? How can you go this far in your secret assignment as Ryker?

  “You can’t answer now or don’t want to answer at all, Jana?”

  Play along with his charade, J. G., and see where it leads. “I’m not sure what to say, Ryker. This is as unexpected as your marriage proposal was. All the way to your planetoid, Canissia told me of your mean spirit. I met you while I was half naked in a cage with that witch goading me. You examined me like an exotic specie under a large microscope. You did seem cold and cruel. Then, when Canissia was gone, you were different. You told me you allow people to think evil of you so they’ll leave you alone, so they’ll fear you. Now, you’re hotly romancing me. What am I supposed to think?”

  “I said I sometimes play out the role fate seems determined to cast me in, but I also apologized for taking my anger and suspicions out on you.”

  “Yes, you did. You became kind and gentle. We talked and dined together a few times. Then you proposed, wed me, and left home. The next thing I knew, it’s over a week later and you’re telling me we’ve gotten close during days I can’t remember. You want to get even closer. It seems too fast and curious.”

  “Have you ever walked into a store and seen something that you had to have that very minute? Or craved a food you couldn’t wait to devour? Or run an experiment that you couldn’t wait to succeed? Have you ever wanted something so bad that you would feel painfully denied if you couldn’t have it?”

  Yes, my first prom dress and horse Apache, brownies with pecans, a cure for leukemia, and Varian Saar. “I understand your meaning, but why?”

  “That’s how you make me feel, Jana of Earth. I’ve only been denied one thing I wanted during my lifetime, until you came along and made it two. Are you immune to me, Jana Greyson Triloni? Totally unaffected?”

  Unaffected by an almost irresistible force, even if he were Ryker? A woman would have to be blind, dumb, and sexless not to desire such a man! Or be in love with another one. “What was the other thing you never won?”

  He chuckled again. “It’s a clever scientist,” he teased, “who turns a revealing test in another direction to fool the competition when a result is close to discovery and needs to be kept secret.” He grew serious as he replied, “But I’ll answer anyway. My father’s love, respect, and acceptance. Can I ever win those things from you, Dr. Jana Greyson Triloni?”

  She hadn’t expected him to be so direct. Why a sudden rush for a commitment? Was Varian here as his half brother to consummate this marriage to make it legal? Was he going to videotape the union as proof? Surely he wouldn’t subject her to such a mortifying and private deed. In some foreign cultures of olden Earth, it was said witnesses were mandatory to prove consummation and virginity, especially in cases of royalty. And Ryker was royalty. Did he and the Maffei Supreme Council believe it was necessary to have evidence to prevent any resistance to her inheritance as Ryker’s widow? What better way to gain control of the Androasian Empire than through an heir to the throne, particularly if Varian controlled the child’s mother through love and desire? Surely no stakes could be that high or motive that great, not even ownership of Trilabs or intergalactic peace. “You own me, Prince Ryker Triloni. What command that you issue could I refuse to obey and survive?”

  “I own your life and body; I want your heart, Jana, of your free will.”

  “To prove to Varian you can have what he never could? Do you want an heir quickly so you can be rid of me sooner? Why seek my cooperation? I am at your mercy in this impregnable fortress. Who would know what you do with me? Who would care enough to battle you? No one!”

  “You’ll come to see how wrong you are about me. But enough of this: Let’s eat. I’m sure you’re as hungry as I am. Let me straighten my papers first.”

  To come to an accurate conclusion, she required indisputable data that she could not acquire if she kept going in this hostile and defensive direction. This man and her predicament were like unknown chemicals in a vital formula. She must test them with caution and respect. Once she obtained all the information she could gather, she would evaluate it and come up with a neutralizing method. Varian had accused her once of always needing to examine and analyze everything, even emotions. This situation required “further testing.” Her path and choice were clear: either she could be submissive or be destroyed. Wasn’t earning and keeping Ryker’s goodwill more important at this time than foolish, misplaced pride and defiance—dangerous traits she could not afford. She must not become a coward or a weakling, but neither must she appear a threat or enemy to him. It was wise to obey until a path of escape presented itself, if it ever did. There was no turning back or returning home. It was accept and endure or … What? she didn’t know yet.

  She watched him put away papers in a desk drawer and replace books on a nearby shelf. As if he had forgotten her presence, he walked toward the door. Jana rose and headed to join him. “If I offended you, I’m sorry,” she said. “I need time.”

  He faced her and said, “You’ll have plenty of it with me, so don’t worry. Despite my nefarious reputation, I would never attack my own wife, or any woman. If we have a chance at happiness, Jana of Earth, it’s up to you.”

  He went through the door and Jana trailed him. He seemed hurt, and she found that disturbing and baffling. Suddenly he seemed nothing like Varian Saar. Should that make her happy or sad? If Varian was lost to her, could she accept Ryker as his replacement in her life? Was Ryker being honest with her? You’re trapped, J. G., and you’ll never escape!

  Ine served their meal with perfection and silence. Jana remembered Ryker telling her that most of his servants and workers were androids and robots. It was like being in a science-fiction movie, but this was reality. How long would it take before such things seemed commonplace? If only she knew how accurately their words were being translated to each other. If only—

  “Is the food not to your liking? Would you prefer another dish?”

  Jana’s head jerked upward and she gaped at him. Those were the exact words Varian had said to her on his ship just before revealing her predicament! She watched him shifting his fork back and forth between his hands. His glass and cup were sitting to the … left of his plate!

  His gaze followed her line of vision. He chuckled. “Ambidextrous. It’s useful for taking notes while I’m dissecting specimens or mixing chemicals with
my best hand. Have you acquired that skill, too?”

  “Not as well as you have. I mostly use my right.”

  “So do I, but I’m as good with my left when it’s necessary. I’ll teach you one day; you might have need of it when we work together.”

  “How will you do that?” Varian wasn’t a scientist! He was a starship commander. That was one area in which he couldn’t playact the matchless chemist and researcher, not well enough, at least, to fool a skilled chemist and researcher like herself. At last, a path to exposure of his ruse! “When do we begin work in your lab? I’m eager to get back to research.”

  “After our return from Grandfather’s.”

  She watched him take a bite of food and follow it with zim: coffee. So that was it: fool Kadim Maal into thinking Ryker was still alive before Varian left on his mission to the Milky Way Galaxy! To pull it off, he thought even she had to believe he was Ryker. “Why not before we leave?”

  “I don’t want you being exposed to any possible viruses until you’re well enough to have your inoculations again. Even animals and plants can be carriers sometimes. Your bloodwork revealed three haven’t taken effect. I want you to concentrate on getting well and strong before we leave.”

  “You want your grandfather and the others to see how happy I am?”

  “How happy we are. Masculine pride. And you might get caught up in your exuberance and let it become real.”

  “I think we can both accomplish a good act with a little practice.”

  “That isn’t what I want, Jana. You had enough of pretenses with Varian. Just be yourself. You’re beautiful, talented, intelligent, charming, and well bred. You know how to conduct yourself in public.”

  “How do you know?” She sipped the hot liquid with caution as she eyed him over the rim of the cup.