Star Dust (Force Of Gravity Book 1)

by Ali Winters

  Lucian’s eyes shot open, his entire body protesting every movement. He groaned and pushed himself up, scrubbing his face with a hand.

  “Get up,” Edin’s voice commanded.

  Scrambling to his feet, Lucian poised for attack.

  He lunged for the Erisian, and missed, stumbling past as the man stepped easily out of the way.

  “Stop being foolish.” The man walked up to Lucian and gripped his shoulders, steadying him.

  “You must go to Jupiter now, gather what Citinal you can and bring them back to Soleis. Time is running out, now hurry before it’s too late.”

  His brows knitted together as he shook his head, trying to make sense of the situation. “What?” he asked, taking a step back.

  The man let out a frustrated breath, “I was charged with completing your death sentence. I made sure I was in the right place so no other would get the job.”

  “I won’t go without a fight.”

  “There is no need to fight. I don’t plan on killing you, but you must run—now—before they realize what I have done,” Edin pleaded.

  Understanding flickered across Lucian’s face.

  “You’re… freeing me? Why?”

  “To let King Mobius or Queen Alanya rule as they plan, it would destroy the Inner Ring planets.

  What would the point be in ruling dead rocks? Even if I agreed with their plan, it is not their right to rule here. I am loyal to Eris, but not at the expense of the rest of our Universe. There is a small faction of us who are on your side. Look for us when you return, we will assist you.”

  Lucian nodded, “Thank you.”

  “Go now. You don’t have much time.”

  Turning, Lucian ran from the center of the Gateway down the path to Jupiter’s door. His ribs screamed in agony from the multiple beatings the overzealous Citali had given him. No doubt, at least one of them was broken.

  He fumbled for his key—those Citali were useless to their King. They hadn’t even thought to check them for weapons or the Gateway keys. Lucian unlocked the door and pushed his way through.

  As he stumbled through the door, the toe of his boot caught the lip of the frame, and he crashed to his hands and knees.

  A high-pitched shriek filled the air, threatening to make his ears bleed. He looked up at the frightened maid.

  “ Prince Caelan, get him,” he ordered.

  “Wha—Who?” she stuttered.

  “Now!” he grunted and clutched at the stabbing pain in his side. Black converged the edges of his vision, as the little strength he had, began to dissolve.

  I can’t hold on much longer…

  He tensed his jaw fighting the inevitable blackness that would overtake him.

  The maid’s face twisted in horror.

  “R—right away, your Majesty.” She spun on her heel and ran out of the room.

  Collapsing, Lucian rolled to his back and closed his eyes, his strength fading as the pain and blood loss caught up to him.

  Muffled voices surrounded him, then a sharp pain as he was lifted and moved. He tried to open an eye, but couldn’t. No… not yet, I have to tell Caelan. Oriana…

  The thought died as unconsciousness took over his mind.

  Caelan

  Caelan walked through the newly constructed infirmary and nodded with approval. The room extended half the length of the castle with several different entrances to create a long row of rooms. Only a few patients to a room and they would easily be able to sort them according to injuries. It was good. They would need it once they figured out who was responsible.

  No doubt there will be many more casualties before this is over.

  His brow creased. Oriana and Lucian should have been back days ago. They had been gone too long. Balling his hands into fists, he let out a controlled breath. He should have insisted they come back and report after every planet.

  “Is there anything that we missed, your Majesty?” Flix, his advisor, asked.

  Looking to the tall man next to him, Caelan studied him. The man’s soft features had slightly wrinkled with time. He’d been the advisor to Caelan’s parents, and their parents before. His graying hair was pulled back at the nape of his neck in a short tail, and his uniform was flawless, as usual.

  The man held a pen and paper in his hands, ready to take notes. Caelan shook his head.

  “No, Flix, I think it will do quite nicely.” He gave the man a wide grin. It felt foreign, as though his face were no longer used to the movements. The expression was returned with a raised eyebrow.

  “I—”

  “Your Highness, your Highness!” a shrill voice rang out, echoing in the high-ceilinged room. Caelan turned to the doorway in time to see one of the servants running through. Her eyes were wide with fear. Long, tan hair with rich brown highlights flowed out behind her.

  “What is the meaning of this?” he asked.

  “You must come quick, the man… I think he’s dying,” she gasped for air, her face flushed with her panic.

  “Who is dying?”

  “The Prince,” she puffed, resting her hands on her knees.

  Caelan cursed and strode out of the room. If the Prince she spoke about was Lucian as he suspected…

  Then, what of Oriana? Where is she?

  He picked up the pace and ran to the sitting room of the Gateway. His hand gripped the doorframe as he swung himself into the sitting room.

  Scanning the room, he spotted Lucian on the floor. Oriana was nowhere to be seen.

  “What has happened?” Flix asked, catching up to him.

  “Help me carry him to the infirmary.”

  The men lifted Lucian by his arms and legs and carried him down the hall.

  “Your Highness?” Flix asked again.

  “I’m not sure what happened… but we need to get this man treatment.” They entered the new wing. “Healer!” he bellowed.

  A tall, slender woman burst through the double doors from across the room. Her hair was pulled back into a low bun. With quick steps, she ran to his side, calling out orders in her firm voice.

  “Place him in this bed here.” She pointed to the bed nearest the two men as she grabbed her bag of equipment off a table as in passing, bringing it as she approached her new charge. Pulling out scissors, she cut open Lucian’s shirt, exposing bruised ribs, and broken skin.

  “How bad is it, Millia?” Caelan asked. Her hands moved deftly as she cleaned his wounds. Millia was his youngest healer, but she was also the most highly skilled healer born in the last fifteen centuries.

  “He will live,” She said reaching into her bag and pulling out a vial of red and gold swirling liquid. Lifting his head, she pressed the bottle to his lips and tipped it, slowly pouring it into his mouth. “This should dull his pain for now. But this man is not of Jupiter; our medicines will be too strong. It will take me a few hours to prepare what he needs.”

  “Fine, do what you must, but hurry.”

  “Yes, Prince Caelan.” With a nod, she stood and hurried off.

  “Flix, please watch over him. Inform me the moment he wakes.”

  “Yes, your Highness,” Flix said bowing.

  Caelan turned and strode from the room. Waiting to know of Oriana’s fate would kill him.

  I never should have let her go off with him. She’s my responsibility. If anything has happened to her…

  Nearing the office his father had used before he was murdered in the attacks, Caelan paused as he approached.

  Marinette was it?

  A Citali guard from Venus waited outside the door. She twisted and untwisted the ends of her blonde waist length braid with crimson streaks between her fingers. Her eyes focused on the floor.

  Caelan cleared his throat. Startled she dropped the braid and turned to face him, her back straight as an arrow.

  “Your Majesty…” She bowed, placing her fist on her chest.

  He approached her. “Did you need to speak with me, Marinette?”

  “I was wondering if you had any new
s?”

  “Your timing is impeccable. Tell your Queen that we will move in a few hours’ time. I will send word with more details as soon as I find them.”

  “There is no need. I shall return.”

  “Very well. Thank you,” he nodded.

  Marinette bowed again and strode off toward the Gateway room, braid swinging behind her.

  Pushing open the door, he entered the office and closed the door behind him as he released a heavy sigh.

  With his fists clenched at his sides, he crossed the room. Piles of papers and rolled up maps, covered the surface of the desk. He flipped through documents and scanned the countless maps of the Inner Ring planets of the solar system. Sitting around and waiting for Lucian to wake up wasn’t an option, he needed to keep busy—be productive.

  There wasn’t time to devise a plan for each planet on the off chance Lucian didn’t know who was responsible. Each world would require a vastly unique plan from the others if they were to catch whoever it was off guard and stand a chance of taking them down and getting Oriana back.

  “What Citinal has this kind of power to take down so many planets at once, without warning?” Letting out a frustrated growl, he ran his fingers roughly through his hair tugging on the tan and copper strands.

  He pushed the stacks of papers to the side in a messy heap and lowered himself into the thick leather chair.

  Caelan let his head drop to the surface of the desk with a soft thump. It was impossible to prepare. No knowledge of the attackers meant he would have no clue where to start searching for Oriana and no idea where to focus their attacks.

  Caelan jolted upright when a loud knock on the door startled him. Smoothing back his hair with a hand, he took a moment to compose himself.

  “Enter,” he called.

  Flix opened the door but stood just outside the entry. “The young Prince is awake now sir. He seems eager to get up.”

  “Very well, I will go see him in a moment. Thank you.” Caelan stood and tugged on the hem of his uniform, straightening his shirt. He’d almost rounded the desk when Lucian stormed through the door.

  “Eris,” Lucian seethed.

  “What are you doing out of the infirmary? You should—”

  “Eris is responsible for the attack.”

  Caelan was taken aback, raising an eyebrow in disbelief. That couldn’t be right. Lucian had to be mistaken. He examined the man before him noting that Lucian was almost healed. Only the hint of bruising remained. The healing drafts Millia created must have been some of the most powerful to work so effectively in such a short time.

  “They don’t have a Citinal—”

  “I was to be killed, but one of them let me go. King Mobius and Queen Alanya plan to rule over the Inner Ring. The man, he said there was a small faction of them that stand against the King and Queen’s agenda.”

  Caelan rubbed his chin. “That sounds unlikely. You were severely injured when we found you. How do we know this is not a trap?”

  “We don’t, but what choice do we have? They are on Soleis now, holding Oriana prisoner, who knows what they are doing to her. Bring your Citinal, and save her. Now!” Lucian pressed a hand to his side. No doubt still in some pain from his injuries.

  Stopping himself from rushing out the door, he planted his feet. He wanted to rescue her… but he needed more information, and a plan.

  “We can’t just blindly go in without a plan.”

  The Citinal of Jupiter and their ability to use strategy against their enemies was unmatched. Running in blindly to any situation would risk what was left of the only Citinal capable of rescuing Oriana as well as bring down the men responsible for their recent tragedy.

  “She risked her life to find the truth when no one else bothered to look for who was responsible,” Lucian raised his voice.

  Caelan’s eyes widened in surprise at the sudden outburst. No one had ever yelled at him on his home world. This Earthen had guts, but he couldn’t allow him to speak to him in such a manner without correction.

  “She’s not your responsibility to worry about—she’s mine,” he said through gritted teeth.

  “Then act like it!” Lucian slammed his hands down on the table. “There are more important things on the line than your pride.”

  “Let me assure you, it is not my pride stopping me. We need a plan of attack. You know as well as I that running in screaming and shaking sticks around will not help us.”

  Narrowing his eyes, he met Lucian’s stare. He could feel the emotions skitter across his face—shock, anger, and then eventually calm settled over his features as realization dawned on him. Their gazes locked, as they assessed each other. The man before him was thinking about saving Oriana—not of the lives that it would take to return her to safety. Not the risk of failure at going in blind and not the fact that he would most likely die in his weakened state if he left now.

  Did something happen between him and Oriana while they were gone? It isn’t possible, Oriana would never have allowed it.

  But Lucian had no thought in his mind other than her and what it would take to save her. It was clear in the hard lines of his face that he would turn the Galaxy inside out if it helped her.

  Caelan turned his head away, unable to maintain eye contact. He envied Lucian’s ability to put emotions and a single person before anything and everyone else.

  “You’re not going to do anything?” Lucian asked in surprise.

  The only answer was a long drawn out silence. He pressed his lips together in a tight line. “It’s not that simple. I am doing what needs to be done,” he said evenly. Caelan let out a slow breath. “Leading my men to slaughter will help no one, least of all Oriana.”

  “You are turning your back on the one person you should protect over anyone else only because you’re not yet joined.” Lucian pushed away from the desk. “You don’t deserve her.”

  The words hit Caelan in the chest and he took a half step back. He knew the Earthen Prince had feelings for her, but the emotion held in those four words was unexpected.

  Lucian turned on his heels and stormed toward the door. Stopping when he reached the far side of the room, he turned.

  “I might die in the process, but I won’t stop until Oriana is safe.” He sent Caelan one last glare then strode from the room.

  Anger burned under his skin. Lucian might feel more than he realized, but he had gone too far. Oriana was not his to protect or to take care of. Letting him escort her had been a mistake. Unable to accompany her himself, he’d allowed Lucian to go in his stead.

  But hadn’t her safety been worth the risk? Yes. Though, letting her be captured! What a failure of a guardian he turned out to be.

  It didn’t matter now. Regret was a waste of time and energy. Lucian wouldn’t be any use to her in his current state.

  Rounding the desk, Caelan strode after the man in love with his betrothed. A pang of jealousy coursed through him. Though he didn’t love Oriana, he had expected they would form a friendship and eventually, someday in the distant future, they would grow to love each other.

  Lucian stalked down the hall, with a determined gait, doing his best to hide the limp that lingered.

  “Wait,” Caelan called out.

  Lucian froze but did not turn to face him. Caelan took long strides, catching up to him.

  “Don’t mistake my planning for lack of caring. I want to give her the best chance I can and I will always protect her to the best of my ability.”

  Lucian nodded once in acknowledgment. When he didn’t speak or move, Caelan continued. “Three hours, then I will meet you at the Gateway Arch with my Citinal. But, please Lucian, go back to the infirmary until then. You have not finished healing. Oriana will need you to be in good health.”

  “I need to make a quick stop first,” he said reaching into his pocket and pulling out an object Caelan couldn’t see.

  “Very well. Millia will send you with a healing draft.” Spinning on his heel, Caelan walked away as fast as he
could without running.

  There was too much that needed to be done in the short time he had. Oriana would want Lucian there. When they had first shown up on Jupiter, they’d already had a closeness about them. Though she might be relieved at his presence there, Caelan knew Lucian’s—safe—appearance would mean more to her at that moment. It hurt his pride to admit it, even to himself, but she would need to know Lucian had lived.

  Oriana

  Music filled the hall. Alton remained at the top of the stairs, watching her slow decent. Prince Erik waited at the bottom, a tight-lipped smile on his face. Oriana paused and glanced around, hot tears prickling at her eyes.

  Grey filled the wide open ballroom. The walls and pillars had been repaired with the strange materials from Eris.

  Oriana’s brow creased. Soleis had so much beautiful crystal to work with, yet they had chosen to bring in this dull rock to patch up the destruction they’d caused to her home. Guards were scattered, two per doorway, no rhyme or reason to their positions. She was surprised to see how few Citali there were. Perhaps the other planets had put up more of a fight than she’d thought. She took joy in the fact that their numbers were affected after all their attacks.

  Oriana slowed her stride, not wanting to reach the end of the newly carpeted stairs, now a dark charcoal color.

  They are already moving in…

  She startled when Alton cleared his throat behind her. His intention clear—keep walking or he would “help” her the rest of the way.

  She met Erik’s piercing black eyes as she approached him and for a man who was about to get everything he demanded, he looked shaken. A frown tugged at his lips, but his posture and grace were as perfect as always. His expression was nothing short of out of place.

  I wonder what happened to upset his Highness… They probably forgot to stock up on his favorite drink. How dare he act as though he were the one being forced into this! she thought bitterly.

  Holding out his hand, Erik waited for her to slip her fingers into his palm. Oriana hesitated for a second before complying. The knuckle of his other hand lifted and grazed just below the hollow of her neck, sending chills over her skin. Wrapping his arm around her waist, he drew her in and began to swirl her around the dance floor.