by Cheree Alsop
“You get one chance,” the soldier on the right said. “Will you join the cause of Malivok, our leader and most holy Godking?”
I gritted my teeth against what I knew was coming and said through them, “Never.”
A glimmer of anticipation showed in the soldier’s red gaze before he pressed the button.
By the time they dragged me back to the cell, my legs had forgotten how to work. The door was opened and I was flung inside like a sack of grain. Arms caught me and I was lowered to the floor.
“What did they do to you?” Nova demanded in a panicked voice.
The metallic taste in my mouth increased when I tried to reply, but no words came out.
“Look at the burns,” Redden said, his voice quiet. “He’s been electrocuted.”
“They’re trying to get him to swear fealty to Malivok,” Regalus Fay said. “We’ve seen it before. They’ll keep doing it until he gives in or dies.”
I heard Nova’s breath catch. The sound made me focus on her face.
“I’m fine,” I said in a croak. “Barely tickled.”
She shook her head. “This is barbaric. Who would follow someone who gains his subjects out of fear?”
“It’s been proven effective in the past,” Regalus said. “Thus the Accords. Unfortunately, fear is a great motivator.”
“But you didn’t give in,” I said, my voice a bit stronger.
I followed the searching look Redden gave his father.
His voice was reluctant when he asked, “Did they torture you like this?”
Regalus shook his head. “It seems even Malivok has some respect for titles.” He shot me an apologetic look. “Sorry, lad.”
I pushed up to a sitting position; hands were there to help me. “I’ll never be sorry someone else doesn’t have to go through that.”
“Was it terrible?” Nova asked.
I met her gaze. The stark worry in the depths of her searching green eyes made everything else fall away. Our surroundings, the people with us, and the cold, dank atmosphere of the cell faded from view. We weren’t two prisoners sitting in the dungeon of a moon that served as the base of a psychotic ruler. We were simply Nova and Kove, drifters in the endless expanse of space whose fates kept throwing us together.
The way she looked at me made my heart beat faster while at the same time it became harder to breathe. My hand lifted of its own accord to touch her cheek. She set her hand over mine and closed her eyes. She turned her face to my palm and kissed it gently. Little tingles of electricity ran up my arm from the soft brush of her lips.
I closed my eyes and took a steeling breath. They could torture me all they wanted if it meant I could return to Nova’s tender touch and concern.
A throat cleared behind me. I opened my eyes to see embarrassment color Nova’s cheeks red. It was perhaps the most beautiful thing I had ever seen.
“Do you two mind?” McKy spat in an irritated tone.
“Is it too much to ask for a private cell?” I asked.
That brought a smile to Nova’s lips.
“Perhaps you could ask the soldiers during your next torture session,” Redden suggested dryly.
I chuckled and lowered my hand. “I’ll give it a shot.”
“It’s beautiful,” Redden’s father said. “Young love has no equal.”
Nova and I looked at each other. Something unspoken passed between us. I had confessed that I loved her in a moment of despair when they forced me to leave her wounded and bleeding in the House of Lords and Ladies. I wasn’t sure she even remembered that; she had been nearly unconscious at the time.
Yet to have Lord Regalus Fay say aloud what he saw between us cemented the truth. I would give anything for the woman in front of me. They could torture me to the end of my days and I would never betray her and all that she stood for. But she would never be safe within the Godking’s stronghold.
“I need to get you out of here,” I said.
She blinked in surprise. “How?”
“I have an idea, but it’ll require another night or so.”
Her eyebrows pulled together, forming a little furrow between them. “But what if they take you for another torture session.”
“I’m counting on it,” I replied.
She shook her head. “I don’t know if you can handle another one.”
“She has a point,” Redden said. “Their goal will be to kill you if you don’t bow.”
I forced a smile I didn’t feel. “They’re going to have to try a whole lot harder.”
I glanced at Regalus. “The thing I don’t understand is why keep the Lords and Ladies alive if his goal is to take over the Accords?”
“His goal isn’t the Accords themselves.”
I looked back at Nova in surprise. “How do you know that?”
She lowered her gaze. “Lord Briofe’s here.”
I stared at her. “And you’ve spoken to him?”
“Not willingly,” she replied.
Too many unspoken things lingered in her words, but I chose not to press her. She didn’t owe me any explanations, as badly as I wanted them.
“The Godking’s after the Andenite,” Redden said from his seat against the wall.
I looked at Nova in surprise. “That’s the reason he wanted the Loreandian System?”
She nodded. “Our Andenite export is the richest in the known ‘Verse. He’s harvesting it because he believes it will bring him immortality.”
McKy’s voice was bitter when he said, “And apparently he’s fine with destroying the planet to get it.” He shook his head. “We’ve got to find a way to stop him. I can’t believe any ruler would casually destroy that many lives to get what he wants.”
Redden’s father spoke up from his spot on the bed. “That’s why you are your father’s son.” The older man gave McKy a compassionate look. “Count Kovus always ruled with a firm hand and a soft heart; I’m glad to see he passed the same on to you.” He then turned his gaze back to the low ceiling. “I’m not surprised to hear the lengths the Godking will go. Have you seen the Blavarians’ dedication to Malivok? The whole lot of them would die at their own hands if he but asked them.” He met my gaze. “That kind of religious fervor is terrifying.”
I felt Nova’s fingers tighten in mine. The warmth of her touch made it hard to concentrate. I took a steeling breath and let it out slowly. “We need to let Parliament know Malivok’s true motives so they can send help to the Loreandian System; in order to do that, we have to get back to the SevenWolf. How much time do we have?”
“I’ll find out tomorrow,” Nova said.
When I glanced at her, she sighed. “Lord Briofe said he would give me the night to think over his proposal.”
My heart skipped a beat. “His proposal?”
She lowered her gaze from mine. “If I marry him, Malivok will ensure that my people are evacuated from Evia before they begin the mining process; otherwise, they’ll be sacrificed along with the planet.”
I stared at her. “That’s genocide!”
“It’s sick and twisted, that’s what it is,” McKy said angrily. The Cadonian’s hands were clenched into fists as he glared at the bars of the cell. “If I’d known what a cowardly snake Rishton was going to turn into, I would have throttled him when we were children.”
Nova looked as though she was going to chide him for the crude words, then she lowered her gaze. “I would be right there with you.”
Her stark tone of defeat ate at me. I squeezed her fingers gently. “You know we’re not going to let this happen, right?” When she didn’t look at me, I tipped her chin up gently so I could see her beautiful, sad green gaze. “Nova, we will do everything in our power to stop Malivok.”
Desperation filled her eyes when she said, “But we’re six people trapped in a cell on a moon in a system controlled by Blavarians. What can we possibly do?”
Resolve made my chest tighten. “We’re going to escape tomorrow and send word back to Parliament so they can def
end Evia until we get back there. Until then, we need to find out where Malivok is taking the Andenite.”
“I can find that out with Lord Briofe tomorrow,” Nova said.
“I don’t trust him without a knife through his gut,” McKy growled.
She looked past me at her brother. “Don’t worry. I’m not going to marry him.” She shuddered. “The thought makes me nauseous.” She met my gaze again. “But I’ll do whatever I need to so we can learn Malivok’s plan. It’s the only way to protect my people.”
As much as I hated letting her go back with that pile of yaken scat, we needed the information. I nodded reluctantly. “Just be careful.”
“I will,” she promised.
She stifled a yawn.
“It’s been a long night,” I told her. “You should get some rest for tomorrow.”
I didn’t want to admit how hard I was struggling to stay awake as well. Lord Regalus was already snoring on the bed. Redden ducked under his father’s arm and half-pulled, half-carried him to the floor so Nova could have the bed. The Quarian’s snoring returned immediately.
“It’s all yours, Countess,” Redden told her. He held out a hand to help her to her feet.
She shook her head. “Kove should have it.” She looked at me. “You need the rest.”
I was touched by the gesture, but denied the offer. “I’ve slept on many a cell floor in my life. Trust me when I say I am fine sleeping anywhere.” When she opened her mouth to protest, I gave her my most charming smile. “Lady Nova, Countess of the Loreandian System and keeper of my heart, it is a truly despicable place where a woman of your valor and grace can be kept in such a miserable dungeon. Allow us the chance to give you whatever comfort is in our meager power within these stone walls.”
A smile touched Redden’s face. “I couldn’t have said it better myself.”
“I know,” I replied.
Nova sighed. “I would argue, but I am too exhausted from dealing with my sniveling cousin to come up with anything close to that.”
Redden gave a triumphant chuckle and held out both of his left hands to help her to her feet.
“A true Lady knows when to argue and when to accept defeat,” he said. He gestured to me with one of his free hands. “And that Smiren is far more dangerous with his words than he looks.”
I didn’t know whether to be offended or flattered. The Quarian grinned as if he knew it.
“I am merely doing whatever it takes,” Nova said as she lowered onto the bed. “But I’m starting to fear this Godking has far more power than we’re able to muster.” She turned her head to meet my gaze. My breath slowed at the depth of emotion in her eyes. “I can’t fail my people.”
“You won’t,” I told her. “We’ll find a way to stop Malivok. Your people know they can trust you.”
“I’m still here,” McKy muttered from the floor. “They can trust me, too, remember?”
I glanced at him, but he hadn’t even bothered to open his eyes for the argument. I expected more from such an advocate for his people.
When I looked back at Nova, there was a hint of a smile in her gaze as if she guessed my thoughts. I smiled back. “Get some sleep. Sounds like your day tomorrow may be more painful than mine.”
It was a bad joke, but it succeeded in bringing a small laugh from her. She rolled onto her side and pulled her hands and feet up in a fetal position. I wanted to tell her that she looked adorable, but I chose to keep it to myself to avoid any answering comments from her tactful brother.
I leaned against the wall near Redden and was about to close my eyes when I spotted Farlon sitting in the far corner. The Quarian sat with his knees tucked up and his four hands around them. He stared as if he saw something other than the dark cell in front of him. There was agony on his face that made me unable to look away.
“Is your brother alright?” I whispered quietly to Redden.
He followed my gaze and his expression darkened with sadness. “He’s been that way since the Wars. I don’t think he sleeps much.”
A loud snore tore from Regalus.
Redden snorted, but there was a fondness in his expression when he said, “At least one of us doesn’t have a problem sleeping.” He lowered his voice and whispered, “I feel like a bad son for having mourned my family when they were still alive. What a fool I’ve been.”
I put a hand on his shoulder. “You survived, and you helped others to do the same. You are lucky to have each other.”
He nodded and an expression of peace chased away his sorrow as his eyes closed wearily. “I am. Thank you for bringing me here.”
“Even if we were shot at more than I said we would be?” I asked.
He smiled without opening his eyes. “Even so.”
I wanted to sleep as well, but I couldn’t ignore Farlon’s anguished stare. He had been worth his weight in marks as a soldier. The battles we had gone through together had been harsh, violent, and gruesome, but we had succeeded as a team. The Quarian’s battalion had been combined with mine during our final forays against the Centari soldiers. Farlon’s voice had been second to mine, relaying my commands and seeing that my orders were carried out. His sword had been as stained by blood as my own. We had saved each other’s backs more times than I could count. I couldn’t turn a blind eye if I could help him once more.
I crossed quietly to his side.
“Farlon?”
The Quarian didn’t move.
I set a hand on his shoulder, but realized that was a mistake when he grabbed my wrist and rolled his arm while bowling me over, effectively trapping me under him. His hands closed around my neck. His grip tightened, slowly cutting off my air.
Everything within me screamed for me to fight back. I could break his hold and possibly an arm or two and save my life. Instead, I forced out his name and held perfectly still.
Chapter Four
NOVA
The sound of a scuffle made Nova’s eyes open. She blinked in the darkness, trying to remember where she was. The press of the stone bed beneath her along with the musty, damp air brought back Malivok’s dungeon and why they were there. Her eyes focused and then widened at the sight of Kovak pinned to the floor by Redden’s brother, Farlon. The Smiren’s face was reddening, but for some reason he didn’t fight back.
“Kove,” she cried out in alarm.
Kovak’s head turned and he met her gaze. “Wait,” he said in a strangled voice.
Nova didn’t understand. He was going to die if he didn’t fight back. She knew the gladiator could easily take the Quarian down. She had seen him fight far bigger opponents with ease. So why was he waiting?
Her muscles tensed. She was about to throw herself on top of the Quarian to save Kovak when Farlon shook his head. He blinked, then shook his head again and stared down at Kovak.
“Captain?” he said quietly.
“It’s me,” Kovak replied in a tight voice.
Farlon scrambled backwards quickly until he was against the wall with his hands up.
“I-I’m so sorry, Captain. I don’t know what came over me.”
Kovak pushed carefully to a sitting position, his gaze never leaving the Quarian’s. “It’s alright. I’ve had the same response to being awakened when I was unprepared.”
Farlon frowned. “Was I asleep?”
“In a matter of speaking.”
He shook his head. “I don’t sleep, Captain, not really.”
There was a plaintive twist to his tone. He sounded like a child just then, telling his father the same thing. It gripped Nova’s heart coming from a man she had known since he was the little boy she and Redden used to toddle after at the House.
Kovak hadn’t risen to his feet. Nova didn’t know if it was exhaustion from being tortured that kept him sitting on the chilly cell floor or some other reason, but she still got the impression that he was entirely in control of the situation. It was the same thing she had felt when he looked at her with Farlon’s hands around his neck and asked her to wa
it. If he felt the Quarian was dangerous, he didn’t show it. Instead, his expression showed compassion and understanding.
“Why don’t you sleep, Farlon?” he asked quietly.
The Quarian kept all four of his hands pressed back against the stone wall as if he wished he could sink into it. He lowered his gaze under the Smiren’s attention and finally admitted, “Because I see their faces.”
Kovak closed his eyes for a moment and then opened them again.
“The faces of those you killed?”
Farlon glared at him and said defensively, “The faces of those who wanted me dead. Did I ring their necks or put a bullet in their skull to keep it from happening? Yes, I did.”
The fine hairs on the back of Nova’s neck rose at his tone. Kovak glanced at her as if he guessed how she felt, but instead of concern, his expression was calm. He gave her a small smile and turned back to the Quarian.
“I know what you did out there because I did the same thing,” he said gently. “We were young, foolish kids back then who happened to fight the right fight at the right time. I barely knew how to lead and they gave me command of the squadron because nobody else wanted it. They knew what kind of a battle it was going to be to reclaim the Accord Systems and chase the Centari away for good. We did what we had to do, but it wasn’t easy.”
“No, it wasn’t,” Farlon snapped. “It was hard and brutal and…and I hated it.” He closed his eyes and said, “Every last minute of it.” A tear trickled slowly down his cheek as he continued, “The killing, the blood. It was everywhere. And their screams.” He put one set of hands over his ears. “I can’t shut out their moans, Captain. Their screams wake me up at night, and then just their faces swirling over and over in my mind. Their eyes are blank and I know it’s all my fault.” He buried his face in his hands and hunched over. “It’s all my fault they can’t see or breathe or love or cry or laugh or smile anymore. I killed them; I did it. It’s my fault they no longer have their lives.”
“And they haunt your every thought to remind you of it.”
Farlon held perfectly still at Kovak’s words. He slowly lifted his tear-streaked face and said one strangled word. “Yes.”
