Mask of Fire

by Michel Prince

  Asher’s military volunteered to beef up all of the Alliance member’s military, but the high ratio of fatalities for those who enter the training had the other members politely declining. Of the two worlds that scared Barton the most, Asher and Wolten were at the top of his list. Those on Wolten were attempting democracy from a tradition of scavengers. Asher on the other hand had a race of great warriors who protected their lineage as much as Lextrans protected their traditions. Both had those who became offended, only Ashers tended to become offended by those who didn’t follow their protocol. Barton had only a rudimentary understanding of the proper way to respond.

  How had his father maintained peace for so long? More importantly why? Altruistic thoughts had been there since he was young. His father loved his citizens and would do anything to keep them safe, but since meeting Abby he knew the real reason he kept a level head in public. His father couldn’t risk endangering his mother. Now he was in the same position. A day earlier he would have declared war and destroyed all who threatened his world, but now there was the time for diplomacy. Now was the time to show his Fire he could be controlled and bring back the world she’d fallen in love with.

  “We welcome your assistance.” Barton clenched his fist under the desk. “But just with the interlopers. We wish to deal with our own citizens.”

  “It is agreed.” The chorus came from the leadership.

  “We thank you, but Chancellor, we will need the cure sooner than later.”

  Barton saw his father begin to shake as he pulled a cover over himself.

  “Cure?” the Chancellor asked. “For what?”

  “The illness being spread on our planet.”

  “If there is an unknown illness we cannot help,” one of the leaders called.

  “Most certainly,” another agreed.

  “Wait… wait…” Barton called. “The members of the Ascendency said they got the disease from Wolten. They’ve been spreading it using transdermal patches. Have any of your planets seen this?”

  The leaders all shook their heads.

  “If there is no threat from the disease we shall still assist,” the Emperor said. “Your doctors will need to find a cure, but we will make it safe to walk your streets again.”

  The vid-screen went blank. Within the hour the military action ceased to a few random shots bouncing off the walls, but the King lay in pain on a couch covered in blankets stepping closer to death with each breath.

  ****

  “I… I… I… need… need to get in touch with a woman who was married two Gala’s ago,” Abby insisted as they rode in a large vehicle through the forest.

  Yarin kept his focus on the small trail with its tight turns and overhanging branches. With dark hair cut short and golden eyes, he resembled Barton. The tight jaw of anger and stern posture set him apart. Barton had a soft side that kept her calm.

  “Look. I know you have a task, but so do I,” Abby snapped. “Your father could die in the next few hours from the infection passed to him.”

  Yarin’s jaw twitched.

  “We need a way to find a woman named Emilie.”

  “One woman on a whole planet,” he scoffed.

  “I’m not allowed to be around her after marriage until I too am married. Her name was Emilie Vander.”

  “We have some of the best physicians on the planet.”

  “I’ve pronounced enough death today due to this damn illness. Please don’t make my King one of them.”

  “I suppose as an unmated woman living in the South you’ve never delivered a child,” a woman panted in the backseat.

  “No.” Abby turned and saw a puddle on the floor. “Get us to the house.”

  Yarin hit the accelerator and they flew until they pulled up to the home. The other women gathered and helped the woman who could only walk a few steps between contractions.

  Once inside the woman was placed in a lower floor bedroom. Abby placed her hand on the woman’s knee and gave a meek smile.

  “I’m Abby by the way. Dr. Abigail Stone.”

  “Like the Queen.”

  “Yes, like the Queen.”

  “I’m Inger.”

  “Okay, Inger, I’m going to check you. We have simulators in the South, but it’s more like a vid-screen delivery.”

  “Can you pretend you’ve delivered thousands?”

  “I’ll try my best.”

  Prince Kevin came and stood by his wife’s side as Abby measured. She was barely dilated.

  “I’m sorry I cannot give you a spinal block, but you have a few hours left.”

  “How?”

  “Right now you’re not ready to deliver.”

  “I beg to differ.”

  “Unless I have a way to see the baby’s in distress, there’s no rush. I’ll come and check you in thirty minutes.”

  Walking back to the living room Abby nodded to the family who had gathered together and assured them all was well. Yarin was on the vid-screen searching public records. Emilie’s face appeared and Abby jumped.

  “Her, we need to find her.”

  Yarin pressed a button and a bell sounded. Soon Emilie’s wild curls appeared on the screen.

  “Hello? Abby? Is that you?”

  “Yes, I need your help.”

  “I’m up to my elbows in injured. I studied the skin.” Her panicked voice carried all the fears Abby had for the past day and a half. “They activated every doctor.”

  “You can treat the burns at least.”

  “I tried that. What do you need?”

  “There’s an illness with this overthrow. It’s from Wolten.”

  “What’s the presentation?”

  “High fever, pain in the joints, and sores. Large and necrotizing.”

  “Where are they located?”

  “Men around the waist, women along the spine. It’s transmitted through a transdermal patch.”

  “A patch?” Emilie sat back. “The thing is our skin and Wolten’s are like night and day. Are you sure it’s from their planet?”

  “It was created there. The Lextrans that transmitted it didn’t get an antidote.”

  “They created a biologic—”

  “I know.” Abby waved her hand. “Are you alone?”

  Emilie walked into a room and closed the door. “I am now.”

  “King Nuril has been infected.”

  “How are you in Luster?”

  “Long story. We get past this you and I can meet for lunch one day to discuss it.”

  “You called from a blocked number. Can you call me back in ten minutes?”

  A scream came from the back bedroom.

  “How about fifteen, I have a baby to deliver.”

  “Do you know how to do that?”

  “Minor detail at this point. I need a cure. And I need it fast.”

  The screen went black and Abby returned to Inger whose face was flushed red. That can’t be good. This time when Abby placed her hand between Inger’s legs she felt a head. Oh shit.

  Flipping the skirt back Abby cursed the damn simulator. Never had a computer advanced in labor this fast. Abby bit her tongue. Her stutter was the last thing Inger needed at this moment. Breathing in deep she visualized Barton’s golden eyes and her muscles relaxed from her shoulders down.

  “You ready to push?” she asked calmly.

  Inger nodded. Screams and yells followed. Abby had Sariah and Kevin pull back Inger’s legs so she could bare down. A flash of rich dark hair spilled from her womb as a beautiful little boy came into the world. Abby had to manually suction out the plugs, but after tying off and cutting the cord she was able to place the new Prince in his mother’s arms.

  “I think I did okay,” Abby cried as the child born at the cusp of war told of a future they could all look forward to.

  Abby cleaned up and Sariah walked into the bathroom, passing a new shirt to Abby.

  “I was little when Barton was sent away. He’s always been this mythical hero to me.” Sariah wiped a tear to the sid
e. “Thank you for bringing him home. No matter the reason he would have never come home unless claimed. He’s such a traditionalist.”

  Abby stifled a laugh, then sat before the vid-screen once more. Emilie came on with an excited flair.

  “Okay, so I called my connections on Wolten, then some of my friends in the South. There have been quite a few cases that came home from the Gala. With the labs from there I was able to deduce this is Meritious poisoning. It’s named after a now convicted scientist who attempted the same thing on Wolten, only their skin is thicker and his delivery method only caused minor rashes in the elderly.

  “Remember how I said we have different skin? Wolten skin is seven layers thicker, that’s why they are all marked, because they can’t feel the application.”

  “Is there a cure?”

  “Yes, ironically I found the cure using our medicine. I’m sending over the ingredients and dosage.”

  ****

  Standing on the beach in Remaldy, Barton let the waves lap at his toes. Abby chose an unconventional red dress with what appeared to be black singe marks along the bottom which barely covered her thighs. A long red scarf wrapped around her neck and extended down her back to create a train.

  His father had to remain seated as his illness and injury were still fresh, but the rest of his family created a path for Abby to walk between. They each threw petals to signify the joining of the household. As she approached Barton turned her around and whispered in her ear.

  “Traditionally I’m not to see your face until we are married.” Placing her mask— that he had tucked away so it wouldn’t be lost—on her face, he tied it behind her head.

  “I guess yours can’t be replaced.” Abby smiled as she turned around.

  “I’m not as traditional as you.”

  A cleric approached and Barton entwined his fingers with Abby’s. Their vows were spoken and Abby’s family approached tossing petals on Barton to accept him into their family. Then her mother untied Abby’s mask to reveal his bride.

  “I present your mate, Abigail Jane Stone.”

  “I would present your mate,” Queen Abigail stated. “But it seems as if you know your love His Royal Highness Crown Prince Barton Aquaetous Nuril.”

  “The new Crown Prince and Princess Nuril of Lextra,” the cleric called. “Barton and Abigail.”

  Barton leaned in and claimed his bride as she had claimed him, with a kiss. When they broke from the embrace Abby’s mother placed her mask in Abby’s hands. She studied the porcelain, then turned it over and let her finger trace the crack. Suddenly she tossed the mask into the sea.

  “I thought you wanted it for your marriage wall?”

  “I hid behind that mask. I used its destruction to push you away. Traditions could have destroyed the only love I deserve or want. I do not want a reminder of that mask. I have yours. The one I cut to free you and me.”

  She hadn’t stuttered, she hadn’t questioned her choice. Taking her into his arms Barton held his bride and let his lips explain his love. She was his bride, his fire, and never would his love be extinguished.

  The End

  About the Author

  Michel Prince is an author who graduated with a bachelor degree in History and Political Science. Michel writes new adult and adult paranormal romance as well as contemporary romance.

  With characters yelling "It's my turn damn it!!!" She tries to explain to them that alas, she can only type a hundred and twenty words a minute and they will have wait their turn. She knows eventually they find their way out of her head and to her fingertips and she looks forward to sharing them with you.

  When Michel can suppress the voices in her head she can be found at a scouting event or cheering for her son in a variety of sports. She would like to thank her family for always being in her corner and especially her husband for supporting her every dream and never letting her give up.

  Michel has been awarded Elite Status with Rebel Ink Press in 2013, the service award for her local RWA chapter Midwest Fiction Writers and is a Pro member of RWA. She lives in the Twin Cities with her husband, son, cat and new puppy.

  You can follow Michel on Facebook, Twitter or at her website.

  Other Books by Michel Prince

  Shared Redemption-Book One of the Frozen Series

  Former slave Nye ended his life in 1859 after losing his love. The angel Gabriel has offered Nye a chance at redemption by hunting demons as a member of the Frozen. With less than seven years left until his salvation, Nye is staying on the straight and narrow – until a woman gets caught in the crossfire during a demon hunt.

  After receiving devastating news, Kiriana Kladshon moves across the country, only to get caught up in the world of The Frozen. Nye and Kiriana are pulled into an attraction neither can control. Will it be their ultimate demise or their greatest salvation?

  Damarion, is leading a group of female demons on a mission. During his punishment on Earth, Damarion learns of dangers within his coven trying to stop him from returning to his love, still trapped in Hell and A love he was so sure was true...

  Redemption of Blood-Book Two of the Frozen Series

  Trisha O’Driscoll started tending bar to give her a free schedule and quick cash. She never thought the young solider that wandered in with a fake ID would want a woman almost twenty-years-older. Although they drew the line at commitment, Trisha can’t help falling for this mysterious stranger and his dark past.

  James Schmitt took his life to escape his pain. The offer from Gabriel for salvation gave him a chance to take responsibility for his actions, but his inner demons won’t stop tormenting him. Gabriel gave but one order—protect his partner Kiriana at any cost. And he’ll be damned if he lets anyone down ever again.

  Princess LaDressa, daughter of Lucifer, has come for revenge on the woman who slew her beloved Damarion. Kiriana holds his ashes, and with them, his only chance for resurrection. One way or another, LaDressa will be united with her love.

  The Guardian’s Heart-Book One of the Growing Strong Series

  Nominated for Book of the Year 2013 By LASR

  Case Thomas is always in control whether its on the basketball court, the lab where he works, or in his love life. He thinks he has everything all figured out. All that changes when his parents pass away during his last year of college and Case is thrown into fatherhood when he becomes temporary guardian to two adorable twin toddlers. Weeks later, exhausted and running out of time, Case must decide if he's ready to become a father to these children, or give them up and move on with what's left of his life. Then he meets Gabbie Vaulst.

  Gabbie is amazing with the kids, owns her own business, and has all the right curves in all the right places. She can tell Case is attracted to her, but does he really love her or is he just settling for a surrogate Mom who can wrangle his new kids? Knowing that she's falling in love with him, she chooses to push him away until his world straightens out. Can Case prove to Gabbie, and himself, that his feelings are real? Or is this sudden family too much for both of them to handle?

  The odds, as well as members of their past who've come out of the woodwork, are against them, but when kids are involved, all bets are off.

  The Queen’s Heart-Book Two of the Growing Strong Series

  At the tender age of seventeen, Mary Beth discovered the family she thought would see her through anything couldn’t accept her one mistake. Thank goodness for her best friends that stepped up to support her decision to keep her child. Seven years later together with her friends she’s created a successful business on the verge of a large expansion.

  But the desire to be accepted by her family continues to be a failure that taints all her accomplishments and has her making concessions she never thought she would.

  Elias Marquez was content with his life. He definitely wasn’t looking for the vibrant redhead down the hall from him. After a chance encounter he can’t escape the need to be in her company again. He wants to explore the possibilities and the undeniable spark he
r touch inspires.

  Torn between trying to right the past and accepting that she can only control her own life is Mary Beth truly ready for the love Elias is prepared to offer as a future?

  The Politician’s Heart-Book Three of the Growing Strong Series

  Karen Schroeder made the choice to be a politician. Her local success has caught the eyes of her party and she’s suddenly thrust into the national stage. She knows how to play the game and exactly who she needs to be, even if it’s not who she really is.

  Sarah Lindstrom has never questioned her feelings, even when they made her believe her girlfriend would say yes to her proposal instead of breaking up with her. When she sees Karen Schroeder campaigning the rush of attraction is undeniable. Sarah knows she’s been wrong before, but her feelings for Karen overwhelm any apprehension for this woman who’s trapped in the closet.

  As the relationship grows Sarah learns love can be the painful when the one you love can only be herself with the door is closed. More importantly her love of Karen could cost her everything she’s worked for. Can love bloom when hidden in the dark?

  Silly Girl

  Nominated for a RONE 2014

  Are professional sports just children’s games played by oversized kids?

  With an all-consuming focus Matthias Jessup has sacrificed his body in pursuit of greatness. But while he’s enjoyed the spoils of being an elite athlete, the physical punishment can only be held at bay for so long. He knows his time is running out and he will have to face his future soon.