The doors sealed shut.
DuValle could take the fall. She had work to do, and everything had gone according to plan.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Nisrine awakened to bright lights and low murmurs, placid voices whispering nearby. Groggy, she rubbed her eyes and tried to sit up, but a gentle hand touched her arm.
“Relax, Lieutenant. You’re safe here,” a woman’s soothing voice assured her.
“Where am I?”
“Freehaven Memorial. You and Chief Lockhart were admitted three hours ago.”
Nisrine blinked the fog from her eyes and glanced to her right. Kaiden lay in the adjacent bed, too quiet for her liking but definitely alive. She glanced up at the nurse, a young woman with curly blonde hair and a big, friendly smile. “What happened?”
“You’re a hero, that’s what.” Evangeline’s voice startled her. Nisrine looked to the left and saw her friend sitting up on a couch near the window. Her red hair was tousled and a blanket slid down from her shoulder.
“Evie? How?”
“Long story short, Kaiden got his broadcast through, and the Breteyne Garrison bent over themselves to assist you. Everything is as it should be—Jemison no longer under a seek and destroy, Scarot on the run, DuValle in custody.”
“But why am I here?”
“Don’t recall fighting that thing?”
Nisrine searched through her most recent memories. They surged to the surface in a disoriented jumble, bits and pieces of action interspersed with Kaiden’s voice pleading for her to come back. A little more than an inkling returned as she recalled Saskia’s tight grip, electricity, and the pain of her own heart stopping.
“Kaiden resuscitated you. By the time we arrived, Admiral Palmer had rescinded the order for your capture, and your man over there was barking out orders for you to receive top medical care. He certainly knows how to use his rank when he wants to.”
Heat warmed Nisrine’s face. Evie only grinned at her. The nurse laughed too and excused herself, mumbling something about updating the doctor about her health.
“He is your man, isn’t he? Because if he isn’t, I’d jump on that. Like I said before, this boyfriend is leagues above the last one.”
A tiny smile fought its way onto Nisrine’s face. Because how could she not smile when looking at the perfect specimen of masculinity in the next bed over. She watched the steady rise and fall of his chest, studied his peaceful face, and sighed. “He really is.”
“I expect an invitation to the wedding.”
“Evie.”
“What?”
“We’re not yet at the marrying stage. I mean, we’ve only just started.”
A smug grin spread across Evangeline’s face. “Give it time.”
Nisrine sighed and shook her head. “I can’t believe he’s actually asleep.”
“He wouldn’t allow anyone to sedate him until I convinced the doctors to room you together. I thought there’d be another battle in the hospital corridor. Then his doctor from the Jemison messaged in and calmed him down. Did Kaiden’s repairs over the Virtual-Doc app using a hospital droid.” Evie’s grin widened even more. “I got to watch through the glass. It was neat.”
“I’m more surprised that you’re still here than anything. Don’t you need to… you know, vanish?”
Evie’s smile faded. She pursed her lips and gave an idle shrug. “Enough has changed to fly under the radar. I think it’ll be fine. This event has been the test to determine whether I’m really ready to re-enter society without recognition.”
“Ah.”
“Also… there’s a guy I want to meet. I miss conversations with people who aren’t mercs and criminals. I miss normal fucking life.”
“The guy? From the game?”
Evie nodded.
“Are you ever going to give me his game handle? Or yours, for that matter?”
“Nope. I don’t want to jinx anything, and why bother giving my game handle to you when you won’t log your ass on to play with me?” Evie tilted her head. “I will gossip a little about him, though, since I’m going to sit here to keep you company. He hasn’t said much, but I think he’s a psychic like you.”
“And you’re okay with that?”
“A little worried. What if he’s a good one and sees the wrong things?”
“Evie, your mind is like a plasteel lock. All those years of conditioning don’t just fade away. If he could get into your head, he’s good.”
Evangeline nodded, still appearing uncertain. “I hope so.”
“Do you want me to go with you during the meeting? After this, I’m positive I have some leave time coming my way.”
“No. No. I’m a big girl. Don’t waste your leave time on me. Go somewhere nice with your hunk.” Evie rose from her seat. “Get some rest.”
“Bye, Evie.”
Evangeline tossed a wave over one shoulder and left. She closed the door behind her, and all was silent in the hospital suite.
“Hunk, huh?”
Nisrine glanced right again to see Kaiden sitting up. “How much of that did you hear?”
“Just the end. That I’m a hunk, and all. The important stuff.”
The moment she tried to sit up again, he threw off his sheets and flew to her side, urging her to lie back. “You took a beating, Nissie. A bigger one than I did by far.”
“But I want to lie with you.”
Kaiden’s dark brows raised, followed by a smile that was like pure sunshine, because it was the biggest one she’d ever seen on his face in all of their weeks of working together, the brightest and most genuine of them all. “All you had to do was say so.”
He slid both arms beneath her and edged her over enough to make room for his larger body. Together, they sprawled in her hospital bed beneath the fleece blanket, Kaiden wrapping one strong arm covered in Bio-sutures around her.
“We did it.”
“Aye, we did. Queen’s alive. Jemison is safe and under the escort of the Exemplar to Albion.”
“The Lexar got involved?”
Kaiden chuckled. “Xander placed a call to the embassy as one of their citizens—”
“What?”
“He’s half-Lexar, and he outed himself for the ship. So when their consulate verified he was indeed one of their kind and in danger, the ship sent to heal Queen Catherine broke up the space battle, slapped the Glenn on the ass for misbehaving, and made everyone sit in peace until I made the broadcast.”
“That’s amazing. I mean, I never would have guessed… now that I know it, it makes sense and I can’t believe I didn’t guess.”
A few moments of silence fell between them. By the gentle rise and fall of his chest, his even, slow breaths, she thought he’d gone back to sleep until she tilted her face up to find him watching her.
“I almost lost you, Nissie,” he said in a quiet voice. “I’ve never been so afraid. Not even for myself.”
Nisrine raised one hand to his face and stroked his cheek, smoothing her fingers over the dark stubble on his jaw. “I couldn’t let her get to you.”
“And I couldn't let her take you from me.” He pressed a kiss against her brow. “I knew I was falling for you all this time, but I didn’t realize I was already hopelessly in love until the moment I couldn’t find your heartbeat.”
The words, so unlike him, so honest and raw, made her catch her breath. She twisted, pushing up on one elbow despite the mild twinge in her ribs, and looked down into his face
“Nissie—”
“Shh. I’m feeling a distinct lack of pain.” They’d probably administered amazing drugs after mending her fractures. Before Kaiden could say another word, she tangled her fingers in his dark hair and kissed him as passionately as she had that first time across the Shogun board.
Within seconds, the kiss grew harder and hotter, intensifying as they exchanged flicks of tongue. She traced one hand down his chest—found bandages across his abdomen she deftly avoided—and glided lower, not surprised to f
ind him at half-mast. Kaiden moaned against her lips and eased away, but she kept him anchored, tightening her grip. “I love you, and I wish I could say I went after her to save the galaxy but… all I cared about was keeping her away from you. I had to protect you.”
“God, I swear if we weren’t in a goddamned hospital bed…” His lips brushed over hers again, one of his warm hands caressing her thigh beneath the blanket. “And if your ribs weren’t broken, I’d try to cripple you in another way.”
“My hand works,” she offered helpfully, punctuating her words with a stroke that made him groan against her cheek.
“My fingers remain operative. I seem to recall you enjoying those very much.”
She swatted his chest and glanced toward the privacy curtains. A tiny telekinetic tug slid them in front of the door.
After all, they’d just saved the queen, and maybe even their world as they knew it. If that didn’t deserve an orgasm, Nisrine didn’t know what would.
Medical discharged them the next evening, and they caught a private shuttle from the hospital to the spaceport. Kaiden couldn’t believe the remaining members of the Admiralty Board had pooled their personal funds together to send him and Nisrine on a two-week pleasure cruise home to Albion, but the departure timing aligned and the flight was available.
He’d laughed and laughed when Admiral Palmer asked Nisrine if they’d mind sharing the presidential suite, impressed when she’d managed to keep a straight face and report it would be all the better for keeping a close eye on her partner.
The admirals hadn’t cheapened out on the luxuries, either. Silk and velvet all around, lavish decor, a personal bar in their suite with a Robo-Bartender programmed to make the most exotic beverages, and a gorgeous walk-in shower large enough for a full squad of marines. It had multiple rooms, a personal library with a fine rig and quantum radio, and a stocked kitchen they didn’t use, because cooking took time away from lovemaking.
Fortunately, their flight entitled them to three gourmet meals a day and unlimited snacks. He’d never eaten so much good food in all his life, delicious meals brought to them or served in the dining hall with wealthy guests and dignitaries he didn’t feel guilty about gazing at with his facial recognition.
For two weeks, Kaiden enjoyed a life without worries, the nightmare behind them. For now. Because Scarot was still out there and eventually she’d have to answer for her crimes. As far as the Admiralty Board was concerned, her escape was an admission of guilt. They reviewed the footage and raided her corporate headquarters, where they found tampered digital evidence, an attempt to conceal wrongdoing by the senior staff.
Unfortunately, all data contained within the servers at her office in the Ministry of Defense had been lost in the explosion, reducing exabytes of information to worthless metal shards and chips in seconds.
As for her conspirators in the boardroom, stock prices plummeted and lawyers attempted to discredit Kaiden’s stolen footage, claiming it inadmissible in court and unlawfully gained. Then rumors of a witness from one of their facilities surfaced within the hour.
Kaiden suspected Doctor Martin would turn over whatever evidence the UNE desired if it meant he could keep his life.
With Chancellor DuValle behind bars, Admiral Palmer assumed the temporary title of Regent Palmer until the queen recovered. That evening, he acted in the interest of galactic safety and threw each businessman from the meeting behind bars to await trial. Their crimes ranged from treason to kidnapping, unlawful human experimentation, and murder.
Despite the repairs performed by the Lexar, the Jemison, Glenn, and Shepard limped to Albion. Kaiden couldn’t wait to see his brother. Chatting over the galactic interweb, they kept one another abreast of the news in video chat.
“Looks like we’ll be pulling into port in Albion in two more days,” Gareth said.
“Same for us. Nisrine’s acquaintance offered to fly us home, but we wanted to uh…”
“Some private time, eh?”
Kaiden rubbed the back of his neck and grinned. “It’s good to be off-duty.”
“I gotta say, that’s a match I never saw coming, but I’m happy for you.”
“Thanks. What about you? Flea must be overjoyed that you’ve got interweb access again after all of those days without contact.”
“She wants to meet.”
“What? For real this time?”
“I know. Shocked the hell out of me, too.” Gareth smiled, nervous and excited. “I was kind of beginning to wonder if you were right, and then today she sent me this long-winded email asking if I can get away from work long enough for a vacation next month.”
“Date set?”
“Yeah. I already put in for it with Ethan. With the Jemison scheduled for upgrades with the Lexar, there isn’t anything for me to do aboard the ship, anyway.”
“Just be careful, that’s all I’ll say.”
Gareth rolled his eyes. “I will. And if it’s that damn worrisome for you, you could come with me.”
“I don’t think you need an audience to watch you shag—”
“To meet her, you fuckwit. We’ll be meeting at Ame Station. Great place for you and Nisrine to hang out for some time away, too. Plus, we can visit Mum. Her cruise stops there for three days.”
The premiere resort orbited Xiao, with three hundred levels of luxury shops, accommodations, and entertainment services. If a pleasure existed, a customer could find it on Ame Station—as long as it was legal. Sometimes the less than legal ones wormed their way onto the space station, too.
“I plan on visiting her anyway, worried as she was. Astreya, too, to see Nisrine’s family.”
Upon hearing the news about her twin boys, their mother had saturated both of their message bins with frantic requests for them to contact her as soon as possible. While it had been smoothed over and she’d heard both of their voices, Kaiden knew she wouldn’t be satisfied until she saw them in person.
Gareth whistled. “Wow. Meeting the folks. Big step there.”
“Life’s too short.”
“Aye, that it is. Anyway, I’ll let you get back to your vacation.”
“Take advantage of your access to the Lexar. I imagine you’re excited for the opportunity.”
“Hell yeah, I am. Say hello to Nisrine for me.”
“I will. See you in a few days.”
Their two-week cruise to Albion wasn’t enough time away after everything they had been through, but Nisrine looked forward to the start of their official leave. Their debriefing was scheduled for the next day, but first they had a personal visit to make to the Worthington Palace.
Nisrine and Kaiden made their way down the spotless corridor, passing a number of saluting soldiers and members of the Royal Guard.
An armed officer at the end of the hall opened the door and gestured. “Lieutenant Shahid, Senior Chief Lockhart, she’s expecting you.”
“Thank you, Commander.” Nisrine entered ahead of Kaiden into a spacious sitting parlor with silk damask walls and a window facing the mountains. Native canaries flitted about in a cage beside an old-fashioned arrangement of sofas and armchairs resembling a photo she’d seen of the old days. The queen sat upon one with an afghan spread over her lap.
“Ah, at last. A pair of friendly faces who aren’t here to poke and prod. Please come closer. Sit with me.” She patted the empty spot beside her.
Years had passed since Nisrine had first met the queen, and in that time she’d always been impressed by her style and vivacity. Despite her injuries and many bandages, the woman still exuded strength. Still wore her jewels and a damned tiara among her golden-blonde hair.
“Good day, Queen Catherine.” Nisrine set her gift, a vase of orange tiger lilies and yellow roses, on the table then gingerly sat beside her as beckoned.
Kaiden bowed. “Good afternoon, Your Majesty.”
When he remained standing, looking shy and uncertain of himself in their monarch’s presence, the queen chuckled and gestured to the armchair
opposite them. “Please, Kaiden. I chose this room for comfort, a place where I meet friends. Be at ease here.”
He nodded and settled.
“Thank you. I’m so happy to have both of you here this afternoon, and words seem an inferior way to express my gratitude. There is no reward of appropriate worth for the efforts and struggles you both endured on my behalf and for the UNE. Still, I do have something in mind. A promotion, for starters.”
The tempting offer loomed ahead of her, the promise of higher pay, more responsibility, and greater prestige within the military. Everything she’d fought to have for the past decade since initially entering the military. Could she bear to have it handed to her? “That isn’t necessary, Queen Catherine.”
“Nonsense. We’ll make it official on paperwork later, but as far as I am concerned you are now Lieutenant Commanders Shahid and Lockhart. That is,” she paused to lift a brow while studying Kaiden, “if you’re ready to accept the offer this time.”
“I’ll take it,” Kaiden replied without missing a beat. With an uncertain grin on his face, he rubbed the back of his neck and glanced away. His cheeks had flushed. Nisrine loved it when he smiled. “This is a bigger jump than your previous offer, but after all we’ve been through, it feels like I earned the hell out of it. I accept.”
“You most certainly have. Convince your…” She paused and gave Nisrine a knowing smile. “Your comrade to do the same.”
“I don’t mean to appear ungrateful,” Nisrine explained. “But I only did my duty to you and the UNE.”
“I’m alive because of you, Nisrine. You and so many others placed your lives on the line to save me. If that isn’t deserving of a promotion, what is? I assure you, all others who stood on the right side of this conflict shall receive their just rewards as well, and they will be no less than your own.”
Kaiden nodded at her. Nisrine looked into his supportive gaze and gave a nod. “I’ll accept.”
“Good. You’ll need the rank for your new position.”
Kaiden Page 27
