by Bianca D'Arc
Then again, they were in a temple. The main temple for the entire jit’suku religion. Maybe stranger things were at work here than simple technology.
A new man moved into the circle. Julian, Theos, Pater and the new man each stood at the edge of the circle, facing inward.
“And what if I add to my brother’s claiming of this man as my nephew? What then, Pater? Will you still make your improper challenges and false statements?” The new man spoke and a hush fell over the room. There hadn’t been much noise from the watching priests before, but suddenly every breath was held, every movement stilled, awaiting what might come next.
For the new man was the reigning jit’suku emperor. Thadius.
And he had just called one of his noblemen a liar. In public. Star supposed from everyone’s reaction that such a thing was a very serious matter among these people.
“You have no standing here. Even an emperor is subject to the Light of the Goddess,” Pater spat.
“You killed my sister,” the emperor’s voice rose, thundering through the cavernous room. “That gives me every right to challenge you in the Lady’s Light—and as emperor, I can damn well challenge you anywhere I please,” he added, his words slowing and losing some of their vehemence. “But as much as I would like to kill you with my bare hands, I bow to my nephew’s prior claim. His is the first challenge you must meet. If you survive that—which I very much doubt—then you will face me in the Light. And you will pay for the murder of my sister, her family, and the thousands of innocent civilian women and children on that station.”
The High Priest spoke from the apex of the oval. “The challenge of Julian, son of Matilda, is recognized. However, we also recognize the fact that both Thadios and Theos have valid grounds to challenge Pater of Malek. They may remain as witnesses to Julian’s challenge.”
Both older men stepped back to the very edge of the circle of light, standing together, behind Julian. Pater didn’t wait for long before running at Julian, his larger bulk giving him the advantage in the headlong charge. But Julian was lighter on his feet. He easily sidestepped Pater, but at that moment the other man’s true intention became clear.
The flash of steel shone for a moment, time elongating as seconds became hours and twin blades sprang from concealment, heading straight for the unprotected throats of the emperor and his brother. Julian saw as well, and even as Star rose to her feet, she saw Julian make a move that a lesser man could never pull off. He intercepted both of Pater’s outstretched arms, redirecting the blades to fly out of the circle.
Julian continued his sweeping move, coming down hard on Pater’s back, taking the bigger man’s head in his arms and squeezing. A quick twist and a sickening, squishy pop, and then Julian dropped the lifeless body of Pater on the ground, at the edge of the circle of light.
Her vision had come to pass—with interest. Julian had saved the life of not only the former emperor, but the reigning one as well.
Shocked silence filled the room until the High Priest stood from his chair.
“The challenge is answered and justice has been served.”
Just like that, the light at the center of the oval went out and normal illumination was restored to the rest of the chamber. Like most of the gathering, Star’s eyes immediately sought out the two blades Pater had used.
One was lodged hilt-deep in the dais of the Observant seated directly behind the emperor. The other was likewise embedded in the wall beyond the circle of Observants, directly behind where Theos had been standing. Murmurs rose as it became clear the force with which Pater had attacked and been redirected.
Two novices moved forward to take Pater’s body away. His brother was still being held, and it didn’t look like anyone was going to free him anytime soon. Which was just as well.
The crowd was dispersing, as were the Observants. Before long, the only people left in the chamber were the three men who had been in the circle, plus Star, Bisnat and Hulgur. Star stood and walked slowly toward where the circle had been and the men still standing there. Bisnat and Hulgur were shadows slightly behind and to her sides. The other two guards had departed, now that the main threat was over.
She approached from the side. Julian and Theos were closest to her and saw her first. Despite the fact that he was talking to two men of great power, Julian turned to her and opened his arms. At that point, all bets were off.
Star ran into his arms and held him as tightly as she could. The rest of the room faded from view, and the only thing that mattered was Julian and his strong body, his muscled arms holding her just as tightly. She buried her face in his shoulder and she felt his lips on her hair.
He rocked her in silence for a timeless moment.
“You did it, Julian,” she whispered. “You had justice, by your own hand.”
He drew back to look down at her. “Just as you predicted,” he agreed, cupping her cheek with one hand. “That’ll teach me to believe in your visions, sweetheart.”
His smile lit her world.
Chapter Nine
“Julian also saved not just my life, but Thad’s as well,” Theos’s voice came to her, reminding them both that they were not alone. Star stepped back from Julian’s embrace and sank into a deep curtsey, which she believed was the proper form of respect for meeting the emperor of an entire galaxy.
“Rise, Lady Star. I have heard much of you, and your family, from my brother,” Emperor Thadios said in a clear, only slightly snobbish tone.
Star stood to her full height, which was still head and shoulders below the men. Jit’suku males were built on the large side, that was for sure.
“Psychic gifts are as rare among our people as they are among yours,” the emperor went on. “We believe such things are gifts from the Goddess meant for certain special people. It is clear, you are one of Her chosen, if I’m any judge.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty.” Star didn’t know what else to say to this man. He might be an emperor, but it was clear he was ill at ease speaking with her. Then again, he was currently at war with her entire race, so the fact that he was speaking civilly to her at all was probably something of a big deal.
“It will be an adjustment, having a seer in the family,” Theos chimed in with a grin as Star’s eyebrows rose. She looked at Julian and a muscle ticked in his jaw.
“If you don’t mind, Father Theos, we haven’t quite gotten that far yet,” Julian ground out, clearly uncomfortable. Suddenly, Star was nervous. How would these powerful men react?
Theos laughed and Thadios followed suit, a little more quietly.
“Well, what are you waiting for? It is clear enough to me that you are mates. Make it official, already. Truly, human customs are very strange.” Theos shook his head as he spoke the last part to his brother. The two older men were leaving, much to Star’s relief.
“I will never understand them, that is for certain,” Thadios agreed as he clapped his older brother on the shoulder. Turning back, he spoke once more to Julian in a very offhanded way. “Your service to the empire has been duly noted. You have our thanks for interceding in Pater’s assassination plan and will be duly rewarded.”
Theos looked over his shoulder as they walked away. “Yes, thank you, nephew. I’ll speak with you tomorrow. For now, you and your lady have earned a bit of quiet.”
Their departure left Julian and Star alone, with the two guards, of course. But the other men were keeping a respectful distance.
“Star, there’s something I have to ask,” Julian began, sounding very serious. Star turned to face him, concerned.
“Ask away.”
“Seeing…what I did to Pater.” Julian hesitated slightly before continuing. “That doesn’t bother you? I mean, it doesn’t change your opinion of me, does it?”
“Only for the better.” Star could see she’d surprised him with her answer. “Julian, I’ve seen many unspeakable things in my visions. Life in this time of war is not a peaceful thing for any of us, and my visions show me lots of diffe
rent possibilities. Many of them are gruesome and despicable. Some are hopeful—and those are the ones I try to help make happen. The others…I try to forget. But seeing you put an end to someone who has killed so many and would have assassinated the few remaining members of your family… Well, I have no problem with that.” She leaned up and kissed his cheek. “Circumstances dictated that you had to make his end fast and relatively painless. It was better than he deserved. If anything, I see compassion in that act, not malice.”
“You’re one in a million, you know that?” Julian’s smile made his eyes twinkle in that way that she loved. “What do you say we go find a way to unwind after all this excitement?”
“I’ll second that idea,” she agreed and turned to walk arm in arm with him out of the oval chamber.
Neither of them saw the High Priest, hidden in the shadows of one of the archways, but if they had, they would have caught the old man smiling.
* * *
“Where are we going?” Julian asked Bisnat when he made what Julian thought was a wrong turn. They were supposed to be heading back to the rooms they’d been assigned, but Bisnat was leading them down a different corridor.
“Sorry, sir. Your room assignment was changed earlier today,” the older of the two guards reported.
Julian grinned. “As long as you’re not leading us to the stockade, someplace other than those two tiny rooms would be nice.”
“Oh, I think you’ll like the new accommodations. They’re usually reserved for visiting dignitaries who are not members of the Order. In other words, they’re the only truly posh rooms in the entire temple complex.” Bisnat shot a glance at Star, even as he smiled. “Father Theos thought Lady Star might enjoy a bit of pampering.”
Star smiled brightly. “That is so sweet,” she said, tucking her small hands into the crook of Julian’s arm. “Lead on, Mr. Bisnat. I’m all set for a little pampering.”
The suite they were shown to was truly something to behold. A large sitting room had a master suite attached, along with a small galley-style kitchen area and dining table with chairs. The bedroom featured a truly huge bed and the attached bathing chamber was almost as large as the bedroom itself. There was a small pool for bathing that could fit them both. A large shower had its own alcove in one corner and the toilet facilities had their own little partitioned area.
“After the day we’ve had, I think our first step toward healing might be a nice, hot bath,” Star said, eyeing the tiled bathing pool. Putting actions to words, she stepped over and turned the taps that would fill the basin with hot water.
But Julian got the idea she was talking about more than physical healing. He could see the symbolism of the act. Bathing away the blood that was now staining his soul. Starting fresh with a clean body and fresh intentions. He liked the idea.
And since the pool was big enough for two, he wouldn’t mind sharing the intimacy with Star, reaffirming what they had found together. Maybe they could start thinking about the future, now that it looked like he might actually have one.
“What is it?” She moved closer to him, touching his arm.
“I was just thinking about the future.” He turned toward her, putting his hands on her shoulders and looking deep into her eyes. “And how, now that I know the truth and my mission is completed in a way I never expected, I’d like to start over. With you.”
He watched her expression carefully and felt his heart pounding in his chest. A lot was riding on her reaction. His entire future happiness, it seemed, rested with this one small woman.
Her eyes sparkled with tears and his heart sank, but her words made it rise again.
“I’d like that. A lot.” She went up on tiptoe and kissed him.
The kiss deepened and before too much longer, they had helped each other disrobe. The room was getting steamy as the water filled the tub. Julian spared a moment to hit the button that would stop the flow of water on his way to lifting Star up onto the curved counter behind her.
It put her at just the right height. He couldn’t wait, but she didn’t seem to want to wait either. He felt her readiness for him and didn’t waste any more time joining their bodies in the intimacy they both craved. After the tumultuous day, he wanted nothing more than to reaffirm their connection, to show her that no matter what they had learned in the last few days, he was still the man he had always been. He was still the man…who loved her. With all his heart.
The loving was languid but fast. Silent and staggering. They didn’t need words, only actions—touches and kisses, and the pressing of bodies aligned in perfect harmony. They were in synch. In tune. One.
Making love to Star was one of the most profound experiences of Julian’s life. She knew him—perhaps better than anyone ever had. She knew his foibles and faults. She knew all about his family and how losing them had shaped his life. And she knew the challenges he faced now that everything had changed.
She’d been with him through it all. A partner he hadn’t looked for. Hadn’t wanted. But knew now, he never would have come through all this without. She was his guardian angel. His lucky charm. The love of his lifetime.
The thought scared him, but it also felt so damned right. He wouldn’t let her go, though at this point, he was in doubtful control over his future. He was a human in a half-jit’suku body. More than half, actually. His mother’s genes created obligations he had to figure out in this galaxy, among these people. He wasn’t even sure if they would ever let him leave.
But he wanted Star at his side. It was selfish, he knew, but he didn’t think he could live without her. She was part of him now. Part of his soul.
He looked into her eyes as the thoughts ran through his mind, as their bodies joined in a rhythm as old as time. His arms were around her, supporting her, loving the feel of her soft skin against his hands.
“I love you, Star.” He whispered the words, holding her gaze.
Her smile lifted his heart as she leaned forward to bridge the short distance between them with a kiss. “I love you too, Julian,” she whispered back, against his lips.
And that was it. He couldn’t hold off any longer. She moved against him, her movements encouraging his as he sped his thrusts, leading them both toward ecstasy. When the wave broke over them and pleasure hit, they were together, reaching for and holding each other tightly, joined in a way that Julian hoped meant they would never be parted again.
When the pleasure finally let them go by small increments, Julian was drained and yet filled with the love he felt from every small caress of Star’s small hands. Every loving look she sent him. Every soft-spoken word.
He kissed her gently as he lifted them both and walked the short distance to the steaming pool. A long dip in the healing waters was just what they both needed.
He stepped into the water, using the small, wide steps that led down into the sunken pool. The water wasn’t too hot, the temperature feeling just right to him. He let Star dip her toe in as they both laughed and she approved the temperature as well.
Then he let her go, lowering her into the water, that was only up to his knees. There was a little ledge farther in, where they could rest in the deeper water, reclining against the contoured back wall of the pool. He took her hand and led her deeper in so that they could sit on the ledge, side by side, his arm around her shoulders.
They soaked in silence for a while, each enjoying the warm water against their bodies. Julian’s thoughts drifted, but the peace of the water and the woman next to him seemed to soak into his soul.
“I can’t believe it’s over,” he finally said, marveling at all they’d been through.
“I’m just relieved we ended up on a path that led to a good conclusion. In fact, things worked out even better than I had foreseen,” she said lazily, letting water trickle gently through her fingers.
“So where do we go from here?” he asked rhetorically. He didn’t really expect an answer. Not after the tumultuous time they had just been through.
“I haven’t e
ven tried to look past the confrontation with Pater.” She looked at him, her eyes wide. “You have no true idea what a big moment that was for not just you personally, but for our two galaxies. It was huge, Julian. Like, once in a lifetime huge. A turning point that affects not just you and those immediately involved, but something that will ripple out through time for generations to come. And it all could have gone so badly. Yet, somehow, I believe the Lady was working on our side in all this today. Things turned out better than I had any right to hope.” She rested her head on his shoulder. “What happens next though, might not be entirely up to you. I haven’t looked, but I could try later, if you want.”
“No, sweetheart,” he was quick to say. He cupped her cheek and tightened his arm around her. “I don’t want you to put yourself out. Let’s just let tomorrow take care of itself for now.”
“But you asked—” She turned her head to look up at him, confusion on her sweet face. He bent to kiss her, stilling her words.
“I meant…” he said after he let her up for air, “…where do we go from here. You and me. This relationship.”
She smiled at that and it was the kind of smile that gave him ideas. Very naughty, pleasurable ideas.
“That’s easy. We do our best to stay together, despite whatever the empire might have planned for us.”
That gave him pause. “So you think they have a plan?”
She tilted her head back down, to rest on his shoulder. “I haven’t foreseen anything, if that’s what you’re asking, but it only makes sense. You’re a long lost royal family member aside from the influence of Peregrine’s DNA. And I don’t mean to sound haughty, but I’m a pretty highly valued intel resource. That’s why they sent that team after us. My future in this galaxy is uncertain, but it’s something I have to think about. The human military didn’t want me to fall into the hands of the enemy because my gift doesn’t care who is asking the questions. I foresee the future for all people. My gift doesn’t recognize sides. I just try to give information that will guide people toward saving lives and brokering peace.”
