Sir Godfrey chuckled and placed a hand on Mamoru's shoulder. "With a little time, I feel certain she will become your beloved student again. And we can get on with it."
Mamoru said, "That is my hope. It cannot end any other way."
The ground crew at Pharos One roared out a rhythmic chanty as they drew USS Ranger and their beloved princess to the earth with each sinewy heave on the cables. The ship descended alongside the air tower, bathed in the chemical lights of the airfield.
Adele sat in a makeshift chair that had been rigged on the quarterdeck for the flight home so she could spend her days basking in the windswept majesty of her Intended. Tiring of this activity quickly, she had protested of constant chills and begged feebly to be returned to her private cabin. She became a master of the faint whenever Senator Clark felt compelled to visit her. Adele would smile, recalling how Gareth had merely stared at her swoon in the Tower, clearly unconvinced by her lampooned fragility. Thankfully Clark was not so savvy.
The senator brought Ranger to Alexandria at a time of Lord Kelvin's choosing, late evening and in the middle of the week. The court lied to the people about the time of Adele's arrival so no great crowds would be fighting to catch a glimpse of the returning heir. Apparently, the prime minister felt it was best if the residents of the capital did not see their frail future empress carried off the ship. Witnessing what was left of her after her frightful ordeal might shock them. No doubt Kelvin expected that Adele would be either catatonic or raving, with a head full of shock white hair.
The princess struggled from her chair and grasped the rail, staring down into the light-speckled crowd searching for her brother or Colonel Anhalt. Clark had related the joyous news of their survival. She could make out the uniforms of the Imperial Guard, but nothing more detailed. Perhaps her father was even present. The wonderfully familiar glow of gaslit Alexandria spreading out around her gave her goose bumps. However, the sight depressed her too. This was her city, the heart of a great empire that once seemed to encompass most of the world. But it seemed so small to her now, and crowded with people secure both in their power and in their ignorance about the world. Not just secure, but smug. This city wanted to rule the world, but it only saw the world through the haze of its own sand-choked surroundings. Just when she should be at her happiest, Adele was swallowed by an overwhelming sense of sadness. Perhaps, she wondered, it was the darkness and the cloying warm air. Maybe she would feel better in the morning after she had become accustomed to her own place again.
"Adele, take a seat," Senator Clark barked through the ruffling wind. "I can't have you tipping over the rail now!"
The princess served her Intended a sharp glare and held it until he added, "Your Highness." She considered snapping back that her sea legs were as good as his, but she didn't have the energy. Instead she returned to the chair with a pleasant smile and sat. Excruciating pain radiated through her frame. Adele would never admit it, but her body was recovering very slowly. She lived in constant agony despite the best drafts from the ship's surgeon. The inhuman exertions of her adventures in the north had caught up to her in the absence of the constant barrage of lifethreatening dangers that had kept her frame empowered. It was all she could do not to collapse into a comatose bundle.
Still, Adele took comfort in the fact that she would soon see her brother. And Colonel Anhalt. And her father. She would be among her family. And there was much she wanted to discuss with Mamoru about his network of geomancer spies in the north, about Selkirk, and about the power she too seemed to wield. Clearly there was much more that needed to be learned than she had ever imagined.
Also, she had much to teach, and this gave Adele great satisfaction. She relished the idea of holding forth to the great minds of the court as they surrounded her, reacting to her matter-of-fact tales of adventure and horror with furrowed brows, tugged mustaches, and muttered admirations of her strength and courage. She was anxious to see Colonel Anhalt's astonished reaction with his wide eyes and white knuckles as she described her bloody exploits. But beyond those foolish conceits, Adele was most eager to set her countrymen straight on their knowledge of vampires and, even more, of human society in the north. There was so much the great leaders of the south didn't know, and needed to know before they started rolling their war machines across the European landscape.
Ranger touched down with a thud, and the air filled with sounds of bellowing longshoremen, heavy cables running through metal and over wood, and the vents above blowing the last of the chemical buoyants. The frigate was hardly secure before the gangplanks dropped and a mob surged aboard. They raced toward Adele, but then, overwhelmed by her mere presence, they all stopped and stared at her, waiting for something. Permission to approach? The screeching of a madwoman?
Adele recognized her own doctor and other members of the imperial medical corps. One of the nurses touched her own hair. Adele realized she was sporting Gareth's cut, which was nearly as short as the sailors surrounding her, rather than her former flowing auburn hair. The princess could see how different she looked now by the gapes on their faces. It wasn't just her shorn head. It was her whole self. They were terrified by the pain and violence that showed on the face and body of the royal heir. Adele had left them a soft, pampered girl, but returned a battle-worn woman. They were perplexed and frightened by the change, and the horrible imaginings of what could have caused it.
Adele smiled at them, hoping to relieve the tension. The nurse broke into tears, covering her face.
"Come now," Adele said, a bit more weakly than she would've liked. "I don't look that bad, do I?"
Her doctor shook his head vigorously, "No, Your Highness. Not at all. We just ..."
Adele nodded with sympathetic understanding and lifted herself from the chair. They nearly gasped at her accomplishment. She rolled her eyes and laughed as best she could. When Senator Clark tried to take her elbow, she shrugged him off.
"Thank you, no," she told him politely. "I would like to try it on my own."
"As you wish." Clark inclined his head with stormy eyes. "My dear."
"Adele!"
Simon plowed through the line of petrified medical staff and raced across the deck. American sailors and soldiers tried to stop him, fearful that he would injure the battered princess, but they were too slow. The boy impacted his sister like a missile with arms, knocking her back into the chair as she shouted his name with uncontrollable joy and wrapped him in her suddenly pain-free embrace. She clutched frantically at his wonderfully solid frame and buried her face in his spiky, close-cropped hair.
Simon struggled partially free and looked up at her. "They say you met the Greyfriar!"
"Yes." Adele could barely form words through the tears that streamed down her face. Unwilling for him to be even a few feet away from her, she pulled him close again.
"Stop it," he muttered, wriggling up again. "What was he like? Did he kill vampires for you?"
"Yes. He did. Are you all right?"
"Did you kill any vampires?"
"Yes. All of them. Are you all right?"
Simon squinted at her suspiciously. "You did not. Did you kill even one? Did Greyfriar rescue you? From a castle?"
"As a matter of fact, he did." Adele choked back her sobs, smiling wildly. She pulled his head back to face her. "I'm so happy to see you."
He beamed broadly back at his sister. "I'm glad you're home, Adele."
A familiar voice cut through the air. "Prince Simon, stand away from your sister, if you please. She is injured and you can do her no good."
Adele opened her watery eyes. A stern Mamoru resplendent in a green silk robe embroidered with broad-winged cranes approached. She tried to argue that she was fine and that Simon could do her great good, but words failed her. She merely shook her head and clutched her brother harder so no one would take him away from her. Simon squirmed off her lap, but Adele refused to let go, squeezing his arm so hard he winced.
Mamoru bowed with hands clasped. "I am exceed
ingly grateful to see you, Your Highness. More than you can imagine."
"Mamoru," Adele breathed, reaching out to him with her other hand.
He was hesitant, but took her extended fingers. A quick glance over his shoulder to the medical staff urged them to move in and attend the princess. However, Adele ignored the questions and comments coming from the doctors and nurses as she tugged Mamoru closer. He bent low until his ear was at her mouth. His brow wrinkled in a very unaccustomed betrayal of surprise at her unusual familiarity.
"Thank you, Mamoru," Adele whispered. "For sending Mr. Selkirk. And for all you must have done."
Her mentor nodded quickly and said in a hushed voice, "Please, Your Highness, we can speak of these matters later when we are assured of your safety and robust health. Please allow the doctors to help you. There is time enough for us to talk later." Mamoru's eyes locked onto hers, studying her intently. It was almost as if he were scrutinizing a stranger. "I would like to learn all you know about the Greyfriar."
Adele stiffened and blurted out, "There's really nothing I can tell you. I don't know anything about him." She breathed out through her nose, clamping her lips shut and staring back at Mamoru without flinching. All she knew about Greyfriar was the truth, and she could never share that with anyone.
Mamoru's face gave a twitch of doubt, and his gaze searched her face. His eyes glittered with interest at her rushed exclamation. He wondered what she actually could know about Greyfriar that would prompt such a sudden and vigorous denial. But worse, he couldn't ignore a gnawing dread he felt that she needed to conceal something from him. It was as he had feared. This was not the same girl who had left Alexandria months ago. This woman had singular experiences that he had played no role in shaping. That could make for difficulties in the future.
The samurai stood slowly and said with deliberateness, "We shall speak of many things later, Your Highness. Your health is the Empire's only concern now."
Adele turned away, unwilling to watch his growing suspicion. Simon kept holding her hand as attendants lifted her from the chair onto a padded litter that floated on small gas bladders. They covered her with a blanket and held sweet-smelling ointments near her face to calm her. It was all she could do not to roll her eyes at their efforts as she was carried toward the gangplank. Mamoru eventually pulled Simon away so the doctors could engulf her. She protested, sitting up on the litter, but hands pressed at her, imploring her to relax.
"Stop it!" she shouted. "Simon! Come with me. Where's my father?"
Mamoru's calm voice wafted over her. "His Majesty was here to see the ship arrive, but he has pressing matters of state. He will attend your bedside soon enough."
Adele gripped the edges of the thin mattress and searched the wild scene around her. Doctors. Sailors. Dockworkers. Soldiers. But her own father could not be seen.
Then through the glare of the chemical lights that flooded the airfield she saw a group of men walking away. She noted the blue-clad straight back of Senator Clark and the black-suited Lord Kelvin as well as Lord Aden, dressed in formal wear with an opera cape and a top hat. In the midst of these great men, Adele saw a uniform greatcoat covering the hunched shoulders of Emperor Constantine. His pale face shone briefly as he turned back. The distance was too great for their eyes to meet, although Adele imagined they did. Her father paused and her pulse jumped. He was coming back. He would shrug off those three parasites and come to her.
Lord Kelvin's motions distracted Constantine, and he turned away from her. The four men disappeared in a mob of soldiers and politicians.
Adele lay back on the litter as she was carried back to her old life.
The sunrise over the Mediterranean Sea cast a gold hue inside Adele's chamber. Many days had passed, and her wounds were healing. Her shoulder barely ached, at least in comparison to the ache deep in her chest.
Below her window the streets of Alexandria were ablaze with the celebrations that had reigned since her safe return in the arms of the great Senator Clark. The sound of people cheering her name and the union with their new champion echoed in her room until it hurt her ears.
Dread welled at the thought of the impending marriage. The ceremony had been blessedly postponed to allow Adele time to recuperate from her ordeal. Senator Clark was furious with the emperor for refusing to set a new date, but even he wouldn't dare force the issue with the poor princess clinging to health and sanity and battling the horrific memories of the bloody north. All she thought of was Gareth's arms about her.
The last time she had seen him he was standing on the ruined deck of Cesare's ship as it drifted earthward. He had looked so alone on the dying ship. She missed Gareth more than she had ever imagined possible.
There was a knock at the door. Adele looked at the ceiling with a long sigh. She didn't want to deal with any staff. But she was the princess. Wearing the royal mantle again for the sake of her people chafed more than she could bear.
"Come in," she muttered, with enough discontent that she hoped anyone would realize they were unwelcome.
The door eased back, and Colonel Anhalt stepped cautiously into the room. His face was etched with emotion, which was unlike the usually stoic Gurkha. He stood in the threshold with his arms tight at his sides and his head slightly bowed.
Adele grinned and left her place at the window. "Colonel Anhalt! How wonderful to see you finally!"
Anhalt seemed taken aback by her warm greeting. "Your Highness."
She tugged him by his gloved hand. "Come in. What's wrong with you? I'll send for tea. I requested you come several times, but they always said you were away. I was afraid you were cross with me."
He stared at her with his mouth agape in disbelief.
Adele laughed. "I'm Joking. Of course I knew you were busy with war planning. Come in. I want to hear all about it." She pulled a cord for a servant.
The sturdy officer seemed completely confused. He struggled to recover his reserve. Before he could speak again, a maid stepped in and Adele ordered a tray of tea and sweets. She pulled the colonel to a low brass table surrounded by large pillows, rearranged the khukri that remained always in her belt, and flopped down. She glanced up, waiting for him to join her.
Anhalt stammered, "Your Highness, I fear I cannot."
"My dear colonel, I've been through too much to worry about protocol. You are welcome to sit with me. In fact, I command it."
The man took a deep, troubled breath.
Adele leaned forward anxiously. "What's wrong? Is it Simon? My father?"
"Oh no! No, Highness. There is nothing wrong."
She relaxed and slapped a pillow. "Ah. Good. Sit!"
The soldier made no move to join her.
The princess waved a hand dismissively. "Oh, I know you can't tell me war plans. I won't ask. I can find out those later anyway." As three servants entered with trays crowded with pitchers, pots, fruit, and sweets-a sumptuous feast-Adele said, "Do you want to hear tales from the vampire lands?" She gave a theatrical shudder. "Oh the horrors! The way they feed ... watching you ..."
The servants stiffened visibly with wide fearful eyes, and one turbaned man nearly dropped his tray. They settled the food safely, but with great rattling, and then quickly withdrew.
Adele laughed. "I love that! I've been doing that for days now."
The corners of Anhalt's mouth twitched up, but he refused to break his aura of distance. There was a pain in his eyes as they briefly settled on the young woman and slipped away.
He whispered, "I'm sorry, Highness."
"Sorry? For what? Will you please sit down before the tea gets cold?"
"I'm sorry for what happened to you." He stood at attention and focused his gaze on her like a soldier and gentleman. "I can never express my regret for failing you."
Adele paused in surprise. She set down the teapot gently. "Failing me? What are you talking about?"
"At the Ptolemy. I failed to protect you. I regret it bitterly."
Adele stood. "For God's
sake, Colonel. We were attacked by an army. Led by the most vicious war chief of all the clans. I know. I saw her in action firsthand. There was nothing you could've done."
"I could have died. Protecting you."
He was a beaten man. Adele had never seen this side of the colonel. Anhalt was one of the touchstones Adele depended on. In a world that had been changed so irrevocably for her, she needed a few pieces of bedrock that would not ever alter. This new Anhalt was distressing, and it had to stop.
Adele snapped, "Enough! I won't have that from you! We lost a battle. We lost brave men. Mourn them. I do. But I survived. Simon survived. You survived. We'll learn from it. With what I know about vampires, we can build a new White Guard that will be the finest fighting force in Equatoria."
Anhalt took a deep breath, as if breathing in her fury. His eyes hardened. "No doubt you will, Highness. I shall not be part of it."
"What do you mean?"
"I have been reassigned. I will no longer command your home guard. I came here, despite my misgivings, to thank you for the exquisite privilege of serving you over the years."
Adele stared at him for a moment. "What the hell are you talking about? Reassigned? I think not! Colonel Anhalt, you are the commander of my guard. You will continue to be the commander of my guard."
"Highness, Lord Kelvin has insisted that-"
"Lord Kelvin!" Adele clenched her fists and paused in silent anger. She whirled back to the table, seized a sliced pomegranate, and hurled the ripe fruit against the wall, where it splattered wet and red.
The princess turned back slowly with her face a mask of power and intensity. Anhalt took a step back. His princess had changed.
Adele said in a slow, gravelly voice, "That's what I care for Lord Kelvin. I will be empress. And that gives me power to remove both heads and pensions. If one doesn't scare Kelvin, the other surely will. You will not be reassigned. You are my commander. Do you understand me?"
The Greyfriar (Vampire Empire, Book 1) by Clay & Susan Griffith;Clay Griffith;Susan Griffith Page 30
