Starfall: A Starstruck Novel

by Hiatt, Brenda

  “Yes, Excellency, I agree that Van will be a valuable addition. Through Shim, I’ve come to know him fairly well over the years and his loyalty and ethics are above reproach. As the person who originally designed the current MARSTAR system, his skills will serve us well in creating a more robust communication network to accommodate Earth’s growing Echtran population.”

  Nara nodded enthusiastically, as though she were only just restraining herself from clapping. “Indeed! Van is the next best thing to Shim himself, now that Shim’s serving in an even more important capacity in Nuath.”

  “I can’t deny that this would resolve a few of our current problems, Excellency.” Breann smiled thinly, then glanced around at the other Royals. “Do you not think so?”

  “I suppose there is something to be said for maintaining a balance on the Council, as you so strenuously pointed out last week, Excellency,” Malcolm admitted.

  When Mrs. O and Connor finally murmured their grudging agreement, I breathed a quiet sigh of relief. “Great! I’ve invited Mr. Stuart to join us here shortly, so he can be brought up to speed on everything. Meanwhile, we can move on to other matters.”

  “Such as this news of you resuming a relationship with Rigel Stuart?” Malcolm said before I could continue. “We may have agreed to his father’s appointment, but I thought surely you understood that pursuing even a fleeting teen romance with a non-Royal could have a detrimental effect on—”

  “Yes, I’m well aware that most of you consider it politically inconvenient for Rigel and me to be together, just as you found it politically convenient to turn a blind eye to Nuathan law and agree to his memory being erased. Luckily, that memory erasure turned out to be temporary.”

  “What?” Kyna spoke sharply. “Are you saying that Rigel Stuart’s memory is returning already? How is that possible?”

  Second only to Shim in both age and bearing, Kyna had always intimidated me a little, but now I looked her directly in the eye. “It was possible because of our graell bond, something all of you have done your best to ignore from the start. When Rigel and I are together, when we touch, we have always had a healing effect on each other. In this case, it healed his memory.”

  Kyna still frowned. “While I did not sanction his memory erasure, Excellency, I was disappointed to learn you had informed Rigel of the Grentl’s existence despite your sworn word. It was that breach which persuaded my Royal colleagues to disregard Nuathan law on this matter.”

  The Royals all began to murmur and nod, so I continued quickly. “I did try my best to keep the Grentl a secret from Rigel, since you forced me to promise. But he knew I was hiding something and, as my Bodyguard, I felt he needed to know. So once we were on our way to Mars, I finally told him, knowing he’d never, ever tell anyone else. Which he didn’t.”

  “Excellency, are you implying that you now intend to share all official business, classified or not, with Rigel Stuart?” Connor was visibly indignant, as were the other Royals.

  I debated with myself for a moment, then nodded. “I don’t have much choice. One aspect of our bond is a mental link—sharing thoughts with each other. That made it incredibly hard to keep such a big secret from Rigel for three whole months. I never want to have to do that again.”

  “Really?” Nara squeaked excitedly. “You actually have the legendary telepathic link? Can you—?”

  “Not now, Nara,” Kyna snapped, then turned back to me. “We appreciate you sharing this with us, Excellency, but you can’t deny it’s a definite security risk. If Rigel Stuart should actually remember everything—”

  “He does. Everything.” Abruptly, I decided I was done fudging. “Just as if his memory had never been erased.” The Royals acted so shocked, I decided to attempt a test. “Obviously, that’s news you didn’t want to hear. Is that why you threatened his parents? So they wouldn’t help him get his memory back?”

  As I voiced that accusation, I focused, hard, on the emotions of the Council members in the room with me and the expressions of the holographic ones. I didn’t detect any guilt, though. Just surprise and confusion.

  “Threatened?” Breann echoed, frowning. “The Stuarts have been threatened? By whom?”

  “That’s what I want to know,” I replied. “An anonymous note was left for Dr. Stuart at the hospital where she works, saying it would be dangerous for Rigel to remember too much, or to spend too much time with me. Exactly what some of you have been saying.”

  Malcolm gave a little huff. “Dangerous, yes, in the sense of a security breach, but we certainly never implied we would take any sort of physical action against the Stuart family. I would hope something so cowardly as an anonymous note would be beneath any of us, no matter our views.”

  “I wanted to believe that, too, and I’m glad to have it confirmed. But somebody left that note. Maybe Gordon Nolan? He was in on the original plot to erase Rigel’s memory and now he seems to have gone into hiding. I’d like Allister Adair questioned about that by someone who’ll know for sure whether he’s telling the truth.” I looked at Mrs. O’Gara.

  “If…if that’s your wish, Excellency, though I told you I’ve spoken with my brother and—”

  “But not in person. I did, just a few weeks ago, and he was awfully evasive when I asked him about Gordon. It’s also possible whoever left that note had something to do with the man who attacked me last week. Maybe even the attack in Ireland last spring, before I left for Mars. You never did figure out who was behind that.”

  “Indeed,” Kyna said decisively. “Whoever is responsible must be found and stopped before he can again threaten the Sovereign or anyone else. Allister has proven himself capable of duplicity in the past, as has Gordon Nolan, in that matter of the hacked security feed aboard the Quintessence, an act of near-treason that could have resulted in Nuath’s destruction, had it delayed the Sovereign’s Acclamation any longer.”

  Though she clearly wasn’t happy about it, Mrs. O nodded. “Very well. I’ll fly to Dun Cloch tomorrow and do my best to persuade Allister to reveal Gordon’s whereabouts—if he actually knows. I’ll message you with whatever I discover.”

  I thanked her and prepared to move on to the next item, but Malcolm wasn’t ready to let the matter of Rigel and me go yet.

  “Excellency, surely you don’t mean to make your relationship with young Stuart public, with no regard for how that might affect our people’s trust in your judgment? What of our traditions? What of your destined Consort?”

  “Tradition isn’t the same thing as destiny,” I told him. “Sean knows Rigel and I are bonded and that we’re together again. If he’s okay with it, why should anyone else care?”

  Malcolm turned to Mrs. O. “Is this true? Your son is willing to step aside in favor of this non-Royal upstart?”

  “He, ah, does seem surprisingly resigned to the idea.” Mrs. O was radiating way more resentment than I’d sensed from Sean about it. “While I believe the old traditions have value, the rest of my family appears not to agree.” She sounded bitter and I suddenly realized this must be why she wanted them all out of the house tonight.

  “I don’t like it,” Malcolm persisted. “You are still young, Excellency, but—”

  “You’re not required to like it,” I said bluntly. “All I require is that you cooperate to keep Rigel and the Stuarts safe from any other disgruntled Echtrans who may not be above threats or attacks.”

  He frowned but didn’t dare argue any further, which was my goal.

  Mrs. O was still working to subdue her mother-outrage on Sean’s behalf when the doorbell rang. She jumped to her feet.

  “That will be Van, I presume? You were quite right, Excellency, to anticipate this meeting going late. Informing him of everything he will need to know as a Council member will take quite some time.”

  27

  Capacitance overload

  Three hours later, Mr. Stuart was finally able to assure us he had a reasonable grasp of all of the issues. The news about the Grentl’s existence had th
rown him for a loop, but he’d overcome his initial shock more quickly than, say, Nels Murdoch had. What would take longer for him to get over, I suspected, was the full story of how Rigel’s memory came to be erased. I could sense his disappointment in people he’d formerly regarded as heroes.

  I could also sense his gratitude when I insisted (over Council protest) that he was free to share everything he’d learned with his wife. I didn’t mention the Stuarts’ telepathic link, since that wasn’t my secret to share, instead stressing the unfairness of Dr. Stuart being the only one in their family not in the know.

  Once he was up to speed, Mr. Stuart outlined his preliminary ideas for a more extensive and secure communications network and how it might be implemented. Finally, I took care of the last item on my agenda by appointing Kyna as new head of the Council. Not only was she now the oldest member but, more importantly, she’d demonstrated both loyalty and wisdom by voting against what was done to Rigel, but refusing to leave the Council to be run entirely by Royals.

  Well before we adjourned, Molly, Sean and their dad returned from the movies. Though Mr. O was clearly surprised to see Mr. Stuart here, he merely bowed respectfully as he passed the living room and followed his children into the kitchen.

  When Kyna officially closed the meeting, it was past midnight. As everyone stood to say their goodbyes, Nara motioned me closer to her holographic image.

  “Excellency, I would very much like to speak with you further about your graell bond, if that would not be too presumptuous?”

  Remembering her earlier excitement, I smiled, though I was a little wary. “What do you want to know?”

  “Well, you see, the graell has never been properly studied, which is why most of our people consider it a myth. If you and Rigel would consent to have a small team of Scientists independently verify and quantify the various aspects of your bond, it would be a valuable addition to our body of knowledge. And once our people are convinced the phenomenon really does exist, it should help overcome any, ah, resistance to the idea of you pairing with Rigel rather than Sean.” Eyes bright, she clasped her hands in front of her as she waited for my answer.

  My first impulse was to refuse. The last time Echtran Scientists “studied” our bond, it was just so they could devise an antidote to it. Still, I had to admit her reasoning was sound. Having the graell properly studied and the results publicly shared probably would go a long way toward getting people to accept us as a couple. Which would substantially cut any risks to Rigel from outraged Echtrans.

  “Maybe you’re right, Nara. I’ll need to discuss it with Rigel, but you can message me with the details and we’ll see what can be arranged. Um, discreetly arranged.”

  “Of course! I’ll speak with a Mind Healer friend of mine and a few Scientists who have studied genetic affinities and let you know how they’d like to proceed. I know they’ll be as eager as I am to learn more about the graell. Thank you, Excellency!” Bowing deeply to me, she vanished, the last to leave.

  Molly was already asleep by the time I got upstairs, so once I was in bed I took advantage of our wonderfully increased telepathic range to reach out to Rigel.

  Are you still awake?

  Yep! Dad just got home, so I waited up, hoping you’d let me know how it went.

  I told Rigel all about the Council meeting and also mentioned Nara’s request to have our bond studied. After I shared her reasoning, Rigel agreed it made sense, especially if swaying people’s opinions would make me safer. I was more concerned with his safety, but knew that wouldn’t carry as much weight with him.

  When I got home the next day, I messaged Nara that Rigel and I were willing to answer questions and let her researchers perform a few tests. Within minutes, she responded to ask if the testing might take place that very evening. Way sooner than I’d expected!

  Though Nara’s eagerness was unnerving, I figured if we were going to do this at all, it might as well be soon, so we could start turning public opinion (well, Martian opinion) in our favor as soon as possible. After touching base with Rigel again, I reluctantly agreed.

  Maybe it was silly, but because of what happened after the tests done on Rigel and me at the O’Garas’ last year, I suggested meeting at the Stuarts’ house this time, instead. Both Rigel’s parents and Nara were fine with that and within the hour, Dr. Stuart called Aunt Theresa to invite me to dinner.

  * * *

  “You’re not having second thoughts, are you, Excellency?” Dr. Stuart pulled her car to a stop in front of the big, yellow farm house, once so familiar to me.

  “No, I think we’re doing the right thing.” In fact, I was having an irresistible flashback to a similar scene almost exactly a year ago, when Dr. Stuart had driven me to their house for what turned out to be practically a trial, to determine if I really was the Princess. We’d used the coming-to-dinner excuse on Aunt Theresa that time, too.

  Tonight shouldn’t be nearly as nerve-wracking, I told myself. I was really, truly the Sovereign now, and this examination was completely voluntary—and wouldn’t involve any scary blood tests with antique equipment. Still, the memory sent a tiny shiver down my spine.

  “I hope you’re right.” I could tell she was anxious, too—probably also remembering that evening, plus the much worse one at the O’Garas’ a couple months later, when Allister ordered Healers to concoct an antidote to my bond with Rigel so we could be permanently separated.

  “It’ll be fine.” The reassurance was as much for myself as for her. “Allister isn’t calling the shots this time, I am.”

  She nodded, her gorgeous auburn hair glinting in the late-afternoon sun as we approached the front door. “Of course.”

  Together we walked into the Stuarts’ big, cozy living room. I glanced involuntarily at the chair I’d sat in last year for my “inquisition” before registering the other people present: Mr. Stuart, Rigel (also a little nervous), Healer Fiona, who’d helped develop that “antidote,” and two men I didn’t recognize.

  Because I sent a quick Don’t you dare! Rigel was the only one who didn’t bow at my entrance. Instead, he just inclined his head slightly, trying to hide his sudden grin.

  “Hello, everyone,” I said. “Thank you for coming. And please, let’s not stand on ceremony tonight. I prefer to keep things informal whenever possible.”

  One of the unfamiliar men stepped forward. “Thank you, Excellency, for agreeing to have your, ah, unusual situation studied. I’m Blair Hagan, head of genetics research at the World Health Organization. Shim Stuart was a colleague of mine before leaving for Nuath. This is Mind Healer and NASA psychologist Donnan Caith, and I believe you have already met Healer Fiona?”

  “Nice to see you again, Fiona. You’re a friend of Dr. Stuart’s, aren’t you?”

  “I am, Excellency. She suggested I be present, as I’ve already done some research into the genetic affinity you share with her son. I’d…like to take this opportunity to apologize for the use to which my initial research was put. It was never my intention—”

  “I know. You were following Allister’s orders. I don’t hold you responsible. Now, how did you all want to, um, proceed? Nara seemed especially interested in Rigel’s and my telepathic link?”

  Donnan nodded eagerly. “That ability has been quite rare among our people, though occasionally something of the sort has been known to develop over time between paired couples.”

  “I’ve heard that.” I managed not to glance at Dr. and Mr. Stuart, since I didn’t think it was generally known what they could do. “Our link developed a lot faster, within a month or so of our bond forming. Which, by the way, wasn’t intentional—or avoidable.”

  “So I understand. If you’re amenable, we’d like to begin by taking the two of you into separate rooms to answer a few questions, after which we’ll conduct empirical tests of your telepathic ability. These will be tabulated for our records and included in our final report. If you, Excellency, will go with Fiona, and Rigel, if you’ll come with me?”

&
nbsp; Rigel shot me a quick, concerned look. You sure?

  Should be okay. I don’t sense anything but curiosity from any of them.

  I followed Fiona into the kitchen, while Rigel and Donnan went upstairs, leaving the Stuarts with Blair in the living room.

  “Now, Excellency.” Fiona sat across from me at the big kitchen table where I’d spent so many happy hours last fall. “I have about two dozen questions to go through, then we’ll attempt a few pre-arranged tests, shall we?”

  “Go ahead.”

  For the next ten minutes I answered various questions about how our graell bond had formed, at what point we’d been able to sense emotions and then thoughts from each other, as well as the unpleasant physical symptoms we’d experienced every time we’d been separated since then. Some of the questions were simple, some more complex. She recorded all of my answers on her omni, which seemed to have lots of special Healer apps installed.

  When I’d answered the last question, she made a note of the time. “Now for the empirical tests. The distance between you and Rigel may well prove too great for communication. If that’s the case, I’ll have Donnan bring him back downstairs. As long as you can’t actually see each other, the tests will be valid.”

  “I, um, think we’ll be fine.”

  She looked dubious, but pulled up a different holo-screen, again noting the time. “Very well. See if you can send the sentence displayed to Rigel’s mind.”

  What numbers are you being shown? I read off the screen.

  Rigel immediately reeled off a series of eight numbers, which I repeated out loud to Fiona.

  Then, from Rigel, What colors, in order, are you being shown?

  Fiona’s screen now displayed eight color blocks, one at a time. Red. Purple. Brown. Yellow. Blue. Green. Orange. Purple again.

  They progressed to more and more complicated questions, which Rigel and I had to take turns relaying to each other, then answering. Finally, Fiona deactivated her screen and smiled.