“Noble?” she supplied. “Aristocrats? Gently born?”
His mouth was a thin line. “Something like that.”
“You know I just took a quick tour of one of those noble minds. Jasa barely considered you to be above breeding stock.” Arissa narrowed her eyes. “You have lousy taste in women.”
He gave a short laugh and opened the door. “My father chose Jasa. I have excellent taste in women.”
Located in the lowest level of the building and equipped with blast doors of tarasteel, this was clearly a hold-out shelter in case of assault on the Zartani embassy. There were weapons, water, food and the emergency uplink equipment in this reinforced room.
Jolar sent the two guards stationed there outside and shut the tarasteel doors himself.
“I think we’re safe in here,” he said with satisfaction. “A concussion cannon couldn’t blast this thing open.”
“I hope the uplink is all right,” Arissa said, moving to stand in front of it. “The equipment looks untouched.”
There was a pulse from him and she turned to find that he was standing with his back to the door, his gaze inward.
“It’s safe,” he said quietly. “Absolutely safe.”
“Jolar? Are you all right?”
“Gods.” He shook his head a little, his expression bemused. “I’m Prince Jolar of Zartan now.”
Arissa frowned.
His blue eyes were almost aglow, his hair a rich gold in this light. “Jasa and my father spent years, decades, to make this happen. They bribed who knows how many, promised gods know what. They committed murder and treason but Jasa is right. They accomplished their goal. The lords on Zartan have thrown their support behind me, the men outside these doors—There’s a whole military force waiting to follow me.” He swallowed. “All I have to do is wait a few hours and it will be done, Arissa. They’ll crown me and you’ll be safe.”
Her eyes widened. “You’re really thinking about going along with this.”
“My word will be law on Zartan.” His jaw worked for a moment. “I’ll have the Zartani crown, the wealth and power—the support—of my homeworld behind me. I know the military. I have the right bloodline. That’s why it had to be me, because I can claim the Tellaran throne and rule it all as king.”
Her breath stopped. “The Tellaran throne?”
“Arissa, don’t you understand?” He crossed the room to clasp her hand tightly, his skin fevered. “I can abolish the anti-Seer laws! In just a few hours I can do it on Zartan. We can marry tonight and you’ll be Zartani princess with a whole world sworn to defend you. It wouldn’t matter if our children were telepathic – fracking hell, it would be better if they were! We can have as many telepathic children as the palace will hold. You’ll be able to live openly, forever. I can give you everything you deserve.” He wet his lips. “All I have to do is let this happen.”
“You’d be an accomplice to Dacel’s death and countless others,” she whispered. “Going along with this would be sanctioning your friend’s murder. Think of the people who are going to die when Jasa’s people take control!”
“People are going to die anyway,” he said hoarsely. “This code will leave them defenseless. The people who vowed to follow me—when I send this I’m going to betray them, some of them to their deaths.” He looked at the datapad in his hand. “The Seers were the backbone of the monarchy. There’s no reason they couldn’t be again. Together no one could stand against us.”
“You’d be a traitor!”
His blue eyes were wild. “You’ll never have to be afraid of discovery again. I can keep you safe—really safe now, sweet.”
“At the cost of everything you are!” she cried “At the cost of your integrity—of everything you believe. This will bring another civil war to the Tellaran Realm. Think of the lives that this will cost—the suffering! These people didn’t enact the anti-Seer laws, those were made hundreds of years ago. What they did to people like me was wrong but, Jolar, this is wrong too.”
“You’re worth it.” He leaned his forehead against hers. “You’re worth all that and more to me.”
She cupped his face. “I know.”
“I love you,” he said hoarsely. “I will do this for you. I will never regret it.”
“I love you too, Jolar.” Tears overflowed then and she didn’t try to check them. “And I can’t let you destroy everything you are for me. Send the code.”
His blue eyes were agonized. “The new ID they promised you—there’ll always be a risk that you could be caught.”
She swallowed. “We’ll think of something.”
“Are you sure, sweet?”
“Yes.” She gave a teary smile. “All that matters is that we’ll be together.”
He closed his eyes briefly. “The Realm doesn’t deserve you,” he said roughly, turning to the uplink. “But then again, neither do I.”
Thirty-four
“Sweet?”
Arissa blinked awake. It was a testament to how tired she was that she hadn’t even felt Jolar come into their quarters. The code transmission had been only the beginning to the Tellaran Council’s efforts to re-establish control last night and there were skirmishes reported as far away as Xeltan. Even hours before sunrise, Jolar was still communicating with the Council. They insisted on hearing everything he knew in an effort to glean enough information to keep the Realm from falling apart.
Arissa was swaying on her feet by that time and the Council insisted on conferring with him alone. Jolar sent her to the quarters the Rekan had prepared for her and she fell across the bed, asleep in minutes, still fully dressed.
Jolar’s face was drawn with exhaustion, his fingers gentle on the skin of her cheek.
It was mid-morning now. She sat up, pushing her hair away from her face. “What’s happened?”
“The Tellaran Council is declaring victory, saying the coup was a failure from the beginning,” he said. “That’s what the media is reporting too but really things are a fracking mess. Half the communication grids are out. Two other Council members have been implicated, there are arrests everywhere. The financial markets are badly destabilized.”
Arissa looked out the balcony doors. “Things seem quiet here.”
“Probably because everybody on Sertar’s holed up with a pile of cash and a blaster in hand.” He passed his hand over his eyes. “We’ve been recalled to Xan-Tellar, effective immediately. They want to debrief you in person as well. Don’t worry,” he said, accurately reading her expression. “The ID is yours. They gave me their promise.”
“When do we leave?”
“We’ve got a little over an hour. The Fleet ships may still be compromised so they’ve arranged a private cruiser to take us back to Tellar. Along with some of the other personnel.”
“You mean Jasa and Rekan.”
“No, I’m having Jasa and Rekan moved to the FleetSec base for the time being. Just in case one of their allies pops up to attempt a rescue I want those two behind tarasteel walls and armed FleetSec guards until they can be brought back on a Fleet cruiser.”
Arissa looked around the room. Her luggage was sitting in a corner of the bedroom. “Do I have time to shower and change?”
He gave a nod. “And for a quick breakfast but then we have to leave.”
She hesitated, wanting to tell Jolar about Kemma, but it wasn’t her secret to tell. “Are Kemma and Lian still here? I’d like to say goodbye.”
“I didn’t want to send them out with things so uncertain. I got them rooms on the other side of the embassy. Why don’t you get ready first? I’ll make sure they know you’re stopping by.”
Arissa frowned again. He really looked bad off. “Are you all right?”
“Just a headache. I haven’t been put through this much since basic.” Jolar passed his hand over his eyes. “I’ll be fine after a shower and some caf.”
A half hour later, Arissa knocked on the door to Kemma and Lian’s quarters. Before she left Jolar had reminded her sh
e only had a few minutes before the shuttle would take them to the spaceport.
Kemma opened the door. The Ornament looked tired too and was dressed again in the black shirt and trousers she’d worn last night but a smile lit her face.
“Arissa, come in.”
Their quarters were comfortably done with kitchenette and living room and large windows to brighten the space. The door to the bedroom was closed.
“Lian’s still asleep,” Kemma said in response to Arissa’s glance. “And anyway I’m glad that we have a chance to talk alone.”
Arissa gave a short embarrassed laugh. “I don’t know where to start and we have so little time!”
Kemma gave her an understanding smile. “There’s so much I want to ask you.”
“Me too.”
“You first then.”
“Okay.” Arissa considered; there was so much. “Did you always know?”
Kemma shrugged. “My mother figured it out. I was pretty young when she did.”
“I couldn’t go to school,” Arissa blurted. “Could you?”
Kemma looked stricken. “Yes, but not ‘til I was old enough to know how to hide it. ‘Til then my mother undertook my education but I was under strict orders not to tell anyone.”
Arissa frowned. “But what about the school physical? The medical exam?”
“Well,” Kemma said, with a shrug. “There are certain doctors who can be paid to say whatever you want them to.”
“You had your exam done on Sertar,” Arissa said, understanding.
“Cost my parents a fortune, too. ‘Course in my career I’ve more than made up for it.”
“Don’t you worry it’ll show if you get injured? What if they do another telepath screen?”
“Pellar syndrome.”
“What?”
“My medical records state that I have Pellar syndrome. According to my records I can’t have that scan again without risking a life-threatening reaction so no one ever does it.”
“My mother should have thought of that,” Arissa said, frowning. “She was head of the medical arts program.”
“Well, you would have had to have the exam to show that you were a non-telepath and then a reaction to reveal Pellar syndrome. Or a faked one anyway.” Kemma gave a rueful smile. “The Sertarian doctor came up with the idea. Doubled the price but it was well worth it.”
“If you—”
“Slipped through then maybe others did too?” Kemma finished for her.
They both smiled but then Kemma shook her head. “Not that I know of, Arissa. It’s possible, but that doctor was paid to keep secrets. He sure never revealed mine.”
“So there might be others?” Arissa asked. Though why she should feel hopeful she didn’t know.
Kemma hesitated. “I wanted to talk to you about that.”
“Not to tell anyone, you mean,” Arissa said. “I won’t. Not even Jolar, not unless I’m absolutely certain it’s safe. But Lian—?”
A smile lit Kemma’s face, her green eyes shone. “I slipped and he caught on but he’s always loved me just the same. More maybe.” She tilted her head. “And Jolar knows about you.”
“He’s the one that encouraged me to use it. I was so afraid I would hurt him.” Arissa searched Kemma’s face. “Are you? Are you afraid you’ll hurt Lian?”
“Sometimes,” Kemma said quietly. “I don’t know what’s true. What to believe.” She brightened. “You know, finding you is like discovering I have a sister.”
“For me too.” She hesitated. “I know you and Lian live on his homeworld—”
“Oh, no,” Kemma said. “Don’t even think about us losing touch. We are absolutely going to arrange to see each other again. We have a lot to talk about.”
Arissa smiled in relief. “Okay. Only . . . we should wait till I have my new ID. I don’t want anyone to get curious about you. I want to make sure it’s safe for you to know me.”
“What about Jolar?”
Arissa’s face went hot and Kemma’s eyebrows rose.
“I meant to ask if you are worried about Jolar. But looks like there’s more news about you and Jolar?”
“Before . . . I mean, he couldn’t ask me to marry him but . . .”
“That’s wonderful,” Kemma said warmly. “I love weddings!” Suddenly her face flushed. “I mean, I know I’m an Ornament so maybe you don’t—”
Arissa blinked. “Are you kidding? I don’t mind about that! Kemma, you’re my friend.”
Kemma smiled. “Good. You’re mine too.” Kemma tilted her head. “Did you mean what you said, that you had thought about being a courtesan?”
“Yes. Did you mean it when you said I’d be good at it?”
Kemma laughed. “Yes, but don’t tell Jolar I said so. I don’t think he would appreciate it as much as you do.”
“We’re being recalled to Tellar. They want to question us in person.”
“And Lian wants to return to Lema as soon as possible. Sounds like things are going to be scary for a while and he doesn’t want us here in case things take a turn for the worse.”
“A lot of people are probably going to feel that way.”
Kemma sighed. “I know. The Fleet has grounded most commercial ships from leaving the system. There’s a few private cruisers making a run that way but for the prices they’re asking we could buy a cruiser.”
“Do you want to stay here at the Zartani embassy until you can arrange to go back to Lema? I can talk to Jolar.”
Kemma glanced back at the bedroom door. “Lian was up most of the night trying to get us off-world.” She considered. “I don’t want to wake him. Yes, ask Jolar if we can stay for a few days.”
“I have to go,” Arissa said reluctantly.
Kemma hugged her. “I’m going to miss you.”
Arissa smiled and hugged back. “Me too.”
Jolar looked somewhat better than he had before, but there were still dark shadows beneath his eyes and his cheeks seemed a little sunken. Almost as if all this were draining him from inside.
He caught her gaze on him, and his brow furrowed.
“You okay?” Jolar asked, his hand on hers. Their shuttle, a larger vehicle piloted by one of the ZarSecs that accompanied them, was circling to land at Tano-Sertar’s spaceport.
“I’m okay,” she said. “It was hard saying goodbye to Kemma.”
“You’ll see her again.”
The port was surrounded by traffic jams. Shuttles, plainly not permitted to land, circled above. Even from here she could feel the anger and fear of the crowds.
“It looks pretty bad out there.”
“FleetSec is supporting SerSec to keep things under control,” he said. “There’s a lot of panic, a lot of fear that the government isn’t telling them how bad things really are.”
“But they aren’t,” Arissa murmured.
“No,” Jolar agreed grimly. “And if people knew how bad things really are, not even FleetSec could keep things under control.”
Guards from the Zartani embassy escorted them into the spaceport. They were separated from the main crowd by a plexisteel barrier that separated the main port from the boarding areas.
A line of uniformed, and armed, personnel stood between the other side of the shield barrier and the crowd. Arissa couldn’t hear the crowd through the barrier but she could feel their fear, anger, and worry. Small children clung to exhausted parents and the terminal was full. Many simply sat, surrounded by their belongings, on the floor. Some argued with the uniformed guards and Arissa swallowed hard at the tension in that peace force. It wouldn’t take much to nudge the frightened civilians into an open and violent conflict with the security officers.
This side of the barrier was not nearly as crowded. A small number of private transports were being allowed to leave and every seat was claimed. The crowd in here was far more hopeful than those behind the barrier but even here armed peace officers were walking through the crowd with their rifles at the ready.
The crowd
’s emotions were howling through her mind. Shaken, Arissa forced her focus to just Jolar and edged closer to him.
The arrival of more peace officers in the form of Jolar’s ZarSec guard detail was not a welcome addition. A pair of SerSec confronted Jolar’s guards almost immediately to insist they depart. Jolar was reluctant to let them go until they boarded the shuttle but the SerSec made a very valid point that the Zartani were not part of the coordinated security effort and were acting as private guards. With the SerSec insisting that the Zartani leave and tempers already running hot, Jolar reluctantly sent them back to the embassy.
“It looks like there’s more than enough security here,” Arissa offered.
Jolar rubbed at his temple. “I’ll feel better once we’re on the shuttle. Come on, let’s see what the holdup is.”
The spaceport gate attendant gave him a regretful look. “I’m afraid there’s a delay. No one is being permitted to board that shuttle.”
“How long of a delay?” Jolar demanded.
She was tired and clearly under strain but her voice was polite. “I haven’t been told.”
“Why has the shuttle been delayed?” Jolar fairly growled. “Is there a problem with the cruiser?”
“I’m sorry. I don’t know.”
“Is there anything you can tell me?” Jolar snapped.
“Sir,” the woman said, cracks showing in her calm façade. “FleetSec is coordinating all the transports on and off Sertar now.” She nodded over at a knot of officers on this side of the barrier. “Maybe they can tell you.”
“Fine,” Jolar muttered. “I’ll ask one of them.”
Jolar took a few steps away from the woman’s desk searching the crowd for the ranking FleetSec and Arissa followed.
A Fleet Officer in a crisp rust uniform was making his way toward them.
The Seer Page 29
