by S. J. West
“She is an abomination, and I don’t want to have anything to do with her!” Malcolm roared, barely able to keep his temper in check. “Take her to Cirrus and raise her as your own like we planned. In a few generations, I’ll take back control of protecting Caylin’s heirs. But now, I can’t even make myself look at that thing much less protect it.”
“I understand why you hate her, but…”
“No,” Malcolm said, cutting off Andre’s words before letting him finish. Andre noticed Malcolm absently begin to rub the side of his right thigh. “You don’t understand everything. I didn’t only fail Amalie by not protecting her. I failed Lilly too, and that haunts me more than anything else. I wasn’t able to keep the last promise I made to her. That is something that can never be fixed.”
“You did your best. Lilly would have understood.”
“And when I’m finally able to stand in front of her in Heaven, just how do you suggest I explain this monumental failure to her, Andre?”
Andre was silent, not having a good answer.
Malcolm turned back to face the outside world again.
“You should leave as soon as possible,” Malcolm told Andre. “Your titles have been bought and paid for. I’ve already contacted the Emperor and arranged the marriage between that thing and his son. He’s expecting you to arrive in the capitol city tonight.”
“Are you sure having her marry the crown prince is the right thing to do?” Andre asked, sounding unsure of the decision Malcolm made about the child’s future.
“It will secure her children into a place of honor and safety,” Malcolm said. “We’ve discussed this before, Andre. Don’t start questioning the plan now.”
“But we’ve always let the girls choose who they married,” Andre argued.
Malcolm snorted. “And look how well that turned out for Amalie. We are not letting that thing choose who she marries. We can’t afford another slip up. Just do what I’m ordering you to do and take that creature to Cirrus!”
Andre sighed. “Do you want me to keep you apprised of her development?”
“No,” Malcolm said, lifting his head a notch higher. “I don’t want to know anything about her unless it’s to report her death.”
“Malcolm…” Andre said reproachfully.
“I’m sorry,” Malcolm said, not really sounding sorry at all. “It’s the way I feel, and I won’t pretend otherwise. As long as she continues Caylin’s line, I don’t care what else happens to her, Andre.”
“If that’s the way you want it, then that’s the way it will be.”
Malcolm nodded. “Yes, that’s the way I want it.”
Andre fell silent for a moment trying to think of a way to change Malcolm’s mind, but no solution presented itself.
“I will keep in contact with you while we’re in Cirrus,” Andre said. “And I’ve picked a name for her. Would you like to know it?”
“No.”
Andre sighed again. “Then, I guess I’ll see you in a few years, my friend.”
Malcolm turned to look at Andre once more.
“I’m sorry to lay the burden of raising her on your shoulders, Andre. But, I simply can’t do it. I can’t even bring myself to look at her.”
“It will be my honor to raise her,” Andre told Malcolm. “She isn’t the monster you believe her to be, Malcolm. I think she might just surprise you.”
Andre had seen the child and knew in one glance how special she was. He also knew no matter what he told Malcolm it wouldn’t be enough to convince his oldest friend that the girl who had been born that night might be the one they had waited over a millennium for.
“I’ll send a message to you after we arrive in Cirrus,” Andre said. “So you’ll at least know we made it there safely.”
Malcolm nodded, acknowledging that he heard Andre’s words.
Andre made his way out of the house to the city street where a horse drawn carriage waited for him. The night was foggy, like it often was in New Orleans, as he climbed into the carriage. He sat opposite the child and her nanny. The carriage lurched forward as the driver headed towards only one of a few areas left on Earth where teleporters were permitted. Once there, they would be allowed to teleport up to the cloud city of Cirrus which was located above what was left of New York City.
“I guess he decided to remain as obstinate as ever,” the nanny grumbled, cradling the newborn in the crook of one of her arms like the babe she held was the most precious thing on Earth.
“You know how he can be, Millie,” Andre sighed.
Millie looked down at the child she held.
“I can’t understand why the master would shun such a sweet little nipper,” Millie said.
“He has his reasons.”
Millie looked over at Andre.
“Have you decided on a name yet?” She asked.
Andre grinned. “Yes, I have.”
“Well don’t just sit there grinning like a Cheshire cat,” Millie griped. “What is it for goodness sakes?”
Andre held his arms out to Millie indicating he wanted to hold the child before giving her his answer. Almost reluctantly, Millie handed the baby girl to Andre.
When Andre looked down at the child he held, he couldn’t help but smile at the little cherub tucked safely in his arms.
“Hello, Annalisse Desiraye Greco,” he said to her. “Welcome to the world.”
CHAPTER ONE
As I stand on the veranda of the home I share with my father, I watch the sun rise over the horizon bringing with it the start of a brand new day filled with unknown possibilities. Its shimmering rays glance off the transparent protective dome surrounding Cirrus, penetrating just enough to enlighten the world I live in. I watch the ever present holographic clouds glide by on an artificially created wind propagating the illusion that they’re free floating. Far off in the distance, I can see the castle of the emperor. Its white stone towers with blue tiled roofs stand out amidst the wispy white clouds like a dream from a simpler time in Earth’s history. I know it will be my home soon, but the mere thought of living within its walls tightens the ever present knot in the pit of my stomach.
I love the man I will have to marry but not in the way a wife should love a husband. Newly crowned Emperor Augustus Charles Ronaldo Amador has been my childhood friend almost since the moment I was born. I was told that on the night of my birth, we met and were betrothed to one another within hours of my entry into this world. I grew up knowing I would marry Auggie on my twenty-first birthday and eventually become Empress Annalisse Desiraye Amador. On that day, I will fulfill a long ago arrangement made to place me on the throne of Cirrus to rule by Auggie’s side.
But, it isn’t what I want to do. I don’t want to become Empress of Cirrus. I don’t want to become Auggie’s wife. Yet, what I want to do isn’t within my realm of possibilities.
“A penny for your thoughts.”
I turn around and find Auggie leaning up against one of the four white marble pillars which lead into my private chambers.
I’ve always found Auggie attractive with his wavy, shoulder length blonde hair and barely there mustache and beard. His clear blue eyes hold an ever present tenderness for me and a certain amount of pity. He’s dressed in one of his white collarless suits, and I know today must be one of the few days in his life he has all to himself.
Auggie pushes his shoulder off the pillar and saunters over to me.
“Auggie,” I say, “do you think I’ll ever find someone to love me?”
“I love you,” he replies, smiling at me with unending gentleness.
“You love me like a sister,” I say, as I bow my head because I feel sad all of a sudden. “That’s not the type of love I’m talking about.”
Auggie places a gentle hand under my chin and makes me look back up at him.
“He’s out there somewhere, longing to meet you as much as you are him,” he says to me. “And when you finally find one another, God help anyone who tries to come between the two of you.
”
I tilt my head to the side as I continue to look up at my best friend. “Why would you say that?”
“Because, I know you,” Auggie says with a proud smile. “You would tear them to pieces if it meant protecting someone you love.”
“I would do anything for him,” I say, completely meaning my words with all my heart, “and everything.”
“Keep your faith, Anna,” Auggie tells me. “Keep believing he’s out there. Don’t give up on him just yet. Maybe he’ll sweep you off your feet and your father will have no other option but to break our marriage contract.”
“Do you think he would?” I ask, sounding overly hopeful even to myself.
Auggie raises a perfectly groomed eyebrow at me. “Well, that’s a fine how do you do, Lady Anna. Do you want to cast your betrothed to the side so quickly? I am Emperor you know. Being my wife does come with some perks.”
“But not true love,” I say to him, not in argument but sorrow.
My heart feels incomplete, and Auggie isn’t the man who is supposed to fill the gaping hole within its chambers. No man I’ve met during my years in Cirrus has been a match to my soul. I know without a shadow of a doubt that if I had crossed paths with my soul mate I would have felt it instantly. The earth beneath my feet would have moved, and my heart would have quaked from just being in his mere presence.
I run my hands up Auggie’s chest and behind his neck.
“Kiss me, Auggie,” I almost beg.
Auggie smiles at me and wordlessly relents to my request.
When our lips meet, I feel comfort in the warmth of my best friend’s mouth against mine but little else. Auggie eventually pulls away causing me to sigh my disappointment yet again, not feeling an ounce of passion or excitement from the joining of our lips.
“Nothing I take it?” Auggie asks, already knowing what it is I’m hoping to feel because we’ve tried this little experiment at least a hundred times now.
“Nothing,” I confirm. “How about you?”
“Nothing I’m afraid,” Auggie sighs his own regret. “Who would believe the two most attractive people in Cirrus feel absolutely no passion for one another?”
“Well, if people knew where your true predilections lie, they would understand,” I tease. “How is Gladson by the way?”
“He’s fine,” Auggie answers with a hint of a blush at the mention of the man who holds his heart in secret. “I wish we didn’t have to hide behind closed doors though. It just seems ridiculous to be emperor yet have to hide the fact that I love someone of the same sex from the rest of the world.”
“I’m sorry, Auggie. Maybe one day you won’t have to hide your love for one another.”
“Well, it won’t be while my mother still lives. That much I know for sure. I don't suppose you have a message for me from him?”
The look of hope on Auggie's face makes my answer even harder to give.
“No, he hasn't sent a message for you to me. I'm sorry.”
With the mention of the dowager empress, the knot in my stomach tightens even further.
“I have my lesson with your mother this morning after breakfast,” I tell Auggie, sounding about as enthusiastic as I feel. “Not exactly the highlight of my day.”
Auggie chuckles.
“She likes you,” he reassures me. “Or, she can at least stand you which is a lot more than I can say for anyone else besides myself in Cirrus. If she didn’t like you just a little, she wouldn’t be spending so much time to prepare you to take her place after we’re married.”
“I can’t believe the wedding is only a few days away. It seems like it’s too soon. I don’t feel ready.”
Auggie places his hands on my shoulders and looks me in the eyes.
“You are ready,” he tells me, filled with more confidence than I feel. “You will be the greatest empress Cirrus has ever had. We were both born to rule, Anna. And maybe together we can change things for the better.”
“Is Gladson filling your head with propaganda again?” I whisper, never quite trusting that the dowager empress doesn’t have us under constant surveillance.
“Do you disagree with his propaganda?” Auggie whispers back, telling me that he’s not quite sure if our conversation is being listened to either.
“You know I don’t,” I say. “I see no reason for us to keep the down-worlders in the dark anymore. It’s not right that we should have free reign over so much technology while we keep them living in a world only run by steam powered engines. It’s barbaric.”
“Yet, it’s the law,” Auggie reminds me. “It’s been the law for over two hundred years. And Cirrus isn’t the only monarchy who does it. Every cloud city in the world does it.”
“That doesn’t make it right,” I say. “It’s the 31st century, Auggie. We should be more civilized than this. Yet, we’ve basically enslaved the down-worlders to make them grow our crops, raise our livestock, and harvest what few natural resources we have left on this planet. It’s no wonder so many of them enter their names into the lottery to go off world to work. At least on the other planets, they have access to our advancements. I still don’t understand how we got to this point.”
“You know the history as well as I,” Auggie says. “After the great war, those who could afford it built the cloud cities and brought up only those who were the best and brightest of the down-worlders. Then, when the down-worlders almost annihilated each other and destroyed every city on the surface with their class wars, we helped them pick up the pieces. In a way, by keeping their access to technology to a minimum, we’re protecting them from themselves.”
“Do you really believe that?” I ask. “Do you think they would go to war again if they had our technology?”
Auggie shrugs. “I’m not sure. I would hope not, but I can’t see into the future either. No one can.”
“Gladson believes we shouldn’t be separated from them anymore.”
Auggie smiles. “He thinks we’re becoming too inbred up here with our self-enforced isolation. I can’t say I disagree with him. It’s one of the reasons you were chosen to be my wife. You had one of the purest genetic codes our physicians had ever seen in an up-worlder or down-worlder. In essence, you were genetically perfect in every way. Plus, your father offered such a large dowry for the privilege that my father couldn’t refuse.”
“Anna! Anna!”
I look back over to the pillars leading to my chambers and see my little dog, Vala, come at a run towards us. I pull back from Auggie as Vala launches herself into my arms.
“They’re coming!” Vala tells me, turning her little head from me to look at Auggie and then back up at me again.
“I guess that’s my cue to leave,” Auggie says, leaning down to kiss me lightly on the lips. “I’ll see you later this evening at the Tribute Ball.”
“Yes, I’ll see you there.”
Auggie looks down at his left palm where a holographic display lights up. He presses one of the options and teleports, setting off a quick flash of light with his departure.
I look down at Vala, my ever loyal robotic Pomeranian, and wonder what it would feel like to hold a real dog instead of one made out of synthetic parts. She looks and feels like a dog, or so I have been told, but she has no heartbeat. Blood doesn’t course through her veins just some sort of fluid to mimic the warmth of a living creature. Her orange fur is silky soft to the touch, but I have no idea how it compares to real fur. Real animals aren’t allowed in the cloud cities due to population control and cleanliness issues.
Vala's more advanced than most of the pets in Cirrus though. She’s one of the rare sentient robots who has an organic computer for a brain which learns from her life experiences. Honestly, she’s more real to me than most of the people I know.
With Vala in my arms, I walk across the veranda, past the gossamer white curtains hanging to act as a visual barrier between the outside world and my chambers. Since the temperature inside the dome protecting Cirrus remains a constant seventy degr
ees, it’s nice to have free access to the breeze outside even if it is an artificial one.
Someone knocks on the other side of the door to my sitting room from the hallway.
“Come in,” I say, already knowing who will be walking in at this time of day.
My lady servants, Vivian and Eliza, walk into the room with the woman who helped raise me coming in last and closing the door behind her. I see that Eliza is holding a silver tray covered with a white silk napkin and cringe inwardly because I know what it means.
“Now, Vivian, you go lay out something appropriate for Lady Anna to wear for her lesson with the dowager empress. Eliza and I will handle her treatment,” Millie says with her natural bossiness in full effect as she places fisted hands against the girth of her waist.
Vivian, a tall red-head with ivory skin and a complexion so clear you would have thought her face was carved out of stone, crosses her arms in front of her and rolls her eyes at Millie.
“We’ve been Anna’s ladies for five years now, Millie,” she says irritably. “Why do you keep thinking you need to tell us what needs to be done?”
“Because that’s what I do,” Millie says matter-of-factly, nodding her head and causing a stray strand of her gray hair to escape from underneath her white dust cap. “I make sure Lady Anna and Lord Andre get what they need when they need it. Now shoo,” Millie says, waving her hands at Vivian, “go do your job while we do ours.”
“Surely it can't be treatment time again so soon,” I complain. “I could have sworn we just did this a few days ago.”
“We did, my lady,” Millie says, sympathetic to my plight. “Seven days ago today to be precise. You know the empress insists you have them once a week.”
On the day of my thirteenth birthday, the empress sent over the first batch of my 'treatments'. Every seven days since then, I've been required to have the strange green liquid injected into my body. My father tried to find out what the liquid was, but all the empress would say is that it was totally harmless and meant to protect me. If I didn't have the injections, she threatened to have my marriage contract to Auggie terminated on the grounds of non-compliance.
