“No. Our warlord is among the rare few who possess such skill, and it is only the beginning of how he can manipulate fire and heat.” There was immense pride in the usually distant man’s voice as he extolled his leader’s talents. “Darios’ power is inherited and one of the many reasons why his family has held the position of overlord for centuries.”
Aurelia gaped at him in surprise. “You’re an unpredictable man. Could your father do this as well?”
“Yes,” Darios answered quietly. “The power goes back six generations in my family.” He wasn’t the least bit boastful; Iyo had done a good job of it for him.
“If it’s targeted,” she asked with a deepening frown, “why did we have to take cover behind the rocks?”
“There was a chance the heat wave would deflect off the mountain, which it did. On the rebound, my protective effect is not as reliable, unfortunately.”
The sound of faint coughing preceded the rebels, led by Sidrah, as they emerged from the charred hole in the side of the mountain and climbed from smoldering vehicles. One man sat on the ground beside his cruiser looking dazed, though outwardly, he appeared unharmed.
“Your powers are amazing, my lord,” she breathed, undisguised awe in her voice.
“’Tis an understatement, Daughter,” her father remarked. “Seeing them firsthand, I’m grateful our truce is intact. With the warlord as your new husband, he’ll be less likely to wage war on his new family.”
“Papa!”
“What? Do I speak falsely?”
“No, but you don’t have to make it sound so calculated.”
“’Tis a love match,” Iyo grunted, as he climbed onto the rock to keep a close eye on the rebels.
“It is,” Aurelia concurred softly. While gazing up at him, she laid her gloved hand on his chest before she added, “And I do not speak falsely, either, my lord.”
His hand curled around hers. “I don’t need a special gift to read the truth in your beautiful blue eyes, little one.”
“While this is romantic and all,” Iyo drawled from above them, a hint of disgust in his voice, “I’d like to focus on our next problem. How do we contain thirteen insurrectionists and get them back to the city?”
“Perhaps the reinforcements will help,” his lovely bride suggested.
“Someone will have to go back and arrange for them.” He released her hand to dig the retrieval device out of his pocket.
“I have a better idea. Why don’t we put the ones already here to good use?”
He swung around to look where she pointed. Emerging through the same trees they had earlier were at least two dozen more soldiers.
“Who would have sent them?” Iyo wondered aloud.
“Shiloh is my guess,” Aurelia stated. “Regardless of your surprise that a woman can run a research lab, she is one of the smartest, most perceptive people I know, male or female.”
His stubborn friend wasn’t impressed. “It would have been helpful if they’d arrived a few minutes earlier.”
She glared at him as he jumped down but didn’t remain silent. “I’d say getting them into a glass tube one at a time took some doing. Convincing them she wasn’t certifiably insane likely took longer.”
Seeing her exasperation, Darios bit the inside of his lip to keep from laughing. This was the Iyo he knew, and one she’d have to get used to since they were both going to be in his life for a very long time.
“Save your breath, sweetness. Iyo is the most obstinate, inflexible person I know, but he’s also loyal as the day is long.”
“That’s why he puts up with me,” the other man quipped.
Perceptive in her own right, she didn’t dispute the issue any longer. Instead, she huddled close, burrowing into him when his arms came around her. “Can we get my aunt and go home, now? Despite your awesome powers and incredible body heat, I’m freezing.”
“While you see to your bride, my lord, I’ll stay, risk my ass getting frostbit, and help the prince oversee the cleanup.”
“Appreciated, Iyo.”
Still ignoring him, Aurelia looked around for her brother. “Where is Axton, by the way?”
“Let me go!”
The ear-piercing screech shook snow from the trees. A moment later, her brother dragged his traitorous wife around the rock ledge. Behind them, the newly arrived soldiers led the perfidious twelve who’d sided with Sidrah at gunpoint into the clearing. Most coughed and wheezed from the acrid smoke, still they walked out under their own power; only the last few needed help. One had long, snow-white hair.
“Akira!” her father called while slogging through the snow to get to her. “Are you well?”
“No, your shrew of a daughter-in-law coshed me on the head with the butt of a blaster.” With a trembling hand, she gingerly probed the area above her right ear. When her fingers brushed a visibly bruised and swollen lump on her temple, she hissed in pain. “I thought I’d freeze to death, except suddenly, it’s turned warm, almost balmy. What’s going on with that, Az?”
“I’d hardly call below-freezing temperatures balmy, Sister, but you have the warlord and his guard to thank that they aren’t subzero. Both have made this rescue bearable.”
The older woman’s gaze searched for him. He instantly saw the family resemblance especially in her eyes which were the same pale blue hue as the royal twins.
Moving slowly forward with a man holding each arm, when she stopped in front of him her head fell back, and she let out a long low whistle. “You’re a big one, aren’t you?”
“Auntie,” Aurelia chided her, though she spoiled it by giggling.
“I’ll have a few questions to ask you before I approve of you, my boy.”
“He’s the leader of an entire planet, Aunt Akira, and long past being a boy.”
“Not compared to me.”
“She lives alone in this terrible climate, my lord,” Aziros explained. “All the time without adult conversation has made her a bit eccentric.”
She smacked his arm. “I’m standing right here, Az, and I’m not eccentric. Just concerned over my dearest niece. I didn’t approve of Axton’s choice and we see how that match turned out.”
“Aurelia has spoken of you fondly, Princess Akira,” he said with a respectful nod. “I’ll enjoy sitting down for a conversation once we all get somewhere warm and dry. The bump on your head needs seeing to and your niece’s teeth are chattering despite my best efforts to keep her warm.”
“Yes, yes, of course.” She winked at Aurelia. “He’s protective of you. I like that. Score one point in the plus column.”
He couldn’t see them do it, and still he knew, without question, his bride’s eyes rolled to the back of her head.
Chapter Twenty
SHE AND DARIOS TRANSPORTED back first. They were still in the lab when Axton followed with his wife only moments later. The capital police were waiting, summoned by Shiloh who was more perceptive than Aurelia had first believed. Taken into custody immediately, Sidrah didn’t go quietly, having to be dragged from the lab, and she didn’t stop screaming her claims, repeatedly, that she, not the king, was the true heir to the throne of Aeldor.
Aurelia had never seen her brother as distraught as when he strode to the door to follow her to the detention center.
She caught his hand before he left. “Do you need us to go with you? You’re upset. You shouldn’t have to deal with this yourself.”
“Why?” he demanded, his face marked with self-loathing. “I chose her. She’s my wife. I brought her into our household.”
“She’s ill, Axton. Or confused.”
“Is she? Some of what she says makes sense.”
“No, Axton! It can’t be true.”
He squeezed her hand. “I’ll be present when the examiners question her. Capital crimes have been committed, severest of all the attempt on your life.” His gaze rose to the warlord who stood behind her. “I won’t let them go easy. As soon as I have answers, I’ll bring them to you.”
&nbs
p; With another squeeze and a grim, forced smile, he left.
That had been hours ago.
“Aurelia, come here.” Reclined on a couch near the fire, his long legs stretched out in front of him and crossed at the ankles, Darios patted the cushion beside him. “Sit with me.”
“I can’t be still,” she replied without pausing in her pacing.
“Then sit on me”—he rubbed his thighs—“and I’ll distract you, so you can.”
Sorely tempted, she glanced from him to the open door.
“Pacing holes in your shoes and the carpeting won’t make your brother appear faster.”
“I’m worried about him. He blames himself.”
“As would I.”
“He shouldn’t hold himself accountable for her actions. She’s a free woman, and her will is her own, not Axton’s.”
“He’s a leader, and her husband. If you did something this abhorrent, don’t you think I would feel the same for letting you loose on the innocents of Voltarre?”
“That wouldn’t be your fault, either.”
“It’s how we feel. We’re men. You’ll have to accept it.” He patted his thighs. “You’ll also have to accept that your man wants you here in his arms when you’re upset, not clear across the room.”
This argument was compelling enough for her to do as he requested.
She settled sideways on his lap and curled into him with her arms around his neck and her face buried in his throat. When his hands slid over her, one curling around her hip, the other stroking slowly up and down her back, she sighed, accepting the comfort he so badly wanted to give.
It wasn’t long after that a door slammed, and boots rang out on the tile in the corridor. She jumped off his lap like she was spring-loaded.
She arrived in the open doorway at the same time her father reached the bottom of the steps. Then, they followed the agitated prince into the receiving room.
“Sidrah is Staviros’ bastard daughter,” he announced without preamble.
Aurelia stared at him in shock, her mouth agape.
“What about Bamath?” her father asked.
“No relation, but a Staviros loyalist from way back.”
“This explains a lot. The manipulation and backbiting and trying to claw her way to the throne no matter who got trampled on in the process—just like my duplicitous brother.”
She looked at her father, who was taking the news calmly and much better than she. In fact, she stood speechless in slack-jawed amazement until Darios came up beside her. He tugged on her wrist and led her back to the couch. He sat, pulled her down next to him, and, when she continued to gape in shock, closed her mouth with the nudge of his fingertip beneath her chin.
“Are you all right, princess?” he murmured low near her ear.
Still processing all she had heard, it took her a moment to answer. “I don’t think so.” A horrible thought occurred to her. “Axton, this means she’s our cousin.”
He flopped down on the couch across from her, his fingers threading through his thick blond hair a sure sign of his distress.
“Don’t remind me,” he groaned, sounding decidedly ill. “I just thank the gods we didn’t have a child.”
“I’m picturing a king with a third eye or a limb protruding from where it should not, so I agree, it was a good thing.”
“Darios!”
He looked at her, a brow raised. “What is it with your people and this incestuous power struggle for the throne?”
“No one knew she was close kin.”
“This is true, but your husband is right.” Aziros exclaimed with disgust. “Brother against brother, sons toppling fathers, exile, kidnappings, and murder attempts, and those are just the despicable acts we know of. And most often it’s between twins who should have the closest bond.”
Aurelia glanced at her overwrought brother and declared, “Not these twins. I don’t want the throne.”
Axton’s hands came out of his hair to rub his eyes. “You can’t say no. It is your birthright.”
She shrugged dismissively. “That I arrived a few minutes before you makes no difference to me. Since the day we were born, firstborn or not, you were meant to follow in Papa’s footsteps, not I.” She paused to look pointedly at her father. “Although there is no reason I couldn’t be queen and rule Aeldor, if that is what I wanted to do.” He had the good grace to flush. “What Father sensed in me at birth, however, is still true today. I don’t want to lead, never have, never will.” She turned to the man at her side, a king in his own right on his own world, though differently titled. “I prefer to provide support and be allowed to do what I want to help the people in my own capacity. You have those in need on Voltarre, don’t you, my lord?”
“Yes, unfortunately. What world doesn’t have the sick and the vulnerable?”
“Then I will be happy to do what I can to help them.”
“She excels at that, and her talents will be missed. Our people love her.” Axton’s voice had softened, and, if she didn’t know her brother as well as she did, she would have missed the emotion roiling up inside of him.
“I will miss them, as well as my family.” Unlike her brother, she didn’t try to hide her feelings, which were apparent in the hitch between her last few words.
“I never imagined you’d marry, you were so set against it, and to do so and leave Aeldor...” Her father’s voice cracked. He was more like her than his son when it came to concealing his feelings.
“I never considered it, either, but I hadn’t met Darios.” Her hand moved to his thigh and, almost immediately, he covered it with his own. She glanced at him when she told her father, “I love him.”
“I can tell,” he said softly. “I will miss you, Daughter.”
“You’ll visit us, and I’ll come home often.” She said this firmly, without question, since for her it was nonnegotiable. Still watching her often unyielding husband, she didn’t miss how his lips twitched, even so, he did not contradict her.
She breathed out steadily, glad this was one battle that wouldn’t have to be waged. Another thing occurred to her.
“A friend told me recently to find a way to peace. I hadn’t thought of it, but different worlds forge alliances through marriage all the time. Through the joining of the ruling families, Voltarre and Aeldor will be able to move forward aligned, instead of at crossed purposes.”
“You can be our ambassador for peace, Daughter. We’ll need someone our people trust to dispel some of the appalling myths.” Realizing he may have offended the warlord, Aziros quickly amended, “I’m sure there are some unflattering misconceptions of Aeldor as well.”
“Mostly that you’re all as cold as your planet. Aurelia has proved that isn’t the case.”
She beamed up at him, but being an ambassador or educator sounded like it would take her away from Darios, which she didn’t want, not while they were new and still getting to know one another.
“I will do what I can, Papa, but maybe when you visit, you can bring emissaries who can see for themselves they have nothing to fear. Darios and I can do the same on our trips here, don’t you think, my lord?”
“We can. This alliance will undoubtedly promote trade and other opportunities between us, so I expect our visits to be regular, when our duties and the family that will come along soon doesn’t keep us at home.”
“Grandchildren,” the king murmured. “At long last.”
“They will be a new beginning for both our people, Aziros, and a bridge to a peaceful future for our two worlds.”
“The gods be praised,” Aurelia breathed. “It’s about damn time.”
Her father frowned at her. “You’ll not be teaching my impressionable grandchildren such language, Daughter.”
“Oops,” she replied. “Sorry, Papa.”
He shook his head at her while addressing Darios. “You’ll have to use a firm hand with her as I did.”
“You did no such thing, Papa. Axton was the troublesome one. I have alwa
ys been sweetness personified, you’ve said so yourself.”
Her brother burst into laughter. “That’s not how I remember it. Who set fire to the classroom while trying to bring heat instead of cold?” He didn’t wait for an answer before he explained to Darios. “She reasoned that if descendants of Atagan our great uncle many times removed could do it, then we should have the ability as well.”
She crossed her arms over her chest, the rarely seen haughty princess emerging as she raised her chin and glared down her nose at them. “I was nine at the time, a mere child. I’m an adult now.”
“I’m not at all surprised. Although, at first, I thought she lacked a passion for life. My opinion changed when she froze my statuary hallway on her second day in my home,” Darios disclosed.
Finding his disclosure unnecessary, her eyes narrowed on him. “You were chasing me!”
“No, you were running from me.”
She wrinkled her nose. “Semantics.”
“This gray hair,” Aziros told him. “Every strand is because of her.”
“I didn’t know I was such a burden.”
“Not a burden, but a handful. She took off no less than a half-dozen times before her tenth birthday in a snow cruiser, determined to visit Akira. I had to lock up the keys and put passcodes on the ignition switches.”
Again, everyone turned her way. “I lived in a house of men,” she exclaimed. “I missed her, and you wouldn’t take me.”
Her father sighed heavily. “Be on your toes, my boy. It’s all I’m saying.”
Darios’ arm came around her shoulders, and he hauled her close in a side hug. “I’m up for the challenge, Your Highness.”
“You make me sound like a nightmare,” she grumbled.
“Just high-spirited, Wife,” he reassured with another affectionate squeeze. “It isn’t a bad thing, and fits in perfectly on Voltarre. It’s also something I’d like to see passed onto our sons.”
As she recalled many of her other antics they had not recounted, some her father and brother didn’t know of, she shuddered. “The gods forbid. Perhaps they will take after their uncle.”
Chapter Twenty-One
Claimed by the Warlord Page 28
