"You're going to break my heart, aren't you, little one?"
Chapter Twelve
CADE STOPPED IN front of Van's bedroom door and smiled, thinking about the previous night. She hadn't expected the evening to turn romantic, but couldn't argue the truth. Van had returned her kisses passionately and if Pauncey hadn't interrupted, who knows where the moment would have carried them. She'd been attracted to Vanessa Swann from the start, influenced partly by her bravery and unique approach to command but that wasn't the only thing she found captivating about the woman. Vanessa possessed an unspoken vulnerability that touched her heart and Cade didn't think it was just because of what happened to her on Tokar. Somewhere in her past she'd been deeply hurt, so long ago that it had become a part of her. Cade wanted to reach in and erase that damage, soothe the pain. The desire to enfold Van in her arms and keep the rest of the known galaxy from ever hurting her again was so strong it made her ache.
Van had called her "baby" last night and the word had left an indelible impression, though Cade doubted she'd even remember. It was a slip, meaning nothing for the intrepid captain but leaving Cade open to a fervent wish for more. Undressing her and putting her to bed after the injury compounded her craving. At least she'd stopped short of removing all of Van's clothing, leaving her in a plain white T-shirt and her underwear. Cade easily recalled the way muscle and sinew shifted under tanned flesh and gasped against the sharp tingling sensation in her stomach.
She realized she'd fallen for the petite captain, but revealing her heart would only result in Van running as far and as fast as possible. She couldn't go back now, but was treading on thin ice by further lowering any barriers between them. Van's reputation told her she'd only get hurt if she insisted on pursuing any type of personal relationship, but she didn't want to just give up. Cade straightened and prepared to knock on the door, hoping Van was up and ready to go. They were already late, supposed to have headed out a half hour ago. Unaccustomed nervousness rippled through her, halting her before her knuckles actually made contact with the door.
A noise down the hall made Cade look over to meet the curious gaze of one of the housekeepers. Cade stared pointedly in return and the woman mumbled an apology before disappearing down the hall. Taking a nervous breath, Cade finally knocked.
She wasn't used to feeling so off guard around anyone. As royalty, she'd grown up with people catering to her every whim, though her mother ensured it didn't go to her head. Still, there was an inherent quality of intimidation built into the position that Cade had learned to temper. Part of the way she did that involved setting herself apart and never letting down her professional façade in public. No one got past her defenses, or at least never before. Van seemed an exception to that rule.
Cade heard a muffled curse from behind the heavy wooden door just before it opened. She tried very hard to lock her features into a neutral expression, but it wasn't easy with Van looking so adorably frazzled. Her short auburn hair stuck up in every direction and her bangs all but obscured her vision. One bleary eye was half-open. It took her two attempts to get anything past an obviously dry throat.
"What's going on?"
Cade suppressed a smile. "Good morning, Captain. How are you feeling?"
"Sore... and a little confused." Van grimaced.
"About what?"
"I don't remember coming back to my room or going to bed."
This could get awkward. "Do you remember the accident? You broke your arm."
"That's right." Van's expression cleared. "Didn't you carry me...back here?"
"Yes and I, uh, put you to bed." Cade couldn't prevent her eyes from drifting to the robe Van wore.
"Oh." The full implications hit her a beat later and Van's now wide-open eyes turned toward Cade. "Oh."
Cade might have become uncomfortable under the sudden scrutiny if not for the mental images of Van's supple skin and small, tight nipples. Removing the Coalition uniform definitely proved the highlight of her evening.
"Is there something you wanted, Admiral, or did you just want to see me naked again?"
The slightly hostile question wasn't far off the mark but Cade wasn't about to admit it. "Actually, I came by to see if you'll be ready to move out anytime soon."
"Move out?" Van pushed the hair out of her eyes. "What time is it?"
"Zero eight forty. I understand Commander Byra and the rest of the crew are patiently waiting for us at the shipyards. You'd better hurry or your first officer might commandeer the captain's quarters for himself."
"Great, I'm never going to hear the end of it." She rubbed a hand over her eyes trying to wake up, in what was becoming a familiar gesture. "Give me thirty minutes."
Cade nodded. "I'll meet you downstairs and I'll let the others know we'll be there soon."
"Thanks."
Van quickly closed the door and Cade walked away. Half asleep or not, Captain Swann had her barriers back up this morning. Cade wished she could say the same. Instead, the sensation of soft lips against hers played again in her head. She'd told Van that having sex together on Tokar was just one of those things, a biological imperative to connect with someone after surviving a harrowing experience. The kiss last night proved her words a lie. The weirdest part was that she never looked for anything more than sex. Even then, she had to be careful since any potential partners cared more about the crown than Cade.
Maybe that was what made Van so unique. She didn't care a whit about the throne.
"What are you smiling about, child?"
Cade looked up at the royal cook as she entered the dining hall. Reena's blue skin appeared to shimmer in the morning sunlight. Some people might consider her question presumptuous for a servant, but not Cade. Reena had practically raised her when the queen set off on one diplomatic mission or another. She'd spent most of her free time in the kitchens.
Plucking a sticky roll from a plate on the huge table, Cade took a big bite. "Nothing," she mumbled. "I'm just in a good mood."
"Does that cheerfulness have anything to do with a certain newly honored captain? Rumor has it, you two looked awfully cozy together last night and I heard you carried her from the ballroom. Very sentimental if you ask me."
"I don't know what you're talking about."
The cook chuckled, but Cade ignored her skepticism. "Speaking of Captain Swann, could you pack up a light breakfast and a coffee for her? She's running a little behind."
"Right away, Princess Cade. Make sure you brush the sugar off your uniform when you leave the dining hall."
"Yes, ma'am."
Reena left the room, but another voice from behind said, "I don't know why you let her get away with talking to you like that. You are the heir to the Alaran Empire."
Cade grinned at Saral over her shoulder. "You're too worried about appearances. There's no one here but us and Reena knows exactly who I am."
"I suppose."
Her cousin sat at the table and took a plate. She didn't say anything further as she helped herself to breakfast.
"Are you upset about something?"
"No, I just don't think you should be so friendly with the staff. It isn't proper."
Cade frowned. "You just don't like Reena."
"Can't argue with that."
Pulling out a chair, Cade sat next to her. "I never have understood why. She's a nice lady."
Saral shrugged and swallowed. "I don't know, I can't explain it. Let's talk about something else."
"Like what?"
"Like, why are you still on Alara? I thought you wanted to leave early this morning."
"Van overslept," Cade admitted. "I think that sedative the doctor gave her really knocked her out. She'll be ready soon though."
Saral had a wicked grin on her face. "So it's Van now, huh? What happened to Captain Swann?"
"Stop. There's nothing wrong with me calling her by her first name."
"If you say so." Saral sipped her coffee.
Her smile faded and she suddenly appeared p
ensive. Cade realized there was something on her mind that she didn't know how to bring up. "What is it?"
Saral blinked and looked at her. "Why won't you wait a few days and return to Psmanth with me? You know I'd love to have your company and we don't get to spend enough time together."
"You know I'd love nothing better, but I'm so far behind in my work that I'll never get caught up as it is."
"Looking at recruit training files is that important? Surely they can wait a few days."
Cade was touched her cousin wanted to spend time with her, but she wasn't going to relent. An entire session of new Coalition troops had graduated while she was off scouting Tokar and a large part of her responsibility entailed placing them in units to best utilize their particular skills.
"I wish they could, but the Coalition doesn't pay them to just hang around headquarters with nothing to do."
"Are you sure that's the only reason you're traveling with Captain Swann?" Saral was strangely intent, even for her.
"Is there something about her in particular that you don't like?"
Placing the coffee cup on the table, Saral reached for her hand. "What's bothering me is that I'm not sure she can be trusted to keep you safe. Look what just happened. You could have died."
Cade couldn't believe her ears. "You are aware that she rescued me from a megalomaniac, right?"
"If it wasn't for her, you wouldn't have been in that situation to begin with."
"How do you figure that? She wasn't anywhere around." Cade was starting to get angry. Saral was blaming Van for something she had no control over. In fact, she'd followed Cade's orders to lead the other team. How could Van know the Gothoan insurgents had planned an ambush?
"She should have been there." Saral's eyes flashed. "Then no one would've got their hands on you and a rescue wouldn't have been necessary. When I think of the danger you were in it makes me crazy."
Cade's ire vanished and a gentle smile graced her lips. "Is that what this is about, you're worried for me?
"No."
Cade didn't believe her. She squeezed Saral's hand and then released it. "I'll be fine. I'm going straight to my desk at Headquarters, no more clandestine missions in the near future."
"Promise?"
"Promise." Cade stood and stepped around her chair. She leaned down and hugged Saral from behind, kissing her temple. "Come and see me when you get to Psmanth. We'll have lunch."
"I'll hold you to that."
Reena entered the dining room carrying a perma-poly satchel and hot-mug. Cade didn't miss the contentious glance she directed toward Saral before she handed her the requested breakfast items and vacated the chamber. These two had never gotten along and no amount of effort on her part would alter that.
"I'd better go."
Saral flashed her a smile. "I'll see you soon. Don't do anything I wouldn't do."
Feeling warmed by her cousin's concern, Cade's smile held as she walked out of the dining room carrying the satchel and hot-mug. From a distance, she watched Van descend the staircase. She wore her everyday uniform and her hair was still a little damp from the shower. She looked wide-awake now and had a bit of a bounce in her step.
Cade looked forward to the next five days spent in her company, especially since she fully intended to take advantage of her diplomatic status. By traveling as a passenger aboard a Coalition vessel rather than a commander, protocol required her status to be that of a member of the royal house. For once, that procedure didn't annoy her. In fact, it worked in her favor. Operating procedure called on the vessel's commanding officer to share all meals with a diplomatic member when not engaged in matters of ship's safety.
It was true, she didn't know if they had a chance for any kind of serious relationship and the possibility existed that Cade was being overly sentimental. But she'd never know if she didn't try. She just had to ensure that Van didn't catch on or she'd be gone before Cade even started to set her plan in motion.
Reaching the foyer, Van looked at her. Her eyes darted to the items Cade held.
"My cook put some breakfast together for you."
"Thoughtful," Van acknowledged, reaching for the hot-mug. She closed her eyes, tasting the coffee.
"Yes, Reena is a considerate woman. She was concerned you have a proper meal before our departure."
Van took the satchel from her, but didn't check inside. "I guess she heard about the accident. Good news certainly travels fast."
Cade noticed two bright points of color on her cheeks along with an expression of consternation. Van probably felt embarrassed to have made a scene the night before in front of so many dignitaries. Cade would have felt the same so chose not to dwell on the subject. Nor did she want to admit that the breakfast was her idea.
"I really couldn't say. Are you ready to go?"
"Yes, ma'am. Lead the way. I just hope the transition center isn't too crowded this morning."
Silently, Cade left the castle with Van trailing behind. The footman opened the heavy door as they stepped out into the morning sunlight, but Van continued to follow just as proper etiquette dictated. Cade's plan was never going to work if Van insisted on carrying out military protocol to the letter, at least not this part of her scheme. Later, that same discipline would come in handy for their working relationship, but not for what Cade wanted on a personal level. Cade stopped and turned so quickly that Van almost ran into her.
"Whoa. Is something wrong, Admiral?"
She had to be careful not to overdo it. "Van, I was wondering if you could do me a favor."
"What is it?"
"I'd really like for you to use my first name when we're alone."
"Uh, I don't think that's a good idea."
Van looked unsure and a frown rested between her brows, illustrating her discomfort with the proposal. The walls were definitely in place and Cade needed to find a way to breach the perimeter. The only way she could think to do that was to relax her own. She allowed some of the fondness she felt for Van to show in her expression.
"You've done it before. Just last night, in fact. Please?"
Sputtering for a moment, Van was lost for words. Her gaze finally fixed on the ground. Just as Cade decided she would refuse her request, she glanced up with a haunted expression in her eyes. "All right."
Cade was relieved to have won this first tiny battle. "Good. Since that topic is out of the way, we need to get moving."
She waited until Van stepped up beside her and they started walking to the transition center. Van hesitated just a beat to allow Cade to draw ahead. Rolling her eyes, Cade stopped again and finally lost her patience.
"Enough, already. You're the last person I want treating me like royalty."
"But you are royalty," Van pointed out helpfully.
"As true as that may be, do you think we could call a truce and try to at least be friends? All this walking on eggshells is starting to make me crazy."
Van opened her mouth, hesitated, and then closed it again. Cade figured she'd barely refrained from making a smart remark. "All right, I'll give it a rest but I can't promise I won't slip once in a while."
"Fair enough."
They left the palace grounds and stepped onto the path leading to the transition center. Basically one huge wildlife preserve, the ruling house of Alara did their best to keep the planet that way. Everything as far as the eye could see was lush, green and full of life. It was the main reason the Coalition situated their headquarters on Psmanth, that and the fact that Queen Agea was a fully capable warrior. Cade noticed the few clouds in the sky and the way the domed ceiling of the transportation hub blended with the canopy of trees high overhead. Just because an advanced civilization utilized sophisticated technology didn't mean it had to stand out like some clunky steel can.
Few people walked the grounds and she realized how much time had already gotten away from them. Cade increased the length of her stride and had almost reached the entrance when she realized Van was practically jogging to keep up. The wom
an had such a large personality, it was hard to bear in mind that she only stood a little over five feet.
"Sorry about that."
"No problem. I'm in a hurry too. I can't wait to see what Pandora looks like."
"Oh, that's right. You only found out about the assignment yesterday."
The doors retracted automatically and they walked across polished marble floors toward the nearest station. There was a short line so Cade didn't anticipate a long wait.
"Yeah, I still can't believe they gave me another ship, much less a brand new one just off the showroom floor."
"You must have friends in high places," Cade observed, slightly amused by Van's enthusiasm.
"Or low ones, I guess that remains to be seen. My official orders are to patrol the outer edge of the sector past Mirach. We're not to leave the fifth planet's vicinity. I can't imagine there will be much excitement in the middle of nowhere."
"And what are your unofficial orders?" Cade asked absently.
The man in front of them left for a transportation ring, leaving them at the front of the line. When Van didn't respond, Cade turned to look at her. Van's eyes rounded in surprise and she looked a little pinched. "Is something wrong?"
"No, of course not. How could anything be wrong?"
Cade frowned. She didn't know Van very well, but thought she might be attempting to hide something. Since Cade barely remembered what she'd asked, she had to think back over the last few minutes. Before she could arrive at any conclusions, the stationmaster interrupted.
"Where are you headed this morning, Princess?"
"New Hope Shipyard, party of two."
"Right this way."
The man wore a cap that did little to conceal his tired features. Cade guessed he'd worked the night shift and he was probably ready for it to end though he still smiled politely as he led them to a platform. "Please step up onto a ring and I'll key in the coordinates for you."
"Thank you."
The transition platform stood less than a foot off the ground. Cade stepped up and made sure to keep her entire body inside the ring outlined at her feet. Van did the same next to her while the stationmaster stepped up to a console and keyed the coordinates into the database. Seconds later, Cade felt the familiar prickle like static electricity all over her body as the beam locked on and transported them hundreds of miles by advent of quantum entanglement physics to a receiving station aboard the shipyard. Even after hundreds of trips through the matter stream, she still held her breath until the cycle completed. Cade left the dais as soon as her vision cleared, relieved at yet another successful transference.
Destination Alara Page 13
